[druchrisParticipant]

If Isaiah Austin was from Europe and never played a game of college basketball he’d be considered a lock-lottery pick in this years draft. I bring up this topic because nearly every year we have multiple European prospects essentially hyped because they are the best in there perspective country or foreign league. Rarely do these Euro prospects become factors, let alone stars. Equally we see players that were pegged as US Top 5 players coming out of high school, see there stocks completely plummet (i.e. Isaiah Austin). 

I consistently see other forum posters talk-up Euro prospects and how much potential they have and what not, but rarely is it ever factored in that most of these guys would get bullied in the NCAA, but players that arent even on the NBA radar. Im not a huge fan of Isaiah Austin, I just recently thought to myself can anybody tell me the difference between Andrea Bargnani and Isaiah Austin’s game at the same age. And than, if Isaiah Austin isnt even worthy of being drafted, why the hell was Bargnani the No.1 pick in 2006..

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 i see where you’re coming from. 

i remember someone mentioned Zach Lavine in a Dante Exum thread, & said if all we would see is his highlight reels showcasing his athletcism,handle and shooting form.. he’d be in discussion for a top 5 pick and i completely agreed.

the problem with these overseas prospects is that all we see/hear is their strengths. this guys get hyped up for their tools and perceived strengths but they rarely get torn about for their weaknesses. not to mention they dont get exposed enough due to the level of competition they;re playing.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 i see where you’re coming from. 

i remember someone mentioned Zach Lavine in a Dante Exum thread, & said if all we would see is his highlight reels showcasing his athletcism,handle and shooting form.. he’d be in discussion for a top 5 pick and i completely agreed.

the problem with these overseas prospects is that all we see/hear is their strengths. this guys get hyped up for their tools and perceived strengths but they rarely get torn about for their weaknesses. not to mention they dont get exposed enough due to the level of competition they;re playing.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Both players have great offensive skills, great height but terrible weight for the position (F/C). Both players were also very mobile which adds intrigue when you factor in great shooting range for the position and above average ball handling. 

Thats about it. To keep it simple Austin has much better instincts all around. Bargnani was never an instinctual ball player. So even after muscling up to 250 he was not effective. I think if Austin can gain some weight alot of his issues would immediatly be solved.

Right now he plays like Chris Bosh (13/14) in so many ways.

Alot of people are low on him due to his effieciency in comparison to other bigs but you gotta remember he plays nothing like most bigs you cant compare him to Dwight Howards effieciency and statistical breakdown. Offensively he serves a role similar to Ryan Kelly or Erik Murphy.He isnt taking 2-6 foot shots all game long like most 7-footers. He takes alot of Chris Bosh jumpshots, the 18-23 foot set jumpshot. He has huge pick and pop, pick and roll potential. With added muscle he can become a dynamic post player on both ends.

Baylor has used him for his length at the top of the zone defence or the arch of the 3-pt line. His length and footspeed makes him a good perimeter defender, although he cant fight through screens because of his lack of muscle. He is also a great help defender and would be an effective post defender if it werent for his lack of muscle.

The only conclusion is to feed this kid and get him big. Problem is he has a very slight frame so it is very umlikely he will reach his post potential.

Worst Case Scenerio – Alexis Aijinca

Likely Scenerio – Channing Frye

Best Case Scenerio – Chris Bosh

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Both players have great offensive skills, great height but terrible weight for the position (F/C). Both players were also very mobile which adds intrigue when you factor in great shooting range for the position and above average ball handling. 

Thats about it. To keep it simple Austin has much better instincts all around. Bargnani was never an instinctual ball player. So even after muscling up to 250 he was not effective. I think if Austin can gain some weight alot of his issues would immediatly be solved.

Right now he plays like Chris Bosh (13/14) in so many ways.

Alot of people are low on him due to his effieciency in comparison to other bigs but you gotta remember he plays nothing like most bigs you cant compare him to Dwight Howards effieciency and statistical breakdown. Offensively he serves a role similar to Ryan Kelly or Erik Murphy.He isnt taking 2-6 foot shots all game long like most 7-footers. He takes alot of Chris Bosh jumpshots, the 18-23 foot set jumpshot. He has huge pick and pop, pick and roll potential. With added muscle he can become a dynamic post player on both ends.

Baylor has used him for his length at the top of the zone defence or the arch of the 3-pt line. His length and footspeed makes him a good perimeter defender, although he cant fight through screens because of his lack of muscle. He is also a great help defender and would be an effective post defender if it werent for his lack of muscle.

The only conclusion is to feed this kid and get him big. Problem is he has a very slight frame so it is very umlikely he will reach his post potential.

Worst Case Scenerio – Alexis Aijinca

Likely Scenerio – Channing Frye

Best Case Scenerio – Chris Bosh

[OhCanada-Participant]

Austin plays on the perimeter offensively and he plays as a help defender defensively not as a primary rebounder. You cant expect him to be in two places at once. Freshman year he had 8.5 rpg and 1.5bpg then he became a lane intimidator and averaged 5.5 rpg and 3 bpg his sophmore year. He isnt really a bad rebounder/defendet instinctively he just doesnt have muscle which his the story of his life.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Austin plays on the perimeter offensively and he plays as a help defender defensively not as a primary rebounder. You cant expect him to be in two places at once. Freshman year he had 8.5 rpg and 1.5bpg then he became a lane intimidator and averaged 5.5 rpg and 3 bpg his sophmore year. He isnt really a bad rebounder/defendet instinctively he just doesnt have muscle which his the story of his life.

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

I hate to say it but you guys are severely underrating Bargnani.  There’s no denying he is a major dissappointment but the guy is extremely skilled offensively and very underrated athletically.  The thing that holds Bargnani back is consistant effort and defense.  Austin is nowhere near the talent he is… 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

I hate to say it but you guys are severely underrating Bargnani.  There’s no denying he is a major dissappointment but the guy is extremely skilled offensively and very underrated athletically.  The thing that holds Bargnani back is consistant effort and defense.  Austin is nowhere near the talent he is… 

[ThenilonatorParticipant]

 I agree with the previous poster about underestimating bargnani (not do much what he is know but what he showed he could have been). In a pre season game bennetton treviso played the raptors and a teenage phenom named Andrea bargnani put a few moves on Chris bosh that would have had any scout in a frenzy. While battling to get minutes in Europe one of his strengths was actually his toughness to battle over sized guys and be tenacious on D (something we all know didn’t translate once he signed his first multi million $ contract).

[ThenilonatorParticipant]

 I agree with the previous poster about underestimating bargnani (not do much what he is know but what he showed he could have been). In a pre season game bennetton treviso played the raptors and a teenage phenom named Andrea bargnani put a few moves on Chris bosh that would have had any scout in a frenzy. While battling to get minutes in Europe one of his strengths was actually his toughness to battle over sized guys and be tenacious on D (something we all know didn’t translate once he signed his first multi million $ contract).

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