Nalod wrote:martin wrote:man, I watch Mitch and see that he was a looooonnnggg way to go. So many fundamentals that are just not there.Even when he is running back on D he is completely oblivious of what is going on behind him until he fully turns around, head is always looking where he is running and he has no idea about court awareness.
This kid was so obviously athletically advanced in highschool one can imagine his dominance at that level.
Why he did not get to college is not known. Its reported he is a smart kid, so was it academics?, Disinterested in academics? Projected he'd go first round so why mess it up in a year in college? Thought he'd go higher? Its all kind of bizarre circumstances.
Its one thing to play pick up and learn fundamentals, its another to play the game in front of 20,000! Why was he not recruited for top schools? Duke, Kentucky, Etc?
He's playing exactly how I saw him at the gym, before the draft. But when you are 7ft tall, and the average player in the gym is 6'2 he will dominate on pure natural physical tools. In the NBA, you need more than that. This might be the reason why he decided not to go to college. I think he would've learned a lot, but also would've expose a lot. I'm guessing his agent thought he would get drafted much higher on potential, than on college stats. Just my guess.
When I talked to him, very briefly, he appears to be very book smart and has interest outside of basktball. I think I asked him what would you do, if you didn't play ball.
He's not like us or most NY fans who grew up playing basketball in the park. Basketball, even in my 40s, is still my top exercise. For him, he was just blessed with height and forced to play this game. It's hard to tell if he would eventually develop the passion needed to be a starting caliber NBA center.
For the right price, I would trade him. Otherwise, I would temper my expectations. See him in a backup role. And hope he's not the only 7fter on the team after the trade deadline or prior to next season. Our wins and loses are impacted on whether he fouls out, thats not a good team. He's should be behind other veteran centers.....and I'm not talking about undersized PF's, which is what we have. But a legit center, like we had last year in D.Jordan
The G league will only cause him to use more of his physical tools, and less basketball IQ type moves. He needs to learn the NBA speed and NBA center tendencies to help his growth. But this is just my opinion....I could be wrong.
Born in Brooklyn, Raised in Queens, Lives in Maryland.
The future is bright, I'm a Knicks fan for life!