Tyler Zeller: CHOCOLATE SNOW !!!

[godfather]

Luke Walton is an example of a guy that very little, to no talent. But is able to last this long in the NBA because of his extremely high I.Q, his hustle, heart, passion, and high intensity. If Zeller can take that same route, he'll be around for a very long time. I didn't think Luke Walton's still exist in the NBA. That guy is going to be one great head coach one day. I love players like him.

[kidduck]

I scream at the television every time Tyler is passed the ball at the top of the key, then just stands there with a panic body language while his defender is backed off him a couple of steps. He's like some knockoff of the Statue of Liberty.

On the defensive side, he reaches way too often which results in foul trouble. Inexperience and fatigue have to be factors there.

Odd thing about his rebounding, or lack of same, is how often he has proper position but either gets out-jumped or 'nudged' enough so the opponent reaches over his head and gets the ball.

I agree about his needing some mental toughness. NBA bigs need an attitude to survive the nightly battles in the paint. Some core strength would make a difference.

I hope to see some progress in his game during the second half of the season.

[Rich]

Getting very worried. Earlier in the season, I gave up on his defense, conceding he was to weak to compete. BUt now? Suddenly, he's developed JJ Hickson brick hands, which, when coupled with his non-existent jumper, makes him a total liability on offense, too.

[howler1313]

For my own sanity, I've lost all hope that Tyler will develop into anything beyond a below average player. Anything more than that is a pleasant surprise for me.

[NarlCavs]

Zeller hasn't been doing anything well lately. Terrible in all areas of the game. Looks weak and lost and getting beaten all over the floor. Hard to see him as anything more than a 15-18 minute a game backup at best on a good team. I'm not at all giving up on him and do think he will improve and have a long career. Just have low and reasonable expectations for him. Cavs still have a big long term hole at C.

[rabman_gold]

There's no question. When his teammates ganged up on him, he lost almost all of his confidence. Now his coach is inching away from him even against Nikola. How the hell do you get it back? Can it actually cost you your career?

[polklop1]

[Cratylus]

Zeller hasn't been doing anything well lately. Terrible in all areas of the game. Looks weak and lost and getting beaten all over the floor. Hard to see him as anything more than a pine-riding roster spot filler at best on a good team.

Better assessment of Zeller IMHO. I would've said "towel waver" instead of "roster spot filler", but that would imply he puts emotion and effort into his job. To this point he's demonstrated that is the antithesis of his persona, so I wouldn't dare presume this would change with his more fitting role.

[Cassity14]

I am not ready to call Zeller a pine-rider or towel waver. He has too many skills that are uncommon in today's league. I'm sure he has never had this little confidence in himself, but I believe it will be restored slowly. How many guys are 7 feet tall, have range out to 20 feet, and have a smooth touch around the basket from either side. He has also shown the ability to use his left hand both in college and the pros.

This is in no way a Zeller love fest, I can't stand his play right now. His jumper never goes in anymore and he is lost on both ends of the floor. However, the skills are there. I think the Basketball IQ is too. He needs to bulk up and he needs to start feeling confident again.

Is the guy going to ever be a perennial all-star? Of course not. I still think that he will be looked back on as a steal of a draft pick, though.

[ArchieBunker7]

There probably isn't anything much worse for a young guy than to lose all your confidence the way he has. He's smart enough to realize how his terrible play is really hurting this team, and that can be a tough burden to carry, as well. I would say he's approaching that point of not being able to get much lower right now. I think he'll be ok, but it might not be this season. It may take a good offseason of hard work and, frankly, just being away from the everyday grind of the 82 game schedule to get where he needs to be.

[Scholar]

There probably isn't anything much worse for a young guy than to lose all your confidence the way he has. He's smart enough to realize how his terrible play is really hurting this team, and that can be a tough burden to carry, as well. I would say he's approaching that point of not being able to get much lower right now. I think he'll be ok, but it might not be this season. It may take a good offseason of hard work and, frankly, just being away from the everyday grind of the 82 game schedule to get where he needs to be.

It simply doesn't help that he's been thrown out there to drown. They stuck him in the starting role and have been giving him too many minutes. He wasn't brought along slowly and naturally. He wasn't ready for this. Frankly, I don't see this as his fault. I see it as the coaches fault. They can't help but see how he's struggling and they haven't made adjustments to help him. He needs the off season to work on things and straighten himself out.

[Rich]

It simply doesn't help that he's been thrown out there to drown. They stuck him in the starting role and have been giving him too many minutes. He wasn't brought along slowly and naturally. He wasn't ready for this. Frankly, I don't see this as his fault. I see it as the coaches fault. They can't help but see how he's struggling and they haven't made adjustments to help him. He needs the off season to work on things and straighten himself out.

Well what were they supposed to do? Start Luke Walton at Center?

[Scholar]

Well what were they supposed to do? Start Luke Walton at Center?

I know why it happened. But, do you really think it was good for his development to force feed him like this? Especially after it was clear how much he was struggling?

[The Voice]

I know why it happened. But, do you really think it was good for his development to force feed him like this? Especially after it was clear how much he was struggling?

If we get Oden he might be able to rest for a game before Oden gets hurt again.

[udilicious42584]

I was scratching my head with the rotation last night, and throwing Zeller into the fire in the 4th quarter when once again the bench got us back into the game. I couldn't understand for the life of me why Byron kept yanking Speights out of the game to throw in the emotionless, lack of confidence of a man that is Tyler Zeller. In the end, Pekovic continued to abuse him, and we suffered another pitiful loss. It's not all on Zeller of course, but he has probably been the worst player on the team for a few weeks now. Nothing is going for him, and he continues to look worse and worse. Gotta cut the minutes and give more to Speights and Tristan for the time being.