newly, he's good, but not that good, he plays well in fiba, we cant say he can in nba, he's still gotta gain some weight and muscle to match nba guys
If Luther Head was 6'6 and didn't disappear in the playoffs, then he'd be a very good player at the NBA level. I agree - but the good news is that he's gained weight and muscle since he was drafted, and played some pretty good D on team USA in the pre-olympic tourny. Let's see how he goes in the next game against the Bryants/ Redds etc. I don't think Newley needs to be 'starter good' to come over and play NBA. Since the salary cap for an Australian team is 750k (or 650k $US), and since every young aussie basketballer's dream is to play NBA, I can't see contract negotiations being any sort of issue (if and when we decide to bring him over). So basically we need to be asking if he's "end of the bench worthy" (ie minimum salary over his career). I can't see how he's not. And I think he'd benefit immensely if we brought him over for 09/10 to sit behind Barry and McGrady for a season, learn from them and develop his game against the best.
If I understand you correctly, you are talking about the game played on the 5th of August right before the Olympics started? The game in which team USA only managed to beat Australia by 11? The game which drew the Australians praise for hanging in there, and Newley praise in particular for his defense on Bryant (3-9 shooting) and his offense against Bryant. Newley shot 5-10 in that game - and unless you're expecting him to be an All-star, then I cannot fathom how you could have watched that game in particular and think that he (i) can't get his shot against an NBA player and (ii) that he isn't an NBA talent. My personal opinion is that Newley is currently better than a lot of 'end of bench fodder' in the NBA, and is certainly an NBA talent in that he could play spot minutes if required, and if he develops, could conceivably be a passable backup SG. (not definitely a backup, but definitely a spot minute player).
At my side ,i wannna say is that Argentina plays like a team nd actually they really very strong . And one more things Ag has 6 NBA players .All to this ,Argentina is stronger than Lithuania
newley is certainly working his way towards a training camp invite, my guess is not this year but if further improves in europe next year and can make an impact at summer league the 2009 training camp will be his chance he has certainly matured and become and much more rounded player, particularly on the Defensive end and making smarter decisions with the ball
Totally agree, I dont know what bbjai was thinking about not being a factor in that game. He had some impressive drives and dunks. But still, I think he is a few years away from making any impact in the NBA.
you don't understand, Brad Newley isn't getting his shot off by himself, his getting it within the offence that has played with each other for years. The fact that when CJ Bruton goes off Newley doesn't do much says alot to me. If you watch what he does one on one which happens a fair bit in NBA play you'll notice his fairly ineffective offensively. He picks his spots against a zone d which is fair enough, but as a one on one player his not what he should be. Which is exactly the whole NBA game. His defence is overrated, if you think about shooting there is nothing the USA is doing different now to the Australian game, other then hitting the shots. The same defence is there but I think the USA team has now gotton use to the 3 pt line, in particular Kobe. I just don't rate Newley. I wasn't impressed watching him here live, wasn't impressed watching him in Greece, and wasn't impressed watching him in the Olympics defensively. I'd rather Kirk Snyder over him any day. Im talking in particular instances relating to what would be in NBA play. You talk about his shooting but he doesn't have range out to the NBA 3 pt line. He doesn't have the speed to beat his man off the dribble, and he doesn't have the defence with out a zone helping him out.
And to add to that if Newley's defence was so great on Kobe's then Angola's must be right up there too
Seems like a promising player who will eventually be a contributor. Decent athleticism, decent height, great shot. Why the hate? A month or two ago I started a thread asking for info on Newley and all i got was hate. I hope he proves those people wrong.
Thanks - i was hoping people would realise the sarcastic nature and not think i was actually saying Head was a quality player. I must apologise to Aussie Rocket though - i did kind of stole the essence of his name.
It's because he's not that well liked in Australia... I never liked him when he was here - but since the Rockets have his rights, I've got to support him...
So are you now admitting you didn't watch the game before the Olympics? There's even a youtube highlight out there of his defence against Kobe (or at least there was - the US government might have removed it in the sake of 'national interest' [[please note: that comment is strictly a joke about the Chinese government and their censorship of the games...]])
It's the same posters or poster. Two who seem to always log in at the same time to agree with each others' post and now another who conveniently registered just to post in this thread?
are you even Australian??? The Aussie team plays 'together' for world championships and olympics only. The qualifying rounds are played out by the Australian based players (not Newley) and then the overseas players join in for the bigger tournament. If you knew CJ Brutons game (or lack of?) you'd know that when he 'goes off' it is when he dribbles the ball over half court and then shoots it. So I don't know what that 'says to you' about Newley? Actually the NBA isn't all about 'one-on-one' play... That's reserved for the 'creators' on teams. I certainly don't see that being Newley's role... He's the 'spacer' who sits back to make room for the stars to operate. His 3point shot is good enough to force someone to guard him - and if they should sag off him, then he will be receiving the ball with a 'rotation defender' coming over to cover him. Newley has the skill to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop past a defender rushing to close out the 3. You said you watched him play in Greece. Which games were they? And what did you watch it on? (just curious) As far as his range - even in the Olympic tournament he's shot 3 pointers from a foot behind the arc. You're absolutely delusional if you're trying to say the kid can't shoot. That's the one thing that he certainly CAN do. And he doesn't need to be good enough to beat Kobe Bryant off the dribble - just needs to be good enough to put it on the floor when a defender is rushing (ie - to create the uncertainty in their minds). The fact that he's putting it on the floor, getting to the hoop, and finishing with either hand, probably means that he's good enough to keep developing there. Defence? His on-ball defence has been surpisingly good - MUCH better than I anticipated. Honestly, I don't know what to say - if you think he's played badly in this competition you're clearly not a great observer. He's obviously not going to be a Manu Ginobli, and come over and be an All-Star. But if he makes the journey (as I've been saying) he could certainly pass as a bench warming 'depth' player. He's definitely not a starter - but I'd rather have his rights than Badiane...
Look at the end of the day what I really think about Newley is that he won't even be a Kirk Snyder let alone a Brent Barry thats what I really mean. And I admit it might be because of my absolute distaste for him when watching him here. I watched a couple of Greece games that I downloaded, including the one where he hit all those 3's. His defence is alot better then when he was down here but overall its not what the Rockets need. Certainly not at the 2 spot.
I assume you mean me - 'aussie rocket' - and not this other guy that came along a while back called 'Aussie Rocket'. What i'm saying is, Sydney Rocket is nowhere close to that kind of thievery, and therefore fine by me. Haven't heard from 'Aussie Rocket' lately, it can stay that way as far as I'm concerned.
