NDave79 wrote:The Bandit wrote:So post summer-league what is your revised opinion on WCJ's position amongst the best bigs from his class? Will he wind up being better than JJJ?
After watching summer league, I'm more excited about Wendell than I was before the draft (and I liked him a lot, but had a couple reservations).
While I still don't think he is a freak athlete, the mobility and athleticism he displayed in summer league basically took away the main concerns I had.
I feel like he has enough functional athleticism that will allow him to succeed offensively and defensively. Obviously, crazy athleticism like Kemp or Amare would be preferable, but I think he is as athletic as Duncan or Malone and I would take them all day, err day over the previously mentioned athletic freaks.
While his height is a little low for centers, I actually think it might be a blessing in disguise in the current NBA.
I feel as if his slightly lower than average height for a center helps him with having a lower center of gravity. Obviously, there are exceptions (like KG), but in general, a lower center of gravity helps your mobility and agility. A little like how Hakeem being a little undersized served him well. Not that they are all that comparable imo. Hakeem had the agility of a cat. The OG Block Panther, lol. Wendell's not as agile, but naturally stronger imo.
For a 19 year old, he is strong and wide. I think if his head wasn't so massive we would appreciate his shoulders and physique more. In person, you would quickly understand the difference, but on camera or video it distorts the reality imo. This kid at 19 is a freaking beast and he is just going to become more of a beast as he works with NBA trainers and naturally fills in to his fully mature adult frame (which probably won't happen until he is something like 25 or 26).
With his strength, athleticism and wingspan, I think he will be able to hold his own against the centers in the NBA, and with his slightly lower center of gravity and the agility he has shown, I'm also hopeful he can keep up with perimeter guys enough to make things challenging for them.
Most importantly though, he seems to have things right in the head. Basically, he seems like a hard worker with a team first mentality (while also having a high BBIQ).
