The Center position and Rob/Ayton/Clingan

[Rastapopoulos]

Also, don't buy cars from me.

This you?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

I know you didn't say this explicitly, but I continue to disagree with the oft expressed notion by fans that the only way for really young guys to get better is PT. Thats all they see, so thats what they equate to developing a player but it's just not so. Clingan is 20 and still filling out his frame. Just time passing will have him becoming stronger and more coordinated. Hiring a personal chef with his millions and getting the right mix in the tank will ensure this physical maturation process goes as well as possible. Right now he has trainers putting him through skills drills and strength/conditioning training and of course there are practices galore where he's going up against other young hungry players. There is a near endless list of Bigs I could name who developed into quality players in this way. I truly doubt that regular PT early in his rookie year has much to do with whether or not Clingan is a starting quality center in 2 years.

Yes DC should get plenty of burn in Summer League and pre-season, but if Williams is healthy and good to go he should get pretty much all of the backup 5 minutes to start the year. He's the better player today and proving his health could greatly benefit the team in the big picture. If Timelord has shown to be healthy the first half of the year (big if I know) and is again a springy big cat protecting the rim, the franchise should get back much better then some back of the 1st round pick at the trade deadline. If he's injured again, he sits and comes off Portland's or some other team's cap in 2 years. Little risk for potentially a big reward

STOMP

No problem. Your point is well stated.

Time Lord keeps getting hurt. There will be time for Clingan whether he is actually ready or not … though Reath can fill some minutes. I look forward to seeing how Clingan reacts — over time — to getting beat by smaller dudes and having his lunch eaten by the bigs. I want to see his development from year 1 to 2. That’s my only point on minutes for Clingan … and I do expect he’ll earn them.

 

[STOMP]

No problem. Your point is well stated.

Time Lord keeps getting hurt. There will be time for Clingan whether he is actually ready or not … though Reath can fill some minutes. I look forward to seeing how Clingan reacts — over time — to getting beat by smaller dudes and having his lunch eaten by the bigs. I want to see his development from year 1 to 2. That’s my only point on minutes for Clingan … and I do expect he’ll earn them.

His skills are already pretty developed. Certainly he'll continue to be coached up on things and hopefully develops his shooting/game, but he already excels at the traditional big man stuff (rim protection, rebounding, boxing out, screen setting) and that makes him useful today. Refine that FT stroke and he's very useful. Physically he looks a bit like a baby giraff still getting his legs under him. Reports of him getting winded speak to how much he has to grow... cardio can be improved right! With hoops as the main focus of every day and him benefitting from another year filling out while being honed by various physical trainers, I expect his physical development from year 1 to 2 to be obvious. I'd like to see him a bit stronger/fitter before he starts getting his nightly lessons from the Bam Adebayos of the world where he's competitive and it's not just a total beatdown

STOMP