Marcelo Huertas

[Rastapopoulos]

I am prone to fixations on foreign point guards. My latest obsession (Rubio? Old news! Prigioni? Old guy!) is Marcelo "Marcelinho" Huertas, who put in stellar performances in two losing efforts - losing by two points to the US, and by 4 points to Argentina (where he scored a heroic 32, but was out-heroed by Scola's 37). This guy is a great size for a PG, and plays EXCELLENT pick and roll with a center - in his case, both on the Brazil national team and on Caja Laboral, with Tiago Splitter. In fact, his greatest achievement may have been sweeping the seemingly unbeatable Barcelona in the ACB playoffs. This would be like the Blazers sweeping the Miami Heat in the 2011 finals - except perhaps even more of an upset. Barcelona were seen as pretty much unbeatable, and had toyed with the best teams in Europe in the Euroleague, so weren't expected to have any trouble in their own league. So basically, he's a big game player and a true PG. He's also very quick and athletic. Basically he's Bayless with less hops but actual PG skills. He's also a FA, and after his performance for Brazil this Summer it would be pretty much astounding if he didn't land an NBA job.

Here's his performance against Argentina:
[video=youtube;8RjxZSs4l6g]

 

[Nikolokolus]

I am prone to fixations on foreign point guards. My latest obsession (Rubio? Old news! Prigioni? Old guy!) is Marcelo "Marcelinho" Huertas, who put in stellar performances in two losing efforts - losing by two points to the US, and by 4 points to Argentina (where he scored a heroic 32, but was out-heroed by Scola's 37). This guy is a great size for a PG, and plays EXCELLENT pick and roll with a center - in his case, both on the Brazil national team and on Caja Laboral, with Tiago Splitter. In fact, his greatest achievement may have been sweeping the seemingly unbeatable Barcelona in the ACB playoffs. This would be like the Blazers sweeping the Miami Heat in the 2011 finals - except perhaps even more of an upset. Barcelona were seen as pretty much unbeatable, and had toyed with the best teams in Europe in the Euroleague, so weren't expected to have any trouble in their own league. So basically, he's a big game player and a true PG. He's also very quick and athletic. Basically he's Bayless with less hops but actual PG skills. He's also a FA, and after his performance for Brazil this Summer it would be pretty much astounding if he didn't land an NBA job.

You're a bit like "the boy who cried wolf" with your obsession, it's gotten to the point where I pretty much automatically dismiss whatever flavor of the month you trot out there. Is Huertas going to be the exception? I doubt it, and sadly I can't even be bothered to watch the video to get a taste of what he can do because of you pimping these guys for years.

 

[MickZagger]

I'll pass on another cry baby Euro (and yes, I realize Huertas is from Brazil). I mean, were pushing our luck with a saint like Batum.

Seriously though, when I've watched Huertas he is good at pick n' roll ball, but his offense consists of ugly looking floaters. I haven't seen too many of them go down either.

 

[illmatic99]

He's from Brazil. Not really a Euro.

That said, I'm not sure if we'd be interested in another project for our PGotF.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You're a bit like "the boy who cried wolf" with your obsession, it's gotten to the point where I pretty much automatically dismiss whatever flavor of the month you trot out there.

More fool you, because Rubio, Prigioni and Huertas are all good - all of them younger than Miller and all of them better than Bayless. It's not as if I realize they're crap and move on, it's just that I realize how much talent there is out there.

Is Huertas going to be the exception?

To what?

I doubt it, and sadly I can't even be bothered to watch the video to get a taste of what he can do because of you pimping these guys for years.

Your loss, lazy-ass.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'll pass on another cry baby Euro (and yes, I realize Huertas is from Brazil).

Let us pause to savor this droplet of wisdom.

 

[andalusian]

I only watched him against the US - and he was pretty good. This guy is definitely an NBA caliber PG, imho.

 

[illmatic99]

More fool you, because Rubio, Prigioni and Huertas are all good - all of them younger than Miller and all of them better than Bayless. It's not as if I realize they're crap and move on, it's just that I realize how much talent there is out there.

+1.

I appreciate your insights about these players. I think the talent difference between American prospects and foreign ones is getting smaller every year, and these guys are nothing to scoff at.

 

[MickZagger]

I can think of 1 foreign PG that made anything of himself in the league and thats Tony Parker.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I can think of 1 foreign PG that made anything of himself in the league and thats Tony Parker.

So Canada is part of the US now?

 

[jlprk]

The 2005 NBA draft passed him over. Some players get a lot better by their mid-20s. I don't think his contract ends for another year, so NBA scouts can watch him, and take their time deciding whether to invite him to a 2011 training camp.

 

[MickZagger]

So Canada is part of the US now?

I believe he played his college ball in the U.S.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Nikolokolus]

More fool you, because Rubio, Prigioni and Huertas are all good - all of them younger than Miller and all of them better than Bayless. It's not as if I realize they're crap and move on, it's just that I realize how much talent there is out there.

I'm not saying they aren't good, I'm just saying you've ruined a lot foreign point guards for me.

To what?

Living up to your hype

FWIW, I don't have a problem with foreign players, but I just don't get why you only pimp foreign point guards ...

 

[Nikolokolus]

I found this write up by Jonathan Givony enlightening

Defensively, Huertas struggles to a certain extent, as he lacks great physical tools in this department, with his average size, skinny frame, and extremely short arms—which hurts his upside as far as the NBA is concerned. His lateral quickness is not the best either, and he seems to struggle in particular defending the pick and roll, as he lacks the strength to fight through screens at times.

Huertas is likely in the right spot in the ACB as far as his talent is concerned. If he continues to improve at the same rate next season, he might be able to reach an even higher level (ie: the NBA) down the road, but that might not be very realistic. Joventut apparently still owns his rights, and it wouldn’t surprise us to see him back there next season.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marcelo-Huertas-29/#ixzz0z93ArJg1
http://www.draftexpress.com

Just what this team needs, another defensively challenged point guard.