From his highlights last season he seemed really explosive though. Doing breakaway windmills, catching extremely difficult lob passes for akward angle dunks, reverse up and under lay ups etc. He also seemed fast in the fast break also. He also has that Kobe skill where he's really good at finishing on the way down from the apex of a jump after receiving contact from a defender. He clearly isn't conditioned like last season yet. That probably is going to take time.
Looked great to me. Step back threes are awesome. He is 20 years old and has plenty of time to round out his game. This was a great shot by Stone. He could be special or he could flame out or we could help this young man find his way in life and still flame out. It is win-win no matter what.
You can't really tell anything from G-league games.. Danuel House looked like Kevin Durant in the G-league. Hopefully he straightens up and can get back on the floor in real NBA games again. Perfect low risk / high reward player Stone should be looking for.
I think you can If you know what to look for, and don't focus on raw totals. Also, KPJ has an entire season of actual NBA data to pull from. He was and is a good NBA player already, on both ends. Probably why he was unwisely sandbagging it out there aside from his isolations.
I can't find any mention of it online anywhere, so I wonder if it was somebody using the term loosely to describe KPJ's occasionally problematic behavior. It's a mixed bag; if he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, then meds should be able to keep him from the worst possibilities, though I've heard they can also make it feel like you're operating in a mild brain-fog. If he's not actually bipolar, then his only hope is to will himself to make better decisions. Obviously, that's the better solution for him personally, but it's not as easy as just taking a daily pill. Hopefully the Rox will help him along that path, assuming he's receptive to the help.
only 50 games on an awful team. His advanced numbers were not that great. 99 ORTG, 115 DRTG, .535% TS%, .012 WS/48, -3.2 OBPM, -0.6 DBPM, -0.5 VORP. I'm rooting for him, but It's way too early to call this kid a "good NBA player" right now. Definitely has the skillset and athleticism to get there one day.
50 NBA games is a sizable chunk of evidence. Obviously it was an awful team, which is a big factor as to why his advanced numbers won't be great, but for a 19 year old to do what he did, especially post-injury, is something to consider. This isn't some random ass GLeague guy we picked up off the street is my point. He is not a complete unknown as some seem to think he is. He has some juicy data as a defender and a playmaker.
A really good therapist can also help him fewer meds if indeed he's dealing with bipolar. Would probably benefit to have someone available to meet daily. Maybe even under contract. Bipolar is terrible but with the right help things can change so it's not such a problem.
Oh I’m very familiar with his game brother. I believe I commented on his upside on my post history but I was so disappointed in his game yesterday that I now question if he will be anything other than a TWill for us. I know he is young but he is a long way away from being a net positive out on the court. He showed us exactly what everyone already knows about him... sneaky solid step back, streaky three ball, good court vision, extremely selfish, and an apathetic attitude. Hopefully John Lucas makes him his most successful reclamation project.
It was disheartening to see his effort, especially after watching Jae'Tate be a maniac all damn year. That said, maybe a guy like Jae'Sean is the perfect fit next to KPJ?
He is quick and has excellent body control. He is a good athlete, and I know a lot of people view him as explosive, I view him more of a finesse type player. Here as good a scouting report you will ever get on him. https://www.thestepien.com/2019/06/18/kevin-porter-jr-scouting-report/ I agree with this scouting report in general terms. I do think that he has a slightly higher upside than the scout does. I say that because he is so developed on the finesse side of the game and he has really good size to defend and has untapped athleticism.
You are correct, bipolar is technically considered a mood disorder and not a personality disorder. I am sure there have been other basketball players with mood disorders, we know there are a number of NBA players with personality disorders. Also bipolar is on a spectrum. I would not assume that the Rockets did a lot of investigation of his mental health history before trading for him. They paid little for him and likely after getting him support and help at this point. It is also possible that he has been misdiagnosed or received multiple diagnoses. I know for example that PTSD is something that is often overlooked by some clinicians when they have a diagnosis. I know that weight fluctuations and dizziness are a common problem with medication but there are multiple possible medications to try out.
I agree with you that his playmaking isn't where it needs to be and he can play with blinders on. That is why I don't see him ever playing the point. Having said that, there are a number of two guards that are successful but don't look to pass first. I also think it is possible that those parts of his game improve with age and experience. I am not disappointed because I have long thought he has about a 10% chance of becoming a long term part of the Rockets.
this report lists him as 6'6", but rockets.com and elsewhere have him as only 6'4" -- who should i believe?
Ha! He is 6'4" without shoes. He measured 6'5" with shoes. I know that at USC they measured him at 6'6" with shoes, but I would take the combine measurement over a college measurement. That measurement was nearly two years ago, so it is also possible he really is 6'6" in shoes at this point.
ok so i'm just gonna go w/ 6'5" to further cement my fairytale dream of us having a wholly authentic in every way wilt harden replacement
Bipolar is certainly on a spectrum. PTSD is definitely a possibility. Co-morbid substance abuse might be present. Lots of people "medicate'' themselves with alcohol and cannabis. Bipolar Type 1 presents with mania alternating with depression. Lithium is the prototypical agent for it. It can lead to weight gain, psorasis, hypo or hyperthyroidism and potential renal failure plus weight gain and cognitive slowing. I don't think he has that, because he wouldn't be able to play at all with such a history. Bipolar Type 2 presents with major depression and hypomanic episodes. It may not necessarily require Lithium, but other medications which may result in weight fluctuations and dizziness. Sedation can also occur with Bipolar medications. I hope this young kid can get proper mental health treatment with a holistic plan, so he can succeed in his life and as a NBA basketball player. I appreciate your comments.
