Nathan Jawai

[hiphop1]

DX has the Celts taking him with the 30th pick. I rea up on this kid. He sounds great, but he is still a European an we know how some of them never pan out. Anyone every seen him play or know about his game?

[Liqourish]

He's actually Australian not European. He's 6'10" and built like a tank. He's a good player, borderline first round pick. You should read up on him on DX and NBAdraft.net. DX has alot of good articles and first hand knowledge. Alot of the Australian NBA fans here have spoken highly of him. There should be numerous threads about him already... just got back a page or two.

[hiphop1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpJszNGHjNA

[hiphop1]

Thanks

[tsherkin]

The biggest problem with him is that he's playing against crap competition, so anything he does is kind of suspect.

Beyond that, his athleticism has been questioned, he's not especially skilled fundamentally, there's all kinds of issues. If he's selected, it'll be solely on the basis of his size. And raw 21 year-olds playing in weak leagues aren't exactly high-potential picks.

EDIT: Then again, the 30th overall pick isn't exactly a big-time slot for huge returns and it could be worth the gamble if he decides he cares and wants to get better. I wonder how he'd react to a few Pete Newell camps and NBA conditioning programs...

[Patches Pal]

He needs to lose weight to play in the NBA. He is a tough guy that loves legal contact and is too strong and too low to the ground to be moved. If he develops his offensive game I see him developing into a player like Karl Malone.

[BigSlam]

He plays well in Oz because he has the bulk to bully other bigs. He wouldn't get away with that in the NBA.

Plus he has no go to offensive move and is pretty much just a flat out ox on offensive will little touch.

He'll be a good Danny Fortson type (without the head case baggage) but that's about it IMO

[BigSlam]

He needs to lose weight to play in the NBA. He is a tough guy that loves legal contact and is too strong and too low to the ground to be moved. If he develops his offensive game I see him developing into a player like Karl Malone.

HA!! The Mailman was ripped, had good range on his J.

Jawai is a fatty with no jump shot at all.

[BBen]

Wow, that highlight reel showed some of the worst defense I've seen at a professional level. Are the bigs in the Australian league just playing because they're... well, big? He looks raw (based on the fact that the entire offensive repertoire exhibited in the highlights is composed of bobbled passes, dunks, layups and a crappy looking J) and his jumper has awful form. I guess he's worth a gamble on a team that needs a banger but I don't have much info to work with. How's his D? Can that even be judged if the offense of the Australian bigs is as bad as their D?

[sox839]

Guaranteed jawai will not go to the celtics at #30. Ainge doesn't select international guys which is a wise move on his part. The best international guys are selected high now and for the international stars peja, dirk, manu and yao there are numerous guys selected that never make it to the nba. Ainge is smart selecting college guys that are established in college with late 1st rounders and seond round picks like these guys TAllen, west, Justin reed, Brandon hunter, orien greene, powe, big baby, gomes, pruitt All these guys were selected 24th or later. These are nine players and all nine wereon nba rosters for two seasons or more. Also fivw of the nine are established nba players meaning they get meaningfulminutes with there teams. Three are notin the nba greene,reed and hunter aand one pruitt hasn't had an opportunity yet. No ainge will takejawai I'mpredicting right now he takes plaisted outof byu if he goes into the draft his son austin played with him danny has seen him play and knowsmore about him than any college player.

[ManicBullsFan]

I think he has been playing basketball for like 5 years. He will get better no doubt.

[Turisas]

Yeah still very young. Good NBA body. He really needs to work on his conditioning and needs to refine his offensive game.

[wolves_fan_82au]

I think he has been playing basketball for like 5 years. He will get better no doubt.

yep and a lot of people dont relize this

hes owned Anisty twice this year and he was a nba player at one stage

people who say he has no offense have no idea i think he avg 18 ppg for a rookie 21 year old

[blkout]

I think it's a bit silly to be calling him a "fatty"... if he was 3 years younger I'd have alot more hope for him, at the moment it's really hard to tell whether he'll be a success or not.

[Jugs]

It'd be good to see another Aussie in the NBA but he will not last long.