Barbeque Chicken: The Cody Zeller Thread - Pt 2

[Eoghan]

regarding biyombo's jumpers - even though biz has really good form on his jumper, i have to wonder if the lack of touch in his hands will prevent him from ever being a decent outside shooter. bad hand-eye coordination and bad touch with your hands and fingers probably trumps good form when it comes to shooting.

agreed about zeller's ear release though. not ideal.

I don't think his touch is that bad. He has nice hands when he goes after rebounds, he just can't catch passes. I still attest that his catching woes stem from unpreparedness (lack of reps/deliberate practice) rather than being ham-fisted. He's got fairly large hands though, sometimes that hurts shooters.

[KembaWalker]

drawing fouls is all about perception. if youre perceived to be a low skill guy like Biz or MKG you are going to have to get mauled to get FTs because refs have a bias that you are initiating all the contact to make up for it. thats the only reason I can work out why MKG ends up hipchecked to the floor when hes in midair and gets nothing while Paul Pierce lightly jumps into a defender and gets rewarded with FTs. its infuriating. there are weird exceptions that I don't really understand like Sessions and Maggette though. If Kemba got Ramon calls he'd be a perennial all star

[Radu_Hornets]

About McBob & Cody

"He said he feels good," head coach Steve Clifford told The Charlotte Observer. “So hopefully if he can get through practice (Tuesday) he’ll be able to play."

With McRoberts returning to the lineup, Clifford will shift rookie Cody Zeller to his usual backup role.

So Cody won't stay in the starting line-up as soon as McBob's back.

[Eoghan]

drawing fouls is all about perception. if youre perceived to be a low skill guy like Biz or MKG you are going to have to get mauled to get FTs because refs have a bias that you are initiating all the contact to make up for it. thats the only reason I can work out why MKG ends up hipchecked to the floor when hes in midair and gets nothing while Paul Pierce lightly jumps into a defender and gets rewarded with FTs. its infuriating. there are weird exceptions that I don't really understand like Sessions and Maggette though. If Kemba got Ramon calls he'd be a perennial all star

Counterpoint: Corey Maggette

[mrknowitall215]

Short Corner: Cody Zeller’s emergence



What’s the opposite of the rookie wall? Charlotte has played conservatively with Cody Zeller’s minutes and role all season — a decision that has paid off through both the unexpected utility of Josh McRoberts and Zeller’s gradual acclimation. Whereas the other members of this year’s rookie class are fading with fatigue, Zeller has actually picked up his production and efficiency over the past few months.

His post-All-Star shooting percentage is up to 50 percent after shooting just 38 percent in the games prior. He’s drawing fouls more consistently and competently than before, stabilizing his scoring contributions. His total rebound rate is up a solid three percent — from an equivalent rate to Kendrick Perkins to that of Anthony Davis. In a matter of months Zeller has gone from an overwhelmed role player who excelled in nothing in particular to a prospect of emerging, recognizable strengths. It’s a shame that Bobcats coach Steve Clifford likely won’t get the credit for that transformation that he deserves.

http://nba.si.com/2014/04/12/short-corn ... es-harden/

[mrknowitall215]

Hope for Future: Cody Zeller

Even win-now teams need developing players, and Zeller has grown into his draft slot as the season has progressed. He wouldn't play a lot on this team, but RPM sees him as already being an NBA defender, and WARP has him over replacement level. It's a great starting point for a 21-year-old.

[Eoghan]

Don't look at Olynyk's stats from last night.

[mrknowitall215]

Don't look at Olynyk's stats from last night.

They would never denounce Cody Zeller to Kelly Olynyk solely based off game stats the way how they do Bismack Biyombo to Gorgui Dieng

[mrknowitall215]

As some of you may know, I like me some Kelly Olynyk as a basketball player, but I've also grown fond of Cody Zeller lately. Zeller may never be the 'stretch 4' that Olynyk is, but his defense, hustle, & rebounding more than make up for it with me. Zeller's grit to play in the trenches is a better fit alongside Al Jefferson than the finesse of Olynyk, while Olynyk would probably be a better fit alongside Bismack Biyombo (whom outlook with the team is uncertain)

[Snidely FC]

BTW now that Cody's a millionaire I'd like to see him get his nose fixed. Not for cosmetic reasons. He's a big time mouth breather and would be more comfortable running around if he got that busted honker fixed.

[BeesWax]

As some of you may know, I like me some Kelly Olynyk as a basketball player, but I've also grown fond of Cody Zeller lately. Zeller may never be the 'stretch 4' that Olynyk is, but his defense, hustle, & rebounding more than make up for it with me. Zeller's grit to play in the trenches is a better fit alongside Al Jefferson than the finesse of Olynyk, while Olynyk would probably be a better fit alongside Bismack Biyombo (whom outlook with the team is uncertain)

I think Olynyk is a better fit with either but if you were going to pair Cody with one it needs to be Al. Olynyk has a better all round offensive game right now and could really take pressure of Al scoring wise. Also you could not double big to big because of his ability to knock down shots. Neither player is a great fit defensively next to Al. Best fit could be the guy in Snidley's picture guarding Zeller.

[Snidely FC]

I think, until he grows some arms and gets a little less spastic, we should call Cody Zeller "The Baby Giraffe".

[mrknowitall215]

Clifford on rookie Cody Zeller: “He has to be a knock-down, 19-foot jump-shooter. And improve strength (to be effective) at both ends of the court. And have a way that when the ball comes to you, you can score.”

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/0 ... 2Hdb-NdWSp

[HornetJail]

Clifford on rookie Cody Zeller: “He has to be a knock-down, 19-foot jump-shooter. And improve strength (to be effective) at both ends of the court. And have a way that when the ball comes to you, you can score.”

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/0 ... 2Hdb-NdWSp

I don't even think Zeller is a knock-down 9 foot jump shooter yet.

[mrknowitall215]

Clifford on rookie Cody Zeller: “He has to be a knock-down, 19-foot jump-shooter. And improve strength (to be effective) at both ends of the court. And have a way that when the ball comes to you, you can score.”

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/0 ... 2Hdb-NdWSp

I don't even think Zeller is a knock-down 9 foot jump shooter yet.

Zeller translating into a 'stretch 4' is a reach, pun intended, and this will be considered 'Project Z'

[mrknowitall215]

A Cody Zeller highlight just isn't right if he doesn't fall

[HornetJail]

CZ-Topple?

[Eoghan]

Clifford on rookie Cody Zeller: “He has to be a knock-down, 19-foot jump-shooter. And improve strength (to be effective) at both ends of the court. And have a way that when the ball comes to you, you can score.”

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/0 ... 2Hdb-NdWSp

Hell will freeze over before most if not any of these things happen. Or at least Biz will replace Al as the starter before any of these things will happen.

The shot is doable, that should be the focus. That and handles. He can lift weights until he's the size of Pekovich, he just doesn't have the psyche to play as a big man.

[MasterIchiro]

he just doesn't have the psyche to play as a big man.

I witnessed enough of a rise in confidence in Cody from the first half to the second to highly doubt this statement.

[Bassman]

he just doesn't have the psyche to play as a big man.

I witnessed enough of a rise in confidence in Cody from the first half to the second to highly doubt this statement.

Agree with Ichiro here. Cody's improvement was evident, measurable and significant for his rookie progress. His playoff performance was poor, and it shows he has much to learn and more to do.

As a fan we are all limited by what we see in person, on TV or in brief videos from practice, so our view is very limited. When I evaluate players I look at their physiology (physical structure), skill set, athletic evidence (quickness, strength, hops, speed, hands, coordination) and mental approach (IQ, competitiveness, team interaction). So here is my take on Cody:

PHYSIOLOGY: Cody has length and athletic gifts. His body measures as a center, but his build is closer to a SF. He will be able to add strength, but his lack of girth will limit his ability to gain/hold position. Short arms hurt his ability to finish. SKILL SET: Cody has a decent foundation of skills. His passing is good, BBIQ is good for a rookie, footwork is good. His shot has issues but his form is not too bad. He rocks when he shoots and has a high release point. This is why he looked so good in workouts but is errant during games (fluid). ATHLETIC: Fast, good quickness for a 4. Must add strength in lower & upper body to increase explosiveness and ability to finish. MENTAL: Cody is competitive, keeps grinding, doesn't back down. He has a good BBIQ and demonstrates capacity to learn and apply learning, and has good relationships with peers.

I think Zeller can be a quality back-up. or a starter if he can develop his body and skills to the next level.