New New York
Quiet Storm
Ok, so I was watching this workout Film of Hill on NBA Draft Express http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTakBgkoQEU after we drafted him, and I couldnt help but notice how familar he moved with the ball. I knew it wasnt Amare (sorry Phil Webb!) the unorthodox/akwardness but yet somehow controlled style of play looked very familar.
At first I thought Brian Grant....and that seemed to stick until I watched the video some more and read his scouting report, and realized this dude is Balkman minus the ball handling and the Hustle, but plus some size and a J!
To Hill's credit, I always thought Balk was just a few iches short from being a real impact type player. To me Balk was not a SF, but too small to be a PF. Now lets look at some of Hill's strengts and see if they don't apply to Balk
<TABLE class=bluelist width=175 itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">Likes to mix it up inside</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Off-ball movement</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Makes quick moves in the post</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Turnaround jumper</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Ability to contest shots</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Activity level</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Lateral quickness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Shot-blocking tools</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Competitiveness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Physical Toughness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Potential</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Only playing basketball for few years</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Ability to finish around basket</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Ability to run the floor</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Athleticism</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Explosiveness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Solid frame</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Wingspan</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Defensive rebounding</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Offensive rebounding</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Rebounding tools</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
A lot of similarities in that regard! Now lets look at their weaknesses
<TABLE class=bluelist width=175 itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">All-around offensive polish</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Decision making</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Advanced post moves</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Left hand</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Questionable hands</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Defensive fundamentals</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Foul prone</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Man to man defense</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Average basketball IQ</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Older than class peers</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Passing skills</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Free throw shooting</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Inconsistent shooter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ok, so is this a good thing or a bad thing? I say really good! Again Balkman is an undersized PF, give him tha bulk (no pun intended) and height of Hill and you are talking about a legit PF. Hopefully Hill will have Balk's heart! I can't wait for the Summer League.
At first I thought Brian Grant....and that seemed to stick until I watched the video some more and read his scouting report, and realized this dude is Balkman minus the ball handling and the Hustle, but plus some size and a J!
To Hill's credit, I always thought Balk was just a few iches short from being a real impact type player. To me Balk was not a SF, but too small to be a PF. Now lets look at some of Hill's strengts and see if they don't apply to Balk
<TABLE class=bluelist width=175 itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">Likes to mix it up inside</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Off-ball movement</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Makes quick moves in the post</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Turnaround jumper</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Ability to contest shots</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Activity level</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Lateral quickness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Shot-blocking tools</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Competitiveness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Physical Toughness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Potential</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Only playing basketball for few years</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Ability to finish around basket</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Ability to run the floor</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Athleticism</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Explosiveness</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Solid frame</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Wingspan</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Defensive rebounding</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Offensive rebounding</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Rebounding tools</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
A lot of similarities in that regard! Now lets look at their weaknesses
<TABLE class=bluelist width=175 itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">All-around offensive polish</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Decision making</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Advanced post moves</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Left hand</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Questionable hands</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Defensive fundamentals</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Foul prone</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Man to man defense</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Average basketball IQ</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Older than class peers</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Passing skills</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Free throw shooting</TD></TR><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD itxtvisited="1">- Inconsistent shooter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ok, so is this a good thing or a bad thing? I say really good! Again Balkman is an undersized PF, give him tha bulk (no pun intended) and height of Hill and you are talking about a legit PF. Hopefully Hill will have Balk's heart! I can't wait for the Summer League.