I keep reading that Badiane has potential but is still "raw." Other rookies get the same tag. What are some of defining aspects of "raw" -- not generalizations like "he needs to improve his footwork." What does that MEAN to those of us unfortunates who have never had basketball coaching?
I always interpret it as a player with a lot of athletic ability but with very little polish to his game.
When they say a player is raw I think there saying he has only played organized basketball for a short period of time. Or Someone who has not had the proper coaching and started playing fairly late. I dont know, i could be wrong.
Raw to me means athletic but not taught or experienced. For instance a raw big man like Badaine has been blessed with size and (supposed) atlheticism but lacks the fundamentals like footwork or positioning(offensive and defensive). In his case, as with a lot of foriegn players, the cause is that he was exposed to basketball later on in life than most. In America it seems to me this is usually the result in a late growth spurt. A raw swingman to me describes someone like TMac. These are guys that come into the league without ever haing to learn fundamentals like moving without the ball, defensive positioning or spacing. They have relied on their natural god given abilities, which are so much greater than their contemporaries that they can basically blow by or rise above anyone they've ever played. Just my $.02
Ahh, polish... Being un-polished is when your go-to move in the post consists of quick step toward basket and dunking it in ur opponent's face. Being polished is when your go-to move in the post consists of backing your opponent down then calmly spinning and fading away for a jumper. or somethin like that....
I agree with you but, I also think its a nice way to not say " we are contractually obligated to make 2nd roun dpicks." "we have no idea if this kid will ever amount to crap." translation - so and so is "raw"................ other than that I think it has someting to do with gay p*rn.
A player is considered "raw" and labeled such if any one of the following conditions is met: 1.) Came into the draft from high school 2.) History of getting into foul trouble 3.) Can rebound and play defense but only offensive skill is dunking 4.) From Africa The following types of players are NEVER considered "raw": 1.) Came into the draft as a college junior or senior 2.) Plays either guard spot 3.) Is European 4.) Is white
Why don't they let him play in the summer league, and in the preseaon games, and then decide if he's raw? If he's ready to play, I'm excited about the Rockets having a new power forward. Ever since that trade for Clyde Drexler, the Rockets haven't had a good power forward who played for long. Charles Barkley joined Houston when he was past his prime. I hope Malick Badiane is better than Otis Thorpe and is the monster shot-blocker many say he is.
Badiane is 19 and only has played basketball for 5 years if I heard right. Id guess most players in the draft have played since atleast late elementary school. Thats why I would say he is a raw player
More than likley it means that he has very tentative and limited offensive repetoire because he quite frankly has not developed those moves to the point that he has confidence in them. It may also mean that on the defensive side he makes up for his lack of basketball savy with his incredible athleticism and that once he gains that basketball savy he wil be a stud (ok that last part is wishful thinking) Carlos
That, Zac, was a hilarious display of a lot of racism. Ok, I forgot, affirmative action wiped that out.
i'm still trying to remember the last white guy described as 'raw'... Brent Price Matt Maloney Drew whatever? Boki?!!!! Nope, never happened. Can anyone name one?
They are letting him play in the summer league and if he surprises people they may talk about adding him to our roster this year.
i think he was dead serious! Until proven otherwise, 'raw' is a racist eptithet never used on whites. It implies igonorance. You consider it joking just because he posted the message with great humor.
