We all know how Araujo struggled last season as a rookie, but what kind of realistic expectations could we put on his shoulders as a sophomore? He is currently playing for the Brazillian national team competing for FIBA qualifying tournaments, and it should do him much more good to compete against NBA calibre players, rather than playing in the summer league and working on his game on his own. He does seem a lot fitter, and looks closer to 270 lbs than 290 lbs, so he should be a bit more mobile than before - which should help him to keep infront of his men on defense. In his first game against Uruguay, he posted up 6 pts, 6 rbs, 1 stl, and 4 fouls in 15 mins of play. Didn't start in his second game versus Uruguay, and only posted up 2 pts and 5 rbs in 8 minutes, then followed it up with 9 pts, 5 rbs, 1 block and 4 fouls in 18 minutes of play against Canada. Fouls are a problem, but it's the FIBA league, where fouls are called much more intermittently. All in all, if Araujo can play about 24 minutes and foul 4 times in the last couple games of the tournament, I think he will be fine in the NBA.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he needs to learn to contest shots and not constantly foul.</div> That's a given, and is the main reason why Sam Mitchell didn't play him much last season. You have to look at why he's comitted a lot of fouls though, and in my assessment, it's because our perimeter defense was weak and would consistently allow the other team's swingmen to create a hole in the defense - thus necessiating Araujo to try and stop them from getting a layup. Bosh knows when to just let his man blow by him, but Araujo doesn't.
I didn't expect much from him last season, and I don't expect much this year. He's got good range, and is a great passer, but my main concern about him is rebounding. How someone 6'11 and 290 lbs. had trouble getting 3 RPG is beyond me.
I expected more from him last season than what I expect from him now. I expect for him not to be a dumbass on the court and make stupid fouls, but that's still going to happen, as you can see from the 4 fouls in 15 minutes. I probably will hope for about 6.5 points from him and 5.2 boards a game from in around 22-24 MPG. I do believe he is capable of putting decent numbers in the NBA. We saw him have some very good games against the Lakers and Warriors in back to back games. Though, I think these numbers I expect from him might be a little high too, but oh well.
Last year, I honestly thought he could step in and make a immediate impact at the 5 spot. Well that's out of the question for this year, and I expect him to rebound and defend. He could not score a single point all year, but I'd be happy if he could avg 7-8 rebounds and most importantly guard his player better. Last year, all the other team had to do was dump the ball in the post and wait for Araujo to foul him (because he couldn't block shots). He needs to box out better, move his feet quicker, and front his man without fouling him. If he shows sign of improving and understanding the game, than he will have met my expectations.
Araujo is a fouling machine whether the perimeter defense is good or not, it's like he's out to beat people who are going to the basket up. My expectations are for him to play 60 games, and 15 MPG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't expect much from him last season, and I don't expect much this year. He's got good range, and is a great passer, but my main concern about him is rebounding. How someone 6'11 and 290 lbs. had trouble getting 3 RPG is beyond me.</div> 3 RPG playing inconsistent minutes is not bad in my books. Especially considering that his role was to put a body on the opposing bigs and let Bosh to rebound the ball most of the times. Now, he sometimes did not get the rebound as a result of that, but that's where Charlie Villanueva comes in. At times this season, Mitchell is going to put a big lineup on the court of Araujo / Bosh / Villanueva / Graham / Calderon, and if Bosh was more effective on the boards with Araujo, can you imagine how effective Bosh AND Villanueva will be? The missed rebounds and missed opportunities with just Araujo / Bosh will turn into grabbed rebounds and second chance points with Araujo / Bosh / Villanueva. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">I expected more from him last season than what I expect from him now. I expect for him not to be a dumbass on the court and make stupid fouls, but that's still going to happen, as you can see from the 4 fouls in 15 minutes. I probably will hope for about 6.5 points from him and 5.2 boards a game from in around 22-24 MPG. I do believe he is capable of putting decent numbers in the NBA. We saw him have some very good games against the Lakers and Warriors in back to back games. Though, I think these numbers I expect from him might be a little high too, but oh well.</div> I don't think most of the fouls he commited were the result of him being 'stupid'. It was the result of a weak perimeter defense, primarily by Jalen Rose and Rafer Alston. What do you expect Araujo to do when the opposing guard blows by Rose and tries to dunk it over him? He will foul. Having Joey Graham in the perimeter will definitely help in cutting down Araujo's fouls. If you watched games last season where Araujo played, you would have seen that he had little problems defending his man, but when there was a switch that's when he started having problems and getting called for fouls.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Last year, I honestly thought he could step in and make a immediate impact at the 5 spot. Well that's out of the question for this year, and I expect him to rebound and defend. He could not score a single point all year, but I'd be happy if he could avg 7-8 rebounds and most importantly guard his player better. Last year, all the other team had to do was dump the ball in the post and wait for Araujo to foul him (because he couldn't block shots). He needs to box out better, move his feet quicker, and front his man without fouling him. If he shows sign of improving and understanding the game, than he will have met my expectations.</div> His footwork and speed can only improve after doing drills like this: That's a soccer drill, and Araujo's been doing this all summer with the Brazillian team. He also plays and practices with Tiago Splitter, who is known for his footwork. Considering that Araujo has to defend him everyday in practice, he will have no choice but to learn.
Good to hear that Araujo is working on his footwork. He looks like he's at least 260 lbs. now. Hopefully these soccer drills will help him improve his footwork and coming from a country known for its soccer players is a big plus for him.
That drill looks cool, and he looks like he lost some weight, I hope some people lay off him a bit... its not his fault he was taken soo early. I do think it probably would have been better if he was in the summer league though. I hope Hoffa proves me wrong.
I was going to say, that looks nothing like him, that guy looks like he's at most 240 lbs, and Araujo is beastly lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup, and in the other pic the guy didn't even have any tatoos...</div> I know, it seems like Araujo got even more tattoos on his left arm looking at the third picture.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't think most of the fouls he commited were the result of him being 'stupid'. It was the result of a weak perimeter defense, primarily by Jalen Rose and Rafer Alston. What do you expect Araujo to do when the opposing guard blows by Rose and tries to dunk it over him? He will foul. Having Joey Graham in the perimeter will definitely help in cutting down Araujo's fouls. If you watched games last season where Araujo played, you would have seen that he had little problems defending his man, but when there was a switch that's when he started having problems and getting called for fouls.</div> By stupid fouls I mean things like illegal picks, hand checks, and reaching.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">By stupid fouls I mean things like illegal picks, hand checks, and reaching.</div> Oh yes, he will definitely have to improve on that. Apologies if I misunderstood.
I hope to see him make some strides this year. Doesn't have to be statiscally but like some said in the foul category, and being a consistent scoring "threat"... persay. All I ask from him now is to score some easy put backs, or off the pick and roll, or hit an open shot. Then to play hard defense, be a banger, and rebound.
The first game we played against Vince Carter's NETS. Hoffa's hard foul and pat on Carter rear end (back off little man *pat*) Toughness, Intimidation. Get him some good ol' Rockem Sockem Hockey videos and let him take some notes from Bob Probert. Cut down on the fouls, but when he fouls, foul HARD! And focus on rebounding and boxing out. That's IT!! I want to see him use his weight and frame more. He doesn't know how to use his body yet. I don't care if he averages 2 ppg starting. I don't care if he pulls down 4 rpg. Take up room in the paint. Set hard, solid picks, rebound, box out, foul hard when people come into the lane. He is never going to block a shot, he will never back his man down and thunder over them. He will make strides this year in what he can do, playing with his massive frame and toughness.
