Not sure what his naysayers expect? He's a 20yr old rookie, has shown major skills, .....and some bone head plays as well. Last night I thought he played pretty well. I for one will not be too high or too low on this team until December hits and we see what we got. I do know this, Randle and all the other newcomers are vastly superior to last years cast of characters.
the mustard almost fell off the hot dog as the kid dribbled behind his back while going down court and avoiding a defender. He then passed to Kobe for the 3. The fact that he has the confidence to make that play at this stage is pretty freakin' cool. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a keeper! almost, but not quite ready to give Jim some credit for Randle, Clarkson, and Russell........
I think he'll be a solid pro, but his shot is too flat to ever be consistent. I'm not really worried about his rebounding or defense. It'll come soon and be solid his whole career.
"shot is too flat to ever be consistent" C'mon now. I am totally at the other end of the spectrum. Look at the SKILLS with Julius' "Big Man" handles. It's important to him. Kobe is who he wanted to be growing up. Kobe knows a thing or two about the psychology of shooting the ball when you are an alpha personality on the Lakers needing to put up points. Julius is living the dream, playing next to his childhood idol. Kobe's going to help get his head right to fix whatever he needs to and ignore the times when they aren't dropping. You don't stop shooting. You get your a** in the gym and improve your shooting game. (as a rook, like Julius this year, how can any of us forget Kobe heading back onto the court into the wee hours the same night, to work on shooting after the air balls as a rookie against Utah. Cannot stress enough, how fabulous it is to have the alpha dog of all alpha dogs playing along side and in the trenches with our young and tremendously talented, "wannabe" alpha dogs.
I can't think of one single player who had a flat shot and was a great shooter or consistent. Can he have good nights? Of course. But I'm talking consistency. Of course, this is just my opinion and I hope I'm wrong about him. I doubt I'm wrong about his defense or rebounding.
I think the "naysayers" are just saying they don't see him as a GREAT player in the future. It doesn't mean people are down on him. I personally don't think hes gonna be great. But I do think he will be a very good player. PS: he will only be 21 in december so im not sure why its too early to tell if hes going to be good right now, but in december it will be enough time. haha
What are they paying Murray for? Add a few inches to the arc, not that disruptive of a change mechanics wise. Now Nancy, that's another story with his "fraid" of the ball left hand flying out before it gets shot. How does a kid with an NBA dad wind up with such poor shooting mechanics. Hopefully he can eventually fix it to at least keep defenders honest. You watch him now and he is flat out determined not to shoot the ball unless a lay up or dunk. That's OK I think (I hope) Nancy may pan out for us.
What makes you think he won't be great? Lack of a shot? Just curious as to why... If it is the shot...people bring up Biff and his early years. Had a meager jump shot back then, now he can hit it with relative ease. Opens up the floor for him tremendously. Don't see why Randle can't follow course.
I think griffin still can't shoot it well enough to keep defenses honest. Houston just stopped guarding him outside the paint as that series wore on, for instance. I think that's the primary fear/limiting factor in terms of greatness. of course, I don't think people should really be concerned with greatness out of a 7th overall pick. if you get yourself a solid starting pf for several years, you've done well there. randle has a good shot at that and maybe more.
I don't agree that Kobe's shot is flat at all. Kobe's shot is one of the most classic and textbook shooting motions the game will ever see.
While a flat shot is not textbook....remember who's shot Chick Hearn named "a frozen rope"....Jerry West...
I've read a study before that Kobe's shooting arc is quite a bit lower than league average, and that he hits the back of the rim at a higher rate than anyone on his makes. Will google and report back.
