Nice article. We got really lucky with Swanigan. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19967316/nba-blazers-rookie-swanigan-flashes-high-motor
Some things you can tell, some things you can't. Some people try to judge the stuff you can't really tell to reinforce their world view.
The forum is much easier to take when you realize the collective IQ of people in here is not very high. I mean...we've got a dog for a moderator.
This has nothing to do with IQ. Some people just have a very negative outlook on the world. They're always looking for the negative side of something.
I don't think it's just three summer league games with him. People like his story and are rooting for him to do well. He comes off as someone who genuinely wants to win and work hard to see the team succeed. He put up big time numbers in college and has a skill that generally translates well in the pros which is his rebounding. While I know a lot liked Jordan Bell (myself included) or Jonah Bolden or whoever, a lot of fans are pleasantly surprised with him and want so desperately for him to succeed and be the PF of the future for us.
It's better to do well than to stink it up, but MM is right; playing well or playing poorly in Vegas isn't going to predict anything about his ability to hang in the big boy league. His ability to rebound should translate, but will he be able to defend, will he be able to adjust to the speed of the game, will he pick up the offense and carve out a defined role? Who knows.
I mean, MediocreMan has a point--summer league doesn't matter except when it offers good news. And yes, I know, the reason why it's "different" is because rebounding and defense translate while offense doesn't, especially among bigs, it's ratball, guard-dominated. But you have to wonder--when was the last time this forum felt that the what really mattered in summer league was what our prospects did poorly? I strongly believe that if Collins were struggling on defense but lighting it up on offense, that would be great news and you can't really tell about defensive instincts in such a disorganized setting. I don't dislike Collins or Swanigan as prospects, but I think there's a lot of conformation bias going on.
Let me guess, you didn't read the article, but somehow feel your usual negative opinion is more informed than the opinions of those who did. It was more about his work ethic and character than his play in summer league. Yes, it mentioned his summer league play, but that was just a lead in to the main part of the article. Even if he played like shit in those three games, it doesn't change the fact that he's a hard worker that people can root for - unless rooting for anything good to happen, ever, just goes against the very grain of who you are. That's OK, Swanigan's positive attitude more than makes up for your negative one. BNM
Biggie should be able to come in and get some PT early in the season. Especially when Nurk isn't playing, he should be out there to grab rebounds.
Why would someone who gives 100% effort in college and summer league not give effort in the NBA? And how does that relate to a secondary offensive player who is better with good guards not playing well in Summer League because our guards are shit?
As tired as the people who say the same when someone is disappointed in a player after a couple games. Serious question....Whats the difference?