Otto Porter Part 2

[Ruzious]

Playing Hansbrough even one minute is grounds for termination IMO. That guy is awful. Not an NBA player at all. You're literally playing 4 on 5 when he's on the floor.

Interesting. He doesn't look bad to me. His PPA is that of a useful backup PF -- mid-80s each of the past three seasons (where average is 100 and higher is better). Not outstanding by any means, but not bad either.

Just basing it off what I saw during our series. He didn't really do anything but goon it up. He tries really hard but he offers no real skillset. It was hilarious watching him trying to defend and his offensive game looked less polished than Noah's last year.

Agreed. Hands will get some hustle points against lower level competition, but he's simply over-matched when he's not getting away with thug tactics against good teams.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Interesting. He doesn't look bad to me. His PPA is that of a useful backup PF -- mid-80s each of the past three seasons (where average is 100 and higher is better). Not outstanding by any means, but not bad either.

Just basing it off what I saw during our series. He didn't really do anything but goon it up. He tries really hard but he offers no real skillset. It was hilarious watching him trying to defend and his offensive game looked less polished than Noah's last year.

Agreed. Hands will get some hustle points against lower level competition, but he's simply over-matched when he's not getting away with thug tactics against good teams.

Interesting. He's reasonably productive for a guy with no skills, though. He was fairly efficient offensively when he was higher usage earlier in his career. He converts inside at a reasonable rate, and has shot the ball reasonably well from outside, although not much the last couple years. It looks like when he got to Toronto, he just stopped shooting jumpers even though he'd shot them decently in Indiana. I dunno -- seems like a guy who could come in handy off the bench. Decent size, plays hard, rebounds, plays physical. Skills or not, he could have a role on most teams, I think.

[hands11]

Thank God we signed Paul Pierce. You actually had a moment where DeRozan complained about Otto trash talking him. Otto!! Pierce's leadership and attitude is what we desperately needed. Otto and Beal are totally different in their on court demeanor now. They are playing with ferocity.

Otto on offense is going to be like Rip Hamilton. He is very persistent. He will keep coming at opponents. Porter will be a good scorer.

Better than that is he'd got great instincts on defense. He plays with both a high basketball IQ and a high motor.

Porter has a huge upside. I already see the fire. As he gains strength his game will improve.

He's got a bright future.

Rip is one of the names I liked early on. Prince was another. I liked Rip because of the amount of motion he does and mid range. TA with handles I liked in the sense that was clearly the role they wanted him to fill. Rangy defense, spot up 3s and some rebounds.

Where he is a much better prospect them TA is...the handles and rebounding. TA had turrrble handles. Though I saw him put the ball on the floor the other night. Maybe he is improving. The other thing. Otto is going to be a better rebounder.

And when you mix all those things together.. TA with handles and better rebounder, Rip cutting and mid range and some TP lank, you starting needing new comps.

If he get his slash dunk game working... baby Pip or a poor mans Pip start to creep into the conversation.

We need more intel. We have seen so little of this level of Otto. Comps and ceilings are all in play until we get more data on him.

But clearly not a bust. Actually, a real solid prospect. Which is what we were hoping for if he made the jump to the NBA level.

[TheBigThree]

Worthy of the #3 pick? Still way too difficult to say, but heck of a game 1. Total difference maker.

[miller31time]

He plays within himself. Never forces anything. Never tries to do something outside of his comfort zone. Always hustles. Plays great defense. Moves without the ball. And is a likable, hard-working kid.

Without knowing, you'd think I was talking about Tayshaun Prince.

[nate33]

He plays within himself. Never forces anything. Never tries to do something outside of his comfort zone. Always hustles. Plays great defense. Moves without the ball. And is a likable, hard-working kid.

Without knowing, you'd think I was talking about Tayshaun Prince.

I think he is currently at least as good as Prince was in his 2nd season. But Prince's turned 24 during the middle of his second season. Porter will turn 22 just after this season ends (unless we make the Finals).

[queridiculo]

Messed around and got a double-double.

Strong effort, his rebounding in particular was incredible. 34 minutes tonight, guess he's earned the coaches trust...

[payitforward]

Messed around and got a double-double.

Strong effort, his rebounding in particular was incredible. 34 minutes tonight, guess he's earned the coaches trust...

How about yours? Maybe I'm misremembering but I'm thinking you called him "a lost cause" or words to that effect not too long ago?

[queridiculo]

Strong effort, his rebounding in particular was incredible. 34 minutes tonight, guess he's earned the coaches trust...

How about yours? Maybe I'm misremembering but I'm thinking you called him "a lost cause" or words to that effect not too long ago?

I'd like to see that quote, I think I've been pretty consistent in calling for him to get more playing time.

In fact, I also called him being a key piece for the playoffs before a game was played, assuming Wittman gave him time.

[Jeff23]

It might sound a bit funny, but Otto Porter to me looks like a quicker Trevor Ariza. I am so happy for the kid, he plays/tries very hard to help his team in any way. Gotto love that from a young guy like him.

[The Consiglieri]

Worthy of the #3 pick? Still way too difficult to say, but heck of a game 1. Total difference maker.

Several months ago while again deriding the selection of Otto over Noel I did mention one caveat,

If we're to really know if Porter's a bust or not, we need him to actually play, the fact that he landed with our organization could be a key player in his failure up to that point (this past winter), and you can't blame him for being drafted by an incompetent, and misused by an idiot-that basically is a paraphrase. In order to find out if he's any good or not, he actually needs to play.

Well, since Witless finally got a clue and started giving him minutes in the last quarter or so of the season, he's looked like one of the better players in the 2013 class, basically playing like the guy that was advertised throughout 2012-2013, when he was generally sitting between 5-8 on most draft boards. He could be even better.

I'll never agree with his selection, and the guys Iiked better other than Bennett have largely proven to be better (so far), and the guy I would have taken instead, Noel, still appears to be definitively the better choice, but the good news for right now, is that he's showing more than flashes, that he can be a legit third, or fourth guy on a very good team, a legit starter with genuine talent. My fear was that he might be no more than a Cal Cheaney/Jared Jeffries in terms of impact, just a solid player who isn't in any way a difference maker, but he's been a huge difference maker down the stretch, and I'm more than honest enough to own that he's been much better than I feared his floor might be around new years, much, much better. Could be the most dramatic turn around for a prospect in ages when you consider how laughable and ridiculed his rookie #'s were, and what he's becoming now (and again, I didn't hold his rookie year against him, he was hurt, and missed crucial time, i held his drafting at all against him). Fingers crossed he continues to grow as a player, Boeheim loved him and we're starting to see why.

[No-Man]

Probably never going to be worth of a top3 pick in that Draft with Giannis and Gobert around, but pre draft they were not even in the conversation, of the guys you let passed, I think Noel is the only clear cut one that is going to be better than Otto and the Wizards should have picked.
Maybe Len too, that's about it.

[Dark Faze]

how many perimeter defenders kill it as much as this guy has in their second year in the playoffs?

[thricethefun]

Probably never going to be worth of a top3 pick in that Draft with Giannis and Gobert around, but pre draft they were not even in the conversation, of the guys you let passed, I think Noel is the only clear cut one that is going to be better than Otto and the Wizards should have picked.
Maybe Len too, that's about it.

Giannis is overrated. Gobert might be good though.

[payitforward]

Strong effort, his rebounding in particular was incredible. 34 minutes tonight, guess he's earned the coaches trust...

How about yours? Maybe I'm misremembering but I'm thinking you called him "a lost cause" or words to that effect not too long ago?

I'd like to see that quote, I think I've been pretty consistent in calling for him to get more playing time.

In fact, I also called him being a key piece for the playoffs before a game was played, assuming Wittman gave him time.

Fair enough, I'm probably wrong. I was thinking of the "Ernie blew another pick" thread that is all about what a bonehead pick Otto Porter was.

Somebody ought to put that thread up top again, and lets hear more from everyone.

[payitforward]

Worthy of the #3 pick? Still way too difficult to say, but heck of a game 1. Total difference maker.

Several months ago while again deriding the selection of Otto over Noel I did mention one caveat,

If we're to really know if Porter's a bust or not, we need him to actually play, the fact that he landed with our organization could be a key player in his failure up to that point (this past winter), and you can't blame him for being drafted by an incompetent, and misused by an idiot-that basically is a paraphrase. In order to find out if he's any good or not, he actually needs to play.

Well, since Witless finally got a clue and started giving him minutes in the last quarter or so of the season, he's looked like one of the better players in the 2013 class, basically playing like the guy that was advertised throughout 2012-2013, when he was generally sitting between 5-8 on most draft boards. He could be even better.

I'll never agree with his selection, and the guys Iiked better other than Bennett have largely proven to be better (so far), and the guy I would have taken instead, Noel, still appears to be definitively the better choice, but the good news for right now, is that he's showing more than flashes, that he can be a legit third, or fourth guy on a very good team, a legit starter with genuine talent. My fear was that he might be no more than a Cal Cheaney/Jared Jeffries in terms of impact, just a solid player who isn't in any way a difference maker, but he's been a huge difference maker down the stretch, and I'm more than honest enough to own that he's been much better than I feared his floor might be around new years, much, much better. Could be the most dramatic turn around for a prospect in ages when you consider how laughable and ridiculed his rookie #'s were, and what he's becoming now (and again, I didn't hold his rookie year against him, he was hurt, and missed crucial time, i held his drafting at all against him). Fingers crossed he continues to grow as a player, Boeheim loved him and we're starting to see why.

I like Noel; he's a terrific young prospect. I think he'll be very good. But I don't think the statement bolded above is true at all.

[MarcoPolo]

Few highlights of him to showcase how exatly he is scoring/moving on the court. Play offs kid

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV1AkC6gQnQ[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqzUDKuHG00[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijEClUZPSUg[/youtube]

Season highlights:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogl2b_0e86E[/youtube]

[tontoz]

In the postseason he is averaging 8 rebounds per game. He is shooting 54% from the field and 47% from 3.

[lastemp3ror]

I wasn't able to watch the game yesterday. Who was Porter guarding on D and how did he do?

[hands11]

Stud first playoff year numbers.

Small sample size but looking very very promising. And he isn't even starting yet but 34 mins is starter numbers. And just 21

As he settles in, it will be interesting to see how he expands his facilitation/assists.

That an important place for him to improve. His assists are pretty light but he isn't really being asked to do that. Right now he is being asked to catch and shoot, get put backs and move the ball well which he is doing.

Pippen for example was 22 in his first playoff. Same with Prince and he is very comparable to Princes first playoff numbers.

So assists will be something I monitor. Also, him continuing to get stronger so he can drive and finish to increase those FTAs

As for the TA comparison. He seems to have already show he replaces most of what TA did while actually adding some things he didn't do as well. Otto seems to be a better rebounder, with better handles and generally better around the basket. Add in we added The Truth, and we are not missing TA. Actually, they are better as they are now. By next season, if Otto keeps this up, the TA to Otto transition will be complete.

Then Paul will leave and KD will arrive... Then we title chase for the next 4-6 years

Last year, this year and next year.. That all needed prep work to gain that playoff experience to both attract KD and as if/when he comes, they are ready to roll.

The last few feet from ECF playoffs to winning them and then winning a title is a mile.

This experience they are gaining right now is VERY IMPORTANT