Through his first six games he was avg. 20.2 ppg and 12 rpg against a pretty ambitious schedule.
I know what you're saying, who the heck is that? Well he is a 6'11, 250 lb. PF in the vein of a Tony Battie. He was very impressive at Lebron's camp over the summer and today he held Beasley to 11 and 9 (fouling him out in the process), while scoring 27 points of his own. It looks like Niagara and Siena are Rider's chief competition for an NCAA berth, so if he doesn't play in the NCAA tournament, no one is really going to know about him.
However, after watching him outplay NC State's big men of Costner, Hickson and McCauley and then destroy Beasley, I think this guy is looking at being a late lotto pick or into the 20's due to his conference people are going to hold it against him, but the truth is, he is a damn good basketball player. He is almost like LaMarcus Aldridge, except his post moves are really well advanced, but with excellent size.
I wouldn't take Thabeet or Devon Hardin over him (nor the Lopez twins either). He has great hands.
__________________ Favorite NBA players: Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert, Jerryd Bayless, Greg Oden, Kevin Martin, Joe Johnson
I've known of him for a couple years now and wondered why he hasn't gotten the publicity he probably deserves. After a 20/10/2apg/2bpg season last year (at his size), I thought he was as good as gone. I remember seeing the boxscores from last season, and he didn't fare well against the best competition; something that you can't afford to do as a prospect from a mid-major.
Games like today against Beasley help a good deal to salvage his stock.
__________________ “(Cousins') not some self-absorbed jag-off,” Calipari said.
LOL. I forgot I wrote this. I still think this was a good pick.
__________________ Favorite NBA players: Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert, Jerryd Bayless, Greg Oden, Kevin Martin, Joe Johnson
Dude is much better than I expected him to be as a rookie. Guy has a lot of talent.
__________________ Favorite NBA players: Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert, Jerryd Bayless, Greg Oden, Kevin Martin, Joe Johnson
He has outplayed both Lopez twins and Hardin is garbage. As for Thabeet, I think Thompson evolves into a 20/10 player at the 4 spot. Will Thabeet be that good? I'm not sure.
__________________ Favorite NBA players: Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert, Jerryd Bayless, Greg Oden, Kevin Martin, Joe Johnson
I dont know about outplayed, in the 5 starts B. Lopez has had, he's put up 14 and 8, and against legit big men too. Thompson has surprised me, but I'd rather have the legit low post center, who's actually proven to be quite a defensive presence.
Jason Thompson (Rider)
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