[surveParticipant]

 Personally speaking, name some players that you still have faith that they will be better than shown or live up to past potential…and why.

I say OJ Mayo has All-Star potential.  The reason I havent given up on him is because he has shown a good attitude despite being on the blocks for a couple of years now.  I think he is improving under Hollins and if they trade him, he could really explode.  I think he could be to a team what Byron Scott was to the Lakers.

Wildcard – Lance Stephenson – I posted about defense a few days ago….Lance is a guy that if he really works, he can improve his defense.  I think being around the right group and his ballhandling and decision making will improve too.  He can be a good player.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Are you sure you are not memphistyga?

[Tobe BryantParticipant]

O.J. Mayo is one of my choices as he is beginning to really come on strong. He is one of the key reasons why Memphis is catching their groove and becoming a play-off team that no one wants to face this season.

It’s also funny because by the same token, I haven’t lost faith in Gilbert Arenas! Of course his 25 per game days are surely behind him, but I think he will step into the role of a very solid 6th man that can give you that extra 13-22 points you may need from your bench. My God, and the price you could get him at this year (300,000) is so good economically for the possibility of scoring in bunches. Damn I wish the Lakers got him!!!

Lance Stephenson is going to have an impact in the NBA one day. I can’t say when, but it’s definitely going to be after the Indiana Pacers release him and he gets his head together. This guy has definitely gotta start maturing, but I believed he was the most NBA ready of any of his draft counterparts. A team is going to have to deal with the growing pains, but that’s apart of housing a star. Stephenson will be a 17 ppg, 4 reb., and 3 apg type guy with the right squad.

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

smokes w33d  and does steriods. He was held back in middle school so he could start high school late and dominate. His hype machine was over blown. However he is a good NBA player and starters on at least 15 or more teams at the 2. I hope the Cavs sign him for something like 4 years 28 million. 7 million dollar a year contracts dont get thrown around in the league anymore.

[orangeshadow83Participant]

Most likely this is because I am a Cuse fan but I really thought Jonny Flynn was going to be a star in the league. I still think he can be a good starting PG with the right fit. The problem is that there are so many good PGs in the league today that getting minutes might be the biggest challenge for him.

After a promising rookie year it’s such a shame he got injured his Soph and it seemingly took away some the athleticism that made him so special.

I will never forget the 6OT game against UConn and how hard and well he played. After watching that game I was convinced he would be the next star PG of the league….I was wrong….but if given a chance I think he can still be a good starting PG.

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

doesnt pay up debts and gets his a$$ kicked on team flights. That is not the mile high club u want to be a member of. But still he must be a team guy to be cool after that with a guy who u battle for minutes and plays the same position. They say the team was closer after the incident.

[kngojcParticipant]

 When he was on the Wolves, I really liked him and thought he had a ton of potential to be a great player. Problem was, he was just there to keep the seat warm until Rubio came. His rookie year, if you look back at some of his games or stats… He played GREAT against some of the top tier PG’s in the league. He really took his game to the next level when he played against better players but his problem was his consistency and keeping that fire going against the PG’s that aren’t as good. He took some games off because the competition he was playing against wouldn’t be so tough. Not to mention he’s a pick and roll type PG and he was playing in Rambis’ "triangle" offense (Rambis was the worst coach I’ve seen in awhile). Then after his sophomore season he just didn’t look the same, he looked like he lost a step and really lost his confidence. I have no doubt that if a team like the Lakers, Magic, Clippers, or Suns signed him, he would thrive in their system.

Another player that I think could be good is Jerryd Bayless. He’s got everything to be a Derrick Rose type scoring PG but he never gets to play because he’s obviously not Rose or Westbrook but tries to do the same things. But in games where he gets free run, he always has the potential to have a huge game. 

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

What happened to his handles. He could break down defenders like Kyrie Irving when he was at Zona. He seems to be happy as a one diminsional shooter. I still have hope though.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

He has not been given a chance to dominate the ball as much as he should. Expected more from Bayless too but he is still young. Gerald Green was a guy I always thought would improve to be a starter.

[surveParticipant]

 I used to have faith in Bayless, but it has wained some now as at first I felt it was Portland.   Portland at the time had a lot of guys that could score and thats the thing that Bayless does best but they didnt need him to do it.  They didnt need a scoring lead guard….so I understood why he didnt play much.  I thought Toronto would be his break.  He seems content now to be one dimensional.  He is a very talented player that I would hope could come around.

I havent quite given up on Beasley yet, but I am not sure how serious he is in progressing.   Is he a guy who is willing to help the team at all costs or does he view himself as a superstar first?

I am still struggling to figure out why Green is not a valuable member of someone’s roster.  I know you guys say his IQ is poor, but how many wings have his athleticism and can shoot?  That combination alone should be enough to snag him a deal thats longer than a year.

All 3 are young, Green is 26, Beasley and Bayless both 23.  

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 I have not given up on Rodrigue Beaubois.

Although his numbers this year aren’t really impressive(9.0 PPG,2.7 RPG,2.8 APG) and his career averages are even lower(8.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 APG)

I still think this guy has enormous potential, he is quick,really fast, and his wingspan is very long(6-11) and he has great leaping ability.

He has had games when he puts it all together:

14pts,7ast,3blocks

22pts,7ast,6rebs,4blocks

11pts,5ast,3blocks

In back to back to back games, I think a move from Dallas would be beneficial for him to where he could have more freedom and a coach could really give him chances.

Because on Dallas Jason Kidd handles the ball alot, Jason Terry scores,Dirk Scores,Marion Scores etc, and sometimes I don’t think it’s enough touches for Beaubois, and when Beaubois has a bad game his next 4-5 games are very limited due to the strictness of Coach Carlisle.

Also I haven’t given up on Jeff Teague either, while this is his best year,because he’s finally starting, i still think he could be a borederline all star, he’s another guy with great athleticism, but his scoring instincts are off the charts, I don’t know how many of you got to see him play at Wake Forest, but this guy is soooooo clever when it comes to scoring and having a sick handle and ability to shoot the ball doesn’t hurt either.

I think the problem with Teague is he just isn’t as confident as he was at Wake, he will never be a pure point guard, but I do think his scoring ability translates very very well to the NBA, it’s just up to him to show people what he really can do, everyone said he had a coming out party against the bulls which was true, but I still saw alot of timidness in his game, in that series he just made the right plays and picked his spots very carefully, instead of being aggressive and playing his game.

Jeff Teague and Roddy Beaubois!

[OnionsParticipant]

 Jrue Holiday.

I know he starts on a playoff team, but I think he could be a 18/7/5/2 steals player.  He needs to become a lot more consistent though, and I’m not sure how much the 76ers organization is behind him.

 

Brandan Wright

FINALLY he’s healthy! (knocks on wood). He’s producing like a beast in limited minutes.  Only needs the playing time and to stay healthy so he can continue to build his body. He’s still only 24…

[M-EazyParticipant]

I used to think Bill Walker was the next Vince Carter…

[iguapops420Participant]

 Gerald Green has actually already developed into a terrific bench scorer for the Nets, but I can’t say he’s really developed AT ALL since highschool. Always been a guy who could put up 12-14 ppg with 4rpg.  Andray Blatche is a guy I try never to give up on,(even though he has shown me absolutely nothing to feel this way recently), I just keep expecting him to get to a veteran laden team who knock his ass in gear and straighten him out(perhaps Boston?). OJ is another guy I feel is better than advertised. Like surve said, I could definitely see him being  Byron Scott type of player for someone.

[surveParticipant]

 I would never give up on Teague or most of these players until I see them play for a different team.  I think Teague has been held back too long for whatever reason….Joe Johnson being the 1st option and ballhandler, holding on to Bibby and keeping him as your starter, etc…

Remember the year the Felton had under D’Antoni?  Then look at Lin.  What if that had been Teague in that position?  Teague is better than both all-around.

[surveParticipant]

 man, for a minute I thought he was on the breakout.  guess I was wrong.

also, for a long time I had faith in Courtney Lee being an all-star calibur player.

pretty much given up on Terrence Williams, not sure if he has the desire or his head on straight….but I know there are some still believing TWill will come around.

[DurantsWingspan]

John Riek and Ivan Chiarev. Hahaha what happened to Riek? Is he playing anywhere?

But in all seriousness I have been thinking about this prospect, had to be from around 2001 or so. He was from Africa and his profile was on this site. I think he was from maybe Senegal. He was a power forward and like 6’8. He supposedly had like a 50 inch vert. He had UNBELIEVABLE hype similar to Chiarev, but I think he was like 30 instead of 17 and actually not that good. Hahahhaa does anyone remember him?

 

Gotta love the late 90s early 2000s when technology and scouting combined negatively a lot of times and you’d hear stories about these prospects and they’d turn out to be myths, but damn it was interesting as a child. Anyone have any other like Chiarev or the guy from Africa?

[JoeWolf1]

 Cole Aldrich – He always produces when he gets in, and next year when Nazr Mohammad most likely leaves OKC, I think you’ll see a big jump in Aldrich’s numbers as backup and 15-20 mpg player.  He looked lost at times last year, but you don’t see that when he’s in this season.  His numbers are still pretty few and far between, but it’s easy to see he’s much better.

Patty Mills – He was a guy who was talked a lot about for a 2nd rounder in college.  I specifically remember tuning into the St. Mary’s vs. Davidson game in the NIT to see him match up against Steph Curry, and his NBA career has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but I think he’ll eventually find the right team and an opportunity to consistantly provide bench scoring.

[Miko4rm206Participant]

 

Jef

Jeff green, o j mayo, micheal beasley, dj augustin and nicolaus batum

[Miko4rm206Participant]

 

Jef

Jeff green, o j mayo, micheal beasley, dj augustin and nicolaus batum

[apb540Participant]

Even though he is only two years into the league people have still already given up on him: Evan Turner.

Jrue Holiday + Evan Turner = too many ball-handlers in one starting back-court

[surveParticipant]

 I havent given up on him, in fact, I never thought he would be an outstanding player early out of the gate.  He has a unique skill set but being that he is not a great shooter, it will take him a while before he finds his medium.  He gets better and better so I definitely havent given up on him.

I was hoping Wayne Ellington would be that prototype shooter like the Allens, Hamiltons, etc….hasnt happened….and I dont think it will.

Does anyone still have hope for Daequan Cook?  He is only 24.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

James Anderson and Xavier Henry.  I think Anderson can be a 15ppg scorer in a couple of years and Xavier can be a 18-20 ppg scorer (on a bad team of course) in a couple of years.

[Wahoo757Participant]

Man, I wish this thread was made a couple weeks ago so I could say Terrence Williams and look like a genius. Ever since he got picked up by the Kings he has gotten his act together and played some pretty good baskeball. I think this will continue and he’ll have a successful career.

[drk3351Participant]

 Some I thought of was Ebanks, Aldrich, and Robin Lopez

[Raef LaFrentzParticipant]

@DurantsWingspan

Is the guy you are talking about named Tahirou Sani? I remember reading about a him in a few SLAM articles a long while back.

Anyhow, A few guys I haven’t given up on:

OJ Mayo, Mike Beasley, Bill Walker, Adam Morrison, Shawne Williams, and Darko (I’m crazy for this one, I know).

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

 LOL tahirou sani….

I’m french and he was playing for french team BCM Gravelines a few years ago (not the professionnal team, the youth one)… but it appears his age was a little bit underestimated.

He’s still listed as a player born in 1985…. he played for IR in iceland, Geneve in Switzerland, Orchy, Mirecourt and blois in france (3rd division)

[kngojcParticipant]

 Xavier Henry I have NO hope for. I swear to god anytime he starts to play well, he just falls off within the week and can’t hit a shot. He SHOULD be good or well on his way to being at least a 6th man but I think in Memphis, he has no real shot at getting more than a couple minutes per game to really shine. 

Another interesting player might be someone like Ed Davis. I almost completely forgot about him this year because Bargnani is playing well under the new coach. I remember there was a bunch of chatter (especially on here) for Barg to be traded and for Ed Davis to take up the starting spot. He reminds me of Tristan Thompson but better offensively and more length.

[DurantsWingspan]

Thanks man, I couldn’t think of that name for the life of me and didn’t know how to even go about searching because my memory of it was scarce.

[JoeWolf1]

 TOL23, I agree with you about James Anderson, I just didn’t want to put another Spur on my list. lol

[Raef LaFrentzParticipant]

Yeah, I remember reading about him dropping CRAZY stats way back when. The article in SLAM was in-SANI-ty, I think. I thought he was going to be so good!

[WizardofOzParticipant]

He’s reportedly lost 10 pounds since he’s been deactivated for poor conditioining. His mom spoke to him about all this and said that he deserves gto be getting booed. If words from his momma don’t motivate him, I don’t know what will. But it seems like the light is finally starting to click for him.

[marcusfizer21Participant]

but I haven’t given up on Michael Beasley yet… 23 years old with so much to give… Put him in a Bobcats uni and he will average 23 and 10…

[AfricanBaller]

Saer Sene. Very under rated prospect. Doesn’t get the chance to shine but can easily be one of the top 2 big men like Ibaka. Players like DeMarcus Cousins and Andrew Bynum are just too American to guard him. Sene is too lanky for that American weight. His bony elbows will knock them on their big fat American ASS.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Speaking of Tahirou Sani…

http://www.basketballforum.com/nba-draft-forum/26962-tahirou-sani-better-than-lebron.html

There’s this thread I found from before the 2003 NBA Draft where people asked if he was better than LeBron.

Sani is currently a back-up in France, ADA Blois.  His current stats:

• 8.3 PPG  —  3.5 RPG  —  55% FG this season in 30 games.

 

[A Lil EnglishParticipant]

Greg Oden. He’s gona have a change of scenery so let’s see what he’s got left.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

 I remember here in france when sani was young, it was crazy… he was the future and every opposing coach was talking about his real age and how it was unfair…. he was posting some CRAZY stats and killing every opposition.

He never became an effective pro and we never watched him  being what he was supposed to become…. he’s playing for a 3rd division team.

[surveParticipant]

 Anthony Randolph anyone?

how about Earl Clark?

[marcusfizer21Participant]

I’d give Anthony Randolph a chance.. but Earl Clark has been one of the worst players in the NBA.. I watched the Magic once in a while and when he’s on the court, it seems like the team is playing 4 on 5…

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

Anthony Randolph can put up huge numbers one day.  Ty Thomas I’ll never quit on. He was ready to turn the corner last year when he got hurt and for some reason this year they played him as a 3 and ruined his confidence.  I like Christian Eyenga for some reason.  I agree with the OP on Mayo. I think Gallinari ends up a star, as does Faried. There’s a few more that’ll come to me.

[Winning_TimeParticipant]

 The main person I’ll never give up on is Brandon Roy 🙁 

My favorite player is Wayne Ellington and he still hasnt really produed at a high level yet. I wont give up on Josh Childress, Robbie Hummel, Kyle Kuric, Hasheem Thabeet, Wesley Johnson, Ish Smith, Michael Redd ( who looked good against MIN the other night), and Emeka Okafor.

[Author]

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