.....was on par with Greg Ostertag, 'Big Country' Bryant Reeves, Chris Mullin and Chris Sabo for ugliest crew cut of all-time.
I think Nate just trusted that Marks knew his limitations and wouldn't go out there and try to do anything stupid. From a talent perspective, anybody can see that Babbitt has more tools. But he's looked shaky in there at times (when he has gotten to play) Sean Marks didn't force shots, or turn the ball over, or get totally lost on defense. But of course he didn't do a lot of good either. He just did less damage than what Nate probably thought Babbitt was capable of.
I agree with this. Rookies used to always take a year befor they got meaningful minutes. (When the league had less teams) You can't evaluate him on what we have seen. Not saying he will ever be a starter, but he has skills. And although he does not have blazing speed, he is not slow. He has a good feel for the game. But until he gets consistent minutes we just won't know. And right now he is not ready to get those minutes. Next year will be a different story. After he continues to hit the weight room. Look at Mills. He may not be an ideal backup PG, but you have to admit he gets better every game. Sure he is inconsistent with his shot, but he looks like he belongs in the league now. Where last year in sporatic minutes he did not. But again it is not Nate's job to develope rookies. It his job to win basketball games. Batum is our SF and LMA is our PF. I see Babbitt as another Dante C. A tweener who fills a role depending on what the match ups are. (My guess is a PF who can stretch the D) He just needs more muscle and more playing time. I am not worried about his shot. And I know he is a good passer.
Sean Marks is a butter soft, pick and pop power forward. Babbit has enough size to play a similar role ... assuming he possesses the ability to play at an NBA level.
Marks is 6'10", 250 lbs. Babbit is 6'9", 225 lbs. Babbitt can't play center. It could be said that Marks can't either, but Babbitt isn't a center, and he won't be one in the NBA.
As you said, Marks can't play center either and he doesn't. Typically he's been in the game with LMA sliding over to the five, or with Camby or even Dante assuming the role of post defender. So I'm not sure where we disagree?
I just don't find it in Babbitt's best interest to have him defend out of position. Plus, Marks barely plays these days. As this season continues to spiral downward, I woudn't mind seeing Babbitt get some of Rudy's minutes, in a Mills/Matthews/Babbitt/LMA/Camby line-up while Nic (I'd add Miller, but I'm assuming he's going to be traded within the next two weeks) gets some rest.
I don't see the comparison. Wally walker was not undersized in that era. At 6'7 he played mostly SF and some SG. Babbitt was projected as a a big SF. Yes at PF he needs to add 10-15 lbs of muscle, and he will always be a finess player and not a banger.
Luke's problem has been that he's been "spastic" every time he's on the floor. Tries too hard to get every loose ball, goes so hard for rebounds that they bounce off of him, tries to make the special pass instead of a safe one, and (most importantly) isn't making his shots. I don't think it's lack of talent or inability to hang athletically...I think it's that he's not used to playing in front of 20000 people against NBA players and is overcompensating by being hyper.
