Originally Posted by
Mudge
Kyle Singler:
How good is this kid? As good as fresh-baked bread... is there anything this kid can't do, that a 6'8" NBA forward is supposed to be able to do? I think he is already on par with everything Battier could do as a senior, except defense (specifically help defense), and I think he has a possibility of catching up in that category too, over the next several years. This kid is Christian Laettner-lite.
DeMarcus Nelson:
Name me the last time Nelson got a defensive rebound and passed the ball to a teammate from the defensive end, rather than dribbling the ball past halfcourt himself; on a Nelson defensive rebound, there is no such thing as a fastbreak outlet pass-- he either takes the ball the length of the floor on a one-man fastbreak, or he dribbles it up himself, then grudgingly passes off to a teammate on the offensive end. Since he's not our point guard, why does he insist on doing this? Also, Nelson still makes up his mind way to early that he is going to the hoop, come hell or high water, and then charges into crowds of bigger, stronger, higher jumping opponents, to force up bad shots, far too often. I'd much prefer to see Singler, Henderson, Scheyer, Paulus, and Smith in the game together, to run the stall late in the game (and not only because of Nelson's free throw shooting)-- they pass the ball around like a jazz quintet, always making the extra pass to find the open man-- when Nelson is in there, it's like he's the only one who doesn't feel the rhythm; instead, he seems to want to put his head down, and bull over the opposition.
Jon Scheyer:
I love how this guy is a 6'5" forward/guard who never dunks the ball on breakaway layups-- it's like he's some kind of throwback to black canvas Chuck Taylor All-Stars, when they weren't allowed to dunk the ball in college. You know he can do it, but he sticks out more by playing it cool and not doing it, than he ever would by slamming it. Which brings me to...
Taylor King:
How does a 6'6" player with an open path to the rim (and standing one step from the basket) fail to elevate enough to get over the rim and dunk the ball, instead getting his shot blocked as he attempts to shoot a layup? My suspicion is that somebody's not really in shape, and consequently can't do the things that he ought to be able to do... I get reports from people in close proximity to King on campus that he isn't exactly observing a healthy dietary regimen in his extracurricular activities; I'd have to say that he does not look as though he is in peak physical condition, and I can't imagine Coach K (who's got to have better sources than I do) could be too happy with a player who appears to lack some commitment toward getting the most out of his physical abilities.
Bambale Osby:
Anyone noticed that he shares initials and an African-origin name with Barack Obama? Can't you just see Young BO driving one of his 1950's collector Cadillac convertibles around with the top down, with his enormous hair bobbing in the wind, with Sen. BO riding in the back, like Pres. Kennedy (whom Sen. BO is so often compared to, for his charismatic effect on audiences)?