Work to do, Mr. Blue!!

[MerrittsMustache]

I agree that Vander is an outstanding athlete.

I also watch lots of NBA basketball and have for years. The league is filled with some of the best athletes on the planet. Guys 6-6, 6-9, even 7-0+ who are every bit as good athletes as Vander is.

Were he not a great athlete, he'd have zero chance. Simply being a great athlete, however, does not improve his chances much because he simply is one of hundreds in that category trying to make a league filled with such athletes.

Bottom line: He has to show serious NBA skills he has yet to show often in his young basketball career. We'll see if he can acquire some of those skills to separate himself from the pack of gifted athletes with whom he'll compete.

Fair enough. Name some guys over 7-feet tall who are as athletic as Blue.

[MU82]

Fair enough. Name some guys over 7-feet tall who are as athletic as Blue.

OK, I'm probably guilty of hyperbole to make my point ...

Lots depends upon how one defines "athletic," but among 7-footers, Tyson Chandler was the most athletic I could find doing a quick run through NBA rosters. Among 6-11 guys, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, DeAndre Jordan, Joakim Noah, Chris Bosh, Nene and Anderson Varejao are all incredibly athletic. When he was 20 and before all the injuries kicked in, Amare Stoudemire was at least as athletic than Vander is now, and Stoudemire is 6-11.

I guess my point was that there are lots and lots of guys a lot taller and more imposing than Vander who are insanely athletic. Blake Griffin (6-10), Kevin Durant (6-9), Jordan (6-11) and so many more.

And how many NBA players Vander's size are at least as athletic as he is? 75 percent? 90 percent?

Oh, and FWIW, the Bobcats GM calls 7-0 Cody Zeller "the best athlete in the draft." Not the most athletic center, but the best athlete. Of course, he would say that given where he selected the guy.