Glen Rice Jr.

[doclinkin]

Nice feature here:

http://www.krgv.com/news/glen-rice-jr-d ... or-vipers/

[tontoz]

Ford wrote this about Rice on May 28,

May 28 Update: Rice came into the combine facing pretty high expectations, and the general consensus was that he struggled to meet them in Chicago. His shot wasn't falling, and he didn't really stand out in any of the drills or interviews. He's still a likely mid-to-late first-round pick.

[AFM]

Anyone know what EFTC stands for?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLK4t9Q_sxk[/youtube]

Does this help define EFTC?

[fishercob]

Wolters' body of work after 4 years is tremendous. I think he's as good coming into the pros as Nash or Calderon. Everything I see about his stats says that he's going to be a great PG in the NBA.

I am not trying to convince or persuade, but to my way of thinking the notion of upside shouldn't be restricted to the athleticism a certain player possesses. If a player has a very tight handle, they don't turn the ball over, they score at an elite level, and they also fill a need that player has huge upside.

Without Wall the Wizards suffer. They need a backup PG who can make plays.

They blew an opportunity to get a guy with top-20 or higher talent, but other teams passed on him, too.

...

What I want to leave off saying is this: I like to evaluate talent and play GM. I have been doing this a long time and so have you. I respect your opinions and I don't get personal over any of your ideas.

The reason I got upset is the Wizards passed on a player I think was just right for them. They took on a guy who doesn't fit the direction they say they want to go. That he's just a round two pick belies the fact that Arenas and Boozer and may other great players went in round two.

Wolters is going to be a very good player.

And that's all fair. I liked Wolters too, GRjr was off my radar screen since I tend to scout NCAA stats and there's no track record of DLeague grads other than call-ups. Plus the game is smaller at the lower level.

Fun thing is with Jrue gone from Philly, we'll get a chance to see relatively quickly if Nate is a big gauge player, he'll have opportunity to contest with MCW for that PG spot.

Didn't Wolters end up in Milwaukee?

[doclinkin]

Reading more, hell I'm getting more excited for this kid than I am for Otto Porter

"It was frustrating in the beginning," Rice Jr. said. "Any basketball player, no matter how good, wants to be on the floor. Not getting a chance to play was really frustrating, but it's also humbling, and it makes you look back on things you've done in your life. For me, it helped me mature, and it made me mentally strong."

"Iman Shumpert [a former Georgia Tech teammate of Rice's now with the Knicks] called me the other night," Hewitt said. "He said he was talking to Glen, and Glen told him he'd finally figured out just to keep his mouth shut and play. Iman said, 'Why couldn't you have figured that out in college?' "

For Rice, it's a case of better late than never.

"Everybody makes mistakes," Rice said. "I made mine. The most important thing was to own it, accept it, and try to learn from it. Which I have. I'm ready to move forward. Whoever said, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' knew what they were talking about. I feel like that's what's happened to me."

"My son took a hard road," Rice Sr. said. "But going into the D-League, it was my hope and belief he was going to show everybody who the real Glen Rice Jr. was. That he was no longer the immature guy who had made bad decisions.

"The D League is not easy. I'd had conversations with Glen and had seen him sitting on the bench. As a former player, I question whether I could have done that. But Glen did it, and now he's got a chance to live up to everything I'd hoped for him. I couldn't be prouder of my son."

Story .

As a dad with two grown sons about that same age I'm a sucker for a redemption song. My one son was running all kinds of dangerous games for a couple years when he finally decided to follow his heart and become a Buddhist monk. I'm in GRjr's corner, Rooting for the young man, he's in the family now. Say nothing bad about him.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yeah you don't want to take a risk with bad character guys. They could turn out to be locker room cancers, get suspended repeatedly, and maybe even try to start a fight with an announcer. Right CCJ?

You got me, there.

I think the gun part is what worries me about Rice. I believe the timing of things like Hernandez being in court, Crittenton being out and partying in LA with Nick and others, Gil getting arrested; all that made me think about what I don't like to see rewarded. I loved the heck out of Gil the basketball player, and I minimized the gun incident while he was a Wizard. I was made at EG for getting rid of him.

Now, having watched the Spurs almost win the title, and having seen the greatest sportsmanship on a losing Wizards team; I want the squeaky clean prospects.

But, yeah, tontoz, you got me with Boogie. Challenging announcers and coaches is crossing the line. i don't think of him as a gang banger/thug. I see him as a hothead. Still, he's not squeaky clean and by my standard today is a pain.

The thing about Cousins is he's played three seasons and never with a veteran more solid than Dalembert or Chuck Hayes. I figure he would be okay with Wall, Nene, and/or Okafor around him. Beal, Porter, and the rest command respect just by the way they carry themselves.

I dunno ...

Perhaps if they kept one less squeaky clean guy in Stephen Jackson, they could have won the title especially when Green disappeared in game 6 and 7. Although you could also just say could kept Duncan in the final plays of game 6.

This why this is so tough. I like Captain Jack, and he's admittedly gang-affiliated. SA surely missed him.

I guess this rant has to do with trust. I have had someone willing to do anything to have my back. (Yeah, DCZ, I have not been squeaky clean to where I haven't had enemies.)

Certain guys tend to know how to handle themselves. Charles Oakley strikes me as OG as OG gets. But he didn't get caught doing anything dumb. This discussion has caused me to examine my standards.

If a guy is smart enough to stay out of trouble, then I trust him to a point, even if I suspect he is a gangster. But if I were selecting a player I would try to avoid drafting a player with recent criminal red flags. In the case of a player already in the league, I would try and calculate risk management and I would do due diligence on that player. At the very least, if I were drafting I would establish a protocol based on my team's core values and I would not compromise.

Guys who hang with foolish folks and who are not real discrete about what they do are who I would avoid. If you can tell me more about Cousins instead of after games and how he responds to losing, then I might change my mind on wanting him. Petulance is one thing. Sociopathic, criminal behavior is another.

[DCZards]

Thanks for posting, doc. After watching the videos I feel real good about Rice's ability on the court. And if the things he says about maturing and learning some lessons are true, I feel just as good about his future off the court.

[Ruzious]

Wolters' body of work after 4 years is tremendous. I think he's as good coming into the pros as Nash or Calderon. Everything I see about his stats says that he's going to be a great PG in the NBA.

I am not trying to convince or persuade, but to my way of thinking the notion of upside shouldn't be restricted to the athleticism a certain player possesses. If a player has a very tight handle, they don't turn the ball over, they score at an elite level, and they also fill a need that player has huge upside.

Without Wall the Wizards suffer. They need a backup PG who can make plays.

They blew an opportunity to get a guy with top-20 or higher talent, but other teams passed on him, too.

...

What I want to leave off saying is this: I like to evaluate talent and play GM. I have been doing this a long time and so have you. I respect your opinions and I don't get personal over any of your ideas.

The reason I got upset is the Wizards passed on a player I think was just right for them. They took on a guy who doesn't fit the direction they say they want to go. That he's just a round two pick belies the fact that Arenas and Boozer and may other great players went in round two.

Wolters is going to be a very good player.

And that's all fair. I liked Wolters too, GRjr was off my radar screen since I tend to scout NCAA stats and there's no track record of DLeague grads other than call-ups. Plus the game is smaller at the lower level.

Fun thing is with Jrue gone from Philly, we'll get a chance to see relatively quickly if Nate is a big gauge player, he'll have opportunity to contest with MCW for that PG spot.

Didn't Wolters end up in Milwaukee?

Yes, and if he has a good training camp, he could get a lotto playing time. Milwaukee needs guards badly.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Wolters' body of work after 4 years is tremendous. I think he's as good coming into the pros as Nash or Calderon. Everything I see about his stats says that he's going to be a great PG in the NBA.

I am not trying to convince or persuade, but to my way of thinking the notion of upside shouldn't be restricted to the athleticism a certain player possesses. If a player has a very tight handle, they don't turn the ball over, they score at an elite level, and they also fill a need that player has huge upside.

Without Wall the Wizards suffer. They need a backup PG who can make plays.

They blew an opportunity to get a guy with top-20 or higher talent, but other teams passed on him, too.

...

What I want to leave off saying is this: I like to evaluate talent and play GM. I have been doing this a long time and so have you. I respect your opinions and I don't get personal over any of your ideas.

The reason I got upset is the Wizards passed on a player I think was just right for them. They took on a guy who doesn't fit the direction they say they want to go. That he's just a round two pick belies the fact that Arenas and Boozer and may other great players went in round two.

Wolters is going to be a very good player.

And that's all fair. I liked Wolters too, GRjr was off my radar screen since I tend to scout NCAA stats and there's no track record of DLeague grads other than call-ups. Plus the game is smaller at the lower level.

Fun thing is with Jrue gone from Philly, we'll get a chance to see relatively quickly if Nate is a big gauge player, he'll have opportunity to contest with MCW for that PG spot.

Didn't Wolters end up in Milwaukee?

Yes, Philly drafted Carter-Willams with to be their PG of the future. They traded Wolters to Milwaukee.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Didn't Wolters end up in Milwaukee?

Yes, and if he has a good training camp, he could get a lotto playing time. Milwaukee needs guards badly.

He is really going to the right spot, because Monte Ellis opted out. Larry Drew is the new coach and is a former pass-first PG. Wolters is really happy to be there, and thought is a was a great fit when he worked out for the Bucks.

http://www.argusleader.com/article/2013 ... -Milwaukee

Ridnour having a decent run as a Buck might help him become a crowd favorite.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I feel a lot better about Rice Jr. with Ariza back.

[doclinkin]

Dynamic and fun highlights from GTech:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1011t ... c4JLL9cR_w

[DCZards]

I noticed Rice had his father's old number on at Ga. Tech--41. But he wore 24 in the NBDL. I wonder what # he'll wear with the Zards.

[No-Man]

So... Ariza, Singleton, Porter, Webster, Porter, Rice, even Vesely...

Too many SFs man, even if Vesely will be a full time PF.

I guess Webster would fly

I'd love Noel for the Wizards... ****

Wall
Beal-Rice
Webster-Ariza-Singleton
Nenê-Booker-Vesely
Okafor-Noel-Séraphin

That's solid, you sign a vet PG, and you're settled.

Singleton+Vesely can fill Ariza shoes when he walks next season, same with Noel if Okafor doesnt re-sign cheaper.

I don't get the point.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

You got me, there.

I think the gun part is what worries me about Rice. I believe the timing of things like Hernandez being in court, Crittenton being out and partying in LA with Nick and others, Gil getting arrested; all that made me think about what I don't like to see rewarded. I loved the heck out of Gil the basketball player, and I minimized the gun incident while he was a Wizard. I was made at EG for getting rid of him.

Now, having watched the Spurs almost win the title, and having seen the greatest sportsmanship on a losing Wizards team; I want the squeaky clean prospects.

But, yeah, tontoz, you got me with Boogie. Challenging announcers and coaches is crossing the line. i don't think of him as a gang banger/thug. I see him as a hothead. Still, he's not squeaky clean and by my standard today is a pain.

The thing about Cousins is he's played three seasons and never with a veteran more solid than Dalembert or Chuck Hayes. I figure he would be okay with Wall, Nene, and/or Okafor around him. Beal, Porter, and the rest command respect just by the way they carry themselves.

I dunno ...

Perhaps if they kept one less squeaky clean guy in Stephen Jackson, they could have won the title especially when Green disappeared in game 6 and 7. Although you could also just say could kept Duncan in the final plays of game 6.

This why this is so tough. I like Captain Jack, and he's admittedly gang-affiliated. SA surely missed him.

I guess this rant has to do with trust. I have had someone willing to do anything to have my back. (Yeah, DCZ, I have not been squeaky clean to where I haven't had enemies.)

Certain guys tend to know how to handle themselves. Charles Oakley strikes me as OG as OG gets. But he didn't get caught doing anything dumb. This discussion has caused me to examine my standards.

If a guy is smart enough to stay out of trouble, then I trust him to a point, even if I suspect he is a gangster. But if I were selecting a player I would try to avoid drafting a player with recent criminal red flags. In the case of a player already in the league, I would try and calculate risk management and I would do due diligence on that player. At the very least, if I were drafting I would establish a protocol based on my team's core values and I would not compromise.

Guys who hang with foolish folks and who are not real discrete about what they do are who I would avoid. If you can tell me more about Cousins instead of after games and how he responds to losing, then I might change my mind on wanting him. Petulance is one thing. Sociopathic, criminal behavior is another.

Watching clips of Rice and trying to come up with comparisons... the one that came to me 1st was Jim Jackson.


But I'm sorry. The pick just rubs me the wrong way. I was just watching this draft review show on NBATV and Aldridge is talking about the Wizards changing their culture and perception getting rid of knuckleheads and adding a quality character Otto Porter.

But then they picked this guy?? I mean seriously WTF?? I don't care how talented he is... I thought the whole idea of this model their using was character and a hard working mentality were the highest priority, in conjunction with talent. I mean what a mixed message the pick sends. Does character really matter?? Doesn't seem to.

For example... a guy who would of been an ideal pick, who I hadn't brought up because I was thinking he was taken before 38, but he actually went at 36 where he was an option at the pick we traded up for at 35.

Ray McCallum

Son of a coach, high IQ fundamentally sound and poised player who would fill a need at backup pg. Again, I can rattle off a list of players I would of preferred to Rice... Murphy, Green, Iverson, Muscala, Wolters, Kelly, Withey.

Rice may very well turn out to be a great pick. But the clips I've been watching of him in Dleague... very little D is being played, guys seem to be basically moving out of his way. The intensity level is no where near top NCAA level IMO.

But McCallum would of been ideal. The type of kid you want to add to your team as a 2nd rounder. He sacrificed going to a higher profile program to play for his dad, untapped potential, former McDonalds All-American, will come in and earn his spot with hard work, will represent your team with class on and off the court, and fills a position of need. He would of been my pick.

[doclinkin]

Starved for basketball anyway, I may as well watch the whole DLeague finals series:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFp5_ftaNfs[/youtube]

14:10 begins a sequence showing both the bad then good. He tries a flashy pass too low, but then comes back for 2 back to back alley oops beginning 14:30 or so.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyKBI5ZntRk[/youtube]

[DCZards]

The whole NBDL series??!! You're going buck wild over Rice, doc. I love it. GRJ still has a lot to prove but it is exciting when several NBA writers--as well as dat--say he could be "the steal of the draft."

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Super, I know rocky thinks it dilutes my argument for liking several picks, but McCallum is yet another, ROCK SOLID pick.

--He won a state championship at Detroit Country Day School, the same school that produced Chris Webber and Shane Battier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Country_Day_School (Guess who else attended--Javale McGee and actor Robin Williams)

--He was a McDonald's AA, Super, you're right.

--He played for his dad, the coach of UD Mercy.

--And, he's ATHLETIC as well as a good PG skill-wise.

In this draft I feel Trey Burke will not end up being the best PG. Before Wall was drafted I did say he would struggle against other PGs in the NBA. Burke's a good shooter and floor general but he's going to get beat up in the NBA. His speed game won't be as effective. He's NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD as Chris Paul. Yes, he'll be successful but I think he's going to struggle and never will be even as good as Kyrie Irving. I can't say who but just going by the number of PGs in this class, I strongly feel another will be better than Burke.

McCallum seems like a very strong candidate to enter that discussion of who could be better than Burke. Wolters is, obviously as well. McCallum would have fit the image and filled a need. Those who say they prefer athleticism could not have complained if McCallum was picked and not Wolters.

This draft really reminds me of the 2009 draft. A lot of the guys drafted in the 30s-50s (maybe 6 or 7 players) are going to be better than guys drafted lottery to 20s. There will also be at least a couple un drafted players who end up starting within their first 3 years in the league.

[doclinkin]

Watching the DLeague game another of the former undrafted favorites shows up as a possible compensation for Nate Wolters. Brazilian Scott Machado is playing pretty well. Had a couple nice sequences.

[payitforward]

Wolters' body of work after 4 years is tremendous. I think he's as good coming into the pros as Nash or Calderon. Everything I see about his stats says that he's going to be a great PG in the NBA.

I am not trying to convince or persuade, but to my way of thinking the notion of upside shouldn't be restricted to the athleticism a certain player possesses. If a player has a very tight handle, they don't turn the ball over, they score at an elite level, and they also fill a need that player has huge upside.

Without Wall the Wizards suffer. They need a backup PG who can make plays.

They blew an opportunity to get a guy with top-20 or higher talent, but other teams passed on him, too.

By attacking Glen Rice III, a lot of people are turning on and off on me. FINE. None of you really help me raise my kids as a single dad or pay any of my bills. You don't have to like me. I do nothing for you, either.

What I want to leave off saying is this: I like to evaluate talent and play GM. I have been doing this a long time and so have you. I respect your opinions and I don't get personal over any of your ideas.

The reason I got upset is the Wizards passed on a player I think was just right for them. They took on a guy who doesn't fit the direction they say they want to go. That he's just a round two pick belies the fact that Arenas and Boozer and many other great players went in round two.

Wolters is going to be a very good player.

I agree, and as I've already written more than once, I would have picked Wolters over Rice.

When I sign on this board, there are 3-4 people who I always hope will have new posts for me to read. You are one of them. And it's because, yes, you *do* get personal -- this is a passion for you. Do you go overboard on some guys? Sure -- but almost always it's in the *positive* direction! You show tremendous enthusiasm, especially for underdogs (e.g. Josh A.).

I guess it's inevitable that there be a shadow side to that too -- going overboard in the negative direction from time to time.* My only grief on the topic of Rice is the extremes to which you've gone in your descriptions of this kid. You seem to have decided to back off of that stuff, and I'm glad.


* I do too -- for example, it's not possible for Ernie to be as much of an idiot as I think he is. Or... maybe it is, and he is????