<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ May 6 2008, 01:50 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ryan @ May 6 2008, 01:06 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think you guys are really underrating this kid. I agree that he's not going to be an allstar but I think he will be a very serviceable big man. You say he can't guard centers, I disagree. I think he has to guard centers. He's too slow to guard the PFs in the league now. He is short and won't be a great shot blocker but his strength and ability to push people off the block will make him a decent defender. There just aren't many big bulky guys like Howard or Yao in the league anymore who can bang with him and use their height advantage.
Offensively he won't be a great finisher but he is crafty enough to score in the post and if Boone or Williams develop their post game he can spread the floor and give them room to work. I think he much more physical that a Boki Nachbar but has range similar to him. One of his biggest offensive strength is that you can run the offense through him in the high post similar to how Brad Miller played for the Kings. Devin Harris isn't much of a half court PG so he could use some help faciltating the offense.
The is no question he will be able to rebound at the NBA level. He has excellent fundamentals and was a double digit rebounder in college ( which usually translates pretty well to the NBA). Once he gets the rebound, he throws great, strong outlet passes. If he hits Harris near half court, with his speed, you guys should increase you fast break scoring significantly.
Just my opinion though. Personally I hope he slips to the Warriors.</div>
Finally someone else that watched this obsure player!
His height is a definite problem guarding centers, though. Face-up guys like Ilgauskas and JON can shoot over him at will. Skilled tall men like Bogut or Yao will be able to get whatever they want if they get the post feed and since Love is not much of an athlete a high lob will be enough to get them the ball.
Stronger, more skilled guys like Boozer and Brand will eat his lunch, and he has no chance of getting to the perimeter to guard the Okurs and Sheeds of the world.
That's why he needs to get in shape. He has to get a little quicker and get off the floor more effectively.
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So we agree that he's too slow to guard power forwards and too small to guard centers. Plus he won't be able to score around the basket because he can't get up high enough.
I just can't see him being an effective player with the ball in his hands a high proportion of the time, which really limits how much damage he can do with his passing. It's one thing if you can pass like that and you're Chris Webber or Arvidas Sabonis. It's another if you're a 6-9 guy who plays below the rim.
Still, I bet he could be a killer shooter, and those guys always stick. Plus he's really strong, and I bet he'll be a pretty good rebounder.
I really have no idea what to make of him. I just can't imagine that he'll be the best player on the board when we pick. Personally, I think I'd like CDR, seeing as how we've got a big "For Sale" sign stamped on RJ's forehead.
