Michael Carter-Williams

mid-post · Post #101 » by **mid-post** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:26 pm

I want to hear from Syracuse fans (who have watched him a lot) what they think his elite qualities are. By elite, I mean specific skills or traits that will probably translate to the NBA. I think he could end up being a solid player, but I'm trying to think about what role he'd be playing in the league.

Also, not to pile on here, but he's a 21 year old sophomore.

machu46 · Post #102 » by **machu46** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:58 pm

mid-post wrote:I want to hear from Syracuse fans (who have watched him a lot) what they think his elite qualities are. By elite, I mean specific skills or traits that will probably translate to the NBA. I think he could end up being a solid player, but I'm trying to think about what role he'd be playing in the league.

Also, not to pile on here, but he's a 21 year old sophomore.

I've seen every game he's played in in college.

He's an elite passer. Hand quickness defensively is something that I would consider to be elite. Rebounding for the guard position is elite. And I believe he has an elite feel for the game; just has a supporting cast that brings out the worst in him.

His shot is below average at this point, ball-handling is average for a PG or above average for a SG.

Cusefan03 · Post #103 » by **Cusefan03** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:26 pm

I started to think about the same thing of how good he could be if he played for a team like Indiana or Michigan. He'd have everything he needs a low post scorer, good shooters, and athletic wings. At Syracuse its frustrating to watch him struggle so much at times due to all his talent but its his first year starting and theres no supporting cast for him. The only reliable players are CJ Fair and James Southerland. With that being said he does have some big red flags, his shooting is very bad from 15 feet out and he regularly air balls mid range jumpers. Mcw is also very inconsistent with finishing in the paint which is most likely due to a lack of strength. One of his flaws that bugs me the most is he jumps in the air to make a pass way to much which leads to foolish turnovers and he doesn't seem to have improved with this at all throughout the year. His handle is definitely shaky and when pressured by small quick gaurds he normally turns it over.

The NBA should fit Carter-Williams style a lot better than Syracuse has but hes got a lot of work to do if he wants to stick in the league. The potential is there, its up to him to reach it.

discord · Post #104 » by **discord** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:26 pm

This dude will be a bust. Anyone drafting him over Trey Burke is inept.

dundundun · Post #105 » by **dundundun** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:07 pm

machu46 wrote:
mid-post wrote:I want to hear from Syracuse fans (who have watched him a lot) what they think his elite qualities are. By elite, I mean specific skills or traits that will probably translate to the NBA. I think he could end up being a solid player, but I'm trying to think about what role he'd be playing in the league.

Also, not to pile on here, but he's a 21 year old sophomore.

His shot is below average at this point, ball-handling is average for a PG or above average for a SG.

If we're talking about NBA-level then his handle is no where near average for a pg or good for a sg. It's not that he seems uncoordinated or I don't think he can improve it, but at this stage his handle is shaky as hell. Brandon Triche has far better ball skills just to throw out a sg comparison.

machu46 · Post #106 » by **machu46** » Sun Mar 3, 2013 12:27 am

dundundun wrote:
machu46 wrote:
mid-post wrote:I want to hear from Syracuse fans (who have watched him a lot) what they think his elite qualities are. By elite, I mean specific skills or traits that will probably translate to the NBA. I think he could end up being a solid player, but I'm trying to think about what role he'd be playing in the league.

Also, not to pile on here, but he's a 21 year old sophomore.

His shot is below average at this point, ball-handling is average for a PG or above average for a SG.

If we're talking about NBA-level then his handle is no where near average for a pg or good for a sg. It's not that he seems uncoordinated or I don't think he can improve it, but at this stage his handle is shaky as hell. Brandon Triche has far better ball skills just to throw out a sg comparison.

MCW has a really good handle on the ball, but he has a problem with dribbling the ball too high sometimes because of how tall he is. But he's been getting better with it lately. Looked very good keeping his dribble low against two of the best defenders in the country in Russ Smith and Peyton Siva. Smith gave MCW fits trying to bring the ball up the first time they played. This time, MCW basically had Smith on his back the entire game; beat him whenever he wanted.

schaffy · Post #107 » by **schaffy** » Sun Mar 3, 2013 6:05 pm

He doesnt have a really good handle. He has an average handle for a college PG. Its a well below average handle for the NBA.

machu46 · Post #108 » by **machu46** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:22 am

schaffy wrote:He doesnt have a really good handle. He has an average handle for a college PG. Its a well below average handle for the NBA.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. The issue isn't his ability to handle the ball; it's the fact that he sometimes dribbles too high. That's two different things in my opinion.

For example, Triche is a poor ball-handler, but he saves himself sometimes because he dribbles very low, but his actual ability to handle the ball and make moves with it is poor. MCW is the opposite. He probably has an average NBA handle, and he'll only get better with it as he has more time to develop and get stronger.

ManualRam · Post #109 » by **ManualRam** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:43 am

machu46 wrote:
schaffy wrote:He doesnt have a really good handle. He has an average handle for a college PG. Its a well below average handle for the NBA.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. The issue isn't his ability to handle the ball; it's the fact that he sometimes dribbles too high. That's two different things in my opinion.

For example, Triche is a poor ball-handler, but he saves himself sometimes because he dribbles very low, but his actual ability to handle the ball and make moves with it is poor. MCW is the opposite. He probably has an average NBA handle, and he'll only get better with it as he has more time to develop and get stronger.

they're one in the same. players with good handles usually don't dribble the ball high because it leaves them more susceptible to getting ripped.

Johnlac1 · Post #110 » by **Johnlac1** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 2:22 am

ManualRam wrote:
machu46 wrote:
schaffy wrote:He doesnt have a really good handle. He has an average handle for a college PG. Its a well below average handle for the NBA.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. The issue isn't his ability to handle the ball; it's the fact that he sometimes dribbles too high. That's two different things in my opinion.

For example, Triche is a poor ball-handler, but he saves himself sometimes because he dribbles very low, but his actual ability to handle the ball and make moves with it is poor. MCW is the opposite. He probably has an average NBA handle, and he'll only get better with it as he has more time to develop and get stronger.

they're one in the same. players with good handles usually don't dribble the ball high because it leaves them more susceptible to getting ripped.

Whatever his faults now, MCW has the most potential as a big pg that I've seen for many years. If you compare him to a similar player, Alexey Shved, they're similar in size. Shved is a good-very good athlete, but MCW is a little better. A little faster and a little more explosive than Shved although Shved can get off the floor as well. They both see the court well and can make the slick pass. But I think C-W might be a little ahead of Shved and closer to Rubio's ability in that respect. Despite having a poor pct. from the floor, Shved has better shooting mechanics than MCW and protects the ball better. C-W has to improve his shooting mechanics. Sometimes he looks good, often times he gets too much left hand under the ball. But if he tightens his ballhandling, his ability to get to the basket, penetrate, and dish off will pay major dividends. He looks to have good defensive instincts and is probably ahead of Shved in that regard despite his thin frame.

discord · Post #111 » by **discord** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:52 pm

LOL the only thing MCW has in common with pgs like Vasquez, Rubio and Shved is size

MCW is at best the 3rd pg that should be taken on draft night

machu46 · Post #112 » by **machu46** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 10:39 pm

discord wrote:LOL the only thing MCW has in common with pgs like Vasquez, Rubio and Shved is size

MCW is at best the 3rd pg that should be taken on draft night

Comparing him to Rubio is a little much in my opinion, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to do what Shved and Vasquez do in the NBA. I think Vasquez is a very good comparison for him actually, though I think MCW's ceiling is higher, and I think he'll be a far better defender.

Johnlac1 · Post #113 » by **Johnlac1** » Tue Mar 5, 2013 12:55 am

machu46 wrote:
discord wrote:LOL the only thing MCW has in common with pgs like Vasquez, Rubio and Shved is size

MCW is at best the 3rd pg that should be taken on draft night

Comparing him to Rubio is a little much in my opinion, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to do what Shved and Vasquez do in the NBA. I think Vasquez is a very good comparison for him actually, though I think MCW's ceiling is higher, and I think he'll be a far better defender.

He's not in Rubio's league as a passer...no one is. But he has exceptional vision and can make the slick pass. In the last St. John's game he had about five Rubioesque passes. I've seen Vasquez, and I don't think Vasquez has the mindset or the skill of MCW as far as seeing the floor and passing to the open man.

Cusefan03 · Post #114 » by **Cusefan03** » Sat Mar 9, 2013 6:21 pm

I hope those who say mcw has a good supporting cast are watching this gtown game. Its comical how bad their offense is.

Post #115 » by **jman3134** » Sat Mar 9, 2013 6:22 pm

Yeah, honestly, I see both sides of the argument. MCW's vision is overrated, but his teammates have really let him down at times.

Cusefan03 · Post #116 » by **Cusefan03** » Sat Mar 9, 2013 6:27 pm

jman3134 wrote:Yeah, honestly, I see both sides of the argument. MCW's vision is overrated, but his teammates have really let him down at times.

Idk maybe slightly but he does have very good vision. Hes made some good passes its just that noone can finish them.

Post #117 » by **Klomp** » Sat Mar 9, 2013 8:23 pm

I can't get past the recent history of Syracuse players in the NBA. Other than Carmelo and now to a lesser extent Waiters, not many Orangemen see much success.

machu46 · Post #118 » by **machu46** » Sat Mar 9, 2013 9:20 pm

Klomp wrote:I can't get past the recent history of Syracuse players in the NBA. Other than Carmelo and now to a lesser extent Waiters, not many Orangemen see much success.

Yeah, it's been pretty bad lately, though I'd say Hakim Warrick was decently successful. He's probably done now, but he's in his 30s now and I'm pretty proud that he was able to carve out a role on NBA teams. Pretty sure he came to school as a 2 star recruit if I remember right. He came a long ways.

I truly think MCW will end up being the best player Syracuse has put into the league since Carmelo though. Put his passing on a team with solid shooters and big men and I think he's going to be special. And he showed off some of his potential as a scorer today. 17 points on 8/13 shooting I believe. He got into the paint against arguably the best defense in the country and did so a lot and finished through contact a few times as well.

The first half, he had a pair of turnovers early on, but he was getting into the lane and kicking out to open shooters a ton. When they weren't making anything, he started to look for his own shot when he got into the paint and he basically took over the entire scoring load since even CJ Fair didn't have a good game.

schaffy · Post #119 » by **schaffy** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:16 am

I think MCW played well today, considering how poorly the rest of this team played. The only big problem I had was 3 of his 4 turnovers in the first half were a direct result of his handle. When the georgetown kid jumped out at him and got in his face, was just able to knock the ball right away from him. And twice he tried to drive from the perimeter and got stripped by a guy just reaching in on help D. His handle really needs to tighten up before he can make an impact at the next level.

Cammo101 · Post #120 » by **Cammo101** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 4:02 am

IMO Carter-Williams is a very nice prospect, but he is a SG at the NBA level. He is an improved jumper away from being a very Brandon Roy like prospect.