A few days ago, we projected next season’s Top 10 Offenses. It got a little kooky. This week, we’re using our cubic zirconia ball to survey the other end of the court.
Agree completely on the grizzlies analysis. I think they could be top ten but it heavily hinges on cam boozer being a decent defender as there are some concerns based off his pop and quickness.
Well I just saw boozer guard primarily jalen johnson in the grizzlies preseason win against the hawks and he did a good job with 2 on-ball steals and stayed in front of him. His foot speed didn't look like a major issue though he didn't help much at the rim. This was also him playing without Edey as it doesn't look like he'll play in preseason and Isaiah Stewart got injured early on(yikes).
Right, Boozer will be just fine in space against like-sized players, quick hands and perfectly solid feet. He actually has an okay vertical jump, so I have no idea why he never blocks shots. He didn't do it tons at Duke, either, something that will likely prevent him from ever being able to play small-ball five effectively.
Although Boozer recorded a respectable max vertical leap at the combine his standing vert wasn't so great and it betrays his actual explosiveness in game. Verts aren't all that- he doesn't quite have the functional athleticism other bigs have in verticality both due to his size and leaping ability.
To illustrate this look up Blake griffins max vertical leap. You'll be shocked to see it's just a couple inches more then boozer despite being regarded as one of the greatest dunkers in history. He had an elite second jump and could explode upward with little to no momentum. Boozer needs momentum to get up there, and, he's lacking the primary skills to contest well at the rim which matter even more. He just isn't great at timing contests and finding contact with the ball at the rim. He doesn't have that skill, at least not yet, and doesn't have the athleticism to make up for that deficit like others.
Luckily for him he's playing alongside Edey(injuries begone) and Isaiah Stewart.. so he shouldn't need much help at the rim lol
I hope Maxey vj and jb force you to rethink this…
Me too!
Agree completely on the grizzlies analysis. I think they could be top ten but it heavily hinges on cam boozer being a decent defender as there are some concerns based off his pop and quickness.
Yep! I'm optimistic, as you've seen, but the downside is obvious
Well I just saw boozer guard primarily jalen johnson in the grizzlies preseason win against the hawks and he did a good job with 2 on-ball steals and stayed in front of him. His foot speed didn't look like a major issue though he didn't help much at the rim. This was also him playing without Edey as it doesn't look like he'll play in preseason and Isaiah Stewart got injured early on(yikes).
Right, Boozer will be just fine in space against like-sized players, quick hands and perfectly solid feet. He actually has an okay vertical jump, so I have no idea why he never blocks shots. He didn't do it tons at Duke, either, something that will likely prevent him from ever being able to play small-ball five effectively.
Although Boozer recorded a respectable max vertical leap at the combine his standing vert wasn't so great and it betrays his actual explosiveness in game. Verts aren't all that- he doesn't quite have the functional athleticism other bigs have in verticality both due to his size and leaping ability.
To illustrate this look up Blake griffins max vertical leap. You'll be shocked to see it's just a couple inches more then boozer despite being regarded as one of the greatest dunkers in history. He had an elite second jump and could explode upward with little to no momentum. Boozer needs momentum to get up there, and, he's lacking the primary skills to contest well at the rim which matter even more. He just isn't great at timing contests and finding contact with the ball at the rim. He doesn't have that skill, at least not yet, and doesn't have the athleticism to make up for that deficit like others.
Luckily for him he's playing alongside Edey(injuries begone) and Isaiah Stewart.. so he shouldn't need much help at the rim lol