By Joseph Staszewski
Even Scott Machado had stopped believing in himself, but a good season overseas has the Queens native refocused on a return to the NBA.
The former Iona College guard played six regular-season games with the Houston Rockets in the 2012-2013 season and was briefly in five playoff games for the Golden State Warriors later that season. Since then Machado bounced around the NBA Development League with Rio Grande Valley and Santa Cruz. He also was on the Utah Jazz’s preseason roster in 2014, but did not make the team. His confidence was shaken.
“Before I went overseas,” Machado said, “it was more of a mental thing. I was thinking too much about the game.”
It forced Marchado to head overseas for the first time, which ended up being the best thing that could have happened to him. The former NCAA leader in assists found his game and his confidence starting for the BC Kalev/Cramo of the Baltic League, one of the best in Europe. Machado averaged 17 points and eight assists per game and found the playing style that made him a success throughout his career.
“They allowed me to be myself,” he said. “I gained my confidence back, really just my shooting stroke.”
He will get another chance this summer to catch on in the NBA after making the Washington Wizards’ summer-league roster. It will be his fourth summer-league team after shots with the Warriors and Toronto Raptors the last two years respectively.
The Wizards’ games get underway July 11 in Las Vegas. Machado says he has learned from his past experience in the summer leagues and knows how to better approach getting noticed. In the past he tried to show off a specific skill whether it was passing, defense or shooting.
“It’s really trying to just put it all together all at once,” Machado said. “NBA teams want to see that you really know how to play.”
Machado played twice in the Pro City summerball league at Baruch College to build the stamina to play major game minutes. He looked strong, scoring 26 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out six assists for Queensbridge in a loss to Primetime last week.
“Going two times a day, working out and then coming in here and working on your stamina, it helps,” Machado said.
He is prepared for what is ahead. With his confidence back, his game in a good place and he has a better understanding of the process. He’s not going to try to overdo anything and just let his play do the talking.
“I’m going into it more relaxed,” Machado said. “Not being so excited, like to go in there and and destroy the summer league. I’m more or less going in there to show them I really know how to play the game.”
