Pick Two Players
- Thread starter NUMBERICA
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I disagree on the defense, I think Cody has the tools to be a much better defender than what you can find on the scrap heap. I completely agree with the shooting though, he's very far away from where he needs to be.
The funny thing is that I've gone from seemingly one of Cody's top supporters to seemingly one of his top doubters and my position hasn't changed. I desperately want him to work out because we need defenders, but I still think it's a pretty low probability that he's a real NBA player.
Cody’s offensive game has gotten better, but like others have said it’s not exactly an offensive game that fits into a team well.
I’m also just lower on his defensive ability than the consensus. Think he defends man to well decently, but overall does not make a big defensive impact and is deficient in a lot of defensive areas.
I’m also just lower on his defensive ability than the consensus. Think he defends man to well decently, but overall does not make a big defensive impact and is deficient in a lot of defensive areas.
LogGrad98
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Flip and Clayton. Clayton has the makings of the future 6th man level bench playmaker or even starter to help drive the offense and keep things flowing even when the starters are off the floor.
Flip is just too intriguing. When he is on, which admittedly is seldom this season, he has a unique skillset for a big, but he is off way more than on this year, so that is a concern. But it is hard to give up on a guy his size that can basically do it all. If he figures his **** out he could be a real asset and a multi-positional player.
And frankly really none of the others have impressed enough. They are either turning into permanent unrealized potential, or solid, and singularly, one-trick ponies. Sell high where we can. And use that vaunted player development to get the most out of the rest.
Flip is just too intriguing. When he is on, which admittedly is seldom this season, he has a unique skillset for a big, but he is off way more than on this year, so that is a concern. But it is hard to give up on a guy his size that can basically do it all. If he figures his **** out he could be a real asset and a multi-positional player.
And frankly really none of the others have impressed enough. They are either turning into permanent unrealized potential, or solid, and singularly, one-trick ponies. Sell high where we can. And use that vaunted player development to get the most out of the rest.
My problem w/Flip is his fragility. The thing with Key is he would pout, but he BELIEVED in himself. I don't necessarily see that in Flip. The dude has amazing offensive skills, but he way too easily gets into a funk when things aren't going his way, in a very head case way. He needs to just spend time with Wim Hof or some other dude who will get him gung ho about his own inevitability.
Peter_Mentor
Active Member
NBA roster in general, yes. I just think it’s different with contenders. Guys like Brice can help in the regular season and early playoff rounds giving stars some rest, but the deeper you go, the more conditional that role gets. If he can’t survive against elite offenses, his ceiling is more of an end-of-the-bench spark guy than a true 6th man.
I dont know how you think his tools are so good when he lacks grit, aggressiveness, determination and hustle. He doesnt rotate and close out particularly well and he doesnt have the strength to hold his position when anyone gets physical with him. His footwork is ok, but his instincts are so lacking that even when he stays in the correct position he cannot create any kind of impact.
I know defense is hard to analyze based on stats but consider this:
He has worse advanced stats (most of them at least), less total stocks, less stocks per36, worse FG% against and less contested shots per game than Taylor Hendricks or Ace, He has the same amount of stocks per 36 as Keyonte.
Yeah the upside comp I try to somehow envision for him is PJ Washinton. He is not exactly great at anything but can do a bit of everything (the selling point for Cody as well). Both have similar height/wingspan albeit PJ has legit NBA frame as well.
Then I remember that PJ shot was never broken and that even rookie PJ destroys 2nd year Cody in almost every single area of basketball.
Then I also remember that Hornets were like "eh, whatever" and sold him during his rookie contract for 1 FRP (top 2 protected).
Peter_Mentor
Active Member
The biggest obstacles to him becoming an elite defender are on the mental side. He’s timid and rarely plays on instinct. There’s a chance he never overcomes these hurdles and never becomes a real NBA-player.
That said, I don’t believe every good defender needs to have that dawg mentality at the beginning. He has a solid physical foundation, good defensive awareness, and I haven’t seen any signs of poor instincts. In my opinion, he also rotates and closes out well. There’s a meaningful chance that, with time, he’ll gain more confidence and with confidence, he’s likely to trust his reads more, take calculated risks, and commit fully to plays. It might, and more likely will, never happen, but the foundation is there.
His path won’t necessarily mirror anyone else’s, but I could see him reaching a Jaden McDaniels level of defensive impact.
Eh, I think it's pretty easy to imagine Cody gaining a little extra strength so he can absorb contact through his chest and gaining some more experience/confidence to be a little smarter about how he defends and to get his timing down a little better on his rotations. I'm fairly confident he will be a good defender if he can get on the court based on his offense.
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