Is Shawne a bust?

[joew8302]

I know it seems VERY premature to ask this question, but I think it is fair at this point. I don't necessarly think he is a bust because he isn't talented, but we know he has had run ins with the law and his decision making in terms of his friends has been less than stellar at this point. In terms of his time on the court, Shawne seems very inconsistent. When his jumper is falling he is productive, when it isn't falling he is useless. He doesn't seem to be very aggressive in terms of attacking the rim on offense, and he is far from a great defender which prevents him from getting consistent minutes.

I figured this year would be a "put up or shut up" type year, and if the very early returns are any indication, this doesn't look good. With a more prominent role on the Pacers summer league team Williams is struggling to do much of anything.

Also, Bird reached for him at 17 (in the eyes of many) just two years ago, now is open to the idea of trading him. I am not sure this says more about Williams or Bird (probably both)? I hope I am wrong here and Williams comes out, has a great year and earns consistent playing time, but the fact of the matter is that I don't see it happening.

[MillerTime101]

Way to early to call him a bust, JO did alot less in alot more time before he came to Indiana.

[FreeRon]

The guy's way too young to call a bust. We took him on as a project, and I would say the next couple of years is when we really need to start deciding whether he's a bust or not.

[Bucky O'Hare]

Too early to tell. I think Shawn's demise is greatly exaggerated. He went through some tough times and hit a wall, but he's shown enough skills and has the physical gifts to be a very good NBA player. He just needs to work on his maturity.

[cdash]

Rodney Carney, taken right before Shawne, is a bust. Shawne still has time.

[Wizop]

I hear we're willing to trade him to sweeten a Tinsley deal. that's not exactly the same thing as shopping him. however, it's true that that hopes that he'd grow into a 4 haven't been realized and he's stuck behind Mike and Danny on the wing.

physically I still think he could be better than Granger. there's an open question, however, as to whether he's immature or just doesn't get it. this year should show that. I suppose the good news is he went to Orlando but the bad news is he hadn't used the time between the end of the season and summer league to develop his body. word from Orlando was that he was out of shape. if he's going to have a breakout year, he needs to get in a serious training program now.

[NashvilleKat]

This past year, Williams would have only been a junior in college...still a year younger than Granger when we drafted him. Williams reminds me of a young Billy Knight (former Pacer). He may not have the body yet to bang with Elton Brand and other big PFs, but against smaller quicker PFs he should definately hold his own, not to mention his ability to step out and pop the 3. He's tall, quick, a good shot...and worth another year or two of development. He may never be an NBA All-Star, but he should become a strong contributor for many years with the Pacers.

[joew8302]

Guys, I am not asking this question based on what I see from the neck down, it is what I observe from the neck up that makes me wonder. You can attribute his gun and marijuana charge to being young and dumb (i suppose), but after last year and his inconsistent minutes I would figure he would be going hard this summer in an effort to be an everyday contributer on this team. It seems as if he has went in the opposite direction coming into summer camp out of shape and struggling in the summer league. To me this is a sign of a guy who just doesn't get "it" and I am not sure more time is going to help him get it if he hasn't already.

[memtigaj]

how can you call anyone a bust after 2 years in the NBA especially if they were 19 when they came into the league... yeah he has some behavioral problems but i think as he matures and realizes that he could be making 8 million a year instead of 2 he will wise up and start taking it sereiously

[joew8302]

Well if he doesn't start taking it "sereiously" he will be in Europe making 500,000 instead of 2 million, it goes both ways. I can call him a bust because it sure doesn't seem like he is taking the steps to improve his game and be a productive player in this league and it is showing. The fact Bird is open to including him in a deal with Tinsley shows how far he has fallen in Birds mind since he reached for him in the draft. Just because Shawne is young doesn't mean he will wake up and get it one day.

[cdash]

Lets wait and see until the season starts. Just because he didnt light the world on fire in the summer league says little to me. It is a little disconcerting that he is allegedly (I havent read that anywhere but here) out of shape, but lets wait until we see what kind of shape he is in two months from now before we start calling him a bust.