Defense: Nocioni = Christie

[h3kafr3sh]

I just wnat to point out how awesome it is to see a defensive player hustle and play hard the way nocioni has the past few games. Although he is not completly developed, I see him falling into the Doug Christie type of mold. For Petries blue print of success, there has to be a "Doug Christie" type of player.

WHEN the kings will make playoffs 1-3 years down the road, he will be our kobe stopper. I dont know about you, but it gives me chills thinking about a Kobe-Nocioni match up in a WCF match up-- a few years down the road.

I feel pretty optimisitc that Noicioni will make the all defensive team at least one year in Sacramento.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I agree Noc is a solid defense presence who hustles every second he's on the court. I would not say he's "not completely developed." The dude is now 30-years-old and has been playing pro basketball since he was age 16. So, as far as a "Kobe stopper" in like "3 years" - yeah, that might work since both of them would be near end of their LONG careers approaching mid-30's.

 

[bajaden]

No offense to Noc. But on his best day he couldn't guard Kobe. Thats not a knock on Noc. There aren't many people in the league that can guard Kobe.

 

[VF21]

And actually the success to beating the Lakers a lot of times isn't in shutting down Kobe, which is damned near impossible. It's in shutting down his supporting cast. Kobe will get his points. It's making sure Odom and Gasol and ... gulp ... Artest and the rest of LAL don't get theirs that gets you a W against them.

Now, back to Nocioni. I like him. I like his heart and hustle, I like his total effort on the court all the time and I like his passion for the game. I'm also becoming fond of his outside jumper. There's room for him right now on our team and I think having him around is an incentive to the others to step their games up as well.

 

[Nighthawk1]

No offense to Noc. But on his best day he couldn't guard Kobe. Thats not a knock on Noc. There aren't many people in the league that can guard Kobe.

Indeed.

No disrespect to Noc but he's not the defender Christie was... Noc plays in your face and full of hustle - he won't be making any all defensive teams

 

[Merdiesel]

Doug Christie was one of the best defenders in the league in his prime. He had a way of getting into the opposing players head on a nightly basis and played the passing lane perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely loving Nocioni's hustle and effort, but hes not the defender Christie was. I do see similar intensity though, thats for sure.

 

[BritishColumbia]

Noc is a good defender and Doug was a great one. This is the fastest and easiest way to explain the difference between them.

Noc is a typical pesky Euro defender - not very athletic or fast, but smart, knows what to do and what not to do, was taught well how to take the best position, where and when to flop etc. I remember very well that nobody wanted to play against TAU Ceramica in Euroleague because of two mean big guys - Scola and Nocioni - they were undersized but importunate and aggressive. I think they are much quieter in NBA.

 

[Wuster]

Doug Christie was one of the best defenders in the league in his prime. He had a way of getting into the opposing players head on a nightly basis and played the passing lane perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely loving Nocioni's hustle and effort, but hes not the defender Christie was. I do see similar intensity though, thats for sure.

I agree with you, Merdiesel.

Christie was unique in modern Kings history. Noc can play that role on this team. Most quality teams have such a player I think.

 

[Prince_XY]

I just wnat to point out how awesome it is to see a defensive player hustle and play hard the way nocioni has the past few games. Although he is not completly developed, I see him falling into the Doug Christie type of mold. For Petries blue print of success, there has to be a "Doug Christie" type of player.

WHEN the kings will make playoffs 1-3 years down the road, he will be our kobe stopper. I dont know about you, but it gives me chills thinking about a Kobe-Nocioni match up in a WCF match up-- a few years down the road.

I feel pretty optimisitc that Noicioni will make the all defensive team at least one year in Sacramento.

I think intensity-wise, Nocioni plays like a motivated Christie. Skill-wise...hmmm, let's just say Nocioni can be equally as important to the team as was Christie.

 

[ElRey]

uh Nocioni is no where near the defensive player that Christie was. Christie was a defensive stopper. Nocioni just goes on hustle, but doesn't have the talent to be top tier defender like Christie.

 

[acisking]

I don't see how much more Nocioni can develop considerig he's already 30.