Cody Williams Hype and Appreciation Thread

[jazznik]

You guys are such downers. Not everybody is developing at the same pace. Cody was drafted exclusively because of his athletic and physical gifts: he still has them and actually got noticeably stronger compared to his very first games. And Williams slowly but surely develops his skills: he really gets his defensive positioning now, he is a good one-on-one defender (the only limiting factor is his strength), he consistently makes free throws, and his 3-pt shot became much more reliable. Now Cody is attempting way more drives and it does not look pretty but that is what you have to do to get better.

Cody is a much better player now then he was in November and he is obviously not done improving.

 

[George W]

I'll stick my neck out and say this for posterity: I'm not going to say this is the worst draft pick ever because I think that one goes to Lyles instead of Booker, or maybe Udoka instead of Bane, but I will say that this is the least talented, and biggest bust we have ever drafted with a lottery pick. I cannot remember the last time I've seen a player look this awful on an NBA court and improve. It's not that he's just bad -- it's that there is legit not a single moment of spark. Even Jarrell Brantley and Joel Bolomboy had moments of "...hmm. Maybe?"

He simply looks like he doesn't belong. With more draft picks coming, he'll soon be out of the rotation and banished to the G-League permanently.

- George

 

[homeytennis]

I'll stick my neck out and say this for posterity: I'm not going to say this is the worst draft pick ever because I think that one goes to Lyles instead of Booker, or maybe Udoka instead of Bane, but I will say that this is the least talented, and biggest bust we have ever drafted with a lottery pick. I cannot remember the last time I've seen a player look this awful on an NBA court and improve. It's not that he's just bad -- it's that there is legit not a single moment of spark. Even Jarrell Brantley and Joel Bolomboy had moments of "...hmm. Maybe?"

He simply looks like he doesn't belong. With more draft picks coming, he'll soon be out of the rotation and banished to the G-League permanently.

- George

Last year in the NCAA tournament against a very mediocre Boise State team, Cody scored zero points. Colorado won a close game. You would think someone in the scouting department would have book marked that outing.

 

[jazznik]

Sometimes I get the impression that this site is populated by 12 year-olds who rate the players exclusively on the amount of points scored. Cody may not amount to much (it is never a guarantee with young players) but he will certainly have a place in this league. Because he plays defense, plays it well and will get only better on it once his body fills out more. In the last 15 games his defensive rating is the best among all young Jazz players not named Walker Kessler.

If he gets his three-point percentage somewhere to 35%-36% - which is definitely in the realm of possible - he will become one of dozens 3-and-D players who stand in the corner and sometimes do straight-lane open drives to the basket. Every team has someone like Royce O'Neal.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Sometimes I get the impression that this site is populated by 12 year-olds who rate the players exclusively on the amount of points scored. Cody may not amount to much (it is never a guarantee with young players) but he will certainly have a place in this league. Because he plays defense, plays it well and will get only better on it once his body fills out more. In the last 15 games his defensive rating is the best among all young Jazz players not named Walker Kessler.

If he gets his three-point percentage somewhere to 35%-36% - which is definitely in the realm of possible - he will become one of dozens 3-and-D players who stand in the corner and sometimes do straight-lane open drives to the basket. Every team has someone like Royce O'Neal.

I agree, though this outcome would still be disappointing overall, as the Jazz effectively tanked a season to have the opportunity to draft him. He still needs to show more fire and competitiveness in the games remaining this season.

 

[KqWIN]

I really do wonder what % of people who cite defensive rating as an individual statistic actually know what defensive rating is. On the season he is 3rd pecentile in EPM and 14th percentile in xRAPM which are actual individual statistics with some merit to them. I think Cody's on ball defense against smaller players is...fine. But as an overall defender he's not that great. There are more aspects to defense than on ball defense and on ball defense is very easily influenced by personal bias.

But, I don't want to keep piling on him in his hype thread. I think the best think Cody has going for him is his long strides. I'd agree that the play posted earlier doesn't really represent a good handle, but the fact that he can get to rim with so few dribbles does demonstrate some raw/unteachable ability. It's probably the best thing going for him right now, certainly on offense it is. He's not fast or explosive, but he get doesn't need a lot of strides to get places which can surprise defenders on and off the ball.

Obviously he needs to get stronger and improve his skill level greatly....but I'd definitely agree with @Ferguson_Mellochill that he simply needs to play harder. I'm not really sure how much you can change a guy's motor, but even the most talented guys would falter with the level of disinterest he shows on the court.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

In the last 15 games his defensive rating is the best among all young Jazz players not named Walker Kessler.

The bar just dropped so low, scientists are trying to locate it somewhere in the earth's crust.

 

[MT Steve]

There's a lot to not like about Cody obviously, but the thing that makes it really hard for me to have a lot of hope is that he has no motor whatsoever.

Loose ball - he's just standing there. Rebounds - only if it bounces to him and is relatively uncontested. It's maddening watching him. You know players who find ways to get involved, to make an impact somehow, even if that means making mistakes? He's the total opposite of that - and I don't think that's something you can teach.

At least Collier and Flip both look very nice.

 

[sip]

There's a lot to not like about Cody obviously, but the thing that makes it really hard for me to have a lot of hope is that he has no motor whatsoever.

Loose ball - he's just standing there. Rebounds - only if it bounces to him and is relatively uncontested. It's maddening watching him. You know players who find ways to get involved, to make an impact somehow, even if that means making mistakes? He's the total opposite of that - and I don't think that's something you can teach.

At least Collier and Flip both look very nice.

Your last sentence is the saving grace. In a re draft we would gladly take Flip with the Cody pick and feel good. The part that sucks is that this should have been a home run draft with Matas sitting there. I had him as the top pick in the draft so to snag him at 10 would have been incredible. Instead the front office developed an unhealthy infatuation with Cody to the point where it was rumored he was in their top 5.

 

[jazznik]

I agree, though this outcome would still be disappointing overall, as the Jazz effectively tanked a season to have the opportunity to draft him. He still needs to show more fire and competitiveness in the games remaining this season.

But realistically Cody was the 10th pick in a very weak draft, which equals to the 15th-16th picks in a regular draft. You rarely find an instant impact player in that range.

2016 - Juan Hernangomez, Guerschon Jabusele
2017 - Justin Jackson, Justin Patton
2018 - Troy Brown, Zhaire Smith
2019 - Sekou Doumbouya, Chuma Okeke
2020 - Aaron Nesmith, Cole Anthony.


I think some people had unrealistically high expectations what the 10th pick in a historically weak draft would most likely bring.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I will be pretty shocked if he becomes a rotation player for the Jazz when they are good.

 

[HeatCheck]

But realistically Cody was the 10th pick in a very weak draft, which equals to the 15th-16th picks in a regular draft. You rarely find an instant impact player in that range.

2016 - Juan Hernangomez, Guerschon Jabusele
2017 - Justin Jackson, Justin Patton
2018 - Troy Brown, Zhaire Smith
2019 - Sekou Doumbouya, Chuma Okeke
2020 - Aaron Nesmith, Cole Anthony.


I think some people had unrealistically high expectations what the 10th pick in a historically weak draft would most likely bring.

Disagree strongly. I would take any of the next 14 guys picked after Cody from that draft:

10. Jazz draft Cody Williams (Colorado)

11. Bulls draft Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite)

12. Thunder draft Nikola Topic (KK Crvena Zvezda)

13. Kings draft Devin Carter (Providence)

14. Trail Blazers draft Bub Carrington (Pittsburgh) — Traded to Wizards

15. Heat draft Kel’el Ware (Indiana)

16. 76ers draft Jared McCain (Duke)

17. Lakers draft Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)

18. Magic draft Tristan da Silva (Colorado)

19. Raptors draft Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)

20. Cavaliers draft Jaylon Tyson (Cal)

21. Pelicans draft Yves Missi (Baylor)

22. Suns draft DaRon Holmes II (Dayton) — Traded to Nuggets

23. Bucks draft AJ Johnson (Illawarra)

24. Knicks draft Kyshawn George (Miami) — Traded to Wizards

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

because of his athletic and physical gifts:

What athletic and physical gifts? This is a serious question.

But realistically Cody was the 10th pick in a very weak draft, which equals to the 15th-16th picks in a regular draft. You rarely find an instant impact player in that range.

2016 - Juan Hernangomez, Guerschon Jabusele
2017 - Justin Jackson, Justin Patton
2018 - Troy Brown, Zhaire Smith
2019 - Sekou Doumbouya, Chuma Okeke
2020 - Aaron Nesmith, Cole Anthony.


I think some people had unrealistically high expectations what the 10th pick in a historically weak draft would most likely bring.

Lol the 29th and 32nd picks are way better. Can you list those over the last ten years also?

 

[jazznik]

What athletic and physical gifts? This is a serious question.

Lol the 29th and 32nd picks are way better. Can you list those over the last ten years also?

Give it time. I listed the picks from 2016-2020 only because the players drafted back then had enough time to develop. We are just several months in the very first season for the 2024 draftees. Three years from now we would have very different opinions about many guys drafted in 2024. I understand the frustration but all of that is very premature.

About the gifts: Cody is long and very smooth. He covers a huge amount of ground with his steps. He is also quick laterally. Also, he has the frame that can clearly take him to the next level athletically if he adds more muscles as almost all rookies do. If you add some skills to that type of body you can get a much better player compared to adding skills to the body of the young Niang or even Collier. Actually, he does not need a lot of skills to become a useful NBA player.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Disagree strongly. I would take any of the next 14 guys picked after Cody from that draft:

10. Jazz draft Cody Williams (Colorado)

11. Bulls draft Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite)

12. Thunder draft Nikola Topic (KK Crvena Zvezda)

13. Kings draft Devin Carter (Providence)

14. Trail Blazers draft Bub Carrington (Pittsburgh) — Traded to Wizards

15. Heat draft Kel’el Ware (Indiana)

16. 76ers draft Jared McCain (Duke)

17. Lakers draft Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)

18. Magic draft Tristan da Silva (Colorado)

19. Raptors draft Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)

20. Cavaliers draft Jaylon Tyson (Cal)

21. Pelicans draft Yves Missi (Baylor)

22. Suns draft DaRon Holmes II (Dayton) — Traded to Nuggets

23. Bucks draft AJ Johnson (Illawarra)

24. Knicks draft Kyshawn George (Miami) — Traded to Wizards

Id still take Cody over AJ Johnson and Holmes (he tore his achilles)

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

Cody Williams came into the NBA as a massive project and then did the least inspiring thing imaginable for a massive project which is show zero growth whatsoever from college to the NBA and show zero growth during the season.

Cody was really bad in college and FIBA and needed to show a lot of growth and he got better at nothing. He still can't even rebound.

 

[homeytennis]

Cody Williams came into the NBA as a massive project and then did the least inspiring thing imaginable for a massive project which is show zero growth whatsoever from college to the NBA and show zero growth during the season.

Cody was really bad in college and FIBA and needed to show a lot of growth and he got better at nothing. He still can't even rebound.

Cody needs to go to Karl Malone's ranch over the summer and have the Mailman make a man out of him.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Cody was very good in the Vegas SL, so that gives me a bit of hope that he isnt hopeless.

 

[homeytennis]

Cody was very good in the Vegas SL, so that gives me a bit of hope that he isnt hopeless.

He also scored 36 points in a GLeague game too.

 

[sip]

But realistically Cody was the 10th pick in a very weak draft, which equals to the 15th-16th picks in a regular draft. You rarely find an instant impact player in that range.

2016 - Juan Hernangomez, Guerschon Jabusele
2017 - Justin Jackson, Justin Patton
2018 - Troy Brown, Zhaire Smith
2019 - Sekou Doumbouya, Chuma Okeke
2020 - Aaron Nesmith, Cole Anthony.


I think some people had unrealistically high expectations what the 10th pick in a historically weak draft would most likely bring.

This draft doesn't look weak at all. In fact it looks very deep.