Wendell Carter Jr - The Block Panther Edition

[JohnnyTapwater]

Block Panther is a CLUTCH nickname...lol..I love it... I'm calling him that and Mr. Wendell ...

[_txchilibowl_]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

[madvillian]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

It's been two SL games.

[TheJordanRule]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

Look at the poll. 90 percent liked or even loved the selection. Plus he was going against Zizic who is a second or third stringer.

[thedarkstark]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

What?

Given where we selected the pick was universally liked by nearly everyone. Carter was nobodies first choice (most people wanted Doncic/Bamba) but given that they were gone Carter was easily the favorite in that spot, with a few people being still hellbent on Porter despite huge red flags, and a few people preferring Mikal Bridges.

People were mad that the Bulls didn't try harder to move up, but they weren't mad at the selection.

Lauri was a completely different scenario. Out of the blue we traded the face of the franchise for a rookie who nobody had likely done any scouting on because of our expected draft position (16), a "bust" (Dunn), and a guy coming off an ACL tear.

People were going to be mad at the trade regardless of who we drafted at 7.

[DASMACKDOWN]

I guess Max looks like a genius so far. Still a stretch but I guess he saw early what WCJ could do.

Watch on YouTube

[the ultimates]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

It's been two SL games.

It's been two summer league games but the biggest questions about Carter's quickness and shot blocking to me have been answered. A lot of people didn't like the Horford comparisons because of citing how much quicker Horford was. Right now he looks just as quick as Al did when he was in Atlanta.

Also let's remember why Carter was looked at as a level below Ayton, Bagley, JJJ and Bamba which was because of his athleticism. For me having watched all of them play multiple games in summer league I haven't seen anything that says Carter can't do this or that because he's not athletic or quick enough in comparison to the other bigs picked ahead of him.

[DASMACKDOWN]

I renamed the title till we get an official nick name.

I did the same for Lauri last year and the Finnisher stuck

[Kurt Heimlich]

The Block Panther is pretty funny/appropriate with the draft day outfit connection.

If it sticks we'll know where it came from!

[Red Larrivee]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

It's been two SL games.

I'm not sure what his stats are, nor does it really matter. In both games he's been the smartest and most skilled player on the court by a comfortable margin. Honestly, you wouldn't know he was a rookie by watching.

If anything, it's just a confirmation of what he was in college. Him and Markkanen are going to be fun to watch develop together. The best part is they fit and Carter knows where his primary impact comes from. He's talking about getting stops and taking the defensive end personally. Even in glorified pick-up basketball, he's not worried about how many shots he's taking.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[sco]

I am trying to talk myself out of excess enthusiasm for WCJ. I liked what I saw from Valentine and Douggie in SL too. This is G-League talent playing in un-practiced schemes with guys who they barely know. It will be different guarding the rim from LBJ and Giannis.

That said, I remember Taj's composure and yet get that same sense that the game isn't moving too fast for him right now either.

Time will tell, but so far so good.

Do folks think he'll really start to begin the season? There was no way Lauri was starting if not for the fight. Do we need Bobby to punch RoLo? Niko, ok, but RoLo? Seriously, I love RoLo, he makes the game so much easier for our guys. The only reason to argue to start WCJ (other than we just love the guy more) is that the FO probably wants Hutch in the rotation too, and it isn't great to have 2 rookies on the floor much together. Also, RoLo is his best in the first quarter, then he fades. I can definitely see a 24 min split.

[madvillian]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

It's been two SL games.

I'm not sure what his stats are, nor does it really matter. In both games he's been the smartest and most skilled player on the court by a comfortable margin. Honestly, you wouldn't know he was a rookie by watching.

If anything, it's just a confirmation of what he was in college. Him and Markkanen are going to be fun to watch develop together. The best part is they fit and Carter knows where his primary impact comes from. He's talking about getting stops and taking the defensive end personally. Even in glorified pick-up basketball, he's not worried about how many shots he's taking.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

[Alcatraz17]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

What?

Given where we selected the pick was universally liked by nearly everyone. Carter was nobodies first choice (most people wanted Doncic/Bamba) but given that they were gone Carter was easily the favorite in that spot, with a few people being still hellbent on Porter despite huge red flags, and a few people preferring Mikal Bridges.

People were mad that the Bulls didn't try harder to move up, but they weren't mad at the selection.

Lauri was a completely different scenario. Out of the blue we traded the face of the franchise for a rookie who nobody had likely done any scouting on because of our expected draft position (16), a "bust" (Dunn), and a guy coming off an ACL tear.

People were going to be mad at the trade regardless of who we drafted at 7.

i think you need to go revisit the beginning of this thread..

[the ultimates]

It's been two SL games.

I'm not sure what his stats are, nor does it really matter. In both games he's been the smartest and most skilled player on the court by a comfortable margin. Honestly, you wouldn't know he was a rookie by watching.

If anything, it's just a confirmation of what he was in college. Him and Markkanen are going to be fun to watch develop together. The best part is they fit and Carter knows where his primary impact comes from. He's talking about getting stops and taking the defensive end personally. Even in glorified pick-up basketball, he's not worried about how many shots he's taking.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

Who doesn't have much of an offensive skillset, Carter? He was open a ton on pick and roll and pick and pop. Don't let terrible summer league guard play pull the wool over your eyes.

[Red Larrivee]

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

On the contrary, I think he has a very versatile offensive skillset. He just doesn't look to chuck a shot each time he gets it. He may defer sometimes, but he's usually looking for the best shot.

[madvillian]

I'm not sure what his stats are, nor does it really matter. In both games he's been the smartest and most skilled player on the court by a comfortable margin. Honestly, you wouldn't know he was a rookie by watching.

If anything, it's just a confirmation of what he was in college. Him and Markkanen are going to be fun to watch develop together. The best part is they fit and Carter knows where his primary impact comes from. He's talking about getting stops and taking the defensive end personally. Even in glorified pick-up basketball, he's not worried about how many shots he's taking.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

Who doesn't have much of an offensive skillset, Carter? He was open a ton on pick and roll and pick and pop. Don't let terrible summer league guard play pull the wool over your eyes.

Yea it would be nice if we had some guard that could run PnR. Archie can't see over the top and isn't a threat to drive and Blakeney is like a racehorse with the blinders on.

That said, compared to Mo Wagner (not comparing the two otherwise) you can see his offensive game lacks polish. Really all Carter has to do this year is hit threes around 35% and finish wide open layups. If he can do that he's got a really nice floor imo. Eventually hopefully he can expand his offensive skillset.

[MrSparkle]

I am trying to talk myself out of excess enthusiasm for WCJ. I liked what I saw from Valentine and Douggie in SL too. This is G-League talent playing in un-practiced schemes with guys who they barely know. It will be different guarding the rim from LBJ and Giannis.

That said, I remember Taj's composure and yet get that same sense that the game isn't moving too fast for him right now either.

Time will tell, but so far so good.

Do folks think he'll really start to begin the season? There was no way Lauri was starting if not for the fight. Do we need Bobby to punch RoLo? Niko, ok, but RoLo? Seriously, I love RoLo, he makes the game so much easier for our guys. The only reason to argue to start WCJ (other than we just love the guy more) is that the FO probably wants Hutch in the rotation too, and it isn't great to have 2 rookies on the floor much together. Also, RoLo is his best in the first quarter, then he fades. I can definitely see a 24 min split.

Yeah I can see RoLo starting, but shifting to a Zaza role of 15 mpg.

My memories of Doug and Valentine... I struggled with their foot speed. They looked slow in college, looked slow in summer league, and they look mega slow in the NBA.

Carter’s college reel, he looked sneaky fast, and the summer league was no difference. He covers a lot of area on court. Post ups/hooks, 3P screens, step back 3P off the offensive board... and of course the blocks have been a party. I’m also containing my excitement, but he sure looks like a “new era” center (not getting J. Okafor and B. Lopez vibes are we?). His feet move fast.

Also I really dig the #34. With the red/white jersey, he does remind me of a baby Hakeem. OK OK — I’ll stop. Nowhere close, I know. But I’ll take a poor man’s Baby Hakeem. Coupled with poor man’s Dirk.

[the ultimates]

He's looked fine I was just noting the absurdity of anybody installing this kid in the HOF based on two SL games against third string big men.

Last night I think we saw why he was the 5th big off the board fwiw. Really does not have much of an offensive skill set. The framework is there, but he's hesitant to pop in PnR and cannot create for himself. He continues to remind me a bit of Noah defensively however. Obviously that will be his bread and butter in the league.

Who doesn't have much of an offensive skillset, Carter? He was open a ton on pick and roll and pick and pop. Don't let terrible summer league guard play pull the wool over your eyes.

Yea it would be nice if we had some guard that could run PnR. Archie can't see over the top and isn't a threat to drive and Blakeney is like a racehorse with the blinders on.

That said, compared to Mo Wagner (not comparing the two otherwise) you can see his offensive game lacks polish. Really all Carter has to do this year is hit threes around 35% and finish wide open layups. If he can do that he's got a really nice floor imo. Eventually hopefully he can expand his offensive skillset.

I don't think Mo's game is more polished. His guards are moving the ball and not over-dribbling. What was different from Carter's first summer league game to his second from an offensive standpoint? He still found himself in the same scoring positions in game two that he had in game one he just didn't get the ball.

[logical_art]

So this makes two drafts in a row where many posters misjudged the selection....

Wondering if come next draft people will be wrong again with the same self-assured ferocity? I'm willing to bet they will....

You're basing this off 2 preseason games? I suppose you're ok with Hutch doubters puffing out their chest after two games too?

[madvillian]

Who doesn't have much of an offensive skillset, Carter? He was open a ton on pick and roll and pick and pop. Don't let terrible summer league guard play pull the wool over your eyes.

Yea it would be nice if we had some guard that could run PnR. Archie can't see over the top and isn't a threat to drive and Blakeney is like a racehorse with the blinders on.

That said, compared to Mo Wagner (not comparing the two otherwise) you can see his offensive game lacks polish. Really all Carter has to do this year is hit threes around 35% and finish wide open layups. If he can do that he's got a really nice floor imo. Eventually hopefully he can expand his offensive skillset.

I don't think Mo's game is more polished. His guards are moving the ball and not over-dribbling. What was different from Carter's first summer league game to his second from an offensive standpoint? He still found himself in the same scoring positions in game two that he had in game one he just didn't get the ball.

I'm 100% in agreement that he will benefit from better guard play. He's been good overall, can't complain.