[Empty the Bench] Budinger is what Alexander was supposed to be

Joe Alexander had great PR coming into the league. There were stories about him sleeping in the gym, working relentlessly to get better, how much he loved basketball, how tough Joe was, how much of a leader Joe is, etc... Joe's PR was 50% of what got him drafted.

Chase Budinger had terrible PR coming in, he was a 2 sport star so people wondered if he really liked basketball, his toughness and leadership were questioned throughout his stay in AZ. It didn't help that AZ went through a tumultous time while he was in school and he did not have the tournament success Alexander had.

Looking back, Alexander was drafted high because of perceptions on his work ethic, toughness, and heart, while Budinger was drafted low because people questioned all those things about him.

 

I love Daryl Morey

 

It really can't be said enough. I can't wait until everyone of the players on this team are here becauase of him. His valuation system is just top notch.

 

This is all true, but I would not mind taking a closer look at Joe next year.

On second thought, nevermind.

 

with a name like Joe Alexander, what else can one expect other than "average"?

 

This Bud's for you.
Matt Bullard

 

That means no star players. No YaoMac.

 

Could Joe's failures have contributed to Chase dropping to the second round? If so then Joe gets a big thanks from me!

 

"It’s still early in the season, but the Rockets are giving up a fantastic 9 points less per 100 possessions with Budinger on the floor compared to when he’s on the bench."

He will be our starting SG at some point in the future.

DD

 

Agreed. Whereas I did project him as a future all star right from the preseason, I actually underestimated his floor impact this season. I don't expect him to crack the starting rotation this year barring injury, but Chase Budinger is a revelation, a study on how the game of basketball should be played. So much for the defensive concerns -- he is already better than Ariza on fundamental defense, even if he doesn't <s>gamble</s> play passing lanes as much. He rarely gets lost, and somehow he always ends up open while Ariza always ends up in awkward 1-on-1 situations.

 

just the fact that his missing last nights game was discussed at length in the media as having an impact on the team shows you what people in and around the organization think of him

 

So, we're comparing these 2 guys because they're both white?

 

This is what stuck out to me. They're talking up his defense now. I don't see it quite yet. I see him losing his man. But don't you expect that of a rookie? I am convinced he's got the skillset. I think he should be the starting SG right now.

So, who becomes tradable, Ariza or Battier? Tough call, isn't it? That is, if we don't move McGrady. I want to see Brooks, McGrady, Budinger, Yao, Scola/Landry on the floor together. That would be quite the offense..........but questionable defense.

 

As unfair as it was (but fortunate for us), Joe Alexander's supreme suckiness did contribute somewhat to teams shying away from Chase.

Its an inevitable comparison.

 

They are both white and have outstanding athleticism, and that combo isn't a very common one in this league. They also possess the same build, are supposed to be both great shooters and look like extremely similar pro prospects, except that one is delivering and the other isn't.

 

I think Chase's been doing a decent job on defense by far.

Neither of the three has high trade value so yes I think they'll stay.

 

Pretty much. Their games are not similar. If they wanted to do a story about success vs. draft position, they could have picked Anthony Morrow. Alexander went lotto and was a bust, Morrow went undrafted and became one of the best rookies. That makes a lot more sense than comparing him to Budinger, who only has a four game sample and is in a different draft class.

 

Stojakovic was a defensive sieve for the Kings but was still able to start and contribute for Adelman's Sacramento teams. Of course I can't say Budinger is in the same league at Peja in terms of perimeter shooting when Peja was in Sac-Town, but if Chase can just keep up and play within the team defense, he won't have HUGE issues. As long as Chase can defend better than the other Great-White-Hype players like Adam Morrison and JJ Redick, he'll be fine.

 

even Morey is surprised by this kid's talent.