Minnesota Sports Forum

Russell's size is the thing that worries me on the wing. It makes him #4 on my list currently. And how anyone can't fathom how someone can look weaker in the NBA than college is beyond me. The jump from the NCAA to the NBA is about as big as it gets in professional sports. There is no minor league development program to groom yourself for several years. There are roughly 350 teams at the collegiate level playing D1, and then you go to a league made up of men and only 30 teams. It should be no surprise that even some of the best struggle to find their footing.

Agree with Cool on this--Russell is compared a lot to James Harden coming out of college (and you can definitely see some of the same traits), but Russell is 180 pounds and Harden was 222 (a little chubby actually) coming out of ASU. Russell needs a serious 15 pounds to have a chance.

What also was significant about harden was his massive almost 6'11 wingspan.

Sabonis' kid has some game. He's tough too. I would take a flyer on him at some point.

Kevin Durant was skinny, weak, and unathletic too.

TRKO wrote:Kevin Durant was skinny, weak, and unathletic too.

Nonathletic he was not. Not even close really. He wasn't LeBron or Wiggins, but he was still a good athlete coming out of Texas. And you're right, he was skinny and weak (couldn't do one rep on the bench even), BUT he was a 6'10 wing. Length is a cure-all.

It will be interesting how Russell measures out I think we can leave it at that. I remember when Harden measured out what he was he was a little bigger than people though and I really though he was a better prospect than Mayo partly for that reason. Ultimately I think skill matters more than the physical abilities. Russell looks like he is big enough and athletic enough that's not gonna hold him back.

monsterpile wrote:It will be interesting how Russell measures out I think we can leave it at that. I remember when Harden measured out what he was he was a little bigger than people though and I really though he was a better prospect than Mayo partly for that reason. Ultimately I think skill matters more than the physical abilities. Russell looks like he is big enough and athletic enough that's not gonna hold him back.

I agree with you. To me elite skills is more important then elite physical specs. We could really use an elite shooter, ball handler, and passer on this team. They make the game so much easier for others because you have to account for them everywhere on the court.

Camden0916 wrote:

TRKO wrote:Kevin Durant was skinny, weak, and unathletic too.

Nonathletic he was not. Not even close really. He wasn't LeBron or Wiggins, but he was still a good athlete coming out of Texas. And you're right, he was skinny and weak (couldn't do one rep on the bench even), BUT he was a 6'10 wing. Length is a cure-all.

Non-athletic was a bit steep, but Russell's athleticism is on par. Russell can play, I wouldn't be concerned about his athleticism and strength.

The question isn't whether Russell can play, it's where in the top 4 he should be ranked. No one is saying he isn't a top prospect. It's my opinion that his physicality has him at #4. I like the two bigs and Mudiay a little better.