Bathed in the Rapture of Mark Williams Thread

[LofJ]

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Nice work by whoever does Duke's Twitter account.

[JMAC3]

Interesting to see how Mark, Kai, Thor develop in the frontcourt this year.

I would assume Mark starts season as backup center behind Plumlee. or maybe he takes off from day 1 and is the franchise center.

Overall like the Mark pick, not sure about the draft as a whole.

[amcoolio]

I think Mark starts day 1. He's pro-ready, huge (7'2"), and already a good defender which is what limits rookies who don't play. He probably only plays 18-24 minutes a game though.

No way we guarantee Plumlee to keep him. I think he is being moved.

[JMAC3]

Mark Williams three games that stand out to me looking at boxscores. Like that his best games aren't against Gardner Webb and Elon. Seems like he plays his best vs good comp.

Vs Gonzaga. 17 points, 9 boards, 6 blocks on 8/9 shooting

vs NCST. 19 points, 11 boards, 8 blocks on 9/12 shooting.

vs Syracuse. 28 points, 12 boards, 3 blocks on 11/14 shooting.

[penquin11]

please be our Gobert please be our Gobert please be our Gobert

[CuseMayne]

I think Mark starts day 1. He's pro-ready, huge (7'2"), and already a good defender which is what limits rookies who don't play. He probably only plays 18-24 minutes a game though.

No way we guarantee Plumlee to keep him. I think he is being moved.

I agree, but I think it might be possible, or even likely, Mason's here for another year as the backup. And even if anyone in the organization thinks the plan is that Mason will start, Williams will just blow him out of the water in training camp. You really think Mason can stop Williams...? I doubt it. The Duke connection is there as well, and it might not be the worst thing in the world for Mason to teach Mark how to be at least a serviceable passing C in today's NBA.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I think Mark starts day 1. He's pro-ready, huge (7'2"), and already a good defender which is what limits rookies who don't play. He probably only plays 18-24 minutes a game though.

No way we guarantee Plumlee to keep him. I think he is being moved.

Who is the only Bobcats era rookie who started from day 1?

Hint--It's not Kemba or LaMelo.

Spoiler:

MKG ... and I would argue that starting so soon was one of the things that shattered his self confidence.

Anyway, Center & PG are the NBA's toughest positions to learn. It very well may be that Williams' is starting by the end of the year, but I personally feel like it's better to let guys grow into the starter role.

[-Ian-]

Are there mock drafts who had Williams higher than Duren? I still shocked that Kupchak had Mark as his first choice.

[MPM]

Are there mock draft who had Williams higher than Duren? I still shocked that Kupchak had Mark as his first choice.

There were a few, plus a handful of draftniks that liked him better as a basketball player. The draft is all about eye-popping athleticism and potential though, so Duren wins that debate every time. I honestly would've been OK with either, even though Williams was more my guy heading into the draft - just a better fit with a better shot, better defensively and more ready to contribute - I'll trade a tad lower upside for this.

[Liver_Pooty]

Duren was always going to be the sexier pick by just sheer physique. We will see who is actually better at basketball

[MPM]

Duren was always going to be the sexier pick by just sheer physique. We will see who is actually better at basketball

The other thing is Duren never measured out, correct? We know Williams is freakish big. Duren may wind up being more Thomas Robinson sized.

[Liver_Pooty]

Duren was always going to be the sexier pick by just sheer physique. We will see who is actually better at basketball

The other thing is Duren never measured out, correct? We know Williams is freakish big. Duren may wind up being more Thomas Robinson sized.

That and he backed out of a workout with us. I can see duren averaging 14/8 on a horrid Pistons team next season and people freaking out. We'll see in 3 or 4 years though

[HornetJail]

[Rays Pompadour]

Williams addresses a problem that should have been solved last summer, or at least during the season. Kupchak is a deliberate dude and has a stubbornness to his plodding ways that's annoying. I'd love to see something creative from that guy. That said, Mark Williams is the long-term correction the Hornets have been desperately in need of.

Williams lacks lower body strength and gets 'into' himself on the low block. He hasn't yet figured out how to position his body and therefore hasn't developed a low post game. I think he'll be an outstanding pick and pop player who can extend to the three point line. His handle can improve and he'll need to watch his fouling. Rookies get zero grace in that regard. His pick-and-roll defense needs a lot of work, though that's true for all rookies. His greatest impact next season will be at the rim.

It'll take some time for him to adjust to NBA play, but I believe he'll be starting some after the All Star break and regularly in the rotation by the playoffs. I project Williams to be a premium piece for the franchise in the years to come.

[wilson115]

Duren was always going to be the sexier pick by just sheer physique. We will see who is actually better at basketball

The other thing is Duren never measured out, correct? We know Williams is freakish big. Duren may wind up being more Thomas Robinson sized.

Seems the case seeing Duren in this crowd:
https://www.fox44news.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2022/06/7b4658b2c59e4af3847efccbcffa21ab.jpg

KRYSTEN PEEK: I mean, there were reports that you weren't 6' 10", you weren't 6' 11", you were maybe closer to 6' 9". Were you measured at any of these workouts? And--

JALEN DUREN: So my official measurement-- I'm glad that you asked that-- was 6' 10" without shoes on, 6' 11" with shoes on. I feel like that's something that I wanted to show people. Because I don't know where-- I don't know, I don't know.

But I guess people just felt like I was smaller than what I am. I guess they just had to see me in person.

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/nba-draft-jalen-duren-joining-030956434.html

[-Ian-]

It will be interesting to know if he will wear #15. I love Kemba so I hope Mark could choose another jersey number.

[MPM]

Duren was always going to be the sexier pick by just sheer physique. We will see who is actually better at basketball

The other thing is Duren never measured out, correct? We know Williams is freakish big. Duren may wind up being more Thomas Robinson sized.

Seems the case seeing Duren in this crowd:
https://www.fox44news.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2022/06/7b4658b2c59e4af3847efccbcffa21ab.jpg

KRYSTEN PEEK: I mean, there were reports that you weren't 6' 10", you weren't 6' 11", you were maybe closer to 6' 9". Were you measured at any of these workouts? And--

JALEN DUREN: So my official measurement-- I'm glad that you asked that-- was 6' 10" without shoes on, 6' 11" with shoes on. I feel like that's something that I wanted to show people. Because I don't know where-- I don't know, I don't know.

But I guess people just felt like I was smaller than what I am. I guess they just had to see me in person.

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/nba-draft-jalen-duren-joining-030956434.html

Good pic - judging by the back row (and Banchero, Sochan, and Dieng) he looks 6'9-6'10.

[BigSlam]

Seems really “nice”.

Would have liked a rabid dog type back there. A defensive general to forge our identify.

Listening to him speak his personality reminds me a little of Okafor.

I was thinking about this overnight.

It might not be a bad thing that he is "nice" guy. This team looks like it needs some maturity, and perhaps Williams is the guy to bring that. He doesn't seem like the "I can't understand what he is saying when he talks" or "crazy hair" or "crazier tattoos" or "diamond grill wearing" or "purple drank drinking" or "baby momma trouble" type of kid.

We could probably do with a straight arrow.

The other Williams we had, that most of us loved (Marvin) had a quiet demeanor off the floor, but really set the tone on it - and not by being flashy and obnoxious. Just by being mature.

Be good if this Williams is like that Williams in that way.

[BigSlam]

I think Mark starts day 1. He's pro-ready, huge (7'2"), and already a good defender which is what limits rookies who don't play. He probably only plays 18-24 minutes a game though.

No way we guarantee Plumlee to keep him. I think he is being moved.

Who is the only Bobcats era rookie who started from day 1?

Hint--It's not Kemba or LaMelo.

Spoiler:

MKG ... and I would argue that starting so soon was one of the things that shattered his self confidence.

Anyway, Center & PG are the NBA's toughest positions to learn. It very well may be that Williams' is starting by the end of the year, but I personally feel like it's better to let guys grow into the starter role.

Okafor didn't?

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Okafor didn't?

You know, I forgot to check him. He did indeed start year 1, but Yoga man never didn't exactly wow for a #2 pick on a bad team.