I don't know how you could put Nesmith into the rotation, ahead of Langford, based on what we saw last night. Langford played decent (at an NBA level) in real games and in playoff games. Nesmith played barely above poor in a preseason game. I am certainly not giving up on Nesmith but he has not earned anything close to a spot in the rotation at this point. And have we forgotten that Langford looked decent when he did play?
The Pritchard to Mark Price comparison is also jumping the gun. I remember Mark Price. He was an excellent PG, more in the class of John Stockton or Steve Nash. Price took the basic Pick and Roll to a new dimension with his shooting and ability (quickness) to "split" the double. Pritchard did what he is supposed to do in his first preseason game. That is terrific for a 26th pick. Plenty to be excited about with Prichard, as a back up PG (at least for now). I don't want to put a ceiling on him after one preseason game but he still has a lot to prove. For now, I am happy to say he looks like a great pick and should help the team off the bench.
COmparing Pritchard to Mark Price and stating that Nesmith was barely above poor last night is nuts to me.
I am not sure I understand. I said that to compare Pritchard to Price after one preseason game was jumping the gun so I guess we agree on that part.
As to Nesmith and specifically Nesmith vs. Langford, I saw in Langford last season, by the end of the season, a player with NBA talent. He got hurt and in the end, may not have the durability to stay in the NBA but I saw NBA talent. Nesmith did not show that yet. Langford didn't show it in his first preseason game either (actually, I think Langford was hurt and did play preseason but you know what I am trying to say). I am not giving up on Nesmith or trying to define a ceiling for him based on this one game. But I am far short of ordaining him the Langford successor for a spot in the regular rotation.
I like Nesmith and like the pick. I am certain he will improve in leaps and bounds through the season and beyond. He may end up better than Langford or at a minimum, at least more durable I hope. But as of today, Langford has actually performed on the court, Nesmith is still just promise, a rookie trying to figure it out, just like Langford was 1 year ago.
I think Langford has a lot of potential, he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He can’t work on his shot with a cast on his wrist. If he can develop an average shot, he’s going to be a good player. I see a lot more nba skills and potential in him than Nesmith at this point. He also needs to hit the weights. He already plays strong despite a scrawny physique. He even weighed 215 without much muscle. But he can’t hit the weights with his injuries. If he can stay healthy for a prolonged period of time, he could be a beast scoring at the rim, getting to the free throw line, and defending.
That is a lot of Ifs.
Yeah, the big IF with Langford is durability, and it is a big IF. Langford will get stronger, all 20 year olds do as they naturally mature but some people's bodies just can't hold up to the NBA. Time will tell with Langford.
The IF with Nesmith is will his talent develop. Langford has already shown NBA talent, barely, but in spite of injuries, he has shown it. Nesmith has not yet, but who would expect him to in one preseason game. So for now, that is his "IF".
I actually think both will overcome their "IFs". I think Langford will eventually get and stay on the court and will have an NBA career. I also think Nesmith will improve steadily like most rookies do. These guys are not mutually exclusive of each other or anything like that. I like them both, "ifs" and all. It is just that one has played in actual games, including playoff games and the other has played in one preseason game.