I agree with this comparison much more than the Boozer one. I don't think we've seen enough of Landry's post up game or the extent of his effectiveness midrange, but thats due to lack of playing time up until the past few weeks. Frankly the thing I like most about the David West comparison is West is probably the quietest baller putting up all-star numbers that simply doesn't get enough credit. Were it not for the logjam of PFs in the West he would certainly get more attention that he deserves. If Landry can develop as well as West has and still maintain that player lying in the reeds hidden talent than it would likely help us for him to stay on the Rockets and not go elsewhere. Then again GMs across the NBA are paid millions to be knowledgeable about prospective talent far more than fans who mostly cover their own favorite team.
Landry's jump shot makes him gold. He looks really comfortable with that jumper. He definitely looks a lot like Boozer out there. Props to Morey.
^ it is amazing how West has been quietly putting up good numbers for as long as he has and still gets little run. (he was a great fantasy pick last year in the later rounds...until he got hurt ) i'm looking forward to seeing Landry show off his shot and post moves more and more...because hes got them both
He's a young Kenny Thomas with energy. I like the guy but some of these comparisons are getting ridiculous. I do believe he has a possibly huge upside but comparing him to Amare, Webber, Duncan etc. is kinda goofy at this point.
I know there is a good bit of hyperbole here, but, this has been a tough year, maybe a tough 12 years, it is fun to have someone to be excited about. You can't put a price tag on hope. Players with athleticism really stand out on the Rockets. There is message there.
You missed the point. It's not about how he compares to Shaq, but how he compares to your average role player rookie. By that standard, it so happens to be the case that none in the last 20 years have been as statistically productive in terms of points and rebounds when playing at least 150 minutes. That isn't a proof of anything, but it is nevertheless interesting. I don't expect him to keep it up for the entire season, but you can't deny that he's gotten off to a very promising start and it hasn't just been a fluke 1 or 2 games. There's good reason to be excited about him.
Landry is a good all around player already. He was the offensive firepower of a Purdue team with really nobody else. He played solid and went head to head with Noah and Horford in the NCAA finals. He did really well and got a lot of points and rebounds against two 7 footers. That Florida front line was really something last year. He's money out to about 18 ft. He needs to extend his range out to 3 point land and he'll be really dangerous. I think as he gets more time, you'll see his ball handling skills. He has some good post up moves, and he's got a really good spin move off the dribble. He comes off screens well too so as Adleman starts giving him more freedom to cut and come off screens you'll start to see the complete ball player that he is already.
Agreed. I don't want to come off like I'm not excited I just hate to count the chickens before they hatch. In my mind, he could end up being anything from a second string PF on a decent team to a starting PF on a Championship team. It is wide open for him at this point. I guess it has been so long since we had a "sleeper" pick on this team that I am very cautious about being too openly excited. One thing is for sure. This kid is EXACTLY what this team needed on the front line to compliment Yao's strengths (and shortcomings). Let's hope Shane and Chuck teach him a bit about being a smart defender.
Wow, that is some elite company. Robinson, Sabonis, Shaq and Mourning -- and he's sporting a PER higher than all those guys. I thought it was impressive enough that his PER is still 29.2 despite having played this many minutes -- now I'm starting to think that this kid might be a legitimate 20/10 threat -- definitely future starter material.
I'm curious as to why you think he needs 3 point range. Sure, every guy could theoretically be better with more range but do we really want a guy who is a down low, rebound gobbling, dunking machine PF spending any time outside of 16ft from the basket?
He still has quite a bit of developing to do - I'd like to see him learn some post moves from Yao and Scola, and develop better handles so that he can face up against bigger opponents and take them off the dribble. Once he can learn to get his own shot anytime like that, then the Boozer comparisons will be truly legitimate.
He have post up moves, you just haven't seen it yet. Just like he haven't had much chance to show his mid range shots until last game.
Rookies with at least a 25 PER and 150 minutes played since 1980: http://www.basketball-reference.com...&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts Carl should quit now while he's ahead.
He doesn't "need" to, but he can, and why not? It opens up the floor for him and for his teammates and makes him that much more dangerous. He already has great form on his jumpshot, so it won't be difficult for him to do at all.
Dude, his ball handling skills are already good enough to take bigs off the dribble. You just haven't seen that aspect of his game yet.
I was not aware of that as I really never saw the guy play until recently. All of the people who watched him play in college say things that lead me to believe that the Rockets have not even scratched the surface of what this kid can do. Nice. If he can take big off the dribble like that then I can understand adding the 3 to his game. If the kid can be Dirk on one play and mini-Dwight Howard on the next then I'm all for it!
His spin last night in the lane looked like good ball handling skills. Hehe, and good agility as well.
LOL! Robinson, Sabonis, Shaq and Mourning were the "man". They would get their numbers no matter who's on the court with them. Landry is not the "man". Landry only scores effectively when Yao's in the game. Landry was 1/6 in Jazz game when Yao's out. It's so easy to play off Yao to score. Yao is the only center in NBA that draws so many double teams now.
