Nassir Little

[The-Power]

Little's feel for the game (or lack thereof) is a bit concerning. Right now, he looks like an athletic package with some tools who has no idea how to make use of that and who doesn't really understand what to do, when to do it and how to do it properly. It could click and he takes off at some point, or he'll always be severely limited by those issues. I still see a potentially high reward but there's definitely a concern about his floor for me, and the median outcome also doesn't appear all that intriguing albeit perhaps a somehwat useful player.

[MotownMadness]

Little's feel for the game (or lack thereof) is a bit concerning. Right now, he looks like an athletic package with some tools who has no idea how to make use of that and who doesn't really understand what to do, when to do it and how to do it properly. It could click and he takes off at some point, or he'll always be severely limited by those issues. I still see a potentially high reward but there's definitely a concern about his floor for me, and the median outcome also doesn't appear all that intriguing albeit perhaps a somehwat useful player.

Sums it up perfectly for how I feel as well

[clyde21]

Little's feel for the game (or lack thereof) is a bit concerning. Right now, he looks like an athletic package with some tools who has no idea how to make use of that and who doesn't really understand what to do, when to do it and how to do it properly. It could click and he takes off at some point, or he'll always be severely limited by those issues. I still see a potentially high reward but there's definitely a concern about his floor for me, and the median outcome also doesn't appear all that intriguing albeit perhaps a somehwat useful player.

i agree that he's been real indecisive, but how much of that is the fact he's getting limited minutes in the first place? doesn't feel like he has a very long leash at this point so go out there and really figure out how to use his athleticism, strength and body.

[The-Power]

Little's feel for the game (or lack thereof) is a bit concerning. Right now, he looks like an athletic package with some tools who has no idea how to make use of that and who doesn't really understand what to do, when to do it and how to do it properly. It could click and he takes off at some point, or he'll always be severely limited by those issues. I still see a potentially high reward but there's definitely a concern about his floor for me, and the median outcome also doesn't appear all that intriguing albeit perhaps a somehwat useful player.

i agree that he's been real indecisive, but how much of that is the fact he's getting limited minutes in the first place? doesn't feel like he has a very long leash at this point so go out there and really figure out how to use his athleticism, strength and body.

Yeah, I'm a bit torn. I think it's clear that Little struggles with some fundamental stuff which does not bode well. At the same time, he is in the really uncomfortable position of having to show why he is a great prospect and playing as it is expected of him, with few mistakes. This situation might contribute to his issues, as he struggles to play naturally. I don't know. Fair to say that he's not in the greatest spot for him right now team-wise, but I also don't want to absolve him of the blame when it comes to the reasons as to why his minutes aren't as consistent as you'd hope and expect.

[Capn'O]

These theories will sort themselves out in the later stages - combine and workouts. Dude needs to show out in the post-season events to put any of these concerns to bed.

[doordoor123]

Little chose the wrong team to play for, it’s as simple as that. You get one of the top prospects of the class and don’t start him at the start of the year? There’s some weird stuff going on with Little in that team.

[shakes0]

Little chose the wrong team to play for, it’s as simple as that. You get one of the top prospects of the class and don’t start him at the start of the year? There’s some weird stuff going on with Little in that team.

Or it could be as simple as Little was very overrated and it turns out he's not very good.


Roy doesn't seem to have a problem playing freshman, look at Coby White. He managed to find his way into the starting lineup despite being a freshman.

[clyde21]

Little chose the wrong team to play for, it’s as simple as that. You get one of the top prospects of the class and don’t start him at the start of the year? There’s some weird stuff going on with Little in that team.

Or it could be as simple as Little was very overrated and it turns out he's not very good.


Roy doesn't seem to have a problem playing freshman, look at Coby White. He managed to find his way into the starting lineup despite being a freshman.

the problem is we don't know. the most minutes in a game he's played all year is 22 mins. he started out the year playing 20 mins.

btw, first 7 games of the season, when he played his most minutes (20mpg), he averaged 26/10 per 40 on 64% from the field.

how about Roy Williams actually gives him a chance to go out there and play ball without pulling him out every 3 minutes or whenever he makes a bad pass.

[916fan]

How do you guys feel about a rookie Stanley Johnson comparison? Johnson's development hasn't gone the way Detroit wanted, but Little could have a different result.

[clyde21]

another 18 minute game for him, goes 5/8 from the field.

not sure what Roy is doing, but all potential OAD prospects should completely remove UNC from their lists.

[Duke4life831]

How do you guys feel about a rookie Stanley Johnson comparison? Johnson's development hasn't gone the way Detroit wanted, but Little could have a different result.

Stanley Johnson has been the guy I've compared his offensive game with for awhile now. And just like you said, I didn't say that in a negative way. Stanley just didn't improve the way many felt. Little could.

[TheSuzerain]

He's going top 10. Prototype physically with a non-busted shot.

Plus the draft is crummy.

[NBA Fan 1234]

another 18 minute game for him, goes 5/8 from the field.

not sure what Roy is doing, but all potential OAD prospects should completely remove UNC from their lists.

Got some PT as small ball 4. TBH, I wasn't very impressed with his play (except for the nice baseline drive taking the big off the dribble). He helped off strong side at least twice and was all paint with his makes - the only jumper he took was REALLY off and had a bad drive into traffic. Also had 2 bad cuts that I hated because they drew more attention to where the ball was.

Boxed out, had two nice defensive plays (one correcting an error he was about to make, which was good to see), and was at least aggressive in the second half (nonexistent in the first)...but man...I want more.


**I completely agree that no OAD player should ever go to UNC, by the way**

[clyde21]

another 18 minute game for him, goes 5/8 from the field.

not sure what Roy is doing, but all potential OAD prospects should completely remove UNC from their lists.

Got some PT as small ball 4. TBH, I wasn't very impressed with his play (except for the nice baseline drive taking the big off the dribble). He helped off strong side at least twice and was all paint with his makes - the only jumper he took was REALLY off and had a bad drive into traffic. Also had 2 bad cuts that I hated because they drew more attention to where the ball was.

Boxed out, had two nice defensive plays (one correcting an error he was about to make, which was good to see), and was at least aggressive in the second half (nonexistent in the first)...but man...I want more.


**I completely agree that no OAD player should ever go to UNC, by the way**

i want more too, but I doubt we're gonna see it when Roy gives him 4 minute intervals of playing time.

not that this is all on Roy, Nassir just isn't as developed or nuanced as a lot of people have hoped, but the situation isn't helping at all.

[Duke4life831]

another 18 minute game for him, goes 5/8 from the field.

not sure what Roy is doing, but all potential OAD prospects should completely remove UNC from their lists.

Got some PT as small ball 4. TBH, I wasn't very impressed with his play (except for the nice baseline drive taking the big off the dribble). He helped off strong side at least twice and was all paint with his makes - the only jumper he took was REALLY off and had a bad drive into traffic. Also had 2 bad cuts that I hated because they drew more attention to where the ball was.

Boxed out, had two nice defensive plays (one correcting an error he was about to make, which was good to see), and was at least aggressive in the second half (nonexistent in the first)...but man...I want more.


**I completely agree that no OAD player should ever go to UNC, by the way**

He had 2 nice attacks off the dribble. He had another one when he took Mooney off the dribble and finished with his left hand (both drives coming off of driving with his left). But ya either than that I thought he kind of just showed energy and not much more. I guess I bought into the summer hype on his defense, I was really expecting a Justise Winslow kind of immediate impact defender. That clearly isnt the case.

Im having a hard time gauging on if he isnt getting enough time because of how lost he can look out there sometimes. Or is he lost a lot out there because he just hasnt gotten the minutes to get comfortable out there. Its a real chicken or the egg thing for me.

Im desperately hoping Little's lack of hype and minutes makes Cole Anthony think twice about UNC and maybe Duke can run in last minute and land him. UNC just doesnt seem to be the place to go if youre a high end OAD.

[PLO]

I don't really rate the opponent even given they only have two losses, but Little had some of his better play this season in that half, fingers crossed for him he builds on this from here.

[skiz2]

Light bulb is going off. Sometimes it just takes some time. Hope he keeps this up. Something clicked for him against Notre Dame.

Breakout game against VT, where he showed everything but a mid range shot. Would have had 20+ against Miami too had it not been for some rough foul calls against him.

[clyde21]

watch roy still only play him 18 mins a game still

[Capn'O]

another 18 minute game for him, goes 5/8 from the field.

not sure what Roy is doing, but all potential OAD prospects should completely remove UNC from their lists.

Got some PT as small ball 4. TBH, I wasn't very impressed with his play (except for the nice baseline drive taking the big off the dribble). He helped off strong side at least twice and was all paint with his makes - the only jumper he took was REALLY off and had a bad drive into traffic. Also had 2 bad cuts that I hated because they drew more attention to where the ball was.

Boxed out, had two nice defensive plays (one correcting an error he was about to make, which was good to see), and was at least aggressive in the second half (nonexistent in the first)...but man...I want more.


**I completely agree that no OAD player should ever go to UNC, by the way**

Or anywhere else. They should be in pro leagues.

(point understood though - weird to see because UNC used to churn out stars one after another)

[skiz2]

another 18 minute game for him, goes 5/8 from the field.

not sure what Roy is doing, but all potential OAD prospects should completely remove UNC from their lists.

Got some PT as small ball 4. TBH, I wasn't very impressed with his play (except for the nice baseline drive taking the big off the dribble). He helped off strong side at least twice and was all paint with his makes - the only jumper he took was REALLY off and had a bad drive into traffic. Also had 2 bad cuts that I hated because they drew more attention to where the ball was.

Boxed out, had two nice defensive plays (one correcting an error he was about to make, which was good to see), and was at least aggressive in the second half (nonexistent in the first)...but man...I want more.


**I completely agree that no OAD player should ever go to UNC, by the way**

Or anywhere else. They should be in pro leagues.

(point understood though - weird to see because UNC used to churn out stars one after another)

Is the argument that they won’t be well prepared for the NBA or that they won’t get drafted? Lots of these superstar OAD kids would get drafted high and still be superstars if they did not go to the traditional OAD factories.

The OADs Roy has had:

Marvin Williams 2005
Brandan Wright 2007
Tony Bradley 2017

Barnes would have gone had it not been for the lockout. You could make an argument that James Michael McAdoo would have made more money had he left as well. Henson may have been a OAD had he played his natural position from the get go, but Roy made a promise to his family to play him on the wing.

I guess the problem that I see with statements like this is that just like any other program guys are going to be put into different situations to succeed. If I am a OAD PG or a big I would jump all over UNC. If I am a wing, then yes, I am second guessing it, wings really seem to struggle in Roy’s freelance halfcourt sets while the PGs and bigs seem to thrive. It looks like it is starting to click for Little, I hope it continues.

If Coby White had a larger wingspan (really seems to be what is keeping him from being a sure fire lottery pick) then a lot of people would be praising Roy right now. One could even argue that Roy placed Brandan Wright in an overachieving position based off his production in the NBA compared to when he averaged 15 and 7 his freshman year at UNC. I mean hell he somehow got Kendall Marshall in a position to be drafted in the lottery. I just can’t imagine a guy like Cole Anthony seeing how Coby White is being used now sit there and think to himself, “man if Roy uses me like Coby White then I won’t go top 5.”

Guys like Anthony Davis, John Wall, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving etc were going to star in the NBA regardless of where they went to school.