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

[atlantaceltic]

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.

[LGC88]

His mental strength and his weird shooting mechanic makes me think he's someone very special.
That's why I was very high on him before the draft.
Now I don't expect too much from him this year. He needs to adapt his skills in nba. Obviously he will never be a Hansbrough physically so he will have to find a way to use his skinny body one way or another. His wingspan will help him defensively hopefully.

[Evantime34]

He might eventually be an impact player but for now he needs to get stronger and learn how to play man defense. I would be surprised if he didn't start the season in the d-league.

[gift]

I was not high on Hunter pre-draft because everything I read about him was that he was a good shooter that didn't shoot well. It reminded me of the scene in Moneyball when the scouts really like this kid, talking him up and Brad Pitt says something like "if he's such a good hitter why doesn't he hit?"

He shot poorly in two of the three summer league games too. I'm waiting for a larger sample size to convince me either way, but I always pull for Celtics players so I'm on board in terms of being hopeful.

[atlantaceltic]

how vsn

He might eventually be an impact player but for now he needs to get stronger and learn how to play man defense. I would be surprised if he didn't start the season in the d-league.

How in the heck can you send the best shooter on the team to the D-league? not happening. Didnt you see the guys on the bench, they already know it, everytime he pulls up they stand. He's gonna get so many open looks and thrive. He can make open shots, thats what separates him from 90% of nba players.

[manl_lui]

tbh, at the lower 20s, I'm not really asking for much. In my opinion, lower 20s are basically competing to be a 2nd stringer for me...

I'll like it if he is more than that, but won't feel much if they don't pan out

[max215]

how vsn

He might eventually be an impact player but for now he needs to get stronger and learn how to play man defense. I would be surprised if he didn't start the season in the d-league.

How in the heck can you send the best shooter on the team to the D-league? not happening. Didnt you see the guys on the bench, they already know it, everytime he pulls up they stand. He's gonna get so many open looks and thrive. He can make open shots, thats what separates him from 90% of nba players.

Where was James Young most of last year?

[sofutomygaha]

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.

I hope you're right, RJ, and welcome to celticsblog!!

[atlantaceltic]

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.

[D.o.s.]

how vsn

He might eventually be an impact player but for now he needs to get stronger and learn how to play man defense. I would be surprised if he didn't start the season in the d-league.

How in the heck can you send the best shooter on the team to the D-league? not happening. Didnt you see the guys on the bench, they already know it, everytime he pulls up they stand. He's gonna get so many open looks and thrive. He can make open shots, thats what separates him from 90% of nba players.

I have supreme faith in your statistical analysis.

[atlantaceltic]

isn't it interesting that the most precious commodity in basketball is someone who can make something as simple as an open shot?

[csfansince60s]

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.

I hope you're right, RJ, and welcome to celticsblog!!

It's not RJ, it's Ron (dad).

All kidding aside, I echo sofu's welcome and also give you your first TP.

I also agree with you for the most part. I wanted J Anderson with our pick, but RJ was my second choice at 16. At 28, I think he is a steal.

BBIQ, instincts, length, shooting stroke all point to success for me. Needs to gain some strength.

I see Young a more likely D-League candidate than Hunter.

[sofutomygaha]

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.

[atlantaceltic]

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.

[CelticSooner]

isn't it interesting that the most precious commodity in basketball is someone who can make something as simple as an open shot?

Steve Novak can answer that question for you.