Raven: Only because I’m feeling in a generous mood this morning, I’ll point out that Duncan Robinson is 6’7? and weighs only 5 lbs less than Obi. He may look like the kid that always got beat up in elementary school, but he’s not a little guy. Plus Obi was successful, so not sure that’s the best example of why Obi will fail as an NBA player…

He was successful in that he did eventually score struggling against Duncan Robinson and the post and barely scoring is scary for his prospects. Plus I’m still angry we didn’t draft Haliburton.

Deeefense: Let’s focus on Obi. To me he looks a little quicker and better now that’s he’s recovered from the calf strain and is getting some time against the big boys in the NBA. He might fit nicely with Rose if the pace picks up and we have a real PG on the court.

Watching the game the other day it was hard to feel good about Obi while he was struggling to back down Duncan Robinson.

Let’s focus on Obi. To me he looks a little quicker and better now that’s he’s recovered from the calf strain and is getting some time against the big boys in the NBA. He might fit nicely with Rose if the pace picks up and we have a real PG on the court.

2. I watch most Mavs games. In some ways they are doing a good job with KP on offense. However, at times he looks almost “washed up” on defense. He’s also not taking the ball to the rim hard or banging hard for rebounds. I’m not sure how much of that is fear of getting hurt again and how much is that he’s lost a step either temporarily or permanently, but he’s the not the same player he was down the stretch last season and in the playoffs. He’s slower, looks lost at times on defense, and won’t get to the FT in as much if he’s afraid to take any contact. Right now, the team is better with Willie Cauley-Stein on the court. They give up some spacing and offense in general, but Doncic is terrible on defense. If KP can’t defend the rim to protect Doncic getting beat anymore, that’s a problem. Maybe they can try a little more of KP and WCS on the court together. The Mavs are going to win some shootouts, but they aren’t going anywhere serious without playing defense.

Hali’s ts is at .633 now… idk how you don’t draft a guy like that.

His hips are too high and his extremely accurate jump shot looks weird.

On top of that, Vassell is heating up now.

I want to have some faith in Obi, and I know it’s still early, but he’s starting to look like the latest Knicks draft blunder.

Alan:
Just up before the sun has fully risen, watching Jared Harper highlights from the G-League, like any healthy human would. Always hard to gauge how much to downgrade this stuff based on quality of competition, but it’s a nice mix of distance shooting, forays to the rim, and nifty passes to Iggy and others. Barring a rash of injuries, Harper has no role on the big club right now, but I suspect I’d enjoy watching him play more than Elfrid Payton.

Seems to have a nice stroke and good court vision. Unlikely that his forays to the rim would translate in NBA ( except against the Nets). Do not know how he would fare on defense.
A Raptors’ alumni is also a good credential. Seems worthy of a look-see at NBA if he continues to play like this. We can hope the Elf gets packaged with Rivers and opens up a spot on parent club, though unlikely Thibs would give him any run.