No one is saying Cunningham sucks. But for #1 and “the next Luka” expectations he will be a bust, that’s all I’ve been pushing back on for months. He was a solid #3 on my board and I actually had him above Green. Although that was before we found out Green was a legit 6’6 and Cade was actually the one that was hiding his real height.
This is true. Game within the game, I'm actually very interested to see what he is able to do with a guy like Josh Christopher on him. Jaygup is built like a tank, is strong, moves his feet well and is going to bring the intensity along with 10 fouls lol. If he can show that he can handle that level of physicality that would be very encouraging. I'm prepared to knee jerk one way or the other. Detroit fans are concerned about this too. A few of the quotes I've come across going into tonight.
I only have a small sample from the tournament games I’ve seen him play in and a couple work out sessions. I agree that he just doesn’t have that explosive first step or ball handling ability. A lot of experts believe his size can make up for it against smaller guards etc much like Luka. He is a pretty good shooter from what I’ve seen and good decision Maker. Just doesn’t impress me as much as Scotty Barnes, Suggs or Green. I wouldn’t be surprised if Barnes is the best player from this crop.
For most of the draftees this is their first look at professional basketball and it was pretty evident how off guard some of them were caught. I think most of them will acclimate with time - Cade included. It was still a cool exercise to watch in real time as their strengths and weaknesses were on display. Seems like the GLeague did a great job of getting Green (and Kuminga) accustomed to the style of play and speed. He didnt look nervous or rattled in his first game. Plenty to build on for all fans of the top picks this year.
Barnes can do it all, but he can’t create his own shot, which will limit his upside and can throw out the baby giannis comps(giannis can drive past or through defenders). I’ve rarely if ever seen Barnes drive by his defender, which is odd given his athleticism, may be a ball handling issue. Instead he tries to back defenders down and throws up an ugly midrange floater, which won’t work in the nba. He will have to rely on teammates creating for him, perhaps as a roll man. I actually am not that concerned with his outside shot, especially with Tor development program I see him turning into a adequate outside shooter. That however won’t turn him into some superstar that experts say he will become with a 3pt shot, because he still wouldn’t be able to create his own shot. Other than that, good rebounder, good defender, good passer, great energy. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tor is right taking him over Suggs in terms of long term winning impact, even if Suggs might become the bigger “star”.
@YOLO you were talking about knee jerking. I think the Pistons fans definitely outdid us on the Cade slander. I was curious so I checked out a game thread. Man I'm excited for tonight. I don't remember ever being this hype for a freaking summer league game in my life.
Yes every single fan base over reacts to summer league games. Let’s go find the Hawks messages when Trae started of 4 for 25 or the Rockets when Jeremy Lamb was being called T-Mac nothing to see here, this is fun and all but nothing will be known for years, these guys are 19
You think so? I’ve been looking and I’ve seen a crazy amount of excuses already. They bought all the hype and thought he’s the second coming of Luka Doncic and Lebron James. They’re in for quite a letdown. They’re also really sensitive about Cade‘s performance. If anyone dares to say that he wasn’t good they bring up all the assists that his teammates missed because they fumbled his passes. Remind you of the narrative he had going for him at OK state
Cade had the lowest 2 point fg% in college of any top prospect in the last 10 years. Anybody with a brain and one working eyeball could have seen this from a mile away. Couldn’t get past unathletic non nba players in college and relied on making tough contested jumpers, like didn’t we all see that already? He got locked in as the #1 pick based on fan hype that built up before he even stepped on a college floor. Feel bad for Troy Weaver, really smart GM and outside thinker, which is probably why there was so much noise about them trading the pick or taking Green. In the end though I suspect there was too much fans and ownership pressure. Drafting is an inexact science, and despite all that it’s not impossible that Cade turned into some superstar, if that happened, even if it’s a 1% chance, the gm that passed on him is fired, 100% chance. Weaver was in a no win position. The Rockets are so damn lucky to dodge that situation.
Of course it's an overreaction. What else is new? I don't understand why everybody doesn't just accept this as part of the process. Prognosticating is all part of the fun. Most people acknowledge this. However there are some people who have concerns about a player and they feel those concerns are being validated by what they are seeing early on and want to get out in front with the I told you so. Sometimes you are right, sometimes you are proven wrong. It's conversation and debate and these boards would be absolutely desolate and boring without either. You can bet all the money in your bank account there will be more overreaction tonight all across the internet. It is inevitable. Roll with it.
They keep thinking Hayes or Cade will lock Green up tonight. I hope he blows Cade out the water Even though I hate guys like Stephen A. It is exciting to see all the media heads talk about Green as their favorite so far
By contrast No secret I wasn’t the biggest Green fan predraft when I thought he was 6’3.5. But the mentality here is night and day.
He isn't a Harden or a Doncic type player in my opinion. He lacks the high end scoring potential that those players have. However, if he can get up to 25 points a game, he has a chance to be a true superstar. He is a good shooter, he is strong, he has the potential to be a solid defender and he can command an offense at times with his passing. Green can score, and it isn't just because of his athleticism. He has excellent scoring instincts and he has a soft shot. He has a chance to lead the league in scoring for awhile. I think that defensively Green can at least be playable and likely average with effort. Truth be told, his defense will not matter as much as some think. Doncic is a poor defender as well..... the issue with Green is going to be his ability to create for others and to see if he will be able to at least split playmaking abilities. I think Green is going to be less like LBJ, Harden and Doncic and more of an off ball scorer. However, it is also possible that Green is so talented that the passing improves to the point that he is the de facto point guard.... it happened with James Harden and Tracy McGrady..... we just shouldn't expect it.
