OP title aside, I've not heard anyone saying otherwise. I continue to think he's the Blazer player with the highest ceiling. That said countering other posts Ive read, I see no rush to give him all the minutes he can handle right off this season. I'm all for having him earn the alpha role. STOMP
An example is in my signature in fact. Others have said he hasn’t improved. Im pretty sure there was at least one other example in one of the game threads. Here is the one from my signature directly below by BB. I guess you can't see my signature if you're on a phone:
I can't see your signature on any device because I set my preferences to not show signatures. Makes my forum experience so much cleaner. Amazing to me that anyone thinks they can accurately judge whether a 19/20 year-old is/will be "smart" enough to be a great player. The descriptors used in that quote really smack of...(hmm, how to say this tactfully)...chromatic preconception.
I was curious so I goggled 'chromatic preconception'. These were the top results: I can't decide whether to dive deeper or run away...
No kidding. Also, how can he have peaked when he's obviously better than he was? He also hasn't been given the reigns like he had those last 10 games where he looked like a budding superstar. It's crystal clear to me that Sharpe actually does well when he is under pressure and has the responsibility to win. He doesn't do well without pressure as you can see from Summer League and Pre-Season. In Pre-Season though you could see he had cleaned up his handle significantly (still lots of room/need to grow), and his passing had clearly reached another level or two. Once Sharpe can reliably dribble in traffic, he will be an utterly unstoppable triple threat. He has deep, Lillard-lite range, he can pull up, he can drive and finish through contact and multiple defenders and his passing looks like it will eventually be elite, already INSANELY advanced for a 20 year old. His defensive instincts in regards to steals is also clearly better. I mean he just looks way better! In case everyone who asked somehow can't see the embedded quote above BB said: "I consider Simons and Sharpe to be the same kind of players. Flashy, talented, explosive—but not smart enough or disciplined enough to be great all-around players. I think Sharpe is going to be a bust. He’s probably already hit his ceiling." That to me is an absolutely wild statement and again at least one or two other commenters mentioned similar in Game Threads. They didn't seem to be trolling either, but rather were knee jerk reacting to turnovers or missed shots.
To me it's obvious that Rim Shaedy needs the ball in his hands more. I think he and Simons are both 2 guards that create with the ball. Billups probably wants Shae come off the bench for Simons as he's still young and earning his way. Im sure he will be an important part of the offense going forward this year. I would consider trading Simons for a legit young small forward and allow Shae to earn the two spot.
Oh he will rape a lot and the mistress on the receiving end name is going to be Ms. Hoop Net. Rip city bout to get the NC-17 rating
I hope the coach understands Sharpe elevates to the role that he, the coach, gives him. To me this is the biggest priority for Billups. It was apparent many times last season, the best example was the end of the game in Minnesota. (cued up to the last few possessions of the game.)
That's why I don't worry about Sharpe in Summer League or Pre-Season. He elevates his game under pressure, just like Dame. I'm not saying he is that clutch, but pressure makes Sharpe focus. That's why he needs big minutes.
