Untold story: why you can blame Madrid for a new improved Will Clyburn / News - Basketnews.com

The disrespectful defense of Real Madrid inspired Will Clyburn to improve his jumper to the point that now he's considered one of the best clutch shooters in the EuroLeague.

Credit: Imago-Images - Scanpix Credit Imago-Images - Scanpix

Stepbacks, pull-ups, mid-range shots. During those five years matching up with each other in Russia or Turkey, Will Clyburn greatly damaged Errick McCollum's teams.

2-pointers this season

58%21,6Points made:21,6Accuracy:58,5%Place in standings:4Record max:27Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Walter TavaresTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The second-best Champions League scorer, McCollum (24.8 PPG), is the guy who shows love. If he sees his opponent playing at a certain level, he'll commend him.

He always thought Will Clyburn was the best small forward in Europe for the last 4-5 years.

As McCollum explained, it was always impossible to contain Clyburn from getting to the rim. If you put somebody smaller on him, Clyburn goes to the block. If you put somebody taller on him, he pulls him out and beats him off the dribble due to his great finishing at the rim.

But Clyburn was shooting so well at one point that McCollum decided to text him.

"I don't know what you did over the summer, but you are a bona fide shooter now," McCollum texted.

"I've been playing against you for six years, I've never seen you shooting mid-range, pull-ups, and mid-range stepbacks," he continued.

"It looks like you're stealing my moves. I told him to stop!" McCollum laughed.

Prior to his move to CSKA, Clyburn was a 29% 3-point shooter in Ulm, Holon, and Darussafaka. Throughout five seasons in Moscow, he became a high-volume 36% 3-point shooter.

Now, he makes threes in Efes at 41.4%. In most cases, these are contested tough shots.

Clyburn smiled and responded.

"He told me what changed for him was the year when he was at Darussafaka. They played Real Madrid. And he said they were guarding him in the paint with the tall guy. Kind of how Ben Simmons was guarded. They just stayed back," McCollum told on the URBONUS podcast.

"What is going on? No way," Clyburn didn't expect to be disrespected by Madrid's defense so much.

Real Madrid / Schedule

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Real Madrid71-85 Real Madrid AS MonacoThu20:00 FC Bayern Munich Real Madrid12-1319:30

Credit EuroLeague Basketball via GettyImages

Pablo Laso decided to ignore Clyburn at the turning point of the EuroLeague playoff series.

In the 2016-17 season, Real played Darussafaka in the best of five. After stealing the home court advantage (1-1), Darussafaka had a chance to close the series in Istanbul. Clyburn played a key role in Madrid. He averaged 14 points in the first two games and helped to open spaces for Dacka's guards Scottie Wilbekin and Brad Wanamaker.

But on his way to Istanbul, Laso made some changes. Madrid started ignoring Clyburn on the perimeter. In some situations, Randolph was a few meters away from Clyburn and didn't even raise his hand to contest Will's 3-pointers.

Clyburn hit the first one in Game 3 but then kept missing. He finished the series connecting only 1 of 7. Darussafaka lost the series 1-3.

"Will said once that happened, he said I got to fix my shot. He got in the gym, started shooting, and started working. And he just said that every year he wanted to add something more. And this was the year after he got comfortable shooting all spot-ups, so he wanted to add the mid-range," McCollum recalled on the URBONUS podcast.

Clyburn is currently the EuroLeague top-scorer. He is averaging a career-high 20.7 points, 6.5 rebounds (4th in the league), 2.3 assists, and 22.4 PIR (3rd).

During the current Efes' 4-game winning streak, Clyburn averaged 23.3 points.

He was remarkable in facing the Final Four contenders. Efes newcomer scored 28 over Monaco, poured in 25 against Real Madrid, and had 24 vs. Barcelona, Milan, and Olympiacos.

"He really put the work in. I was proud of him because whenever I see the guy home crafting those things, I say, 'Hey man, you look good out there.' I'm a guy that shows love. If you play at a certain level, I'm going to commend you. And he's doing that. He put the time in," McCollum continued.

"You can blame Real Madrid for a new and improved Will Clyburn. Because you're the reason that he stepped up and said I'm going to get this jumper right," McCollum concluded with a smile.

Watch the entire URBONUS episode with Errick McCollum and Jordan Loyd:

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.