I thought that both of these guys played really well and should be given a nod. EJ had butterfingers with the ball once or twice trying to pick up a pass in traffic on offense, but other than that he played really well. His drives and pullups in the lane made Davidson’s defense breakdown on numerous occassions.
On defense he played well on the perimeter, though I do think there were times he and some of the other bench guys blew their repsonsibility to rotate out on a shooter.
Overall, a solid game for him. The offensive dimension he adds is bigger than the 15 pts he put up. 6’8 getting into the lane with the ball causes so much havoc. The times he and Withers passed the ball back and forth were great.
Leemire, on the other hand, is a joy to watch on defense. He really goes after the ball. He treats the ballhandler like it offends him that the guy would dare try to dribble into his backcourt. He looks like an octopus out there with his arms shooting out in every direction to swat the ball or deflect a pass.
On offense, his shots weren’t falling. As long as he learns to give the ball up in those situations, he’ll be fine.
Great effort all around. But, I personally think that EJ can be as good as he wants to be. He’s a matchup problem for the opposing team everytime he’s on the floor. That wingspan is too long for SFs and he’s too quick for PFs. EJ is a stud.
Leemire was terrific, as well. He will be a star for Charlotte.
Leemire had a rough shooting night but his defense was great. He was up in the grille of his guy all night long. I think his defense was a big key to our come back.
EJ was great as well. He truly can score. He’s still not grasping the defense as much as I’d like, but that will come with more experience.
[b]His drives and pullups in the lane made Davidson's defense breakdown on numerous occassions. [/b]
I thought that a couple of EJ’s pull-ups in the lane marked the beginning of our big run. Davidson retreated from the perimeter some once he got into the lane, and the Plavich 3-pt storm began after that.
Leemire is going to be a great player for us. It’s hard for any team’s guards to rest when he and Mitchell are in the game at the same time. He forced his shot a little last night in the first half, and didn’t seem to be on, either. He did a good job defending and distributing the ball on offense, which is primarily what we need him to do right now.
I agree with bobblinlutz EJ is a solid player & does create a lot of match up problems for opposing teams.
I love Goldwire, he played great defense the entire time he was in the game despite his shooting troubles. I love this kids hunger for b-ball. He will be a solid player for the Niners.
Thought EJ played great, he got us back into the game with 3 straight plays in the first half.
Leemire looked a little out of control in the first half, made some Freshman mistakes which definately had me doing the “get Mitch back in there”. He will learn. He is an asset b/c he spells Mitch. Fast 3s in the half court set when down by double digits are not good decisions. Again, he will learn.
I just happy to see post entry passes to Iti. 'Bout time. Curtis - get on the blocks!
It really sucks for us out-of-towners who don’t get to see our new guys in person and only get to listen to them on the radio/online. I asked someone who they thought EJ played like/was similar to in the chat room the other night and they said “Butter, but smarter and with handles”. I can’t wait to see EJ, Leemire or Nance on TV.
Two heartbreaking losses aside, I really like our team.
[b]I asked someone who they thought EJ played like/was similar to in the chat room the other night and they said "Butter, but smarter and with handles". [/b]
I think a better comparision would be to James Zimmerman, but 3" taller. Butter couldn’t shoot. EJ and JZ remind me a lot of one another, defensively and offensively.
Seriously, we haven’t had a player like EJ, in my opinion. He’s taller than Butter (taller than Curt, too) and has the wingspan Vince Grier has. He doesn’t look for a lot of one on one stuff like Butter did. He also doesn’t camp out at the 3pt line.
He seems to be content to shoot the mid-range jumper and when he goes in the lane he pulls up a lot and shoots the ball with that gigantic wing span over people. Unlike with Butter (and Basden a lot lately), there’s no extra stuff in his drives. He doesn’t go behind the back or do a lot of shake and bake stuff. By comparison to a lot of our guys, he seems somewhat fundamentally sound.
I think EJ will be incredible by next season. I only wish we had him for 3 more years after this one. He has the potential to be a very good player for us.
Leemire wasn’t feeling it last night with his shooting but I also liked his defense. I thought it was good that when Bobby realized Plavich wasn’t into the game in the 1st half, he put Leemire in.
[i]Originally posted by X-49er[/i]@Dec 9 2004, 02:19 PM
[b]
[b]I asked someone who they thought EJ played like/was similar to in the chat room the other night and they said "Butter, but smarter and with handles". [/b]
I think a better comparision would be to James Zimmerman, but 3" taller. Butter couldn’t shoot. EJ and JZ remind me a lot of one another, defensively and offensively. [/b]
It’s funny you mentioned JZ because I just told a coworker that he sort of reminds me of JZ too. Granted JZ probably more of a wing player and EJ will go in the paint more. But it’s the poise that I’ve seen thus far that reminds me the most of JZ.
Another good comparison I think is Versaille Shaw.
I’m not sure he’s actually taller than Curt, Curt slouches a little on the court.
EJ reminds me of a cross between Curtis Nash and Butter (minus the defense). Only problems I’ve seen in general is that he doesn’t know what to do with the ball when he gets down low. He needs to make up his mind a little quicker, but he did a good job last night. ALso, he shoots too early and too often. Needs to reign it in a little bit, because he’s prone to taking bad shots.
Leemire is a good defender and a good scorer. When he’s not jumping at the ball, he does a really good job of keeping with his guy. He will be a great guard down the road.
[i]Originally posted by morningwood[/i]@Dec 9 2004, 01:47 PM
[b] EJ reminds me of Carmelo. [/b]
Except Carmelo doesn't shoot from the same point. I know I'm splitting hairs, but EJ shoots from way up high. That's why he's so tough to block, particularly when he pulls up in traffic.
[i]Originally posted by LeftyNiner+Dec 9 2004, 02:13 PM-->
[b]QUOTE[/b] (LeftyNiner @ Dec 9 2004, 02:13 PM)
<!--QuoteBegin-Powerbait[/i]@Dec 9 2004, 01:46 PM
[b] EJ reminds me of a cross between Curtis Nash and Butter (minus the defense). [/b]
PB, you're not serious are you? Nash and Butter? Not nice. Drayton has a simple, yet very effective game. No BS...just catches, glides and shoots. [/b][/quote]
Probably the first assessment of a player/play/game I've ever agreed with Lefty on. It's all very fluid.
[i]Originally posted by bobblinlutz[/i]@Dec 9 2004, 02:33 PM
[b] Probably the first assessment of a player/play/game I've ever agreed with Lefty on. It's all very fluid. [/b]
Well, about time. :smirk: Lutz loves his game, too.