Take a look at the NBA.com predraft assessment of Ager... http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.p...ofile_ager_m.asx&nbasite=profiles&video=blank Note as well that last year, on signing Devin Harris, Donnie Nelson of the Mavs said the "cornerstones of the Mavs future" were Harris, Diop, Howard and Ager. Similar to CDR in a lot of ways, including Detroit background, work ethic, swingman skills, yet no one here thinks he will even make the team. Avery Johnson trashed him. He didnt get a chance after the trade (remember Boki) but Frank says he loves his work ethic.
I don't know what to think of him. He didn't get much of a chance to play after he joined the Nets, but part of that could be Frank's preference for players that have gone through training camp. At the time, I was very happy that the Nets acquired Ager, because one of their managerial weaknesses over the years is that they haven't tried to nurture young players, whether late or second round picks, or unsigned free agents. I just don't know what to expect. For someone like Ager--who is really a dime-a-dozen in this league--how far he goes will be up to him, specifically, his motivation, dedication, and offseason work habits. I also think that he could be gone. He's fighting with Julius Hodge for a roster spot--and we've all read what was written about Hodge.
Hodge played very very well in the D-League and Australian NBL, averaging Carter-like numbers in both, BUT he has done less than Ager in the NBA. My point is that everyone is excited about CDR, drafted at #40 after a similar career to Ager's, or Hodge, who was a draft bust at #20. I simply don't see that much difference among these three guys other than their age: Hodge is 24, so is Ager. CDR is 21. For all I know, it was Kiki who pushed for Ager in the Kidd trade.
I see two differences between them. 1) I thought Ager was going to suck before he was drafted. and 2) Ager doesn't have the passing skills of Hodge and CDR.
It's easy to dismiss him, but remember that the NBA is littered with players--some never drafted--who you could say that about, but have managed to find a niche. Someone like Diawara, or Chuck Hayes. I don't think anyone is going to say that Ager is going to be an impact player, especially right off the bat, but as I've said, one of my complaints has long been that the Nets have never sought out these types of "forgotten souls" and tried to develop and nurture them. Instead, they've opted to sign middling veteran retreads with little or no upside. Who knows, maybe his nondescript play since being drafted was partially a result of the way he was treated and used by Avery <strike>Brooks</strike> Johnson. The successful teams all seem to find young, cheap, unheralded players and figure out how to put them in a position where they can be successful and contribute to the team. The Nets need players like that.
I agree that the Nets need players like that and under Thorn have done a horrible job of finding such players. I just don't agree that Ager is one of those types.
Fair enough. Part of Ager's problem right now is that Hodge can be described in much the same way, and it looks like they are primarily competing with each other for the last roster spot.
I agree that Hodge is a better passer and maybe CDR is too, but Ager is more athletic than CDR and a better shooter than Hodge. DerMarr Johnson is more skilled than any of them.
Therein lies the problem with Ager. It is rumored he can shoot. But look at his stats last year, .323 shooting, ... .158 from beyond the arc and only .500 from the line....his career shooting makes Jason Collins look good, not sure what his problem is, maybe no confidence?
Look at his game logs. Not counting the last two weeks of each of the last two seasons, Ager played more than seven minutes in a game a total of just five times. That includes a four-game stretch last November when he played, 9, 0, 21, and 13 minutes--his three highest totals in his career. He has more DNPs than games played, and has rarely played in as many as three games in a row.
It was the same issue with Hodge even before his injury. Not realistic to base anything on a small sample.
