I've never heard a single example of anyone comparing Caleb to Patrick, except yfbb on this site, if only to say there is no comparison. We can probably stop bringing it up. It's silly.
I do really wish he would rebound better. For a few reasons in no particular order:
1) it's actually really useful for winning basketball games
2) he's 6'11" and one of the best athletes in the league. So grabbing boards seems natural and expected.
3) he's already a nasty transition player. Rebounding helps his own offense by getting him relatively easy opportunities both as a scorer and as a passer.
4) I think he could be a superstar, which I define as a top 5-7 player in the league. I think he can hit that level as a skilled big. I don't think he can as a big wing. Superstar bigs, even skilled ones, have to rebound.
Now there is an extensive track record of skinny big dudes getting way better at rebounding as they fill out. So even if his boarding is rather wan as a rookie I don't think all is lost. I just hope it's something the team strongly emphasizes to him.
5) It's just better for team and lineup building. If he can rebound well enough, he can play minutes the 5. Or he can play the 4 next to a more skilled, less physical 5. Take the Jazz this year. They're an interesting team. But they would be in a much better place if Jackson could board.
I vow to never make the comparison again! It's already official: Caleb Wilson is not a bust who doesn't even show anything to get excited about. I've seen enough.
Hopefully Caleb looking good does not buy Graham time, but instead places urgency on him. I get the mindset and messaging of being patient in a rebuild, but it's the NBA and the contracts are max 4-5 years now, you don't get *that much* time
You're not wrong about how Swain looks but to me I see a kid who is way too nervous and jittery on the court (which was the vibe I caught from Summer league too). I was somewhat down on the Swain pick but I'm going to wait until he settles in before making any real judgements.
1. I've heard talk about Caleb's shot selection but Norman Powell should get some flak for some of his questionable choices. He's got some great skills but I'd rather see some offense being run, vs. him jacking up early shot clock heaves while falling to one side or another.
2. On that same topic, I feel like most of Boston's offense is predicated on their guys taking and making closely guarded 3's from a stationary position. I mean, they've intentionally assembled a group of guys who are elite at that skill, but they're so frustrating to watch, as they take a bunch of jumpers that on most teams would be "bad shots". The Bulls are bad at D but so many of the Celtics' makes were when we were covering them.
To me this is why they'll most likely flame out in the playoffs again. You just can't make those kind of shots against good teams on a sustainable basis, and (unlike a couple years ago) they don't have any real lineup balance.
Patrick Williams had 2 cool dunk attempts his rookie year and one of them was the play he got injured on. Darkly funny
That was year two, but your point still stands.
I've never heard a single example of anyone comparing Caleb to Patrick, except yfbb on this site, if only to say there is no comparison. We can probably stop bringing it up. It's silly.
I do really wish he would rebound better. For a few reasons in no particular order:
1) it's actually really useful for winning basketball games
2) he's 6'11" and one of the best athletes in the league. So grabbing boards seems natural and expected.
3) he's already a nasty transition player. Rebounding helps his own offense by getting him relatively easy opportunities both as a scorer and as a passer.
4) I think he could be a superstar, which I define as a top 5-7 player in the league. I think he can hit that level as a skilled big. I don't think he can as a big wing. Superstar bigs, even skilled ones, have to rebound.
Now there is an extensive track record of skinny big dudes getting way better at rebounding as they fill out. So even if his boarding is rather wan as a rookie I don't think all is lost. I just hope it's something the team strongly emphasizes to him.
Oops, one got cut off:
5) It's just better for team and lineup building. If he can rebound well enough, he can play minutes the 5. Or he can play the 4 next to a more skilled, less physical 5. Take the Jazz this year. They're an interesting team. But they would be in a much better place if Jackson could board.
I vow to never make the comparison again! It's already official: Caleb Wilson is not a bust who doesn't even show anything to get excited about. I've seen enough.
he had like 14 rebounds 2 games ago lol
What's your point? His TRB% on the season is 10. That's awful for a big.
I think they're comparable in that they were both #4 overall picks, but I think the real term we need to use is "contrastable"
All the rest of it… Swain is so,so bad.anyone watch highlights of Trevon Brezille the other night. Swain looks nothing at all like that.
Hopefully Caleb looking good does not buy Graham time, but instead places urgency on him. I get the mindset and messaging of being patient in a rebuild, but it's the NBA and the contracts are max 4-5 years now, you don't get *that much* time
You're not wrong about how Swain looks but to me I see a kid who is way too nervous and jittery on the court (which was the vibe I caught from Summer league too). I was somewhat down on the Swain pick but I'm going to wait until he settles in before making any real judgements.
Quick thoughts:
1. I've heard talk about Caleb's shot selection but Norman Powell should get some flak for some of his questionable choices. He's got some great skills but I'd rather see some offense being run, vs. him jacking up early shot clock heaves while falling to one side or another.
2. On that same topic, I feel like most of Boston's offense is predicated on their guys taking and making closely guarded 3's from a stationary position. I mean, they've intentionally assembled a group of guys who are elite at that skill, but they're so frustrating to watch, as they take a bunch of jumpers that on most teams would be "bad shots". The Bulls are bad at D but so many of the Celtics' makes were when we were covering them.
To me this is why they'll most likely flame out in the playoffs again. You just can't make those kind of shots against good teams on a sustainable basis, and (unlike a couple years ago) they don't have any real lineup balance.