WadeKnicks2010 wrote:Again you're misconstruing my argument on purpose. Just like that other guy. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt anyway. I'm not saying one has a higher ceiling BECAUSE he's not as polished. That was a response to that guy who argued with my statement that Beasley is closer to his ceiling than Randolph is. I think we can all agree on that. Beasley already has game. He can drive he can do a lot of things well. He has a stronger skillset than Randolph, as expected since Beasley was considered by all experts to be the most NBA-ready player in the draft. This isn't a comparison of who has the higher ceiling. This is a comparison of who is closer to it.
I don't think you're right at all.
That implies that you know where either player's ceiling actually is. I don't think you do. I know I don't. This is a pair of uber-young players who've both shown NBA talents. One of them has earned spot minutes all season long and put up 7 and 5, while the other has been a regular rotation player and is putting up 13 and 5.
Now as to why I think Randolph has the higher ceiling(note to repeat myself, this is separate from my previous paragraph. What I sad until now has nothing to do with this, it solely had to do with who was closer to their ceiling, not who has the higher one). I believe centers who can defend and protect the interior and rebound at a strong rate are a very valuable commodity in this league. The guy who's about 6'10 and up, can block shots, plays good help defense, and rebounds... I'd venture to say that's the most sought after player in basketball. Randolph can become that. Beasley on the other hand. If I gave him the benefit and assessed his ceiling, he'll always be a tweener forward who isn't quick enough to guard small forwards and is too small to guard big guys defensively. He'll get his shot blocked often when playing against taller frontlines and will never be a great finisher. He just doesn't have the tools, which limits his ceiling.. He'll certainly be able to hit the 20s though in points..
Extremely specious logic.
Randolph, at 210 pounds, weighs less than most shooting guards in this league. To assume he can be a sought after center, and more sought after than a team's second option, is ridiculous. Right now, he's Keon Clark. He's got a lot of work to do, both on his body and on his offensive game, before anyone can honestly claim he's an NBA caliber starting center. What he is now, ideally, is an energy guy off the bench.
Beasley, at 6'9" and 245 pounds, is honestly not undersized. He's going to get stronger, just like Randolph, but unlike Randolph, he already has the frame. All he needs is another 10 pounds and he's Elton Brand in terms of size (minus wingspan). No one claims Brand, Carlos Boozer, Ben Wallace, Kenyon Martin, David West, or Zack Randolph are undersized. All of them are the same 6'9" as Michael Beasley. All of them are, or in Wallace's case have been, effective NBA power players. Some weigh more than Beasley, some weigh less. It's about talent. Beasley has it. He'll succeed. The level at which he succeeds has yet to be determined.
P.S. Its a little bit of a misconception that I'm a Wade fan. I can only be a fan of a player if they play for my team. I'm a Knicks fan. As a Knicks fan I want to have a good team. To have a good team you need good players. In my opinion Dwyane Wade is the best player in the NBA currently. Thus I want him on the Knicks. If he goes 0-82 next season and doesn't sell any jerseys or sneakers I wouldn't care less.
Who cares? My point was still valid. Your argument about ceiling is an impossibly weak one. Wade was NBA ready as well, and averaged just 3 more points then Beasley. People said Melo and LeBron were far superior in terms of ceiling. Now, he's good enough that you feel he's the best player in the NBA. I'm not saying that Beasley will be that good, but saying his ceiling is lower because his offensive game is polished is ridiculous.
Like Wade and LeBron, this kid has not reached his physical peak - yeah, his body is still going to mature - even at 6'9" and 245 pounds! Like those players, he's still finding his stride in the league. Same with Randolph...