He had the tools but the BB IQ just isn't there. It was a long shot but taking the flyer was the right call.
What will he hurt on the Vipers? He has everything needed to be successful that is more then most. He has size and talent that can’t be taught maybe “it” clicks in the right setting. IF “it” ever clicks for him he will be an all star —> everything is already there for him just waiting.
Summer league and preseason is considered taking a flyer? Lol, ok. Some of you guys want to see instant gratification. He may not be ready right now but doesn’t mean he can’t contribute down the line with more consistent playing time and training.
Off season “camp”, summer league and preseason been signed since 20 August...yes I’d call that taking a flyer. Are you not familiar with the saying?
Lol he also had multiple years in Toronto. Some people see physical tools and they put that above everything
Hopefully he clears waivers, we get Chriss outa here, and then bring back Bruno on a 3-yr non-guaranteed deal.
Hope he clears waivers. Hard to incentivize the team to play him much in preseason since our preferred outcome is that he clears waivers and joins the Vipers.
Yes, but if he joins some other team, it won't make much difference to us. A year on the Vipers can help him learn how to play in the system though.
It's been four years and he can't put the ball on the floor and attack a closeout. His offense consists of taking contested, awkward jumpers. He's got length but no defensive fundamentals. He has zero potential at this point.
Bruno is an ideal defensive, rebounding, rim running, switching, hit a three or two to keep the spacing honest in our sets center. Why he is in the mix with small forwards speaks to his skill set. Yes he has been around a few years but never played center. Look how MWC looked in his new role. Bruno could and would find value in the Nene. He could play spot minuets till he rotation worthy, but the Vipers is the right placement. Unprotected is a mistake, IMO. We should use 2 way contract on him because he has the potential to be a difference maker IF it all comes together for him. His ceiling is higher than Capela’s, IMO. As of today he is still a project that may never happen. End of bench NBA player.
Honestly even a 0.5% chance that he is playable in the NBA in the next 1-2 years is worth pursuing. It's SO expensive to get a guy with his build/wingspan and going to become even more important in the near future. If we can get him to catch and shoot 3's from the corner and switch well on defense, it would be a big win. Agreed a year on the Vipers could be his last and best chance.
I'd attribute more to his disposition/temperament than his BBIQ (maybe 60/40). He looked timid and unsure of what to do when he was in the court. It contrasted strongly with Capela, who had the confidence and aggression from Day 1, even if he might not have had the experience/IQ to justify it at that point.
It's not about instant gratification, the guy needs to be dominating the G-League first before even talking about being a rotation NBA player. NBA role players dominate the G-League Bruno shot 40/34 in the G-League and was just an okay player. For example Tyrone Wallace of the Clippers averaged 23/7/5 and shot 51% FG. Sometimes we fall in love with physical tools too much, look at the production of guys with great physical tools like Quincy Miller, Eric Griffin, etc in the G-League and those guys couldn't stick on NBA rosters. They were better players than Bruno, so don't be fooled, he needs to hold his skills in a lower league, not on an NBA roster, certainly not on that of a contender who can use the spot for other young guys with a better chance of becoming what they want. We have to remember that Toronto has put a TON of development time into him, so it isn't a case of a guy who wasn't invested in. Play in the G-League, learn how to be a big, then who knows.
