Z-Rex: The Cody Zeller Thread

[Liver_Pooty]

going by the numbers? if you want to look at numbers, Cody Zellers PER over 2 years was 30.6

Nerlens: 27.3
Oladipo (only counting his junior year since he sucked before): 28.4
Bennett: 28.3
McLemore: 23.2
Len (also only counting his most recent season since he sucked freshman year): 24,5
Porter (only counting his most recent season to make it fair): 27.3
KCP: 27.7
Burke: 28.7
Muhammad: 21.9

given that PER is merely a box score per minute stat, it couldnt possibly be stats that you're looking at and feeling down about Cody.

The only reason people are down on the pick is because Zeller doesn't do the "sexy" stuff. Doesn't shoot the 3 or throw it down like McLemore or block shots to Neptune like Noel. Just because it wasn't a sexy pick doesn't mean it wasn't the best pick. Zeller is solid to good/great in all facets of the game. It was a great pick, and it took balls to pick him. Apparently Rich Cho has big balls.

[KembaWalker]

going by the numbers? if you want to look at numbers, Cody Zellers PER over 2 years was 30.6

Nerlens: 27.3
Oladipo (only counting his junior year since he sucked before): 28.4
Bennett: 28.3
McLemore: 23.2
Len (also only counting his most recent season since he sucked freshman year): 24,5
Porter (only counting his most recent season to make it fair): 27.3
KCP: 27.7
Burke: 28.7
Muhammad: 21.9

given that PER is merely a box score per minute stat, it couldnt possibly be stats that you're looking at and feeling down about Cody.

The only reason people are down on the pick is because Zeller doesn't do the "sexy" stuff. Doesn't shoot the 3 or throw it down like McLemore or block shots to Neptune like Noel. Just because it wasn't a sexy pick doesn't mean it wasn't the best pick. Zeller is solid to good/great in all facets of the game. It was a great pick, and it took balls to pick him. Apparently Rich Cho has big balls.

thing is, if it pans out people will rewrite the history and act like it wasn't a brave pick. we hear about draft picks all the time heading up to drafts "why is this guy falling, he was top ranked before and didn't even play poorly! there is no reason for him to fall" yet we take that guy instead of letting him fall and now everyones butthurt

[BeesWax]

going by the numbers? if you want to look at numbers, Cody Zellers PER over 2 years was 30.6

Nerlens: 27.3
Oladipo (only counting his junior year since he sucked before): 28.4
Bennett: 28.3
McLemore: 23.2
Len (also only counting his most recent season since he sucked freshman year): 24,5
Porter (only counting his most recent season to make it fair): 27.3
KCP: 27.7
Burke: 28.7
Muhammad: 21.9

given that PER is merely a box score per minute stat, it couldnt possibly be stats that you're looking at and feeling down about Cody.

The biggest problem with that is he did it as a center within 5 feet of the basket 90% of the time. None of that applies as much now since that is not in his future. His length makes him a PF and moves him away from the basket which he has never done on a consistent basis. Also according to these numbers we should have taken Olynyk at 36.16 or Muscala at 35.73. CJ McCollum had a higher PER last year when he got to play a full year so maybe he was BPA too. Maybe Nate Wolters or Eric Green should have been our pick by PER. In other words it is a bit of an overrated stat. I am going off numbers, type of scoring for position and watching them play.

[KembaWalker]

obviously PER doesn't tell the whole story which I never implied. you look at prospects tiers. Cody Zeller has always been an elite prospect, so I compare him to other elite prospects. comparing him to Olynyk or Muscala is blatantly pointless.

EVERYONE has to change their game in the league. nothing is as easy in the pros as it was in college. your boy Oladipo will quickly learn driving and finishing at the rim isn't quite as easy as it was in college, and handchecking (while technically illegal in NCAA is hardly ever enforced) will not be allowed. hell you were the one telling me Oladipo is going to become a Dwyane Wade/Brandon Roy level combo goard and you're complaining about Zeller being a PF? lol...

you can make similar statements about anyone, Bennett, Len, Noel. The only one whos game carries over easily right away really is McLemore. But he has his own issues. everyone has to change to be successful. watch Bosh and Aldridge play in college and watch them now.

[Badd_Intentions]

I never was really big on Len, but Zeller last year possibly would have went 2 after Davis. He basically had slightly better stats and people are pushing him down the boards in perhaps a weaker draft. That is one thing with going back to school if you are in a good position to come back. If your stats don't significantly improve then people start really doubting what you can be in the NBA. See Harrison Barnes.

Wonder how Marcus Smart will do next season as he could have been a top 5 pick this year.

Apparently they believed Zeller could replicate his mid-range game from the practice court to NBA games. I hope they are right. Similar things were said about Anthony Davis last year. They were saying he would display things in practice he didn't do in the game b/c he wasn't asked to do so.

[BeesWax]

obviously PER doesn't tell the whole story which I never implied. you look at prospects tiers. Cody Zeller has always been an elite prospect, so I compare him to other elite prospects. comparing him to Olynyk or Muscala is blatantly pointless.

EVERYONE has to change their game in the league. nothing is as easy in the pros as it was in college. your boy Oladipo will quickly learn driving and finishing at the rim isn't quite as easy as it was in college, and handchecking (while technically illegal in NCAA is hardly ever enforced) will not be allowed. hell you were the one telling me Oladipo is going to become a Dwyane Wade/Brandon Roy level combo goard and you're complaining about Zeller being a PF? lol...

you can make similar statements about anyone, Bennett, Len, Noel. The only one whos game carries over easily right away really is McLemore. But he has his own issues. everyone has to change to be successful. watch Bosh and Aldridge play in college and watch them now.

Len will still play with his back to the basket. Oladipo needs to improve ball handling and show he can continue to shoot at the percent he hit last year. His defense will translate because he was great in college and even if he has to adjust a little he will still be very good. Noel did more defending away from the basket and shooting passing lanes than Zeller did both offense and defense. Bennett was a stretch 4 in college which is what he will attempt to be in the pros. The problem for me is that what Zeller needs to become he has never done before. I agree that everyone has to change when they become a pro but Zeller has to develop things he has never shown before in his career. Also I do not think you can seperate him that much from Olynyk. They both have to become PF but only one of them has shown the ability to shoot with other people on the court. Hopefully he works out but lets not act like he is set to be a star. He has further to go than most because he does not have one side of the ball where he is proven yet.

[KembaWalker]

idk if this was already posted. good matchup between freshmen Zeller vs Davis and of course gilly is in there as well.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTyLJeaGOzo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[James Gatz]

idk if this was already posted. good matchup between freshmen Zeller vs Davis and of course gilly is in there as well.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTyLJeaGOzo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Zeller showed some good passing skills in the first half of this one. I'll probably watch the rest of the 2nd half later.

[TheKingofSting]

What are some realistic numbers Cody could average as a rookie? Tyler averaged 8 and 6 as a rookie and he is better than him but I also realize whether we bring McBob back or not and whether Cody starts or not they may limit his minutes, nothing Dunlap like but rookies minutes are monitored pretty closely.

[BigSlam]

What are some realistic numbers Cody could average as a rookie? Tyler averaged 8 and 6 as a rookie and he is better than him but I also realize whether we bring McBob back or not and whether Cody starts or not they may limit his minutes, nothing Dunlap like but rookies minutes are monitored pretty closely.

12/6/1 and "maybe" a block a game on good perccentages.

[amcoolio]

Kidd Gilchrist is gonna be great. Its interesting going back and watching games now that you have the player

[Eoghan]

idk if this was already posted. good matchup between freshmen Zeller vs Davis and of course gilly is in there as well.

If anybody gets the Big 10 channel, try and catch the game between IU and Wisco from 1-15-13. It's pretty much the best game I've ever seen Zeller play, especially in the first half. If he played every game like that one, Zeller would probably have gone #1. For a good game that displays "the worst of Cody," check the game against Wisco later in the Big Ten tourney (3-16-13). He gets outplayed by Jared Bergren and just looks generally non-effective.

[Pacerlive]

General manager Rich Cho was in Bloomington constantly over the winter, checking out various aspects of Zeller’s makeup.

“Charlotte did a great job of spending extra time’’ in the scouting process, Crean said. “Rich Cho would come in for a couple of days each time.’’

Zeller said it was hard not to notice as the season wore on how much Cho was around the Indiana program. “It’s a big investment for any NBA team,’’ Zeller said of the fourth pick. “They’re going back to your childhood and everywhere else (to investigate your makeup).

Cho didn't pick Zeller based on a workout or combine, or reports he read, ranks or mock drafts. It's clear he spent days and months watching Zeller at practices In Person until Zeller practically felt stalked. Cho knew what he wanted. He knew what he was seeing.

I don't know how many watched the post draft presser but Cho even said don't take mock drafts as the gospel. It makes me feel good that someone other than Bilas (Jalen Rose) liked the pick and the simple fact that Simmons didn't take time to bash it speaks volumes.

I have watched a lot of Zeller over the past two years and you guys should be happy. You got a solid player that won't be a bust. He will be better than Noel and he has more than enough ability to play PF. Personally I look forward to seeing your fans comments when the season starts.

[MinneOOPalis]

I think it was a bad pick because you picked him with the idea he will fit with biyombo in the frontcourt. It was a good pick based on need but not on talent. Biyombo isnt a good enough player to build around as of now. Personally I think Mcelmore or Len were better choices. :/

[Liver_Pooty]

I think it was a bad pick because you picked him with the idea he will fit with biyombo in the frontcourt. It was a good pick based on need but not on talent. Biyombo isnt a good enough player to build around as of now. Personally I think Mcelmore or Len were better choices. :/

[Pacerlive]

I think it was a bad pick because you picked him with the idea he will fit with biyombo in the frontcourt. It was a good pick based on need but not on talent. Biyombo isnt a good enough player to build around as of now. Personally I think Mcelmore or Len were better choices. :/

You needed front court scoring and you choose the best player on the board for that.

[mrknowitall215]

I was watching DX's Cody Zeller scouting report video & the biggest thing that stood out to me, even more than his offensive skills, was his ability to hedge screens defensively. That alone could help take the Bobcats from the 30th to the 15-20th ranked defense as soon as next season. Kemba's small frame used to take a beating trying to defend screens 2 against 1. Zeller's lateral quickness will be able to help in that area immediately. If Zeller happens to show off this 'alleged' shooting range, then lookout NBA world, he could easily win ROY

[Elden Payton]

I literally cannot for the life of me understand how people are saying we did not draft the best player available?

People have a right to question to question his upside fair enough but people cannot seriously be doubting his ability currently, surely?

I would argue that Cody Zeller was the best player in the whole draft fundamentally and I would also argue that he has the highest BBIQ of any player in the draft, he will most likely win ROTY in a race with McLemore imo.

When you have a big as fundamentally sound as Zeller, who has the type of intelligence he has, hustles like a scrub and is an athletic freak then you have a serious baller..in regards to upside also this guy is a worker, he will work, work and work...He's going to get much better.

When I look at Zeller all I can see is CHO!, CHO!, CHO!, CHO!, CHO!

[Logander]

I literally cannot for the life of me understand how people are saying we did not draft the best player available?

People have a right to question to question his upside fair enough but people cannot seriously be doubting his ability currently, surely?

I would argue that Cody Zeller was the best player in the whole draft fundamentally and I would also argue that he has the highest BBIQ of any player in the draft, he will most likely win ROTY in a race with McLemore imo.

When you have a big as fundamentally sound as Zeller, who has the type of intelligence he has, hustles like a scrub and is an athletic freak then you have a serious baller..in regards to upside also this guy is a worker, he will work, work and work...He's going to get much better.

When I look at Zeller all I can see is CHO!, CHO!, CHO!, CHO!, CHO!

+1. Bobcats fans are going to feel silly once they watch him play and see him ball.

[Elden Payton]

i must admit i got excited the other day when I saw the comparisons to Bosh and Aldridge

Funny you say that - I also got excited when I read that.

I wonder if we can have Zeller take those tanning pills that C Thomas Howell did in Soul Man, grow his hair out, dye it black, roll in some vintage Iverson cornrows and change his name to something like Ezekiel Powerbomb?

Would that help people like him more?

Slam please HOF yourself.

This is the most logical reason for the Cody hate.

If this guy was the same shade of mocha that Bennett was he would of went #1.