Does Kenny George Have a Future in the NBA?

[STChaser]

http://www.hoopskills.com/blog/archives/kenny-george/

I was watching him the other day and I couldn't get over his size. Unfortunately, the guy is really slow. However, I was wondering if his size alone wouldn't compensate for his lack of speed. Eventually, when he does get down the court and close to the basket, I'm not sure how a defender could really stop him. Curious what your takes are on George.

STChaser

[Johnny Broad-Street]

He'd get beat up pretty bad, as he wouldnt get to spots quickly enough, but if Muresan could play, I think George can. He's got better hands than Muresan, and He's not quite as awkward.

[LieCheatSteal]

I don't think so. He's too slow.

Everyone in the league would probably love to dunk on him because of his size. Just like everyone loved to dunk on Shawn Bradley.

[Nofx8881]

this topic is awesome.

never did i think a guy from my school would be a topic on the sixers message board.

but yeah. kenny george. he's big. i sat next to him last semester in this media, ethics, and society class. sitting down he's like 6'4. standing up, i'm just about to his elbows. he's a really nice and intelligent guy, too.

but anyway. he had some pretty serious knee injuries to get over and he's finally getting over them and it showed this season. he's not quick, but he also hasn't fully recovered from his 2 knee reconstruction surgeries. i think he definitely has a future in the nba. he's just massive. it's pretty difficult to shoot around him and there is absolutely no way to defend him. even in the nba, it would be difficult. he's 2 inches taller than yao ming. he can up and down the court relatively well for someone as big as he is. i think he's only going to continue to improve. a team will more than likely take a chance on him in the 2nd round in next years draft since he's only a junior right now. i don't think he's ever going to be the starting center on a team, but with hard work and dedication (which he's shown he has...not everyone would try and play basketball after those surgeries) i think he can be a solid contributor off the bench. just by virtue of being 7'9 in shoes he can probably average 6 boards and 2 blocks or so in a couple of minutes of play.

i think it's pretty cool that you guys even know about a basketball player from UNCA. he's really put us on the map. we've only got 3,300 students here and the team was like 12-18 last year. they were 23-9 this season but lost to winthrop in the big south final a few days ago. cool stuff, though.

[bubba]

see: sun ming ming.

[tk76]

I remember Mark Eaton having an impact, but that was a long time ago. I wouldn't mind drafting some large defensive specialist to throw 6 fouls and a body at Howard if we play the Magic deep in the playoffs in a few years. I would think a more athletic giant like Thasbeet might be better as a bench specialist than this guy...

[Nofx8881]

see: sun ming ming.

not quite.

have you ever seen kenny george play other than the sportscenter highlight of the UNC-UNCA game? i go to school with him. i've seen him play. he has talent. he's got a nice shot from 15 feet and in, he's completely unstoppable near the rim, you can't drive on him at all, he hustles, etc etc.

as long as he can continue his successful recovery from the knee surgeries next season, there is absolutely no reason why he won't be in the NBA come 2009. no reason at all.

as they say, you can't teach size. and he's big. big big big. plenty of times you see a team draft some useless 7-4 guy from some foreign country simple because he's 7-4. kenny george is 7-7 and actually has skills. he will be drafted and if not, he will surely be signed as a FA afterwards. but i have a feeling someone will take a chance on him anywhere from the 40th pick on.

[Nofx8881]

and by the way, no offense to you ST since you only posted the thing, but that write up is awful. the guy straight up admits that he had never seen him play or heard of him ever except for that one game. i find it hard to believe that someone who has only seen someone play one game of any sport would be informed enough to make a determination on that person's future in said sport.

i have to say that i barely know kenny george, it's not like i'm his friend or anything, but i find it awfully annoying that people who don't know a damn thing about him continue to trash him and say he's just not good enough. if you've never seen him play, you need to shut up. you don't know what you're talking about and that's fine, just admit it and move on. it's not like i would expect many people to know the going ons of the unc asheville bulldogs mens basketball team.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

I'd draft him in the second round.....stash him in the D League and see how he does.

[Nofx8881]

no doubt. i think you'd be foolish not to take a chance on someone like him.

like i said, teams do it all the time with players far less skilled.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

True....and you're throwing a dart at the board with a 2nd rounder, so why not?

[phillyborn_jacksonite]

i worry about Kenny. I want him to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA. However ALL people of his size consistenly have medical issues that playing in the NBA will only exacperate. As some who has knee trouble, i wish him the best and hop that he kness get better and he is able to be a quicker, more powerful player i the furtre.

Oh by the way -i have watched him a little bit too. He does have some skill but he is still very raw and you can tell he has missd alot of time with his knee issues. If he can stay healthy, playing overseas would be his best bet for a while to see if he can play mor ehtan a college season. If he went from 30 game to 84 - i would really be concenrned for whi health.

[Grenerd686]

I dont think that George starts for his college team.