#36: Rakeem Christmas - PF/C - Syracuse

[Jack Brickman]

Probably should pump the breaks before demanding a second round pick plays above a guy who just played great in the playoffs and Finals...

 

[TitleTown]

I want to hate Christmas just because of the idiots who are already saying he's better than TT.

So stupid.

These are the same people who wouldn't have traded Hickson for Amare. Some people just live for "potential."

 

[stowfan]

I know Delly was an UDFA, but when was the last time we hit pay-dirt with a second round pick?

 

[MirORich]

TT has proven he can play in the tall timber of a championship run and gain you an extra 4-6 possessions per night.

He has also improved his english and angles at finishing around the rim. People ignore that because he has no range outside 6-8 feet but he made shots this year and in the playoffs that he simply could not make in his first three years.

As a guy who is just 24 and is one of the hardest workers on the team, he should continue to refine the skillset that makes him extremely valuable.

Amazing that all it takes is a few weeks off to make some people completely forget what he brings at the highest levels of competition.

 

[Snarly]

Maybe in 4 years he will be as good as T.T but he will also be 28-29... Unless he turns out to be one of those WTF where did he come from bigs he is a future solid back up and I think that is what the team had in mind. We are trying to build a dynasty Osman and Christmas will be pieces one way or another for us to get there.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I want to hate Christmas just because of the idiots who are already saying he's better than TT.

So stupid.

These are the same people who wouldn't have traded Hickson for Amare. Some people just live for "potential."

One guy made one late night post, trying to get excited for summer NBA basketball, which is borderline unwatchable. Cool the jets.

 

[Snarly]

One guy made one late night post, trying to get excited for summer NBA basketball, which is borderline unwatchable. Cool the jets.

Well being back in the finals drove some insane... We are so hung over from last year it seems people want to binge on the Cavs like crack.

 

[TitleTown]

One guy made one late night post, trying to get excited for summer NBA basketball, which is borderline unwatchable. Cool the jets.

There were two posts on the same page. #84 and #89.

 

[Apollo 13]

I know Delly was an UDFA, but when was the last time we hit pay-dirt with a second round pick?

Carlos Boozer

 

[Huber.]

He reminds of a young Bob McAdoo and Elvin Hayes. Makes TT expendable.

 

[Green Lantern]

One guy made one late night post, trying to get excited for summer NBA basketball, which is borderline unwatchable. Cool the jets.

The only thing that goes through my mind is that I don't discount second round picks immediately as some do, nor do I get my hopes up or start comparing these rookies to established players..
The Cavs should want to see what this kid has..if he has a pro game in him, why not use him as that 4th big off the bench who can be developed?
He's young/cheap and he already belongs to the Cavs..

 

[Scar4343]

The only thing that goes through my mind is that I don't discount second round picks immediately as some do.
The Cavs should want to see what this kid has..if he has a pro game in him, why not use him as that 4th big off the bench who can be developed?
He's young/cheap and he already belongs to the Cavs..

I remember a lot of people discounting Carlos Boozer("he's an undersized center that can't play PF") and Anderson Varejao. They both were taken right in the same range as Christmas and both were immediate contributors.

I'm not saying Christmas is either of those guys, but I think too many are too quick to rule out 2nd round picks. I think Boozer might be the best comparison for Christmas. Both were highly recruited guys that took big steps in their last year(Christmas' was more drastic than Boozer's). Both played center in college but are undersized at that position in the NBA. Boozer was thicker but Christmas is a little taller with a bigger wingspan. Boozer immediately showed range and athleticism he hadn't shown at Duke(he lost weight before draft).

Christmas could be Boozer, he could be out of the league in two years. Either way, I'm excited to see him play.

 

[sjhughes]

I get why people are excited about the pick as someone who has watched Christmas play his entire career at Syracuse. He improved every year and he clearly has some defined post moves. If you watched TT coming out of school and Christmas you would think Christmas was the better player. With that said at this point in time TT has accomplished a lot on the NBA stage where Christmas has yet to play a minute.

What I will say is offensively, Christmas has a better game that TT. He can catch, he is quick with his post moves and he knows how to position himself and finish at the rim. All of which TT has issues with. However, I don't think he was brought here to be a replacement, rather a complimentary piece. Lets just wait and hope for the best, maybe we got a nice second round steal but I am not getting my hopes up.

 

[Danny Arison]

Just to make it clear,
I didn't say he was a better player, I said he was more talented.
There is a difference between talent and performer, I don't know how TT plays at the gym, maybe he is shooting lights out Korver style or dunking from the free throw line, I have no idea.
The thing is, I have yet to see TT do any kind of post move or shoot the mid range.

I'm not saying Christmas is the better player obviously since he has yet to play a second in the NBA but unless he is a mental midget and can not produce in real time ( like alot of guys) then yes, he is more talented than TT on offense.

And no, I'm not drunk or was I yesterday.

 

[Huber.]

Just to make it clear,
I didn't say he was a better player, I said he was more talented.
There is a difference between talent and performer, I don't know how TT plays at the gym, maybe he is shooting lights out Korver style or dunking from the free throw line, I have no idea.
The thing is, I have yet to see TT do any kind of post move or shoot the mid range.

I'm not saying Christmas is the better player obviously since he has yet to play a second in the NBA but unless he is a mental midget and can not produce in real time ( like alot of guys) then yes, he is more talented than TT on offense.

And no, I'm not drunk or was I yesterday.

This negates everything you just said.