He said something similar at the time of the trade. It's a nice sentiment and hopefully Wallace rubs off on him, but ultimately that kind of intensity comes from inside you, and I'm not sure Nic has it in him. We'll see I guess.
The first step to fixing the problem is figuring out what it is. Kudos to Nic for recognizing his downfalls.
Do you think that kind of intensity he brings will rub off? "… On everybody. When (he's) is giving everything on the court, I think guys are gonna follow him. And we can be a huge defensive team with him."
Like I said, hopefully it does rub off, but part of Nic's 'problem' goes back to his pre-draft scouting report -- he's had a tendency to be passive ever since his teenage days.
Hopefully it becomes a "culture" thing. Aldridge is definitely a hustler now. Hustle is the only reason Wesley Matthews is in the league. Wallace is the text book definition for the mentality. Miller isn't a "hustle guy" physically, but his mind never, ever stops. Who were the team leaders before this year? Roy, the jump-shooting Aldridge, Outlaw, Webster, Blake....decent motors, but not exactly the picture book of intensity. Batum is only in his third year. I think there's still an excellent chance that the new work ethic is going to rub off on him.
LOL!!!!! yeah ... so that means ever since he started playing semi-pro ball in France around 15 or 16 he's had the rep of being very passive.
Pippen's intensity was often criticized early on in his career... might some of Mike's rubbed off on him? I agree on the we'll see but I definitely think having more solid pros around a young talent is the way to go. STOMP
