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OAKLAND – Six weeks after arriving at the Warriors' hands in the air to ask for a chance, Alfonzo McKinnie tells his story from mountains to the top of the streets. Anyone with a dream would be wise to listen.
If you need inspiration, it's your man.
If you want to have hope, listen to him and his teammates.
"Incredible, it shows you what perseverance will do and hard work," said Klay Thompson late Friday night after McKinnie played an important role in a 116-99 win over Minnesota Timberwolves.
"The energy he brought to the ground, his extra possessions, his ability to shoot bullets, it was really great to have that energy there," said Draymond Green.
"It has been a huge surprise for us this year," said coach Steve Kerr.
Before arriving in the Bay Area in September, McKinnie spent four years looking for a professional basketball home. He was a traveling man, playing in a corner of a European country with teammates who worked in the day, working in overheated gyms in Mexico, working in the G League, all with barely a puff of NBA.
And he was there Friday night, one of three Warriors to play in the fourth full quarter, when the game was decided. McKinnie was with Thompson and Green, along with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, with Andre Iguodala and Jonas Jerebko – all players having finished at least six seasons in the league.
It was no surprise that McKinnie, who played 27 minutes, broke his season record. He made his first appearance on the podium of the post-match usually reserved for the stars.
"It's something I've been looking for since I set foot in Oakland," he said. "I just tried to work, to show the whole organization that I can be an asset to them. For me, having 27 minutes, it allows me to know that I'm doing something good. "
McKinnie totaled 8 points (field shot 3 of 4, 2 over 2 over the arc) and eight rebounds. He was over-8 for the game and over-21 for the fourth quarter, when the Warriors eliminated a four-point deficit and dominated the Minnesota 33-12 goals.
In 10 games this season, the 6-foot-7 striker is shooting 55.8% (24 of 43) overall, 58.8% (10 of 17) deep. Amazing as it may be, his rebound rate – one every 2.46 minutes – is by far the best of the team.
There is an explanation that. This is what is called hunger. It may be that no statistic reflects desire more than rebound.
"I feel that the rebound is something for which I have a talent," McKinnie said. "It's something I can do to help this team acquire additional assets. When I enter the game, that's what they tell me to do. They tell me to go bounce, run and if I'm open to shoot. "
How did the warriors discover McKinnie? There are two factors.
First, he spent a few minutes, to be exact, with the Raptors last season. Two, he is a cousin of Ralph Walker, the former Oakland police officer, who was responsible for the safety of the team until his retirement this summer. And third, the Warriors walked the market to find wings.
"He really came and seized the opportunity that presented itself to him," Kerr said. "He gets a lot of rebounds and a lot of loose balls, too. He is very sporty and has a nose for the ball. He is also making great progress for us. I could not be happier for him – and for us. "
McKinnie, 26, enrolled in training camp when the Warriors did not know they would have one. He earns minutes in the regular season, including in the fourth quarter of tight games.
He sits on the podium after a win representing the two defending titles of the NBA.
It's far from Luxembourg or Hermosillo, Mexico.
"I talk about my story every day," said McKinnie. "And I'm excited to say it every day. It's unique. I am just blessed and grateful to be in that position I am today. "
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