Nathan Jawai

rocketfish · Mar 21, 2008

hooroo - what in my post lead to your attack on me?
When did i once say i know more than scouts?

One of the things i said was don't let the stats fool you.
Yet that's what people are bringing up.

Guys,
when my friends told me that scouts were watching the Cairns game i immediately knew Jawai was the reason.
He does look impressive to NBL competition.

Watching nbl games compared to nba games regularly shows the huge disparity between talent.

One thing i also pointed out was the run and pull up pop style of basketball - equating to a lot of rebounds to be had. All i stress is don't let stats fool you.

And like i said in the previous post he may well be worth the shot.

My personal opinion is i don't think he is as good as many are hoping him to be.

You opinion is he will.

Is there really need to vindicate me for this?

DrNuegebauer · Mar 21, 2008

rocketfish said:

One thing i also pointed out was the run and pull up pop style of basketball - equating to a lot of rebounds to be had. All i stress is don't let stats fool you.
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It's not like anyone is getting 15 rebounds per game in the NBL...

There are only 2 guys in that league who got more rebounds pre contest than Jawaii did... so however you measure the 'amount of rebounds to be had' there were only 2 rebounders better than him.

And even though the NBL is not the NBA, there's no reason that an NBL player couldn't actually make the NBA.
I'm not convinced that Jawaii would be an All Star either - but I'd sure like to have him on the Rockets roster at the moment - a big guy who can score the ball! wouldn't that be sweet...

hooroo · Mar 21, 2008

rocketfish said:

hooroo - what in my post lead to your attack on me?
When did i once say i know more than scouts?
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i wasn't "attacking" you, that wasn't my intention, just bringing up points. it was a nothing comment. replace you with us or just disregard it.

Jaee · Mar 21, 2008

It seems like on a few mock draft sites that Nathan Jawai is dropping down in the order.. From late first round to early-mid second round.

I guess it is because of the NCAA tournament and it helps raise the stock on some players. So Jawai could very well fall to a mid second round pick..
A nice little development project for a 40ish pick.

Another interesting note i saw on one mock draft site is that Joe Ingles is projected to go at late 40's... Anyone know if he openly declared his intentions to join the NBA?

He's quite good very similar to brad newly except his longer and more athletic.

hooroo · May 15, 2008

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23706557-2702,00.html

BARELY six years since taking up the sport, a 21-year-old from one of Queensland's most remote communities left Cairns yesterday, bound for the US, where he is widely tipped to be the first indigenous Australian tojoin the National Basketball Association.

Nathan Jawai, who is 208cm tall and weighs 130kg, will join an NBA draft camp in Las Vegas next week.

He has already been spoken to by about 20 clubs interested in acquiring his services.

The Las Vegas camp is a sort of recruitment area for the NBA, but Jawai has another goal in mind - representing his country at the Olympic Games with the Australian basketball team, the Boomers.

Jawai, who started playing basketball at 15, grew up in Bamaga, a mostly Torres Strait Islander community of 870 on the tip of Cape York that was established in 1947 following concerns some islands in the Torres Strait were in danger of being inundated by tidal surges.

Like most children on Cape York, he played rugby league throughout primary school and early high school.

"I didn't really grow until I was quite old," Jawai says.

"Then I did, and all of a sudden I started liking basketball more and more."

Despite his relatively late start in the sport, Jawai has a pedigree and a powerful mentor in the game. He is the nephew of Danny Morseu, the first indigenous Australian to play basketball for Australia.

"Danny was the one who encouraged me to come to Cairns and to get serious," he says. "He saw me playing in Bamaga and got me into the academy."

Since moving to Cairns to join the development squad of the NBL club the Cairns Taipans in 2004, Jawai has managed to return home for only about three weeks a year, and most of his immediate family has moved south to provide support.

Jawai was named the NBL rookie of the year last year, and scouts from NBA clubs have been regular visitors to Cairns since his senior debut last year.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said last year that Jawai was the best local product for years. "I think he is the best talent that has come into our league for a long time and I don't think we have had anyone like him in that position," Goorjian said.

Jawai, who is forgoing Boomers training camps by travelling to the US, admits he has a lot to learn but still hopes to represent Australia in Beijing.
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okierock · May 16, 2008

Go back and read about Malik Badiane when we drafted him. He sounded like he could turn into the next Dream .

I don't mind wasting a 2nd rounder on him but I won't get my hopes up thinking he will contribute.

hooroo · May 16, 2008

okierock said:

Go back and read about Malik Badiane when we drafted him. He sounded like he could turn into the next Dream .

I don't mind wasting a 2nd rounder on him but I won't get my hopes up thinking he will contribute.
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They're nothing alike.

Badiane was always touted as a project with basketball skills that still had to be learnt. He was signed out of a suburban league in Germany a country whose first division basketball is regarded weak.

Jawai played for a junior college in the US got hurt early then went back home to play professionally in the Aussie league where he became rookie of the year. Maybe watch him play first and you'll know different

No one's suggesting to draft Jawai with a first rounder.

okierock · May 16, 2008

hooroo said:

They're nothing alike.

Badiane was always touted as a project with basketball skills that still had to be learnt. He was signed out of a suburban league in Germany a country whose first division basketball is regarded weak.

Jawai played for a junior college in the US got hurt early then went back home to play professionally in the Aussie league where he became rookie of the year. Maybe watch him play first and you'll know different

No one's suggesting to draft Jawai with a first rounder.
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If you read my post you will notice two things.

1. I did not say that these players were alike I said that there were simular things written about them.

2. I didn't say to draft him with a first rounder I said that I would be ok drafting him with a second rounder.

The fact that he went from junior college to top rookie in that league says that the league is weak. How many junior college transfers to a D1 college ever become one of the top college players? None that I can think of. I didn't say anything about the way he played because I haven't seen him play and probably never will. The day we draft him I will become a huge fan, until then.. eh.

hooroo · May 16, 2008

Most Aussie players get into a top college either through a personal connection or if their families can afford it pay their way through. Bogut got into Utah via the former. Jawai wasn't as lucky and was getting his foot in the door hoping to get recruited.

He was developed through the Australian Institute of Sport. The AIS is an internationally renowned olympian nursery/factory. The Chinese government requested their help in updating their sports/training programmes a year or two ago.

tofu-- · May 16, 2008

He seems like a real bruiser down low. I think he'd be a really high quality pickup, if the scouting reports are right about his attitude and willingness to get better.

It's all in Morey's hands, and I trust Morey to make the right decision, as he did last year. But Jawai definitely seems like he can be a quality big man if given the right environment.

hooroo · May 17, 2008

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/05/16/3898_local-sport-news.html

"I think he's done a great job. He’s probably the biggest and most athletic guy we've got down there in Australia at the moment in the NBL, so that definitely helps him,” Bogut told The Cairns Post.

"Being so young, the feeling on how good he could be is not really known, so I think that’s why there’s a lot of buzz around about him.

"I think he’s obviously going to be drafted, I’m not sure where. From what I hear from our scouts, I think he could be a second round pick which would be very good and I think he’s definitely got a chance, he’s got to keep working at it.”

Longley, the first Australian to play in the NBA, watched Jawai with interest during his first NBL season in 2007-08.

"I think he’s got all the physical tools. I don’t know that he’s ready to play in the NBA right now in terms of experience but the NBA guys will figure out (if that’s the case),” Longley said.

"The difference for Nathan is going to be that in the NBL, he's one of a kind. He's the only one with that advantage, he's the only one with that size and that speed and that explosiveness. In the NBA, there's going to be six of him on every team, so he’s going to have to come with something different.

"Having said that, he’s got the (tools) he needs to be a player, he’s just got to keep developing his game."

Jawai hits the court in Las Vegas next week at a two-week camp designed to hone his fitness and game ahead of workouts for various NBA teams.

Nineteen teams have requested individual workouts but with a window of only three weeks, not all requests will be able to be accommodated.

"The pre-draft workouts go from June 4 to the 25th so you’ve only got about 21 days and a big country and you're travelling around (so you don’t do 19 workouts),” said Cairns Marlins coach Aaron Fearne who will travel to the States with Jawai.

"He’s going to do between eight to 12 workouts, I would say, around that mark.

"And then it’s up to his agent to select which teams are in his best interest to work out for to get him drafted."

Restricting the number of workouts ensures Jawai will be at his peak for each team and be able to go at it hard, something those advising him believe is vitally important.

"I just think he's just got to go at it and go at it hard and keep himself sharp and do the basic things and let his natural abilities come through, that's what he’s got to try and promote, his quickness for his size and his athleticism for his size," Fearne said.

"He's got great hands and great feet and moves very well for a big guy and that’s what’s going to get them excited. You can’t teach that side of it.

"They can teach him and improve his jumper and his post moves but that natural gift, you can't teach that and that's what you've got to try and promote.

"And just give it everything he’s got and show them that he's a worker and that's all he can do."

Longley says Jawai's work ethic will be vital.

"He has to prove to them straight away that he wants to work hard,” the three-time NBA championship winner said.

"He's going to be seen as a bit of a project no matter where he goes because every draft pick is a project, even first-round draft picks.

"The first thing you’ve got to do is establish that you’re here to work, that you love the game, you show up every day and you train hard."

Bogut and Longley acknowledge Jawai faces a massive task stepping up from the NBL to the NBA. But they are excited about what it could mean for Australian basketball if he were able to do it. "It's very tough to make that step from the NBL to the NBA and there are only a few Australians that have done it, being Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal and Mark Bradtke, and they all had short stints in the NBA and really didn’t play that much, not much game time or significant roles," Bogut said.

"I mean if Nathan could do it, it’d be great for the NBL, it’d be great for the NBA and hopefully could be another avenue guys could take."

Longley was so impressed with Jawai’s NBL showing he called his former Chicago Bulls mentor Phil Jackson, now head coach at Los Angeles. "When I first saw him I called Phil Jackson from the Lakers and told him to have a look at him and I believe he sent scouts down," Longley said.

"I haven’t heard back from Phil about their intentions but I do know that he was being looked at by a lot of other clubs. Big international guys have been popular in the draft lately but I’m not close enough (to know where he’ll go)." Jawai has to be ready to make his own piece of good luck, that instant when thousands of hours of preparation meet one moment of opportunity.

"In my opinion, a lot of it is time and place. Call it luck if you want," Longley said.

"In my case, I could easily have had a lot less of a successful career if I hadn’t been so lucky to be where I was (when I was).

"I could give you a list of guys from the NBL that I think should have been in the NBA – Mark Bradtke, Matt Nielsen, Chris Anstey still. Sam Mackinnon with his talent, there’s no reason Sam Mackinnon shouldn’t be in the NBA.

"There are guys with the physical talent and skills that just haven’t been in the right place at the right time. If he doesn’t click right away … that doesn't mean much at all. There's a lot of guys that bounce around for a few years and end up having great careers.

"He’s young and he’s probably a little bit inexperienced for the NBA.

"They may send him off, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think just sticking at it and being there in the right place when your time comes up and being prepared is critical."

Jawai seems amazed Bogut and Longley have taken such an interest in his progress but he is obviously touched.

"They've been there before (and) they know what people expect," he said. "Andrew's a good guy, I’ve spoken to Andrew a fair bit about this. But with Luc being there, he’s a big man himself … and him saying that kind of thing it's a big compliment for me. It’s a good thing to hear from your Australian teammates and former Australian players."

At just 21, Jawai is dealing with the hype going on around him pretty well. Bogut, the first overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft, knows a bit about hype and thinks Jawai will be fine.

"I think that Nathan really has got his head screwed on straight," he said. "He knows what his goals are, I think he’ll be fine."

By just continuing to do what he has been doing, Bogut believes the Bamaga behemoth will keep on track.

"There’s going to be people that pump you up, there's going to be people that don’t like you from day one and have different agendas and there’s going to be other people that are going to try to promote a kid that they grew up with in their town or so on," he said.

"I think he should be fine as long as he keeps doing the same things he’s been doing the last five or six years, there’s no reason why things will get tough for him.

"I think Nathan will be fine once he gets over here and settles in. The toughest adjustment is just getting settled into that American lifestyle for the first month or two and getting used to the travel and all that type of stuff.

"Once you’re in the swing of things, it goes by with the click of your fingers."

It’s been a long journey already for Jawai, literally and metaphorically, and one that he can hardly comprehend having only picked up a basketball for the first time about five years ago.

"It’s going to be a massive challenge for me," he said. "I'm excited. I was a bit nervous before, I'm still a bit nervous right now … but I'll be fine."
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hooroo · May 18, 2008

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23713554-11088,00.html

"I've got to give my best because there might not be a second chance. It's the most important thing in my life right now, trying to get into the league."

So important Jawai has had to put his Olympic ambitions on hold to make the US trip.

His trials begin with the Golden State Warriors on June 4, with the Charlotte Bobcats and Toronto Raptors showing most interest.

The earliest Jawai could join the Boomers is in early July in Europe, a month out from the Olympics.

"It's going to be very hard for me to make the team because we've got a lot of big guys - Andrew Bogut, Chris Anstey, Matt Nielsen and David Anderson - it's going to be real tough," he said.

"If I didn't have this draft I'd be in the Olympic camps. But I can't be at two places at once. It's upsetting but I'm still young, I've got the next Olympics."

Jawai has sought advice from former NBA championship winner Luc Longley and has been emailing Bogut.

Agent Daniel Moldovan said feedback suggested Jawai would be picked anywhere from 14th to 25th in the draft.
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dockerland · May 19, 2008

Saw Nathan a few times in person this year and nothing jumped out to me and screamed "NBA Calibre"

Yes the guy is big and there is the potential to work with but on the 2 occasions he came up against Paul Rogers (Who is in the latter part of his career) his skill around the rim needed a lot of work and his body attitude went downhill quickly. I just can't see him outmuscling any PF's or C's in the NBA

I hope it works out for Nathan as the more aussies we get in the nba the more chance we may get more games broadcast.

hooroo · May 20, 2008

Chad Ford's take.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf...ge=DraftWatch-080520&univLogin02=stateChanged

Nathan Jawai, PF/C, Australia

Jawai is trying to become the first indigenous Australian to be drafted by the NBA. The big man from Thursday Island averaged 17.7 ppg and 9.6 rpg on 58 percent shooting this year in the Australian NBL league.

He arrived from Australia on Sunday night and was going through his first workout in Vegas alongside Alabama's Richard Hendrix and fellow Aussie Aleks Maric.

What I saw was encouraging.

Jawai has the size of a NBA player. He's a 6-foot-10 big man with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and weighs roughly 270 pounds. He is very strong and a good athlete for someone that size. Despite his size, he's pretty light on his feet and shows the footwork of a former soccer player.

What surprised me were Jawai's skills facing the basket. He has a very soft touch and great range out to about 18 feet. He showed an excellent understanding of the game and went through the workout like a seasoned pro.

Jawai has been criticized for his poor conditioning in Australia. He's already lost some weight training in Australia and expects to lose another 15 pounds over the next few weeks training with Abunasser. He also needs to hit the weight room. While he possesses natural strength, his body doesn't look like he's really ever lifted seriously.

Look for him to be very popular in draft workouts. His game resembles Elton Brand's. Usually you can't say that about players in the second half of the first round. Only six NBA teams made the trip to Australia this year, so most scouts are working off video tape. Unfortunately he's skipping the Orlando pre-draft camp, where we could see him in 5-on-5 play. But it shouldn't damage his stock. As he gets in shape and gets into team workouts, his draft stock should take a leap. I think at the end of the day, someone takes him in first round.
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hooroo · May 30, 2008

http://www.nbadraft.net/jawaiinterview001.asp

NBADraft.net: Nathan your family free dives for lobsters, how often do you find yourself diving and what is it like?

Nathan Jawai: Whenever I go back up home to Bamaga (which is the northern tip of Australia) I try and get in the water as much as possible. However, I don't do it as much as I used to.

NDN: Is there any advantage that you took from this when it comes to basketball?

NJ: Unfortunately, free diving doesnt really help me too much on the basketball court, but after seeing my fair share of sharks, not much can scare me on the court.

NDN: When you were little you tried playing rugby, what made you decide to switch to basketball?

NJ: I actually played rugby league, which is a little different to rugby, but after I started growing so tall everybody told me that basketball made more sense. I think they were right.

...NDN: You spent some time at Midland Community College, one of the premier JUCO's in country. What did you learn about the American game? Were there any surprises about the American game?

NJ: Yes, I did play one season at Midland, however it was injury plagued so I didnt really get to play as much or as well as I would have liked. The only major difference between the basketball in America and in Australia is the speed and athleticism.

NDN: Your nickname, "Aussie Shaq", implies a big bruising style of basketball. But there is much more to your game such as a jumper and good post moves right?

NJ: I still find it funny everytime someone calls me that, because I don't think I play anything like Shaq. I guess because I can dunk pretty easily and I was the biggest guy in the Aussie league the comparison was inevitable. However I see myself playing the PF spot in the NBA and I can definately shoot the ball pretty well for a guy my size, so hopefully I will lose that nickname soon.

NDN: Why do you feel you are ready for the NBA?

NJ: Well I know that physically I am ready. I know I'm strong enough and fast enough to compete at this level and I am willing to do whatever it takes to improve other areas of my game to be able to contribute in the NBA.

NDN: What is going to be the biggest adjustment to the NBA?

NJ: I keep hearing about the travelling side of things from guys like Andrew Bogut, so that's going to be an adjustment and from a basketball side of things, I am going to have to adjust to the speed of the league.

NDN: Right now you're participating in Abunassar's Impact Basketball in Vegas. What is the focus of your training and some of the drills you are doing?

NJ: We spend a lot of time on post work and shooting drills. The strength & conditioning is also very intense and then each afternoon we play 3 on 3 or we play 5 on 5. Joe has been making a point of showing us what to expect in the upcoming NBA workouts so we're prepared.

NDN: How much time do you spend playing against others at the Academy such as Joe Alexander and Marresse Speights and how do you match up against them?

NJ: I have spent a little bit of time playing against those guys. I think they will both be excellent NBA players. Joe is the most athletic guy I have ever seen at that position and he is working very hard on his shooting. Speights seems like he does everything pretty well. He is big, he can shoot it and he killed the vertical leap test we did - he is tough.

NDN: Heading into the draft, what part of your game is most NBA ready and what part of your game is least NBA ready?

NJ: I would probably say that my explosiveness around the rim is probably my strength and I think that perimeter defense is something I need to work on, because I will be playing the PF here and they can all step out and put the ball on the floor.

NDN: Heading into the draft, is there a dream team that you have always wanted to play for as a kid or even a dream situation for you to come into?

NJ: I dont think I ever had a team I liked more than any other, however I find Phoenix and Golden State a lot of fun to watch. I am pretty fast for a guy my size and I enjoy that up and down style of play, so I guess I wouldnt mind being in that kind of environment.

NDN: As a 21 year old working out in Vegas, how much time do you get to experience Vegas? Making any money at the casinos or are you all business in preparation for the draft?

NJ: I have been out for lunches and dinners with my agent, so I had a good opportunity to see some of the casino's on the strip and they are all very impressive. We certainly dont have anything like this in Australia. As for gambling - it's not my thing.
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hooroo · Jun 18, 2008

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/06/17/4670_local-sport-news.html

Tuesday, June 17, 2008
"Some teams have expressed (an interest) to work him out again."

...Already, that is proving the case for the 206cm, 124kg Bamaga product who has surprised team after team with his speed, mobility and explosiveness for his size.

"That’s been the most intriguing thing for most of these teams, his ability to move and jump for a man of his size," Fearne said.

"He’s shot the ball a lot better than a lot of teams thought… and the feedback he’s been getting is pretty positive."

Jawai worked out for Denver, Utah, Houston and San Antonio last week
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http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/06/18/4681_local-sport-news.html

Jawai has had to put the brakes on his NBA trials as well after aggravating a thigh injury during a workout with the San Antonio Spurs.
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