[rtbtParticipant]

I read this commentary this morning and thought it was right on the money.

Rob Mahoney on Denver’s Coby Karl:
—————————————————–

“There’s no real reason why Coby Karl wouldn’t be able to compete on an NBA level, yet somehow, under guise of flawed skills and limited athleticism, he’s doomed to the horrid middle ground between D-League stud and NBA role player. It’s not a fun place to be, but there are so many capable wings that can technically do what Karl does. They just don’t.

Coby has the right skills and makes the right plays, with the perfect package for a complementary player. He doesn’t step outside of himself and makes excellent decisions. For a guy vying for a spot on the back end of an NBA roster, that’s huge.”

[JNixonParticipant]

After watching him play in these 2 games so far and writing recently (http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/knicks-v-nuggets) about him in a post game report yesterday, this is what I said about him:

Koby Carl- Give this guy a roster spot. He did a little of everything. Scored efficiently, finished strong, made jumpers, and passed extremely well. Very unselfish. Plays hard and hustles. Takes charges and doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s your son Coach Karl, put him on the team.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Its funny..Watching the Nuggets Summer League game last week..My buddies agreed with me..I’ve always felt Coby not could be,but should’ve been a regular rotation player on some team..Not some borderline prospect spliting time between the NBA & D-League…He has the talent to be a 8th or 9th man..When he does play,its in limited minutes or during garbage time..He’s an excellent shooter,good penetrater,a good passer,can make plays for himself and teammates,a team player & very coachable..This kid is a baller..Don’t know why so many G.M’s have waive and over looked him..Could it be they’re bias against him becuz who his dad is? If he had played 20 or 30 years ago he might’ve been a star.

[rtbtParticipant]

I think both Rudeboy and JNixon made some excellent observations. RUDEBOY1000 asked, “Could it be they’re biased against him becuz who his dad is?”

I think that’s partially true, but I also believe there’s another bias against him, and that’s the stereotype of limited athletic ability.

For those of you who watched basketball over the years, you’ve seen more than your fair share of great athletes who couldn’t play the game.

On the other end of the spectrum are guys who aren’t terrific athletes but they just know to play. Coby Karl is one of them and he deserves a place on somebody’s rotation as a role player.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Coby Karl has just not been in the right situations but he can ball. Remember at one point he was on the Lakers team that was just too deep for him to play. There may be perceptions about him because of his dad also because NBA people hold grudges.

[PureshooterParticipant]

He really isn’t that unathletic at all. Here are some stats from the 2007 combine:

6’11’’ wingspan and 34.5’’ vertical

[rtbtParticipant]

Pureshooter, thanks for bringing up the fact that he is a decent athlete. In fact, except for some of the big men, almost everyone in the NBA is a terrific athlete.

I should have said earlier that for whatever reason, Karl was stereotyped as a mediocre athlete. And as you know in life, perception is often more important than reality.

Look at Steve Nash who is also stereotyped as a poor athlete. Somehow he drives around opposing point guards, who happen to be some of the quickest men on the planet, as if they’re standing still. You can’t do that unless you are also a great athlete.

[PureshooterParticipant]

I agree. If you’re in the NBA, you are at the very least a very good athlete for your size. If you’re considered a very good athlete as an NBA player, you’re most likely world class.

[billykParticipant]

What team could Coby Karl play for as a 8th or 9th man… Fact is he is who he is a boderline NBA player, back of the bench type of player..

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

billyk……….Coby hasnt been given a fair chance for some reason..I think he has more talent then Chris Quinn or Matt Carroll who at some point have been rotation players in the league..A player with his talent should’nt still be competing in the Summer League every year …

[chicago12Participant]

of course hes gona be over looked

[billykParticipant]

Can somebody name some teams that Coby Karl could be on as a 8th or 9th man.. He is white?? Lol I personally think alot of teams wouldnt mind having a talented white player on their team.. I would help with community relations LOL… Im just curious what team he could play for….

[billykParticipant]

Personally I would take Matt Carroll over Coby Karl…

[JNixonParticipant]

Carroll and Karl play the same way, but Karl is a better ball-handler and passer. He’s also more willing to hustle

[billykParticipant]

Carroll is a WAY better shooter and he is a tougher player…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Teams like the Grizzlies or Bulls could’ve use his outside shooting last season…

[llperez]

carroll is a FAR better shooter then karl. I dont see why you guys are giving billyk negatives, coby karl is not a rotation player in the nba. Can/should he make a team as 12-15th man, yes defenitely. He can do some good things. He’s well rounded and is competitive. He did play one full year with the lakers so i go ta pretty good look at him. He does all the little things, but just doesnt stand out in any one area. And his shooting is not good enough to earn him minutes or a spot in the elague. It’s decent, but not much better then many other wings in the league and certainly not on carrol, kapono or novak level.

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