Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86670 posts
Tue Apr-02-19 03:25 PM
4. ""What position does he play?" is an antiquated question." In response to Reply # 1
"They're going to make him a 3." No one "makes" anyone a number position anymore. He'll have to defend the perimeter some, sure, but he did that plenty this year and was terrific. He'll have to pop the occasional 3 pointer-- he shot 37% from 3 in ACC play.
And some of his assertions suggest he'd only seen Zion's YouTube stuff. He's posted up and done pick-and-roll stuff this year plenty. His footwork in the post is good. He's a tremendous passer. To say he has no skills... again, suggests that Gilbert saw maybe one of Zion's more transition-based games and drew his conclusions exclusively from that. Or maybe from some mixtape.
But Gilbert also said Bron isn't a #1 option, so Gilbert's accustomed to the Hot Take world.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86670 posts
Tue Apr-02-19 04:02 PM
8. "Zion was one of the best defenders in college basketball." In response to Reply # 6
He guarded all five positions. Not just on some "he can guard all five positions!" cysage either. His leaping ability, motor, and strength helped him stay with much taller players, his lateral quickness and motor helped him keep point guards in front of him.
Outside of *maybe* DeAndre Hunter, there's not a better, more NBA-ready defender in the class.
11. "he switched on opposing PGs with no hesitance, routinely. and didn't" In response to Reply # 6
do any telltale signs of fear, like giving more cushion. aggressively took away passing lanes, used good footwork and hustle to follow his man through screens, communicated on switches.
he does a LOT of little things VERY well.
and on offense, he's a great passer. has a feel for where folks are on the court, and how to drive and draw, and where the pass should go to.
========================================= I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and not having much to show for it. (c) mad
17. "I LIKE ZION. It's just funny that people think its sacrilege,,," In response to Reply # 11
to suggest that Zion may have to make some adjustments to his game at the professional level and might not dominate right away like he did in college. Like it has been said at lot of it depends on what team he ends up on and what coach he plays for.
16. "I think Zion definitely has skill." In response to Reply # 4
My concern is that when the fast break put back points don't come, how will he adjust? That's the only part I agree with Arenas about.
And look, he's a rookie. He has time to add that to his game. I agree that asking what position he plays isn't really the point. He'll be able to do plenty.
auragin_boi Member since Aug 01st 2003 20939 posts
Wed Apr-03-19 08:54 AM
21. "Yeah, I watched a good 15+ duke games this year" In response to Reply # 16
And browsed through many of the ones I missed (DVR'd their season).
People are underestimating him it seems, which is ridiculous to think about.
He's BIGGER than LeBron and likely just as strong. And that's without one day with 24/7 pro training. And he's just as fast.
He gets tons of steals and is great at weakside blocks. I mean he's likely 6'6" (6'7" if we're being generous) and he had guys afraid to shoot layups in the Mich state game. Let alone he blocked a 3.
His vertical leap makes him a shot blocking/altering threat. His speed makes him a bull on the break.
He has great post foot work and I watched him routinely and effectively use post moves on guys 6'9"-6'10" this year.
He can guard the perimeter and the post. He'll have limited success with both in the pros but he's at minimum serviceable. He won't be a bum on D. And he'll be strong enough to still use the things that made him successful in college when he goes pro.
Rookie yr, I see something like 16/18ppg, 7-8rpg, 1-2apg, 1stl, 1.5blks.
He needs a better outside shot (but he'll get there, he's mediocre outside now, has time to work on it), could be better with his counter moves (he'll run into some of the LeBron schemes if he doesn't variate and he's not as good of a passer to keep teams as honest) and I'd say dropping 15-20lbs to get him around Bron's actual weight is ideal for his knees as a pro with all the wear the season brings.
23. "The more people you hear talk about basketball..." In response to Reply # 4
the more you realize most are either uninformed or misinformed. There's a handful of high profile cats who actually do their detailed homework before giving opinions and if they haven't seen them, will say "I don't know, I haven't watched him play enough".
--------------------------------- <--The drought is over
"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS
"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left." -Kobe speaking to investigators
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86670 posts
Tue Apr-02-19 03:34 PM
5. "He's perfect for the small ball NBA. " In response to Reply # 3
>In today's modern NBA = spread the floor > >I actually think he'll get more finishes at the rim than in >college
Maybe not *more* due to the added height, but I agree that the increased spacing and the more fluid/versatile positioning in today's NBA greatly, greatly benefits what Zion brings to the table.
>Is 33% from 3 terrible in college...for a forward...?
It's not great, but he improved as the year progressed: 37% from 3 in ACC play, 43% from 3 since he came back from his knee injury. His FTs will need work, but the shooting stroke in general was looking better as the year progressed.
>Say for example he goes to PHX > >They've got a shooter with Booker, and a paint presence with >Ayton > >In the switch everything NBA of today > >Zion gets a mismatch
I'd love to see Atlanta take him and then run small ball with Zion and John Collins as the bigs. Shit would be a LOT of fun to watch. They're already running the fastest pace in the NBA, it'd be must-see TV.
dula dibiasi Member since Apr 05th 2004 21925 posts
Sun Apr-07-19 06:43 PM
29. "...who's he gonna guard tho?" In response to Reply # 0
i mean y'all don't really expect him to be able to handle the likes of draymond green, pj tucker, jae crowder, jerami grant and al farouq aminu, do you?
i'm predicting he gives up a 30 piece every night!!!1!
#hearditherefirst
___
it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Okay Sports
#/media/File:Firefly.png)
