as a rookie, Nic had the physical tools and a positive, bright mindset, but it's taken lots of personal development, you can tell, for Nic to learn how to assert himself as a leader, and his basketball techniques have grown leaps and bounds year by year.

and THAT's the biggest reason why I think the future is even brighter for Nic. those off balance but perfectly in-form 3FGAs that he's draining this year? that's NEW. and now he's starting to assert himself as a passer, showing a full arsenal without the fear of a single TO getting him benched for a half by Coach Nate.

his left-hand is still his achilles heel, but when the 'zers run sets to get him the ball while he's in motion going right, he's doing great things (see: the set for Wesley Matthews to tie the game last night, last possession right before Wesley's go-ahead 3FGM).