I guess the ref didn't know in the moment that it was intentional, since he didn't see KPJ coming? Weird situation. I'm happy with the 1-game suspension though. 0 tolerance for intentional contact with refs is a good policy; there's no gray area there like there is when players yell at refs.
-
Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.
2019 Draft, Pick #30 - Kevin Porter Jr., USC
- Thread starter Stark
- Start date
I guess the ref didn't know in the moment that it was intentional, since he didn't see KPJ coming? Weird situation. I'm happy with the 1-game suspension though. 0 tolerance for intentional contact with refs is a good policy; there's no gray area there like there is when players yell at refs.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Messages
- 33,932
- Reaction score
- 63,771
- Points
- 148
This incident and some of his body language when benched make me hope that the Cavs keep any edibles far away from this kid.
Sir'Dom Pointer
Hall-of-Famer
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2016
- Messages
- 21,623
- Reaction score
- 31,645
- Points
- 148
He is so talented though. He dances wit hthe ball. He moves even better than Harden. His flashes are amazing.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Messages
- 33,932
- Reaction score
- 63,771
- Points
- 148
Well, that's why we gotta keep those things away from him. That Dion vibe scares me a bit.
Cavatt
Hall-of-Famer
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2008
- Messages
- 29,223
- Reaction score
- 38,370
- Points
- 148
One positive thing is that I think he is a lot more intelligent than Dion. Dion is just quite dumb. Kevin is well-spoken and you can tell he is struggling not just breaking plays off and going for his own. So far, he has balanced just trying to score it with making the right play. He has also made some nice passes. He had a great pass to Love in the Wizards game that Love just didn't expect and Love was mad at himself for missing the easy opportunity.
Marijuana is ever present in the NBA or so I hear. I don't think they are testing for it like they did either. The good news is that Collin is a good influence on these guys and as they see his success, I am sure it will rub off. Porter is a hard worker apparently, and Gottleib seems to have him on a short leash.
I think Porter's biggest issue is that he wants to fly before he learns to walk. They are keeping him contained in a specific role where he can only freelance very rarely. I think that is good, but he wants to cut loose in garbage time, and you can see he gets frustrated not having the ball in his hands. He needs to keep cutting towards the basket and he needs to let the 3 go when he is wide open.
His attitude reminds me more of a young Kelly Oubre then Dion Waiters. Oubre was always the guy then had a rough freshmen year at Kansas. Oubre was still picked in the middle of the first round though. But once he got to Washington he had trouble adjusting to the bench and flashed much like KPJ has for us. But Wizards dumbly gave up on him too soon. We just need to stick with this kid and let him grow. I don't see Dion in him at all. Dion thought he was Kobe and didn't jive with teammates. From what I've seen KPJ gets along with the team particularly the fellow young guys Garland, Sexton, Windler. Koby did a ton of work on KPJ from what I've read I feel good about him long term. Some time kids will act like kids. As long as hes not out on the town getting drunk, doing drugs and screwing hookers we got nothing to worry about. Immaturity is part of the game when you draft a 19 year old kid. Its a waiting game. Once we get through his first couple years if hes still doing dumb shit then it will be worrisome.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Messages
- 33,932
- Reaction score
- 63,771
- Points
- 148
I don't think the "he's just a kid" excuse is ever very persuasive. There are an awful lot of other rookie "kids" who weren't suspended from their college team for reasons not disclosed, and didn't have crappy body language when put on the bench or get suspended for bumping a ref before their 10th game in the NBA. Why do these things keep happening to him in particular -- especially if he's intelligent enough to know what is expected of him?
I'm not saying he's hopeless. But I do think there is good reason to be concerned.
Lots of young players have bad body language when put on the bench. Can't speak about the suspension. But everyone matures at different paces. If the worst thing he's doing is showing bad body language for getting benched its something lots of young kids exhibit. I'm not gonna defend the bumping the ref but Beilein said he was very apologetic for doing it. Didn't deny it once he saw the video he owned up and apologized repeatedly.
I think your overreacting I'm not saying don't worry about but the kids still a kid applies here. He was one of the 5 youngest players in the draft and had a rough childhood. Its an adjustment to go from Seattle to LA now to Cleveland. Growing pains will happen. Might not be as obvious with other young players but he doesn't speak out and per all reports is putting in the work.
Cavatt
Hall-of-Famer
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2008
- Messages
- 29,223
- Reaction score
- 38,370
- Points
- 148
I thought Porter Jr had a great game last night with very good body language. I think his poor body language is because he wants to score more. I don't mind that. He is a guy who was a high school star and didn't adjust properly in College and is now has to. He has handled it well for the most part considering I know he wants the ball in his hands every possession. You don't compete like that on D if you aren't bought in.
He did a really good job shadowing Butler last night. Does anyone think that being left handed is helping him guard righties? Seems like he is really good at late contests, and I just notice guys have a hard time shooting 3's on him. It's like looking in a mirror against a leftie and it is the natural motion to put your left hand up to contest a shot on a right handed shooter.
Anyway, great hands last night. Him picking Butler's pocket was my 2nd favorite part after Garland having that 3 pt burst. I am pretty high on this kid. He looks pretty good. I want him to try to take the starting 2 spot or 3 spot for that matter away from Sexton and Cedi with his defense and hustle over the next 2 years. Also he and Cedi should be used more with bench lineups for defensive purposes.
He did a really good job shadowing Butler last night. Does anyone think that being left handed is helping him guard righties? Seems like he is really good at late contests, and I just notice guys have a hard time shooting 3's on him. It's like looking in a mirror against a leftie and it is the natural motion to put your left hand up to contest a shot on a right handed shooter.
Anyway, great hands last night. Him picking Butler's pocket was my 2nd favorite part after Garland having that 3 pt burst. I am pretty high on this kid. He looks pretty good. I want him to try to take the starting 2 spot or 3 spot for that matter away from Sexton and Cedi with his defense and hustle over the next 2 years. Also he and Cedi should be used more with bench lineups for defensive purposes.
Sir'Dom Pointer
Hall-of-Famer
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2016
- Messages
- 21,623
- Reaction score
- 31,645
- Points
- 148
I love his game. His ball handling is nasty, and I like that he has a great sense of pace and space and looks to be developing nicely each and every game. So much talent. He is probably my favorite player to watch right now until Garland starts believing in himself.
Last edited:
DirtyDan
NBA Starter
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2017
- Messages
- 2,742
- Reaction score
- 3,250
- Points
- 113
He has so many tools on offense, but seems like he has to learn where and when to use him.
Both Garland and Porter are just not where they need to be physically, although they are getting by on the skills they do have. The next 2 years are going to be really exciting
Both Garland and Porter are just not where they need to be physically, although they are getting by on the skills they do have. The next 2 years are going to be really exciting
