I think his argument is more along the lines of - them playing in a French pro league is viewed as an excuse for low production. As in... for example, they play against men, they are younger than the competition, they are not yet trusted by the coach as the youngsters of the team, etc. So we assume there is unrealized potential and skills that are there but not shown, simply because they are lower on the totem pole as the 18 year olds on a professional team.
To some degree I agree actually. I think it's overstated how young players are being protected in Europe. IMO this is a legitimate knock on Bilal - his inability to seize more of a role on offense. I think it shows what his coach believes his current ability is and what he believes will help his team win. And huge majority of players who have come to the NBA from Europe and actually succeeded offensively, have actually shown stuff in Europe. I was thinking about French players who have actually succeeded in the NBA before the current draught.
Batum was scoring 11-12pts per game with 4ast and 4rbs as an 18 year old in France. Tony Parker averaged 15pts as a 19 year old in France. Evan Fournier averaged 14 a game as a 19 year old in France... I guess Boris Diaw is the only one that had similar stats to Bilal and succeeded in the NBA...
Agreed.... I think the skills and the production that results from that skill is the real big factor here... not the fact that they are French or come from the French league...