Spencer Hawes has more offensive skills......

[Vlade4GM]

Indeed, I think the redeeming qualities for Hawes when it comes to his rebounding and defense are that he is only 19 years old (which is basically like coming out of high school), he only weights 235 which is low for a center, and he hasn't played a minute of NBA ball yet. Give him some time to put on weight, get stronger, and get an understanding of the NBA game and then we'll see.

The only downside that I see is that he just never seemed to be around the ball when it came to rebounds. What I mean by that is look at Justin Williams and even Caner-Medley, when there was a rebound these guys were all over it, even if they didn't get it they were always in the play. This is why they got so many boards and it was very noticable. Then look at Hawes, you see that he got 5 or 6 and you can't even remember a single one. My point is that some guys have a nose for the ball and some don't. Hopefully Hawes' problem is simply experience and lack of coaching, that can definitely be fixed.

He weighs around 245 according to pre-draft measurements.

 

[Kingster]

Miller two to three years ago would have pushed this kid all over the gym on the glass. Shotblocking..no. Miller was always pathetic there. He is neither long, ahtletic, nor can he get off the floor. But as a rebounder, Miller peaked at over 10, and his per minutes for years before that would have put him up near 10 if teams had seen him as more than a 26-30 minute guy. He was a better reboudner than Hawes has ever been, and may ever be.

I think you're comparing apples to oranges. I'd like to know what Miller looked like at 19. I'd bet that at age 19 he looked significantly worse in most categories, and no better in rebounding. I bet he'd have a hard time getting invited to the NBA summer league. Heck, he still looks significantly worse in his low post game than Hawes.

And as an aside, Valde was a MUCH better reboudner than Hawes, and a much better shotblocker too. We got old Vlade, and people have let it bleed over into Vlade in his prime -- guy had three seasons over 10rpg, 2 over 2 blk/gm, and in general in his prime was a complete package center. Did it all..

I think we got Vlade in his prime at the beginning of his Kings tour. And Vlade in his early years, as a Laker, was a soft marshmallow. He was laughably soft as a number of accounts have attested. How long did it take Vlade to toughen up? A decade? I don't think Hawes is soft.

And yes, if Spenser Hawes cannot grab more than 5-6 rebounds a game in the NBA in major minutes, Spenser Hawes will NOT play major minutes. That simple. The only major minute (30+) center that pathetic in memory was Rik Smits, and precisely because of that, he was not truly a major minute guy. They got 25-30 min out of him tops, surrounded him with bashers, fed him while he was in, and then sat him the rest of the way. You of course have Eddie Curry, but again not only was he a well deserved object of ridicule, but he was always held down under 30 min/gm for the same reason.

Sure, if Hawes averages 5-6 rebs in 40 minutes, that would be a problem. It would be double the number Miller had in the San Antonio playoffs. I think I'll give him 2-3 years though before I become too worried about that. Also, it's not just about him rebounding; it's about him preventing the other team from rebounding (boxing out). Ultimately he's going to be judged on that whole package, not just on rebounding stats.

Hawes is young, it was just summer league. But he did not get it done there against very weak competition, just as he did not get it done in college against even weaker competition. I am going to assume he was a good rebounder in high school just on the basis of being 7 feet tall while everybody else was 6'6".

next test: training camp. But he's got to show up eventually, and not just get excuses made for him, or you are essentially talking about an offensive roleplayer. A specialist you bring in for one purpose ala Bill Cartwright, feed a few times, then bench.

Well, if you call a guy who can score both inside and outside, and who makes his teamates better with his passing game, then I guess you could say he has a role and that therefore he is a role player. Just as important as his personal improvement though, for him to succeed he's going to have to: (1) have the ball in his hands A LOT, and (2) be surrounded by great athletes. If he's the 3rd offensive option on your team, forget about it; you just then diminished his strengths and augmented his weaknesses. The ball has got to be in hands; he's got to score; and he's got to pass effectively. Otherwise, he won't contribute to winning. And, like I said before, he can't be surrounded by other Bibby's and Miller's. That would be death.

We'll see. It's like all of our draft picks - you have to give them 3 years to really know what you've got. He'll be the ripe old age of 22.

 

[cfechter]

And yes, if Spenser Hawes cannot grab more than 5-6 rebounds a game in the NBA in major minutes, Spenser Hawes will NOT play major minutes. That simple. The only major minute (30+) center that pathetic in memory was Rik Smits, and precisely because of that, he was not truly a major minute guy. They got 25-30 min out of him tops, surrounded him with bashers, fed him while he was in, and then sat him the rest of the way. You of course have Eddie Curry, but again not only was he a well deserved object of ridicule, but he was always held down under 30 min/gm for the same reason.

If we get the equivalent of Rik Smits or Eddy Curry at the 10 spot in the draft, I'll be completely happy. It's apparent that Hawes has (big) gaps in his game, but again, with a #10 pick, you can't expect someone as great as Vlade.

 

[jtt]

Hawes needs work

These sentences are kind-of funny when you consider that Hawes is a 19 year-old kid who has yet to play a single minute of NBA basketball.

Hawes rebounding numbers look pathetic in college for a center. How do you think he will rebound in the NBA? Anytime Hawes is on the floor, you just have to have JWill on also. Otherwise, we'll never grab a rebound.

 

[dude12]

He's only 19. Don't forget that part. He's not close to a finished product. He played only 1 year of college ball. If he stayed in college, he possibly would be a top 5 guy next year.....top 3? He's going to have an up and down season and his rebounding is not going to be good. I'm ok with that for now. The kid can score it looks like and he's not afraid. When is the last time we had a good rebounder / 48 minutes? CWebb was ok. Vlade was ok. It's going to take a team effort on the boards. Can't pin it on one guy.

 

[dmj]

Hawes' rebounding woes are the result of his lack of positioning and tenacity going for rebounds. Guys who are arguably just as unathletic have been able to be good rebounders, so I don't think his lack of athleticism will prevent him from being a good rebounder. And the good news is that his problems on the boards can be improved significantly with coaching and if he puts the effort into it.

 

[jtt]

Should get Barkley to consult

Hawes' rebounding woes are the result of his lack of positioning and tenacity going for rebounds. Guys who are arguably just as unathletic have been able to be good rebounders, so I don't think his lack of athleticism will prevent him from being a good rebounder. And the good news is that his problems on the boards can be improved significantly with coaching and if he puts the effort into it.

We should get Barkley to consult as coach for us or have them watch tapes of Rodman, Barkley, Boozer, Wells. Those guys are all about positioning and determination.

 

[Kingster]

We should get Barkley to consult as coach for us or have them watch tapes of Rodman, Barkley, Boozer, Wells. Those guys are all about positioning and determination.

And anticipation, which in rebounding is very important. I totally agree about bringing in some great rebounders to give some tips to this kid. It certainly can't hurt.