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The Nuggets acquired swingman James White from the Houston Rockets in exchange for the draft rights to forward Axel Hervelle, a 2005 pick who has yet to play in the NBA.

anybody know exactly what he brings to the table and if this means no wally?

James White scouting report:

Pros:
Freakish Athleticism
Appears to have an ok jumper from mid range
Good size for SF
No apparent attitude problem


Cons:
Can't dribble the basketball
3 point range?
low BBall IQ
poor fundamental on Defense
Lacks scorers mentality


Basically he's just a dunker at the moment.

I dont think Hervelle was in the long term plans of the Nuggets. With Kleiza and Jones gone the Nuggets want to make sure they have a bench I would assume. White is going to make around 850k (he's cheap).

I would think this means the Nuggets plan to go with Flip Murray and White and may pass on Wally. But I don't think this rules out the Nuggets inking both Flip and Wally.

At this point the top priority should actually be Flip. I watched him last year with the Hawks and he gave them 25 minutes a night (his shooting percentages... especially from behind the 3 point line might surprise most).

To add to the post above he's more than a dunker skillwise. But he's had the rep for disappearing in games. His skills fit the Nuggets.

Guy986 wrote:James White scouting report:

Pros:
Freakish Athleticism
Appears to have an ok jumper from mid range
Good size for SF
No apparent attitude problem


Cons:
Can't dribble the basketball
3 point range?
low BBall IQ
poor fundamental on Defense
Lacks scorers mentality


Basically he's just a dunker at the moment.

I've coached James before, and I'd disagree with your cons. His handle certainly isn't anything to write home about, but it's acceptable, especially considering his explosive first step. One of the things we worked with him on was better picking his gaps to drive. When he's picking the right spots, he gets to the line like crazy. Nothing wrong with the range on his jumper either. His shot will ocasionally falter, but he was never cold for more than a half. He's a surprisingly efficient player given his ability to shoot, finish and drive.

His defense is where you're right on. I wouldn't even say his technique is bad, but it's just never really been a focus for him. If you stay on top of him, you can get him to be at least acceptable defensively.

The reason James hasn't been in the NBA is because he gets the reputation for being a little crazy, which comes from his body language and poor reactions to bad calls. He's a good guy and a very professional person, but needs to control his emotions better.

Nothing wrong with his basketball IQ either. His year playing in Turkey really helped him become a more cerebral player, but he actually picked up the point guard duties one year at Cincinnati and did a solid job. He'll make a couple bad decisions, but does a solid job of dumping the ball to the weak side big, and will kick it out if his drive is stalled.

Last season in the D-League he shot a very solid 54% from the field and 37% from the three point line, and 85% from the free throw line. He got to the free throw line over 8 times a game, and only took 15 shots to get his 26 ppg.

He's a world class athlete and great fit for the Nuggets system. He's an NBA level player for sure, and I wish him the best, because he deserves to stick somewhere.

I've been checking daily to see if we'd signed Wally or Flip yet and low and behold we fill our 13th spot with some D-Leaguer. Hopefully we still sign Flip, Can't rely on a D-Leaguer for bench points.

Flip Murray is a D-Leaguer. He blows.

He has some of the best hops ive ever seen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9vO8o-zL_Q

J Smitty wrote:Flip Murray is a D-Leaguer. He blows.

League minimum won't net us the 6th man of the year.

Um...ok. What's your point?

Murray sucks, White sucks. Anyone who we could have signed sucks. I'll take White at 800k over Murray at 1.8 million or whatever it is he wants. Hell, I'd take White over Flip even at equal money...as at least he isn't a chucking cancer with his head up his ass.

Powder Blue wrote:

J Smitty wrote:Flip Murray is a D-Leaguer. He blows.

League minimum won't net us the 6th man of the year.

It can net you a former D-League who is a solid scorer, ala Von Wafer. Or a player like Dahntay Jones (another D-Leaguer).

I'm not saying Flip is our answer, was surprised the Nugs are after him but who's gonna score off the bench if JR starts? Maybe Ty Lawson but we don't know how much GK will play him. I believe Wally is what we should get based on what's available but we just traded for a SF. If we don't have any bench scoring the starters won't get any rest.

He's basically another Sonny Weems then... why chug one and get another?

SnakefromHell wrote:He's basically another Sonny Weems then... why chug one and get another?

Because Sonny thought he will be a big part of the team?

Well, at least we're set at 13 players now, he's just a bench warmer, nothing big.

White is not on a guaranteed deal? As for the differences between him and Weems, White was the top scorer in the d-league and showed much better all around game then Weems showed. If anything this is like a training camp invite with a contract in place if we decide to keep him. If not it cost us nothing as Hervelle has been a disappointment in Europe.

While w/the Rockets White worked really hard,was coachable and they got him playing D to the point the organization was complimentary of him for his D. Tremendous finisher on the break,but struggled in Hou w/his shot. In Summer League(yeah,it was SL)he really had a hard time making shots but as mnWI noted,he got to the line quite a bit and knocked down his FTs.

As an energy guy off bench,he should be fine,just don't expect consistant scoring for a while.

In Houston he was not going to get minutes and they need the roster space. Wonder if Rockets threw in cash?

Pretty random.

I think this move just puts some heat on Flip to sign here.

Am I the only one who would rather have Wally than Flip?

MHZ wrote:Am I the only one who would rather have Wally than Flip?

I'd rather have Mark Pope than Flip....so yeah, Wally would be sufficient.

Sheeit. We got rid of the only white guy who kould possibly be on our team fo' James Blood White. He kan dunk from the freethrow line while stabbing someone. The Thuggets are skarier than ever.