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Post by eja117 on Dec 28, 2006 14:12:42 GMT -5
I'd like to be able to say Powe is great but we've only seen him play like 40 cumulative minutes. It's impossible to say how good he is, but I mildly side wih fresh because of the fact they kept saying he was beaten out in practice, but then again, that's Doc talking whom I think is making bets on his team losing, so I have no idea.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 28, 2006 16:12:11 GMT -5
Powe has the game to be a standout player. But what may be his biggest hurdle is his lack of optimal height for a PF. He's closer to 6'6" than he is to his listed 6'8". He's got incredible arm length and he's a good leaper, which allows him to block shots against bigger opponents, but he's always going to be at a disadvantage (unless we are playing other teams who are using the small ball lineup).
I like Powe, but I wouldn't hesitate to wish for a taller PF to take his place.
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Post by eja117 on Dec 28, 2006 16:17:35 GMT -5
There's one reason I don't like doubting Powe and Gomes. His name is Charles Barley. He was 6ft 4, and I just never agreed with all the tweener, eugenic, put everyone in a box thing. Karl Malone was also an inch or two shorter than optimal pg height and Shaun Livingston is 3-4 inches too tall, and none of that matters to me, just how they play. Granted when everything else is equal height is nice and can't be taught. I like biggness too though. I never liked the tall Camby string bean gets hurt every other week thing either.
2000
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 28, 2006 17:09:35 GMT -5
Congrats on your 2000th post, Eja.
Not every undesized player will turn out to be Charles Barkley. For one, his will to rebound made him great, and I can tell you right now that Gomes and Powe do not have the level of determination that Barkley had. But I'm not comparing either of them to Barkley, so its a moot point. They can be good players in their own right, and pretty valuable players on our team.
Elton Brand is also undersized and he is one of the best PF's in the game. Its all about making it work despite not having optimal height. Some guys can make it happen, most can't.
Gomes and Powe are at a height disadvantage and its a hurdle that they're going to have to battle whenever they step onto the court.
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Post by freshnthehouse on Dec 29, 2006 2:25:16 GMT -5
There's one reason I don't like doubting Powe and Gomes. His name is Charles Barley. He was 6ft 4, and I just never agreed with all the tweener, eugenic, put everyone in a box thing. Karl Malone was also an inch or two shorter than optimal pg height and Shaun Livingston is 3-4 inches too tall, and none of that matters to me, just how they play. Granted when everything else is equal height is nice and can't be taught. I like biggness too though. I never liked the tall Camby string bean gets hurt every other week thing either. 2000 I hate(love) to nitpick, bu the mailman was around 6'9"-6'10". And in regards to Barkley, for every one of him there are countless Corliss WIlliamsons Brandon Hunters, who, thanks to their lack of size, are solid NBA role players at best and minor league vegabonds at worst.
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Post by eja117 on Dec 29, 2006 12:37:56 GMT -5
I am aware Malone was 6ft 9, while most pfs are 6 ft 10, although a bunch are 6ft 11 and some these days are 7ft now. That's why I said an inch or two. I realize they all can't be Barkley. I just don't like doubting them. I say just give them 25 mins and see what happens. Like maybe tonite against Golden State like Derren said.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 29, 2006 15:24:40 GMT -5
I wouldn't bet against Powe's level of determination. This kid has been through enough to make most kids just forget it. He added 3 inches to his vertical leap between the draft and training camp. Also, he has long arms that helps to make up a bit for his lack of size. As Al said in the article a couple of days ago... he plays much bigger than his size. Don't count this kid out.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 29, 2006 16:12:01 GMT -5
Yeah, I sort of had the feeling that my previous post was going to get a bit misunderstood. Leon Powe's level of determination, not only in basketball, but life in general has been well documented (FL posted a good read on Powe in today's news section).
What I really mean is that Barkley had the combination of sheer determination + a ton of physical gifts (like strength, speed, IQ, explosiveness, etc) that can't be compared to that often. I think its safe to say that Powe is a long shot to have an extraordinary career that rivals Barkley's.
But I still have high hopes for Powe. He may not be the next Barkley, but if he can become better than Ryan Gomes, that will still be big for us.
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Post by eja117 on Dec 29, 2006 16:17:47 GMT -5
I never thought for a second he could be a Barkley. But Barkleys and Doug Fluties are just reasons I don't like to doubt smaller guys. That doesn't mean I automatically believe in them either. I just think that the players that prove themselves at one level get a chance to do it again, and when you do the whole "player must be this must be that, one size fits all" thing eventually you get bitten.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 29, 2006 16:23:11 GMT -5
But not all smallish players pan out (majority don't). Earl Boykins is another example to add to you list of small guys who have made it. Nate Robinson might be as well.
If a player is smallish, he has to have incredible abilities (quickness, explosiveness, leaping ability, strength, shooting, ball handling, body control) and intangibles (incredible instincts, bball IQ, luck) in order for me to believe he can make something of his career.
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Post by eja117 on Dec 29, 2006 16:34:33 GMT -5
I admit after the initial shock of Muggsy Bogues wore off I was kinda done with him. I was decently hopeful of Brevin Knight though. I guess that eventually worked out. But I'm not big on the giants either. Manute Bol. Pavel Podzlokin didn't turn out so good. Big Country Reeves had all those foot problems. And I'll take Shaq and Duncan over Yao any year of the millenium.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 29, 2006 17:09:33 GMT -5
Here is another Powe article I just found but I don't have the link for it. Powe played more than 15 minutes in 2 games and averaged over 9 points and over 6 rebounds in those 2 games. The kid is special and if Doc would play him, he will produce.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 29, 2006 18:26:44 GMT -5
Powe needs to be given a chance to play big minutes. Gomes is a pretty good player, but I'd like to see better fortunes will come with Powe on the inside.
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Post by freshnthehouse on Dec 30, 2006 4:13:40 GMT -5
What I really mean is that Barkley had the combination of sheer determination + a ton of physical gifts (like strength, speed, IQ, explosiveness, etc) that can't be compared to that often. I hate(love) to go off-topic, but man Barkley was out of this world(if you forget the fact he was one of the worst defenders of all time). Barkey's explosiveness wass through the roof. I wonder how many ridiculous 2 handed put-backs that guy averaged a year? Man he was fun to watch.
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Post by ferbo on Dec 30, 2006 14:08:12 GMT -5
Another gretly undersized player---although not a 4---was Wes Unseld, who played the 5 at 6'6". For that matter, Dave Cowens at 6'8" as a 5.
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