Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ballyhoo
Bilas was lukewarm on him saying "He's got a very good feel for the game, but he does not rebound, does not post up and he's not much of a defender right now."
|
yeah, from what i saw, it was based in ignorance. but with maury's 'opinion' (or wishful thinking, however you want to see it), it'd be on a better balance. the guys tonight were scared of his defense, but maury would be quick to point out that he "led the italian league in blocks". i mean, the truth (from what i've seen) lies somewhere in between:
he's not harmful on the defensive end. he won't break you down into a zone, and he probably wouldn't even require a consistent double team off the perimeter. that said, he won't be swatting kobe into the crowd, either, and he won't be providing any kind of an
intimidating, interior presence (imo). i see him in the middle somewhere (for now), which ain't bad for a 20 yo. his defense should not be subjected to criticism at the moment, imo. his fundamentals right now (imo) happen to be in line with those of josh boone, who is not only being given the benefit of the defensive doubt today, but is in fact being
praised for his work in the paint on the def side of the ball.
i don't know if andrea'll ever make all-league all-defense, but he won't ever hurt you like dirk nowitzki, for example- of that i am (sort of) sure.
peace