Draft prospects - Who do we want?

[mrhockey89]

I agree with TRKO and Coolbreaz as I relate it back to my hockey days. Big games were where I drew my my highest level of focus, energy, and intensity. Meanwhile, in other ventures, the biggest moment can be the one that carries the most nervous. Ultimately a lot of that boils down to confidence. I definitely think some players melt in big moments while others excel in them.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think Jameer Nelson is a solid comp for Tyus Jones. But are we really wanting to trade up two high second rounders for the possibility of Jameer Nelson?

I'd rather get the best player available with our first 2nd rounder and then stash a guy overseas with the second one, as we know Flip doesn't want to bring in three rookies in addition to the possibility of Bjelica.

I would trade two seconds for Nelson 2.0. Second round picks bust all the time. With our roster full it makes total sense to move back up and get a second first.

Also with Jones, I think the kid has the clutch gene if you believe in that stuff. He shows up in big games and has shown the ability to close out. I think he will be a solid contributor for a long time, maybe not a star or a starter, but a quality player in the league.

First round picks, especially late-ish ones bust all the time too! I believe Jameer Nelson was a ceiling comp, not the most-likely-scenario comp.

Not a big fan of the idea of there being a "clutch" gene*.

*Unless it's Larry Bird, who is the all time greatest player ever on earth

There may not be a clutch gene, but clutch performers are very much real. I've been witness to it many times.

Meh. Don't buy it. I'm not suggesting you haven't seen clutch moments or witnessed guys have big games in high-pressure situations. I'm not denying the singular acts of clutchness, if you will.

What I don't buy is the idea that some players are wired to be consistently clutch and others aren't. I think there are great players, average players, and not so good players. The great players also happen to be the ones given the most opportunities to be clutch. Our brains tend to remember those times when they make the big shot.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/923262-debunking-the-myth-of-clutch-in-the-nba-once-and-for-all

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I agree with TRKO and Coolbreaz as I relate it back to my hockey days. Big games were where I drew my my highest level of focus, energy, and intensity. Meanwhile, in other ventures, the biggest moment can be the one that carries the most nervous. Ultimately a lot of that boils down to confidence. I definitely think some players melt in big moments while others excel in them.

Right, since I believe you were Mr. Hockey after all, a huge honor for anyone in the great hockey state of Minnesota, I'm assuming you were a great player to begin with. I would expect great players to make big plays late in games, just like they made big plays in the 1st and 2nd periods (or quarters!) too.

[Coolbreeze44]

I think Jameer Nelson is a solid comp for Tyus Jones. But are we really wanting to trade up two high second rounders for the possibility of Jameer Nelson?

I'd rather get the best player available with our first 2nd rounder and then stash a guy overseas with the second one, as we know Flip doesn't want to bring in three rookies in addition to the possibility of Bjelica.

I would trade two seconds for Nelson 2.0. Second round picks bust all the time. With our roster full it makes total sense to move back up and get a second first.

Also with Jones, I think the kid has the clutch gene if you believe in that stuff. He shows up in big games and has shown the ability to close out. I think he will be a solid contributor for a long time, maybe not a star or a starter, but a quality player in the league.

First round picks, especially late-ish ones bust all the time too! I believe Jameer Nelson was a ceiling comp, not the most-likely-scenario comp.

Not a big fan of the idea of there being a "clutch" gene*.

*Unless it's Larry Bird, who is the all time greatest player ever on earth

There may not be a clutch gene, but clutch performers are very much real. I've been witness to it many times.

Meh. Don't buy it. I'm not suggesting you haven't seen clutch moments or witnessed guys have big games in high-pressure situations. I'm not denying the singular acts of clutchness, if you will.

What I don't buy is the idea that some players are wired to be consistently clutch and others aren't. I think there are great players, average players, and not so good players. The great players also happen to be the ones given the most opportunities to be clutch. Our brains tend to remember those times when they make the big shot.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/923262-debunking-the-myth-of-clutch-in-the-nba-once-and-for-all

Agree to disagree. Like Hockey, my belief comes from my own play and experiences. If you've performed well in clutch situations you really understand why it's real. I've seen guys / teammates who shrink when the lights shine the brightest. And you can also see the guys who thrive in those situations. I've seen great athletes / players who just don't have what it takes. And I've seen more marginal players be at their best with games on the line. Oh yes Ray, people will come.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm not going to take away from your guys' personal experience since I can't tell you how to interpret your own personal emotions as it relates to high-pressure situations. You are also a sample size of two.

All I can do is point to large sample data collected that shows that "clutch" as a characteristic doesn't exist, at least in the NBA.

[mrhockey89]

Full disclosure, I wasn't actually Mr Hockey in the state of Minnesota. I did, however, play my entire life in a top notch hockey program, which led to plenty of bigger games. Plus the name Q12543 was taken, so I had to find an open screen name.

I don't think being a clutch player necessarily means you're always going to succeed or do well in a big situation, but rather that you're more probable to than say...Kevin Martin (sorry, had to take a quick show, never seen such a great shooter come up so small in end of game shot situations).

I'll relate my suggestion to something everyone can relate to, a job interview, or a first date with your dream girl. There's nerves there, but the direction you channel those nerves will directly reflect on how good you feel after the interview or date about how it went. Hockey is a more physical game than basketball and a bit less technical, so it's easier for me to play well with pent up energy than it might be for someone who has to rely on being extra steady with your hand on a final shot, but I fully believe when a player can channel those nerves, it WILL make them better in clutch situations. For example...LeBron used to come up small in many situations early in his career that he comes up big in now. You could argue that he's a better player now, but he was dominant even back then. The difference is that he was worried about screwing up more than he was willing himself to come up big. He's more confident now, and thus more successful.

We can definitely all go back and forth on this all night if we wanted to, but if I write any more on the topic, I'll need to start charging you and just send you the paperback version of my story.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Nice post Hockey. And sorry I took your handle!

[mrhockey89]

Nice post Hockey. And sorry I took your handle!

It's okay, I probably made it difficult for Mr Hockey from 1989 to post on here

[Coolbreeze44]

Nice post Hockey. And sorry I took your handle!

It's okay, I probably made it difficult for Mr Hockey from 1989 to post on here

Good stuff Hockey!

[mrhockey89]

Nice post Hockey. And sorry I took your handle!

It's okay, I probably made it difficult for Mr Hockey from 1989 to post on here

Good stuff Hockey!

Trent Klatt of Osseo, is that you?