TheNetsFan wrote:3pt_chucker wrote:One thing about the discourse around Ben that I feel like is never discussed is that fully healthy =/= great player.
His game is still severely flawed. Yes he can be healthy and be 90% as explosive as he was in Philly but has he been able to work on his game along with his body? For some reason it's a given that healthy Ben = All-Star which I really don't think is the case.
Questions I still have for him healthy or not:
1) Has he worked on his FTs? Idc what hand he uses. I just want him to shoot in the +70% range
2) Will he stay aggressive when/if he's not shooting FT's and take contact?
3) How can he score other that drives to the rim? How is is float game, midrange jumper/jump hook, posting midget guards?
4) Can he get back to being elite defensively possession by possession? Less dumb fouls?
5) Will/Can he defensively rebound in traffic defensively to help the team on the boards?
Those are my 5 biggest concerns. Yes, we all want him healthy but he still needs to be viable basketball player and with the contract he's on, he needs to provide at a minimum net positive play.
Not asking for All-Star Ben, just functionally useful Ben on both ends. Low bar but really hope he clears.
A fully healthy Ben is a great player. People are so hyper-focused on his flaws, and seem to forget that in 4 seasons, he was Rookie of the Year, 3x All-star, 2x All-NBA Defensive Team, 1x All-NBA, and DPOY runner up. Beyond just awards, he is 7th in career triple doubles among all active players (ahead of Kidd's pace at this age) and 3x in VORP top-20. Those are the accolades of a great player.
I agree Philly Ben is a great (albeit flawed) player, there is no disputing that. However, a lot a lot has happened since then and the eastern Conference/league as a whole is a lot better/deeper.
Yes, if he gets 90% of Philly Ben, that's a good player but not a franchise player, he'll prob never be that but can he get to #2-#3? For that he has to get better. With 2 yrs left the Nets have time to figure that out luckily and I'm sure they're hopefully they can fully figure out if he's a franchise corner stone or top salary fill for a big trade.