Wendell Carter Jr - The Block Panther Edition

[SHO'NUFF]

I haven't seen this guy play but from what I'm reading is he another Ben Wallace type or could he have an improved offensive game?

Not even close to Ben Wallace on Offense. He has way more potential on that end. LOL

Ben Wallace’s offense is like Zach Lavine’s career.

-RealGM Bulls Board

[bullsareback]

The Block Panther is such a great nickname. Who came up with the nickname again? We have to make sure that guy gets credit, because this is one of the few nicknames that might actually stick.

I suggested "Black Panther, King of BLOCKanda" because of the scarf at the draft & all the blocked shots.
User name "Keobulls" amended to "Block Panther"
I liked that and said then the area under the rim can be known as "Blockanda" where he's the king.
User name "Axoloti" introduced the nickname into this thread from the summer league thread.

Let's just hope the nickname sticks cause that means he keeps it up with the blocks.
If he does I bet Stacy will pick up on this.

[mack2354]

First of all, I love the "Block Panther" - a kid from Wakanda. Nickname. LOVE IT!!! Shout out to Keobulls.

I know people were really not into Carter mainly because guys like Ayton compared to D-Rob, Bagley to Bosh, Young to Curry and MPJ to Durant Jr. etc and Carter was compared to.......Who? Horford. That is what put off a lot of posters.

I called him Tim Duncan Jr. IMO, Carter will have a better rookie year then Horford and Horford was 2+ years older than him when he came to the league. Carter has a great defensive instincts, team-player, games come easy to him and he does have some offensive game that he hasn't shown yet.

When I see Carter play so far, I think he is just trying to fit in and not force anything. He is not forcing shots, trying to do too much etc. He just came in thinking, he will set picks, block shots, play good defense and move the ball from 1 side to the other etc.

If anything, I think Randy Brown needs to use the offense through Carter, not through Blakeney (who just sucks). Let Carter post up some, some face up game, hook shots etc and tell guards to find him in the pick and roll/pop situations. Let him get 15-20 shots and see what he can do.

That's what summer league is for - not for those scrubs taking too many shots and trying to shoot themselves out of the game to prove that everyone knows that they DON'T belong in the NBA.

I agree with you 100%. The best place to see what your rookies can do against higher competition is summer league. Preseason is for chemistry and schemes.

The only thing I can think of is that they are trying to get Carter used to playing the role of Lopez (starting C). If Carter starts then he won't be getting 15-20 shots a game. They may have told him to just focus on defense and getting used to playing w/in his new offense.

If he starts (which I think he should) then he'll be the 4th or 5th option behind Dunn, Lavine, and Lauri so they may figure there is no need to get him used to playing that way now just to break him from that habit later.

[fleet]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

Look at the poll. 90 percent liked or even loved the selection. Plus he was going against Zizic who is a second or third stringer.

Exactly. Look at the poll. If anything, this is a credit to the board for overwhelming approval

[WindyCityBorn]

I haven't seen this guy play but from what I'm reading is he another Ben Wallace type or could he have an improved offensive game?

I'd say homeless man's version of Embiid right now.

I don't see any Embiid.

[poolshark52]

How about the B52s version, block lobster

[fleet]

It's been two SL games.

I'm not sure what his stats are, nor does it really matter. In both games he's been the smartest and most skilled player on the court by a comfortable margin. Honestly, you wouldn't know he was a rookie by watching.

If anything, it's just a confirmation of what he was in college. Him and Markkanen are going to be fun to watch develop together. The best part is they fit and Carter knows where his primary impact comes from. He's talking about getting stops and taking the defensive end personally. Even in glorified pick-up basketball, he's not worried about how many shots he's taking.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

Noah always looked awkward and max effort to me on his blocks. Carter looks like an adult playing against little kids in the driveway, casually blocking all their shots into the street.

[bullsareback]

How about the B52s version, block lobster

Not a nickname but Stacy could also just yell "Block & load!" everytime WCJ blocks a shot.
Not politically correct, though, probably

[madvillian]

I'm not sure what his stats are, nor does it really matter. In both games he's been the smartest and most skilled player on the court by a comfortable margin. Honestly, you wouldn't know he was a rookie by watching.

If anything, it's just a confirmation of what he was in college. Him and Markkanen are going to be fun to watch develop together. The best part is they fit and Carter knows where his primary impact comes from. He's talking about getting stops and taking the defensive end personally. Even in glorified pick-up basketball, he's not worried about how many shots he's taking.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

Noah always looked awkward and max effort to me on his blocks. Carter looks like an adult playing against little kids in the driveway, casually blocking all their shots into the street.

We'll see how Carter looks against starters and rotation bigs. He's faced Wagner and Zizac, who are both likely to be 3rd string centers this year.

[EMG518]

Congrats Bulls fans. I think you got a gem. Best young front court duo with Markannen and Carter Jr.

[Poohdini1]

I haven't seen this guy play but from what I'm reading is he another Ben Wallace type or could he have an improved offensive game?

I'd say homeless man's version of Embiid right now.

Nah rich man's Kyle O'Quinn

[Red Larrivee]

The number of players who can protect the rim at a high level, rebound at a high level AND hit threes is like four players deep.

Embiid can do it. Durant can do it. Draymond can do it. Anthony Davis can do it. Is there anyone else?

Towns and Love rebound and hit threes, but aren't good rim protectors.

Porzingis, Turner and Horford protect the rim and hit threes, but none of them rebound well.

Capela, Drummond and Gobert rebound and protect the rim, but don't hit threes.

Bamba could absolutely join that first list of guys.

Interesting post from the Magic board. I was wondering if they regret passing up on BP, because I sure would

I think Carter can join that list as well. I like both Bamba and Carter, but today Carter is a better overall player. Bamba simply has the unique physical tools that could amplify his game to unfair levels of defense.

[Knightro]

It's interesting because most of us wanted Bamba over Carter. I'm glad you took Bamba and we ended up with WCJ, but two summer league games aren't really enough to predict which one'll be better

I think both young bigs have a chance to be really good.

I think Bamba's more explosive, but WCJ is definitely the quicker leaper as Bamba has to load up more on his jump. WCJ is blocking more shots right now by simply being more aggressive with his shot contests, but Bamba's crazy wingspan and general size has already shown to be a major deterrent at least against these bad summer league guards and wings.

I think both guys could be solid 3PT shooters in due time.

Carter's better in the post both offensively AND defensively, but posting up is becoming so scarce and inefficient anyway that I don't think the Bulls or Magic are going to want to see a lot of that once the competition gets tougher.

I'm really happy with Bamba and I think you guys should be really happy with Carter Jr.

[TheSchmaranz]

How about the B52s version, block lobster

Only if he and Hutchinson have matching towels.

[Ayman78]

The league in general is in a great position I feel like this maybe an exceptional group of centers. Embiid, Ayton, KAT, The Brow, Mo Bamba, WCJ, Drummond, and I feel like I'm missing a few guys.

[IrishBeatdown]

Love the name Block Panther, he's been ridiculous so far.

[bad knees]

Important question: is it Block Panther, or The Block Panther? Have to get these things right from the beginning I think. I am inclined to say it should be Block Panther, but I leave it to those who are perhaps more tied into Black Panther lore.

[kingkirk]

Block Panther is an absolutely brilliant name.

[IrishBeatdown]

I haven't seen this guy play but from what I'm reading is he another Ben Wallace type or could he have an improved offensive game?

He shot 40% from 3 in college. He's longer and taller than Ben was. Two entirely different body types.

That about closes the Ben Wallace comparisons.

[League Circles]

Dude is probably my 4th favorite Bull ever and he hasn't even played a preseason game yet hahaha.