Wendell Carter Jr - The Block Panther Edition

[fleet]

All they gotta do is find him

[kodo]

If Carter continues to show he has the agility and athleticism to defend in space how much does that change the projections on his ceiling? The talk about Bamba and JJJ was what they could bring defensively in space with their athleticism and how the offensive side would catch up and projecting that upside. Carter was seen as a notch below because of perceived concerns about athleticism. If those concerns have been put to bed with his offensive game clearly ahead of Bamba and JJJ why can't he become a star player like people project for the bigs taken ahead of him?

Absolutely no concerns have been put to bed in summer league. It's summer league...that thing Tony Snell dominated when he entered the league.

The reason those guys were selected above Carter is because of a perception they will still be able to do what they do in SL vs actual NBA centers, due to athleticism & length.

Need to see Carter score on a night to night basis against the league's centers...an average week will have him going against Deandre Jordan, Rudy Gobert, KAT, and then Embiid. On an easier night maybe he gets to go against "only" Nurkic or Jokic or Steven Adams.

But there's no guarantee JJJ & Bamba will be able to perform against true NBA starters, either. All these guys weren't drafted that far apart...there's a similar level of confidence/risk with all of them. There's not a massive gap IMO. A lot of people thought Carter could go #4 to Memphis, leapfrogging both JJJ & Bamba.

[RastaBull]

If Carter continues to show he has the agility and athleticism to defend in space how much does that change the projections on his ceiling? The talk about Bamba and JJJ was what they could bring defensively in space with their athleticism and how the offensive side would catch up and projecting that upside. Carter was seen as a notch below because of perceived concerns about athleticism. If those concerns have been put to bed with his offensive game clearly ahead of Bamba and JJJ why can't he become a star player like people project for the bigs taken ahead of him?

He obviously can be a star. He doesn't need average 20ppg either if his defense translates to real games. They are literally gushing over him in Vegas. I'm not sure it is just because he is playing so well or because he doing things people thought were behind his skill set. And think he is an absolutely perfect fit with Markkanen. We have good reason to be excited.

What I love about his skill set is his back to the basket game. He knows how to operate inside. It's so refreshing to see a big man post up and score like he does. I believe he can average 20+ PPG.

Agree with that point.

What I love in this limited window thus far, is his off-ball movement and movement off screens. And he looks to have excellent hands.

I see him being the type of addition that really makes other players better. The point you make, his back-to-basket/post game, can surly make Lauri better with more wide open opportunities and creative sets of that action. And to my point, I think his movement could open up a beautiful game with Dunn, where Dunn basically gets to run a QB option of sorts down the middle with Carter moving through perfect spaces next to him.

[the ultimates]

If Carter continues to show he has the agility and athleticism to defend in space how much does that change the projections on his ceiling? The talk about Bamba and JJJ was what they could bring defensively in space with their athleticism and how the offensive side would catch up and projecting that upside. Carter was seen as a notch below because of perceived concerns about athleticism. If those concerns have been put to bed with his offensive game clearly ahead of Bamba and JJJ why can't he become a star player like people project for the bigs taken ahead of him?

Absolutely no concerns have been put to bed in summer league. It's summer league...that thing Tony Snell dominated when he entered the league.

The reason those guys were selected above Carter is because of a perception they will still be able to do what they do in SL vs actual NBA centers, due to athleticism & length.

Need to see Carter score on a night to night basis against the league's centers...an average week will have him going against Deandre Jordan, Rudy Gobert, KAT, and then Embiid. On an easier night maybe he gets to go against "only" Nurkic or Jokic or Steven Adams.

But there's no guarantee JJJ & Bamba will be able to perform against true NBA starters, either. All these guys weren't drafted that far apart...there's a similar level of confidence/risk with all of them. There's not a massive gap IMO. A lot of people thought Carter could go #4 to Memphis, leapfrogging both JJJ & Bamba.

Has Carter looked any worse athletically or defensively than Bamba or JJJ going up against the same competition in summer league? The knock on Carter was could he defend in space because of his athleticism not about being able to guard the centers you named. Carter was already the much more polished of the three offensively and has shown that in summer league. Bamba looks lost offensively as does JJJ after an outlier shooting performance in his first game.

Carter's name was thrown around to Memphis because JJJ had refused to give the Grizzlies his medicals not because they thought they were on the same level. We all saw the various mock drafts and how the draftees were grouped. Carter was in the second tier not because of size, skill, or production it was because of athletcism.

[WindyCityBorn]

If Carter continues to show he has the agility and athleticism to defend in space how much does that change the projections on his ceiling? The talk about Bamba and JJJ was what they could bring defensively in space with their athleticism and how the offensive side would catch up and projecting that upside. Carter was seen as a notch below because of perceived concerns about athleticism. If those concerns have been put to bed with his offensive game clearly ahead of Bamba and JJJ why can't he become a star player like people project for the bigs taken ahead of him?

He obviously can be a star. He doesn't need average 20ppg either if his defense translates to real games. They are literally gushing over him in Vegas. I'm not sure it is just because he is playing so well or because he doing things people thought were behind his skill set. And think he is an absolutely perfect fit with Markkanen. We have good reason to be excited.

What I love about his skill set is his back to the basket game. He knows how to operate inside. It's so refreshing to see a big man post up and score like he does. I believe he can average 20+ PPG.

I believe he can too. Just depends on the makeup of our team as whether he will get enough touches for that.

[sco]

After re-watching yesterday's highlights, I noticed one key aspect to his game that I have been craving to add more of to the Bulls. Setting physical picks. One of the things I love about RoLo (and hate about Portis and Felicio) is that he actually focuses on making contact with guys on picks. Carter did it too, again and again.

[Habs72]

Where's the scouting report that says High basketball IQ. I always see and hear about his outside basketball IQ

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mohamed-Bamba-91224/
https://www.thestepien.com/mohamed-bamba/

Did you even tried?

Eh... I skimmed briefly. But draftexpress was dated before his Texas season so it's kind of discounted because he was dominate in high School. And the sapien I saw off the court again although I may have missed it.

Ok, so you think that something like BBIQ looses its value when its scouted in highschool right before jumping into college?

Also at thestepiens : "Great understanding of verticality on defense. Knows what he is doing as a rim protector." I would say that´s called as high BBIQ in other words.

[Habs72]

He looks exactly like he did in college.

I think he made some comment about the freshman 15 or something. I don't think it was a massive change though.

Yes, I read where he talked about toning out and playing a little lighter.

That and working on footwork can make a big difference.

Yea, but has he done it yet? Can you provide a link? As there is no mention about it and you talk like he did that alrdy? If that would be the case i think it would be talked with a lot larger extend that he is playin lighter.

[Habs72]

So the Bulls sit on their hands and ultimately select a player that is projected not to have the lateral quickness to guard off switches, which ultimately makes him at best a defensive liability in crunch time and at worst a non starting role player, sound familiar (Portis, Valentine, McDermott). The Bulls really have a problem with selecting 2 ways players, it's pathetic that we lost Jimmy Butler and tanked a whole year for Wendell Carter Jr... I mean my God. At least select Bridges, he has the same floor and a much higher ceiling.

oops

Perfect example of how much some fans know or even try to know .

[sami71]

Carter seems to have been an excellent pick. I like his attitude and game. I have a good feeling that he might be my favourite soon.

I am not sure how old the quotes are but, I am not really convinced it's good form to quote other users from long past and rub their opinions in their faces. Especially draft nights are quite emotional.

[brucey_72]

Wendell has a legitimate chance of being a 20/10 type of guy. Him and Lauri are going to be fun to watch over the next 10 years. I see a Anthony Davis type of potential out of Carter.

[RememberLu]

So the Bulls sit on their hands and ultimately select a player that is projected not to have the lateral quickness to guard off switches, which ultimately makes him at best a defensive liability in crunch time and at worst a non starting role player, sound familiar (Portis, Valentine, McDermott). The Bulls really have a problem with selecting 2 ways players, it's pathetic that we lost Jimmy Butler and tanked a whole year for Wendell Carter Jr... I mean my God. At least select Bridges, he has the same floor and a much higher ceiling.

oops

Perfect example of how much some fans know or even try to know .

There's over reactions to the draft every year. Remember when people called Lauri Eric Murphy 2.0

[Habs72]

Carter seems to have been an excellent pick. I like his attitude and game. I have a good feeling that he might be my favourite soon.

I am not sure how old the quotes are but, I am not really convinced it's good form to quote other users from long past and rub their opinions in their faces. Especially draft nights are quite emotional.

Then one should refrain himself unless one is ready to be behind what he thinks and says and not just throwing things around, dont you think?

[Habs72]

oops

Perfect example of how much some fans know or even try to know .

There's over reactions to the draft every year. Remember when people called Lauri Eric Murphy 2.0

Yes there is and you think i forget those things? Ever?? .

[Stratmaster]

Plus Minus is a stat that doesn't really work for the NBA. Look at WCJ's stats...23 points, 69% shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and then -13 plus minus.

He was playing with teammates who played underwhelming today. WCJ was the only one who stood out in my opinion both offense and defense.

That's why the stat doesn't work for the NBA.

Agreed. That is why they came out with APM... and BPM... and when that didn't work... RAPM.... and then ABPM... next will be MARABPM.

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[Stratmaster]

Plus Minus is a stat that doesn't really work for the NBA. Look at WCJ's stats...23 points, 69% shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and then -13 plus minus.

He was playing with teammates who played underwhelming today. WCJ was the only one who stood out in my opinion both offense and defense.

a single game +- in summer league is not any argument against adjusted plus minus over a large sample.

Garbage in... garbage out.

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[DASMACKDOWN]

All they gotta do is find him

We seriously need to find a veteran point guard this offseason.

I just am not confident with the core group that they can and will consistently find our bigs. It could be an ongoing story if we struggle again on offense.

[NesimLE]

He was playing with teammates who played underwhelming today. WCJ was the only one who stood out in my opinion both offense and defense.

a single game +- in summer league is not any argument against adjusted plus minus over a large sample.

Garbage in... garbage out.

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Ultimately, any stat needs context to be useful. Boxscore stats, or advanced stats. The thing with advanced stats is, they try to bake that context into the number itself...which sometimes works better than others.

[Stratmaster]

a single game +- in summer league is not any argument against adjusted plus minus over a large sample.

Garbage in... garbage out.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

Ultimately, any stat needs context to be useful. Boxscore stats, or advanced stats. The thing with advanced stats is, they try to bake that context into the number itself...which sometimes works better than others.

Agreed!

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[johnnyvann840]

a single game +- in summer league is not any argument against adjusted plus minus over a large sample.

Garbage in... garbage out.

How many times do I have to explain this? +/-, RPM, BPM, on/off, etc are probably the most valuable and telling stats of all when it comes to winning basketball. They are not stats to be looked at on a game by game basis. They only have value over LARGE SAMPLES. Even half a season is usually not enough and sometimes even single season aren't. What they can tell you in half or single seasons is where to make adjustments with your lineup. Coaching decisions. Floor pairings. etc.

However, over time, RPM, BPM, on/off and other scoreboard related metrics become extremely reliable and give a very accurate picture.

ONCE MORE for those who aren't paying attention: +/- , RPM, BPM, on/off numbers are NOT to be looked at on a game by game basis and are of little to no value that way. OVER TIME they are quite telling and valuable.