Nigerian Dwight: The James Nnaji Thread

Lwcasu · Post #21 » by **Lwcasu** » Fri Jun 23, 2023 2:51 pm

SWedd523 wrote:ain't no way Bismack was a 7 footer

You’re correct about height as this guy is 6’ 10” but 7 feet in shoes while biz is 6’ 8” but probably 6’ 10 “ in shoes but the rest is very similar—young, limited production, same wingspan, started playing basketball recently, etc. However, Nnaji is already a much better offensive player as he doesn’t have problems catching the ball.

This is a really smart pick as Kai didn’t develop and bigs are prone to injury. We are currently set with Williams and Richards, but one injury and we are back to using Washington at center. I think Kai is going to be gone soon.

LofJ · Post #22 » by **LofJ** » Fri Jun 23, 2023 3:15 pm

James looking pretty fly:

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wilson115 · Post #23 » by **wilson115** » Fri Jun 23, 2023 10:12 pm

Dean rates the pick a B.

https://deanondraft.substack.com/p/2023-draft-grades-pick-by-pick

Sure hope this pick pays off.

Spoiler:

wilson115 · Post #24 » by **wilson115** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 12:46 am

7' in shoes looks about right.

Spoiler:

Post #25 » by **Diop** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 2:19 am

just feels like a perfect draft n stash project to take in the 2nd round

HornetJail · Post #26 » by **HornetJail** » Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:08 pm

Diop wrote:just feels like a perfect draft n stash project to take in the 2nd round

based on a certain well known Hornets fan on other platforms, who has connections... Nnaji wants to come over and wasn't drafted to be stashed.

Personally, I think we have way too many players under contract and think he and Bailey are on two-way contracts for basically all of next season like Bryce was this year.

UNCNYC · Post #27 » by **UNCNYC** » Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:20 pm

KEMBAtheMETEOR wrote:
Diop wrote:just feels like a perfect draft n stash project to take in the 2nd round

based on a certain well known Hornets fan on other platforms, who has connections... Nnaji wants to come over and wasn't drafted to be stashed.

Personally, I think we have way too many players under contract and think he and Bailey are on two-way contracts for basically all of next season like Bryce was this year.

Totally agree. I would not have taken him at all but he isn't that bad.

Since Naji wants to play you should call this thread

Daniel Larusso Is Gonna Fight - The James Nnaji Thread

amcoolio · Post #28 » by **amcoolio** » Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:54 pm

One thing that stands out, he's very fluid without the ball unlike Kai and not afraid to dunk like Richards was before this season. I'm not sure where he fits in the NBA because players who cannot shoot at all never get on the floor, but he's very impressive as a prospect. He also is very raw still, lot of scouting reports say he is foul prone and can't stay out of foul trouble

wilson115 · Post #29 » by **wilson115** » Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:14 pm

KEMBAtheMETEOR wrote:
Diop wrote:just feels like a perfect draft n stash project to take in the 2nd round

based on a certain well known Hornets fan on other platforms, who has connections... Nnaji wants to come over and wasn't drafted to be stashed.

Personally, I think we have way too many players under contract and think he and Bailey are on two-way contracts for basically all of next season like Bryce was this year.

Seems the case. These guys are his agents.

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As reported by Mundo Deportivo this weekend, his contract with Barça until 2027 includes a clause of 800,000 euros that he is considering paying if the Hornets guarantee him a stipend for at least one full season.

On the same night of the Draft, franchise General Manager Mitch Kupchak indirectly acknowledged that all possibilities are open with the players chosen in the second round of the draft. "We've added four players to our system. Not all of them may be on the Hornets' roster next year, but with the new rules and a third two-way contract, we're getting closer and closer to having them all in our system," he said, without specifically naming Nnaji.

https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/nba/20230626/1002029208/james-nnaji-visita-charlotte-hornets-intencion-jugar-summer-league-nba.html

Post #30 » by **luciano-davidwesley** » Mon Jun 26, 2023 10:42 pm

Personally I think another season playing in Spain and/or Euroleague with Barcelona would be much better for his development than a third big role here

wilson115 · Post #31 » by **wilson115** » Fri Jun 30, 2023 9:50 pm

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wilson115 · Post #32 » by **wilson115** » Wed Jul 5, 2023 11:34 pm

Little things will take this young man far. So far, so good.

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wilson115 · Post #33 » by **wilson115** » Wed Jul 5, 2023 11:45 pm

Just the bureaucrats then. Alright.

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Post #34 » by **JDR720** » Wed Jul 5, 2023 11:49 pm

Build like a tank. If he has any ability to play, he could make Richards tradeable in a couple years.

JMAC3 · Post #35 » by **JMAC3** » Thu Jul 6, 2023 12:06 am

He looks at least a year away, just can tell he doesn't really have a good feel for the game right now.
I think he is a guy that needs a year or 2 before he can really come over.
Which I think is fine for a 2nd rounder, he doesn't have to be a day 1 rotation piece.

wilson115 · Post #36 » by **wilson115** » Thu Jul 6, 2023 12:14 am

Must have a great player development crew at Barca. Clearly knows what's expected of an NBA big man.

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Post #37 » by **Diop** » Thu Jul 6, 2023 12:17 am

That’s the beauty of euro teams, really push the fundamentals on the bigs, especially if they want court time

Post #38 » by **luciano-davidwesley** » Thu Jul 6, 2023 12:21 am

wilson115 wrote:Must have a great player development crew at Barca. Clearly knows what's expected of an NBA big man.

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He's clumsy AF with the ball but other than that his fundamental skills are miles ahead of Kai. It just goes to show how bad our player development is. Even Euroleague clubs have better coaching staff than us.

wilson115 · Post #39 » by **wilson115** » Thu Jul 6, 2023 12:28 am

luciano-davidwesley wrote:He's clumsy AF with the ball but other than that his fundamental skills are miles ahead of Kai. It just goes to show how bad our player development is. Even Euroleague clubs have better coaching staff than us.

Clumsy's right, ball almost flew from his fingers for a moment there. But other than that he clearly takes well to solid coaching.

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wilson115 · Post #40 » by **wilson115** » Sat Jul 8, 2023 2:00 am

Future All-NBAer moving his feet and dominating the glass. Oh, and Wemby isn't too bad himself.

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