Big Baby

[Ryan W]

I just finished the last two summer league games and
plowed through 4 days of the list and it's nice to see
Big Baby getting the love he deserves.  I think he has
All-Star potential and has a chance to do everything
'Toine could have done had he just made better
decisions.  He's not a working class 'Toine: he's an
upper class 'Toine with a chance to be very special. 
I'm very excited to have him.

Per measurements: it's true he wasn't measured at the
Orlando pre-draft combine.  The measurements I
referred to in a past post were from his Washington
Wizards workout, where he APPARENTLY measure 6'7" 3/4
in bare feet and 6'9" 1/4 in shoes with a 7 foot
wingspan and 12 percent body fat.  I wasn't there, so
maybe his agent fudged those numbers too.  I didn't
see the Pops to Baby footage, but judging height from
the television can be very difficult.  I wouldn't put
much stock into it, actually, even if he's an inch
shorter than listed.  It's not all about height, as
the summer league showed.  

Big Baby knows how to get his shot off, and he was a
great baby hook with either hand.  He also has a great
feel for the game, and will be a high-post big man in
the NBA.  His passing was phenomenal and one thing
this team could use is better passing.  So he'll help
right there.  During the summer league, he showed an
ability to take his man off-the-dribble, leading
either to a lay-up opportunity or, in many instances,
a sweet pass of the dribble to Powe for a dunk.  He's
also a very persistent rebounder, a tireless worker
(he dove on the floor numerous times during the Summer
League), and not afraid to throw his weight around. 
His shot is quite solid out to 15 feet too.  And his
offensive game is varied; he's also willing to get
garbage points off offensive rebounds.  And his
defense is actually better than I thought it was; he
has great anticipation, great foot quickness, a
surprising ability to blitz the pick-and-roll, and
quick hands, which led to numerous steals and blocked
shots during Summer League.

I think his weight 'problem' has been blown a little
out of proportion.  Yes, he could stand to lose some
pounds.  But he's never been out of shape; that is,
he's never been so heavy that he can't play the game
the way he wants to.  It's just a matter of finding
his optimum weight level.  I think he's well on his
way to doing that.  And the 1st round snub will be a
great motivating factor in this regard.  

And of course there are the great intangibles he
possess; leadership, verve for the game, hustle, and
fieriness.  I think everyone on this list is going to
love watching him play.  He's just a fun player to
watch.  

Ryan


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