Z-Rex: The Cody Zeller Thread

MKGsMotor · Post #341 » by **MKGsMotor** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:04 pm

If you would have told me we were going to get Cody Zeller six months ago I would have been ecstatic. Unlike Shabazz, Codys stock didn't deserve to drop as much as it did. He DID improve from last season. I was impressed with him in every Indiana game I watched this year. He will be productive from the start and much like MKG, he is not the type to flop. Maybe he wont make an all star game, but he can easily be a 17 PPG 7-8 rebounder and be that much sooner than later. We still need a sharpshooter on the wing but that's much easier to find than a Cody Zeller. Lets go Bobcats.

BeesWax · Post #342 » by **BeesWax** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:06 pm

Robot Rock wrote:
jdm3 wrote:
Makaveli92 wrote:
You think Cho dafted Zeller 4th overall, over McLemore and noel to come off the bench for McRoberts? lol, I hope not.

I think when it comes down to it you have to play the best guys at the spots at least starting. Zeller can't handle C since he is short reach wise and not physical enough. Zeller has a long way to go before he can handle the physical nature of the NBA and his move to PF due to his size.

But somehow someone 6'9" is a better fit at C? I don't see it. Zeller is also better than McRoberts, it's absurd to say he isn't.

Biz is bigger and stronger and has a longer reach. Zeller has only an average reach for a PF and a sub par reach for a C. Biz has almost the same reach as Howard and 5 inches higher than Zeller. It is not crazy to say a guy who knows how to play PF will be better at this point than a guy who does not. Zeller will have to learn a whole new position.

MasterIchiro · Post #343 » by **MasterIchiro** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:10 pm

I'm still fuming because we passed on a chance at potentially the next Ray Allen for the assurance that Zeller can be a Tyler Hansborough at the very least.

It's a grossly conservative pick. Zeller won't bust but it's too paranoid of a pick.

I know MJ has been criticized in the past for issues with gambling but I was hoping he would roll the dice on McLemore.

We still have no perimeter shooting. If the plan is to commit long term money to Henderson, I hate the pick even more. If the Bobcats have a plan to sign a scorer like Mayo then I can understand passing on McLemore. But I don't like the limited upside of the pick and I don't want this team to be married to Henderson.

The only position where we have a potential star player is point guard. I wanted to add a second player with that same upside. Every pick was flawed in this draft which gives you an excuse to dream big. You should never play it safe in a draft full of bad picks unless you are just polishing a roster and not building it from scratch.

Robot Rock · Post #344 » by **Robot Rock** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:10 pm

jdm3 wrote:
Robot Rock wrote:
jdm3 wrote:
I think when it comes down to it you have to play the best guys at the spots at least starting. Zeller can't handle C since he is short reach wise and not physical enough. Zeller has a long way to go before he can handle the physical nature of the NBA and his move to PF due to his size.

But somehow someone 6'9" is a better fit at C? I don't see it. Zeller is also better than McRoberts, it's absurd to say he isn't.

Biz is bigger and stronger and has a longer reach. Zeller has only an average reach for a PF and a sub par reach for a C. Biz has almost the same reach as Howard and 5 inches higher than Zeller. It is not crazy to say a guy who knows how to play PF will be better at this point than a guy who does not. Zeller will have to learn a whole new position.

Reach is not the only indicator of success for a big man. It's incredibly overrated as a trait.

Robot Rock · Post #345 » by **Robot Rock** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:12 pm

Besides, they'll both be starting. One can handle D, one can handle scoring.

BeesWax · Post #346 » by **BeesWax** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:16 pm

Reach goes straight to getting of inside shots and playing defense. He is not a C due to the fact he won't be able to defend inside very well. He will need to learn how to play away from the basket and that will take time. Hopefully he makes the adjustment and becomes a good PF but he has a long way to go before he is ready for that.

mrknowitall215 · Post #347 » by **mrknowitall215** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:20 pm

I would love to see a 'inside look-type' documentary on how the Bobcats came to this pick like they did last year with that show "DRIVEN: Tougher, Faster, Stronger" just to see the tension between Michael Jordan & Rich Cho before the clock expired

mrknowitall215 · Post #348 » by **mrknowitall215** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:25 pm

If Cody Zeller can live up to his own admittance of LaMarcus Aldridge comparisons offensively, it's a safe bet that he can't be any worse than David Lee defensively. I'm settling into the fact that Nerlens Noel falling & getting traded to my Sixers is very fortunate of my team, and Zeller could compliment one of my favorite players, Kemba Walker, very well

catch20two · Post #349 » by **catch20two** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:42 pm

mrknowitall215 wrote:If Cody Zeller can live up to his own admittance of LaMarcus Aldridge comparisons offensively, it's a safe bet that he can't be any worse than David Lee defensively. I'm settling into the fact that Nerlens Noel falling & getting traded to my Sixers is very fortunate of my team, and Zeller could compliment one of my favorite players, Kemba Walker, very well

Being that I am trying to convince myself into believing that Cho panicked to pick Zeller after watching Bennett and Oladipo both come off the board earlier than they expected I am giving myself an excuse to like this pick. I'm also liking your assessment of Zeller possibly falling into being a Aldridge/Lee type hybrid of a player at his peak.

amcoolio · Post #350 » by **amcoolio** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:51 pm

Once again, the Suns passed on Noel, which is very glaring. Noel is definitely better than Len, so if the Suns didn't think Noel can recover, then that is very grim news for his future (also very sad, I do hope he recovers)

Post #351 » by **fatlever** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:53 pm

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 42m

Bilas on Cody Zeller: "I think this is the best pick Charlotte has made in a long time."

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 47m

Bilas: "I think Cody Zeller is terrific, I thought he was Indiana's best player...I think he was the best big man in college basketball."

Post #352 » by **fatlever** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:54 pm

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 39m

Zeller on Charlotte: "We got a good group of guys here and hopefully we'll be good for a long time."

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 37m

Zeller on Hornets name: "I'm excited to be a Hornet, I'm excited to be in Charlotte, whatever they put on my jersey, I'll be excited."

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 32m

Zeller on what he brings: "I always pride myself on being the hardest working guy, being a great teammate, and I pride myself on winning."

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 30m

Zeller: "I love Charlotte, I'm a big sweet tea fan."

The Drive ‏@thedrivenc 28m

Zeller: "I really want to be involved in the community...My family runs a Christian basketball camp...so I'm sure we'll start one here."

Post #353 » by **fatlever** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:56 pm

clifford on zeller

http://www.nba.com/bobcats/video/2013/0 ... ov-2524472

amcoolio · Post #354 » by **amcoolio** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:04 pm

I'm sold. May not be the sexy pick, but its another piece to the puzzle and a good enough pick considering this draft

Also, Zeller is the clear frontrunner for ROY in my eyes. It'd be great to have another ROY

Snidely FC · Post #355 » by **Snidely FC** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:13 pm

Zeller: "I love Charlotte, I'm a big sweet tea fan."

I love the Z-Rex Era already.

amcoolio · Post #356 » by **amcoolio** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:14 pm

Great Clifford interview. He is really, really smart. How has this guy not been picked up before?

I agree with him. I can see Zeller being a taller Ryan Anderson as his floor. Ryan Anderson is pretty good. Zeller can run the floor better and post up smaller PF's because of his size. And his ceiling being Pau Gasol, which Clifford said the talent and skill level are there.

hotrod · Post #357 » by **hotrod** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:41 pm

@wfnz: .@Bobcats @CodyZeller: ”I’m Excited, I’m Excited To Be In CLT, Whatever They Put On My Jersey, I’ll Be Excited.” http://t.co/mJc9CtTqsp

hotrod · Post #358 » by **hotrod** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:46 pm

Letter I just got from Bobcats.

As I'm sure you're aware by now, we selected Indiana forward Cody Zeller with the fourth overall pick in last night's NBA Draft. I cannot begin to tell you how excited Rich Cho and I, and our entire organization, are to have Cody join our team. We look forward to adding him to our young core as we continue to build our team.

In two seasons at Indiana, Cody played in 72 games, averaging 16.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 29.0 minutes. This past season, he led the Hoosiers in scoring, rebounding and blocks, earning First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team AP All-America honors, along with a spot on the John R. Wooden All-America Team. In addition, he also earned First Team Academic All-American and Academic All-Big Ten honors. As a freshman in 2011-12, Cody was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Second Team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention AP All-American.

We believe Cody will be a great addition to our young core, and I'd like to share with you some of the reasons that we are so high on him:

Versatility: Cody is a big man that can play both inside and on the perimeter. His abilities will fit in well with our personnel and compliment the skills of our other big men.

Shooting Ability: Cody finished at Indiana as the school's all-time leader in field goal percentage (59.1%), and we believe his outside game will only get better at the pro level. He has the ability to become a stretch four in the NBA.

Athleticism: Cody is one of the best athletes in this year's draft, particularly for his size (7-0). At the predraft combine, he recorded the highest-ever standing vertical jump (35.5) for a player taller than 6-9. His athleticism fits in extremely well with the up-tempo pace that head coach Steve Clifford plans on playing.

Intangibles: Cody's work ethic is off the charts, which fits in perfectly with the culture we are creating with our young core. He is a smart player with a high basketball IQ, and he makes the players around him better.

We're thrilled to have Cody join our team, and we know that you - our fans - will enjoy watching him play at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Video on Cody Zeller
Stats on Cody Zeller
Interview with Tom Crean
Interview with Cody Zeller

Now that the draft has concluded, we will turn our attention to free agency, where we could have up to $21 million under the salary cap with which to continue to add quality players to our roster. As we do constantly, we will continue to explore every opportunity to make our team better and we will aggressively pursue the players and assets that we feel will accomplish that goal.

As always, thank you for your continued support of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Sincerely,

Rod Higgins
President of Basketball Operations
Charlotte Bobcats

suntzuballin · Post #359 » by **suntzuballin** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:54 pm

i aint knocking your guys is pick but are some of you all p.o that the cats\hornets didnt pick mclemore\noel..like if anything it be like raps past on drummond pick ross so if zeller doesnt do well and mclemore\noel does well,you guys are gonna have lot of threads about this pick.

Liver_Pooty · Post #360 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:02 pm

suntzuballin wrote:i aint knocking your guys is pick but are some of you all p.o that the cats\hornets didnt pick mclemore\noel..like if anything it be like raps past on drummond pick ross so if zeller doesnt do well and mclemore\noel does well,you guys are gonna have lot of threads about this pick.

No, I'm happy.