Desert News BOISE ? Pardon Jazz draft choice Robert Whaley if he didn't have much bite in his game when training camp opened Tuesday. Whaley had three teeth extracted just four days before camp opened, including one wisdom tooth that he said "went all the way down to the nerve." The second-round selection from Walsh (Ohio) University was still being medicated when camp got under way at Boise State University, and as a result he had a dizzy spell during the team's first evening session of two-a-day practices. "My body just didn't feel right," said Whaley, adding he had never before undergone dental surgery. By Friday's final camp practice in Boise, however, Whaley said he was feeling "much better." Whaley, the second of Utah's two second-round selections in last June's NBA Draft, is engaged in a battle with free-agent center James Lang for what might amount to the Jazz's final roster spot. Source
I hope he gets better, cuz he's the future of team's Center position. I want him around when Ostertag leaves next year .....
I've seen Whaley play up close and often and although he's very talented--his work ethic isn't his strong suit. To be honest he was probably a top 5 big man in the country last season, but he doesn't do the little things that NBA teams are looking out of their big men. He can score in the post, but I don't believe that he can contribute if he isn't getting consistent post touches (which is mainly the reason things didn't work out for him at Cincinnati). He may be hurting but I question why he would have this procedure done right before training camp. You can't come into camp in the NBA as a rookie expecting to be given the benefit of the doubt. You have to come in and earn your stripes. I'm pulling for him to do well, but he has approach this process as a professional.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I've seen Whaley play up close and often and although he's very talented--his work ethic isn't his strong suit. To be honest he was probably a top 5 big man in the country last season, but he doesn't do the little things that NBA teams are looking out of their big men. He can score in the post, but I don't believe that he can contribute if he isn't getting consistent post touches (which is mainly the reason things didn't work out for him at Cincinnati). He may be hurting but I question why he would have this procedure done right before training camp. You can't come into camp in the NBA as a rookie expecting to be given the benefit of the doubt. You have to come in and earn your stripes. I'm pulling for him to do well, but he has approach this process as a professional.</div> They drafted this guy on pure potential, and I hope he turns out to pay off, but it sounds like he might not make the team if he don't hurry up and get better soon
