Austin's DeMarcus Nelson to the Chicago Bulls
DeMarcus Nelson, the 6'2" rookie combo guard with a ridiculously lengthy frame (6'10" arms) out of Duke (ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC First Team), has been called-up to the Chicago Bulls.
Nelson, who started a couple games at point guard for the Golden State Warriors this season, has been playing combo-guard for the Austin Toros in the D-League, averaging 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. His shooting from the field has been improving, but still there are times with notable struggles, both from deep and at the charity stripe.
Last night, in a Toros victory, Nelson finished with 30 points,10 boards and six assists, but turned the ball over seven times, rarely playing the point. He made just 5-of-10 from the free-throw line, but 3-for-6 from beyond the arc - games like that make me wonder. Since Jon L was at the game last night, I'm going to quote his story to break Nelson down:
DeMarcus Nelson played off the ball for most of the game, except when it came down to the end, when he took control. He took and hit a fair amount of outside shots early on, which makes the Tulsa game seem more like a fluke. He's definitely a good finisher at the rim, but he needs to work on his point guard skills. He didn't always make the best decisions with the ball (seven turnovers overall to six assists), and even on plays where, for example, it led to a made three, dribbling away from screens isn't something you should make a habit of doing.
He also passed the ball to where Jamaal Thomas was on one play, instead of leading him, and when Thomas cut to the basket the ball ended up behind him, off his hands and out of bounds. His offensive game is pretty well developed, but if he's going to have the ball in his hands as much as he does, he needs to cut down on the turnovers.
More on Nelson (from the comments): He does do some things very well, like get to and finish around the rim. He also apparently has a better shot than I originally gave him credit for. Because of his lack of quickness, though, I don’t think he’ll ever be a great driver to the rim in the NBA, and should work on becoming a better point guard.
Overall, good move for the Bulls, who have more than likely made this call-up to secure his Summer rights. If he impresses in Vegas, he'll be on the roster next season. If not, overseas again is my assumption.
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28 comments
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Comments
I HATE THIS MOVE
Don’t get me wrong, I like that he’s getting some attention from NBA teams. But I think he needs to be part of a non-screwed up franchise in order to flourish. That franchise is the Spurs. Oh well, hopefully some good will come of this.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A shot's a shot
Not an ideal situation, for sure, but he’ll get in front of a few more eyes at least.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
but it just pains me a little. The Bull’s seem rather disfunctional. Once again you are right though, a shot is a shot. What’s this going to do to the Toros? They were looking stacked, now slightly depleted.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very depleted
But like we said before, I don’t think they’re too worried about winning. What will be interesting is if they get the 5 seed rather than the 4. Would the top seed pick to play the 5 seed, who has just lost 2 of their top 4 players? Bulletin board!!
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are the Toros going to have any good players left for the playoffs?
They look like first round fodder if they keep losing all their talent.
by hkf on Apr 9, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hairston
Will be around. But other than that.. Not looking good.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They will if they sign Malik Hairston
This is good for Nelson, but yeah, Austin might be a first round exit if this keeps up.
Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, where we knew who Mike Taylor was before you did.
by Jon L on Apr 9, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They have to wait 48 hours
Then he’ll be free return, after he clears waivers.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you say he's 6'4"...
…when he measured out at the official pre-draft camps at 6’2"?
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
by tyger1147 on Apr 9, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He's been mis-listed since college.
but yes he’s 6’2" with airplane wings for arms.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he also had some form of Scoliosis as a child
so if his back was fully straight he would have grown to 6’4". Not that that is relevant to anything at this point.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How much stalking does it take?
To know this about DeMarcus Nelson?
by JRose on Apr 9, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Duke fans
What else do they have to do? It’s kind of like being a Minnesota fan, but with a better team.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kind of
except not everyone hates Minnesota. Although both do have colored mascots. And Duke never had Jamal Abu-Shamala.
by JRose on Apr 9, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love me some
Jamal Abu Shamal Shamu. Are you guys still facebook friends?
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You got it Scott
It takes being a Durham NC resident, and a Duke fan with a boring job.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also just realized I'm going to
have to start commenting at Blogabull too. Someone has to fend off the Duke hate. Though deep-down I’m a self-hating Duke fan.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because it's what he's listed at everywhere
Rarely will a player be listed their actual height, but I think it’s fairly common that you refer to them as listed (or slightly taller, in the case of Sun Yue)
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless you like accuracy and all that junk.
I think this is an “old media” tradition, where the media just accepted everything that was given to them by the team. You know, before there were accurate measurements of heights (by organizations who could have millions of dollars invested in the accuracy of such measurements) that were nearly immediately and freely available.
But hey, it’s your site, if you want to be willfully wrong, that’s your prerogative. I was just wondering why.
(And it’s not listed as 6’4" “everywhere.” I linked to a site that prides itself on being accurate, and is very reputable for it.)
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
by tyger1147 on Apr 9, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Sorry. I will now start mentioning height in quarter-inch intervals. I didn’t know people came to this site for accurate descriptions of height. Sorry you are overly angry about this.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
From now on we will refer to him as...
DeMarcus DeJuan Nelson aka THAT 6’1.75" combo guard with the 6’10" who weighs exactly 207.5 lbs and has 17" biceps
by Aisander D on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kind of wonder where he'll fit in this roster
Rose, Hinrich, Anthony Robertson, Ben Gordon, Lindsay Hunter. 3rd PG off the bench? Maybe even 4th string PG?
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like emergency SG
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speculation
Emergency SG.
Blogging at RidiculousUpside
by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd say defensive SG
Hinrich is solid defensively, but can’t stay in front of more athletic players and BG doesn’t cross half-court. Also with VDN coaching he might be playing PF by week’s end.
by JRose on Apr 9, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do Hunter and Robertson even play?
Besides, VDN’s rotations are so weird he might get stuck at SF for all we know.
Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, where we knew who Mike Taylor was before you did.
by Jon L on Apr 9, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hunter plays
more than anyone they pulled out of the morgue should.
by JRose on Apr 9, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's like...
the homeless man’s version of Sam Cassell, but not from Mars.
by Aisander D on Apr 9, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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