Tank Tank Or Tank Tank Tank?

The after effects when the balls drop the wrong way.

 

Tanking 4 years in a row.

 

the Lakers are tanking too obviously IMO.

Dammit, it doesn't have to be this embarassing, right?

 

Has Luke gotten better? We could say the same thing about our "rookie" head coach. He hasn't gotten better in a lot of these games, and we can't afford that.

 

I'm not a sports psychologist or an NBA coach, but I am a teacher. It's clear that something isn't working. If guys are learning, they aren't putting it into action. This is systematic - not just one guy. So I have to question what's going on behind the scenes. If this is JUST a tank, it's awful to say the things management is saying in the media. It's at best a disingenuous season. It's at worst a catastrophic failure at all levels.

 

I don't have the energy to re-do my entire list right now but my Top 10 have changed for sure in this draft:

1) Fultz- It's still hard to consider anyone else above him. He is the most skilled guard prospect I've seen in a while. Still some major flags.
2) Ball- Leadership clinic. There's major question marks on creating a look for himself, but still a ton of positives.
3) Tatum- Looked like Rudy Gay early and still does, but he's making winning plays now. Really caught my eye as the season progressed.
4) Jackson- Some major off-court flags being raised, still questions about his jumper, but he affects games. Hard to slide him further.
5) Markkanen- Another guy that came on strong. I still fear the only thing he does well is shoot. Not a defender. Not a good rebounder.
6) Smith- Same sorts of questions I have about Fultz's mentality here, but less talent. Still decent talent and elite athleticism, but I'm not sure about his heart.
7) Monk- He's going to score. One of the more natural scorers I've seen in a while. He could be a steal at #7.
8) Fox- Still very much reminds me of Beverley in Houston.
9) Isaac- Not assertive enough, but I like what he does on the court. Interesting athlete with an interesting ceiling.
10) Bridges- I'm not even a huge Bridges guy, but I think he's a gamer and can be a combo forward that stretches the floor in the NBA.

Outside looking in: Ntilinka (the slow development of Exum kills this kid's value), John Collins, Justin Patton, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Robert Williams (all four big men offer something different, but I'm not sold on any of them being difference makers).

 

DE went through a makeover and changed up a ton of their rankings. Their 20-35 is:
20. Kennard
21. Mitchell
22. Rabb
23. Lydon
24. Motley
25. Giles
26. Leaf
27. Adebayo
28. Ojeleye
29. Swanigan
30. Pasecniks
31. Peters
32. Blossomgame
33. Brooks
34. Evans
35. Bryant

My list is different. Again, I'm still relatively high on Giles especially late in the 1st, but I expect him to probably stay. I think Adebayo and Ojeleye are interesting athletes, but not exactly talented basketball players which is a bad sign for Ojeleye who is a Junior. He's grown a bit though and I'd want him to come workout. Could be a Marvin Williams type if he wants to be. Leaf keeps growing on me. I like that kid. I've said before Motley is a really interesting athlete. I'd want to interview him and see where his mind is at. Does he love basketball? Kennard we've already touched on, could be an NBA guy but bereft athletically. Brooks is somewhat interesting. Blossomgame is half-way interesting. Bryant is almost interesting. Rabb ultra late would be intriguing. I have no real interest in Mitchell, Pasecniks, Lydon, Evans, or especially Peters. Peters is a nice kid, but he's so far from an NBA athlete that I think he'd waste a roster spot. I know people like Swanigan, but I'm not sold.

 

No not at all. Just looking at the stats I can see why someone might make that comparison, but Love is a superior player. Love is bigger, stronger, more athletic. Leaf looks like he was plucked out of a 1950s basketball game. He's long and lanky and deliberate with the ball around the rim. That's not an insult by the way, just the way I see him when he plays. He's a pretty good rebounder, but not as good as Love is or was. Leaf shoots a good percentage on threes, but he doesn't take very many.

I'm not sure there's a great comparison for Leaf out there. He's a pretty good athlete, but he plays a very measured game. He averages over a block a game, but I wouldn't call him a rim defender.