Elfrid Payton named Rookie of the month for the EC

[Ariza4three]

:applause: :applause: :applause:
Proud of my Elf. 11/7/4 and 2 steals for the month of January.

[hawksdogsbraves]

I've given the guy some shit but that's not a bad month right there

[JohnnyBravo5]

I've given the guy some shit but that's not a bad month right there

As a Georgia State fan I'm glad he is no longer in the Sun Belt.

[Practice?]

Who was his competition?

[outbreak]

Elfrid's going to be a solid player. Really happy we got him

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Smartest retard :applause:

[scott0326]

Was there really any competition though? Lol

[Ariza4three]

Was there really any competition though? Lol
Smart, Nerlens Noel

[coin24]

But how is your top 5 pick playing Jameer?:lol

You know, gay griff?

[qrich]

If only they didn't botch the 4th pick and took Randle instead.

[Ariza4three]

But how is your top 5 pick playing Jameer?:lol

You know, gay griff?
Really good actually. He improves every game.

[ralph_i_el]

Really good actually. He improves every game.
nope

[outbreak]

nope
He's actually played pretty nicely. Was always a project but he's further a long than expected and his shooting looks to be coming a long. his defence is already solid too. I'm happy with the pick where as I wasn't previously.

[RoseCity07]

This guy can't shoot. Didn't he air ball two free throws in a row? I had never seen a guard do that before.

[ralph_i_el]

He's actually played pretty nicely. Was always a project but he's further a long than expected and his shooting looks to be coming a long. his defence is already solid too. I'm happy with the pick where as I wasn't previously.

Idk, as a team that's still tanking looking for the superstar to build around, passing up Randle is inexcusable to me. What is Aaron Gordon's ceiling? Shawn Marion. If he becomes Shawn Marion, then he's worth the pick. You don't draft a hustle guy 4th overall. Is he going to be a stud rim protector? Is he going to be able to space the floor? The realistic answer to both of those questions is no. I could think of some good situations that could cover his weaknesses and make him look good (pending realistic improvement), but teams aren't built around role players so that's not likely.

There is something to be said for a big that can chase around stretch-4's now that they're en vouge. If he becomes an average shooter from 3, a defensive stud (likely, tons of hustle and athleticism), and a smart passer, then there may be a place for him on a good team. With the 4th pick, you'd like less uncertainty.

[Ariza4three]

Idk, as a team that's still tanking looking for the superstar to build around, passing up Randle is inexcusable to me. What is Aaron Gordon's ceiling? Shawn Marion. If he becomes Shawn Marion, then he's worth the pick. You don't draft a hustle guy 4th overall. Is he going to be a stud rim protector? Is he going to be able to space the floor? The realistic answer to both of those questions is no. I could think of some good situations that could cover his weaknesses and make him look good (pending realistic improvement), but teams aren't built around role players so that's not likely.

There is something to be said for a big that can chase around stretch-4's now that they're en vouge. If he becomes an average shooter from 3, a defensive stud (likely, tons of hustle and athleticism), and a smart passer, then there may be a place for him on a good team. With the 4th pick, you'd like less uncertainty.
what? what the **** is the hype about randle?

[outbreak]

Idk, as a team that's still tanking looking for the superstar to build around, passing up Randle is inexcusable to me. What is Aaron Gordon's ceiling? Shawn Marion. If he becomes Shawn Marion, then he's worth the pick. You don't draft a hustle guy 4th overall. Is he going to be a stud rim protector? Is he going to be able to space the floor? The realistic answer to both of those questions is no. I could think of some good situations that could cover his weaknesses and make him look good (pending realistic improvement), but teams aren't built around role players so that's not likely.

There is something to be said for a big that can chase around stretch-4's now that they're en vouge. If he becomes an average shooter from 3, a defensive stud (likely, tons of hustle and athleticism), and a smart passer, then there may be a place for him on a good team. With the 4th pick, you'd like less uncertainty.
Sorry but I see more potential in Gordon than Randle. Randle was never on my radar and in the limited time he had in the league he had the issues finishing that were expected. He needs to develop just as much as Gordon but with less physical gifts.

[ralph_i_el]

Sorry but I see more potential in Gordon than Randle. Randle was never on my radar and in the limited time he had in the league he had the issues finishing that were expected. He needs to develop just as much as Gordon but with less physical gifts.
Finishing issues in his limited time? He broke his leg after 14 minutes in his first game. Randle is going to be a stud finisher. Guys bounce off him. He's short for his position but he's so quick and strong.

[outbreak]

Finishing issues in his limited time? He broke his leg after 14 minutes in his first game. Randle is going to be a stud finisher. Guys bounce off him. He's shirt for his position but he's so quick and strong.

He played summer league and pre season. He can improve sure but I don't think it's fair to say he is a much better prospect than Gordon.

[ralph_i_el]

He played summer league and pre season. He can improve sure but I don't think it's fair to say he is a much better prospect than Gordon.

I don't think he's likely to end up that much more valuable than Gordon. I just think he has a much higher ceiling. Orlando has plenty of nice, valuable young guys, but none of them has that superstar ceiling. If I'm Orlando, I'm swinging for the fences with that pick.

Idk, maybe we'll see a trade of some of their stockpiled young talent to pull a superstar :confusedshrug:

[ralph_i_el]

what? what the **** is the hype about randle?
Sleep on him because he's been hurt? He's an absolute bull in terms of strength. He has really good footwork. He's quicker than almost anyone who's strong enough to defend him in the post so he'll be a matchup nightmare if he meets his potential. His J was not often used in college but he has pretty form (unlike Gordon).

Did you not see him owning double and triple teams on the block in college? He has a nose for the rim.

[outbreak]

I don't think he's likely to end up that much more valuable than Gordon. I just think he has a much higher ceiling. Orlando has plenty of nice, valuable young guys, but none of them has that superstar ceiling. If I'm Orlando, I'm swinging for the fences with that pick.

Idk, maybe we'll see a trade of some of their stockpiled young talent to pull a superstar :confusedshrug:

I agree they need a go to scorer still. Oladipo and Vucevic have helped hide that and have done better than I expected but I still don't think they have the guy they need for that role. I just have to disagree though because I don't see that in Randle.

I did see that potential in Exum but to be honest no one had seen much of him so it was basically down to hype and right now I don't think he deserved to be rated higher than Payton or Smart who both have similar issues but also have other aspects they excel in (play making for Payton, defence for Smart).

I'm nto sure where we go for that piece, this year I don't think we will have a high enough pick to get the scorer we need so like you said we might need to look at trading for it. Hennigan has been vocal about picking up team first defensive players though so he may be trying to build a spurs/pacers type system where the team performs well as a whole rather than relying on one player. I can see that style in some of our young guys but hoping they turn in to the type of calibre players the spurs have managed to pick up is hoping for a lot.

[ralph_i_el]

I agree they need a go to scorer still. Oladipo and Vucevic have helped hide that and have done better than I expected but I still don't think they have the guy they need for that role. I just have to disagree though because I don't see that in Randle.

I did see that potential in Exum but to be honest no one had seen much of him so it was basically down to hype and right now I don't think he deserved to be rated higher than Payton or Smart who both have similar issues but also have other aspects they excel in (play making for Payton, defence for Smart).

I'm nto sure where we go for that piece, this year I don't think we will have a high enough pick to get the scorer we need so like you said we might need to look at trading for it. Hennigan has been vocal about picking up team first defensive players though so he may be trying to build a spurs/pacers type system where the team performs well as a whole rather than relying on one player. I can see that style in some of our young guys but hoping they turn in to the type of calibre players the spurs have managed to pick up is hoping for a lot.

They have lots of young talent. Unfortunately, none of which is shooting talent (dipo has shot well this year though).

[Ariza4three]

Sleep on him because he's been hurt? He's an absolute bull in terms of strength. He has really good footwork. He's quicker than almost anyone who's strong enough to defend him in the post so he'll be a matchup nightmare if he meets his potential. His J was not often used in college but he has pretty form (unlike Gordon).

Did you not see him owning double and triple teams on the block in college? He has a nose for the rim.
He's a not so athletic tweener who isn't quick enough to guard the 3

[hawksdogsbraves]

The scouting report on Randle was always that he DOESN'T have a high ceiling. He's an undersized 4 who doesn't even have elite athleticism. He's a high motor guy who is going to grab a lot of boards and score in bunches around the basket.

He's Kenneth Faried with a better jumper.

Not saying Gordon will be better, he's frankly too raw of a prospect to really judge, but at least he has elite athleticism going for him. Certainly a higher ceiling than Randle.

[ralph_i_el]

The scouting report on Randle was always that he DOESN'T have a high ceiling. He's an undersized 4 who doesn't even have elite athleticism. He's a high motor guy who is going to grab a lot of boards and score in bunches around the basket.

He's Kenneth Faried with a better jumper.

Not saying Gordon will be better, he's frankly too raw of a prospect to really judge, but at least he has elite athleticism going for him. Certainly a higher ceiling than Randle.

What is Gordon's ceiling exactly? Because from where I'm standing, he has exactly 0 skills.

Kenneth Faried with a jumper and a post game is a perennial all star.

Randle has great athleticism, his problem is length. Griffin has the same problem, but Randle is coming into the league with a better J.

[hawksdogsbraves]

What is Gordon's ceiling exactly? Because from where I'm standing, he has exactly 0 skills.

Kenneth Faried with a jumper and a post game is a perennial all star.

Randle has great athleticism, his problem is length. Griffin has the same problem, but Randle is coming into the league with a better J.

Randle's athleticism is nowhere near Blake's though. Not even in the same ballpark.

[Take Your Lumps]

There is something to be said for a big that can chase around stretch-4's now that they're en vouge. If he becomes an average shooter from 3, a defensive stud (likely, tons of hustle and athleticism), and a smart passer, then there may be a place for him on a good team. With the 4th pick, you'd like less uncertainty.

He's already shooting 55% from the field and 50% from 3 in limited time, so I'd say his shooting is well ahead of schedule for a 19 year old. His defensive instincts look legit too.

[outbreak]

He's already shooting 55% from the field and 50% from 3 in limited time, so I'd say his shooting is well ahead of schedule for a 19 year old. His defensive instincts look legit too.

He's the youngest player in the league and at times has already looked like our best interior defender (which to be fair isn't hard when you have Frye and Vucevic in there) as well. I don't know if he will be an all star but he is further a long than I expected and while in time someone behind him may turn out to have a better career but at the moment I don't think you can really fault the pick or say he is worse than the players taken after him.

It's strange how people hyped up Exum saying he did well in the under 19's tournament which was tough competition but Aaron Gordon was MVP of that same tournament yet people said he'd done nothing.