Z-Rex: The Cody Zeller Thread

thruthefire · Post #841 » by **thruthefire** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:28 pm

I'm sure he'll be at least a decent starter like Jason Thompson, but I think his upside is extremely limited.

catch20two · Post #842 » by **catch20two** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:48 pm

The bright side of us drafting Zeller instead of McLemore is that we didn't have to bring back Mullens. I'm happier with Hendo/Zeller than I would've been with Mullens/McLemore. I couldn't take seeing Mullens in our frontcourt. I can somewhat stand watching Hendo imitate Kobe even though it pisses me off too but at least he's less irritating. I just have to hope McLemore never turn into a all-star to make me feel better about this pick.

Let it be known that I wanted Noel. You guys can clown me about it if he doesn't look like a better player than Zeller next year.

KingExecutive · Post #843 » by **KingExecutive** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:13 pm

catch20two wrote:The bright side of us drafting Zeller instead of McLemore is that we didn't have to bring back Mullens. I'm happier with Hendo/Zeller than I would've been with Mullens/McLemore. I couldn't take seeing Mullens in our frontcourt. I can somewhat stand watching Hendo imitate Kobe even though it pisses me off too but at least he's less irritating. I just have to hope McLemore never turn into a all-star to make me feel better about this pick.

It's hard to disagree with you, but it's also hard to disagree with McLemore's role if the Bobcats drafted him. I feel like he would "fit" this team much smoother than he does with the Kings. One glaring flaw as a team is 3pt shooting, and McLemore helps that issue much more than Zeller does.

I wanted McLemore with the 4th pick because I felt team scoring was more of a flaw than the deficiency at PF. I still have full faith that Zeller will justify the pick of him at 4 though.

lmcguir5 · Post #844 » by **lmcguir5** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:40 pm

I've said this before and I will say it again. People have too high of expectations of rookies. Are we forgetting that they are still in the learning/transition process? MCW and others have made us believe that all rookies should come into the league putting up 15/8 every game. I have no doubt that Zeller will become a good player in the league. He just needs time to get better and physically bigger.

For a big man, Zeller has a pretty shot. I agree, his percentages need to start moving north but the mechanics are there which is a good sign. Another positive is that when he gets minutes, he is hitting the glass well. A quick way to win my heart as a player is to crash the boards, which is probably why I have a soft spot for Biz. It's a grown man's statistic and I feel like it is very indicative of effort. (A good reason why Bargs doesn't show up in the reb column in the box.)

I'm happy with the pick, but I will admit that I was livid on draft night as I wanted McLemore for our team. In retrospect though, I feel like Zeller has the best chance to live up to his full potential while I feel McLemore is always going to have people wanting more from him. And to quell your fears, catch20two, the Kings franchise is where talent goes stagnant. I don't feel like many players go into Sacramento and get better.

mrknowitall215 · Post #845 » by **mrknowitall215** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:09 pm

I'm just a little disappointed that Cody Zeller doesn't appear to easily be able to score in double figures. I knew he would struggle a bit defensively since he wasn't a shot blocker and I knew he would get a few of his shots blocked at the rim because of his short arms, but I didn't expect him to look so un-NBA-ready. When he was drafted, I thought that he'd be able to sleepwalk into about 10 points in 20-25 minutes of action, but maybe like 'Imcguir5' stated, I "have too high of expectations of rookies", especially ones drafted in the top 5

Post #846 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:42 pm

mrknowitall215 wrote:I'm just a little disappointed that Cody Zeller doesn't appear to easily be able to score in double figures. I knew he would struggle a bit defensively since he wasn't a shot blocker and I knew he would get a few of his shots blocked at the rim because of his short arms, but I didn't expect him to look so un-NBA-ready. When he was drafted, I thought that he'd be able to sleepwalk into about 10 points in 20-25 minutes of action, but maybe like 'Imcguir5' stated, I "have too high of expectations of rookies", especially ones drafted in the top 5

There are only two rookies this season so far that are averaging 10 points or more per game.

There are only five averaging 20 mins or more per game.

Of the top 10 drafted players, only 1 is averaging both (Oladipo).

So, ya, maybe you need to temper your expectations a little.

mrknowitall215 · Post #847 » by **mrknowitall215** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:56 pm

BigSlam wrote:
mrknowitall215 wrote:I'm just a little disappointed that Cody Zeller doesn't appear to easily be able to score in double figures. I knew he would struggle a bit defensively since he wasn't a shot blocker and I knew he would get a few of his shots blocked at the rim because of his short arms, but I didn't expect him to look so un-NBA-ready. When he was drafted, I thought that he'd be able to sleepwalk into about 10 points in 20-25 minutes of action, but maybe like 'Imcguir5' stated, I "have too high of expectations of rookies", especially ones drafted in the top 5

There are only two rookies this season so far that are averaging 10 points or more per game.

There are only five averaging 20 mins or more per game.

Of the top 10 drafted players, only 1 is averaging both (Oladipo).

So, ya, maybe you need to temper your expectations a little.

Nowhere in my post did I say average 10 points, just score in double figures in single individual games periodically. I know it's still rather early though. As offensively challenged as MKG was entering the NBA, I knew he would and expected him to be able to score in double figures in most cases, in which he did. What I'm saying is that I thought Zeller was more NBA ready and a better scorer than he's shown

Eoghan · Post #848 » by **Eoghan** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 1:20 am

I hate his guts and hope he dies in a fiery mishap!

Not really, this is pretty much what I expected.

MKGsMotor · Post #849 » by **MKGsMotor** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:19 pm

I have a feeling the past draft is going to go down as one of the historically bad ones in ten years time, but hopefully we drafted one of the good players out of it

Snidely FC · Post #850 » by **Snidely FC** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:23 pm

To me his problems look like they stem from being tentative. His shot keeps hitting the front rim, but it will start to fall. He's playing a role he did not in college. When he's played long stretches his athleticism has shown through and his contributions ramped up. How can you go wrong with an athletic 7 footer who's only 21? I'm really excited about his future here.

ps the team seems to be drafting nice guys who may be too unselfish or lack aggression, want to fit in, & have high character. these guys may take longer to acclimate but sure are likable, easy to root for, and in the long run have a stick-to-it-tiveness that wins games.

pps last yr playing for IND Miles Plumlee appeared in 14 games, shot 23%, averaged 3.9 mins, 1.6 rebounds and .9 pts/game. He's 25.

LamarMatic7 · Post #851 » by **LamarMatic7** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:38 pm

MKGsMotor wrote:I have a feeling the past draft is going to go down as one of the historically bad ones in ten years time, but hopefully we drafted one of the good players out of it

The stats BigSlam brought up about averaging 10 points or 20mins say a lot.

KembaWalker · Post #852 » by **KembaWalker** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:50 pm

I can't really say much since I wanted Bennett

Zellers post game has not translated at all and his shot is not good.

McLemore would have been a much better fit though. I like Taylor but he isn't long enough to play SF and his jumpshot motion is painfully slow. He has to be so wide open to get a shot off without contesting

Post #853 » by **JDR720** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:53 pm

I think he'll be fine, probably start next season assuming we dont draft Randle,he is the only draftee that can take Codys job, McBob will go to the bench

Snidely FC · Post #854 » by **Snidely FC** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:55 pm

1. Anthony Bennett - looks like his shape and asthma might ruin him.
2. Victor Olidipo - he's awesome, but was off the board.
3. Otto Porter - is it his hip or is he just a bust?
4. Cody Zeller - healthy and contributing
5. Alex Len - stress fractures keeping him off the court, that's scary in a big.
6. Nerlens Noel -could CHA afford to take someone who wouldn't play for a season due to injury? My concerns were longer term: his legs are so spindly I don't see how he survives the rigors of NBA season without repeat injury, Great when he plays, but . . . Think Marcus Camby.
7. Ben McLemore -it wasnt jut us, something was going on, if it was his entourage or agent. I don't know, then, did you see him in summer league? it looks like he's going to be good, but there were red flags.
8. Kantaimatus Cadwell Poop - did they really draft him 8?
9.Trey Burke - yet to play due to injury, Kemba's better.
10. CJ McCollum - not just injured, refractured same foot he broke last year. we'd all be sweating bullets over that.
11. & 12. MCW & Steven Adams - its possible these are the two best guys to come out of this draft, but who knew? Did anybody want them at 4?

KembaWalker · Post #855 » by **KembaWalker** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:57 pm

JDR720 wrote:I think he'll be fine, probably start next season assuming we dont draft Randle,he is the only draftee that can take Codys job, McBob will go to the bench

what has Cody done to make you think he deserves McBobs job? Unfortunately McRoberts has been one of our best players. Cody has been one of our worst

Post #856 » by **JDR720** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:59 pm

Cody's stats

#11 in scoring
#8 in rebounding
#6 in steals
#13 in blocks
#9 in minutes (17)

and this is with a completely different role than he played in college

Post #857 » by **JDR720** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:00 pm

KembaWalker wrote:
JDR720 wrote:I think he'll be fine, probably start next season assuming we dont draft Randle,he is the only draftee that can take Codys job, McBob will go to the bench

what has Cody done to make you think he deserves McBobs job? Unfortunately McRoberts has been one of our best players. Cody has been one of our worst

next season not this season, and McBob might not even stay he has a player option

and Cody's per36mins stats are better besides assists and 1 less point, more rebounds steals and blocks and Cody is even shooting a higher %

mrknowitall215 · Post #858 » by **mrknowitall215** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:14 pm

Snidely FC wrote:1. Anthony Bennett - looks like his shape and asthma might ruin him.
2. Victor Olidipo - he's awesome, but was off the board.
3. Otto Porter - is it his hip or is he just a bust?
4. Cody Zeller - healthy and contributing
5. Alex Len - stress fractures keeping him off the court, that's scary in a big.
6. Nerlens Noel -could CHA afford to take someone who wouldn't play for a season due to injury? My concerns were longer term: his legs are so spindly I don't see how he survives the rigors of NBA season without repeat injury, Think Marcus Camby.
7. Ben McLemore -it wasnt jut us, something was going on, if it was his entourage or agent. I don't know, then, did you see him in summer league? it looks like he's going to be good, but there were red flags.
8. Kantaimatus Cadwell Poop - did they really draft him 8?
9.Trey Burke - yet to play due to injury, Kemba's better.
10. CJ McCollum - not just injured, refractured same foot he broke last year. we'd all be sweating bullets over that.
11. & 12. MCW & Steven Adams - its possible these are the two best guys to come out of this draft, but who knew? Did anybody want them at 4?

The consensus on the board was if Nerlens Noel, Anthony Bennett, Victor Oladipo, nor Ben McLemore (in that order) weren't available that the Bobcats should trade down for the opportunity to get multiple assets, including a big & a wing shooter

I still think a trade with Minnesota for a combination of Kelly Olynyk or Steven Adams at 9th overall, a shooter like Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, or Glen Rice Jr. at 26th overall, and Derrick Williams would've been better than drafting Cody Zeller at #4

amcoolio · Post #859 » by **amcoolio** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:39 pm

Despite being tentative Cody would easily average double digits in points if he played around 25 MPG. I would also take him over McLemore and Adams at this given point in time...not sure about Noel...but then again the Suns passed on Noel so that eased my concern a lot more

amcoolio · Post #860 » by **amcoolio** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:39 pm

mrknowitall215 wrote:I still think a trade with Minnesota for a combination of Kelly Olynyk or Steven Adams at 9th overall, a shooter like Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, or Glen Rice Jr. at 26th overall, and Derrick Williams would've been better than drafting Cody Zeller at #4

I seriously doubt Minny would have done that trade