X factor: Zeller

[TheMaulClaw]

Second year man Cody Zeller has to meet big expectations this year for this team to fulfill it's potential.  It is still unclear to me whether he goes into the season as the starter or the primary rotation player for the 4 and 5 spots.  Personally, I think that Cody has a nice game rooted in fundamentals and possesses nice athleticism and he deserves an opportunity to start considering the marked improvement he made over the second half of last season..  

 

It can only help that he's been selected to the US select team and will get a chance to learn under Coach K prior to the season.  If he's made progress working on his back to the basket game and his mid range jumper it will be exciting to have him on the floor.

 

While he may never be the "connect the dots" guy that McBob was, he can do things that McBob could never do especially athletically.   

 

Case in point... If he develops we have an opportunity to do great things.  If he hits the wall this season we'll probably be a disappointment compared to our expectations.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

He should see a lot of minutes

[Zaximus]

I'm not really thinking of this season as a make or break season.  We knew he needed to put on some muscle when we drafted him.  However if he's completely terrible that is another thing, or if his attitude is still like it was about the summer league, that is also an issue.   I never felt like he'd be an all-star anyway but a double/double guy at best.  If we can get that or even a great guy off the bench I'm happy.

[TheMaulClaw]

I'm not really thinking of this season as a make or break season.  We knew he needed to put on some muscle when we drafted him.  However if he's completely terrible that is another thing, or if his attitude is still like it was about the summer league, that is also an issue.   I never felt like he'd be an all-star anyway but a double/double guy at best.  If we can get that or even a great guy off the bench I'm happy.

 

I think from a strength perspective he's really not far off.  He's leaps and bounds ahead of Vonleh in terms of being physically ready.  He just needs to be more decisive and the decisions need to be more correct.  It's nice to have Marvin Williams, but when teams go big....Zeller is the 4.

[carolina-chuck]

He's not gonna beat Marvin for the 4 spot. Clifford already said that Marvin is a PF.

Zeller will get his ass push around by Marvin in practices.

I hope that he can succeed and help us win a lot of games, but it doesn't look like it is now. Think the no4 spot is way too much for him to take it in.

[TheMaulClaw]

He's not gonna beat Marvin for the 4 spot. Clifford already said that Marvin is a PF.

Zeller will get his ass push around by Marvin in practices.

I hope that he can succeed and help us win a lot of games, but it doesn't look like it is now. Think the no4 spot is way too much for him to take it in.

Lol....Clifford never said that Williams was the starter.  He said that he's most effective at the 4.  Williams would eat Zeller alive on the perimeter.  Zeller would own him in the paint.  Two different skill sets.

[carolina-chuck]

Lol....Clifford never said that Williams was the starter. He said that he's most effective at the 4. Williams would eat Zeller alive on the perimeter. Zeller would own him in the paint. Two different skill sets.

Clifford also prefers vets.

Bet GayCB's balls on it that Marvin will be the starting PF day 1.

Also, Zeller is a terrible defender right now.

[ItsPantone278]

Clifford has said he expects him to take a step forward, but by the looks of the deal we gave Marvin we also expect a lot from him.  People hate on Marvin, but he is a true pro.  Zeller will get more burn, and they've talked about exploiting his ability to run the court more, but I doubt we see him "break out" this year.  

 

My X-Factor would be Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.  This is the guy I expect to see more minutes and more usage.  Gonna be interesting to see how he meshes with Stephenson.  They can't both go crashing to the glass every possession.  Maybe you see Mike drop back on defense more.

[Zaximus]

Yeah for 7 mill Marvin will probably start.  I thought if we signed Boozer he could maybe start at 3, but at this point, I'd be surprised if Marvin isn't starting PF for us.

 

He's pretty good on NBA2k14 for me so don't worry.... lol

[carolina-chuck]

Clifford has said he expects him to take a step forward, but by the looks of the deal we gave Marvin we also expect a lot from him. People hate on Marvin, but he is a true pro. Zeller will get more burn, and they've talked about exploiting his ability to run the court more, but I doubt we see him "break out" this year.

My X-Factor would be Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. This is the guy I expect to see more minutes and more usage. Gonna be interesting to see how he meshes with Stephenson. They can't both go crashing to the glass every possession. Maybe you see Mike drop back on defense more.

Exactly.

You don't give a guy $7mil a year to sit on the bench. Especially with Zeller showing very little improvements in the fuggn summer league.

I expect much more out of MKG. Think this is his year.

[TheMaulClaw]

Exactly.

You don't give a guy $7mil a year to sit on the bench. Especially with Zeller showing very little improvements in the fuggn summer league.

I expect much more out of MKG. Think this is his year.

I don't really expect much more out of MKG personally.  I'd be happy with a marginal improvement in his shooting ability.  At this point, he's sort of a known commodity in reference to what he provides on the court.  Which isn't a bad thing....it just is what it is.

 

I don't think we can judge Zeller on his two summer league games.  He flew in late because of a wedding, and why risk getting injured especially since he's going to be on the active roster anyway.  

 

I'm not saying that Marvin Williams isn't going to be the starter, but it won't be because of the politics of the paycheck.  Tyrus Thomas sat on the bench with his big contract and so did Ben Gordon.  Williams is getting paid 7 mil because he can play a 3 or a 4.  He kills two birds with one stone.  He wouldn't be getting paid that if he's was solely a 3, or solely a 4.  Not to mention if and when Zeller hits the market he'll at least be offered what Williams makes.  

 

Either way regardless of who's starting  Zeller is a guy that could see 30+ minutes coming off the bench because he'd be the primary back up of the 4 and 5 spots and so much of Williams being a starter has to do with how we match up against an opponent on a given night.  There are a lot of stretch 4's in the league. 

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I agree, Marvin Williams probably starts with Zeller playing a big roll. If Zeller comes along quickly, he could move Williams out at some point this season, though.

[mj4life]

I wouldn't consider Zeller the x factor but his improvement (along with MKG) could be the difference between having home court in any potential playoff series. All Cody needs to do is be a little more assertive on offense & avoid foul trouble to help this year. Ling term if he continues to develop his shooting range & add a go to post move,along with a couple of counters & he will be getting paid to play for another 10-15 years

[carolina-chuck]

I don't really expect much more out of MKG personally. I'd be happy with a marginal improvement in his shooting ability. At this point, he's sort of a known commodity in reference to what he provides on the court. Which isn't a bad thing....it just is what it is.

I don't think we can judge Zeller on his two summer league games. He flew in late because of a wedding, and why risk getting injured especially since he's going to be on the active roster anyway.

I'm not saying that Marvin Williams isn't going to be the starter, but it won't be because of the politics of the paycheck. Tyrus Thomas sat on the bench with his big contract and so did Ben Gordon. Williams is getting paid 7 mil because he can play a 3 or a 4. He kills two birds with one stone. He wouldn't be getting paid that if he's was solely a 3, or solely a 4. Not to mention if and when Zeller hits the market he'll at least be offered what Williams makes.

Either way regardless of who's starting Zeller is a guy that could see 30+ minutes coming off the bench because he'd be the primary back up of the 4 and 5 spots and so much of Williams being a starter has to do with how we match up against an opponent on a given night. There are a lot of stretch 4's in the league.

I'm not betting my money on MKG's jump shot yet. I'm going to give him another year or two. And, that's really not what you want from a no2 pick, but you gotta live with it.

I'm hoping that he can put a consistent year close to what he did in the Game2 vs. Miami.