Patience with Yabu

[chilidawg]

I saw an athlete who puts in the work but doesn't actually know how to play basketball yet.

He also looks like he might have trouble jumping.

That is an understatement. To me it negates everything about his game.

Jumping ability isn't required to a great rebounder.  To me he looks like someone who has the potential to be pretty good in that department. I'd say give him time to get used to the NBA game. I'm liking what I see so far but he's very raw.

 He's coming back from an injury. Dude can jump no question. It's pretty impressive actually.

 Just check the first dunk at 20 seconds

https://youtu.be/v1mAITjzZJo

 Here at 40 seconds, a really quick drive for dunk

 https://youtu.be/TIDUgWu9ceQ

But look at the other 8 times he finishes at the rim in the second video, very little elevation.  Definitely something he'll need to work on.   Looking forward to seeing how he develops as he's a unique player.

[chambers]

Guess my eyes are deceiving me.  I saw a guy who seemed stronger and bigger than his peers who was keeping pace and in some moments quicker than them.  He positioned well sometimes, hustled to the ball off the boards, and demonstrated an unusual handle for a behemoth.  If he keeps his focus on improving defense and rebounding (let the offense evolve) I think he will contribute in real (not just garbage) situations.

I agree 100%.

Dude has a sweet jumpshot too- it will fall soon.

I'm super excited for this kid.

[moiso]

I saw an athlete who puts in the work but doesn't actually know how to play basketball yet.

He also looks like he might have trouble jumping.

That is an understatement. To me it negates everything about his game.

Jumping ability isn't required to a great rebounder.  To me he looks like someone who has the potential to be pretty good in that department. I'd say give him time to get used to the NBA game. I'm liking what I see so far but he's very raw.

 He's coming back from an injury. Dude can jump no question. It's pretty impressive actually.

 Just check the first dunk at 20 seconds

https://youtu.be/v1mAITjzZJo

 Here at 40 seconds, a really quick drive for dunk

 https://youtu.be/TIDUgWu9ceQ

Not sure what you are looking at to think he got up high on the dunk at 20 seconds.  A 6'8" guy with long arms and a full head of steam dunked the ball.  The Doug McDermott's of the world can finish the play the same way.  It was a nice play and a nice attack but I'm not seeing what you are seeing.

[Celtics4ever]

Just check the first dunk at 20 seconds

https://youtu.be/v1mAITjzZJo

Don't confuse power with elevation, there is a difference.   That dunk was powerful and rim rattling not a high flyer.

Here at 40 seconds, a really quick drive for dunk

 https://youtu.be/TIDUgWu9ceQ

I agree with you on the second one.

Both of those dunks though he had no one in the lane to stop him.   So he had time to build momentum up for his dunk by driving.   I still think he is the type of guy who needs to gather himself for a leap either by getting low  to spring up or coming off a run on these dunks.

[Big333223]

I'm totally willing to be patient with the kid.

Yes he looks lost out on the floor a lot, yes he needs to shoot better, yes he needs to calm down and learn how to play within himself. But he's got a terrific motor, he's incredibly strong and moves really well for his size, and he has kept a handful of plays alive in these two games with his hustle. With a little time, he'll be fine.

In a lot of ways he's the exact opposite of Theiss, who doesn't blow me away with athleticism or flash but knows what his game is an just seems to always know where he's supposed to be on the floor. I hope they're spending some time together.

[CoachBo]

Dunks are meaningless.

He does not belong on an NBA roster.

Yet.

[footey]

Good article on Dancing Bear in Boston.com:

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/10/08/whos-that-new-guy-meet-guerschon-yabusele-the-celtics-new-french-bowling-ball-forward

[liam]

The BEAR had a very good game against The 6ers tonight. He is so fast for a guy his size and was throwing his body all over the court. He had blocks and steals played some really good help defense. I was really impressed by Yabu for the 1st time in the preseason. Amazing that he's coming off of surgery and still looks this good. At no time during the game did he look the least bit tired. I've seen where a couple of folks think he's in bad shape or out of shape but he looks tremendous to me. If Baby or Sully had been in this kind of shape their careers would've both lasted longer. Yabu is going to be something special.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Dunks are meaningless.

He does not belong on an NBA roster.

Yet.

[ummidkme]

I have a question for the group. During Monday's Philly game, Yabu dove on the floor to secure a loose ball, almost like a bigger Marcus Smart. Does anyone else remember this play? Or have the video? I can't seem to find it. The one video I found of Yabu was from Tomasz Kordylewski (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5LYFvJqcHI&t=29s) but it wasn't on there.