J.J. Hickson

[abuC]

Al Jefferson came out of high school, I don't see how you can compare his situation to Hicksons, not only that but he was bigger than Hickson is now. The biggest problem I see is like others said, his hands are horrible, you can say he's only 21 all you want but a big that can't catch is damaged goods. That's not something you can necessarily work on either. He's really not that explosive either, he runs the court well and is pretty quick getting off his feet, but as far as explosion and height go he's pretty much average.

 

[PIP]

Okay, so I'm no expert, but here is what I see JJ's situation as.

We got him knowing he had supreme talent that, if harnessed, could make him a huge upgrade in our front court. He's been given the chance to blossom into the player the Cavs need him to be, but unfortunately his progression hasn't run parallel to the timeline of the team. The team's championship run > waiting for JJ to fit. Thus, it is time for the Cavs to move on from the JJ Hickson project. He still can be a good player in the league, but the Cavs' plans have dictated that the opportunity doesn't lie with us. Again, unfortunate, but it is where we're at right now.

Pretty much...

It's kinda like the dating an older woman deal where it's fun for a while, but then she hits you with "we're just in a different place in our lives"... She's looking for a Husband and all that stuff and you're looking for nothing more than a Milf to bang...

Eventually it just fizzles out...

Which is exactly what W&G is saying...:chuckles:

 

[Soda]

Pretty much...

It's kinda like the dating an older woman deal where it's fun for a while, but then she hits you with "we're just in a different place in our lives"... She's looking for a Husband and all that stuff and you're looking for nothing more than a Milf to bang...

Eventually it just fizzles out...

Which is exactly what W&G is saying...:chuckles:

It has been apparent, no need for a W&G explanation there.

 

[GonzoRatso88]

I'm not sure how much this has to do with JJ Hickson himself, but this is from Chris Sheridan's chat today. I don't really agree with what he says.


Mike (Cavs Town)


Alright Chris, what is your evaluation of the Cavs? Are they playing above their heads? It seems they are the opposite of last year. Beat the elite teams and play sloppy against the sub .500 teams. Do you think the CAvs make a trade or do they stand pat? Thanks Chris.

Chris Sheridan (1:18 PM)


I visited your city last week, Mike, and saw them look pretty average against a Hawks team that's hungrier than most people realize. Then they go and lose at home to Charlotte. If I'm you, I'd be worried. They are much, much more fragile this year with the D.West ups and downs and the Shaq integration, but Mike Brown has been saying all year that this team will come out of the gate slow and look a whole lot different than last year's team did during the regular season, but the important thing was that they develop over the months and become sharp in March and April. So they are going to be patient, and I don't think they'll make a deal unless they can move West for a comparable player talent-wise.

 

[kidduck]

Ferry talks to JJ:

<img src='http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban1158l.jpg'></a>

 

[castor777]

My main concern on the JJ situation is that I feel the trading door is closing a lot faster than people think.

I don't question why he wasn't dealt before or why he wasn't dealt earlier in the season, as those glimpses that all of us are talking about seemed to be flashes that he really might turn into something great. A lot of teams were interested in him then for sure, but he was our little project and we wanted to see him develop into something big.

The problem is, with his size and athletic ability, he's been given the best assignment you can possibly ask for. You're put between Shaq and LeBron, 2 guys who can demand double teams - as long as you can use your strength and show some offensive ability you will stand out and be able to score in bunches. You should also be able to learn loads from both of them and this little project should be moving forward at a very rapid pace, from a raw player to a solid talent.

...That hasn't happened... And I'm afraid teams are really taking notice.

So I hope we can package him in something that gives us a player we truly want, I really do. But ever since defenses have paid attention to JJ, he's looked terrible and I'm not buying the "all star potential" in the slightest bit. I just don't see how we can look at him as a valuable trading chip anymore, he's quickly becoming just a throw in that might prevent us from getting the Jamison, West, Murphy's we hoped for.

 

[kidduck]

Inexperience be damned.

With the personnel around him on the court, JJ not being able to consistently put up double digit points means he simply is not a good fit for the Cavs rotation. There is not one phase of his game that has improved since he has been in the starting lineup.

 

[GonzoRatso88]

A small trade in the works? This is from Windy's Last Tweet.


PDCavsinsider: Chance Cavs will make roster move this week. 4 guys with nonguaranteed deals leaves them in position to make a minor trade.

 

[hud11]

if nothing else coby karl will probably be cut. but they could trade Karl/Jawad/Darnell for a player making a little less than $3M. The other team could cut all those guys to save $$.

 

[castor777]

Inexperience be damned.

With the personnel around him on the court, JJ not being able to consistently put up double digit points means he simply is not a good fit for the Cavs rotation. There is not one phase of his game that has improved since he has been in the starting lineup.

Exactly. A lot of names are being thrown around to compare JJ's for, but I don't think any of them resemble the situation he currently has laid out in front of him. Rondo had a similar situation - being a starter on a team with loads of talent that if you can just get them the ball and learn their system, you're going to be something. The difference is, Rondo quickly became a true talent and is now a legit all star. He flourished right away and no matter what happens to the Celtics, he can definitely be a part of their future plans.

I know I'm comparing a PG to a PF and that's not necessarily fair, but the situations they were dealt were very similar, and I'm quite positive the only plan JJ is dealt from us come February is a plane ticket to play in another city.

 

[NarlCavs]

I have no problem trading Hickson but I'd only do it in a deal that brings back a quality long term piece. Don't think I include him in one that only brings back an aging player and that gives another team cap relief. Why give up one of your only young assets for that when it shouldn't be necessary considering the current condition of many franchises in the NBA.

Hickson is still only 21 and despite some problems and frustrations does have intriguing talent and solid potential. I always thought it wouldn't be until year 3 that we saw any consistent solid play from him. That being said I also don't see his upside as so high that you refuse to trade him. Hickson can have a long career and put up solid numbers in the 14 point, 8 rebound range but I don't see any all star potential in him.

 

[fudd]

I like the position JJ is in right now. We're winning games (with exception to last night), and he's gaining a wealth of experience. I don't know why any one on here expects so much out of him at this point. We got him knowing damn well that he'd be a project; one season playing garbage minutes wasn't going to make him polished.

I think he has all the tools (except for hands, which can be improved) except for awareness. No reason at all to give up on the kid yet. He's still a freak athlete that can jump out of the gym and has the ability to develop a nice jumper and block a lot of shots.

He's still learning everyday. Luckily ha has some great teachers in Shaq, Z, LeBron, and Andy, in which he can learn many facets of the game. I don't like the idea that we're giving up on him in his first real season and we're not even to the halfway point.

If we were losing and no longer in contention to capture the 1st seed then yes, I would push the panic button. But are in total control of our fate.

Also, JJ is only being used until Leon Powe returns. The we will have lots of flexibility.

I say let the kid play. He had low awareness coming into the NBA, and we all knew that. He has made tremendous jumps in progress to this point; we can't expect him to make drastic improvements so fast. With success comes failure, and yes JJ is in a rut, but I fully expect he'll learn from his mistakes and show signs of improvement in the coming weeks.

 

[Ev0710]

I keep reading about JJ's supposed potential and I have to ask if somebody would mind defining that for me. Besides jumping really high, what have you really seen from JJ? From where I sit, I see a kid that doesn't have much of a basketball IQ, who has a questionable work ethic and has no ability to catch a basketball. Where is the potential...because if he masters the fine art of the things I just listed he's going to be an average player that can jump high.

 

[Green Lantern]

I have no problem trading Hickson but I'd only do it in a deal that brings back a quality long term piece. Don't think I include him in one that only brings back an aging player and that gives another team cap relief. Why give up one of your only young assets for that when it shouldn't be necessary considering the current condition of many franchises in the NBA.

Hickson is still only 21 and despite some problems and frustrations does have intriguing talent and solid potential. I always thought it wouldn't be until year 3 that we saw any consistent solid play from him. That being said I also don't see his upside as so high that you refuse to trade him. Hickson can have a long career and put up solid numbers in the 14 point, 8 rebound range but I don't see any all star potential in him.

I would clarify that with a quality big long term piece..just watching Hickson,I keep getting that ugly feeling when you want to see a talented player succeed but he just isn't getting it..his D is still a long way off...and he seems like he just isn't ready to handle the day to day adjustments..it will take him several years to get where the Cavs really need him to be now.

 

[Adam]

Hickson has potential, but it might take a change of scenery to get it out of him. It might even need a shannon brown-esque nearly out of the league for him to realise everyone in the NBA is a talented player. He does have weak hands but GMs will see a 21 year old athletic forward they can parade around as filling the gap of their departed high paid all star and so he, along with west and Z makes a formidable trade chip.