Chandler, if it wasnt for his height and his beard. I believe a lot of big men could improve their post game and strength. Pump fake hook shot is the most unguardable thing there is. Only handful has it, gasol,scola,Z-Bo, and maybe Howard. You also need core strength to back down your man. This applies to anybody. MJ and Shaq were one of the best at backing you down. Pierce and tmac did it. lebron,wade,perkins.... all could get better at it.
Good post. I agree with everything you said (except that AI could have been better. It's amazing what he accomplished at his size). However, I'd add 4) Sheer stupidity - No matter how gifted a player is athletically, and no matter how hard he works, there is a mental aspect to basketball. You need to understand the system. Know the plays. Know your opposing players tendencies. Etc. If you have no capacity for this, ala Stromile "Slomile" Swift, you cannot succeed in the NBA. Think of all the great players you've seen being interviewed. How many of them strike you as stupid? Great list. Here is who I'd add: Roy Tarpley - career destroyed by drug use Bison Dele (entered the league as Brian Williams) - He had the ability to be one of the best centers in the league in a time when that meant something, but he didn't actually like playing basketball. Sadly, it is presumed he was murdered by his own brother. (RIP) Eddie Griffin - We're all entirely too familiar with his story. (RIP) Vin Baker - Had evolved into an All-Star and could've taken his game even farther had he not been an alcoholic. Vernon Maxwell - Say what you will about Mad Max, but he had the talent to be one of the all-time greats. And there were nights when he played like one.
Iguodala!!! dude could be the next TMac! he's got handles and is very athletic. His jumpshot is not as reliable, but if he worked on it, he'd be unstoppable on offense! We already know he's a good defender too.
After reading it again, I can see why you were confused. I simply wanted to list some guys who I thought people might bring up by saying "You should add X Player to your list", and give my reasons for why I omitted them. With the way some people were describing Westbrook as possibly having Marbury-sydrome (with some examples here, here, here and here), I figured I'd throw in my two cents, and I'm pretty sure that I made it clear that I didn't feel like he belonged on the list, albeit for entirely different reasons than the other guys I mentioned at the end of the post. I thought it was fairly obvious though that I wasn't concerned about his development when I said "he'll be fine", but I guess not. Lol, nah, I'm not the les mis guy. dharocks was my AIM handle, so I've been asked that before, believe it or not.
Yao Ming - Never physical enough to unleash his true potential. Too many layups and too much falling down before Adleman came here. Say what you want about JVG and Thibodeaux but they did not use Yao to his maximum potential, and I think that stunted some of his growth...and Rudy T, too. Same goes for LaMarcus Aldridge who seems to have taken a step forward only now since Roy's career seems doomed.
Bingo! I have a hunch that he is a little too cozy with the wacky weed. His delayed reactions are almost comical and likely predictable. He needs to party less, "smoke" less (preferably not at all) and work harder. A crew cut might help.
