POB - NBA Summer League Winners and Losers (Vegas)

[daPAWW1]

Not encouraging news from this mornings Yahoo Sports segment - POB listed as the #3 on the 'losers' list - Greg Oden was #1.

"3. Patrick O'Bryant, Golden State Warriors ???ぎ??? O'Bryant had a disappointing summer league and it looks like he will never pan out in Golden State. The ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft is lethargic and seems to not enjoy playing. He averaged almost as many fouls (four) as points (5.6). O'Bryant has a lot of work to do before he ever sees the court for the Warriors, especially considering their run-and-gun system. "

[BUBraves06]

Just more evidence that Pat needs to get away from Golden State.

[Chucky T's]

If POB wants to stay in the NBA, he better turn things around quick. He needs to show he can compete, or at least has the potential to compete at the NBA level. The NBA summer league is/was a perfect opportunity for POB to show people he belongs in the NBA. Sounds like POB laid an egg.

Like everyone else on this board, I want POB to be very successful in the NBA. I also agree that Golden State is not the ideal situation for Patrick but....

It's time for us as fans to stop pointing the finger at Don Nelson and The Golden State Warriors as the problem. The problem is POB himself. Patrick needs to remove his cranium from his rear-end and play ball like we all know he can. Show the coaches around the league that you can play and POB will land a job in the NBA. Right now their is not a team in the NBA that would want to take a chance on him...especially Golden State.

[BostonBird]

Just more evidence that Pat needs to get away from Golden State.

I was thinking that it was more evidence that he's not that good. Good player in our league where decent 7' centers are rare and made a ton of money in one game playing against Aaron Gray...but not a quality NBA player and certainly not lottery material.

[BUBraves06]

Just more evidence that Pat needs to get away from Golden State.

I was thinking that it was more evidence that he's not that good. Good player in our league where decent 7' centers are rare and made a ton of money in one game playing against Aaron Gray...but not a quality NBA player and certainly not lottery material.

So he struggles with one team and one system, and he's automatically bad? Wow, so you probably said the same thing about Chauncy Billups after he struggled at Boston, and was a lottery pick?

[Da Coach]

Bird, I don't know how many times you saw POB, and he did have games where because of fouls or other reasons he underachieved. But IMO he does have skills that will translate into a good NBA career.
But as I said in another thread, he needs time to develop. It is rare for 7 footers to step right into the NBA and have an impact. Much moreso than guards and wings, centers take time to develop and adjust to the differences in the game. If you look at all the centers in the league, only a few of them had immediate impact, and many took years to develop. Even some of the best, like Ben Wallace were not very good early in their careers and changed teams frequently.

Here is the ranking for the centers in the NBA. Outside of the superstars like Yao Ming, Shaq, Stoudamire, the rest of the list is mostly guys with modest talents who took years to develop their games. And note that only 3 of them average more than 12.6 ppg. Only 7 average more than 7 rebounds a game which isn't that many! POB will be ok if given time.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/playerrankings/postseason/C

[BUBraves06]

And you don't even have to be good to make money in the NBA, if Pat bulks up, he'll be fine. Just look at the millions and millions Jim McAlvain got from Seattle a few years ago.

[daPAWW1]

Top 5 NBA Summer League "Losers" (re: Yahoo Sports

"Top 5 LOSERS

1. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers ???ぎ??? Oden's biggest problem is that he could not live up to the hype. He was supposed to be one of the top players in Vegas, but he was only the third best player on his team (behind Aldridge and Martell Webster). Oden only played two games and had as many fouls as points (19). Even though he struggled offensively and with turnovers, there is no denying his potential. By the end of the regular season, he will be a force.

2. Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks ???ぎ??? Besides a few stretches here and there, Yi struggled. He had difficulty being guarded by athletic players, and that was evident by his 26-percent shooting from the floor. Yi did average 12.4 points, but was hardly impressive. He also averaged 4.6 turnovers, which was a weakness in his game coming into the draft. Yi does have a great deal of talent, as he has a good-looking jump shot and he is athletic. Hopefully for the Bucks' sake, he fulfills his potential.

3. Patrick O'Bryant, Golden State Warriors ???ぎ??? O'Bryant had a disappointing summer league and it looks like he will never pan out in Golden State. The ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft is lethargic and seems to not enjoy playing. He averaged almost as many fouls (four) as points (5.6). O'Bryant has a lot of work to do before he ever sees the court for the Warriors, especially considering their run-and-gun system.

4. Julian Wright, New Orleans Hornets ???ぎ??? Wright never had a breakout game like several of the players from the 2007 draft. The 13th pick was very passive and only got to the free-throw line 11 times in five games. He averaged 8.6 points and shot a pedestrian 39 percent. Wright did not really do anything to distinguish himself and needs to improve his overall game.

5. Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves ???ぎ??? Brewer struggled shooting, making just 28 percent of his field-goal attempts. He is a good, all-around player but disappointed in Vegas. "

[amckillip]

I really hope POB steps it up and performs in the NBA, even if he could be an Erik Dampier like player it would be nice to see.

[BostonBird]

Bird, I don't know how many times you saw POB, and he did have games where because of fouls or other reasons he underachieved. But IMO he does have skills that will translate into a good NBA career.

I didn't get to see him a ton, but I prob saw 5-10 games of him. He has nice size, nice athleticism for the valley, reasonable skills. The things that I was not sold on were lack of productivity, lack of aggresiveness/mean streak, and lack of elite athleticism. I never understand why kids who lacked production in college are expected to be big contributors in the NBA. He averaged 13.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, and 2.9 bpg in 25.7 mpg against undersized competition. If i'm drafting a center in the lottery from a league that doesn't have a lot of centers I want to see domination.

And you don't even have to be good to make money in the NBA, if Pat bulks up, he'll be fine. Just look at the millions and millions Jim McAlvain got from Seattle a few years ago.

Out of scope for the conversation. I agree that players who are not good often get good contracts.

[BostonBird]

I really hope POB steps it up and performs in the NBA, even if he could be an Erik Dampier like player it would be nice to see.

I agree. I always root for players from the Valley to make it. Plus he seems like a good kid.

[real fan]

Until these players get time to develop and mature they will not be very consistent in a grown mans game; most of us knew that Pat was not ready but could not pass on going pro since he was a lottery pick; heck he was not consistent in college going up against players his own age so he needs more time to get stronger if he expects to play in the nba.