Our young 27-year old starting C is having a career year and just had his first triple double. What do you think is his ceiling? My guess would be Anthony Mason, whose tape coaches told him to watch when he first got into the league. Chucks's numbers this year ( 10 pts, 10 rebounds 3 assits per 36 minutes) is similar to Mason's during his prime years. Both guys are somewhat short but strong and agile and are very smart defenders with nice passing ability. Mason mostly had the advantage of playing a ton of minutes (averaging over 42 mpg a couple seasons), but Chuck is beginning to rack up more minutes this season, too. Mason made the All Star team once when he as 34. Chuck may yet get there if he gets enough minutes on a good team.
Adlemans system really allows his passing ability to shine and his little post game has gotten almost serviceable. But when you look at his per 36 numbers, they have basically remained the same, he's just getting more run this year. Chuck isn't gonna grow or start jumping higher. So other than maybe developing a jump shot, i just don't see any improvements he can make. He'll never be a shot blocker or dominant rebounder. But Chuck right now is pretty damn good, better than most people give him credit for.
Yeah, the leadership change with him and Lowry has been great. I like the the fact that he impacts just about every phase of the game, points, rebounds, defense, assists, and he also averages about a block a game and a steal and a half per 36 as well. Not to mention having the heart of a lion and his tremendous work ethic (like his domination off-season workout competitions). Seeing his development from when he first came into the league is pretty impressive to me.
When Chuck came out of Kentucky, DraftExpress listed Anthony Mason as his best-case scenario. Both have 2 of the most hideous FT forms in the history of the NBA.
i think chuck's recent success is the result of adelman's system and his own hard work. adelman's system requires a lot of passing and cutting, opening up the middle of the paint so chuck can do his suprise-spin more often, also the system gives an opportunity for chuck's passing ability to shine. but we shouldn't take chuck's own effort away, he worked his ass off for his FTs and got better, let's hope he keeps it going, i am officially on the wagon now!!!!
Every season we see him "Fix" something with his game .... If he can find a 15ft jumper this offseason .... I almost expect him to do just that. He could easily avg 12-15 points if he manages to do so.. There is no ceiling for a guy who works as hard as Chuck Hayes ..... Its not only about what Chuck does but the fact that he makes those around him better. More than can be said for many a superstar in this league. Chuck and Lowry are my two favorite NBA players .... dont ask me to put them in any specific order.
I honestly think it'd be much higher if he were playing at his natural position of power forward. If he had a shot blocking presence behind his extraordinary post defense he'd be able to gamble more on steals which is he very very good at. Plus he'd face more players his size and would get more rebounds with someone else actually helping him block out. He's proven recently that he can put the ball in the basket so a defensive center and Chuck Hayes wouldn't be as far-fetched a thought as it once was. I kinda hope he becomes our starting power forward with PPat as his backup and maybe he can mentor him for a few seasons and maybe step back into the backup role after PPat surpasses him.
Chuck Hayes at the MLE is starting to look like a bargain. I love the way he plays...he brings it on every single possession. Anyway, his ceiling is probably Anthony Mason offensively. His defense is already better than Mason's, and I don't think he can do any better than he is doing defensively.
He's nothing like Mason to me. Mason was a better ballhandler and better rebounder. Chuck reminds me of oakley without that push shot 15ft er. If he works on it, he can hit it. I hope this isnt a contract year drive. He couldve made this progress years ago, but for some reason he didnt. Good for chuck,hope he gets paid what he deserves.
