Don't have to necessarily be better than him. But good enough to be a leader. Someone like Chauncy Billups in his prime could do that.
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Don't have to necessarily be better than him. But good enough to be a leader. Someone like Chauncy Billups in his prime could do that.
No I'm with you. Just can't think of any examples this. The only examples, it could be argued who the best player and leader were and if they were indeed the same player. Celtics( Pierce, KG ), 1st spurs title ( Duncan, Robinson ), Pistons ( Toss up really, Billups, Rasheed, Rip??) can you think of any?
In theory you are right, but you won't see Carmelo take a backseat unless it is a last ditch effort to get a ring as a 6th man. More to my point though, once the ball goes in Melo's hands, it doesn't come out. You need good ball movement to win in this league and Shabazz would just be another offensive stopper. Sure, it'll be fun when he goes on his hot streaks, but when he goes cold he'll strangle the whole team's production (see: New York Knicks).
Shabazz will be an all star one day, but he will not win.
Interesting how you assume that he'll be a literal clone of Melo, despite...not being a clone of Melo. He'll be exactly as much of an offensive stopper. He'll be precisely the same kind of guy that'll strangle the team's production despite that not being what he did at UCLA.
And the theory is applicable because here, Shabazz wouldn't be our franchise cornerstone. That position is already filled. The team wouldn't be leaning on Shabazz to carry us. They wouldn't be in the position where they must inextricably give him the rock because there aren't any other real options.
It's my biggest worry with him. When I watched him play, he routinely drew multiple defenders and failed to pass it out to the open man. Hopefully it's more of a mindset thing and less about an inability to see the entire court clearly.
Also, Bazz has below-average handles going right, which usually leads to him predictably going back left and subsequently taking a pretty poor shot.
All these red flags about his selfishness, lack of effort, etc don't concern me as much. Those are disciplinary issues that can be mended with the right coach and a professional atmosphere.
I think Bazz would be an underrated pick at 6 granted a specific group of players are off the board.
"I'm not going to allow my putative owner to answer that question, this is an NBA related press conference. Paul Tagliabue and Roger Goodell have collectively sung their praises of Tom and if uh ESPN has a problem with that tell Mr. Skipper to call me at my office."
I feel the same way about Shabazz as I did with Austin Rivers. Dude came out of High School as the #1 or 2 prospect by most people. Potential is there and he has the ability to easily be the best player in this draft. I, as a pelicans fan, wouldn't want us to touch another project of that magnitude, but to discount the guy is insanity.
Here's the thing - EG is already a guy with questionable character/leadership/desire issues. Can we support two of those guys potentially in the starting lineup? Bazz has had quite a few real character concerns throughout his career so far, and was seen by some as a primadonna. I'm sure his character can be improved by a strong coaching staff and locker room - but I don't think that EG is the leader that will help break his bad habits.
I don't want him, but am more open to drafting him if we trade EG.
Dude is a black hole on offense, and to busy to be concerned with defense. It his shot isn't falling he is worthless, and he doesn't even score the ball well. If he is there and we take him...so be it, but I hope he goes to the bobcats/hornets.
If you Jimmer it, they will come.
Shabazz has the potential to be similar to Glenn Robinson, but I'm scared he'll be more like Michael Beasley.
Speaking of GR; i forgot his son is likely to enter the next draft. That class will be staaaaacked.
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