Baylor's Isaiah Austin
Ok, I have yet to see him play this year so no comment on his game; however I just flipped on the game and my first thought was a genuine concern that his legs were going to break/buckle running up and down the court.
He looks 7'1" 135 lbs. If this kid ever wants to play in the league, he needs to start eating - stat! He looks like a stick figure.
Kinda OT, but what makes Baylor such an attractive program for blue chippers?
They don't have the history. They don't have the tradition of producing good pros. Scott Drew is nothing special as a coach. Their fanbase isn't great either.
What is it? It can't just be their "compensation" package because I'm sure other teams could match.
This is speculation, but it's a Baptist school, and over 10% of the American population identifies as Baptist, so that could be a factor for recruits who follow that religion?
Also, on a less speculate-y note, I think a chance to play at a major program against schools like Texas and Kansas is a great opportunity, and by attending a less-heralded school in Baylor, players might have more opportunities in terms of playing time and being featured in game plans.
Austin has the makings of a nice player. Good length, shoot ability and instincts, but his frame make it obvious he'll be a few years away from doing anything major in the NBA. I think he'll end up being a face up 4 man, who excells on pick and pops. Unfortunately, he's not very quick for an NBA power forward, which most face up players are, but his jumper is really nice so I think he'll probably have to settle for jumpers in the pros.
You can't watch him without noticing what he does well, but I do question if he'll be more than a specialist going forward.
Build doesnt mean too much in the NBA. Look at kevin durant, durant is quick and more perimeter oriented but still, He should be fine once he puts on 10 to 20 lbs of muscle, so in a year or 2. he is a power forward at the NBA level. He is basically the PF version of kevin durant because he is taller than most PFs in the NBA and he has a SF game.
I like him a lot, from the glasses down to the athleticism. But would much prefer him to be a center playing close to the basket as he has the tools and should be able to bulk up without problems. Probably won't happen though. I'm kinda getting a lil sick of these big men playing like small forwards I cannot personally see much success in it.
Put your big boy pants on and play big!!
On top of his frame, his decision making is poor, this factor and the former will make it tough for him to translate his game to the next level. He averages 2.3TO he's been drawing double-teams and has been buckling under the pressure subsequently throwing the ball away therefore losing the possession for his team. In addition to his tendency of getting frazzled easily, he tries to be too unselfish, always the kiss of death for a talented young player and he begins to look for passes that aren't there, that isn't his game it appears that he's almost ashamed of his height and wants to show his whole repertoire. Not using his length to block more shots is a crime at the moment, 1.1bpg for a listed 7'1" player with a reported 7'4" wingspan in college is abysmal.
He has a great feel for the game but he's so frustrating to watch because at the same time he has alot of glaring weaknesses which would worry me if I were a lottery GM, talk about enigmatic.
i mean what you would rather pick
21yrs old 6'11 216 junios with average offense and great overall defense or
19yo freshman 7'1 220 with already better offense in nearly everything, and still very good rebounder and at least above-average defender potentially..
i'm talking about Henson who looks to be one of the steals in the last draft..
the days you have to be 250 bull to play inside has ended
I haven't got to see a Baylor game this year, so I'm excited for KU verse Baylor. Can anybody tell me what to expect of Isaiah Austin?