I considered the T-Rob comparison and even though no-one can replace TRob in my heart I would be happy with another same type of PF. To address the comparison less emotionally, TRob has the combination of being strong and playing strong like Bell but also with a better leaping ability and athleticism. Or maybe he's not a better athlete, just taller with a better standing reach.
Except if you have to box out to get a rebound in the final seconds of the national championship game.
This is a HUGE difference. TRob actually has a negative BBIQ. Sure he gets one or two highlight blocks or follow slams a year, but all that freakish athleticism leads to a shit ton of stupid fouls and unforced turnovers. For every great play he makes, he makes dozens of stupid ones. Bell is the exact opposite. Call it BBIQ, better instincts, whatever, but Bell uses his athleticism and motor to constantly be in the right place at the right time. The way he shut down the paint against Kansas (especially) and NC was impressive. TRob gets an occasional highlight reel block, but actually doesn't block very many shots. Bell just locks shit down and owns the fucking paint. TRob's junior year, he averaged 1.1 pace adjusted BLK/40. Bell's junior year, he averaged 3.2 pace adjusted BLK/40. Bell is just flat out 3x the shot blocker TRob will ever be. TRob is actually a horrible defender, always losing track of his man, losing sight of the ball, out of position etc. Bell is an elite defender that combines great athleticism with a non-stop motor and great defensive instincts. They are both athletic power forwards. That's where the similarities end. BNM
Yep, and he was still the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and averaged 20/10/4 over a 15 year NBA career. He ranks in the top 100 in all of the following: Career scoring (89th) Career rebounds (64th) Career steals (85th) Career blocks (56th) He's one of only 8 players in NBA history to record over 17,000 points, 8000 rebounds, 3000 assists, 1000 steals and 1000 blocks. I'd say he was worth the risk. Anyone that would pass on Jordan Bell because of one fuck up in the Final Four is completely overlooking the obvious fact that they wouldn't have even made the Final Four without him. BNM
Only because the refs fucked SAC out of one in 2002. So, knowing what you know, would you pass on all of Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Dominique Wilkins and Elgin Baylor if they were available late in the first round of their respective drafts? BNM
I've come around on Bell, but picking him at anything above 26 would be a travesty. I still feel like 26 would be a reach, but one that I'd somewhat understand. We have to get the best value possible out of this draft. I don't think Bell is the way to go. I do like Bolden more than him too.
So glad you're not part of our front office, scouting or coaching staffs. Anyone that would pass on the next Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, etc. with the 26th pick in the draft has no business being anywhere around an NBA team. BNM
We do need a big guy, but he seems a little mentally weak. I don't watch a lot of college ball, but he choked pretty badly. And it was just all not prioritizing effort.
Seriously, he'd be getting Meyers Leonard's minutes. In terms of mental weakness, he'd be a HUGE upgrade. BNM
I watched most of the Duck's games. Bell was a force. No doubt about it. He not only blocked a lot of shots but he made people miss just from his presence in the key. When you have the reputation as a shotblocker you make people second guess their release. Watching that clip is like watching the dunk vids of kids in High school and then thinking their going to be the next Lebron. It doesn't tell the whole story.
