#36: Rakeem Christmas - PF/C - Syracuse

[Douglar]

His college career arc isn't promising. He didn't start to perform until he was 2-3 years older than most of his competition. Usually those guys just evaporate once they get to the NBA when they no longer have a physical advantage. I don't know if he's got the skills, motor or awareness to succeeded in the pros, but he does have some interesting physical tools, so never say never. Like Ceda, the move looks like a strategic choice to get someone who has an extended shelf life and will retain trade value for as long as possible.

 

[Green Lantern]

Seems like kind of guy who could effectively play the 5 in small lineups and still protect rim/rebound

Listening to Griff, it seems like he is really intrigued with his skillset and would like to use him, if it's not in some trade.

 

[aldamon]

Hopefully he gets groomed to take over for Andy in a few years. Andy's third year I believe is non guaranteed so we can unload him and plug Christmas in. In the short term when Andy inevitably goes down he can fill in.

How about we go about this in a different way? Just brainstorming, but what if we play Christmas to start the season to get him some experience and then activate Andy after January? Expensive to have him on the bench, but maybe Andy would be healthy enough to play through June with a short season and longer recovery time from achilles? We've already shown we can stink it up until January, rest our star for two weeks mid-season, and still win our division and come within 2 wins of a championship.

 

[JFT]

Could be one reason he improved so much his final year....

http://www.syracuse.com/orangebaske...ristmas_earns_degree_in_just_three_years.html

 

[cavsfever]

I am a Syracuse fan and have never been that impressed by Christmas. But that might be the accumulated impressions of watching his first three years, when he flat out sucked. Of course he had a breakout year this year. But his skill set leaned heavily on leveraging his physical advantages in the post, which he will not have against centers in the NBA. He did have a nice jump hook at times but I don't know if will be able to consistently establish position for it in the NBA.

Plus, Boeheim really featured him in the offense.

As far as I can tell he has no real 'stretch' capacities at all as a PF (i.e. he can't shoot). He is pretty athletic (quick and can jump, solid shot blocker) but not eye-poppingly so -- not super strong, although it was hard to tell playing against younger smaller guys. I don't think he can match up against true NBA centers.

I think he really blew the draft combine away, he must have to move up on the boards. Maybe he showcased some new skills.

 

[skurey]

He improved his final year because Boeheim is an idiot and finally had the guys pass him the ball in the post

 

[macbdog]

Yes, Jim Boenheim is a moron. Why does he even basketball? Clearly no idea what he is doing.

I agree with Douglar, started to improve once he was older than the competition. Like a 22 year old college hitter tearing up A ball. Not writing the guy off but I can see why he slid and this is one of the reasons until he proves otherwise. Looks like the calling card will be boards, defense, and hustle. Sounds alot like a future max guy currently on the team. Hmmm. Can always use a bench big like that. Hopefully he sticks around and isn't just a 'future asset'... because I think if he can develop into a guy who can replace a reallly expensive guy while returning something useful in trade then he will be worth his weight in gold in a couple years. I want to see if he can reach such lofty heights as TT first, though...

 

[Lumthemad]

The first thing that came to my mind when i saw his highlights was potentially a younger version of Perk?

I think he brings a few solid potential skills to the table one being his shot blocking skills. You also got to love the wingspan on the guy. A good risk at that place in the draft.

 

[Dr. Gymbo]

This guy, Harris, and SirDominick were brought in to form a Big 3 to send to Canton. We're going to win 2 championships next year

 

[mds]

The first thing that came to my mind when i saw his highlights was potentially a younger version of Perk?

I think he brings a few solid potential skills to the table one being his shot blocking skills. You also got to love the wingspan on the guy. A good risk at that place in the draft.

His standing reach is half an inch lower than Willie Cauley-Stein's and they're about the same weight, so while he's somewhat undersized compared to Timo, Deandre, etc. he has the physical potential to play Center off the bench in many situations. Will be an interesting project to follow. I'm going to Summer League, so I'll get to see him up close.

 

[Soar]

Christmas would be a really solid 5th big for this team. You need a young guy that can develop. Much better than having some old guy that can barely move but happens to be 7ft tall.

So many other things to work out before we start debating the 14th and 15th guys though.

 

[mds]

Yeah, at least a young big has energy and can just go out there and hustle his ass off without dying.

 

[All4One1ForAll]

He's actually older than Kyrie. He turns 24 in December while Kyrie turns 24 next March.

He could be a decent fifth big for us, but I'm not expecting too much because he didn't really show much until his senior year, when he was 23 and facing kids 2-4 years younger than him.

That being said, you can't really ask for much more in the second round than a solid big off the bench. For every Manu Ginobli or Paul Millsap in the 2nd round, there are 50 players who are out of the league in less than 2 years. It's a total crapshoot. I think Christmas can stick around by coming off the bench and playing hard, physical defense.

 

[Cavatt]

I'm just hoping he is one of these guys that performs better in the NBA for no apparent reason

 

[KCOTT]

can't wait for the Austin Carr puns