All-Premature Reactions Thread

[Golabki]

I think the Randle hype train is leaving the station prematurely.

Using him as a switchy center is a good move by Walton and unlocks Randle's game as a mini-Draymond Green. But if Green was a medicore defender who couldn't really shoot... he wouldn't be all that good.

If Randle continues to improve his shooting and D I think he can be a good starter, but not a star. If he doesn't take those big steps forward he can still be a viable rotation player, but not a core starter on a good team.

We aren't saying Julius is going to be a super star.

But it's special to average a double-double. Only 8 other players did it last season. And not all those other guys can dribble, pass, and run the break.

And at age 21 he has already had some triple doubles. That's pretty cool. Luke said he sees 3 players in Randle. He said they are Green, Odom (never was an all-star) and Randolph. I think Randle is already a good starter. And he is getting better.

Yeah - right now I don't think he's good starter now. I think hes a viable rotation player though... Which is a lot more than I would have said last year

[LakersLegacy]

I think the Randle hype train is leaving the station prematurely.

Using him as a switchy center is a good move by Walton and unlocks Randle's game as a mini-Draymond Green. But if Green was a medicore defender who couldn't really shoot... he wouldn't be all that good.

If Randle continues to improve his shooting and D I think he can be a good starter, but not a star. If he doesn't take those big steps forward he can still be a viable rotation player, but not a core starter on a good team.

We aren't saying Julius is going to be a super star.

But it's special to average a double-double. Only 8 other players did it last season. And not all those other guys can dribble, pass, and run the break.

And at age 21 he has already had some triple doubles. That's pretty cool. Luke said he sees 3 players in Randle. He said they are Green, Odom (never was an all-star) and Randolph. I think Randle is already a good starter. And he is getting better.

Yeah - right now I don't think he's good starter now. I think hes a viable rotation player though... Which is a lot more than I would have said last year

Keep watching him. You will come around There is a lot to like. Young guys have inconsistent games. Maybe you saw some bad ones. Last year was his real rookie season. This year he's been pretty consistent and it's sophomore season. He has had some really great games. The triple double, he killed the Warriors, when he didn't back down and got under the skin and was jawwing at all stars. He is asking for the tough match ups and really believes he can beat the competition. His demeanor is unique in the sense he has a chip on his shoulder and believes he can beat anyone.

Draymond said that Randle could become better than him. Big compliment.

[LakersLegacy]

I'm sure he's better on the defensive end, but I think Walton's scheme is helping him a TON on that end.

Isnt that what a coach is supposed to do though?

How many players have been brought to life by the San Antonio system but nowhere else? (Belinelli, Danny Green, off the top of the head)

I've got no problem Walton.

I've got a problem with people anointing Randle the second coming of Karl Malone after a couple weeks of unsustainablely high FG% at the rim.

Randle isn't anything like Karl Malone except he is a bully on the glass and really strong. Malone's style of play was very different.

[tsherkin]

Randle isn't anything like Karl Malone except he is a bully on the glass and really strong. Malone's style of play was very different.

That said, Golabki has a point about the FG%. There are two spots on the floor where he isn't going to keep shooting the way he has so far, and that will change things a little on the balance of the season. He's looking interesting, but in the next 10 or 15 games, he's going to settle down some.

[NYKHardKnock]

Kristaps is already a superstar so idk if that premature

[2011Champs]

Dallas will have the worst record in the NBA this season

[tsherkin]

Kristaps is already a superstar so idk if that premature

Kristaps being a superstar definitely belongs in this thread.

[zimpy27]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-chris-paul-lasik-20161116-story.html

Lasik is often referred to as “laser-eye surgery” and provides an alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses. Paul, who wears glasses off the court, never wore contacts during games. His family told him he would squint while playing, especially when looking at Clippers Coach Doc Rivers for play calls, but Paul shrugged it off. He avoided doctors’ diagnoses by gaming their evaluation system.

Currently has the highest PER in the league at 33.6 and a WS/48 of 0.425. Current all time records for both in a single season are held by Wilt with a PER of 31.82 and Kareem with a WS/48 of 0.340. Surely he can't keep either up for the whole season but both numbers are so far above these previous record it will be interesting to see if he gets one of them.

Paul has been playing superstar level without proper vision for years. It's mind-blowing to think how much LASIK surgery may have helped him create the insane efficiency numbers he has right now. He's never been above 0.600 TS% and now he's running at 0.653 TS%. Interested to see how sustainable these numbers are.

Making this thread to give credit to Chris Paul and wonder how good he might have been with better vision all these years.

[Hindenburg]

His low turnover rate is really impressive

8.5 assists on 1.7 turnovers per game. Westbrook and Harden shoud take notes

One thing I don't understand is why he doesn't score more? He's a really good shooter but always seems to stay under 20 ppg

[HotRocks34]

Here are his stats in the last 7 games

27/05/1 =====> Nov 4th at Bulls
28/08/1
21/08/1
14/06/1
21/04/2
24/11/1
35/07/3 =====> tonight vs Pistons

Is this the season that the 21-year-old makes the full "jump?"

Only two things about Porzingis bug me

* Wish he'd rebound more
* Wish he was about a half-step quicker

That being said, he's shooting the three well and he's still a 7' 3" unicorn with amazing skill level.

I did not see the Knicks game live tonight, but I think I might go back and watch it just to see how Porzingis is developing.

Knicks fans and others -- is Porzingis ready for the next level?

[zimpy27]

His low turnover rate is really impressive

8.5 assists on 1.7 turnovers per game. Westbrook and Harden shoud take notes

One thing I don't understand is why he doesn't score more? He's a really good shooter but always seems to stay under 20 ppg

Yeah that 5:1 assist to turnover ratio is ridiculous, he usually keeps above 4:1.

Yeah I don't understand why he doesn't score more either. He should be taking at least 5 more shots a game.

[HotRocks34]

Lasik FTW.

Amazing if the eye surgery has helped him hit a new level.

[Cappy_Smurf]

Plus, he's been drinking a lot of carrot juice.

[zimpy27]

Backseat moderating

[zimpy27]

Lasik FTW.

Amazing if the eye surgery has helped him hit a new level.

It makes sense right. Just a small degree of clarity would be helpful. I wonder how many other players could benefit.

[Capn'O]

Kristaps is already a superstar so idk if that premature

Kristaps being a superstar definitely belongs in this thread.

Always the star/superstar question... depends on where you draw the line... but the kid is breaking out. The height and speed of his face-up moves are next to unguardable and he's starting to pass well out of doubles. If he's not there, he's on the cusp.

[Capn'O]

Here are his stats in the last 7 games

27/05/1 =====> Nov 4th at Bulls
28/08/1
21/08/1
14/06/1
21/04/2
24/11/1
35/07/3 =====> tonight vs Pistons

Is this the season that the 21-year-old makes the full "jump?"

Only two things about Porzingis bug me

* Wish he'd rebound more
* Wish he was about a half-step quicker

That being said, he's shooting the three well and he's still a 7' 3" unicorn with amazing skill level.

I did not see the Knicks game live tonight, but I think I might go back and watch it just to see how Porzingis is developing.

Knicks fans and others -- is Porzingis ready for the next level?

Somewhere in the late teens pages of our postgame thread is a highlights video. He was absolutely bananas. Stuff you'd be impressed with your shooting guard for doing let alone a 7'3" guy. I wouldn't be surprised if he kept this pace up from the last seven games. He's been able to score so effortlessly. He's also adjusting to using his length and footwork for positioning more on defense instead of jumping out of the gym. It set him back but he'll have more longevity for it.

[Johnny Firpo]

Kristaps deserves his own thread, he is playing at a ridiculous level offensively. He does things he should not be able to do at 7'3, and leaves opposing fans, coaches and commentators in awe. A nice human being too. If he can stay healthy, he could make the All-Star team this year. Amazing talent, and maybe one of the MIP favorites? Though I know some of you guys hate it when a sophomore wins the award.

[DaGawd]

Momentarily his Per is higher than KAT. Still early I know

[Prez]

His offensive upside is crazy high and all that, but it's his defensive potential that I find the most intriguing. He's going to be an absolute game changer on that end. I think he's going to end up better than KAT, and that's what'll separate him imho.