Isaiah Austin
I agree that an extra year would help him out. There are so many guys coming out too soon that would benefit from an actual year in college. Take PJ3 for example. He'd be better off getting 30-35 minutes a night at Baylor that 30-35 minutes a night on the bench.
Plus if Austin stays, it would only add to a loaded 2014 draft class. I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed in college another year or left for the NBA, but his future looks bright if he can put it all together.
I dont think it matters if he stays 2-3 years, his small frame won't let him put considerable bulk on him. He already has a solid perimeter game so he needs to work on his post moves as he can get his shot over anyone; but he will leave this year and be on the end of the bench
Nah.. He should go now.. His stock will never be higher.. Baylor is likely to make a nice tourney run and his name will be high on scout's lists. He is a unique PF/C and the way the NBA is constructed now, he is likely to go mid lottery..
Guy is tough. He could become a focal point on an NBA team with his ability to isolate bigs on the wing and his shooting stroke..
Baylor's hardly a shoo-in for the tourney, let alone good enough to make a run in it.
They're not that good of a team and I think it's very possible that they're a 12 loss team by the end of conference play.
He's not tough either. Regardless of when he decides to leave, I see him getting tossed around on the interior and settling on being a jump shooting big with limited driving ability.
I agree, the Big 12 is down and may not get more than 3 teams in. Baylor is 14-6 and ranked 4th in the Big 12, and only because they've beaten up on the bottom of the conference to start the season. TCU twice, TTU and Texas are 4 of their wins( combined 4-18 Big 12 record) The only real decent wins they have is Oklahoma State and Kentucky, who are both bubble teams themselves.
The game being cited was a loss to Oklahoma, and just to play devil's advocate, OU doesn't have a player over 6'9'' and a starting 3 guard lineup with a 6'8'' and 6'9'' 210 lb' forwards. It's not a shock a 7'1'' guy with an enormous wingspan was able to dominate the glass.
He's Channing Frye unique, he will go in the lotto but the NBA stands for no boys allowed and he will take a beating inside. I doubt he will be a major focal point on a team or be able to isolate bigs as his handle isn't strong and he moves like a robot. He should have went to UCLA and used Josh Smiths workout plan; he will be a nice stretch 4 if anything
Im not calling you out but have you seen him play?? He has a better handle than Anthony Davis did and Davis gets ISO's called for him.. He doenst exactly bang in the post but he olds his own.. Im sure his legnth has a lot to do with that but I dont see it being a problem for him.. The NBA is a tough league but this isnt our fathers NBA anymore.. While it is rough, I dont think it is like people think.. Honestly, who are the guys that people fear going up against in the paint?? Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Serge Ibaka, and then who?? Larry Sanders?? Marc Gasol?? Joakim Noah??
Also, you have to remember that he is going to do alot of work from the outside or from around 15 feet.. He isnt going to be killed in the NBA.. I see him being a very hard guard for everyone in the league.. I am not saying he is or will ever be Durant like but think about Durant.. He is probably 7', super skinny, and doenst like to bang.. However, he is nearly unstoppable...
It's okay 8th I agree with you completely and really feel like he's a Lamarcus Aldridge type prospect. And I'm so tired of hearing people reiterate 2 year old scouting reports that Austin is weak and physically overmatched because it simply isn't true. While Austin isn't a rough and rugged banger, he's far from Channing Frye timid. Austin has very wide shoulders, while not as freakishly wide as Davis', Austin still broad shoulders and very long arms.
There is also nothing wrong with Austins coordination or mobility.
Yes I've watched him play 5 times this season, he's unique but do you really think his body will hold up 82 games? The only reason why he is unstoppable in college is because of his skillset and length. He has offensive potential but his body will hold him back, if he wants to get past his physical limitations he should study guys like Chris Bosh and Channing Frue
His skillset isn't unstoppable, it only looks like that in college because how many guys walk through the door that's 7'1 with a solid perimeter game? Not many, he is weak he gets pushed around easily when he's on the block, look at his legs, do you really think he can handle a full season?
Unstoppable was your word, not mine..
Also, You are saying that his skinny legs are going to keep him from playing?
Look around.. KG, KD, Tayshaun Prince, Javale McGee, Jamal Crawford, Rip Hamilton, Kevin Martin, Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler, and even Kobe Bryant are all very slim with small legs..
If we look through some recent history, Reggie Miller, Denis Rodman, Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, and many others were very skinny...
I honestly do not understand what physical limitations you are speaking of. He's a 7'1, 225lb 18 year old kid with a 7'4'' wingspan who has very good coordination, footwork, and overall mobility. No it's not elite, but it's very good for his age and size and his body is only going to continue to mature.
Looking around the league is where I really fail to see why people worry about his build and weight because just taking the East All Stars for example. Before Rondo got hurt there were only 4 guys on the East squad over 6'10" and they were Noah, Bosh, Chandler and Garnett. So basically what I'm pointing out is that the best of the best big men are all skinny guys. And I doubt Austin has to worry about any of them pushing him around on the block because none of them even get the ball there.
It's more than that, I'm only a senior student athlete in college (captain of the swim team, my ankles were busted in high school), you can tell between freshman which are mature for their age and which aren't. During games Austin frequently complains to refs and as far as I can see lets his emotions get the better of him a majority of the time. He just doesn't act as mature as some of his peers, simple as that.
"KG, KD, Tayshaun Prince, Javale McGee, Jamal Crawford, Rip Hamilton, Kevin Martin, Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler, and even Kobe Bryant are all very slim with small legs.."
I see 3 guys that are HOF players.. I didnt even list all the players that have small legs.. There are tons.. Look at Dwight Howards legs.. He has huge arms and shoulders but tiny legs.. Ibaka has small legs too.
Lets make a list of players that were 7'1 with handles like a guard, three point range, above average passing ability, and was skinny that didnt make it in the NBA..
Say what you want to say but he is a freshman who is scoring 15 a night, grabbing 9 boards, and getting a block and a half a night..If he played for Kentucky, everyone would be touting him as the number 1 pick.
How come "skinny legs" are never a topic for Anthony Davis or Nerlens Noel?
It wasn't as much a plan as much as it was just body maturation due to inevitably getting older. The metabolism starts to slow down and it becomes easier to keep weight on. As long as a player has a strong work ethic the results will come.
KG was 220 when he entered the league..Guess what Austin is listed at?? 220...
Everyone in the NBA is quick, athletic, or just freaks.. Compared to you and me, they are all world athletes.. Austin is going to be fine.. His legs wont prevent him from playing..
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgsplgC4m31qdi785o1_250.jpg
If that frame can add weight, anyone can....
I love how people assume that weight training has no effect on some people; what do you base this on? If he got any protein shake, worked out for an hour and a half 5 times a week for 2 years there is no way he wouldn’t gain 20 lbs of muscle. Mikki Moore has an actual medical condition that prevents him from gaining weight and the New Jersey training staff got him gaining weight.
I will keep telling you guys he is worth TOP5 pick as much as anybody!!
And I will keep asking you want more do you want from this kid..he had multiple 20point-games, multiple double-doubles, a game with 14rebs 5blks, a game with 5assists, now 19pts20rebs game, he is GREAT freshmen..
he might not be athletic freak like Noel or Davis but he has 2-3inches OVER them, what might be just as big of an advantage and great mismatch knowing how much shorter player at power forward has became in this guard dominating generation, and still his mobility and overall athleticism like i said isn't elite but clearly is at least LEGIT for big man..an hey, aren't BOTH Davis and Noel at 220s weight wise??? if Henson could gain 20-30pounds on his SUPER skinny frame since his freshman year, why is the world Isaiah can't even if hasn't Davis type of huge shoulders(but Noel clearly doesn't too!!)
If he is 7'1 235lbs one of the best shooting one of the best ball-handling and a very good rebounding PF/C i'm absolutely OK with this..
Camby won DPOY, and multiple shot-blocking king awards at similar size, KG was an MVP and FOUR times NBA leading rebounder..
even the same Henson has a VERY good rookie season despite weak minutes..
I love Noel and i'm one of those who believes he is lock for TOP3 but the different in mocks between him and Austing looks ridiculous..
Apparently it's his narrow hips combined with his foot speed that is a turn off according to scouting websites. I love his skill set, I also love that he's showing signs of being an efficient rebounder. A 20 rebound game and 9.4rpg is outstanding for any player let alone a freshman, if Noel, Zeller or Bennett had a 20 rebound game, I know we'd be up in our ears with threads praising the player.
His speed and build has been touted as an issue but could somebody show me some evidence that the aforementioned limitations have actually had an impact on his current production?
No one mentioned this yet I don't think, but Isaiah Austin went off for 17 points and 21 rebounds - 12 of which were offensive rebounds. He's averaging 14.5 ppg - 8.8 rpg - 1.2 apg - 1.4 bpg. He's shooting 50% from the field, 38% from three, but only 52% from the free throw line, but this is coming from a player listed as 7'1 220 lbs on ESPN.
He's one of the most unique prospects to come around in awhile. It will be interesting to see how his game translates to the NBA with his skillset. If he puts on some more weight and works on his free throws, he could be an end of lottery steal this year.