was anyone expecting anything different from him last night? the kid played 14 minutes last year, sat out the season, and was on a minute restriction in SPL. Helen Keller could have told you he was going to look bad last night. I predict he'll look better by the end of the preseason, then the nerves return the first few regular season games, and then we'll see him settle in. Expecting a 20 year old kid who lost his rookie season to NOT force it in his return is as myopic as it gets.
then it's not registering. to me, that's a relatively easy fix (as opposed to becoming a good jumpshooter or understanding appropriate defensive rotations within a scheme). could be that they've told him to look for those face up opportunities 20 ft from the hoop, but those should be bail outs at this stage in his career. he's not good enough to get a clear out early in the clock--the team has better options right now. maybe he'll start to figure it out as the preseason wears on, as he did last year to some degree.
First one with the rebound...push and kick for a wide open 3-point attempt. A drive and kick to Russell for a decent look Same thing - Driving and kicking... Harden step-back... Missed it, though... Clips came from LG... from another poster to broke this down: 'keepitrealorelse.' Wanted to share. I like that he's driving and kicking now. The next step is obviously hitting that jumper. That will open everything up.
The first step for Randle for me is getting under control around the rim. Time and time again he just tries to unnecessarily initiate contact which throws off his shot. I get that he's done that in the past with relative success, but it's not going to work like that in the NBA. He has the first step to blow past guys, but he looks for the contact as if it's a habit. If he just keeps going he has a layup or even a dunk. He is strong, but as he probably found out yesterday, there will be guys stronger than him. Favors didn't even budge on Randle's usual hip check, and he backed him down pretty well.
Wow guys one pre-season game and this kid is nothing with little future hopes of improvement? It's all I "hope" and no faith in here! The kid looked fine to me. Everyone had shots that weren't falling. Kobe and Randle looked the worst shooting the ball and guess who hasn't played in a long, long time? Right. They need to get a better rhythm of the game before they just come out here and look like world beaters. One pre-season game... Just one. Patience is a virtue guys.
Lack of discipline and experience is what I saw. That will be fixed with time. It's way too early to be concerned. The same thing happened last season and towards the end of preseason he looked better.
I'll work with a determined workhorse any day of the week. He's had a complete different bio in the last injured year than say a guy like Joel Embiid, and I think he'll have a long NBA career with his approach. He's 20? I think I'm ok cutting the guys some slack, but those clips shows he's actually making solid decisions already for his age/ability. All the youngins that are considered cornerstones I'm pleased with. I would like to see more convincing play from Black, and would like to see Upshaw shine when given a moment. Don't know enough about a few others to care yet.
OK I'll protect my boy Julius with the fair and true excuse for his less than stellar play. Started off good with the early :ddime: to him for the back door jam. Julius is feeling good about life at that point. Not long afterwards he gets knocked off balance in the air and from 5(?) feet up comes down hard on his back, neck and head. Now life's no fun.... that hurts like hell now while I got also a bigger guy banging on me......Hawaii sucks. :SadPau:
ROFY that is an excellent get and share for this morning after discussion on how Julius is looking. oint:
Hmm... I quite liked what I saw from his performance last night. Still seems to struggle finishing though.
Upon further thinking about it, I'm down on him but I'm going to give him at least this year before say he doesn't have it. I still fully agree with the most of the posts here though, he has a long way to go.
