Why are so many on the fence about RJ hunter? He will have MAJOR impact..

[ahonui06]

People are on the fence because he hasn't played a single NBA minute yet. People just being patient before they make an informed decision.

[clover]

RJ is gonna be a star in this league... He just showed you in the last game what he can do when he gets the ball in the flow of the game. 4/4 from three. 18 points in only 19 minutes. This kid is the real deal.
He's the most accomplished college player of all the young guys on this squad.  So many athletes today are drafted on potential, RJ is battle tested and actually led and carried a team at a high level.  That should matter for something when evaluating a basketball player shouldn't it?  Booker had a much easier and less rigorous college basketball experience than Hunter. Do you really think RJ Hunter played against "weaker" competition because he played in the Sunbelt?, to the contrary being the focal point of every offense for three years is a sign of strength not weakness.

 NO ONE IN AMERICA had to carry a bigger load for a team than RJ as the ONLY option on his team he averaged 20pts 5rb and 4asst with gameplans designed to stop him.  He took a team with a losing record his freshman year with under 500 fans at a game to sell-outs and the front cover of the New-York Times.  All of this with his DAD screaming and stomping at him every game in front of the world.

Back to back conference player of the year.  Triple Teams every night, racist chants at georgia southern, 12 threes in a game, only option on college team, avg 37.1/ 40minagame , hit huge shots/game winners, broke school scoring record in two and half years, automatic from free throw line, herky jerky and can draw fouls like harden and r.miller (I've seen him shoot 17 free throws in a game ), has a PHD level of basketball knowledge. LOVES THE GAME, WANTS TO WIN (unlike many other athletes who could care less) .  You will have your hands in the air every time he shoots this season, he's that kind of player. He thinks its going in and he makes you believe it too.

Welcome to Celticsblog. I take it you were a Panther yourself?

[GreenWarrior]

my brief impression of Hunter? being someone who doesn't follow college B-ball regularly, this is based solely off the summer league play.

he better be a knock-down deadly open 3 pt. shooter because it seems he has a long wind up and will struggle to get his shot off at the NBA level.

[clover]

Thanks for the warm welcome

Not RJ but I'll admit that  i'm biased. I am indeed GSU Alumni.. Look at it this way, the Celts gained a ton of new fans in Georgia. We all support him.

Kidding aside, I'm glad you joined the board. I hope you stick around and I hope that RJ turns into a world-beater. That's really fun when you get to see a guy from your alma mater grow up and turn into a star.

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I see this team coming together this season. The Celts roster is full of guys who were told they werent good enough (Crowder), past prime (Lee), not talented (Isiah Thomas), and battled adversity (Smart), I see them really coming together as sort of a band of misfits that are resilient and depend on each other in battle. Like Boston.

"band of misfits that are resilient and depend on each other in battle. Like Boston."

Yep. That would be Boston.

[cltc5]

I'm a huge fan of hunter.  Been singing his praises since he's been signed and thought he's be a good choice at 16.   I think it's only normal for fans to temper their expectations but there is no denying this kid has "it".  He needs time to develop and fit the system and he'll be a good one for us.

[greg683x]

I think most of the folks that havent changed their opinions of Hunter yet are folks that know that there is very little to take away from summer league games......they know this because they most likely watched Kedrick Brown and Joe Forte light it up for multiple years only to see them disappear when they play against the grown folks

Dont get me wrong, I'm happy to see him play well in summer league game, but to me its no different than watching him play well in a college game.

[LilRip]

I'm not on the fence. I'm clearly on the side that thinks RJ Hunter won't make a major impact this season. I'm also on the side that thinks he won't make any of the All-Rookie Teams either.

[GreenWarrior]

i'm leaning that way myself. I think between him & young they'll get playing time here n' there, but nothing consistent and hardly part of the reg. rotation.

[kheldar52077]

He has not played an nba game yet but i had high hopes for him.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

If he gets enough minutes, I think his shot will start falling.

He will get enough minutes, if he is active on defense, rotates well, learns to get over screens, and keeps those long arms in passing lanes.

CBS likes two-way players.

[amenhotep04]

If he plays like he did in game three, he'll have a nice career. If he plays like he did in the first two games, he'll be coaching somewhere soon enough.

I thought we'd pick Hunter at 16, so I was stoked to see him picked at 28. I hope game three was more of how he'll shoot in this league.

[SHAQATTACK]

He sees the game unfold .....its obvious he is a coaches son.    He knows where to be , what to do , and see the WHOLE court .......this is all oblivious to James Young .    Young is pretty much rely on athletic ability .

Hunter can add 15 lbs of muscle bulk  get to about 215 .  Work on his man to man .......he is miles and miles ahead of Young. .......who may not have the mental capacity to think as fast as Hunter .

Hunter is a keeper .......this guy very well could,be guy you want taking the Paul Pierce ISO shot at the end of a game in the future .

[Celtics4ever]

I think most of the folks that havent changed their opinions of Hunter yet are folks that know that there is very little to take away from summer league games

I think one can tell subtle nuances, but that is certainly not everyone. They would not do it if it had no benefit.

[footey]

It will create competition with James Young for 3 point shooting specialist.  May the harder worker win.

[alewilliam789]

I think most of the folks that havent changed their opinions of Hunter yet are folks that know that there is very little to take away from summer league games......they know this because they most likely watched Kedrick Brown and Joe Forte light it up for multiple years only to see them disappear when they play against the grown folks

Dont get me wrong, I'm happy to see him play well in summer league game, but to me its no different than watching him play well in a college game.

I'm the same way. I'm excited he's starting to show that he's got it and that he can make a difference, but until I see him do it in the regular season I won't be completely satisfied. I love RJ Hunter's game too and think that he could end up becoming a starting SG for us, but he has to prove he can hang against the best.