The OFFICIAL Rookie impressions thread

[G R E Y]

Val's stat line was sparse but anyone watching the game knows his impact was on the whole positive, particularly on D. Like someone said earlier, he's solid in fundamentals, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses.

i'm sorry but i really feel Rap fans are reaching. i watched the entire game and didn't see this IMPACT that rap fans are claiming. He got 2 blocks on monroe, however couldn't keep monroe off the boards, additionally A. Johnson also was owning monroe. Monroe had a horrible offensive game. he got all his buckets on put backs

One thing i did notice is that he does run the floor and i do understand when you guys say he's fundemental. i was cracking up when DD and Lucas kept looking away from him or chucking shots. i wanted to see what he had on the offensive end. He also is a lot bigger than i had thought as well.

i think overall he's a great compliment to Bargs, and should be what Raps need, but he had a mediocre at best game last night

Well keep in mind that people are basing this on one preseason game, whereas Raps fans, in anticipation of Val's arrival, have been watching videos of his progress on a pro team in Europe for a year. I mean, a couple of threads below this one there's a thread about whether Monroe/Drummond can be the best future front court in the league. After one preseason game. So it's best for all to keep things in perspective.

[Shem]

Deandre Jordan isn't a particularly good defender, he isn't particularly good at anything to be frank.

Then explain why he's in the NBA then, or that he was offered an average annual salary of $10.75 million? Meanwhile, he has a season where he averaged 2.0 blocks-per-game, and 8.3 rebounds-per-game. Meanwhile he's shooting over 60% from the field for his career. Yes, I know he's limited offensively (which reminds of Drummond), but at least he understand his limits and knows how to use his limited abilities. He's obviously good at some things to help his team. If he wasn't good at anything, he wouldn't be playing the minutes he gets now. Especially on a contending team.

Meanwhile, Drummond only averaged 2.7 blocks-per-game and 7.6 rebounds-per-game in college while only compiling a field goal percentage just under 54%. Not exactly impressive numbers for college considering the position he plays. And his 29% foul shooting is just atrocious. Meanwhile Jordan improved his foul shooting to over 52% last year.

And it's not just numbers that remind me of each other, but their athleticism combined with their sizes, but limited on the offensive end. The point is if Jordan isn't good at anything, then what does that make Drummond?

But didn't you say this earlier today?

He (Lillard) reminds me of Jerryd Bayless

[Eoghan]

Meanwhile, Drummond only averaged 2.7 blocks-per-game... Not exactly impressive numbers for college considering the position he plays.

Almost 3 blocks a game in college isn't impressive? Sure, it isn't Ant Davis numbers but still...

[Blkbrd671]

Well keep in mind that people are basing this on one preseason game, whereas Raps fans, in anticipation of Val's arrival, have been watching videos of his progress on a pro team in Europe for a year. I mean, a couple of threads below this one there's a thread about whether Monroe/Drummond can be the best future front court in the league. After one preseason game. So it's best for all to keep things in perspective.

i was referring to the preseason game soley. while i understand rap fans have a lot more insight into what he was doing or what they wanted to see. from the outside looking in, i can't see what they/you were all excited about last preseason game. i think he'll have a much better game on saturday in Tor.

As far as the Drummond/moose thread, i believe the question is "if they reach their ceilings".

[Blkbrd671]

Then explain why he's in the NBA then, or that he was offered an average annual salary of $10.75 million? Meanwhile, he has a season where he averaged 2.0 blocks-per-game, and 8.3 rebounds-per-game. Meanwhile he's shooting over 60% from the field for his career. Yes, I know he's limited offensively (which reminds of Drummond), but at least he understand his limits and knows how to use his limited abilities. He's obviously good at some things to help his team. If he wasn't good at anything, he wouldn't be playing the minutes he gets now. Especially on a contending team.

He's getting 10 mil purely for his size and athleticism. He's not particularly elite defensively unless you use blocked shots as your basis. i get what your saying and PoP was over zealous, but DeAndre is a good role player.

Meanwhile, Drummond only averaged 2.7 blocks-per-game and 7.6 rebounds-per-game in college while only compiling a field goal percentage just under 54%. Not exactly impressive numbers for college considering the position he plays. And his 29% foul shooting is just atrocious. Meanwhile Jordan improved his foul shooting to over 52% last year.

And it's not just numbers that remind me of each other, but their athleticism combined with their sizes, but limited on the offensive end. The point is if Jordan isn't good at anything, then what does that make Drummond?

i think the point that's being made is that Drummond looks to pretty much be able to contribute just as much as D Jordan is and he's only a rookie. meaning drummond still has a lot of growth. Meanwhile i think we've pretty much seen what we'll see out of D Jordan with the exception that he develops some sort of offensive game or go to move, something most had expected he would have developed by now.

[Blazing_royale]

Austin Rivers just went 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 0 turnovers in three quarters, and that's not decent?

I would also argue that many of your decents were far more than decent.

Austin Rivers currently at 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steal, 1 block shot and 2 turnovers

FG: 1-7
3PT: 0-2

[FlipTSO]

ppl really underrating Drummond's skill level offensively. He's no Ben Wallace on offense like ppl are making him out to be. I agree he was no refined skillset and/or go to moves at this point, but he is very talented with the ball in his hands. He just needs to develop that talent into a skillset. But the talent is there on offense. Whereas with Jordan there was never really anything there to develop offensively.

I agree Drummond is basically Jordan right now in terms of lack of refined skillset, but there's so much more talent hidden underneath that is inevitably going to come out over time and flourish into something far far greater, imo.

You can't watch these vids and tell me he has no skill offensively. I don't care if its against high schoolers or an empty gym. You could put 5 mannequins on the court in a skills competition and those passes he was making would be extremely difficult to make. Watch the 2nd vid @ 1:32, behind the back pass between 3 defenders. Some bigs just aren't coordinated with the ball in their hands and even in an empty gym can't shoot, pass, or handle the ball. Thats not the case with Drummond at all. He's got all-star talent hiding there offensively, imo. I don't get at all when ppl say he's just a big body who can dunk.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPiGu8pWwLA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXB6vc5Z_A4[/youtube]

[dballislife]

beal looked really good tonite

[ChildishGambino]

Austin Rivers just went 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 0 turnovers in three quarters, and that's not decent?

I would also argue that many of your decents were far more than decent.

Austin Rivers currently at 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steal, 1 block shot and 2 turnovers

FG: 1-7
3PT: 0-2

hopefully he'll shape up....that's what preseason is for

[GhostsOfGil]

Drowning in a sea of turds, Beal emerged as one of the few bright spots for us Wizards fans. He looked great tonight. Finished with 15 points 5 rebounds 5 assists, going 4-9 from the floor.

[SCourGe OF GoD]

Austin Rivers just went 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 0 turnovers in three quarters, and that's not decent?

I would also argue that many of your decents were far more than decent.

Austin Rivers currently at 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steal, 1 block shot and 2 turnovers

FG: 1-7
3PT: 0-2

hopefully he'll shape up....that's what preseason is for

Yeah 1-8 in 34min ...bad pick....Lamb looks like the better prospect already

[ManualRam]

brian roberts right now is a better player than austin rivers

[Shem]

Meanwhile, Drummond only averaged 2.7 blocks-per-game... Not exactly impressive numbers for college considering the position he plays.

Almost 3 blocks a game in college isn't impressive? Sure, it isn't Ant Davis numbers but still...

I know stirred up a hornets nest and we'll have to agree to disagree with the rest of you, but I realized I needed to word that better. I was comparing 2.7 blocks-per-game in college versus 2.0 blocks-per-game in the pros. I realized later that I didn't explain it that way when that was going through my head when I was making comparisons.

Drummond does have more potential offensively than Jordan, but I don't see anything that makes me believe he'll be an elite center like many have hoped. There is a reason why he fell all the way to 9th, even though he was projected to be a much higher pick. I did a lot more research on potential draft picks than I have in years considering it was the first time in a while the Blazers had such a high pick and Drummond was too much of a risk IMO at the 6th slot, but if he had been on board at the 11th, I would welcomed the selection at that point.

[TheBigThree]

Beal is fantastic. 19 years old and already looks like a 5 year vet. Very composed.

If Wall gets healthy that backcourt should be solidified.

[Rockmaninoff]

brian roberts right now is a better player than austin rivers

If they are trying to win games this year, while developing Rivers the right way, Roberts should be the starter at point guard. Roberts is just the better player all around. Tougher, smarter, more experienced. They need to make Rivers earn something for once in his life.

[Muggsy Bogues]

The Warriors had a couple of rooks do well tonight in the victory over Maccabi Haifa: Barnes had 20 points and 4 boards, and Ezeli scored 15 to go with 8 boards and a couple of blocks.

[Rockmaninoff]

Beal is fantastic. 19 years old and already looks like a 5 year vet. Very composed.

If Wall gets healthy that backcourt should be solidified.

I like to call him The Real Beal.

It's going to be a fun season for the rookie watch.

[ManualRam]

brian roberts right now is a better player than austin rivers

If they are trying to win games this year, while developing Rivers the right way, Roberts should be the starter at point guard. Roberts is just the better player all around. Tougher, smarter, more experienced. They need to make Rivers earn something for once in his life.

well put, especially the part about rivers earning something. it's not just about trying to win games, it's about looking like a competent basketball team. If they want some semblance of stability and organization so that guys like anthony davis can learn to play the pro game, then they'd start brian roberts.

[Blkbrd671]

The Warriors had a couple of rooks do well tonight in the victory over Maccabi Haifa: Barnes had 20 points and 4 boards, and Ezeli scored 15 to go with 8 boards and a couple of blocks.

i was intially impressed with Barnes's numbers and then i saw that even Ezeli had good numbers.

[darbstar]

I know it's very early, but gee the cavs must kicking themselves passing up Barnes right now! I think if he was on the cavs he would have averaged 18- 21ppg on the warriors he will ave 10-14 ppt because they have so much scoring options