#36: Rakeem Christmas - PF/C - Syracuse

[MirORich]

This guy is garbage. I don't care if it's only one game. Some guys you can just tell whether they have it or not. He put up 6 points (1-9 FG), 1 rebound, and 1 block in 17 minutes. Plus, you have to keep in mind he's one of the oldest guys out there at 23.

Actually the summer league has tons of guys his age and older. MOst of the guys are 4 year players at college. Then you have the guys who have already been in the NBA 1-2 years. Then you have the invites like DJ White/Shurna who have been playing pro overseas for years. The stars of summer league are the young first round rookies, but Christmas is not "old" in comparison to the majority of the players there.

Additionally, Christmas's last real game was on March 7th. Syracuse didn't play in the conference Tourney or the NCAA Tourney due to sanctions.

On top of that, he's playing man to man for the first time in games since probably HS/AAU after four years at Cuse.

He looked pretty horrible tonight and he may very well never be a good player, but I don't think you can judge that solely on what you saw tonight.

 

[Walter White]

He would look a lot better playing beside a PG, or player, that can set him up for easy shots off the pick and roll or drop off passes. He got to the line and had good form. A little over eager on defense but they have 10 fouls to use so why not.

It's summer league. A bunch of players running around with their head cut off shooting crazy shots going 1 on 1 every possession. Let this guy learn from the vets and play beside LeBron and he looks 50 times better. He may never get the minutes in his first year, but I can tell he has the physical tools to become a solid player.

 

[ajz20]

Walter- I agree to some point. But a ton of guys who have physical tools get drafted in the 2nd round NBA but never sniff a long NBA career. I saw both good and bad tonight, and it is too early to say for sure he can't make it. But, I was not impressed with the skill level in the paint. I did not come away thinking wow this guy should have been a 1st rounder like the Lakers did with Upsaw and immedaetly inked him to a deal. I noticed he will be too small to guard large centers and he is probably much more suited to guard backup PF's. I think he has a shot but by no means would it surprise me if he did not make the 15 man roster. I continue to think he is an average NBA prospect that can carve a nitche as a 4th big if things fall his way.
He is def good enough to play in Europe and the D league, but just not sure he is NBA material long term yet.

 

[mds]

Solid response to some good discussion material...I love new posters...where art thou, @gourimoko

Actually the summer league has tons of guys his age and older. MOst of the guys are 4 year players at college. Then you have the guys who have already been in the NBA 1-2 years. Then you have the invites like DJ White/Shurna who have been playing pro overseas for years. The stars of summer league are the young first round rookies, but Christmas is not "old" in comparison to the majority of the players there.

Additionally, Christmas's last real game was on March 7th. Syracuse didn't play in the conference Tourney or the NCAA Tourney due to sanctions.

On top of that, he's playing man to man for the first time in games since probably HS/AAU after four years at Cuse.

He looked pretty horrible tonight and he may very well never be a good player, but I don't think you can judge that solely on what you saw tonight.

I go to summer league every year and the mix of players is very interesting. There are a lot of guys over 25 who are fringe players just trying to get a shot. Its actually very tense as many of these guys are playing for their lives. A LOT of the games involve a lot of selfish play because guys are trying to get noticed.

There are European scouts at SL too, so some of these guys might get gigs outside the NBA.

 

[Rich]

It's one game so saying anything based on it is probably going to be wrong no matter what I say.

That said, I liked what I saw. I saw some skill, some athletic ability in the air and a couple of other things that make me think he might be able to hang on in this league. While his finishing was poor, there is no way of knowing if that was due to a lack of ability, nerves, or just a plain off night. I'm intrigued to watch him a little more.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

I don't think you can judge his game until we get a decent PG out there. The scrubs we had out there tonight was hard to watch - once Cook joins the team I'd bet Christmas will look much better coming off pick and pops and easier looks inside.

He was trying to create 1 on 1 and I don't think that's his strength at all. Let's see how he looks the next few games, like Rich said he did show some nice athleticism.

 

[Snarly]

The kid has a bad first summer league game so what? He came from The Orange as also did Dion and he was... Wait a minute, He was there when Dion was there... Whoa and one.

 

[tocov]

Whoever said this guy was more talented than TT must be trippin' balls.

Experienced or not, rusty or not, sometimes you can just see the movement and the decisions a player makes and get some idea on his level.
I sure as fuck hope he magically morphs into Olajuwon in the next games, but I wouldn't put my money on it.

 

[Snarly]

Whoever said this guy was more talented than TT must be trippin' balls.

Experienced or not, rusty or not, sometimes you can just see the movement and the decisions a player makes and get some idea on his level.
I sure as fuck hope he magically morphs into Olajuwon in the next games, but I wouldn't put my money on it.

Makes you think just maybe Tristan is worth it... Right?

 

[tocov]

Makes you think just maybe Tristan is worth it... Right?

Well I don't think Tristan is worth what he is asking for. But he is deffinitely an asset.

 

[Snarly]

Well I don't think Tristan is worth what he is asking for. But he is deffinitely an asset.

Either way you cut him the Cavs want him now and later. This is where I think the sticking point is.

 

[Rich]

Whoever said this guy was more talented than TT must be trippin' balls.

Experienced or not, rusty or not, sometimes you can just see the movement and the decisions a player makes and get some idea on his level.
I sure as fuck hope he magically morphs into Olajuwon in the next games, but I wouldn't put my money on it.

I remember watching Tristan in Summer League his rookie year. He was the most uncoordinated number 4 pick ever.

You guys have zero patience.

 

[TyGuy]

I remember watching Tristan in Summer League his rookie year. He was the most uncoordinated number 4 pick ever.

You guys have zero patience.

You have to believe with his length, strength and mobility that he has a place in the NBA.

Hopefully he can get up to speed because he has a lot to learn about the NBA game playing in a zone all these years.

Christmas was not a stiff out there by any means.

 

[Rich]

I thought his movement was fluid and he showed some good quickness. He was just a little trigger happy early. But there was certainly enough to like, I thought. Certainly more than just declaring him a wasted pick after one game. Good lord, guys.

 

[tocov]

Ahhhh the great belief and optimism we all felt regarding Bennet...