Multi-Billionaire

I'll be bumping this thread in 4-5 years once Kobe has retired and you Lakers are left with Shannon Brown and Vujajic... and J.R. is somewhere droppin 23-25 ppg... you guys wishin he be your SG, and Mitch devising a Pau Gasol rob trade to bring him in.

Only once... maybe I will do it more often

In that movie Inception, it's also said about "falling" that wakes you up. I've had some falling dreams and they really woke me up. In fact I jerked in reaction just as anyone would if they fall. lol

You guys realize J.R.'s 27.7 mpg is 5th on the team right? And he's not a starter and that he's not the PG of the team... that's why he's just 6th on the team in assist... and the three guys ahead of him in that department are PGs (Billups, Carter, Ty)... and Nene is one of the best passing bigs in the L, and Melo's 0.8+ apg is the result of him dominating the ball and playing 11 mpg more than J.R. If I were to choose an NBA SG to run my team's offense, J.R. would be on top of my list. T-Mac? He's washed up. Kobe? He's too offensive minded to do it for long stretch. J.R. can only make occasional flashy pass? I agree that most NBA players can do some flashy passes, but if you think these flashy passes are what I want you to notice from J.R.'s passing ability, you're mistaken. Watch more Nugget games, you'd be surprised he doesn't commit turnovers on his passes. He does what PGs do, penetrates, draws defenders and you will see that J.R. drops a perfect pass to his bigs (alley oop, bounce, or straight) or kick out to outside shooters. I was and am still surprised by how well he passes, but what surprises me the most are his vision and unselfishness. Unselfish? J.R.? Yes, he can be trigger happy with his 3 pointers but other than that he is very unselfish. That is why I do think you don't watch enough J.R./ Nugget games. There's a reason why Karl gives him the ball to run the team's offense EVEN when Billups is on the floor, in the playoffs, when the game nears to end. And GK can't even stand him. --- Anyway, we sidetracked a little bit... enough talking about passing. We're talking about how J.R. can measure to Kobe Bryant. Did I say he will average 25 ppg? No. But can he average 25 ppg? Absolutely, guy averages 15 ppg on just long range bomb and occasional drives to the rim. If he adds two elements (mid-range game and a skill to go to free throw line) he can improve his scoring by 5 ppg easily on each aspect. Rip Hamilton became a multiple All Star by mastering the mid-range, Corey Maggette's bread and butter is free throw where he scores 6.6 ppg from the stripe every game and is the reason why Bucks, who struggled to get to free throw line, acquired him. If he averages 25 ppg, which I think he can, then the discussion of this thread that he could be as good as Kobe would not be viewed as "crazy".

They're different... for one, physically, Mo is only 6-1, 190lbs... nowhere close to J.R.'s built (6-6, 220lbs). The reason you're comparing him straight to J.R. is because of their numbers, but you're conveniently ignoring everything else. Like I said you cover stats, you only cover 50% of the observation. If I have to pick one of the two to run my team's offense, I'll go with J.R. 10 out of 10 times. I don't think Mo has sufficient ball handling skill to run a team full time, he brings the ball up and gives it to LeBron. He catches and shoots. That's about it. J.R. beats defenders with his dribbling, able to shoot or pass with high accuracy off the dribble. He is our part-time PG (trusted by GK to run our team's offense) and GK doesn't even talk to him eye-to-eye.

^To Gamerguy, comparing J.R. to Kwame is laughable... Besides the 32 and 20 he had in a game against Kings (when he was still a Wiz), Kwame has done nothing in his career. J.R. on the other had plenty of 40 pt games, plenty of 9+ threes, plenty of "flashes of brilliance". --- Like I said I'm not basing my observation on nothing... If I said Afflalo can average 25 ppg, people will roll their eyes and I'd understand. There's a reason why J.R. is J.R. People are different, some boys will be mature (like Afflalo), some boys will have attitude and tough to reach. The reason J.R. has not developed fully is the coach, Karl... although he trusts J.R. with his court skills, he doesn't communicate eye-to-eye with him. He doesn't bother to try to reach to him... so as a result, J.R. being the defiant boy that needs guidance thought he is alienated and obviously wouldn't try to reach to Karl. Byron Scott hated him, Karl hated him once but learned to tolerate him but still not communicated very effectively. The person who can maximize his output is Phil... because this is his area of expertise, relating to players and bringing out the best in them. --- To Nitro, J.R. passes like a PG. This means you have not observed him much. Trust me, I watched many of his games... and I am not overrating him by any means. Again, I'm not a J.R. fan. This is no future "J.R. is going to lead the league in assist one day" projection... but rather a current one. It's laughable a Laker fan like Real would forget how well he passed when he was the one constantly penetrating Laker defense and dropping passes to bigs or kick it out to Billups and Kleiza in Lakers WCF two years ago. He passed so well, I remember JVG said that he didn't know J.R. could pass this well... He was the ONLY one who did this because Billups was not as explosive as him and because he had this passing skill. He was essentially our PG creating plays for others and himself and still is to some extent. He doesn't have just the passing skill but also the vision. He knows where to drop it off (bounce) perfectly so the ball goes high enough to end up in the receiver's hand level, not the knee, and they're ready to go... I've seen Allen Iverson pass to guys' knees and they have to bend over to reach the ball, breaking any movement rhythm... A lot of people can penetrate with their explosiveness, but not many of them can pass to find the guys, they usually end up committing a turnover. If you think such simple play is "simple" check the current Team USA. I guarantee 1 out of 2 times Billups penetrates, draws a second defender, and tries to dish it to his big man, he will commit a turnover... I know this cuz he's done it a lot in Denver. And he's a frickin PG. J.R. does PG stuff better than Billups, but also because he has the passing skill and more importantly vision. Too bad I can't find the youtube of J.R.'s passes... but one of them is the one above... from J.R. to Nene... it may look like a simple play and a simple pass... but trust me, not many NBA PGs can do this... it's a perfect bounce pass with one hand and with little time to react and execute through 2 defenders. Many guys would do it and they end up hitting the defender's legs or the ball goes too fast or too low the receiver does not get the ball. Or they are concerned about being intercepted and committing a turnover, so they tried to lob the ball... it is not as easy as it looks... but J.R. made it look easy. I know that it is a skill by just looking at it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmEPwMke2sA&feature=player_embedded

You just don't wanna give where credits are due... like I said I'm no defending J.R. blindly just because he's a Nugget... I'm not tied to any player I'm a team fan first and foremost. I have no biased feeling here... but you gotta give where the credits are due. Dude can pass. The fluidity of his passes is no fluke... he can really pass. When you're trusted with the ball ahead of true PGs (Billups) at the end of a playoffs game, and the coach is no dummy (900+ wins), you know you can make plays with your dribbling, scoring ability and passing. It's NBA level, no playground. You're trying to discredit a player's ability which is worse than not giving credits... it's a shame... But saying you can do all his stuff in a playground is sad... so you can do all NBA players' (aside of Kobe of course!) moves? That's great... we know you're the greatest after Kobe. lol

This: reminds me of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ikaIDz-Ck The way they (J.R./ Kobe) lobbed the ball, the dunk (by KMart/ Shaq) to finish the teams (Mavs/ Blazers) in playoffs.

^Then you have completely forgotten about the WCF 2 years ago... I understand. I still have all 6 of those WCF games I can watch again later today. I still remember in Game 4 we won, J.R. had about 3-4 assists by driving and dishing a no look to Nene, KMart and Melo. Your statement that he "doesn't pass like a PG" proves you have little knowledge of J.R.'s game. Name me a SG who can pass better than him AFTER you watch the videos below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmEPwMke2sA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihGaSG4br_Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhejxYfHal0 The no-look, the pick and roll pass, the alley oop, the drive to draw defenders and dish, these are PG instincts... he makes them looks so easy too... that's the key. Like I said you have little knowledge of J.R.'s game.

That's why you guys have to understand... I'm not saying he IS... I'm saying he COULD BE IF he be a nice boy and do what his personal coach (me) told him to do... develop mid range game (namely post and stop and pop) and skill to go to free throw line. But J.R. will never be a nice boy because of... J.R. This is where Zen Master comes in... he's the only one I can think of who can basically make J.R. be the best player he can be. I think right now J.R. is only about 60% of the player he can be.

You're not analyzing my post... I stated the reason why I believe he can average 25 ppg. The belief is based on reason. I love Ty but I don't ever see him average 25 ppg... Afflalo is my fave player right now (cuz I have very little emphasis on being a "player" fan) but I don't see him average 25 ppg. I project REALISTICALLY... Luol Deng lacks the mobility to be the go-to man when the defense buckles up and the game is on the line... he also lacks the creative capacity to knock down more than 1 three a game... the same can be said about Josh Smith who has tremendous athleticism but is no threat from long range, has poor post up game, and has so-so handle. J.R. has the "package"... 1.) he can handle the ball like a PG (he's often assigned as the team PG when Billups, Carter and Lawson are on the bench) therefore has the ability to take a defender off the dribble and create... 2.) he can pass like a PG making him extra dangerous (before the WCF with Lakers 2 yrs ago, I said his playmaking and passing would be crucial... in Denver home games, he repeatedly set up Nene, KMart, and Melo for easy dunks)... 3.) He can shoot long range 4.) He can finish among the best at the rim Name me a weakness in J.R.'s OFFENSIVE game that I haven't already mentioned (mid range and ability to go to free throw line) and state with reason why you don't think he'd ever be a 25 ppg player instead of just saying "he'll never ever be a 25 ppg player". --- He was a rookie and 2nd year player in New Orleans, you'd expect him (then a HS project) to be their primary option? Hornets never made him a primary option. Maybe during his rookie year when their roster was pitiful... but he was just a HS project rookie. The reason why I think he can be a franchise player is because I believe he can average 25 ppg... anyone who averages 25 points is largely considered a franchise player. If J.R. can add the mid-range (post and stop and pop) game, and ability to go to free throw line... while his retaining his 3 pt touch and athleticism to finish above the rim... wouldn't he be at least SIMILAR to Kobe? Analyze the question carefully and answer and mean it. I mean, he doesn't shoot funny like Shawn Marion... and he doesn't use funny floaters like Antawn Jamison... he has great form, he dunks with flair, he is exciting to watch just like #24.

And you gotta understand where I'm coming from. I'm no J.R. fan. I don't defend or condone his off court issues... e.g. the car crash, the jail time, the fight with another player this summer. But he got talent and it's undeniable... I'm just stating facts. Again, I'm not making up stories how some stiffs can average 25 ppg... 25 ppg is within J.R.'s realm for someone who has the knack of scoring the basketball. Those 25 ppg scorers we've come to know have many weapons: 1. the ability to hit mid-range, 2. the long ball, 3. ability to finish around the rim, 4. and ability to go to free throw line. That's why they score a lot of points. J.R. knows #2 and #3... the long-ball and finish around the rim... the reason why "he doesn't know" #1 and #4 is not because he doesn't have them, because I've seen personally (on very rare occassions) J.R. plays his mid-range game, and it's effective. He HAS it, he just DOESN'T USE it. It's different than Steve Kerr who knew the long-ball game, but had 0 mid-range game. J.R. only goes to the free throw line when he's fouled... but the best scorers know how to get to the free throw line even when they're not fouled... that's my point. It's not hard to see a 5.0 ppg improvement for each offensive aspect I lined out here. Corey Maggette scored 7.0 - 8.0 ppg from the FT every game and he's just a friggin role player.

I'm getting that you're mad because someone tried to measure J.R. to Kobe Bryant. I insist J.R. will not be as good as Kobe, that's not good enough for you? So much that you had to compare Sun Yue to J.R. because "someone tried to compare J.R. to Kobe" Kobe fans need to understand, measuring up to him is a sign of respect, no disrespect... it's such an aloof attitude to say "noone can come close to me." Kobe is the best, and noone will be better than him. We get it. It's hard to make it NOT about Kobe when you Kobe fans do it. This is not about Kobe... this is about J.R. potentially being as good as Kobe... And I didn't just say, "yeah agreed 100% he will be good as Kobe" without explanations. My first post was incomplete that's why I made my second post. And I have elaborated what aspects of the game he has to improve to even think about coming close to his level... and repeated myself that he won't be as good. How it's taken as disrespect, I don't know... only Kobe fans who have too much pride that some other player fans try to measure their player up to Kobe. It makes me sea sick to have to "combat" arguments fueled by Kobe pride.

I said J.R. has the ability to average 25 ppg, is it on Kobe level? No. But 25 ppg is pretty good, a franchise player on some teams. Coaching is not about just "teaching" skills. It is also about "bringing" the skills out... in other words, the skill to average 25 ppg is ALREADY in J.R. but someone has to say to him, "you can be pretty good if you do this, instead of this..." for him to do that. Phil is a master at that. I don't know what NBA coach other than him who can do this... Right now J.R. is content with everything he has done... when he's nowhere near living up to his bar. If you notice I am not talking about Joey Graham being able to score 25 ppg here. Von Wafer can shoot... WIDE OPEN shots... and he becomes a stiff when his shot is contested, or having to create off the dribble, or when trying to finish around the rim. Yue is a 3 ppg scorer? Forget him. It's clear the only one who holds J.R. back is himself... so that's when Phil comes in with his psychology stuff.

My last post says I wouldn't say he'd be as good as Kobe... but dude has talents... he has the deep range, he has the explosiveness to finish plays around the rim. What he truly lacks is the mid-range creativity, the post up, the stop and pop. He averages 15 ppg off the bench without the mid range game and ability to consistently go to free throw line. If I were his personal coach, I'd say to him: - work on the mid-range game (post up/ stop and pop)... that adds about 5.0 ppg to his scoring average. - spend 2 days with Corey Maggette (LOL... ok not necessarily the plan but you know what I mean) and ask him to teach how to draw fouls and get to the free throw line... that is an extra 4-5 ppg.. - hit the gym and get stronger, that's how Kobe becomes good, he's physical... I'd encourage J.R. to be more physical defensively J.R. has the ability to be a 25.0 ppg player any given season... from the effort he gives, most of the time, you know he can play smarter and play harder and better. In other words, he has not given his 110% yet to try to be the player he can be. If I were Phil Jackson, knowing I had the ability to "reach" to players and seemingly push the right buttons to motivate them, I'd be intrigued with J.R.'s talent. It's just too much to see it go to waste... he's after all only 24 years old. T-Mac didn't become a star until his 5th season. But then, I'm not Phil, who I think is pretty happy with 10 championships and a possible 11th, with a $10 mil salary per, to take on a project like him. But cmon man, comparing J.R. to Sun Yue is low... J.R. can play.

Some guys say they chuckle seeing this... ??? Cmon...

Right now I see them as not important at all... that could change though once my financial status changes for the better.

Aside of his brain and attitude, my biggest problem with him is he seems content with his game right now. I've seen him post up and do a turnaround jumpshot, it was a beauty too and very fluid/ effective (seen it TWICE in his entire Nugget career and connected on both buckets). The problem is it's almost as rare as finding a blue lobster... dude just likes to face the rim all the time. He has some post game, but never uses it, he has pretty effective mid-range game but never uses it and develops it. If I were his personal coach, I'd guarantee him of a jump of at least 5.0 points per game if he can do one thing: focus on developing his mid-range game, namely post game. The variety of moves Kobe has is what makes Kobe Kobe. J.R. could be so much better (I wouldn't say as good as Kobe) if he could only develop his mid-range game. He only has deep range and athleticism to finish strong at the rim... all he needs to develop is mid-range and gets better in going to the free throw line. What I can't believe is none of the coaching staff seemed to have successfully told him this... it's common sense. Dude only likes to face the rim, hoists a 3 or attacks the rim. He's not interested in stopping his dribble about 15-20 feet to go for a pull up jumper. The only thing he lacks is mid-range, and the idiotic part is it's not like he doesn't have it, he just doesn't use it. Use it and his PPG jumps to 20 ppg... automatic.

I would agree with him... if Phil Jackson were his coach.

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2010/9/1/1663769/the-full-kroenke-ujiri-press I like these guys... Josh is gonna be more hands on than his dad, and Masai looks like a great guy let's see if his brain catches up with his personality.

^When you have NBA experts and highly trusted sources like Stein, Bucher, Wojnarowski, and basically everybody who gets paid to report NBA stuff, saying there'd be a significant drop in salaries, one that is the major reason for the inevitable lockout... you know that it's real. Players aside those who have just signed their new contracts or re-upped like LeBron, Bosh and Wade won't have to worry for the next 6 years because they're covered. Current salaries will not be affected... they're called "contract" for a reason. The ones will be affected are those like Melo who will have to sign under the new CBA (unless he signs the extension before his contract for the 2010-11 season is over). The next CBA is speculated to drop players' salaries so much, it's the main reason why there will be a lockout in the first place. It's hard to see Melo not blink when we play hardball on him... he wants that extension. We know it. If we say, "okay Melo we'll let you walk next summer without getting any in return."... Melo will not want it to happen... because although he's free to choose his team, the salary will be significantly much lower. I don't understand why you don't see this? The only reason I see why the Nuggets blink first is if Melo says, "yeah screw the extension, I'll opt out next summer, sign with any team, you get nothing in return."... but we know it won't happen because he'll have to sacrifice about $5-6 mil PER SEASON to do that, and about $30-35 millions if we're talking about a 6 year contract... Melo canNOT afford to do that. $30-35 million is a significant chunk of his current networth because he is not a marketing giant like LeBron or Kobe, who each (should) aim to be a billionaire. Melo's goal realistically is to be a QUARTER billionaire... Melo's chance of hardballing us is like a poker player with bad cards and everyone in the room knows he has bad cards and he's still trying to bluff. He'll lose everytime and this is no exception. When you have one billions in your bank account, you can say, "$30-35 million is aight, it's pocket change... I can live with $30-35 mil less, my aim is to hit $1 bil mark when my basketball career is over... my endorsements, and businesses will generate $30-35 mil in less than one year"... but, not so much when your realistic goal is only 1/4 billion and you're relying heavily on your NBA salary vs. incomes out of it such as endorsements and personal assets/ businesses. In other words, we do know Melo depends his total networth heavily on his NBA salary as a player... and he can't afford to take paycut, not when he's in his prime and it's his ONLY life-time opportunity to get the max because soon he'll be 30 and owners will think twice about giving him max again... And I haven't even mentioned possible injuries... we know how great players like T-Mac and Francis suddenly reduced to nothing because of injuries. Without injuries, T-Mac would probably still score 30 ppg and be on a max contract now... but he's on a veteran MINIMUM. Anything can happen... and since Melo relies on his NBA salary for his total financial networth, he can't afford to take paycut.

I'm starting to be a Love fan... he can really play. Dude is a worker, he has good hands, he grabs boards, he passes well, he knows he's not gonna beat anyone athletically, that's why he's 1-2 steps ahead. I'd love Nuggets to get him if Melo is traded there... I remember hatin his [expletive] before his draft...

I remember reading Jayson Williams' "Loose Balls" book... it was hella funny... he mentioned European players in NBA do not use deodorant and if you get caught under their armpits, your hair would stick sideways... lol

The superfriends in Miami also started with "jokes" like this.

Her name is Cruella De Vil