LB Calls Lexy Out!

[Paydro70]

Playing more UFC, Walt?

[fatlever]

the article has been reposted w/ a bit more info
http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_n ... ous-1.html


- Brown said rookie Alexis Ajinca is in Dallas, working out twice a day, and will try out for the French national team (although Brown anticipates the French opting for more experienced big men).

Brown now wishes Ajinca had spent more time last season in the development league, since that improved his approach.

"He's got to be more coachable. He got a little frustrated not playing (in Charlotte), and it affected him in how he responded,'' Brown said. "The D-league had a real positive effect on him – when you have to fly commercial (rather than charter) and take buses, you're sometimes humbled and appreciate what you have. But we're still excited about him and his progress and potential.''

[Walt Cronkite]

Playing more UFC, Walt?

You know it. I was referencing this bogan though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0L2VaTWs9s

[Eoghan]

I think if Ajinca was in this year's draft he'd be top 3, at least top 5. I'm happy with the pick because I think Hibbert is a slow-footed bum with TeeRex arms and a Carlton minifro.

[Bassman]

I think if Ajinca was in this year's draft he'd be top 3, at least top 5. I'm happy with the pick because I think Hibbert is a slow-footed bum with TeeRex arms and a Carlton minifro.

ONLY if Ajinca actually demonstrated significant results in actually playing basketball. The french bean had height combined with some limited skills, but hadn't really shown much in his admitedly limited minutes. But none of that warranted being picked 20th, and he wouldn't sniff the lottery this year either.

[Walt Cronkite]

Bassman, I don't understand. I thought you were a big supporter of the Ajinça pick?

[Bassman]

Bassman, I don't understand. I thought you were a big supporter of the Ajinça pick?

Walt, I suspect your sarcasm is showing! Either that or you've forgotten some of my rants from this past season.

I was the proponent of Lopez/Chalmers, instead of DJ/Ajinca. During the actual draft I was between Lopez and Bayless for the pick, but would have pulled the trigger on Lopez. I would then target Chalmers with the 20. Once we selected DJ, as 20 developed I was begging for Arthur. Ajinca was one of those "...WHAT???" picks for me. A raw guy who might develop in 3 years or fade into nothing.

Still holding out hope he'll come from nowhere to be the "greatest surprise player of any draft in the last 10 years!" (future quote from some NBA writer). I don't see enough to warrant such hope, but oh well.

[doc.end]

I still think he was "default" after Hibbert got taken.

It looked like we prefered Lexy over Hibbert. Although Hibbert had a good workout too and was probably second best on out list from that work out group (JaVale McGee and DeAndre Jordan were the remaibning two I think). I still think we got that pick cause Lex as Hibbert was probable not to slip so far and probably a second option anyway. My two cents.

[spectre_]

It didn't make sense for us to take such a gamble by trading our future 1st for a project when we needed help at the 4 "now". Assuming Jordan buys the team I do think LB is going to stick around for a while, probably in management...but looking towards the future (esp. 3 years or so) doesn't really jibe with Larry Brown nor our "win now" attitude.

If you notice LB likes everyone that comes in to work out...or at least he says so. Not saying he didn't like Lex, but he didn't fit our need.

[Eoghan]

Every time I saw Lexy I saw a legit 7 footer with a silky smooth jumper who seemed composed and not afraid to look for his shot. I didn't see anything specifically lacking in his game that can't be fixed with game experience and visits to the weight room. He isn't very quick though and he does have some spindly legs. Suffice it to say I was a fan of the pick, I don't see Lopez improving much more than his rookie season. For the record I wanted the cats to draft Batum and Serge Ibaka last year.

[arh1109]

I want him to not work on basketball this offseason. Do whatever it takes to put on the freshman 15 which he may have started on already. Listen to your trainer and eat 5 meals a day to compliment the gym. 235 is what his weight will probably max out at until his late 20s but I'd be happy with 230 going into next season.

[doc.end]

Every time I saw Lexy I saw a legit 7 footer with a silky smooth jumper who seemed composed and not afraid to look for his shot. I didn't see anything specifically lacking in his game that can't be fixed with game experience and visits to the weight room. He isn't very quick though and he does have some spindly legs. Suffice it to say I was a fan of the pick, I don't see Lopez improving much more than his rookie season. For the record I wanted the cats to draft Batum and Serge Ibaka last year.

Ibaka was my wish till it was obvious Larry has wanted Lex. I was rooting for Serge to slip into second round to got him instead of Weaver (don't get me wrong I liked us picking Kyle postdraft - after necessary research who we just drafted).

I wanted Westbrook if he would slip. I was ok with us picking DJ. I dislike creepy Lopez, it would be hard for me to root for him if we picked him.

[e4Nf6]

(Gasp)!!! I can´t believe LB is criticizing a player in public, I have NEVER seen such a thing....NEVER!!!

Surely this is a sign of a unique level of failure from Lex to have the normally tight-lipped Larry Brown commenting on his game.

[/sarcasm]

This is the kind of thing that annoys me about message boards. There is no room for ambiguity. Maybe Lexi pans out or maybe he doesn´t, we really have no way of knowing right now. We all knew he was a project that would struggle at first and then everybody writes him off when he meets expectations exactly by struggling at first.

I could name a million NBA players that had trouble adjusting to the NBA in their first year. I could point out that Lex is freakishly tall and long. I could reference the monster games he had in the D-League. etc. etc. etc.

It wouldn´t matter because it seems that "We won´t really know for a couple of years" is far too nuanced an opinion for people to get their minds around.

[JMillott]

I think its a high upside pick if he develops since he should make for a very good fit next to Emeka Okafor and Boris Diaw if he develops. A legit 7 foot PF/C with range on his jumper, shotblocking and rebounding skills who can also make his free throws.

I think Larry Brown was hoping that Lexy can be a poor mans Rick Smits while Emeka Okafor can be a rich mans Dale Davis.

[Eoghan]

I think Larry Brown was hoping that Lexy can be a poor mans Rick Smits while Emeka Okafor can be a rich mans Dale Davis.

lol, nice one, you might be on to something.

[fatlever]

a quote from a book i owned in the early 90's

"rik smits - he is 7'4" and rebounds like he is 4'7" " that line always cracked me up.

but i do like the smit davis comparison

[Dexmor]

This is a stupid move either way. Keep Lexy out of the news any way possible. Don't bring him up. He was a mistake and try n let everybody forget. Don't call out your Dleague non nba talent who you drafted in the first round and actually traded to do so in June.

[doc.end]

I have to make up some trade offer to go with on Lakers board to sent Dexmor back there as a throw-in. I don't like this hatorade on Ajinça.

[freakon0mics]

I think Larry Brown was hoping that Lexy can be a poor mans Rick Smits while Emeka Okafor can be a rich mans Dale Davis.

lol, nice one, you might be on to something.

I'm guessing Augustin is a much more talented Travis Best and Boris Diaw as a much more polished offensive version of Derrick McKey.

[Walt Cronkite]

I'd say Boris is more like Jalen Rose (not sure how many seasons LB coached him though).

Sounds like all we need to compete is Reggie Miller. Someone figure out how to get K$$$$$$ from Sacramento!