So? At best they get a set of steak knives too and most have been shown the door. They failed at recognizing the guy who developed into more then just the best player in his draft class, he was head and shoulders better. Perhaps it was their poor decision making that largely led their organizations to be picking so high? Perhaps it's Neil's decision making that largely leads Portland to be good enough to make the playoffs only to suffer another sweep by a team that basically dares anyone besides Lillard and CJ to shoot? STOMP
Again, he looked like an amazing prospect the first time I saw him as a rookie. Skinny and a bit clueless sure, but most everyone fills out over time and game comes with experience. Mostly you don't see long 6'11 guys with a handle who can run & jump like that. He had clear physical tools that most Bigs just don't. I call BS on claims that his potential greatness was somehow hard to spot. I guess from a practical standpoint it's somewhat understandable why a GM would go for a more NBA ready talent who might help them win now then a more raw prospect with a higher ceiling as they're worried about retaining their job. Besides being from Greece (so harder to scout), he was the youngest player in the draft, so was more of a project that had to physically mature. I'd much rather endure a few down years developing talent if it meant a better chance at a contending team down the road. STOMP
True, he's the guy who collapses the D and kicks out to wide open shooters (6 Assists per game) not the guy who is a great 3 point shooter. Certainly Portland would have a much different dynamic to their offense if it featured him and Dame. There would be no answer for their 2 man game. You know he made All NBA D 1st team right? STOMP
https://theathletic.com/1154565/201...plus-al-horford-east-contenders-and-more/?amp Sixers mailbag: CJ McCollum for Tobias Harris — who says no? Plus Al Horford, East contenders and more
Which game was this. His rookie year he was rather pedestrian and played like what you would expect from a 15th pick.
It was the game where he was running up and down the court like a gazelle, occasionally leading the break like you never see a 6'11 player do & jumping out of the gym. Like I stated, his physical advantages were completely apparent right away. STOMP
he was only 6'9" then. big diff compared to 7'. Its like boats, a 18' foot is way smaller than a 20' boat. 2 feet doesnt seem like much but it is
He didn't attend the predraft, so who knows when the 6'9 measurement was made or whether it was with or without shoes (which often makes a 2" difference in listing). He is listed at 6'11 in the NBA STOMP
Bucks measured him after the draft at 6'8 1/2". So just curious what you voted in this thread, which is really what this thread is about. I do wonder why this generational talent only played at the Greek second level, wasn't invited to the Nike Hoop Summit and no team tried to move up to snag such an obvious talent. Also, Bucks were mixed on whether they wanted to select him or not as they weren't 100% in on the choice and the Mavs Donnie Nelson wanted him at 13th but Mark Cuban vetoed it. Hawks were also interested but unwilling to move up as they felt he would be available at the 17th pick. Maybe it wasn't as obvious as you seem to think.
I voted first and voted a B+. Some might remember my utter disdain for Olshey followed by my conscious effort to be more positive. A smile-and-the-world-smiles-with-you sort of thing. Where I once heard a word-of-the-day memorizing, smugfuck acting, car salesman, I now hear only high hopes and good times and vision. Go figure.
It can't be a coincidence that at almost the exact moment you became positive the team had it's best season in 19 years!
I’ve stated this multiple times already in posts you responded to. Good grief dude. If you can’t see how obvious his talent is from the rookie tape I relayed I don’t know what to tell you. Like an 18 year old with a 100 MPH fastball who doesn’t have a clue how to pitch he was a true diamond in the rough. Some things (skills) can be improved with practice and experience while others are just god given talent. At barely 18 he was as raw as he was skinny, but he was clearly physically blessed like few others. STOMP
Good grief man, why do continue to use hindsight as your evidence. Wake up dude. Oh and as a baseball player that played D1 baseball i saw many pitchers that had the fastball but never made it to the bigs. Your baseball analogy was pretty weak.
Maybe it’s because you keep asking me inane questions about my opinion? Did you take a few of those fastballs off your head? Just curious STOMP
Ah, now you are going to resort to personal attacks. You lost i'm moving on. Next time bring some proof before the fact, not after. Tootles kid By the way, in all my years of playing baseball i was only hit once in the rib cage on a breaking ball that didn't break. Just another example of you not knowing what you are talking about.