Here's the lowdown on CWood...
The biggest thing to remember about Christian is that he's ONLY 20 years old, and already played two years of college, a handful NBA games, and half a season in the NBADL.
When UNLV first "signed" Wood, he was a verbal commit prior to his sophomore season (a Stacy Augmon find, who I believe knew his mom..?), and in a sort-of college stash and dash, he enrolled at Findlay Prep (down the road from UNLV) and played there for 3 years along side a bunch of, now, NBA players.
Chris was a really young freshman at UNLV. He was 17 when he stepped on campus. He was 6'6" when he signed his letter of intent, and a SF/SG at Findlay. He stepped on campus as a 6'7" freshman "forward" and by the end of the year, he was visibly taller, at about 6'9"....showed up his Sophomore year, and again, visibly taller, easily 6'10" to 6'11"....and the wingspan just seemed to come out of nowhere. He was initially signed as a potential small forward, and ended up a center at UNLV.
Chris' game was erratic his freshman year, as he was a tweener and very skinny. He was never an "around-the-basket" type player. More of a perimeter type. His Sophomore year, Chris really stepped it up, and was one of our best players. His game against Arizona, if the season stopped right there, would've made him a lottery pick....but throughout the season, he was up and down....he favored the perimeter, but UNLV needed him down low...and he didn't want that. At times was visibly upset about it....which, ironically, would make him mad and play better...lol
Anyway, there's a bunch of stories on his draft day....it was a definite sad day for him.... but reality is, Christian was very immature. UNLV fans weren't happy how he announced he was going to the NBA....he held off the decision, making UNLV fans think he was leaning toward staying, but it was just until his video could be produced of him thanking the city and announcing his intentions). Chris worked hard to get his Sixers contract....he felt jilted by not being drafted, and then put in double-time (probably what he needed to do anyway)....he was a tough fit on the Sixers, as they had young players they drafted in the lottery at his position. I thought, when given meaningful minutes, he played as well as any rookie....he just didn't get those minutes enough.
Well, I've seen nearly ALL of Wood's college games, all of his NBA games, all of his summer league games, and all of his NBADL games....Chris is starting to get it. Chris has MAJOR upside....NBA starter upside (if not beyond that...not kidding).... He has RARE talents for a player his size. His ability to take guys off the dribble, and his ability to finish, and step back and hit outside shots....all from a long, lanky PF/C....it's all just rare in today's game. The thing is, he's just NOW beginning to tap into his potential.
I'm a fan through thick and thin, but I still view things from a realistic standpoint.....and with Chris, the realism is this....Wood has struggled with:
**defensive positioning - (in the NBADL, he simply wouldn't be that help side defender that you need a guy with 7'3" wingspan to be).
**screens - he's improved, but he's one of the worst players, his size, at setting screens. He needs to take a class given by John Stockton, on proper screening
**pick and rolls - Chris still loves the perimeter. He's not ineffective out there either, and always draws a big out to guard him. It's just, the guy pops every time....he NEVER rolls to the basket...well, not never, but rarely does he roll to the basket.
**effort - Chris has struggled with 100% effort. He doesn't always give it....when he does, lookout....when he doesn't, lookout
In the end, though, I attribute the negatives to Christ just being young... IF the Hornets treat him like a lottery pick....if they don't look at him as filler, but as somebody that could turn out to be a very special player....and churn him through whatever development channels your team has, he'll get there. He really needs a good mentor to show him what hard work is....maybe that's MJ?
