(07-08-2014 10:15 PM)450bench Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 12:32 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 12:01 PM)450bench Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 11:08 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 10:31 AM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  How you figure? That number indicates to me that he is shooting the ball very close to the room the vast majority of the time. He is not a guy that spaces the floor. If anything, he is a guy defenders would sag in off of on the perimeter.

Someone who has only seen a video of him in a layup line; who has never seen him play, asking another poster "how you figure?" Funny stuff.

Personal opinion after seeing him play, live, several times. He's a guy who dominated the paint at the jc level with strength, hops and athletic ability. Gets to the rim at will at that level. Can shoot from the outside and has great form and lift from out there. That's just a bonus though as he is a strong, strong post player. He's an extremely explosive guy at 245-250 lbs. Don't know that we've had anyone similar in a while. Maybe Sylvester but this kid is a bit more polished. Sylvester was strictly a 4, IMO and one of the most gifted athletes ever here.

That's nice to know and thank you for the info. Without knowing anything, I would have to think that his biggest challenge will be defending taller 4's at the D1 level. Would you say that is accurate?

Yeah, I'd say that's accurate. I think he's going to be able to use his body and low center of gravity in the paint on defense. His other advantage is his ability to get off his feet with insane quickness. His burst off the floor is one of his biggest assets. Haven't seen a lot of guys with that kind of explosiveness and bounce who weigh 240-250.

Because of his height and the fact he is a JUCO; I don't have very high expectations for him. Having said that, it's exciting that you and Bluesky have seen him play, and seem to be genuinely excited about his potential.

(07-08-2014 05:51 PM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 01:15 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 12:57 PM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 11:08 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 10:31 AM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  How you figure? That number indicates to me that he is shooting the ball very close to the room the vast majority of the time. He is not a guy that spaces the floor. If anything, he is a guy defenders would sag in off of on the perimeter.

Someone who has only seen a video of him in a layup line; who has never seen him play, asking another poster "how you figure?" Funny stuff.

Hmmm ... you think a guy who shot 0-2 for the season from 3 is going to free up space in the lane somehow?

Since you feel the need to interject, please feel free to explain.

As he charges in at the speed of light and finishes, he will be drawing many defenders. lol or maybe he kicks it back out for someone else....who cares...

What he accomplished in JUCO can be built on to suit our needs.

What is the big deal here? This guy is playah--one who does stuff we haven't seen in a looooooooong time.

#behappy

Never said it was a big deal, nor that he couldn't help the team. It seems like the kid is a player.

The point is that he is not a perimeter player evidently. I was merely asking how he was going to unclog the lane without a perimeter game.

Stammers felt the need to interject (as usual). It was so nice when he was on his forced hiatus. The guy can force an argument with a wall and still manage to lose it.

Do we need a total perimeter player to give our guys more room under the basket than they had last year? It resembled one of those ant clumps. I don't remember many mid-range shots falling in either. Everyone knew where the ball was headed.

His coach (granted it was his coach) said he can get any shot off at any time. I'm looking ahead.

I think I'm dumb. Maybe just happy.

(07-09-2014 02:03 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 05:51 PM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 01:15 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 12:57 PM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 11:08 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Someone who has only seen a video of him in a layup line; who has never seen him play, asking another poster "how you figure?" Funny stuff.

Hmmm ... you think a guy who shot 0-2 for the season from 3 is going to free up space in the lane somehow?

Since you feel the need to interject, please feel free to explain.

As he charges in at the speed of light and finishes, he will be drawing many defenders. lol or maybe he kicks it back out for someone else....who cares...

What he accomplished in JUCO can be built on to suit our needs.

What is the big deal here? This guy is playah--one who does stuff we haven't seen in a looooooooong time.

#behappy

Never said it was a big deal, nor that he couldn't help the team. It seems like the kid is a player.

The point is that he is not a perimeter player evidently. I was merely asking how he was going to unclog the lane without a perimeter game.

Stammers felt the need to interject (as usual). It was so nice when he was on his forced hiatus. The guy can force an argument with a wall and still manage to lose it.

Do we need a total perimeter player to give our guys more room under the basket than they had last year? It resembled one of those ant clumps. I don't remember many mid-range shots falling in either. Everyone knew where the ball was headed.

His coach (granted it was his coach) said he can get any shot off at any time. I'm looking ahead.

I think I'm dumb. Maybe just happy.

The guy who hasn't seen him play a single minute wants everyone to know that if you don't shoot 3 pointers, all of your shots are from 4' or closer to the basket.

(07-09-2014 01:40 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 05:59 PM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 02:27 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 12:57 PM)NigelTufnel Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 11:08 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Someone who has only seen a video of him in a layup line; who has never seen him play, asking another poster "how you figure?" Funny stuff.

Hmmm ... you think a guy who shot 0-2 for the season from 3 is going to free up space in the lane somehow?

Since you feel the need to interject, please feel free to explain.

Austin Nichols shot 1 three pointer last year. You don't seem to be able to grasp the idea that just because someone doesn't shoot 3 pointers; it doesn't make them Tarik Black or Joey Dorsey.

Like I said, I think it's funny when someone like you questions another poster's opinion, when you've never seen the guy play a minute in your entire life.

So Austin Nichols unclogged the lane?

I never said he was Tarik Black or Joey Dorsey. All I said was that a FG% of 70.4 indicates that the guy is not a perimeter player and is therefore unlikely to create breathing room for the other interior guys.

If he plays the 3, teams will back off him. If he plays the 4, either Austin or Shaq will be sitting.

And for the record, 90+% of the posters on this board have only seen highlights of Hawkins (including snowtiger evidently), are they not entitled to opinions either? If so, this is going to be a discussion between about 2 people.

I would be interested if people 'in the know' felt that my analysis was inaccurate ...

I mean, unlike the Stammers of the world, I have actually been wrong on occasion.

Quote:I would be interested if people 'in the know' felt that my analysis was inaccurate ...

Yet not knowing anything, you made it seem like Snow was being ridiculous.

Meanwhile, the reality is that posters that have actually seen him play have said that he doesn't spend all his time around the basket.

All I said was that I don't think his game "unclogs the lane". I never said he couldn't contribute, I never said he wouldn't be a good player. You don't shoot 70% shooting a ton of midrange jumpers, especially at the JC level. If he is, then the guy will play in the NBA without a doubt. The guy is clearly finishing at, or close to the rim most of the time.

I also didn't say he spent most of his time around the basket, I said his scoring comes from around the basket, there is a big difference. But, that said, just because you float out to the perimeter often, doesn't mean you unclog the lane. If anything, a guy with a suspect jump shot who catches the ball on the perimeter can have the opposite effect.

Snow brought up a fair point earlier in that if he is an effective penetrator from the wing with his strength, he can draw defenders and create opportunities for the other bigs. I hope he can do that, but I have my doubts given that teams will try to force him to shoot from the perimeter. (And yes, I'm basing this on the stats, which indicate the guy shot 2 3's all year)

I'm sure he catches the ball on the wing, but, as the people who have seen him play have said, he is evidently a guy who drives to the basket with authority when he does look to score from the wing.

Also, I don't believe I belittled anyone, I only asked how he gives the bigs breathing room when his scoring comes in the paint almost predominately. That is all.

Somehow, you don't think I'm qualified to comment because I've only seen highlights and looked at his numbers (like the vast majority of people). The only thing I have said is that the guy is not really a perimeter player, which isn't hard to see from looking at the numbers and the limited highlights ... most seem to agree that he's a 4 not a 3, even at his size. It's not a stretch to say that he doesn't "unclog the lane" or give the bigs "breathing room".

But if I'm wrong, I will be happy about it. I hope Hawkins is able to contribute at the 3 and tears it up. I doubt he's a worse shooter than Damien Wilkins.

He's got a mid-range game but I think his forte is attacking the basket. He's really, really strong.

(07-09-2014 09:22 PM)450bench Wrote:  He's got a mid-range game but I think his forte is attacking the basket. He's really, really strong.

Really really strong is good. And now we're back to what position will he play?

(07-09-2014 09:27 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  

(07-09-2014 09:22 PM)450bench Wrote:  He's got a mid-range game but I think his forte is attacking the basket. He's really, really strong.

Really really strong is good. And now we're back to what position will he play?

I think he plays the 4 with some 3 mixed in. He's got great quickness and nice form from the outside. Again, he's best when attacking the glass, which he does very well.
I do think stammers is right in the fact that he's going to have to adjust defensively at this level. I'm sure he's aware of that, as are the coaches. I think he's a match up nightmare for the opposition. College 3s are going to have a tough time keeping him out of the paint and his strength will cause serious problems for 3s. His quickness and athletic ability will help him with taller guys. He is an extremely quick leader, with power, if that makes sense.

(07-09-2014 09:34 PM)450bench Wrote:  

(07-09-2014 09:27 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  

(07-09-2014 09:22 PM)450bench Wrote:  He's got a mid-range game but I think his forte is attacking the basket. He's really, really strong.

Really really strong is good. And now we're back to what position will he play?

I think he plays the 4 with some 3 mixed in. He's got great quickness and nice form from the outside. Again, he's best when attacking the glass, which he does very well.
I do think stammers is right in the fact that he's going to have to adjust defensively at this level. I'm sure he's aware of that, as are the coaches. I think he's a match up nightmare for the opposition. College 3s are going to have a tough time keeping him out of the paint and his strength will cause serious problems for 3s. His quickness and athletic ability will help him with taller guys. He is an extremely quick leader, with power, if that makes sense.

Yes...makes sense.

How is Hawkins looking in practice?

(07-09-2014 10:27 PM)Ramen_Tiger Wrote:  How is Hawkins looking in practice?

I've been wanting to know that as well but no one is offering any inside info yet

(07-09-2014 10:49 PM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  

(07-09-2014 10:27 PM)Ramen_Tiger Wrote:  How is Hawkins looking in practice?

I've been wanting to know that as well but no one is offering any inside info yet

Let's keep asking till an insider answers

Will be fun watching him and Nick going after loose balls next season. Junkyard dogs.

Still waiting for a report from practice. "Can This Dude Ball"?

Chris Hawkins update?

(07-14-2014 02:46 PM)holyterror Wrote:  Still waiting for a report from practice. "Can This Dude Ball"?

450bench says he can. I look forward to seeing him play.

(07-07-2014 06:08 PM)dan o Wrote:  

(07-07-2014 06:00 PM)450bench Wrote:  

(07-07-2014 01:29 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  The guy will play the 4. Bet your house on it.

Yep

Yep to the yep

I'm betting the farm.
pics available upon request.

(07-14-2014 02:46 PM)holyterror Wrote:  Still waiting for a report from practice. "Can This Dude Ball"?

Oh God, don't conjure him back.

(07-08-2014 07:03 AM)dan o Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 06:30 AM)BealeStreetTiger Wrote:  

(07-07-2014 06:08 PM)dan o Wrote:  

(07-07-2014 06:00 PM)450bench Wrote:  

(07-07-2014 01:29 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  The guy will play the 4. Bet your house on it.

Yep

Yep to the yep

I don’t know about that. Can he shoot well enough to play the Stretch 4? His game has been facing up & driving which is totally different from what Austin does. This would probably require the team to run different sets for whoever is in at the 4.

This usually isn’t a big deal but we do have a lot of new players who haven’t played together. TBO I wouldn’t be surprised what we’ll see with this team.

I'm sure we all hope he is a hoss for us wherever he plays.

Yes.

At his size, Clarence Weatherspoon is another guy who seems comparable. On the shorter side, but very stout and strong. CW was more of a definite post player. He was an ankle jumper who could get up there. (Always loved that ejection for getting into it with Spiva.)

Time will tell how he compares to some of the past players we've mentioned, but at the very least, it'll be great if he can be a guy off the bench who comes in, bangs, and competes with a high motor. We have some guys who can score. We can always use a few more who will do the dirty work.