Re: The Case for Russell
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:12 pm
Steph Curry is the league MVP. People questioned his athleticism, his is point guard skills; whether he was tough enough or could play defense in the NBA. Curry's skill level and work ethic were so high, he answered every question. And in a league where the rules make it almost impossible to guard crafty, versatile guards, there's a strong argument to make that having a player like Russell is more valuable than just a big.
Harden faced similar question marks when he entered the league. What position did he play? Is he athletic enough? Is craftiness and basketball IQ enough to lead to stardom?
In this league, at this time, the answer is yes. And the truth is that the Wolves have a talented point guard, Ricky Rubio, but he can't shoot. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant is aging and while Jordan Clarkson had a terrific rookie season, he's not the prospect the Russell is. The Sixers are devoid of shooting or playmaking in the backcourt. And the Knicks, despite all their talk about defense, they really need someone other than Carmelo Anthony who can put the ball in the basket.
The hardest thing to find in the NBA is scoring, virtually every GM will tell you. And Russell is the most versatile, lethal scorer in this draft.
"He's my favorite basketball player in this draft," one general manager said. "Maybe you have to take Towns because of his abilities at his size. But I don't think it's a given the way it was a decade ago, when Greg Oden went ahead of Kevin Durant. I think with success of Curry, Harden and Draymond Green, you'll see more guys focusing on skills and playmaking abilities. To have great size or jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism is great. But watch the most successful teams and you'll see they have talented playmakers who don't necessarily beat you with raw athleticism or size (LeBron's the exception to everything), but with knowing how to play the game. Bigs don't rule our game any more. Versatile guards do. And Russell is the best guard in this draft."
Underrated no more.
Harden faced similar question marks when he entered the league. What position did he play? Is he athletic enough? Is craftiness and basketball IQ enough to lead to stardom?
In this league, at this time, the answer is yes. And the truth is that the Wolves have a talented point guard, Ricky Rubio, but he can't shoot. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant is aging and while Jordan Clarkson had a terrific rookie season, he's not the prospect the Russell is. The Sixers are devoid of shooting or playmaking in the backcourt. And the Knicks, despite all their talk about defense, they really need someone other than Carmelo Anthony who can put the ball in the basket.
The hardest thing to find in the NBA is scoring, virtually every GM will tell you. And Russell is the most versatile, lethal scorer in this draft.
"He's my favorite basketball player in this draft," one general manager said. "Maybe you have to take Towns because of his abilities at his size. But I don't think it's a given the way it was a decade ago, when Greg Oden went ahead of Kevin Durant. I think with success of Curry, Harden and Draymond Green, you'll see more guys focusing on skills and playmaking abilities. To have great size or jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism is great. But watch the most successful teams and you'll see they have talented playmakers who don't necessarily beat you with raw athleticism or size (LeBron's the exception to everything), but with knowing how to play the game. Bigs don't rule our game any more. Versatile guards do. And Russell is the best guard in this draft."
Underrated no more.