I like seeing guys dunk.

[dnbman]

I know that makes me sound like a shallow basketball fan. However, as I've been evaluating rookies, one thing I like to see is if they can take it strong to the rack. While dunking says little about their all around skill, it can demonstrate how athletic, explosive, and strong they can play.

In today's NBA, so many scores result from guys simply taking it strong to the hoop and either finishing or getting a foul. If guys in college have comparable skill sets, I'll take the guy who takes it strong to the hole.

That being said, Westbrook and Love have impressed me a lot lately, as they seem to have pretty good skills sets and can both finish strong at the rim.

This may be the most meat-headed, "no-kidding" thread ever created on here. However, lately I've just been really high on prospects who can throw it down.

Let the shelling begin.

[ohara831]

I actually think that analysis makes perfect sense. But mostly if they do so with a defender around. If they are wide open and do it, that doesn't tell you much. But when they go around and over a defender, that shows you the athleticism and explosiveness you mention.

[dnbman]

I actually think that analysis makes perfect sense. But mostly if they do so with a defender around. If they are wide open and do it, that doesn't tell you much. But when they go around and over a defender, that shows you the athleticism and explosiveness you mention.

I should have added exactly that: the break away jam is not so impressive. But turning on a man and dunking or weaving through defenders and dunking gets the golf clap from me.

[Grandmama]

I actually think that analysis makes perfect sense. But mostly if they do so with a defender around. If they are wide open and do it, that doesn't tell you much. But when they go around and over a defender, that shows you the athleticism and explosiveness you mention.

Here's a little analogy from the former team. Before LJ had his back problems he would go up and dunk on anyone in traffic or otherwise. He was one of the most physical and intimidating young power forwards in the league, if you got in his way you got posterized and he averaged 22 and 10. But after his first back injury that in traffic violent finishing was the first thing to go, and on nights when his past brilliance flashed out it was usually in the form of a in traffic dunk. When he didn't have the ability to do that his whole persona and game changed and he began taking 3's all the time.

[Keetch]

Wow tsnatch your LJ reference brings back memories....and you and O'Hara are exactly right about how his game changed.

I remember pretty vividly one game....so I looked it up on basketball-reference.com and yup....Dec. 27, 1993, LJ went off for 29 pts., 11 assists, and 20 rebounds on 13 for 18 shooting. I remember it well because he was on my fantasy team and though capable of great games was also inconsistent due to nagging injuries. As I listened to this game on the radio he was just playing HUGE and I was feeling WOW he's on, lets RUN this now! GO LJ!

But it was at the end of the game during the postgame show that they announced that he had hurt his back and was uncertain for the next game. Well crap....

He didn't return until March 11 and was mediocre the rest of the season, and if I remember mostly in pain.

Its a huge credit to LJ that he still made himself into a very good NBA player, though limited in his athleticism.

One other not-so-fond memory....the Hornets trading LJ for Anthony Mason. WTF? ... the beginning of the end. Charlotte sured loved it some Anthony Mason. Derrick Coleman too. Just great guys.

OK Dnbman HUGE APOLOGIES FOR STEALING YOUR THREAD.

Now back to the dunkfest!

[Keetch]

Dunking is definitely the highest percentage shot in the game, so I'm all for it!

But there's a long list of great dunkers who were pretty worthless NBA players for all sorts of reasons, so clearly there's more to the formula...cough..Isaiah Rider..cough....Not being a meathead is probably number 1 and periodically attending practice number 2 ...Darius "I overslept" Miles.......................I AM a huge fan really.

I'm waiting to see how Josh Smith turns out in Atlanta, and yeah I'm pretty dubious.

And then there's some quite nice other gifts such as the Jabbar sky hook and that Larry Bird guy.

So somebody has to throw out a counter balance on ya DNB.

Still I do agree and I think your thread topic is an inspired one...along with O'Hara's enhancement. That type of athleticism is the prerequisite for molding a package that includes some rebounding, shooting and oh yeah defense to make an all-star player. Put that on a well coached team and off you go!

[Keetch]

...sooooooo...I'm thinking what I'm thinking is this....

You take your great dunker...and you says to yourself...is he also coachable?
Can he learn to take it outside too on both ends of the court.

And...lol if you're sitting with any one of about 20 current NBA coaches...do I have a guy who has any clue what to do with him? Can my guy teach him anything?

Enter Larry Brown.

Oh and DNB....ps: I like seeing guys dunk too!

[ohara831]

With this Thread, I'm feeling a Westbrook vibe. Anyone else getting that feeling?

[Grandmama]

Bottom line, you can't teach/learn athleticism.

[ohara831]

Go to the Russel Westbrook Thread and look at the YouTube Video's Big Slam and Ziggy posted. Those are the kinds of dunks I am referencing when you talk about athleticism and explosiveness when taking it to the rim. Kid is FEARLESS!

Combining that with his ability to move out to the 3 arc and drain it, his defensive lockdown ability and the fact that he can handle the rock as a PG, and I like his game a whole lot. Just gotta figure out how to get a PF too, since I dont have confidence in Sean May.