I don't want to harp on this too much, but I do want to be very clear that I think Cam's lack of playmaking is at least as big of a problem for him as Amen's lack of shooting ability. It just hampers him in a different way--it puts a hard cap on his ceiling in my view, whereas Amen's shooting instead damages his floor. I doubt Cam can ever be a true #1 option who touches the ball every time up the floor unless he makes massive improvements in playmaking, far more than you normally ever see from any player. Beyond that, I think it also makes it more difficult for him to even be a #2 option in the playoffs against great defenses--you have to be really careful about how and when you put the ball in the hands of a player who can be double-teamed and won't be able to pass out of it effectively. We saw similar problems with Jaylen Brown for the Celtics last season, he was taken almost completely out of the game in the playoffs. He was either standing around passively waiting for the ball or he was driving into traffic and turning it over. And Brown is a far better passer than Cam currently is, it will take a lot of improvement for Cam to even get to that level. I know Cam looks great right now, but that's largely against bench units and while not being a guy opposing teams really gameplan for or place high amounts of scrutiny upon. Sometimes I think the ultimate best role for guys like Cam ends up being a 6th man microwave scorer. I won't rule out him making enough improvements on his decisionmaking, passing that he can become a #2 option in the NBA but I do think he has a long, long way to go in that area.
High picks still have much higher star percentage than low picks. This has been argued a lot about whether tanking is worth it. The historical data show that high picks do have better chances of being great players. It's just that high pick busts and low pick stars are more noticeable and talked about. The reason why there are so many surprises/exceptions, IMO, is that the pre-NBA data is just not very reliable in terms of translating to NBA careers. Competitions, talent levels, and play styles in college, G-league, Euroleague etc. are so different from the NBA, players who do well in those places may not do well in NBA and vice versa, not to mention factors like work ethics, late blooming. And a lot of statistical data are from relatively small sample sizes. The reliability is not as good as the large amount of data collected in the NBA. I think that's a major reason why data driven GMs like Morey don't put a lot of stocks in drafting players. They use draft picks more for trade assets than a good avenue for acquiring quality players. That said, scouting is still a professional skill. pre-draft assessments are not totally worthless.
Nah bro Jabari is clearly more valuable that's why he was starting even when his **** wasn't falling last year and that's why he is the starter now.
Very promising contributions from Cam as a rookie. My only small point of criticism would be his tunnel vision. Hopefully more minutes and experience will help him overcome that.
His teardrop was beautiful. I wish he shot the jumper better. He's missing quite a few of them. Improved stamina and practice should make the difference.
Not really because he can play off the ball and convert shots set up by others. Amen - as a theoretical playmaker - can't shoot? Just back off him. Doesn't have the ball? Ignore him. I mean, you say Cam Whitnore is just a 6th man microwave scorer as if it's an insult. What is Amen Thompson future if he remains offensively challenged? Stacey Augmon? The whole discussion of who's a better #1 or #2 option is silly at this point when they're 9th and 10th men
Hmm. They both have flaws to work on, that's for certain. But poor shooting has historically been easier to fix than a lack of court vision/basketball IQ/willingness to pass/whatever the hell you want to call it. Which makes perfect sense--shooting is a mechanical skill where you can look at what you're doing wrong and fix it, detail by detail, even if it may take years to get there. Playmaking is more nebulous. You get into intuitive territory, feel for the game, yeah? And human desires--how to crush your own bad habits and tendencies. Rudy Gay was always Rudy Gay; Monta Ellis was always Monta Ellis. It is what it is.
I understand what you're saying. And it's only one game. But Cam looked pretty damn right at home against the Celtics best.
Man I was high on GG Jackson. 6'9'' 3 level scorer and like Cam he just turned 19. Lasted till the second round too. Has scored 24 and 23 in consecutive games. I'm ecstatic with Cam but selfishly wanted both! Wonder if they'd take Jae'Sean?
ireally think Ime is ok with his aggression and so called tunnel vision. It is his team defense that is holding him back.
That's completely acceptable, yet it all hinges on what the expectations for Cam are going to be. Will he be seen as an a really good starter, a star, or a superstar? I'm uncertain about his actual potential as projected by the front office and coaching staff.
