I know there is another Boki thread going, but it doesn't really compare Boki to Piatkowski. Aside from the impulsive anger to cut Nachbar over his sub-par preseason, I personally don't see why we would keep him around past the preseason anyway. It seems to me that we are grooming Boki's game to eventually resemble Piatkowski's; a solid outside shooter with decent defending skills (even though he was a slasher/finisher overseas). At most, people are comparing his game to Bullard's. But really, why bother training him to become a player that we already have? Yes, Piatkowski's only 6-6 and couldn't really play at the 3, but Boki's not much taller at 6-8, and that's not enough to have Bullard's uniqueness. That effect of a too tall outside shooter was what made Bullard a unique player because it was hard to get a hand in his face while he was draining 3's. Also, in our swingman lineup, we have Cat, Pike, JJ, and A.Griffin to rotate between the 2 or 3 spots. We don't need Nachbar, and I'm not even sure he would get enough playing time. I honestly hope he improves quickly and has some sort of impact on the team because he seems like a good kid and he and Yao get along so well, but if he doesn't get better fast, I don't see any reason to keep him other than the guilt of wasting a lottery pick on him. Your thoughts?
What do you mean, "get better fast?" Or else, you'll give up on him? There really is no reason for anyone to do that JUST yet. Okay, the guy hasn't even started his second season in the NBA, he's learning his second system in as many years, he's still learning his teammates and they are learning him, he's from overseas (making the transition to American culture, American style basketball, and mainly NBA basketball that much harder), he rarely played last season, losing valuable experience in his rookie year, plus he's only 23 years old. Under these circumstances, Nachbar deserves a little leway. So, you are willing to part ways with a lottery-selected player b/c he hasn't hit his stride yet after one and only less than stellar season? Under most circumstances, it takes a foreign player 2 to 3 years to begin realizing and fulfilling his potential in the NBA. *See Peja, Nowitzki, and Kukoc. P.S. Gasol was a rarity. Just for the record, Nachbar is 6'-9" making him above average height for an NBA small forward. I truly believe he has the talent, size, and skill to play the 3. Now, his D might be shaky at best, and his lack of confidence is hurting his shot, but what else makes you believe he's a bust, considering the lack of p.t. he has gotten thus far? I also don't understand the grounds for comparing him to Pike. Piatowski was signed to start or backup the 2 (considering Mobley is still around or not). Granted, we'll see him at the 3 sometimes in a smaller line-up, but that will by no means be his primary role. Where did you hear that the Rockets were training Nachbar to resemble Pike's or even Bullard's game? The three are totally different players. Of course, we can only dream that Boki becomes the shooter that Piatowski is and that Bullard was, but that is the only similarity that I can come up with. Well, that and they are all white and Boki and Eric both have Euro-names. A quick newsflash....this team has been built for the so-called "future." But we needed more exprienced veteran players to help that transition and teach some of the younger guys how to play and win. Fellas like Pike, Adrian Griffin, and J.J. are not getting any younger, and I don't expect them to be a part of the Rockets when it hits on all cylinders because of their age. So, hopefully by then, with a little mentoring from older teammates like A. Griffin (on defense), and Piatowski (on shooting, and O), and a little seasoning, Nachbar can develop into that player we all invisioned on draft day when comparisons to Peja danced in our heads. There is no reason to speculate about or call for his dismisal from the team thus far. At this point Nachbar is a commodity whether he starts or rides the pine, but whichever way you see it, the Rockets have set themselves up to wait for his development.
The difference between Nachbar and those other Euro players is that they were full of confidence and were drafted based on their high performance in the Euro leagues. We all know the story with Nachbar and that one fateful day in practice with Rudy. In Peja's rookie year you could tell he would be a star. The way he ran off those screens and took every shot that came his way (despite missing a lot) showed that he was confident in his game. Any player with a stroke and some MAJOR confidence in his stroke would be a good player. Same with Dirk. And this is the nba...not getting playing time means you're not getting playing time for a reason. This isn't high school where the seniors get preference over the freshmen. If at first you don't get PT, you bust ass in practice and force the coaches to have no choice but play you. If after a year, their confidence in you hasn't changed, something's not going right. I'm convinced Nachbar has game...but a player with game and no confidence isn't really a player anymore. You gotta have both to get PT.
The other thing, of course, is that Piatkowski has 10 years in the league behind him and Boki, hopefully, has 10 years in front of him.
One is a skinny white guy that can shoot, and the other is a skinny white guy that can't shoot... Oh yeah, now Nachbar is a chubby white guy that can't shoot...
Actually Boki's performance in the Euro leagues was better than that of Nowitzki and Peja. They were slightly younger though. He seems to have a quick first step and a smooth slashing ability though he seems like he can't hit the ocean with his shot.
And the fact that we still have to pay him no matter what and it counts against the cap.......................................... hmmmm, maybe that's the reason. Also small cap relief next year and maybe we can work him into a trade, which wont happen if we cut him.
Grr.. By your logic Peja would have been cut from the Kings with the poor number he put up his first 3 seasons. And I think the Boki to Bull comparison is ridiculous. Boki has far more potential than Bull ever did.
Boki is in his second year...I know this, but he seems so lost out there. He is obviously over matched out there.
ok. i said this in the other thread and no one responded to it, so i'll try it again: why the hell do you guys insist this guy is supposed to be a shooter??? i can't believe everyone still holds to the notion that boki is a "shooter". the only reason you have to believe that is one single workout. ONE. i can shoot like that, too, on a great day, but that doesn't make me an nba shooter. boki has even said that he is not a "shooter". he's a slasher, penetrator, rebounder, do everything kind of complete player. he said it last year. so if you're waiting for matt bullard part deux, i'm afraid you've unfairly pigeonholed boki. that said, i am encouraged by his game. he looks to create contact, has above average handles, is willing to work hard, and hits the boards well. in many ways, boki's game is much more similar to scottie pippen's than matt bullard's. just because he's white, doesn't mean he has to be a "shooter".
Nachbar's confidence definitly looks wavering. However let me suggest that perhaps his game is not being "the guy" that has to score with scrubs but perhaps being a "role player" playing off guys like Yao in the post and Francis on the wing. Perhaps that situation would put Nachbar into a favorable situation for him to utilize his skills to penetrate and run on the fast break. With that said, I am not saying that that is TOTALLY the reason for his poor play, but rather it might be a larger reason. Let's see how he does when he plays with Yao on the floor.
