fishmike wrote:NardDogNation wrote:Serious questions to the Krisanity fans: what is it that Kristaps does well? What is it that he currently does that we can look forward to him doing when he matures? What can he hang his hat on?I ask because like so many busts of yesteryear (especially when it comes to foreigners), there is nothing distinct about his game other than it comes in a 7"2' athletic frame. And obviously, this common thread is troubling to me.
I know that even if Okafor does not become a superstar or even a star, he can give me 16ppg as a low post scorer. I know that if Towns never develops, I know that he is physically imposing enough to be an elite rim protector/rebounder and will space the floor for my guards. I know that if Russell never works on his game, he'll still be a deft shooter because he has a large enough sample size demonstrating that. What about KrisP?
nothing distinct? How about being 19, and putting up the same #s as the KY guys did against grown professional men, not 6'7 kids from schools who will never go pro?KP is a dead eye shooter with unlimited range. He has a variety of nice scoring moves from all over the floor to compliment the jumper. Anytime he's in the paint he seems to unwind that long frame and dunk everything. He blocks shots. Rebounds pretty well and runs very well. He's not raw. He's quite skilled.
He went 4th because of this athleticism. Everone knew the skill. What shot him up was he tested as an elite athlete as well.
Skills + proven ability to play with men + 19yo + 7'1 with a 7'6 wingspan = top 5 pick. I dont care what color you are or where you hail from. If you can play you can play and he can play. Hoops family. Gym rat. Tough kid...
Being 19 isn't a skill and if it were, it certainly won't last forever.
And it seems that much of what you're describing isn't bourne out in scouting reports/videos or Kristaps' European stats. He's a pretty good rebounder? According to whom? Because I've consistently seen the opposite by every credible media source.
NBADraft.net had this to say about KrisP:
The other consideration is regarding his rebounding ability, he struggles to get a high number of rebounds and this leads many people to consider him the new Bargnani... I doubt that he will be as good as a shooter as some are suggesting, because he is not a high volume shooter, but ... Porzingis has the athleticism and motor to do better than the 4 rebounds per game he averaged this year ... [/b]
His numbers seem to reflect as much. According to basketballreference.com, his per 36 rebounding stats were only 7.7 a game, which is pathetic from a 7"2' pogo-stick. I'm also not sure what other "skills" he's bringing to the table other than being a jump shooter with a high release point. Yes, that is a valuable skill but it alone can not make a basketball player, especially one with the lofty expectations of someday becoming an all-star. Besides, he wouldn't be the first big man (especially European big man) to wash out of the league that fits the profile of "mobile jump shooting big man". The NBA specializes in neutralizing players and there is nothing from what I've seen of him that would suggest he can be immune to having this happen to him.
So really, what is it that this guy can do? Because his other 36 minutes per numbers are mostly pathetic to forgettable. This "high skilled" played can hardly average a full assist and I'm to presume he could become a core piece to a title contender? Hell, even what he allegedly does well ain't that flooring. The best he's ever shot from deep is 36% and that's against inferior competition, a lighter schedule that offers more rest days, a shorter 3 point line and being several inches taller than his defender! There seems very little for me to latch on to with him to make me feel the slightest bit optimistic.
Just out of curiosity though, are you of Eastern European decent?
6/26/2015 6:06 PM LAST EDITED: 6/26/2015 6:23 PM
