Wolters an NBA Prospect?

[joeboo22]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

Do I think he will get drafted? Nope
Do I think he is an NBA talent? Nope
Do I think he could end up in the NBA because of hard work, and his basketball IQ? Yup

He isn't a great talent, I've talked to coaches who watch him and say he is a D-II talent in terms of athleticism. He has worked really hard and has high basketball IQ which allows for him to get his floater to drop and to get to the FT line. If he wants to get better I think he has to become a better jump shooter. I think if he can hit the pull up it will open more eyes.

The NBA is super hard to get into though. And its one of those things where you can go from a bench player to a starter from team to team. Basketball is weird like that, only 5 are on the court and most teams use 9-10 man rotation tops. J.R. Smith went from a guy who couldn't find the floor to a guy who was playing 25+ minutes for the Nuggets. Shannon Brown went from a D-Leaguer with the Cavs to a guy who played 17+ minutes with the Lakers in a little over a year.
What I'm getting at is the NBA is weird, every year in the Draft there is a lottery pick who the experts thought was a second round pick, and every year there is a guy who goes un-drafted that they thought was a first round draft pick. So could he? Yeah, but really its anybodies guess.

If the Jacks were to make it the tournament this year and next and Nate puts up good numbers it would help a bunch

[RabbitObsessed]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

Talent =/= athleticism.

[RowdyRabbit]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

Woodside's knock was his height.

Wolters' knock will be his speed/quickness and defense. People will balk at the speed/quickness knock, but he basically has a knack for leveraging the smallest defensive lapse and turn it into points. That knack may not automatically translate to the NBA where all the defenders are big, fast, athletic, and long (I fully realize that knack has translated very well from his high school game to DI basketball).

Nate is an amazing scorer, but everybody in the NBA can score - EVERYBODY.

Here's a where are they now of the last 10 DI scoring leaders according to Wikipedia:
Jason Conley - Never played in the NBA.
Ruben Douglas - Never played in the NBA.
Keydren Clark (2 times) - Never played in the NBA.
Adam Morrison - Played 3-4 years in the NBA, now playing overseas.
Reggie Williams (2 times) - Started pro career in France, killed it for the Skyforce, now with Charlotte Bobcats.
Stephen Curry - Is putting together a pretty nice NBA career.
Aubrey Coleman - Never played in the NBA.
Jimmer Fredette - Drafted 10th overall, currently with Sacramento Kings.

My point is, being an electrifying scorer isn't enough to make it to the NBA, much less establish a career there. I hope he makes this post look absurd in about 2 years.

This post is what I was looking for back in January when I originally asked about Nate's pro chances....I know virtually NOTHING about the NBA, pay no attention to it, I know big names and what not, but nothing in-depth. I've only heard of a couple of names on that list...Fredette and Morrison. Rep.

[bigticket1]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

As long as the Luke Ridnouers of the world can be starters at the point in the NBA,Nate has a fighting chance to make an NBA roster

[joeboo22]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

As long as the Luke Ridnouers of the world can be starters at the point in the NBA,Nate has a fighting chance to make an NBA roster

fair point

[zooropa]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

Hey, if David Kahn is still running the T-Wolves in 2014, he's in. The man's drafted 3 point guards and signed 3 more during his tenure as GM.

[witness]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

What is the difference between Kendall Marshall and Nate Wolters other than Wolters is a better shooter. Marshall is a little better passer but Wolters is very good is own right. Both lack lateral quickness and neither are an explosive athlete. So really what is the difference? Marshall is #31 while Wolters is #88

[bigticket1]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

I doubt that these type of stats are kept,but you would have to think that a point guard being directly responsible for producing 50 points (points scored, plus points produced from assists) with zero turnovers has to at least be close to some kind of record.

[joeboo22]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

What is the difference between Kendall Marshall and Nate Wolters other than Wolters is a better shooter. Marshall is a little better passer but Wolters is very good is own right. Both lack lateral quickness and neither are an explosive athlete. So really what is the difference? Marshall is #31 while Wolters is #88

I've never seen anyone with court vision like Kendall Marshall. I don't think Kendall Marshall gets drafted either though, and will be at North Carolina all 4 years.

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

Woodside's knock was his height.

Wolters' knock will be his speed/quickness and defense. People will balk at the speed/quickness knock, but he basically has a knack for leveraging the smallest defensive lapse and turn it into points. That knack may not automatically translate to the NBA where all the defenders are big, fast, athletic, and long (I fully realize that knack has translated very well from his high school game to DI basketball).

Nate is an amazing scorer, but everybody in the NBA can score - EVERYBODY.

Here's a where are they now of the last 10 DI scoring leaders according to Wikipedia:
Jason Conley - Never played in the NBA.
Ruben Douglas - Never played in the NBA.
Keydren Clark (2 times) - Never played in the NBA.
Adam Morrison - Played 3-4 years in the NBA, now playing overseas.
Reggie Williams (2 times) - Started pro career in France, killed it for the Skyforce, now with Charlotte Bobcats.
Stephen Curry - Is putting together a pretty nice NBA career.
Aubrey Coleman - Never played in the NBA.
Jimmer Fredette - Drafted 10th overall, currently with Sacramento Kings.

My point is, being an electrifying scorer isn't enough to make it to the NBA, much less establish a career there. I hope he makes this post look absurd in about 2 years.

I don't think he will make it because of his scoring ability. However, I think his point guard play (ball handling, passing, etc.) may get him some looks. I look at Kidd, Nash, Ridinour, etc. and there are several PGs that have been successful in the NBA that are exactly lightning quick which leads me to believe he has a shot. There are intangibles that go with that position that aren't easily measured that lead to success.

[BTownJack]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

I don't think he will make it because of his scoring ability. However, I think his point guard play (ball handling, passing, etc.) may get him some looks. I look at Kidd, Nash, Ridinour, etc. and there are several PGs that have been successful in the NBA that are exactly lightning quick which leads me to believe he has a shot. There are intangibles that go with that position that aren't easily measured that lead to success.

I completely agree with this. Not saying he will get drafted but your assesment on the intangibles of a point gaurd being hard to measure is spot on!

[Just in the crowd]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

The NBA players are on strike. I don't think they will play until the fall of 2012.

[RabbitObsessed]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

The NBA players are on strike. I don't think they will play until the fall of 2012.

Uh...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...son/51585272/1

[el_presidente]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

I just heard a rumor from a very reliable, unnamed source that Nate Wolters is transfering after next year.....to the NBA. haha. Just making light of the Wolters transferring rumors from last year.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Wolters an NBA Prospect?

I don't think he will make it because of his scoring ability. However, I think his point guard play (ball handling, passing, etc.) may get him some looks. I look at Kidd, Nash, Ridinour, etc. and there are several PGs that have been successful in the NBA that are exactly lightning quick which leads me to believe he has a shot. There are intangibles that go with that position that aren't easily measured that lead to success.

I can't disagree with what you have written, there are intangibles, and so far Nate has them. However, it takes a lot of intangibles (not to mention the right opportunity) to make up for athleticism and size.