How did Alonzo Mourning average 21 and 10 with 3.5 blks as a rookie?

[Malta]

We've had this convo before.

I truly don't believe the college game would help big men. The issues happen well before college. 4 years of college would not have helped a Javale. Wouldn't help Dwight either. Wouldn't help Curry eating himself out the NBA or Tyson Chandler.

I also don't believe Tim Duncan would have been swayed one way or the other.

In now the current college game would hurt them.

I think College would have definitely helped Tyson Chandler, he hasn't developed one bit since he hit the league. All that changed with him is that he's gotten stronger and understands the game better now. Dudes like that come into the league and are too skinny to work in the post, so they just eventually turn into the shot blocker/weakside defender that rebounds.

There is a decent amount of player development that takes place in college for big men IMO, they learn what works and what doesn't, they used to learn how to play big and operate in the post. I just don't think it's a coincidence that Duncan is the last great post player drafted, and before the influx of HS players and freshmen being drafted bigs usually hit the league at around 22 years old.

 

[mastermind]

I think College would have definitely helped Tyson Chandler, he hasn't developed one bit since he hit the league. All that changed with him is that he's gotten stronger and understands the game better now. Dudes like that come into the league and are too skinny to work in the post, so they just eventually turn into the shot blocker/weakside defender that rebounds.

There is a decent amount of player development that takes place in college for big men IMO, they learn what works and what doesn't, they used to learn how to play big and operate in the post. I just don't think it's a coincidence that Duncan is the last great post player drafted, and before the influx of HS players and freshmen being drafted bigs usually hit the league at around 22 years old.

Chandler was a KG-lite when he came into the NBA. Thats what he was praised for when he was drafted, iirc.

Also citing Georgetown centers irks me too since none of them had that great of a back to the basket game.

The college game is all about refinement, but the problems big men have the last 20 years is not about refinement but how they have learned the game from childhood. The problems wont be solved with 4 years of college, but instead how these guys learn the game when younger. Its why you and others are excited by Jahlil Okafor. He clearly has the mentality to play down there.

 

[Jplaya2023]

Javale McGee

get theeeee fukk outta here

being a better dunker != more athletic.

 

[Malta]

Chandler was a KG-lite when he came into the NBA. Thats what he was praised for when he was drafted, iirc.

Also citing Georgetown centers irks me too since none of them had that great of a back to the basket game.

The college game is all about refinement, but the problems big men have the last 20 years is not about refinement but how they have learned the game from childhood. The problems wont be solved with 4 years of college, but instead how these guys learn the game when younger. Its why you and others are excited by Jahlil Okafor. He clearly has the mentality to play down there.

Chandler wanted to play SF/PF, had he gone to a college that never would have been an option and he would have actually got time on the floor playing in the post. And compared to guys today, Georgetown centers look like Kevin McHale in the post, they didn't have great back to the basket games but certainly better than a lot of the garbage today.



Sure it's part mindset, but look at Andre Drummond for example, look at his HS highlights and you'll see a guy that was playing on the perimeter and taking guys off the dribble from the 3 point line. In College they deaded that QUICK, he took something like 5 jumpers all year and none of them from more than 14 feet. Even if he doesn't develop he'll be a problem, but with 3-4 years of working in the post just imagine what he would have been hitting the league at 21-22. A lot of these prospects would have been forced to play in the post, and some of they may have excelled at it.

 

[mastermind]

Chandler wanted to play SF/PF, had he gone to a college that never would have been an option and he would have actually got time on the floor playing in the post.

man they would have let Chandler do whatever he wanted in college.

What coach would have told him to get his butt in the post back in 2001? Breh, it would not have happened.

Sure it's part mindset, but look at Andre Drummond for example, look at his HS highlights and you'll see a guy that was playing on the perimeter and taking guys off the dribble from the 3 point line. In College they deaded that QUICK, he took something like 5 jumpers all year and none of them from more than 14 feet. Even if he doesn't develop he'll be a problem, but with 3-4 years of working in the post just imagine what he would have been hitting the league at 21-22. A lot of these prospects would have been forced to play in the post, and some of they may have excelled at it.

was it really deaded or was he just not that good at it as he thought?

And last year at UConn was a disaster for Drummond. I just dont have as much faith in the college game as many of you all do.

 

[Dillah810]

And what's really amazing is that Zo did this in the golden era of centers. Putting up those numbers in his rookie season going up against Shaq, Hakeem, Ewing, David Robinson, Seikley, Mutumbo.

 

[Box Cutta]

It happened...back in 92', ZO was actually my favorite player...

The Hornets were a BEAST back then. It's a wonder they never made it to the finals.

They had LJ, ZO, Kendall Gill, Mugsy, Dell Curry etc etc...

Morning use to school Ewing, Mutumbo and Shaq back then...Shaq was a huge name tho and more dominant, so Alonzo wasn't nearly as popular.

But Alonzo was probably the 3rd best center behind Olajuwan and Shaq in a major crop of centers back then.

Anyone who denies that simply didn't live through it.

As a young dude at the time, that squad was the fukking shyt.

 

[G.O.A.T Squad Spokesman]

As a young dude at the time, that squad was the fukking shyt.

My go to squad on NBA JAM.

 

[Rekkapryde]

dude was STRONG and LONG as fukk

 

[Optimus Prime]

Alonzo and LJ both averaged 20 & 10 in that 92-93 season I think thats the last time 2 teammates did that. too bad they hated each others guts...

 

[Ohene]

4 years of college to work on his game, learn to play big and to figure out what works and what doesn't. There's honestly very little player development that takes place in the NBA, especially as far as big men are concerned. On the flipside in College from March till the next season is basically nothing but time to work on your game with coaches.

real shyt. this one and done game got it all fukked up

 

[Box Cutta]

My go to squad on NBA JAM.

Especially because Jordan never did games....

 

[Liquid]

It happened...back in 92', ZO was actually my favorite player...

The Hornets were a BEAST back then. It's a wonder they never made it to the finals.

They had LJ, ZO, Kendall Gill, Mugsy, Dell Curry etc etc...

Morning use to school Ewing, Mutumbo and Shaq back then...Shaq was a huge name tho and more dominant, so Alonzo wasn't nearly as popular.

But Alonzo was probably the 3rd best center behind Olajuwan and Shaq in a major crop of centers back then.

Anyone who denies that simply didn't live through it.

Robinson and Ewing were always better than Zo.

 

[G.O.A.T Squad Spokesman]

Damn shame how Zo don't get enough credit.

 

[surv2syn]

Damn shame how Zo don't get enough credit.

you woke up this 7 year old thread, that shyt was bothering you wasnt it breh?

hey, thats the way it is. thats why I never like to compare players from different eras. someone is always going to get overrated and underrated.

I remember when J.R. Reid (Virginia Beach) was the #1 player coming out of high school and when he was interviewed, he said you think I am good, there is this kid in my area by the name of Alonzo Mourning (Chesapeake). thats the first time I heard that name. Zo was a 16 year old soph at the time and I remember having to wait so long to have to get to see him play.

When I first saw him play, I admit, I was put off by the way he looked/played because back then, bigs were just SUPER coordinated and skilled, like Reid before him, and the guys in his class even like Mustaf, Stanley Roberts, Laphonso Ellis, and you just were really wowed by Shawn Kemp.

Zo was just a workhorse kinda guy. Looked uncoordinated. Was just one of those players who are just good for a number of different reasons that you cant easily put your finger on. He was well rounded. He was big, strong, athletic, nice touch, but none of those things were his calling card. The biggest thing that stood out about him was his shotblocking. He was one of the very best at that. It was always believed he would be somewhat of a project offensively as he moved up levels.

Dude was a tremendous worker, he spent a lot of time on his game and there was never a time where he wasnt good that I can recall. Even after the kidney disease, which wouldve ended most careers, he came back and was still a solid contributor. He is a HOFer for a damn good reason and wouldve been an ATG if not for the health issues.