Isn't Anyone Excited About Ryan Anderson?

[ghoti]

I expected Yi to look like a great prospect, and he does. Lopez is ahead of where I thought he would be, but he was always going to have some value because of his size (and he was a lottery pick).

But Ryan Anderson is exceeding any expectation I had for him. He had every excuse to beg off and sit and learn, but he has imposed himself into the rotation because he is an excellent basketball player.

I feel like the Nets went from having no future to a very bright one because of this draft and the Yi trade. I am really happy with Kiki right now.

 

[GrandKenyon6]

He's looked good. I am disappointed with Lopez though. I was expecting a more NBA ready player. He clearly has a lot to learn.

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

Anderson has looked so good so far. Really fights for the ball night in and night out, even if his shot isn't falling (though he hasn't shot terribly).

 

[ghoti]

He's looked good. I am disappointed with Lopez though. I was expecting a more NBA ready player. He clearly has a lot to learn.

I watched so many Stanford games last year. If you had, your expectations would be even lower than mine.

Lots of teams need a solid big man with legit size who isn't a stiff, and now the Nets have one. He's fine.

 

[Dumpy]

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/35433/Understands-words-comin-out-of-my-mouth

 

[ffz]

He's shown a nose for the ball, but he like every young net needs to get better defensively and without fouling.

 

[MisterMontross]

I think RA could possibly become an actual, better than average (and maybe better than that) player.

But excited? No.

But I'm certainly hoping for the best.

 

[PsychoNetsFan34]

He's looked good. I am disappointed with Lopez though. I was expecting a more NBA ready player. He clearly has a lot to learn.

I think Lopez has looked pretty good minus last night. In game one he looked good with 8 and 8 and couple of blocks and in game 2 he had 10 and 8 as well as some major plays and ferocious dunks. Not much more you can ask for from a Rookie.

 

[ghoti]

I think RA could possibly become an actual, better than average (and maybe better than that) player.

But excited? No.

But I'm certainly hoping for the best.

Weren't you the one saying that we should all be happy if we get enjoyment out of watching our favorite team even if they don't win?

Not being excited about a player having more potential than expected doesn't seem to jibe with that.

 

[GMJ]

I've been impressed, but besides him getting more consistent on his 3 pt shot, I don't see him becoming that much better than he is now.

 

[Boomdog]

He's looked good. I am disappointed with Lopez though. I was expecting a more NBA ready player. He clearly has a lot to learn.

I Think Lopez has looked great aside from last night, the first 2 games he's done everything solid. If your basing him off of ppg then i can see your argument but what do you expect on this team, our big men get limited touches. I've watched lopez call for the ball night in and out with good position only to not get it but then recieves it in a crappy position outside the paint.

Back to Anderson, yea he looks good but he's gotta play within himself. By that i mean stop making so many turnovers by doing too much. he forces too many issues, but other then that he's solid.

 

[Petey]

I expected Yi to look like a great prospect, and he does. Lopez is ahead of where I thought he would be, but he was always going to have some value because of his size (and he was a lottery pick).

But Ryan Anderson is exceeding any expectation I had for him. He had every excuse to beg off and sit and learn, but he has imposed himself into the rotation because he is an excellent basketball player.

I feel like the Nets went from having no future to a very bright one because of this draft and the Yi trade. I am really happy with Kiki right now.

... yeahhh Kiki! If we don't get James, or Bosh... or Wade... or whomever, I hope he's not the guy who's gonna lead our free agent charge.

But I have been surprised with Anderson, and rather happy too.

-Petey

 

[MisterMontross]

Weren't you the one saying that we should all be happy if we get enjoyment out of watching our favorite team even if they don't win?

Not being excited about a player having more potential than expected doesn't seem to jibe with that.

Damn. Are you forcing me into bringing into play that I've followed the NBA for 45+ years and am 58 years old.

Excited about a Nets' player's potential?

Not in the least.

I'll be very happy if he turns into a real player, whichh he certainly could.

But I'm not discouraging Nets' fans to get excited about RA. Hell get excited about Ager's and Boone's potential.

GO NETS.

 

[FOMW]

I'm very pleased with Ryan. I'm especially pleased with how he rebounds and is able to battle inside and get off decent shots near the basket against longer, ostensibly more athletic players. He adds to that a very decent handle and agility with the ball for a man his size.

The consistency of his long distance jumper is what will ultimately determine the level of player he becomes. Early results haven't been great, but his FG% is improving, and the look and ease of his 3-point release, as well as his shooting success in college, suggests it's just a matter of time and comfort in the flow of the offense before that part of his game starts to blossom at the NBA level.

He already shows flashes of high BB intelligence. So do CDR, Brook, and Yi, for that matter, which is probably what makes me most optimistic for the future of the team and the rapidity with which I expect they can improve. They aren't just athletes or guys with individual skills or physical advantages. They seem already ahead of the curve in understanding team concepts. Each has made at least 3-4 passes or 3-4 steals since the opening of preseason that were possible only because of good court awareness and anticipation of where a teammate or opponent was about to go.

So I think Ryan was an outstanding and gutsy pick. Since it seems Kiki's influence has been greatest in the Yi trade and drafting of Ryan -- not to mention his supposedly hard work in making the Kidd trade happen -- I agree he deserves special commendation for his work since joining the team.

 

[Netted]

He already shows flashes of high BB intelligence. So do CDR, Brook, and Yi, for that matter, which is probably what makes me most optimistic for the future of the team and the rapidity with which I expect they can improve. They aren't just athletes or guys with individual skills or physical advantages. They seem already ahead of the curve in understanding team concepts. Each has made at least 3-4 passes or 3-4 steals since the opening of preseason that were possible only because of good court awareness and anticipation of where a teammate or opponent was about to go.

Was all that a swipe at Sean Williams?

 

[FOMW]

Was all that a swipe at Sean Williams?

Not intentionally, no, but I see now that the omission does say something about how I value Williams vs. those other players.

The bottom line is that Sean really has only one NBA level skill, and that's shot blocking, primarily in help situations. He really has no position because of the dichotomies in his size and skills. His body dictates that he be be a SF or swing 3/4 in the league, but he hasn't near enough dribbling ability or outside shooting to do that, and he has neither the inside strength, length, nor finesse to play in the post offensively.

Looking at his jumpshot form, which isn't bad at all and is certainly better than his awkward jump hooks or improvised releases in the lane from back-to-the-basket moves, the Nets might do better to treat him as a hybrid forward project than as a big man project and spend the next year having him really working on his ball handling and shooting.

 

[Dark Defender]

I'm more exited about Lopez than anyone else.

The way he goes after rebounds, looks for block shots and actually sets up in the paint is something the Nets haven't had in years.

Imagine if both Brook and Yi develop into their full potential, LeBron will be begging to play for us.

 

[kobimel]

I've liked Ryan so far, but as GMJ said I don't see him improving as much as Lopez can, for example. He is definitely a good role player to have, though.

 

[Dumpy]

Ryan is as good as Boki right now. His upside is somewhere between Boki and KVH. He's a big man who can shoot threes and can also rebound. I am very excited at watching him develop and contribute.

He certainly has weaknesses, though, one of which is that he's only comfortable shooting from roughly north of the free-throw line. As far as I can tell he hasn't attempted a corner 3 in either the summer league or thus far this season, which is where you normally expect your long-range shooting PF to line up. The Nets can take advantage of this somewhat, by playing inside-out and posting Vince when Ryan is in the game. I don't know if they've tried that yet.

 

[User01]

I'm more exited about Lopez than anyone else.

The way he goes after rebounds, looks for block shots and actually sets up in the paint is something the Nets haven't had in years.

Imagine if both Brook and Yi develop into their full potential, LeBron will be begging to play for us.

I agree about Brook. I'm a lot more excited about him than I was when we got him. He seemed like a guy who would be pretty good on offense, but a mediocre rebounder and poor defender, so I was thinking we got something between Boozer and Curry. I can't say I'd be terribly disappointed with an 18/8 center despite the poor defense, but after seeing him so far I've been impressed with his rebounding and defense above all else. His offense may not be as good as I'd hoped, but I think it'll be fine, and he may be able to turn into the good rebounding, good defending, good post option that any team with championship aspirations needs.

Anderson has been impressive as well, he may wind up being a solid borderline starter, or maybe even another Al Harrington.

 

[SportsTicker]

I think RA could possibly become an actual, better than average (and maybe better than that) player.

But excited? No.

But I'm certainly hoping for the best.

What Mr. Montross says encapsulates how I feel as well.

In fact, it reminds of when a young writer asked a college coach after an upset if he could have imagined it in his wildest dreams.

Replied the coach, my wildest dreams don't involve basketball.

True story.

 

[FOMW]

Well if we're comparing our youngsters, Yi is definitely the one with the most long-term potential because of the combination of length, athleticism, smarts, and incredible shooting ability. But Lopez will probably be more valuable in the short term because of all-round sound fundamentals, sheer size, defensive deterrence, and the fact that he's much, much better near the basket at this point than Yi. It's exciting to have two bigs with that kind of potential and to have Ryan (and CDR) on top of it.

 

[SportsTicker]

Well if we're comparing our youngsters, Yi is definitely the one with the most long-term potential because of the combination of length, athleticism, smarts, and incredible shooting ability. But Lopez will probably be more valuable in the short term because of all-round sound fundamentals, sheer size, defensive deterrence, and the fact that he's much, much better near the basket at this point than Yi. It's exciting to have two bigs with that kind of potential and to have Ryan (and CDR) on top of it.

Let's just hope that by 2010, all of them are close to reaching their potential, because it sure would be nice that summer to be able to say to free agents, "we have three 22-year-old bigs who anyone can see are pretty damn good."

 

[nets1]

Ryan is as good as Boki right now. His upside is somewhere between Boki and KVH. He's a big man who can shoot threes and can also rebound. I am very excited at watching him develop and contribute.

He certainly has weaknesses, though, one of which is that he's only comfortable shooting from roughly north of the free-throw line. As far as I can tell he hasn't attempted a corner 3 in either the summer league or thus far this season, which is where you normally expect your long-range shooting PF to line up. The Nets can take advantage of this somewhat, by playing inside-out and posting Vince when Ryan is in the game. I don't know if they've tried that yet.

You know alot of people immediately compared Ryan Anderson to Boki or KVH, but i disagree. They say its unfair to compare the next white guy to Larry Bird, but i see some comparisons here. Same size, much tougher than boki or Kvh, but more rugged like a bird, and has a real nice shot like bird. Kvh had a nice touch and range, boki was more of a streak shooter when it was all said and done

Defensively he will be far superior than either Kvh or Boki. He does have a nose for the ball unlike boki or kvh in the rebounding dept. His Assist numbers are already high for a rookie and will only improve becasue he already exhibited a great BB IQ.

I felt on draft night he wouild be the most productive rookie and i believe that will still happen by years end. He has the potential to start over Yi at anytime, just like brook does over boone. It could happen in the next month or so if Yi stumbles or hits any kind of wall. I also see Frank using Ryan to start on certain matchups as well. Wouldn't mind see PF by committee anyway. Nobody should be guaranteed a starting spot when all are playing so well.

 

[FOMW]

You know alot of people immediately compared Ryan Anderson to Boki or KVH, but i disagree. They say its unfair to compare the next white guy to Larry Bird, but i see some comparisons here. Same size, much tougher than boki or Kvh, but more rugged like a bird, and has a real nice shot like bird.

Since I once watched Larry like I now watch Vince, I have to strongly disagree with this. The disparity in talent, skill, and team roles between Ryan and Larry is simply too gargantuan to meaningfully compare the two beyond them both being Caucasian forwards about 6'9"-6'10". Larry was as great and creative a passer as has ever played this game and as a rookie became the offensive hub and unquestioned go-to guy for a team that enjoyed a 32-game turnaround from the previous season to finish with 61 regular season wins. That year he led his team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, shot 41% from 3, 47% overall, and was second on the team in assists, all with the defensive focus on him. And all this was BEFORE Robert Parish and Kevin McHale even came to town.

It's a disservice to both players, IMO, to attempt to draw parallels.

 

[Universe]

He reminds me much of Andrea Bargnani but we didn't waste a numero uno pick on him.

 

[ghoti]

User01 is the man. I've seen Anderson compared to KVH, Troy Murphy, Bargnani, Boki and now Larry Bird (yikes!!).

But he went outside the box and threw an Al Harrington in there.

I don't throw rep around, but that deserves some dap.

 

[kobimel]

User01 is the man. I've seen Anderson compared to KVH, Troy Murphy, Bargnani, Boki and now Larry Bird (yikes!!).

But he went outside the box and threw an Al Harrington in there.

I don't throw rep around, but that deserves some dap.

Some people transcend race: Obama, Woods, Oprah and User01.

 

[ffz]

I'm still stickign with my comparison of Scott Padget.

 

[ghoti]

Some people transcend race: Obama, Woods, Oprah and User01.

Don't forget the Devils!