[PaintTouches]Going pro: Ranking the roster on NBA potential

[PaintTouchesSays]

Going pro: Ranking the roster on NBA potential
      

Written by: Mark Strotman
            

Buzz Williams sent his second and third recruits to the NBA in June, as Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom joined Jimmy Butler at the next level. In four seasons as head coach, Williams has had a player enter the NBA ... Continue reading →


            

http://painttouches.com/2012/10/30/going-pro-ranking-the-roster-on-nba-potential/
      

[brewcity77]

I'm starting to think Otule might actually have a shot. I don't think he'd have a long career, but he's sound defensively and has a big body. If a guy like Greg Stiemsma can make the league, there's no reason to think Otule couldn't do the same if he can stay healthy. Yes, his health, his vision, his age, and his lack of offensive skills are all detractors, but in his one full season you could easily argue he contributed more than Stiemsma did in 4 years at Wisconsin. If he could piece together two more seasons of 18 mpg with consistent block and rebound numbers, who knows? He probably wouldn't be drafted and wouldn't be a starter, but as a big body that could absorb fouls and block a few shots in limited minutes, Otule could get a shot.

[Tugg Speedman]

+1

He would have to play this year and next for MU injury free to put that issue to rest.  But if he can do that (big if), someone in the NBA will pay for a big body that can play D and block a few shots.

[Bieberhole69]

I'm starting to think Otule might actually have a shot. I don't think he'd have a long career, but he's sound defensively and has a big body. If a guy like Greg Stiemsma can make the league, there's no reason to think Otule couldn't do the same if he can stay healthy. Yes, his health, his vision, his age, and his lack of offensive skills are all detractors, but in his one full season you could easily argue he contributed more than Stiemsma did in 4 years at Wisconsin. If he could piece together two more seasons of 18 mpg with consistent block and rebound numbers, who knows? He probably wouldn't be drafted and wouldn't be a starter, but as a big body that could absorb fouls and block a few shots in limited minutes, Otule could get a shot.

Seriously? Otule in the NBA?

[MerrittsMustache]

I'm starting to think Otule might actually have a shot. I don't think he'd have a long career, but he's sound defensively and has a big body. If a guy like Greg Stiemsma can make the league, there's no reason to think Otule couldn't do the same if he can stay healthy. Yes, his health, his vision, his age, and his lack of offensive skills are all detractors, but in his one full season you could easily argue he contributed more than Stiemsma did in 4 years at Wisconsin. If he could piece together two more seasons of 18 mpg with consistent block and rebound numbers, who knows? He probably wouldn't be drafted and wouldn't be a starter, but as a big body that could absorb fouls and block a few shots in limited minutes, Otule could get a shot.

Did Greg Clausen and Chris Grimm get a shot at the NBA? 

Stiemsma seems like a good example of a big-bodied guy who made it to the NBA but he was a highly-regarded prospect coming out of HS. I actually think he was a top 50 recruit. His ability was there, it just never really seemed to click for him at UW, whether it was on him or on Bo for not using him properly I can't say. The biggest difference is that Otule is a 5th year project.

[ringout]

Did Greg Clausen and Chris Grimm get a shot at the NBA? 

Stiemsma seems like a good example of a big-bodied guy who made it to the NBA but he was a highly-regarded prospect coming out of HS. I actually think he was a top 50 recruit. His ability was there, it just never really seemed to click for him at UW, whether it was on him or on Bo for not using him properly I can't say. The biggest difference is that Otule is a 5th year project.

The University of Wisconsin.....where high school talent goes to die.

[GGGG]

On Derrick Wilson:  "The running back-turned-lock down defender was excellent his freshman season, but didn't have the chance to show off his offensive skills."

Uh..."excellent???" 

[MerrittsMustache]

On Derrick Wilson:  "The running back-turned-lock down defender was excellent his freshman season, but didn't have the chance to show off his offensive skills."

Uh..."excellent???" 

"Excellent" at playing a very minor role and taking care of the basketball perhaps?

[LloydMooresLegs]

Yes.  Excellent in doing what he was asked to do.  Much room for improvement in that Buzz would, of course, like to count on him for more.

[GGGG]

I don't even think he was "excellent" at what he was asked to do.  I think he was fine, and has a lot of room for improvement.

[brewcity77]

Did Greg Clausen and Chris Grimm get a shot at the NBA? 

I don't think either of them were the defender Chris Otule is. Agreed that Stiemsma was poorly used, and he was a top-40 RSCI guy, but I think when you look at what Chris does well, he could be a 3rd or 4th center on a NBA team. I get that he'll never be a starter, and would probably have a more prolific career overseas, but there are guys that make the league with less defensive skills than he already has.

[RawdogDX]

I don't even think he was "excellent" at what he was asked to do.  I think he was fine, and has a lot of room for improvement.

He was between pretty good and excellent.  He did start in a win at wisconsin...

[Lennys Tap]

Love Chris, and there are certainly big men in the NBA who didn't project to make it. That said, one eye, bad hands and a lower body that has trouble staying healthy make him a long, long shot IMO.

[Wade for President]

but there are guys that make the league with less defensive skills than he already has.

Two words:  Eddy.  Curry.

Feel free to add Michael Olowakandi, Cherokee Parks, Kwame Brown, and the Collins brothers (Jarron & Jason) to that list.

With that said though, I'll walk to Milwaukee in a speedo if Otule plays in the NBA.  Sadly he's too injury prone for a team to invest in him.

[swoopem]

Do you guys think Chris has a better chance than Ousman did? There is no way he makes the NBA, which is fine. He'll have to settle with a National Championship next year as his basketball career achievement

[BubbaWilliams]

Do you guys think Chris has a better chance than Ousman did? There is no way he makes the NBA, which is fine. He'll have to settle with a National Championship next year as his basketball career achievement

No way is Otule even close to an NBA caliber player. To say he is one is absurd. He may be a nice player in college, but the NBA... no chance.

[Benny B]

No way is Otule even close to an NBA caliber player. To say he is one is absurd. He may be a nice player in college, but the NBA... no chance.

There is always a chance IF Chris can remain healthy and be effective in a defensive role for an entire season.  Besides, MU already has a precedent for turning out big, bad players who get big, bad contracts.  7-footers who can play effective defensive minutes will always have a chance to hit the association, if only for a days-long contract.

You're right insomuch that he isn't an NBA caliber player right now this very second.  But none of us have a) seen to what extent he has improved his 'real-game' skills over the last two years or b) had an opportunity to witness a healthy CO in action for an extended period of time.

The only realistic prediction you can make on a guy who has spent a good portion his collegiate career injured is that he'll get injured again.  If you want to base your assumption that CO never gets to the NBA because he won't be able to stay healthy, so be it.  But to definitively say that he'll never be an NBA caliber player based on what he is today is plain ignorant.

[mu03eng]

Love Chris, and there are certainly big men in the NBA who didn't project to make it. That said, one eye, bad hands and a lower body that has trouble staying healthy make him a long, long shot IMO.

I think he actually has good hands, just the lack of an eye throws off his depth perception meaning hard, rapidly changing angle passes are very difficult for him to see.  I think more than anything the eye issue will keep him out of the league

[mileskishnish72]

Nice article - thought provoking. Not to nitpick, but we in New England are blessed with a pro point guard that can't shoot worth a damn, even from the FT line.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I think he actually has good hands, just the lack of an eye throws off his depth perception meaning hard, rapidly changing angle passes are very difficult for him to see.  I think more than anything the eye issue will keep him out of the league

My thoughts exactly

[flash]

No way Chris plays in the NBA, nuff said, I'd love to see it, but it aint happenin

[slingkong]

I'll walk to Milwaukee in a speedo if Otule plays in the NBA.

I'll follow in the PGACI bus so you're well supplied with homebrew on your journey.

[bilsu]

I do not think Chris will play in the NBA. It will be as an undrafted player, if he does. I think Thomas should be higher on the list. He would only make NBA, if he can consistantly make NBA three, which I think he has a greater chance of doing than some of the other players ranked ahead of him have a chance to make NBA. I am not arguing he will make the NBA, but I would bet on him before I would bet on Derrick Wilson, Junior Cadougan or a one-eyed Otule. Basically Thomas 1% chance and the other three have less than 1%.

[brewcity77]

I do not think Chris will play in the NBA. It will be as an undrafted player, if he does. I think Thomas should be higher on the list. He would only make NBA, if he can consistantly make NBA three, which I think he has a greater chance of doing than some of the other players ranked ahead of him have a chance to make NBA. I am not arguing he will make the NBA, but I would bet on him before I would bet on Derrick Wilson, Junior Cadougan or a one-eyed Otule. Basically Thomas 1% chance and the other three have less than 1%.

If you don't have the total package, you have to be really good at something where the league needs specialists. Thomas is a really good three-point shooter. Otule is a really good shot-blocker/defender. That's why I could see them in the league ahead of a lot of other players. I agree that Otule's eye will probably keep him out, but I think he has a better chance than Junior, despite Junior clearly being a better all-around basketball player.