Will Barton NBA-Ready

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

It seems pretty common to use it as a short descriptive term.

Why do you ask about it? Haven't you seen that before?

Ed O.

Nah, he's probably a kid.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

It is a denigrating term. Shows low self conviction.

Most kids, these days, have been convicted enough.

Ya damn hoodlums.

 

[BBert]

Really? I've read he lacks in this department.

Did you see the random stream of consciousness vid of him posted earlier? I'd have to agree the kid is not the brightest bulb on the marquee. But he can ball.

 

[BBert]

Most kids, these days, have been convicted enough.

Ya damn hoodlums.

I've heard too much self conviction can make a kid go blind. I'll let you know.

 

[HailBlazers]

Really? I've read he lacks in this department.

He can pass, make play's on defense, and rebound = High IQ IMO. The same people who wrote those articles, are the ones who helped him slip to us.

 

[HailBlazers]

Did you see the random stream of consciousness vid of him posted earlier? I'd have to agree the kid is not the brightest bulb on the marquee. But he can ball.

Just because he doesn't talk fast like he's high on cocaine, doesn't mean he's not smart. If you really listen to what he has to say you can hear he's a committed student of the game.

 

[HailBlazers]

Start at 2:15 where he compares his instinct to KD, speaks to his detractors, and shows his character:

Hometown Baltimore Sun:

So in the days leading up to the draft, Barton sounds more like an accountant than a basketball player. He urges anyone willing to listen to check the numbers, to compare his averages against the likes of Bradley Beal, Austin Rivers and Terrence Ross — shooting guards expected to go in the lottery.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/nba/bs-sp-will-barton-nba-draft-0628-20120626,0,3398556.story

It was an interesting fall considering Barton's numbers at Memphis last season. After all, he ranked higher than every top-rated wing prospect in all the major statistical categories as a sophomore.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-nba-draft-locals-0629-20120628,0,2945581.story

Steal.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I wonder if it's possible for him to bulk up to around 205.

Right now he's a twig.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Start at 2:15 where he compares his instinct to KD, speaks to his detractors, and shows his character:



Hometown Baltimore Sun:



http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/nba/bs-sp-will-barton-nba-draft-0628-20120626,0,3398556.story



http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-nba-draft-locals-0629-20120628,0,2945581.story

Steal.

Thanks for the link; he seems like an intelligent, well-grounded guy to me.

 

[jlprk]

You may be thinking, "This kid was only drafted at 40," but that would be denigrating.

You should allow him his dignity and think, "This kid was drafted 21 spots ahead of Wesley Matthews."

 

[Sinobas]

I have a good feeling about this pick too. He seems to have that "it" factor, I can see him being a good scorer. If he comes off the bench with E-Will, it should be entertaining!

 

[craigehlo]

I have a good feeling about this pick too. He seems to have that "it" factor, I can see him being a good scorer. If he comes off the bench with E-Will, it should be entertaining!

I have a feeling he's going to beat out Ewill on the depth chart sooner than later. This guy look like a steal.

 

[Blazer Freak]

With Batum, Wes, Elliot, Barton, Babbitt and Claver at the 2/3 we are pretty damn stacked with talent at the wings...it is really going to come down to developement and experience for these players. It's going to be really interesting to see this season how these guys develop.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think the reason that Barton slipped was that he was underwhelming (to put it mildly) on the athletic testing. His max vert was 34 and his lane agility was tied with Eric Chenowith and worse than Luke Schensher and DaSagana Diop!

I've got another comparison: Malik Sealey. Another boney guy who was more slithery than bouncy.

 

[BBert]

I have a feeling he's going to beat out Ewill on the depth chart sooner than later. This guy look like a steal.

I had the same thought. What stood out to me about the vid of him rambling about being overlooked his whole life, and his dedication to basketball, is that you put a chip on his shoulder and he is going to work like a MOFO to prove he's better than those other guys who were picked ahead of him. That's a lot of other guys, so that's a lot of proving he's going to want to do. No one is going to out work and out gym rat Barton, I think. He's a baller. He can get to the rim and he can knock down a shot, and he can pass too. We got lucky.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I think the reason that Barton slipped was that he was underwhelming (to put it mildly) on the athletic testing. His max vert was 34 and his lane agility was tied with Eric Chenowith and worse than Luke Schensher and DaSagana Diop!

I've got another comparison: Malik Sealey. Another boney guy who was more slithery than bouncy.

Athletically he reaminds me of Kevin Durant. Can't jump that high and isn't that quick.

 

[jlprk]

We got lucky.

Instead of luck, I think it's just that this draft was what it was supposed to be, deep. No more big stars than usual, but more than usual good players.

 

[PapaG]

Instead of luck, I think it's just that this draft was what it was supposed to be, deep. No more big stars than usual, but more than usual good players.

Fewer big stars than usual, IMO. The obvious #1 pick made one FG in the biggest game of his life, and has a long ways to go in order to develop into a MVP-level player.

 

[MickZagger]

Barton averaged 8 rebounds a game in college. Thats beasty out of a 2 guard.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Tweet by Canzano:

Will Barton, Memphis G, is on @750thegame right now. "Draft day was a day of mixed emotions. I was upset."

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Damon did mention that he was pissed that he fell to the second round.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I would definitely be pissed if I expected to be picked in the first round. Not only for pride, but isn't there a substantial difference in how his contract will be?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It's a blessing in disguise, as Wesley can tell him.

 

[MickZagger]

Wesley wasn't even drafted. Its probably better to not get drafted than go in the late 2nd round. You get to choose what team you think you'll fit in with.

 

[Drttimmy]

I'm a little worried about his lateral quickness on D, but his length could maybe neutralize that. He just seems a gamer. Not afraid to take big shots, and aggressive in doing so. Cool under pressure is one of the hardest traits to find in players, and we may have found one in the 2nd! Could be a 2nd round grab in the vein of Cliff when its all said and done.

 

[OLDSchool_BlazerFAN]

it could be a perfect year to play the young bucks and see what we have, hopefully olshey can sell PA on it

I really hope you are right. I want to play the youngsters and see what we have. I am so sick (was) of Nate NEVER playing younger guys while people like Jeremy Lin are popping up all over. Because their coaches let them freaking play...

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Wesley wasn't even drafted. Its probably better to not get drafted than go in the late 2nd round. You get to choose what team you think you'll fit in with.

I was talking about being able to get a big payday in your second season. Wesley ended up earning more than Blake Griffin when both were sophomores.

 

[jlprk]

I wonder if it's possible for him to bulk up to around 205.

Right now he's a twig.

He lists at 6-6, 175. Rudy was 6-6, 185, and I always said that skinniness was why he didn't make it. It hurt his defense and driving to the basket.

Rudy's assists approximately equaled his rebounds. Barton's rebounds are 4 or 5 times his assists. So Rudy was either guard or forward on offense, but Barton's a natural forward. A 175 pound forward. Maybe he can be a specialist like Diebler and come into the game briefly when shooting is needed.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

it could be a perfect year to play the young bucks and see what we have, hopefully olshey can sell PA on it

We may have no other choice.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I really hope you are right. I want to play the youngsters and see what we have. I am so sick (was) of Nate NEVER playing younger guys while people like Jeremy Lin are popping up all over. Because their coaches let them freaking play...

In Nates first 6 years, which young players NEVER played that should have?
He played Oden, Rudy, LMA, Roy, Batum right from the start. Bayless, Dante, Armon, Mills, JJ, Martel....all got a shot. The word "Never" seems to be a little exagerated IMO