Thorpe on Hickson

Thorpe's advice for his Top-20 NBA Rookies includes this take on J.J. Hickson, who he has rated at #15 in his Rookie Rankings:

"Hickson looked like a top-10 talent in Vegas summer league, but he'll have a different role as a rookie on this contending team. Cleveland is one of the league's best in rotating on defense, which requires good anticipation skills. Hickson needs to immerse himself in defensive film and technique so those rotations become second nature as soon as possible."

over 3 years ago macasson 9 comments 0 recs |

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The sooner Hickson can be relied on at the defensive end, the sooner Ben Wallace can be relied on to ride the pine. Of the 96 minutes available at the 4 and 5, I think we’ll start the year: Z – 30, AV – 25-30, Wallace – 25-30, Hickson – <15

If all goes according to plan, and assuming there aren’t any roster changes, we should start the playoffs with: Z – 30, AV – 30, Hickson – 25, Wallace – 10.

With the team speed we have, we could even turn into more of an up-tempo team, meaning that until the playoff grind kicks in, we could be looking at Z keeping fresh at around 25 per. Hickson, even in the longer season, should be good for 100 games since he won’t get much burn those first 50.

by LeCavs Matt on Sep 19, 2008 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

I also expect to see LeBron at the 4 a good bit, with Anderson at the 5, likely.

by macasson on Sep 19, 2008 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I’ve wanted that for so long, but I just don’t count on it. Even after watching it happen in the Olympics, I feel like Lebron’s camp has made the decision not to let Lebron play inside for any prolonged periods for fear of losing some longevity. Besides, aside from Shaq, which PF/C has landed big endorsements in the last 20 years? Lebron makes his money on the perimeter.

by LeCavs Matt on Sep 20, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

would be interesting to see

hickson and sideshow andy playing together. if hickson is as tough as he is big, rasheed could have a few technicals.

by MJ32 on Sep 24, 2008 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Really? You think that LeBron’s advisers think that playing in the post will shorten his career and limit his endorsements? I have to disagree, respectfully. Post players tend to have longer careers, as strength is a physical ability that ages better than speed on the perimeter; many observers feel that LeBron will almost exclusively be a 4 in his 30’s. I’d also add that talk about LeBron playing the 4 mostly means that he’d have to defend that position; offensively, his role would change much less. I recall him defending the 4 in the postseason more often, especially against the Wizards.

And, do you really think that “LeBron’s camp” is making those calls? I see no evidence for this. And, besides the fact that big men have long been powerful endorsers (Shaq, KG, etc.) I doubt very much that LeBron’s marketability will be affected by a position change.

by macasson on Sep 20, 2008 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

sorry, meant as a reply to LeCavs Matt above …

by macasson on Sep 20, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Lebron said last year that he had conferred with Mike Brown and decided to limit his time down low.
Even if he does play into his 30s as a point forward on the block, a la Chris Webber at his peak, he’ll never go down in history as an elite 4. His legacy will be as a wing and ball-handler. Those with long careers are always 4s. They don’t do anything but bang their entire careers. They don’t need to worry about perimeter play and ball-handling.

by LeCavs Matt on Sep 20, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

From today’s News Herald:

James will play some power forward this season when the Cavs play a smaller, quicker lineup. "I’m looking forward to it," he said. "It will allow us to get up and down. I’m big enough and strong enough to cover some of the power forwards in this league." He’s done it in the past with the Cavs and played the "4" spot in the Olympics.

by macasson on Oct 2, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

For lack of another place to put this, from Windhorst:

Hickson will get chances, but early on it appears as if the Cavs may attempt to play chunks of games with a smaller lineup depending on matches. That includes maybe using Wally Szczerbiak and even Sasha Pavlovic for periods at power forward.

‘’I played a lot of power forward in college and I’m 245 pounds, so I can bang with guys down there,‘’ Szczerbiak said. ’’I think going into this season we all realize there are going to be a lot of options for us.’’

by macasson on Oct 3, 2008 12:47 PM CDT reply actions