1 hour ago
(1 hour ago)hakeemfaan Wrote: You still didn't answer what makes him a great player if he loses some of his athleticism. I mentioned his deficiencies as a player. There is a big difference between what Lively was before and Muresan. No one is saying he will come back as a Muresan (at least one hopes not).
You mentioned processing speed and basketball IQ, which I conceded that players who can shine in the NBA (which he certainly did when he was healthy) definitely have. Someone like Kai Jones didn't make it despite insane athleticism due to that. However, no concessions from you that even superstar players suddenly lose it when they lose a step? Many veterans have said that there is no gradual decline. They feel it immediately. Did they all lose their processing speed and IQ? No, but the loss in a step did affect their games. At least the ability to shoot or pass the ball doesn't rely on supreme athletic ability and can allow them to slow down their eventual retirement or mask some of that athletic loss. How will Lively mask that?
Why is there so much optimism that a stress fracture and repeated surgeries are not a big deal for a 7 fter whose game is heavily reliant on his athleticism? Is his processing speed and bbiq going to make up for any drop in his athleticism or shield his body from being injury prone?
Because he has still been growing. The last injury was misdiagnosed. Otherwise he would be playing alreadyz
Plus 16-24 year olds have remarkable healing capacity.
This is not a joint or ligament issue. It’s a bone. Bones heal and you move on.
Also he isn’t some crazy explosive athlete. He is a decently agile 7’ 3” kid who gets things done above the rim.