Following potential 2012 draftees
- Thread starter Dr. Jones
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Jerry Lundegaard
Banned
It's obvious by his demeanor on the court. I've also been told by a variety of people who would know. Having played the sport at a relatively high level all the way through high school, including AAU where we played in national tournaments, I've seen all sorts of guys who are 'the man' from their towns, cities, etc...There's a difference between playing like you know you're the man playing a team sport and how Rivers comports himself (all about himself). Just my $.02 of course.
But all that aside, he's not a pure point so I don't think he's even worth looking at. Between Hayward and Burks I think we're set at the 2 spot. If there's no PG we should get a SF of the future (and there should be a bunch in this draft).
Well I think we should draft a SF because this draft has some good ones plus the fact that the PG class is not that great. I am watching Rivers to see if Coach K helps the kid to mature. I have to see more passing and less shooting from Rivers. However, ChitownJazz if you are concerned about Rivers attitude what about Wroten's attitude. I have read some concerns about his attitude and he seems to be more of a combo guard. Do not get wrong I like Wroten's game but it seems he shares some of the concerns you have with Rivers.
orangello
Well-Known Member
Whoa, wait a second? It seems to me that you are pointing out that someone might have a bias towards a certain player. I don't think that has ever happened. I have a feeling that Chitownjazz is going to tell all of us again that he played at a high level all the way through high school and AAU national tournaments and he has heard from people that would know that Wroten is the best teammate type player that UW has ever seen.
Hantlers
Well-Known Member
I tend to look at how right now he's starting to take control of the huddle at Duke. As a freshman. Not everybody is going to like him, but they all respect him because they know that he wants to win. I bet Michael Jordon's demeanor annoyed you too.
Jerry Lundegaard
Banned
Nope. I loved MJ's demeanor. He was a cold blooded assassin and the best to ever play the game. So whatever character flaws he had were trumped by his unprecedented skill. Rivers doesn't fall into that category.
Orangello, I know quite a few west coasters and never heard anything negative about Wroten as a teammate. As a student and qualifier there were some questions if I remember correctly, but I haven't heard nearly half the bad stuff that I heard about Rivers. It wasn't just someone who had a bias against Rivers. You can disregard the qualifications I gave as I probably would if I read something like that on a message board, but I felt I had to add it in because it was worth mentioning given the connections I've made, things I've heard and seen, etc... I agree Wroten isn't a classic PG, but fits the mold a lot better than Rivers. As the game has evolved, point guards have started to come up with high level scoring ability. But a clear distinction can still be made between those who can score but play like a point guard (Deron Williams or Derrick Rose is a perfect example of the new age point guard) and those who can score, have most of the same skills as a point guard, have the same size as a pg but can't play like one (Jimmer Fredette, Austin Rivers).
The Jazz, if even have a pick, need to pick up the BSFA. I am in the camp that Rivers will become a hell of a pro. Again, not necessarily because of what I'm seeing in the stat lines, but his attitude. I just don't think he'll be denied. Having said that, I'd only take him if we had two picks.
Most non-Dukies feel Rivers is a snobby kid, bad teammate, selfish, entitled, team cancer, and overall punk. I actually think he has a fire that is misunderstood. He has some of those things, I believe, but not worried about it, personally.
spycam1
Well-Known Member
I'm not too worried either. In high school he had a bad rep, sure. But I haven't heard any negative things about his demeanor/attitude since he started college. The guy's got a drive and real desire to win; that's something that makes me very confident he'll have a smooth transition to the NBA game.
I know the feeling. Having said that, Rivers was hated before he even announced his school. People saw him as selfish and a ballhogging chucker .. which he was. I believe in the kid and have been stating the same for months, but to think he didn't/doesn't have a negrep is burying your head.
Jerry Lundegaard
Banned
Sure, and it has nothing to do with anti-Duke bias as some have inferred. One of my friends is currently an asst at a high major program and recruited him, and told me several different stories about tantrums, hanging teammates out to dry, ball-hogging, etc... This was WHILE they were recruiting him, so it wasn't an issue of sour grapes. This was a few summers ago, and it was during the club circuit so the ball-hogging is normal (if anyone has ever played or watched aau/club basketball you'd know that it's not even really basketball. It's let me show what I can do in front of these coaches, F my teammates...for the most part).
I don't doubt he may have matured and become a good teammate. Then again, he's a true freshman on one of the most storied programs in college athletic history so had he taken a diva approach I think that would've been cut down very quickly by Coach K and/or his teammates.
But all that extra stuff is a small percentage on why I want the Jazz to pass. Unless he sticks around in college and completely transforms his game, he's not a point guard. He's most likely got the skill set and bball IQ/feel to be, but it's a matter of what he's most comfortable doing. The problem I see is that a bunch of combos just like him are starting to get drafted high and play prominent roles in the league. So I'm sure a team would be happy to take him with a high lotto pick. I just don't think he'd fit with the current nucleus we have.
I just want a point guard who can defend, get up and down the floor fast and be able to break down defense in the halfcourt drawing two defenders at will then distribute.
But to clarify, I think he can be a real good player in the NBA - I just don't want him on the Jazz.
I actually don't but agree with you that a lot of people do for some reason I simply cannot understand.
That said, Rivers might not be the most cancerous player in the world, but in the proper circumstance seems like he could be a real problem. That, and I'm not fond of combo guards (at least not drafted in the lottery).
^^^ Good post, chi. We're hearing and seeing the same things. Having said that, we are interpreting the info a bit differently. Rivers is actually a good fit here, imo. Fast, a shooter, heady, winner .. a bit chippy.
With one pick, I pass and go SF. Two picks, yes .. all day.
With one pick, I pass and go SF. Two picks, yes .. all day.