Lotto Standings (Sunday March 2, 2008)

LUKE23 · Post #21 » by **LUKE23** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 9:49 pm

Not concerned about Yi at all. The skillset is there, the size is there, the athletic ability is there. I think it was just a culture shock at the difference in game speed as his body wore down. He needs to add upper body strength, finishing at the rim was his biggest issue this year.

But he's already got the stroke at 7-1, great athletic ability, already a decent shotblocker/rebounder/position defender.

I don't think he really takes off until his third year, but the kid will be a player.

WEFFPIM, I agree with your tanking ideology, that's how I go about it. I don't sit during Bucks games and root for the other team, but losses don't bother me at all.

LISTEN2JAZZ · Post #22 » by **LISTEN2JAZZ** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 9:53 pm

LUKE23 wrote:Not concerned about Yi at all. The skillset is there, the size is there, the athletic ability is there.

The skillset is most definitely not there. Dribbling, passing, boxing out, catching non-routine passes... those are important skills, and he doesn't have them. I wonder why you would say that the skillset is there?

LUKE23 · Post #23 » by **LUKE23** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 9:57 pm

adamcz wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

The skillset is most definitely not there. Dribbling, passing, boxing out, catching non-routine passes... those are important skills, and he doesn't have them. I wonder why you would say that the skillset is there?

Nearly all of his issues right now are due to upper body strength. He boxes out well. He will never be a good passer. Finishing at the rim has cost him so many scoring opportunities this season it is amazing.

His hands/upper body are weak, and that has cost him this year. I fully expect that with a full year under an NBA strength program he will transform his game.

I will disagree with anyone that says the skillset isn't there.

old skool · Post #24 » by **old skool** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 9:58 pm

While this is stating the obvious - almost every player in the first round has been more of an impact player this year than Oden.

The lottery and the draft is a crap shoot. Do you think that the Hornets wish that they had won the lottery and had taken Andrew Bogut instead of Chris Paul? What about the Jazz? Do you think that they would rather have Bogut over Deron Williams?

Those who lust after the lottery should remember last year. The Bucks and the Celtics were in prime lotto position. Pffft! All for naught.

oLd sKool

LISTEN2JAZZ · Post #25 » by **LISTEN2JAZZ** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 10:35 pm

LUKE23 wrote:I will disagree with anyone that says the skillset isn't there.

I don't understand how you can even say that though. You must mean that the potential for a skillset is there? Because it's not really debateable whether he is a good passer, a good dribbler, a good rebounder, a good finisher...

Those are all essential basketball skills, and he doesn't have them. Maybe the skillset is there, but yet to be seen by human eyes?

LUKE23 · Post #26 » by **LUKE23** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 10:39 pm

adamcz wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I don't understand how you can even say that though. You must mean that the potential for a skillset is there? Because it's not really debateable whether he is a good passer, a good dribbler, a good rebounder, a good finisher...

Those are all essential basketball skills, and he doesn't have them. Maybe the skillset is there, but yet to be seen by human eyes?

It's definitely debatable. That is why I'm debating it. We will just agree to disagree.

LISTEN2JAZZ · Post #27 » by **LISTEN2JAZZ** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 10:44 pm

Are you debating it because you think he's a good passer? Is he a good rebounder? Is he a good finisher? Is he a good ball handler? Which of those are you debating?

El Duderino · Post #28 » by **El Duderino** » Sun Mar 2, 2008 11:27 pm

I agree that Yi has real holes in his game that need a lot of work besides just adding strength and it does concern me.

With that said, he not only looks like he's hit a wall, Yi looks to me like a guy who has confidence issues. The whole mix of hitting that wall, playing every night in a grinding schedule vs vastly more skilled players than he was used to in China, going from the focal point of his team to a last resort, and him struggling worse than i'd bet he expected has Yi discombobulated.

LISTEN2JAZZ · Post #29 » by **LISTEN2JAZZ** » Mon Mar 3, 2008 2:31 am

Alright, I updated my tanking picture for '08. Getting to be sort of like groundhogs day...

DanoMac · Post #30 » by **DanoMac** » Mon Mar 3, 2008 2:39 am

adamcz wrote:Alright, I updated my tanking picture for '08. Getting to be sort of like groundhogs day...

(picture)

InsideOut · Post #31 » by **InsideOut** » Mon Mar 3, 2008 3:47 pm

old skool wrote:While this is stating the obvious - almost every player in the first round has been more of an impact player this year than Oden.

The lottery and the draft is a crap shoot. Do you think that the Hornets wish that they had won the lottery and had taken Andrew Bogut instead of Chris Paul? What about the Jazz? Do you think that they would rather have Bogut over Deron Williams?

Those who lust after the lottery should remember last year. The Bucks and the Celtics were in prime lotto position. Pffft! All for naught.

oLd sKool

Not true. By finishing with the 2nd worst record Boston was able to get the 5th pick. That pick got them Ray Allen which led to KG signing. If Boston finished with say the 7th - 10th pick I doubt that is enough to get Allen and then KG doesn't agree to come to Boston.

As far as the lottery being a crap shoot... I agree. However, look at where all the guys in your example (Bogut, Williams, Paul) were taken. You don't get a chance at any of those guys unless you're drafting in the top 4. The worst place to finish the season is drafting 8th-13th. It shows you are not a very good team and the odds are low you get a great building block type player drafting out of the top 7.