Raef's last (partial) season in DEN he was averaging 14.9 PTS/G, 3.0 BLK/G and shooting .434 3FG% in 51 games before he was traded to DAL at the deadline. I'd be be happy with that for Zach (although Zach is a better FT shooter). BNM
Here's Zach's number so far this season. Note: Raef played considerably more minutes. If you normalize their stats/36 minutes, things get much closer: Raef: Zach: Raef was a better rebounder, but Zach is a better passer. Also of note, this was Raef's 4th NBA season after playing 4 years of college ball at Kansas, compared to Zach's second NBA season after 1 year at Gonzaga. BNM
LMA was a decent defender - but Zach has much better movement and positioning so far, he is a better team defender imho. On offense - one thing LMA had going for him was his hands - he had / has very quick hands. I would say Zach has the tools to have much better footwork than LMA if he continues to work on it. Young LMA was very fast going downhill - but I do not think he had the lateral dexterity that I have seen from Zach.
I fully disagree there too. I remember him getting pushed around and used on D. Post and perimeter. TT was a decent defender in college but never in the NBA. He never realised his potential as a one on one defender and absolutely SUCKED at help side defense. Folks need to stop rewriting history.
Kevin McHale 2nd yr. stats - 24 years old 28 mpg 13.6 ppg 2.3 blks 1.1 apg 6.8 rpg .754 ft% .531 EFG Zttack 2nd yr t0 date stats - 21 years old 20.7 mpg 10.8 ppg 1.6 blks 3.7 rpg 1.2 apg .821 ft% .644 EFG % Considering Zach is 3 years younger at this point his stats are pretty close to McHales on a per min basis. Both have Square shoulders, relentless drive, solid footwork, smart
Ah I thought you might be talking about gyrus Thomas. Remember when la guarded Dwight Howard in the playoffs when robin couldn't handle him?