Most Likely to Be Tebowishly Polarizing?

[PosImpos]

Rubio or The Jimmer?



My vote is for Rubio.  You see how polarizing Rondo is on this blog?  Well, from all accounts Rubio has similar strengths and weaknesses, only taken to the extreme (it's also entirely uncertain if he's a really awful defender or a surprisingly solid one with an propensity for steals).

[Who]

Jimmer Fredette = next Mike Bibby ??

[Who]

I think both players are going to have good seasons and be much admired for their play.

Not sure who I'd pick to be a polarizing figure. Kanter, Vesely and D.Williams would be my top three amongst lottery picks. Non-lottery, I'd say Faried and maybe Marshon Brooks.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Why the "Tebow" reference?  He's "polarizing" because of his beliefs?  And equating this to being like Rondo, which is moody and sullen... I don't get the point of this thread.

Not trying to be difficult, I just don't like when the term "Tebowishly Polarizing" is being used to now define a player who is, according to the OP's direct quote, is "a really awful defender or a surprisingly solid one with an propensity for steals)."

Tell me what being Tim Tebow has to do with this?  Thanks!

[PosImpos]

Why the "Tebow" reference?  He's "polarizing" because of his beliefs?  And equating this to being like Rondo, which is moody and sullen... I don't get the point of this thread.

why stuff so many words into my mouth?  read more carefully, please.

this has nothing whatsoever to do with Tebow's personality or his religious beliefs.  I don't buy that Tebow is polarizing because of those things.

Tebow is polarizing because he has a very unique and unorthodox skill-set which has nonetheless translated to wins.  He can't pass like a starting quarterback, his teams don't score a lot of points, but he runs like a running back and his teams manage to scrape out wins.  He comes up clutch at the end of games.

Hence, you have big arguments over whether he's really a good starting QB, or if it's just a lucky, unsustainable streak, or whatever.  People are legitimately divided over whether Tebow is an awful quarterback or one deserving of a Pro-Bowl selection.  That's polarizing.


Rondo is similar not because of his attitude but because he's a non-scorer who is a gaudy passer and noted defender / ball-hawk.  People will argue all day long over whether he's a guy you want to rebuild your team around or not.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Appreciate the clarification...  I didn't realize, though, that a guy who has a unique skill set is now "polarizing".

[PosImpos]

Appreciate the clarification...  I didn't realize, though, that a guy who has a unique skill set is now "polarizing".

it's not that having a unique skillset necessarily makes you polarizing, but that players like Tebow / Rondo have been polarizing, primarily as a result of their unique skillsets.  they defy our expectations of what a good starting player at their position should be / do, and yet they succeed.  

there have been arguments made that they are just a product of the team that's around them, and other arguments, equally well made, that they are truly special.



also, i think i'd be a little bit remiss in the context of the NBA if i didn't note that both Rubio and Jimmer are white, and white players in the NBA that succeed, especially despite a lack of athleticism or defensive ability, tend to be polarizing (kevin love, steve nash are recent examples).

[wdleehi]

I voted Jimmer.


Large college following. 


Very good college player.


Skills not likely to transfer to the NBA to star level.


But fans will still argue player is still a star.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Tebow seems like a nice person whom the MEDIA doesn't like, even wanting him to fail.  He seems to have certain "intangibles" that go beyond statistics, though has put up MUCH better stats than the esteemed John Elway (which I believe is a source of contention in Denver, and nationally).  People don't want to give him credit, yet I watched the #1 pick in that same draft (Sam Bradford) get hardly a sniff of the criticism Tebow faces.

Rondo is just a jerk, but a solid basketball player.  In reading between the lines of the comments made about him recently, it seems that he has that "little brother syndrome" where you want to kick him in the rear, yet give him a hug at the same time.

In that regard, I'd say that Jimmer has that potential.  He might be a great player over time, but has the capacity to become the next Adam Morrison.

[PosImpos]

Tebow seems like a nice person whom the MEDIA doesn't like, even wanting him to fail.  He seems to have certain "intangibles" that go beyond statistics, though has put up MUCH better stats than the esteemed John Elway (which I believe is a source of contention in Denver, and nationally).  People don't want to give him credit, yet I watched the #1 pick in that same draft (Sam Bradford) get hardly a sniff of the criticism Tebow faces.

Rondo is just a jerk, but a solid basketball player.  In reading between the lines of the comments made about him recently, it seems that he has that "little brother syndrome" where you want to kick him in the rear, yet give him a hug at the same time.

In that regard, I'd say that Jimmer has that potential.  He might be a great player over time, but has the capacity to become the next Adam Morrison.

see, I just can't get on board with the idea that there's some media vendetta against Tebow.  the religious stuff is fine . . . lots of athletes do similar things. 

if Tebow played like a traditional quarterback (pocket passer) and were winning all these games, there wouldn't be all this discussion about him.  it's not the fact that he's winning so much as the way that he's doing it that makes people pay attention and argue back and forth to no end about him.

[Eja117]

I picked Rubio simply because I feel like Jimmer already happened and it was no big deal (JJ Reddick)

[Eja117]

Tebow, when he decides to play in the NBA, plays horrid, but hits 70 buzzer beater winners in a row and gives the credit to God

[PosImpos]

Tebow, when he decides to play in the NBA, plays horrid, but hits 70 buzzer beater winners in a row and gives the credit to God

haha.  he shoots 20% on 3s and 37% from the field but has the highest shooting percentage in the league in the last minute, and always seems to hit go-ahead 3s when the game is on the line.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

...winning is all that matters.  No one really remembers how you got there, just that you won.  I'll take a 4TH QUARTER kinda guy everyday of the week, and in Tebow's case, twice on Sunday.

[guava_wrench]

Appreciate the clarification...  I didn't realize, though, that a guy who has a unique skill set is now "polarizing".

it's not that having a unique skillset necessarily makes you polarizing, but that players like Tebow / Rondo have been polarizing, primarily as a result of their unique skillsets.  they defy our expectations of what a good starting player at their position should be / do, and yet they succeed.  

there have been arguments made that they are just a product of the team that's around them, and other arguments, equally well made, that they are truly special.



also, i think i'd be a little bit remiss in the context of the NBA if i didn't note that both Rubio and Jimmer are white, and white players in the NBA that succeed, especially despite a lack of athleticism or defensive ability, tend to be polarizing (kevin love, steve nash are recent examples).

Who said Rubio can't play defense?

Btw, there are plenty of black players who can shoot but can't play defense like Jimmer. Perhaps the problem is the frequency at which white players fit that description. Also, how come a player with one white parent and one black parent gets tallied as a black player? Is Alabama deciding this stuff?

I agree with the Rondo analogy. Tebow and Rondo are non-traditional for their positions in some ways. But Tebow more so since he is such a poor passer for an NBA QB but he can manage in his system due to his overall skill set.

I also agree with those that acknowledge that part of the Tebow polarizing effect is his preachiness.