I can definitely see the attraction with Almond. Going back a few yrs ago when we were looking at Almond in the draft and then again when he fell out of favor in Utah and ended up in Sloan's doghouse, I was all over this dude...I thought he would've been a no-brainer...Good shooter, monster scorer at Rice, the Allan Houston comparisons were out there (similar 6'6" off-guard that can fill it up & put up numbers like H2O), etc..I was really into him big-time..Then I saw him play for us in summer ball and came away with a different opinion entirely...I wasn't that impressed with what I saw...Very mechanical, a little on the slow side, turned the ball over, shaky handle, just didn't look as fluid as I expected (nowhere near as fluid as Houston). Nice, strong-looking build on him but he wasn't that athletic at all.
Worth a shot though I guess...I'm always looking for the upgrade anyway we can get it...How I look at 2G right now -- outside of that little hiccup in Houston where he went scoreless, Fields has been playing much better. Confidence is way up from where it was and that's good to see finally...So if anything, I feel we should be looking for a backup 2, someone better than Walker, or a better option than Fields. Not sure Almond could ever take Landry's job away from him but he might be better than Walker...Maybe we give him a look. The numbers are once again impressive -- they always are with Almond..
The DL guy I really wanted us to take a chance on (or one of them anyway) is Willie Warren...Was playing with the RGV Vipers backing up Ben Uzoh at the point -- now he's not listed on their roster anymore (not even listed anywhere on the NBDL's web site anymore) & I can't find any info on what happened or where he went. I wonder what the hell happened -- WW was playing well for that club -- running the team efficiently when Uzoh sat (he really is an underrated passer and unselfish---I don't buy any of the nonsense out there that he can't play the point, not with what I've seen with my own eyes), even playing well together with Uzoh for stretches, and he's always been a good scorer that can penetrate at will with a tremendous, creative handle and a good first step. Can shoot a little too, even though he needs to put a little bit more arc on his shot (his release needs to be cleaned up just a tad)...I liked his potential though. Still do...To be fair, the only criticism that does seem a little true is the fact that he doesn't go all out on D all the time..But otherwise, this guy's very talented. Right before he signed with RGV he was talking about packing it in with pro ball for good. Apparently he was a little disappointed with how things have gone for him so far and may not be totally committed to doing what it takes and going the hard way to achieve his dream..Only speculation but there may be some truth to it, esp. with him talking about calling it quits before his career ever even got off the ground here...Maybe that's what just happened recently -- maybe he stepped away from basketball..Still trying to confirm..Of course, if true that would be alarming and I'm dissappointed that he may not have a tough mental makeup but nevertheless, I still feel the man has big-time talent...I actually see a poor man's Baron Davis with this guy skill-wise. Just my own opinion but in the right setting (playing for a pro club that gave him a shot and believed in his ability) I feel Warren could be very good and realize his full potential..
A DL SG I continue to like for us is Manny Harris. Young, 6'5" close to 200, very athletic (much more athletic than Morris Almond), and he showed nice potential with the Cavs last year at the NBA level (which has gotta mean something). Liked him a lot at Michigan...He can do some things -- score, drive, pass, shoot from deep, rebound. I know the shooting percentages have never been there, but I dunno man, I still like Harris anyway. I see a lot of talent with this kid. I see a pro 2G all the way...Unlike a Bill Walker who's soft and never takes the ball to the hoop with any regularity at all, never plays D, never goes to the glass, etc., Harris is looking to go to the rim any chance he gets, and he's willing to play D and rebound...Not sure if he's better than Fields but he'd be an upgrade over Walker imho.
