Finding Hidden Gems or Fallen Angels

[SportsTicker]

From Charley Rosen this week...

And some must undergo long seasons of disappointment, embarrassment, and frustration before they learn how to translate their specific skills into NBA success.

For example:

--Chauncey Billups bounced around with Boston, Toronto, Denver, Orlando and Minnesota before becoming the perfect fit in Detroit's perfect puzzle.

--Kobe Bryant (averaged 7.6 ppg in his rookie season) was very young and very foolish, and had to learn there were four other guys wearing the same uniform. These days, he's not quite so young and not quite so foolish.

--Steve Nash (3.3 ppg) didn't average double-digits until his fifth season in the league. Since he wasn't a physical specimen, Nash had to learn how to recognize and anticipate all the angles, permutations and probabilities of the pro game.

--John Stockton (5.6 ppg) had to learn defense and screen/roll offense. That's why he didn't score double-figures until his fourth season in Utah.

--Sam Jones (4.6 ppg) had to learn where his shots would be coming from.

--Kevin Martin (2.9 ppg) had to bulk up and discover where the empty spaces and open lanes were.

--Gail Goodrich (7.8 ppg) was too slow to play the point and too short to play shooting guard — until he eventually discovered how to play a little bit of each position.

--Jermaine O'Neal (4.1 ppg) came out of high school, tried to do everything, and succeeded in doing very little — until he learned the parameters of his game. Ditto for Tracy McGrady (7.0 ppg).

--Dirk Nowitzki (8.2 ppg) had to toughen up and slow down.

Other future all-stars and Hall-of-Famers who needed time to figure out NBA action included Paul Westphal (4.1 ppg), Alex English (5.2 ppg), Clyde Drexler (7.7 ppg), David West (3.8 ppg), Manu Ginobili (7.6 ppg), Devin Harris (5.7 ppg), Nate Thurmond (7.0 ppg), Baron Davis (5.9 ppg) and many others.

And, as a rookie in 1960-61, Jerry West averaged "only" 17.6 ppg.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8909834/

Rosen forgot Michael Redd.

 

[NOMAM]

Well, I guess the million dollar question is how do you identify which guys will "get it" and realize their potential or exceed anyones expectations of them?

 

[Денг Гордон]

Well, I guess the million dollar question is how do you identify which guys will "get it" and realize their potential or exceed anyones expectations of them?

Well you can start by identifying which players have no chance of reaching it, and use that as your jumpoff platform.. I'll start, Tyrus Thomas.

 

[BrooklynBound]

Why is Kobe on the list? He was the first guard ever to be selected out of HS. He wasn't expected to play well his rookie year.

 

[ly_yng]

The idea that Steve Nash isn't a physical specimen is crazy. He's one of the most athletic guards in the league, and would have been a professional soccer player if he hadn't gotten into basketball.

Once again, we prove that old saying:

"Charlie Rosen is a racist."

 

[Malorkayel]

The idea that Steve Nash isn't a physical specimen is crazy. He's one of the most athletic guards in the league, and would have been a professional soccer player if he hadn't gotten into basketball.

Once again, we prove that old saying:

"Charlie Rosen is a racist."

LOL, you're just pissed off at Rosen because he said all those stupid racist comments on Yao. He might have commented on Yi too. Give the man a break, he looks 90 years old. He probably still remember when the game was played with peach baskets.

Oh, this is what he said about the Nets season in October:

New Jersey Nets

Because of a shortage of talent, the Nets' fortunes will depend largely on a number of intangibles.

That's because:

# Their most talented player, Vince Carter, is a choke-master.

# Their young speedster, Devin Harris, hasn't yet learned how to make jumpers or direct an offense.

# Newcomer Bobby Simmons is a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.

# Yi Jianlian lacks muscle, drive and defense.

# Eduardo Najera, the team's legitimate tough guy, has a history of bad wheels.

# Josh Boone is an undersized role player.

# Jarvis Hayes has a spotty handle.

# Keyon Dooling is wildly erratic.

# Brook Lopez is one of perhaps three rookies who will make the team — and, no matter how talented they might be, rookies always make an inordinate number of egregious mistakes.

So, in order to have a fruitful season, the rebuilding Nets will have to play every minute of every game with total passion and togetherness. Also, lots of guys need to have career years, and the hooplings will have to grow up in a hurry.

Among the Nets players, coaching staff, management and fans, the keyword is "patience."

The best that can be hoped for: Finish ahead of the Knicks.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8650920/Atlantic-Division-not-a-pushover-any-more

 

[GMJ]

Devin Harris, hasn't yet learned how to make jumpers

WHAT? His 3 point shot has looked great this season, and his pull up midrange is almost automatic.

 

[AGGiE]

How about a guy like Rodney Carney?

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

WHAT? His 3 point shot has looked great this season, and his pull up midrange is almost automatic.

You suck at reading.

 

[GMJ]

You suck at reading.

I don't get it.

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

"Oh, this is what he said about the Nets season in October:"

 

[GMJ]

"Oh, this is what he said about the Nets season in October:"

 

[AGGiE]

Did Rodney Carney and CDR ever get to play with each other?

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

I can't tell which one is you

 

[lukewarmplay]

LOL, you're just pissed off at Rosen because he said all those stupid racist comments on Yao. He might have commented on Yi too. Give the man a break, he looks 90 years old. He probably still remember when the game was played with peach baskets.

I wonder if that's what he meant by myopic.

I don't know why, but I really enjoy reading his stuff.

 

[GMJ]

lol damn mynets don't you ever win with grace?

I'd love to have Rodney Carney on the team.