Wiggins "average" in practices - How good will Wiggins be?

[Mikeylikesit]

Remember we were led to believe this guy was the next LeBron? I can't imagine a superstar just blending in or being average at any point of their college life. Even Michael Beasley was dominating in practice. We'll see what happens during the season but I wouldn't be surprised if the expectations were just too high.

[paulpressey25]

This is a legit discussion topic. How good will Wiggins be. So let's discuss.

That said, regulars need to note that we've got another Bucks intern on the case with us.

[emunney]

Some of us non-interns have been saying this for quite a while already. This is still an ideal draft to have high picks.

[bizarro]

It is indeed legitimate discussion. Red flags have been popping up on this guy since last year w/ the same concerns raised in this article: lack of intensity, lack of effort, inconsistent shot, needs work on his handle. I definitively don't think he is a surefire #1 pick. And, I predict he may fall out of the top 3 when all is said in done.

This is turning out to be a scary year all around. Bucks look just as bad as advertised, if not worse. We have a very good potential to get a high lottery pick. And, now, it's common public knowledge that the one talent who was touted above and beyond everyone else has major flaws in his game and hasn't even stood out as the top 2-3 players in his college practices? This is already making for a classic scenario where the Bucks draft Wiggins and he turns out to be a poor man's Timmy Thomas (yikes) and Kohl and company then can fire back w/ claims: 'See, we got the #1 pick back in 2013 and we took the pick everyone was clamoring for and he was a bust...and that's pretty much why we're in Seattle."

[HurricaneKid]

Wait, an 18 year old is having difficulty taking the reigns in his first practices at a major basketball program? I prefer respectful players to egomaniacs. And the coaching staff openly challenging him in the press is idiotic, almost cliche.

I scoff at the notion that Kobe was better at 18; he wasn't prepared either.

People rarely grasp that age and athleticism are the best predictors of NBA success. If an 18 year old is playing at a lower level than a 22 year old but is competing, his peak will be substantially higher. For example, if you think Damian Lillard (whom I like very much) will have half the NBA career as Anthony Davis after last year you are factually incorrect.

Young players need to develop. I know that the Bucks HQ is about the last place to recognize this but its the way things are.

[Thunder Muscle]

I've been hearing this stuff about Wiggins too. If he's there, great, but I'm in the "Rest'em for Exum" camp personally.

[Mikeylikesit]

Wait, an 18 year old is having difficulty taking the reigns in his first practices at a major basketball program? I prefer respectful players to egomaniacs. And the coaching staff openly challenging him in the press is idiotic, almost cliche.

I scoff at the notion that Kobe was better at 18; he wasn't prepared either.

People rarely grasp that age and athleticism are the best predictors of NBA success. If an 18 year old is playing at a lower level than a 22 year old but is competing, his peak will be substantially higher. For example, if you think Damian Lillard (whom I like very much) will have half the NBA career as Anthony Davis after last year you are factually incorrect.

Young players need to develop. I know that the Bucks HQ is about the last place to recognize this but its the way things are.

So you are saying that as long as he is young and athletic it means he will have a great NBA career? Give me a break. Tim Duncan isn't NEAR the athlete as Tyrus Thomas was.

[ReasonablySober]

I've been hearing this stuff about Wiggins too. If he's there, great, but I'm in the "Rest'em for Exum" camp personally.

Put me on the Dubious for Julius train.

[engelmartin]

Let's just wait until the games start. Plenty of guys look great in practice, others don't. And sign me up for any of the guys in the Top-6. The idea that anyone would be upset about drafting Wiggins is preposterous.

[Mikeylikesit]

Let's just wait until the games start. Plenty of guys look great in practice, others don't. And sign me up for any of the guys in the Top-6. The idea that anyone would be upset about drafting Wiggins is preposterous.

I don't think we'd be upset to draft Wiggins. We just need to hit on this pick or we are set back even longer. And Wiggins was supposed to be the CANT MISS guy but reports are he isn't as good as advertised so far.

[HurricaneKid]

Wait, an 18 year old is having difficulty taking the reigns in his first practices at a major basketball program? I prefer respectful players to egomaniacs. And the coaching staff openly challenging him in the press is idiotic, almost cliche.

I scoff at the notion that Kobe was better at 18; he wasn't prepared either.

People rarely grasp that age and athleticism are the best predictors of NBA success. If an 18 year old is playing at a lower level than a 22 year old but is competing, his peak will be substantially higher. For example, if you think Damian Lillard (whom I like very much) will have half the NBA career as Anthony Davis after last year you are factually incorrect.

Young players need to develop. I know that the Bucks HQ is about the last place to recognize this but its the way things are.

So you are saying that as long as he is young and athletic it means he will have a great NBA career? Give me a break. Tim Duncan isn't NEAR the athlete as Tyrus Thomas was.

Of course not. But I remember when I was a month in to my college life. Its a major transition. And Wiggins grew up in another country. Self and his staff allowed Ben McLemore completely disappear at times last year as well. This is in no small part on them. To attack him before he plays a game is laughable, especially after he devoured Randle, et al head to head less than a year ago.

Maybe Randle will be the better player. But you can't compare them UNTIL THEY PLAY. Sure, Wiggins probably has to become a harder worker and a better practice player. That is not uncommon in 18 year olds. Will I take a flyer on a guy who is physically dominant (like DUNCAN) and has the upside of Wiggins? Sure, I'll go out on that ledge. At least until he proves he is unworthy in something that actually matters, like a GAME.

[paulpressey25]

We just need to hit on this pick or we are set back even longer.

Yes and no.

If Wiggins ends up being Glenn Robinson and the other guys end up being Grant Hill, LeBron or Chris Paul, then it will set us back.

That said, if we got the #1 and Wiggins, you guys would have no trouble generating interest and selling tickets next year. None. People on this board and around town would be stoked to get Wiggins.

We rode the hype from Glenn Robinson and Bogut for two solid years apiece before reality set in that we didn't draft Jordan and Tim Duncan. I was fine riding that wave even though it washed up on the beach. Was a good time. And both Bogut and Robinson were solid players that we likely could have cashed in for significant assets had we dealt them after year two, should we have chosen to do so.

[Ron Swanson]

Wiggins very well could be another case of unrealistic expectations not matching the actual talent. I always thought that the LeBron comparisons were laughable to be honest. Sure, he's an explosive athlete, has above average passing skills, and is 6'8, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. LeBron had an NBA-ready body by the time he was 17 years old, and his court vision and ball-handling skills were unreal for a guy with his size.

That being said, from a raw-talent perspective, Wiggins is still the best prospect in the draft, just not to the extent that the hype has made him out to be. On the other side, I believe that up to 3 superstar players can come out of this draft class. Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Harrison, and Exum all have the potential to be elite at their position, (I'm not as sold on Marcus Smart) so even getting the #5 pick would be huge for us.

[bucksbrewers3]

I prefer Parker with Giannis Henson and sanders. That being said, I would still love to get wiggins


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[TroyD92]

Everybody knows Canadians can't play basketball.

UNDRAFTED FA IMO.

[TroyD92]

Let's just wait until the games start. Plenty of guys look great in practice, others don't. And sign me up for any of the guys in the Top-6. The idea that anyone would be upset about drafting Wiggins is preposterous.

I don't think we'd be upset to draft Wiggins. We just need to hit on this pick or we are set back even longer. And Wiggins was supposed to be the CANT MISS guy but reports are he isn't as good as advertised so far.

After 2 weeks of practice. Okay buddy.

[ReasonablySober]

Wiggins very well could be another case of unrealistic expectations not matching the actual talent. I always thought that the LeBron comparisons were laughable to be honest. Sure, he's an explosive athlete, has above average passing skills, and is 6'8, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. LeBron had an NBA-ready body by the time he was 17 years old, and his court vision and ball-handling skills were unreal for a guy with his size.

That being said, from a raw-talent perspective, Wiggins is still the best prospect in the draft, just not to the extent that the hype has made him out to be. On the other side, I believe that up to 3 superstar players can come out of this draft class. Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Harrison, and Exum all have the potential to be elite at their position, (I'm not as sold on Marcus Smart) so even getting the #5 pick would be huge for us.

What makes him a better prospect than Randle?

[Mikeylikesit]

Let's just wait until the games start. Plenty of guys look great in practice, others don't. And sign me up for any of the guys in the Top-6. The idea that anyone would be upset about drafting Wiggins is preposterous.

I don't think we'd be upset to draft Wiggins. We just need to hit on this pick or we are set back even longer. And Wiggins was supposed to be the CANT MISS guy but reports are he isn't as good as advertised so far.

After 2 weeks of practice. Okay buddy.

You obviously know more right? When your coach is saying you haven't been the best player in any practice, that is a red flag. And did you miss the "so far" part? Remember Shabazz was all the talk before last year right? It's a legitimate story that guys get overhyped every year.

[TroyD92]

I don't think we'd be upset to draft Wiggins. We just need to hit on this pick or we are set back even longer. And Wiggins was supposed to be the CANT MISS guy but reports are he isn't as good as advertised so far.

After 2 weeks of practice. Okay buddy.

You obviously know more right? When your coach is saying you haven't been the best player in any practice, that is a red flag. And did you miss the "so far" part? Remember Shabazz was all the talk before last year right? It's a legitimate story that guys get overhyped every year.

I never had a coach who told the team that one guy was superior to the others. Shabazz was also 20 years old, and never as highly regarded as Wiggins.

[JayMKE]

We're talkin' 'bout practice? Practice? I know we're not talkin' 'bout practice...