Rookie impressions thread: PRESEASON/REGULAR SEASON

[Goon]

You really need to take a personal shot at someone because they believe a player should be drafted higher than another? I'm providing an argument, not ranting like a homer or making illogical rants.

Not meant to be a personal shot. If you saw it that way, I apologize.

I just wrote that since you downplayed potential a bit too much and kept posting current stats, making it look like only current production matters, and all that after only 20+ games into the season. Potential is one of the most important things when it comes to rookies.

It's just that I see it every year, players like Harold Minor get compared to MJ, Darius Miles to KG, Deshawn Stevenson to MJ, and it goes on and on, how often are these expectations met? I remember having conversations in middle school early Tim Thomas and Kobe's career, and kid liked Thomas more based on potential. Sometimes I think actual production is under valued. I looked at some Giannis videos, he looks a raw and kind of awkward at times. I just think that someone that is supposed to be as good as people are raving about would have atleast put up a big game in 20 games, but he hasn't. Oladipo, Burke, and MCW have had several big games. I saw potential in Garnett, Kobe, Pierce, Lebron, Durant, and many others, but they were far more productive early in their careers than Giannis. So I measure potential a bit differently I guess, I'll compare how a player is producing at a particular compared to others at that age, and then there is the eye test. I really haven't watched Bucks games yet, but hey, aside of Bucks fans, I doubt anybody here has seen a handful of those.

Yeah I see where you're coming from. And what I use most when judging potential is the part I bolded out, the eye test. Best way to do it, there's only so much stats can tell you.

Giannis is a work in progress, very raw, but he produces some flashes that really make you wonder. Plus it's hard to ignore what a leap he made, coming straight from Greek second division. That is some weak league, I mean really weak. So to see him play as well from the start is impressive, per 36 numbers are strong, I expected less in his 1st season.

I like Burke, his story could be simillar to Lillard's, both lack that elite athleticism, but have huge hunger for the game, to improve. I don't see him as a franchise player, or a 1st option on the team, but could be a strong starter, if his defense works out. Will be fun to watch Utah grow next season, with another top 5 prospect. Favors, Burks, Burke, Hayward, Kanter, Gobert is a great core to build on.

[skones]

You really need to take a personal shot at someone because they believe a player should be drafted higher than another? I'm providing an argument, not ranting like a homer or making illogical rants.

Not meant to be a personal shot. If you saw it that way, I apologize.

I just wrote that since you downplayed potential a bit too much and kept posting current stats, making it look like only current production matters, and all that after only 20+ games into the season. Potential is one of the most important things when it comes to rookies.

It's just that I see it every year, players like Harold Minor get compared to MJ, Darius Miles to KG, Deshawn Stevenson to MJ, and it goes on and on, how often are these expectations met? I remember having conversations in middle school early Tim Thomas and Kobe's career, and kid liked Thomas more based on potential. Sometimes I think actual production is under valued. I looked at some Giannis videos, he looks a raw and kind of awkward at times. I just think that someone that is supposed to be as good as people are raving about would have atleast put up a big game in 20 games, but he hasn't. Oladipo, Burke, and MCW have had several big games. I saw potential in Garnett, Kobe, Pierce, Lebron, Durant, and many others, but they were far more productive early in their careers than Giannis. So I measure potential a bit differently I guess, I'll compare how a player is producing at a particular compared to others at that age, and then there is the eye test. I really haven't watched Bucks games yet, but hey, aside of Bucks fans, I doubt anybody here has seen a handful of those.

You're also really underestimating the production relative to age. While he hasn't put up the big numbers that the others have in specific performances, he IS in the NBA while Oladipo was shooting 20% from three in college, Burke was having his up and downs as a freshman, and MCW was a senior in high school. Sometimes it's about production vs. stage in development, rather than current production. In the seven contests where Giannis has received 20 minutes or more in playing time, albeit a small sample size, he's averaged 9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. By far the most impressive thing about him is that he looks comfortable out there at his age and physical underdevelopment rather than a deer in the headlights. Now that he's been inserted into the starting lineup, his playing time will get more consistent and you're going to see his per game averages rise a significant amount from where they currently sit. He shows a natural feel for the game that I certainly, and others, didn't expect at this stage given his draft position. He's not nearly as raw as was advertised.

[H2tObes]

You really need to take a personal shot at someone because they believe a player should be drafted higher than another? I'm providing an argument, not ranting like a homer or making illogical rants.

Not meant to be a personal shot. If you saw it that way, I apologize.

I just wrote that since you downplayed potential a bit too much and kept posting current stats, making it look like only current production matters, and all that after only 20+ games into the season. Potential is one of the most important things when it comes to rookies.

It's just that I see it every year, players like Harold Minor get compared to MJ, Darius Miles to KG, Deshawn Stevenson to MJ, and it goes on and on, how often are these expectations met? I remember having conversations in middle school early Tim Thomas and Kobe's career, and kid liked Thomas more based on potential. Sometimes I think actual production is under valued. I looked at some Giannis videos, he looks a raw and kind of awkward at times. I just think that someone that is supposed to be as good as people are raving about would have atleast put up a big game in 20 games, but he hasn't. Oladipo, Burke, and MCW have had several big games. I saw potential in Garnett, Kobe, Pierce, Lebron, Durant, and many others, but they were far more productive early in their careers than Giannis. So I measure potential a bit differently I guess, I'll compare how a player is producing at a particular compared to others at that age, and then there is the eye test. I really haven't watched Bucks games yet, but hey, aside of Bucks fans, I doubt anybody here has seen a handful of those.

Giannis turned 19 a week ago, I highly doubt Burke could do that in the NBA at that age. When you couple that with his natural talent and his freakish measurements, it's really an easy choice. Especially compared with a 6'1 PG who is really average in the athleticism department. He has put up good numbers when given minutes, he has shot very efficiently thus far and contributes everywhere on the court. Can't ask much more from a 19 year old rookie who was playing against teenagers in Greece last year.

[Bo Outlaw]

This game moves Burke to #2 in ROY ranking. MCW will be ousted by default if he continues sitting out for their tanking purposes.

MCW
Oladipo
Then Burke




Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using RealGM Forums mobile app

[24istheLAW]

It's just that I see it every year, players like Harold Minor get compared to MJ, Darius Miles to KG, Deshawn Stevenson to MJ, and it goes on and on, how often are these expectations met? I remember having conversations in middle school early Tim Thomas and Kobe's career, and kid liked Thomas more based on potential. Sometimes I think actual production is under valued. I looked at some Giannis videos, he looks a raw and kind of awkward at times. I just think that someone that is supposed to be as good as people are raving about would have atleast put up a big game in 20 games, but he hasn't. Oladipo, Burke, and MCW have had several big games. I saw potential in Garnett, Kobe, Pierce, Lebron, Durant, and many others, but they were far more productive early in their careers than Giannis. So I measure potential a bit differently I guess, I'll compare how a player is producing at a particular compared to others at that age, and then there is the eye test. I really haven't watched Bucks games yet, but hey, aside of Bucks fans, I doubt anybody here has seen a handful of those.

I guess where we differ is in defining production. There's more kinds of production that can be measured.

How many 19 y/o kids from foreign countries can walk into the NBA and D up Carmelo Anthony? That in itself is as impressive as any "big game" as measured by counting stats would be.

[majortom71]

Giannis looks good, he is young and still growing!! OMG!
I can see him being a dynamic forward who would give defenses major headaches.
Bucks need to get a good SF or guard from draft and a build a core.

[three2theD]

Tim Hardway junior looks like he's the steal of the draft.

[whatchaknow]

CJ McCollum jut got cleared for 5 on 5. It'll be interesting to see where he fits in on this blazer squad

[Sixersftw]

This game moves Burke to #2 in ROY ranking. MCW will be ousted by default if he continues sitting out for their tanking purposes.

MCW
Oladipo
Then Burke

Yep. Also MCW wasn't sitting because we are tanking. He was in the hospital for a skin infection.

[Browns16]

Matthew Dellevadova looks like he could be a really nice bench player for the cavs

[j-ragg]

RIP young McLemore.

Goodnight sweet prince.

[MojoPharoah]

RIP young McLemore.

Goodnight sweet prince.

Am I the only one who finds dunks like this one massively overrated? I mean, I remember when dunking on someone was if the person actually jumped/contested the dunk. Not these charge attempts gone bad. I look at it & say "ehh..." Probably just me

[MojoPharoah]

MCW had a nice return: 15 pts, 10 asts 3 stls, 3 rebs, 1 block. Solid welcome back w/o much visible rust, not to mention the win. He wins his last game, goes out, team loses 7 straight, he comes back, the team wins again.

[Dame Lizard]

RIP young McLemore.

Goodnight sweet prince.

Am I the only one who finds dunks like this one massively overrated? I mean, I remember when dunking on someone was if the person actually jumped/contested the dunk. Not these charge attempts gone bad. I look at it & say "ehh..." Probably just me

I agree and disagree.

It was extremely impressing seeing Lebron's elite athleticism- so yes it did drop my jaw.

But he gets very little props for dunking over a player who was trying to draw the charge.

[Novocaine]

You really need to take a personal shot at someone because they believe a player should be drafted higher than another? I'm providing an argument, not ranting like a homer or making illogical rants.

Not meant to be a personal shot. If you saw it that way, I apologize.

I just wrote that since you downplayed potential a bit too much and kept posting current stats, making it look like only current production matters, and all that after only 20+ games into the season. Potential is one of the most important things when it comes to rookies.

It's just that I see it every year, players like Harold Minor get compared to MJ, Darius Miles to KG, Deshawn Stevenson to MJ, and it goes on and on, how often are these expectations met? I remember having conversations in middle school early Tim Thomas and Kobe's career, and kid liked Thomas more based on potential. Sometimes I think actual production is under valued. I looked at some Giannis videos, he looks a raw and kind of awkward at times. I just think that someone that is supposed to be as good as people are raving about would have atleast put up a big game in 20 games, but he hasn't. Oladipo, Burke, and MCW have had several big games. I saw potential in Garnett, Kobe, Pierce, Lebron, Durant, and many others, but they were far more productive early in their careers than Giannis. So I measure potential a bit differently I guess, I'll compare how a player is producing at a particular compared to others at that age, and then there is the eye test. I really haven't watched Bucks games yet, but hey, aside of Bucks fans, I doubt anybody here has seen a handful of those.

It only makes sense to compare him to high-schoolers because of his age and lack of experience/level of competition - he only played in the very weak Greek A2, and even there only around 400 minutes, most of his experience comes from playing at a level solidly below the AAU.

Antetokounmpo first 20 games - 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0.494 FG%, 19mpg

Garnett first 20 games - 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0.388 FG%, 19 mpg
Kobe first 20 games - 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 0.7 assists, 0.383FG%, 11mpg

We can add more:

Stoudemire first 20 games - 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 0.401 FG%, 29mpg
McGrady first 20 games - 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.443FG%, 12mpg
J O'Neal first 20 games - 5 points, 3 rebounds, 0.515 FG%, 10mpg


LeBron (17/7/6 with 4 turnovers and 0.39FG%) and Howard (10/10, 0.564 FG%) are actually exceptions, not the norm, for this type of rookie.

ps - another point of comparison, Nowitzki, who was a year older and played at a similar level in Europe (but had far more experience at that level under his belt): 7/4/1, 0.341FG%; 17mpg.

[ADoaN17]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tanwkZow_XY[/youtube]
Ben finally had a decent game after a week or two of mediocre play.

[Fat]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJE7rUMSnwk[/youtube]

[MojoPharoah]

RIP young McLemore.

Goodnight sweet prince.

Am I the only one who finds dunks like this one massively overrated? I mean, I remember when dunking on someone was if the person actually jumped/contested the dunk. Not these charge attempts gone bad. I look at it & say "ehh..." Probably just me

I agree and disagree.

It was extremely impressing seeing Lebron's elite athleticism- so yes it did drop my jaw.

But he gets very little props for dunking over a player who was trying to draw the charge.

Yeah, I could see that argument maybe. But, ESPN actually wrote an article about it. I mean, really?! That's where we are now? lol

[Kings2013]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tanwkZow_XY[/youtube]
Ben finally had a decent game after a week or two of mediocre play.

Mediocre?

[Catchall]

TB3 with 20 pts., 4/8 from 3-pt., clutch shots and game-winning FTs. Zero turnovers.

Carry on.