Q12543 wrote:
(by the way, while I know Cousins has range on his shot too, that's one guy that should play more like Okafor on offense. He is truly a gifted post player and can get almost anything he wants down there, but too often he settles for long 2-pointers).
Agree. He does settle for that shot too much. Anytime you have a big who can step out of the paint and draw a defender with him, it gives your offense so much more flexibility. But you also don't want anybody going all Josh Smith on you either.
Camden wrote:This is dumb. Guys this big shouldn't be this skilled. I know it's an empty gym, but yeesh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8
He's definitely got skills but I don't think that video means anything. Look at WCS's and it's nearly identical.
Buzzkill.
I know...
If this was the day after the lottery I'd be all over it but the over analysis of players is starting to feel more like a drag. I just can't wait until draft day!
Camden wrote:This is dumb. Guys this big shouldn't be this skilled. I know it's an empty gym, but yeesh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8
He's definitely got skills but I don't think that video means anything. Look at WCS's and it's nearly identical.
I saw the WCS video and I think he looked good. But with the exception of shooting accuracy, he did not look nearly as skilled or impressive as Towns:
1. Not nearly as quick, explosive or skilled with the ball as Towns
2. Not nearly as energetic or exuberant as Towns. In fact, WCS's demeanor in that video seemed to feed into the concern about his attitude and love of the game. I know you can't put a lot of stock in a player's demeanor at a workout like that, but he sure looked like he was just going through the motions.
Camden wrote:This is dumb. Guys this big shouldn't be this skilled. I know it's an empty gym, but yeesh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8
He's definitely got skills but I don't think that video means anything. Look at WCS's and it's nearly identical.
Ha, you're right...Cauley-Stein's workout video was very impressive. I actually think there might have been less editing on WCS' video than KAT's. Who knew he had that kind of shooting ability? Very impressive to see 2 7-footers draining jumpers like that!
Camden wrote:This is dumb. Guys this big shouldn't be this skilled. I know it's an empty gym, but yeesh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8
He's definitely got skills but I don't think that video means anything. Look at WCS's and it's nearly identical.
I don't take much away from empty gym workouts either, but the two workouts were a little different for me. Towns' release is 100% faster and much more repeatable, and Towns was doing dribble move pull-ups from behind the NBA three line. He also has a history of being a very good shooter whereas WCS does not. It was just really nice to see it since Calipari chose not to use Towns' perimeter game last year.
[Something to note: WCS' game (especially offensive) has come a long, long way. A year ago, he wouldn't be hitting jumpers like that. It's just a testament to that guy's work ethic AND HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME. Is that still an issue for some on this board? It's a silly one.]
Camden wrote:This is dumb. Guys this big shouldn't be this skilled. I know it's an empty gym, but yeesh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8
He's definitely got skills but I don't think that video means anything. Look at WCS's and it's nearly identical.
Well, you guys know where I stand with this type of stuff. It's nearly useless, plus the videos tend to be cherry-picked "highlights".
What really matters is how he did in real competition. And we already know that at the high school and AAU levels, he was a legitimate 3-point threat. In fact, that was a huge part of his game until college. And while Calipari rightly made him work in the paint mostly, we still got a feel for his tremendous shooting touch by virtue of his 81FT %. Those data points are all that I need to know about his potential as a shooter.
I can tell you right now that we do not want KAT taking pull-up jumpers off the dribble or step-backs. Those are awful shots for someone of his size and very difficult when actually being guarded.
Camden wrote:This is dumb. Guys this big shouldn't be this skilled. I know it's an empty gym, but yeesh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8
He's definitely got skills but I don't think that video means anything. Look at WCS's and it's nearly identical.
Well, you guys know where I stand with this type of stuff. It's nearly useless, plus the videos tend to be cherry-picked "highlights".
What really matters is how he did in real competition. And we already know that at the high school and AAU levels, he was a legitimate 3-point threat. In fact, that was a huge part of his game until college. And while Calipari rightly made him work in the paint mostly, we still got a feel for his tremendous shooting touch by virtue of his 81FT %. Those data points are all that I need to know about his potential as a shooter.
I can tell you right now that we do not want KAT taking pull-up jumpers off the dribble or step-backs. Those are awful shots for someone of his size and very difficult when actually being guarded.
See I agree with you on the skills aspect of workouts. That stuff is shown in games on the floor. Where is the workout is important is when it comes to our coaches interaction with the players and how they respond. Do they seem coachable. Do they listen well. Stuff like that. Very minor stuff, but stuff that could away if the prospect are rated even. I don't think anybody should put stock in wide open jumpers or wide open dunks.
