http://bkref.com/tiny/aTBEP Just leaving this here to track Damian's progression during his rookie year, with some context around who else has done this well as a rookie. Cheers!
To be fair, it's small sample size after a HUGE game from 3 last night, so it's probably artificially high right now.
time will tell, but exclude last night's huge game and his 2/13 game and his TS% probably doesn't drop much.
Francis had a ton of talent He, like Marbury, just didn't "get it" and played themselves out of the league by being stupid
Eh, I would agree that Marbury played himself out by being stupid, but Francis just stopped being good. I think it had more to do with him losing his athleticism.
He was incredible his first few years with the rockets, but after losing his athleticism he just faded away into obscurity.
As long as Lillard keeps appearing on this page (18+ ppg, 6+ apg) I'm a happy camper. He's got a little of Francis' athleticism and size at PG, and he's got Damon's perimeter shot. You kind of hope Dame has a better career, but if all three were rookies this year you might easily pick Francis to be the best of the three, or even Damon (if he was on your team). Every flash-in-the-pan has his moment of flash. Otherwise he's just pan. Lillard is more diversified than either of these guys. He's got size, speed, athleticism, decent passing and a quality perimeter shot. So hopefully we're about 12 years away from seeing his pan. But you never really know.
Francis was probably the most athletic guard point/combo guard I've ever seen. [video=youtube;QUw_sTs1xz0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUw_sTs1xz0[/video]
Well he doesn't throw his body at the hoop like some athletic guards do, so that should prolong his career.
He plays like a 12-year vet physically (a little like Andre Miller but less burly), and once he has the experience, the little rookie mistakes will disappear. He will have a long career playing like a 29-year old from the ages of 25-35 (imho).
Check this out. Jennings totally dominated to start the season, but soon began to fizzle out once the league began to scout him. Hope it's different with Dame (who's a far better shooter).
Your description reminds me a lot of an in-his-prime Chauncy Billups. Billups was a little better in his prime than Lillard is now, but it's a pretty flattering comparison at this stage of his career.
Jennings was different though. He was a volume shooter and not really a passer. Lillard is perfectly happy finding his teammates when he is doubled.
