WTF? Love's struggles affecting Hanbrough

[99Boxster]

Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Sr., North Carolina

The guy is the best player in college basketball. He
plays with great heart and toughness. And as Larry Brown
would say, he plays the right way. Plus, he stayed for
four years of college. Despite all of that, you still
can't find an NBA scout or GM who's sold on Hansbrough's
NBA potential. Most of them see him as a potential
rotation player in the league, and almost no one sees
him as a starter. To quote one executive, "Look at
how Kevin Love is struggling. Love is bigger, more
skilled and more athletic and it's been hard on him.
What's going to happen to Hansbrough?"

We have him ranked in the 20s, which is basically where
he's been for the last three years. Go figure.

NBA Draft 2009


Edited by: 99Boxster

 

[icsept]

This is bogus. First of all, Kevin Love came out after his Freshman season. Therefore, his NBA development will come slowly than Hansboroughs. Also, Love is averaging 8 pts and 8 rebs in 22 minutes - that's not too shabby. Lastly, Hansborough is quicker, a better jumper, and a better mid-range shooter than Love. The only reason the two are being compared is because they are White.

 

[Fightingtowin]

This is a prime example of why there are some good teams and bad teams. A good executive could actually evaluate the talent and skill set of the two players and conclude that they are only somewhat similar. A bad executive will look at skin color first and base his decision in large part on that.

 

[indianwhite]

1st of all, Love has done the right thing in jumping straight to the NBA after his first year in UCLA, because it will ensure his chances for long-term NBA success.

2nd, he is on the right team to grow, Minnesota is such a weak team that, he will always get significant playing time no matter what his stat sheets say, period.

3rd, he is only 20 years old for GOD's sakes, let the guy play his game and grow. Then we'll see in 3 to 4 years where he stands, Best of Luck to you Kevin Love.

I could say the same things for Spencer Hawes, who is also just 20 years old.

As for Tyler Hansbrough, there is more pressure on him once he jumps to the NBA, because, he is 23 years old (old for a rookie these days) and he has a storied NCAA career. I feel his only chance to make a strong NBA debut is to go to a very weak team, not mention play for a considerate NBA coach (if there are any in the NBA other than Don Nelson). As much as I like Psycho-T, his chances of being an NBA star is very small.

Psycho-T's possible NBA Case Scenarios:

Best Case Scenario: David Lee</span>
Worst Case Scenario: Nick Collison</span>

 

[pistol pete]

they are different players. Psycho T could be a great role player for a contender. Put him on the Lakers or Celtics and he does well. Put him on a bad team with ball hogs and I don't think he does as well. He is a winner and loves to hustle, and I don't think losers on a losing team would appreciate that.

Psycho T may do best on the Spurs as a big man in the rotation next to Tim Duncan. A guy who can play within a system who can rebound, hustle and hit open jumpers would do very well with the Spurs. If I were you guys I would hope he goes there. Coach Pop likes smart players.


Oh yeah, about Kevin Love. He is a very good rebounder now and has a chance to be a GREAT rebounder. He was a GREAT outlet passer in college and could shoot threes in college. If that gets going for him in the pros then he would have three things to hang his hat on as a pro.

Psycho T's role would be more of a Robert Horry, James Posey, Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier guy who can do some of everything and who just plain wins you games.

If I were him I would model my game after Dennis Rodman. Rodman was a little undersized and didn't have the highest elevation (but both can jump high and throw 'em down when they want), scrapped and hustled, went all out, defended, were great teammates and got in the other guys' heads. Rodman won five NBA titles and was THE guy that gave the '96 to '98 Bulls their identity. And if he doesn't make the Hall of Fame it will be because of politics, not production.

On second thought, Psycho T could be the guy to put the Trail Blazers over the top. A hard-nosed smart power forward who can hit the mid-range shot and can defer to other players is exactly what they need.

 

[bigunreal]

Once again, we witness the madness of talking heads and draft "experts" denigrating the NBA chances of a white college basketball star. Hansbrough has been the dominant player in college basketball the past few seasons, for the top ranked team in the nation. Can anyone come up with a single example of such a high profile black college basketball star being drafted in the middle-late first round? Or any black stars being denigrated by "experts" before they've entered the league?

J.J. Reddick, the top scorer in the nation his senior year, still languishes on the Orlando bench. This #1 draft pick is being given all of 16.7 minutes per game to show his talents. Apparently, he will never have the opportunity to start in the NBA. He is considered a "bust" without ever having the chance to prove himself. This guy's great strength is shooting. I'd love to see how many points he could score if he was allowed to shoot as often as the Iversons, Bryants, McGradys, etc. Instead, he is accused of "not being able to create his shot," a new Caste label affixed only to white players. Well, it's hard to "create" your shot if you don't get the chance to shoot! Curiously, a similar player to Reddick, Davidson's Stephen (make sure you pronounce it "Steffin") Curry, is not having this tag hoisted onto him. My guess is that he will be a lottery pick and will be allowed plenty of opportunities to "create his shot" in the NBA.

Adam Morrison, meanwhile, is averaging just under 5 points per game this season. What is that? Last season, he averaged over 11 ppg, and was given just under 30 minutes per game playing time. This season, he is only averaging 15.7 minutes per game. Is Charlotte already declaring their highly drafted former college star a "bust?" How can you draft one of the premiere college basketball players in recent memory, and give him no chance at all to succeed? Morrison, even more than Reddick, is the kind of player a team should be built around. But then again, other than perhaps Nowitski, when was the last time any NBA team was built around a white star (at least since Larry Bird retired)?

This is the kind of recent history Hansbrough will be going up against. I certainly wish him all the luck in the world, but if he succeeds, it will be a miracle.
Good luck.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

what i truly don't understand from the Tyler Hansbrough hate club is how they claim he's not athletic...

every one of his highlights from any game of the past four seasons includes him dunking his nuts in some "gifted" negroes' faces. i'm supposed to believe he achieves this feat by somehow really hustling his body so high off the ground?

give me a f-ing break.

 

[P-NutLane]

College basketball has not seen a force like this blue coller young man since Pete Marivich. Not that hes as good as Pistol, but he is the closest thing to him as far as being dominant. I cant wait till he shuts the felatio giving mouths of the doubters.

 

[pt.guard2]

I would say that Larry Bird was even more dominant in college than Pistol Pete or Hansrough, since he got to the NCAA finals with a bunch of average, at best, team mates.

Hansbrough is on a great team and Pistol Pete, for all his individual brillance never had team sucess in college.

I do agree that Hansbrough is being unfairly judged. He IS more than athletic enough to play in the NABA and his intensity and will to win (similiar to Bird or Jordan) is something that very few players have.

 

[Blue Devils]

Kevin Love struggling? He gets limited playing time yet he's in the top 20 for
rebounds per game in the whole NBA. Averaging 8.3 this season. Everyone
rated ahead of him in rebounds per game are averaging 30+minutes a game
yet Love barely averages 20 minutes a game.

In his last five games he's averaging 9.6 pts, 11.4 rebs, 1.8 ast, 1.0 blk. If he
maintains his average of 11.4 rebounds a game he would rank fourth in the
NBA in rebounds a game. Not bad for a guy barely getting 20 minutes a
night.

I don't see how he's struggling yet Greg Oden isn't.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Hansborough is actually a better athlete than Love. I don't know if Tyler can become a star but I see him averaging 10 points a game in his rookie season.Edited by: whiteathlete33

 

[pistol pete]

Kevin Love struggling? He gets limited playing time yet he's in the top 20 for
rebounds per game in the whole NBA. Averaging 8.3 this season. Everyone
rated ahead of him in rebounds per game are averaging 30+minutes a game
yet Love barely averages 20 minutes a game.

In his last five games he's averaging 9.6 pts, 11.4 rebs, 1.8 ast, 1.0 blk. If he
maintains his average of 11.4 rebounds a game he would rank fourth in the
NBA in rebounds a game. Not bad for a guy barely getting 20 minutes a
night.

I don't see how he's struggling yet Greg Oden isn't.

Well, they have Al Jefferson who is basically and under-sized power forward. so that cuts into his minutes.

I think Love needs to work on a mid-range jump shot. That could be his bread and butter offensive move a la Karl Malone.

From that position he can either kick it out, lob it to a big man, or shoot it, or fake it and put it on the floor.

 

[referendum]

Now that Love is doing better I wonder if Hansbrough stock is back up again. This reminds me of when Darko Milicic wasn't playing for Detroit commentators saying this would impact other European players. What about the success of Bargnani? Calderon? Fernandez? Gasol? Shouldn't that have outweighed Milicic?

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Love is now scoring efficiently too. He has brought his FG percentage up from 41% to around 44% "just in the last few weeks or so time" and is getting to the line at a high rate. His PPG is significantly above his Attempts per game ratio wise! Love looks like a future star in the making. Not sure about Super-star, but star sounds possible! Joe Alexander has also been playing well in limited minutes recently as has Galinari. Yes whites can play!Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

By the way if Mhale comes to knock on my post. I didn't say that 44% FG percentage is good for a PF or Center; it's certainly below average; but overall Kevin Love is turning into an efficient player. He's a great passer too!

 

[pistol pete]

By the way if Mhale comes to knock on my post. I didn't say that 44% FG percentage is good for a PF or Center; it's certainly below average; but overall Kevin Love is turning into an efficient player. He's a great passer too!

for a rookie that is not too bad. haven't watched any games of his. he should be a great jump shooter pretty soon. he was in college. that would open up his drives to the basket.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Yeah 44% for a rookie PF is almost average; and he has been shooting around 50% over the last couple weeks to bring his percentage up quickly from 41%. He gets to the line a ton, passes well and is one of the best rebounders in the league. They have to get him on the court more! Love is going to turn into a great player I can feel it; and maybe even an all-star and future Olympian if he doesn't get snubbed.

 

[j41181]

Yeah 44% for a rookie PF is almost average; and he has been shooting around 50% over the last couple weeks to bring his percentage up quickly from 41%. He gets to the line a ton, passes well and is one of the best rebounders in the league. They have to get him on the court more! Love is going to turn into a great player I can feel it; and maybe even an all-star and future Olympian if he doesn't get snubbed.

I agree on that one, Kevin Love has the tools and the potential to become a great player, provided he is given the chance and opportunity to do so. It's up to Interim-Coach Kevin McHale and the next coach though. But he's very young (20 years old), he has lots of time to prove himself. Be patient on the guy, Spencer Hawes is also just 20 years old, I'm just really excited for these two guys.

 

[Deadlift]

Kevin Love had 15 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes.


In 23 minutes of play a game, he's averaging 8.5 rebounds.

In over 38 minutes of play a game, Chris Bosh is averaging a WHOPPING 9.5 rebounds! He's also currently averaging LESS than 1 block per game.

I can imagine that Toronto is getting out-rebounded and that would be one reason that they're sucking. Knowing that Bosh is playing for a huge contract, maybe he isn't as "super" as the media claims? Maybe the "lack of soul food" in Toronto is to blame...

In less minutes Andris Biedrins, who's a natural PF, has superior rebound, block and steal numbers. Don Nelson has been jerking him around recently. It's bad enough that the refs abuse Biedrins, but your own coach?

I think the facts prove that Whites can excel at basketball!

 

[Deadlift]

16 points and 14 rebounds in 30 minutes!

 

[j41181]

16 points and 14 rebounds in 30 minutes!

He was back in the Starting lineup, Finally!!!