I've gone from hoping he can play effectively to thinking he has a legitimate shot at making the All-Rookie team, and maybe even be in the ROY mix by the end of the season. At the very least, I see him in the Rookie-Soph game. So, I've seen my own expectations increase, but unless what we saw was a mirage, he should be an effective NBA PG much more quickly than I thought when he was drafted. He's quick, he can use both hands, he's explosive, he looks to pass, and he can shoot. He's a match-up nightmare on the perimeter, and that won't change anytime soon. Plus, his leadership has really just blown me away. I like how he's already bonding with Leonard, and he seems so poised in interviews, that you forget he's only 21.
Woods was never named Summer League MVP, but he did have a great 2003. Then again, Woods' main problem was in the air between his ears, and not the air that he could get on the court.
I think he's got an excellent shot at ROY. I noted a while ago that 8 out of the last 20 ROY's were ball-dominant guards. It's just an easy position to ring up lots of stats early in a career. Given that's he's also a mature college graduate with no real holes in his game and that he will probably play 35mpg on a team that should make the playoffs, he seems like a natural. I wouldn't say he's anything close to the consensus favorite, but I'm pretty confident he'll be in the top 2 or 3.
This maybe the first time we actually have a floor general PG since Terry Porter. Can it actually be?!?!?!
No he wasn't!!! Stop perpetuating this myth! Repeat after me, "Qyntel Woods was NEVER Summer League MVP"! Better yet, stay after class and write it on the blackboard 500 times until it permeates your skull and occupies your brain on a permanent basis. Qyntel Woods made the All-Revue Team at the 2003 Rocky Mountain Revue, but Lonnie Baxter (Bulls) was the MVP. Not that Baxter had a stellar NBA career, but I just get tried of people perpetuating this myth every time a Blazer player has a good summer league showing.. BNM
Well, shit. Whatever. My quote came from a much longer post, and I was responding to someone's assertion that Woods was MVP, so Lillard's MVP means little. I can't remember whether Woods was MVP or not, as SL MVP doesn't matter (though I do remember that SL, some thought he was as good as anyone in that SL). But thanks for dissecting my point and turning it into something it wasn't. LOL.
I think it would be more accurate to say that he led the SL in scoring that year. I wish there was records of the SL though. All of that stuff died when they shut down the Rocky Mountain Review.
Where was the NBA/ESPN hype machine before summer league? Then 4 games against summer league competition and suddenly they KNOW it? Can I borrow the delorean? http://www.nba.com/summerleague2008/
Whats crazy is, that Nic is only 18 months older then Lillard. Can't wait to see them hook up on the break FAMS!
Jesus. I hadn't really thought about that. He's a lot closer in age to Lillard than he is Aldridge. Batum has been around so long that you just forget he's only 23.
