2004 Rookies --- Bust or Success????

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

Ok this NBA Talk thread is kind of boring right now.
So I thought of this game where I say the name of a rookie.
And then I will say if he will be good or if he will be a bust.
And then others can argue with me (or whoever else) whether the player will be a bust or not. Then they will have to name another rookie and it goes on like that.

So here we go:

Sebastian Telfair

My Response - Success

I was actually surprised he went down to 13 but I have a feeling this guy will be a good player. I don't think he'll do great in his first year because Portland has too many good players and they have a pretty good starting point guard in Damon Stoudamire. But from what I hear, Telfair has great penetrating and passing skills. He might need to work on his outside shot and of course, his defense. But, I can see him taking Stoudamire's job in a couple of years. In addition, Portland would have a young nucleus of Telfair, Zach Randolph, and maybe Darius Miles. And they should be an exciting team to watch in the coming years. So I say Telfair is definitely a success.

[J@3]

Sebastian Telfair

My Response - Success

I was actually surprised he went down to 13 but I have a feeling this guy will be a good player. I don't think he'll do great in his first year because Portland has too many good players and they have a pretty good starting point guard in Damon Stoudamire. But from what I hear, Telfair has great penetrating and passing skills. He might need to work on his outside shot and of course, his defense. But, I can see him taking Stoudamire's job in a couple of years. In addition, Portland would have a young nucleus of Telfair, Zach Randolph, and maybe Darius Miles. And they should be an exciting team to watch in the coming years. So I say Telfair is definitely a success.

I saw some footage of him play once a couple of years ago, I think it was in The Links or somethin and all he really did was some flashy passing and not much else. From what I've read, he cant defend and he cant shoot but he's a fantastic passer... unfortunately for Portland, he thinks he's an all out scorer. His High School stats suggest he knows how to score, but I think the majority of those points would be just driving to the basket which will be a whole lot more difficult in the NBA. Personally I hope he goes well, just because he's one of those guys we've been hearing about since he was 14 so it would be nice to see him become successful. However, I do think it's highly unlikely he'll do anything worthwhile during his first season or so, then again I also said Darko would be a better pick than LeBron, so just ignore me, I know nothing.

Jameer Nelson
My Response: Success

When I was living in England, they started showing 2 college basketball games a week on TV at like 2:30am. I stayed up every week and watched them, and saw around 5 or 6 games involving Jameer Nelson and he just blew me away. Unlike Andre Emmitt, who the commentators never shut up about, Nelson was actually dominating in games. He had a good supporting cast (Delonte West), but he still looked a class above everyone else. I'll never forget this one game, (although I forgot who it was against), where he was just standing around the three point line when one of his teammates launched a shot which bounced high off the rim, Nelson sprinted in and dunked it back in with 2 hands right over the top of everyone. It was one of those things. Wish I could remember who it was against, because the other team were pretty useless but they did have one player I really really liked

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

Yeah I agree with what you have to say about Nelson. In addition, he is a workhorse and the least he will be is a "decent" player. There is no way he will be a bust. He seems to have the will and motivation that most other players in the NBA don't have. Plus, he has to prove the teams that passed on him wrong.

Ha Seung-Jin

My Response - Bust

This guy just doesn't look motivated to me. He will probably just be another George Muresan or Shawn Bradley at the most. I think he would have been better off playing college basketball for now so that he can improve his skills. But he just doesn't seem "NBA-ready". He doesn't look that strong and he might not have enough stamina. IMO he will just be another Wang Zhi Zhi.

[FanOfAll]

Aww man, how can you call a 2nd rounder a bust?

Andre Igoudala - Star

The kid has it all, well except for range. Past that, his game draws lots of comparison to Scottie Pippen and I don't think he'll get to that level, but close. He's probalby the most athletic of this draft class, got the best defense for a wing player, most hops (or 2nd to LJackson), incredible knowledge, instincts, vision, and passing. He's a jack of all trades and the perfect, and I mean perfect, sidekick to AI.

[th3gh05t]

Dwight Howard - Bust








i dont care if anyone says i dont know what im talking about. but i hope he becomes a bust, and then orlando = dumf(!)@$&

yea yea, i like okafor . . but i dont like another kwame brown event. hehe

[Amphatoast]

the whole Kwame Brown decision was Jordan's decision I think..sometimes things don't work out right, but Kwame did show some hope this past season towards the end
Next year could be his break out year

[Riot]

when Kwame does break out, he will be a fa and walk.



Howard over Okafor?

[Fresh8]

Dwight Howard - Bust

I disagree...I think that HOward will be slow at first but by the end of the season he will be contributing. So depending on wat u call a 'bust' - yes maybe he will be but by next season I predict he will be a success to the Magic's decision for taking him...If u understand wat I mean

Ben Gordan- Success

I think this guy will do real well...he's a talented scorer and can also pass to teammates...I think he will do well this year....

Out of most of the rookie point guards, this guy is probably the most ready one behind Nelson because he can contribute in scoring straight away!

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

I somewhat agree with what you said about Ben Gordon. I see him playing shooting guard with them rather than point. If he plays SG, he will be a bit undersized ... which might be a liability for them on defense. But hey, Allen Iverson is a 6 foot point guard so I hope Ben Gordon proves me wrong. So I say success.

Josh Smith - Bust

I don't even know why this guy is in the NBA right out of high school. He averaged like 16 or 18 points in high school. This guy doesn't have the right attitude. I've seen footage of some of his games that are "important" and he simply "gives up". He will just give up on D if he's not performing well. This guy sucks so bad. Yeah he has a boat load of potential (athletic potential) ... but until he gets the right attitude, I don't see him going anywhere. He'll just be the next Leon Smith. Hell, he would even be a bust in college.

[Nick]

Ha Seung-Jin

My Response - Bust

This guy just doesn't look motivated to me. He will probably just be another George Muresan or Shawn Bradley at the most. I think he would have been better off playing college basketball for now so that he can improve his skills. But he just doesn't seem "NBA-ready". He doesn't look that strong and he might not have enough stamina. IMO he will just be another Wang Zhi Zhi.

1. How can you say he's gonna be a bust?? He was chosen 43rd overall. It's not like he's expected to be a star.
2. How can you say he doesn't look motivated? You don't know that. Are you judging that by his pictures or something? He's Korean! how can he not be motivated. Koreans are known for their high work ethic. (or so i'm told.) You're right, he's definetly not NBA Ready, he needs some good coaching to be effective at all.. but he has a huge body and isn't afraid to get in there so i don't see how it is a bad selection at 43rd overall.

Kirk Snyder

My response - success.

He's tough, and underrated. He'll have one of the best rookie seasons of this crop. You'll see.


Kevin Martin

My response - steal

He's also underrated. He's a quick and explosive scorer. They say he's too skinny but that doesn't stop him getting to the line. I don't know how much time he'll get in Sac-town, but i think he'll definetly be atleast solid scoring starter one day (in a fair few years) or a very solid backup.

Sorry for doing two, hehe.

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

1. How can you say he's gonna be a bust?? He was chosen 43rd overall. It's not like he's expected to be a star.
2. How can you say he doesn't look motivated? You don't know that. Are you judging that by his pictures or something? He's Korean! how can he not be motivated. Koreans are known for their high work ethic. (or so i'm told.) You're right, he's definetly not NBA Ready, he needs some good coaching to be effective at all.. but he has a huge body and isn't afraid to get in there so i don't see how it is a bad selection at 43rd overall.

I'm clearly not saying he doesn't look motivated just because he's Korean. That would be a very ignorant thing to say. But from what I remember, we've known about this guy from 2 or 3 years back. This guy was supposed to be the next "Yao Ming". He was 7'3" at age 15 ... blah blah blah. And a lot of people expected this guy to go higher in the draft. But this year, that seemed less and less likely. So instead of jumping straight to the NBA, he should have played some college ball. At least he can get better in the college ranks. And that way, he would have a chance to go higher in the draft.

P.S. This guy was supposed to go really high in the draft. By saying he was "not motivated", I meant that he didn't give it his all to improve. He could have hit the gym, he could have worked on his shots, he could have worked on his stamina, etc. But you're right about one thing, he was drafted 43rd overall and we can't really consider him a "bust" if he becomes one. (Not that he is already)

[VMS]

according to NBAdraft.net, he was supposed to go Mid first round, and the seemed to be the most accurate, being the only site predicting Howard went first. He went higher then expected. I think you'll be surprised by him.

[FanOfAll]

Actually, in NBADraft.net's final mock draft, they had him going #38 (2nd round, only 5 spots above where he actually went). He was in the 1st round maybe 6 months ago, but not anymore after scouts saw how raw he is. But to call him unmotivated? there are have numerous articles on his hard work and work ethic...he's no unmotivated at all. It's unfair to call him a bust considering there aren't really any high expectations for him, except to develop for the first 3 years.

P.S. This guy was supposed to go really high in the draft. By saying he was "not motivated", I meant that he didn't give it his all to improve. He could have hit the gym, he could have worked on his shots, he could have worked on his stamina, etc. But you're right about one thing, he was drafted 43rd overall and we can't really consider him a "bust" if he becomes one. (Not that he is already)

He hits the gym everyday and already has great stamina for a big guy like him.

Anyways, Sergei Monia - Star. The kid can ball. He does just about everything on the court, except his jump shot could use a bit more consistency. but other than that, he's a great rebounder, passer, in-your-face defender, still has good range and a good shot.

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that. So I guess I was wrong about him and I hope that he does very well in the NBA.

[Fresh8]

Wat about the Big Pavel...

I dont know much about him...so i would say maybe a success cause he scored i think it was 14 points against the Chinese NT in an exhibition game and the top scorer only had 18....he also grabbed the most boards with...8- i dunno...i read it a long time ago!

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

I think Pavel will be a success. He has the height (7'5") and he also weighs about (310). So he is a pretty strong guy. If he is coached right, then there is no doubt in my mind that he'll be a success.

[Nick]

1. How can you say he's gonna be a bust?? He was chosen 43rd overall. It's not like he's expected to be a star.
2. How can you say he doesn't look motivated? You don't know that. Are you judging that by his pictures or something? He's Korean! how can he not be motivated. Koreans are known for their high work ethic. (or so i'm told.) You're right, he's definetly not NBA Ready, he needs some good coaching to be effective at all.. but he has a huge body and isn't afraid to get in there so i don't see how it is a bad selection at 43rd overall.

I'm clearly not saying he doesn't look motivated just because he's Korean. That would be a very ignorant thing to say. But from what I remember, we've known about this guy from 2 or 3 years back. This guy was supposed to be the next "Yao Ming". He was 7'3" at age 15 ... blah blah blah.

I didn't say that you said Jin looked unmotivated because he's Korean. I said i think he IS motived because he's korean.

Also, nobody compared Jin to Yao Ming, ever. He's just not that good. And his game is completely different, Ming is a finesse player, Jin is the opposite. Just because he's 7'3" and asian people instantly think he's the next Ming.

About Pavel, imo he will be a bust. Well not a bust, but he wont be anything more than a solid backup. Being 7'5" and having good footwork is about all he's got going for him. He's many years away from being effective. He'll need very good coaching.