maybe GB's agent is the one behind the push for this... needs to get his client reps. Jabari has very clearly and justifiably overtaken him in the rotation.
I watched a bit of the Wolves Vs Windy City Bulls game yesterday. Former Blazer CJ Elleby has been playing decent for the wolves with a new hairdo.
Honestly when I've watched him he doesn't look at all like an NBA player, and its not like he is a brand new fresh rookie. He has a bit of athleticism but not enough to be an asset in the NBA. Low BBIQ, low skills shooting, below average defense. Compare that to Jabari Walker, Sharpe, Watford, or others who showed promise from day 1. Even players like Ant or NAS who were a bit raw as rookies had flashes their first year and certainly strong stretches in year 2. I'd be looking to cut him and use his roster spot on someone who has the possibility to eventually contribute. However since Browns has a guaranteed contract; the team probably wants to keep him until the deadline to leave open the possibility of luxury tax relief.
He was a 2nd round project from the beginning and I think he has improved. How much more can he improve is the question? I would disagree that he is a below-average defender.
As much as I love his attitude -- he reminds me of a poor man's Travis Outlaw. Hope he finds more opportunities to improve his game in G-league!
I figure his best hope is to become a journeyman player for a few years in the league. Maybe get a second contract?
While both had/have hops, Travis had a Jumper while Greg does not. If he wants a decent career in the league, he should accept reality and start all over with proper form/technique. It might take a year+ for him to become comfortable with the new J & develop consistency, but he'd be so much more valuable if he put in the time/work. STOMP
How many NBA players with long careers having a strong shot have "started over with proper shooting form/technique"? I don't know if I've ever heard of a single NBA player doing that. The NBA is the best couple hundred players on the planet at playing an elite level of a sport. Saying someone can just put in some time and work to become one of the best people in the world at one of those skills is greatly underestimated how difficult and how elite the shooting is at the NBA level. I just don't see it at all realistic for a player to "start over" in your 20's with shooting form and become a legit NBA shooter.
...precisely why he is the poor man's version take away TOs jumper and all other deficiencies are very similar.
Interestingly, the TO comparison is valid here. Outlaw was a sub-30% 3-point shooter (28-100) over the first 4 years of his career. Then in year 5 (age 23) he suddenly became proficient, and shot 38% from 3 (169-442) over the next 3 years.
TO didn't "start over with proper form/technique". He just kept shooting the same as he always had with a few years of success. Although I don't see Outlaw as a great shooting goal; shooting 33.7% for your career at three and 44.7% on two's isn't valuable. Probably why he was an amnesty cut and then out of the league at 29. Being a "poor mans" version of that player isn't a useful NBA player.
I didn't think of that; but maybe since more players are getting healthy we now don't need him even as an emergency backup.
I was thinking more that Nurk will be back. Watford came back as Nurk went down. Now if Nurk comes back he is really down the big man rotation.
