[SnowtaParticipant]

 We all know about Shabazz losing the weight this offseason, but I didn’t expect the 20 lbs he lost to have this big of an impact on his athleticism. I’m starting to see the athletic ability that led to him being ranked #1 coming out of high school that disappeared during his time at UCLA and his rookie year. He’s been throwing down huge dunks every game and is way more active on defense and the boards. He attacks the hoop with authority and actually has an unreal motor, which I never expected when he was drafted. I could see him starting at some point in his career, but I think his game is perfectly suited to be a very good 6th man. He brings energy, scoring, and rebounding which are all great off the bench and he’s been doing a much better job of not forcing shots and moving the ball when the shots not there. I live in MN and this pick got ripped pretty hard by the media here. A big part of that was probably because he laid an egg against the Gophers in the NCAA Tourney and after his rookie year people were already saying he was a bust. It’s good to see a player not worry about what’s being said and just work to prove people wrong. I’ve really enjoyed watching him so far this year and am really hoping he continues to improve.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 10 to 13 a night guy. He rebounds well. He will be effective in that role. As a starter he will shoot too much because that and rebounding is what he mainly does. He looks as expected so far. Kid plays hard but he shoots a lot and is not a great shooter.4 for 14 last night.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 10 to 13 a night guy. He rebounds well. He will be effective in that role. As a starter he will shoot too much because that and rebounding is what he mainly does. He looks as expected so far. Kid plays hard but he shoots a lot and is not a great shooter.4 for 14 last night.

[BoundByInkParticipant]

 Yea he had a bad shooting night, but he’s shooting .497. 

If you ask me I would say thats good shooting.

 

 

[SnowtaParticipant]

 I thought he has done a better job with his shot selection this year. Obviously he’s goinig to get his shot because his role is to provide scoring off the bench. Most of his shots are attacking the hoop which is nice on a team with a lot of young players that settle for jumpers. 

[SnowtaParticipant]

 I thought he has done a better job with his shot selection this year. Obviously he’s goinig to get his shot because his role is to provide scoring off the bench. Most of his shots are attacking the hoop which is nice on a team with a lot of young players that settle for jumpers. 

[BoundByInkParticipant]

 Yea he had a bad shooting night, but he’s shooting .497. 

If you ask me I would say thats good shooting.

 

 

[phila9012Participant]

 He played hard last night for 27 minutes give or take despite having a badly sprained ankle. Flip said if our team hadnt been decimated by injuries shabazz wouldn’t have played. I have been on his band wagon since before the draft. The news that was coming out about him was that he had a great work ethic and wanted to be great.

 He got himself into great shape this offseason and it looks like it is paying off. Now if he can work on his shooting that would be even better for us. He is skilled at cutting to the paint, finishing in the paint and even has s olid post up game. He also is scoring quite a bit with no true point guard. He should be able to do even better when ricky rubio comes back. 

[phila9012Participant]

 He played hard last night for 27 minutes give or take despite having a badly sprained ankle. Flip said if our team hadnt been decimated by injuries shabazz wouldn’t have played. I have been on his band wagon since before the draft. The news that was coming out about him was that he had a great work ethic and wanted to be great.

 He got himself into great shape this offseason and it looks like it is paying off. Now if he can work on his shooting that would be even better for us. He is skilled at cutting to the paint, finishing in the paint and even has s olid post up game. He also is scoring quite a bit with no true point guard. He should be able to do even better when ricky rubio comes back. 

[baggin13Participant]

Bazz has been a big bright spot for MN so far this season. We all knew he was a scorer, but this season he is proving to be much more than that. He brings a lot of effort and energy form the bench, a definite spark plug. Bazz is doing anything he can to help the team. Sure, he still makes young guy mistakes and needs to work on his three point shooting and jumpers…but Bazz is coming in and scoring in a variety of ways and playing as hard as he can. So far he is definitely one of the most improved Sophomores this season. At the beginning of the season I wasn’t sure how his playing time would work, but given this opportunity with some key guys out, Bazz has made the most of it. Once MN is back to full strength, there is no doubt that he will part of the rotation.

[baggin13Participant]

Bazz has been a big bright spot for MN so far this season. We all knew he was a scorer, but this season he is proving to be much more than that. He brings a lot of effort and energy form the bench, a definite spark plug. Bazz is doing anything he can to help the team. Sure, he still makes young guy mistakes and needs to work on his three point shooting and jumpers…but Bazz is coming in and scoring in a variety of ways and playing as hard as he can. So far he is definitely one of the most improved Sophomores this season. At the beginning of the season I wasn’t sure how his playing time would work, but given this opportunity with some key guys out, Bazz has made the most of it. Once MN is back to full strength, there is no doubt that he will part of the rotation.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Haven’t caught him much this year, but I’m surprised to hear his motor up. I went to UCLA to watch him and was stunned at how often he walked flat-footed when he should’ve been moving.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Haven’t caught him much this year, but I’m surprised to hear his motor up. I went to UCLA to watch him and was stunned at how often he walked flat-footed when he should’ve been moving.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Playing better than I thought. I didn’t think he was going to be a viable NBA player. He seemed like an over-rated chucker in college with one trick: ineffcient shooting and a bit of rebounding. Not sold yet that he can help an NBA team win. But am willing to admit now that he might be and that I’m going to be wrong.  

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Playing better than I thought. I didn’t think he was going to be a viable NBA player. He seemed like an over-rated chucker in college with one trick: ineffcient shooting and a bit of rebounding. Not sold yet that he can help an NBA team win. But am willing to admit now that he might be and that I’m going to be wrong.  

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 He is getting offensive rebounds and trasnition buckets so his percentage is deceptive. Like i said he shoots more from outside wich he will do as a starter he would hurt the team more. He is a solid bench player.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 He is getting offensive rebounds and trasnition buckets so his percentage is deceptive. Like i said he shoots more from outside wich he will do as a starter he would hurt the team more. He is a solid bench player.

[szczerbiakcomebackParticipant]

 In December Shabazz has been averaging 16.6ppg and 5rpg, all while shooting .495. I still can’t justify starting him as he might switch back to chucking, but it’s a breath of fresh air having him and Lavine coming off the bench – two guys who are actually willing to attack the basket. He has been excellent down low for being a small forward. Definitely in favor of Bazzy over guys like Brewer, Bennett, and Budinger right now.

[szczerbiakcomebackParticipant]

 In December Shabazz has been averaging 16.6ppg and 5rpg, all while shooting .495. I still can’t justify starting him as he might switch back to chucking, but it’s a breath of fresh air having him and Lavine coming off the bench – two guys who are actually willing to attack the basket. He has been excellent down low for being a small forward. Definitely in favor of Bazzy over guys like Brewer, Bennett, and Budinger right now.

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