Naters Gonna Nate

[zooropa]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I thought he made a good comparison to Kirk Hinrich.

"Poor man's Kirk Hinrich", though? That's just dumb.

And I agree with Witness; in fact, I would go beyond what he said: I think NBA talent scouts are, as a group, the worst in professional sports.

Every NBA draft, it seems, has two or three "Ryan Leaf" level flameouts. Some player with plenty of measurables and few if any intangibles.

[joeboo22]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

"Poor man's Kirk Hinrich", though? That's just dumb.

And I agree with Witness; in fact, I would go beyond what he said: I think NBA talent scouts are, as a group, the worst in professional sports.

Every NBA draft, it seems, has two or three "Ryan Leaf" level flameouts. Some player with plenty of measurables and few if any intangibles.

NBA is just a different sport, its not scouts, more style of play and Europe. Football would have more Ryan Leafs if every backup QB had a big contract in Europe to jump to at first sign of problems. Also way fewer spots, different systems and until recently no developmental leagues.

Saying poor man or rich man is dumb, but its what people do. Comparing Nate to Kirk Hinrich is a fair comparison, they are both very similar players. And I don't mean that because they are mid-west white guys either. And not the Kirk Hinrich of today, more the Hinrich of Kansas/lottery pick. They are tall, combo guards who are more athletic then given credit for, who can create, rebound and dish the ball, but aren't terrible shooters either.

Getting conflicting reports on how many meetings Nate has set up. Terry reporting that Nate had 4 meetings last night (Orlando, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Lakers). but only has 4 others set up. Miami, Dallas, Brooklyn and Washington. Not doubting what Nate told Terry. But in general be careful with reported meetings. Some teams ask that meetings stay private. And just because a team is meeting with a player doesn't mean they are necessarily interested. Its all a game.

[goon]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

"Poor man's Kirk Hinrich", though? That's just dumb.

And I agree with Witness; in fact, I would go beyond what he said: I think NBA talent scouts are, as a group, the worst in professional sports.

Every NBA draft, it seems, has two or three "Ryan Leaf" level flameouts. Some player with plenty of measurables and few if any intangibles.

I would say baseball probably would be the hardest to be a scout. there are so many first rounders in baseball that cant hack and it and guys going 15th round or later and they are supertstars after a few years.

[TK22867]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

In his defense, Jay Williams is an idiot. Worst commentator currently at ESPN for college basketball as far as I'm concerned.

EDIT: I see people are now saying it wasn't Jay Williams who made the comment. The point remains, however, Jay Williams is awful.

You really do hate everything Duke don't you?

[filbert]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

You really do hate everything Duke don't you?

Address posts, not posters.

[TK22867]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Address posts, not posters.

Right back at ya Hoss!

Jay Williams does a fine job for ESPN. I can't remember the source, but I remember reading that ESPN had been very happy with his work and was grooming him for bigger things. Sure he might have made a mistake, but what television personality hasn't?

[Just in the crowd]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I see Nate going to Portland with the 40th pick overall.

[joeboo22]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I see Nate going to Portland with the 40th pick overall.

That's a popular prediction: Nate Tibbits is an assistant, and they drafted Lilliard out of a small school as well.

From the rumors I've heard, and its all very subject to change, but he could go as high as 21 to Utah, and as low as the Lakers at 48.

If I had to narrow it down, I'd go 31-43, because I'd be surprised if he got past Milwaukee. You have Cleveland who has multiple picks, Portland who has multiple picks, Houston is there (McHale-Minnesota guy), 76ers appear to be looking for a PG, Memphis could use some scoring, OKC could use a backup PG, that is where it I see a ton of interest.

First round, and some trades could happen and then everything changes. But Utah is an obvious fit, they need PG depth, have already shown interest, etc. Indiana- Summit League territory, already have a fmr SL player in George Hill, Minnesota- I doubt it, as they need more of a 2 guard, but hometown, etc. San Antonio- drafted George Hill, could use some PG depth, Phoenix- who knows with them, no pick would surprise me there.

All of this being said, outside the lottery it gets crazy difficult to predict, because Europe goes into play where you can draft guys out of Europe where they can hold their rights for years, and have them develop without paying them anything. Compared to making a selections of a guy where a decision has to be made in October.

[witness]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I don't think anybody really knows where he is going. All you need is a team or two to fall in love you

[witness]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

For those wondering, this is the move Nate put on Myck Kabongo and made the Day 1 highlights at the Combine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjkcG7HUzgE
Fast forward to 0:14 mark.

[JackJD]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Watching the video clip witness posted: sometimes I wonder if Nate's moves are somewhat a little unconventional and those who haven't watched him do such things consistently like we have, must think that the other guy just plain screwed up...in their minds they're thinking "nobody can move like I just saw Nate Wolters move...wasn't anything fancy, so must have been the defender messing up". I hope he gets a lot of chances to show how often he shakes off defenders.

[SanDakotaState]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Nate Wolters interview after Day 1 of the combine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsMygZdYmOk

[SDSUAlum08]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

One of the ESPN commentators---possibly the same one who name-checked 'SAN DIEGO STATE JACKRABBITS'---was talking about how Wolters' speed is an issue.On screen, Wolters pulls a nifty move, freezes Kabongo, and blows by him for a layup.Yeah. His *speed* is an issue.In an effort to make a recovery, one of the commentators, on the replay, says, "Well, Kabongo isn't noted for his defense."....Sheesh. The NBA is littered with players that have 'athleticism' and haven't the discipline to take advantage of it. Wouldn't you rather have a player who can freeze defenses even if his 'athleticism' isn't all that exceptional?

They're just pointing out that Nate's lateral quickness is his biggest weak spot, which is completely true. Take off those Jackrabbit glasses for a bit.

[SDSUAlum08]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

"Poor man's Kirk Hinrich", though? That's just dumb.And I agree with Witness; in fact, I would go beyond what he said: I think NBA talent scouts are, as a group, the worst in professional sports.Every NBA draft, it seems, has two or three "Ryan Leaf" level flameouts. Some player with plenty of measurables and few if any intangibles.

Every draft every year of every professional league has Ryan Leaf flameouts. Minus the drugs, jail, etc. of course.

[zooropa]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

They're just pointing out that Nate's lateral quickness is his biggest weak spot, which is completely true. Take off those Jackrabbit glasses for a bit.

He said, "quickness and foot speed are an issue" and he said it as Wolters demonstrated why that is an overrated metric in the NBA--certainly on offense. If you hate driving to the left because you can't dribble left-handed, then yeah, you'd better be quick. But if you can go either way you don't need 'foot speed', you need a good head fake and the ability to rapidly switch your dribble. Wolters has that, and it is very very much on display in that clip. Go to about 2:48 of the draft combine. Wolters sells Kabongo on a drive to the right, rolls off him and switches his dribble between his legs, in stride, almost loses the ball (which is probably slippery, judging by how much those kids are sweating), but finishes at the rim.

And if there are "Ryan Leaf" level flameouts in every draft, then why is Ryan Leaf so well known? Why aren't we referring to some guy or another in the NBA as the next "Andrea Bargnani" or the next "Andrew Bynum"? Because the NBA lottery is full of stuff like that, even if those guys weren't quite as bad as Leaf. Shoot. The number 1 pick in 2000 had a broken leg. The number 1 pick this year's got a blown ACL.