but he was much improved over the last 3 games where he averaged 20-9-6 and shot 43.2% from the floor, but only 31% from 3. Hopefully he continues to work on the shot over the rest of the summer and can at least be respectable from there this season. The defense will need to improve as well, but he shows effort and that's a good start.
Looking forward to the season and how he continues to develop.
Anything more definitive than that is just jumping the gun. Like Knox, as a rookie he is extremely young. There will be a lot of ups and downs. We just have to be patient with these guys.
And I don't think anyone will agreed with me on this..
But my impression is he looks small out there with the NBA guys...finished with finesse instead of power..I was surprised by that. Expected more power and athleticism from a guy who is listed as 6'7 and was 3rd overall pick..
Pleased with his progression from the beginning of the summer league till now. He has demonstrated ability to have a great overall game and fill the stat sheet. If he develops a good jump shot and 3 pt shot I think he will be a star.
You would hope that a guy who many thought was going to be the #1 pick Â
at the beginning of the year, would not have as much development required in his game. Time will tell whether he is a solid NBA player or something more. Hopefully nothing less.
RE: You would hope that a guy who many thought was going to be the #1 pick Â
In comment 14498425 Peter from NH (formerly CT) said:
Quote:
at the beginning of the year, would not have as much development required in his game. Time will tell whether he is a solid NBA player or something more. Hopefully nothing less.
How many 19 year olds come into the NBA without much development required in their game? No more than a handful per decade...
Better defender, passer and decision-maker than I expected. Â
That's encouraging, given that the scoring will always be there. I never assume shooting numbers will improve, but I'm confident his will - if Brook freaking Lopez can improve his range, I don't see why RJ can't. His FT shooting isn't bad, just needs a little bump.
I'm concerned about how he'll be used as a rookie. You're setting him up to fail if he's a spot-up shooter playing off DSJ, and that's what I fear will happen. With DSJ and Payton, will RJ be given any chance to facilitate? If not, you'll hear plenty of unfair "bust" talk.
RE: Better defender, passer and decision-maker than I expected. Â
That's encouraging, given that the scoring will always be there. I never assume shooting numbers will improve, but I'm confident his will - if Brook freaking Lopez can improve his range, I don't see why RJ can't. His FT shooting isn't bad, just needs a little bump.
I'm concerned about how he'll be used as a rookie. You're setting him up to fail if he's a spot-up shooter playing off DSJ, and that's what I fear will happen. With DSJ and Payton, will RJ be given any chance to facilitate? If not, you'll hear plenty of unfair "bust" talk.
Brook Lopez was always a great shooting big man. He was always automatic up to around 20 ft. He just needed to add a little bit of range for the 3.
Different comparison to a guy who isn't a shooter. Not saying he can't develop it, but it's not as easy.
Could be worse. His shooting still concerns me. He's a pretty good Â
finisher and passer. He doesn't have the athletic ability and defensive skills to make up for his below average outside shooting. I think he'll make it in the league, but won't be an effective starting guard.
He’s got terrific vision, is a strong rebounder and plays hard. RJ’s D was just okay but working with NBA coaches will make it much better.
Also, he seems to have the mental makeup to be a star. He desires it, and is seemingly willing to work for it. All his previous coaches and teammates say he practices hard and doesn’t take short cuts.
Also, we have to keep in mind that he turned 19 last month but I think he has a very high ceiling.
Finally, it is meaningful that he improved from every game.
RE: Better defender, passer and decision-maker than I expected. Â
That's encouraging, given that the scoring will always be there. I never assume shooting numbers will improve, but I'm confident his will - if Brook freaking Lopez can improve his range, I don't see why RJ can't. His FT shooting isn't bad, just needs a little bump.
I'm concerned about how he'll be used as a rookie. You're setting him up to fail if he's a spot-up shooter playing off DSJ, and that's what I fear will happen. With DSJ and Payton, will RJ be given any chance to facilitate? If not, you'll hear plenty of unfair "bust" talk.
I'm not sure I saw the same defense wise, but I agree that the progression RJ showed in these few summer league games with the ball in his hands was nice to see. I would hope that if he is on the court with Smith or Payton that he would play to his strengths more and learn to make back cuts like Wade did when he played with Lebron, instead of just camping out behind the 3pt line.
It also might be nice to see RJ as the primary ball handler in some line-ups. Put him out there with Trier, Dotson, Frank, or Ellington. It could be similar to what we saw out of Hezonja the last few weeks of last season, where I thought he had his best games at point when Frank and Smith were hurt.
of his in college. Didn't think his basketball IQ was great. Would just put his head down and bully his way into the paint and not really look to make a play for his team mates on the perimeter.
What I have seen in these SL games has got me excited about this team. Every game he's come out and improved. He saw his shot wasn't falling, so he made the adjustment of attacking the basket. His game is very similar to Melo when he was a bit older. Thats a little worrisome being compared to a 33 year old athletically, but he's a crafty scorer.
I think he'll def be a turning point player for this team. Looking for at least 30 wins this upcoming season. A little love for Iggy too. he's going to be an important rotational player. Very smart and gritty
For a 19-year-old rookie who was used to playing Â
as the league progressed. He didn't get discouraged and continued to try to make plays, that was a good sign.
I didn't think he could average 22+ a game at Duke without any sort of a shooting touch, despite the alarming percentages, but I was surprised how off he was on many of his shots. The ball just doesn't come off his wrists as it does with pure shooters.
I was rightfully concerned with his lack of dynamic athleticism and that also played out to a large extent. But he still picked his spots and can probably make plays in traffic and around the rim eventually as he gets stronger. But he needs a better outside shot going forward, otherwise he will have a hard time average 20+ a game unless the refs send him to the stripes often.
My comparison was a left-handed Paul Pierce, now I am thinking maybe a shorter Danny Manning. His game is definitely not pretty or exciting, but he should be a stat sheet stuffer and a big contributor to the team's turnaround.
To me, it looked like Barrett was using the SL to work on his game, which is a luxury a lot of players in the SL don't have. A lot of guys are there to make an impression; they can't afford to experiment and they need to make a splash.
Barrett said he's trying new mechanics on his shot. If you do that, you're going to look bad for a while. Barrett had the luxury of looking bad in the SL Yeah, some fans and naysayers proclaimed him a bust or a disappointment. That doesn't matter. He's coming to training camp, he's going to get every opportunity to succeed. SL is for Barrett and Fizdale to figure out what he needs to work on and form a plan to raise his game.
A lot of guys in the SL are looking to dunk at every turn; Barrett was more content to take layups. Does that mean he isn't "explosive" and "athletic"? I can't say, but the fact he's choosing layups and bank shots over dunks doesn't tell me much about how he'll play in real games — or how he'll play in a couple of years when he fills out more and gets stronger.
I've seen a couple of people (including one anonymous NBA scout quoted in one of the tabloids, and someone in this thread) say "Not an all-star, but will have a long career in the NBA." Maybe that's his ceiling. But I'm seeing a guy who is a triple-double threat every game and who can go to another level if his 3-point shot and foul shoooting improve.
I think we're gonna love this guy even if he's not often making ESPN plays-of-the-day. He's a little old-school that way. And if he does become the kind of player who posterizes people regularly, we'll really love him.
He should skip playing with Team Canada this year though. He's got a lot of work to do before training camp.
which is to be expected but for some it was proof that he was a bust.
What I was happy to see was that he improved over the course of the summer league. He will have plenty of up and down's this season but I am confident that he will be a core piece moving forward along with Robinson.
One can simply watch him play in college to get a baseline for his athleticism. He's not a rare athlete. It's not going to come with time, you either have it or don't.
It remains to be seen if he's athletic enough to excel against pros.
Only in NY do fans and the media overreact to two summer league games, the first two. In the last three RJ averaged 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and shot 43% from the floor and 31% from three.
While the shooting percentages need to improve, he has already proven to be a natural scorer, a very good rebounder from the two or three slot, and with his vision he can definitely be a point forward and probably play some point guard.
Will he be a superstar, that’s very hard to say. But will he be a quality starter in the NBA? I think he has the size, will, and ability to work hard and often to be a star.
Kid is only 19 and just turned 19 in July. He already has good size but he still might grow and he definitely will add strength as he goes from a teenager to an adult.
His game reminds me a bit of Dwayne Wade when he got out of school. Was not a strong long-range shooter but somehow got to the hoop, created mismatches, saw the floor, and has that star mentality.
And plays defense. Even if he isn’t a great defender he definitely tries and that’s a big plus.
You’re only as good as the guy you’re covering. I’m so sick of these guys playing for the Knicks over the last 15 years that can score and score and score but can’t cover a corpse.
That after his first two games he could recognize and make adjustments to improve the way he did at 19 is a great sign IMO. Add to that the amount of personal drive he displays and I think he could end up with a nice career as a Knick. He very well may end up being a key cog in the wheel as this team moves forward.
If he’s a playmaker. I’ve seen glimpses of his willingness to move the ball.
His handle is very good for a 6’7 athlete. He can drive and finish. His defense and perimeter game need work.
He’s more athletic than D’Angelo Russel. He’s good not great athlete that will be very big for his position and will be able to defend the 2/3/4.
I liked the pick, but I am a little disappointed with his lack of hops.. Rowan could get off the floor. A little surprised at that.. but I think we have a good one that will play the right way.
RE: Sorry but he one of those guys who have better Â
Looking forward to the season and how he continues to develop.
But my impression is he looks small out there with the NBA guys...finished with finesse instead of power..I was surprised by that. Expected more power and athleticism from a guy who is listed as 6'7 and was 3rd overall pick..
How many 19 year olds come into the NBA without much development required in their game? No more than a handful per decade...
I'm concerned about how he'll be used as a rookie. You're setting him up to fail if he's a spot-up shooter playing off DSJ, and that's what I fear will happen. With DSJ and Payton, will RJ be given any chance to facilitate? If not, you'll hear plenty of unfair "bust" talk.
I'm concerned about how he'll be used as a rookie. You're setting him up to fail if he's a spot-up shooter playing off DSJ, and that's what I fear will happen. With DSJ and Payton, will RJ be given any chance to facilitate? If not, you'll hear plenty of unfair "bust" talk.
Brook Lopez was always a great shooting big man. He was always automatic up to around 20 ft. He just needed to add a little bit of range for the 3.
Different comparison to a guy who isn't a shooter. Not saying he can't develop it, but it's not as easy.
Also, he seems to have the mental makeup to be a star. He desires it, and is seemingly willing to work for it. All his previous coaches and teammates say he practices hard and doesn’t take short cuts.
Also, we have to keep in mind that he turned 19 last month but I think he has a very high ceiling.
Finally, it is meaningful that he improved from every game.
I'm concerned about how he'll be used as a rookie. You're setting him up to fail if he's a spot-up shooter playing off DSJ, and that's what I fear will happen. With DSJ and Payton, will RJ be given any chance to facilitate? If not, you'll hear plenty of unfair "bust" talk.
I'm not sure I saw the same defense wise, but I agree that the progression RJ showed in these few summer league games with the ball in his hands was nice to see. I would hope that if he is on the court with Smith or Payton that he would play to his strengths more and learn to make back cuts like Wade did when he played with Lebron, instead of just camping out behind the 3pt line.
It also might be nice to see RJ as the primary ball handler in some line-ups. Put him out there with Trier, Dotson, Frank, or Ellington. It could be similar to what we saw out of Hezonja the last few weeks of last season, where I thought he had his best games at point when Frank and Smith were hurt.
What I have seen in these SL games has got me excited about this team. Every game he's come out and improved. He saw his shot wasn't falling, so he made the adjustment of attacking the basket. His game is very similar to Melo when he was a bit older. Thats a little worrisome being compared to a 33 year old athletically, but he's a crafty scorer.
I think he'll def be a turning point player for this team. Looking for at least 30 wins this upcoming season. A little love for Iggy too. he's going to be an important rotational player. Very smart and gritty
I didn't think he could average 22+ a game at Duke without any sort of a shooting touch, despite the alarming percentages, but I was surprised how off he was on many of his shots. The ball just doesn't come off his wrists as it does with pure shooters.
I was rightfully concerned with his lack of dynamic athleticism and that also played out to a large extent. But he still picked his spots and can probably make plays in traffic and around the rim eventually as he gets stronger. But he needs a better outside shot going forward, otherwise he will have a hard time average 20+ a game unless the refs send him to the stripes often.
My comparison was a left-handed Paul Pierce, now I am thinking maybe a shorter Danny Manning. His game is definitely not pretty or exciting, but he should be a stat sheet stuffer and a big contributor to the team's turnaround.
Barrett said he's trying new mechanics on his shot. If you do that, you're going to look bad for a while. Barrett had the luxury of looking bad in the SL Yeah, some fans and naysayers proclaimed him a bust or a disappointment. That doesn't matter. He's coming to training camp, he's going to get every opportunity to succeed. SL is for Barrett and Fizdale to figure out what he needs to work on and form a plan to raise his game.
A lot of guys in the SL are looking to dunk at every turn; Barrett was more content to take layups. Does that mean he isn't "explosive" and "athletic"? I can't say, but the fact he's choosing layups and bank shots over dunks doesn't tell me much about how he'll play in real games — or how he'll play in a couple of years when he fills out more and gets stronger.
I've seen a couple of people (including one anonymous NBA scout quoted in one of the tabloids, and someone in this thread) say "Not an all-star, but will have a long career in the NBA." Maybe that's his ceiling. But I'm seeing a guy who is a triple-double threat every game and who can go to another level if his 3-point shot and foul shoooting improve.
I think we're gonna love this guy even if he's not often making ESPN plays-of-the-day. He's a little old-school that way. And if he does become the kind of player who posterizes people regularly, we'll really love him.
He should skip playing with Team Canada this year though. He's got a lot of work to do before training camp.
What I was happy to see was that he improved over the course of the summer league. He will have plenty of up and down's this season but I am confident that he will be a core piece moving forward along with Robinson.
One can simply watch him play in college to get a baseline for his athleticism. He's not a rare athlete. It's not going to come with time, you either have it or don't.
It remains to be seen if he's athletic enough to excel against pros.
While the shooting percentages need to improve, he has already proven to be a natural scorer, a very good rebounder from the two or three slot, and with his vision he can definitely be a point forward and probably play some point guard.
Will he be a superstar, that’s very hard to say. But will he be a quality starter in the NBA? I think he has the size, will, and ability to work hard and often to be a star.
Kid is only 19 and just turned 19 in July. He already has good size but he still might grow and he definitely will add strength as he goes from a teenager to an adult.
His game reminds me a bit of Dwayne Wade when he got out of school. Was not a strong long-range shooter but somehow got to the hoop, created mismatches, saw the floor, and has that star mentality.
You’re only as good as the guy you’re covering. I’m so sick of these guys playing for the Knicks over the last 15 years that can score and score and score but can’t cover a corpse.
I don't think its fair to conclude that after just just four summer league games from a nineteen year old rookie?
Really bizarre take at this point in time...
His handle is very good for a 6’7 athlete. He can drive and finish. His defense and perimeter game need work.
He’s more athletic than D’Angelo Russel. He’s good not great athlete that will be very big for his position and will be able to defend the 2/3/4.
I liked the pick, but I am a little disappointed with his lack of hops.. Rowan could get off the floor. A little surprised at that.. but I think we have a good one that will play the right way.
Why do people continue to act as if Melo didn't exceed expectations.
Melo will be a HoF player.
He's gonna be really good. If he can develop a three point shot, hit free throws at a solid 75% range and become a plus defender, he can be great.