Chris Lofton in the NBA

[lampost_17]

i think that he will get drafted b/c he can shoot. the nba is a place for guys who want to get money. they do not need to be an amazing all around player. i belive that he does need more time before getting drafted

 

[therickbol]

yeah you can, with proper training you can be tons quicker. If you develop your lowerbody muscles the right way and train you can become quicker. Alot of athletes get quicker when they get proper training.

Thats ridiculous. No way can you get "tons quicker." You can get slightly quicker. But, when you talk about the quickness of NBA guards you are talking about a God given gift that you either have or you don't. Lofton can get an all-world amazing trainer and he can maximize his own physical abilities. But, even when maximized he cannot become as quick as top flight NBA guards.

 

[WA_Vol]

Thats ridiculous. No way can you get "tons quicker." You can get slightly quicker. But, when you talk about the quickness of NBA guards you are talking about a God given gift that you either have or you don't. Lofton can get an all-world amazing trainer and he can maximize his own physical abilities. But, even when maximized he cannot become as quick as top flight NBA guards.

How would you explaing guys like Pete Maravich, Mark Price, and Larry Bird who all had long successful careers in the NBA then?

They probably had less "God-given" quickness then 99% of the people who have played in the league.

Larry Bird is a hall of famer, and he was never one of the quickest players on the court. Granted he was 6'9" but he probably had the lowest vertical jump in the league.

 

[rockydoc]

How would you explaing guys like Pete Maravich, Mark Price, and Larry Bird who all had long successful careers in the NBA then?

They probably had less "God-given" quickness then 99% of the people who have played in the league.

Larry Bird is a hall of famer, and he was never one of the quickest players on the court. Granted he was 6'9" but he probably had the lowest vertical jump in the league.

Not to mention Jeff Hornachek, Scott Skiles, Brian Winters, and the the spot-up shooting guard that played with the Bulls when Jordan won his initial NBA Championships.

 

[vader]

Chris loften is the worst player in the whole world i think he should go sit in a corner because he is that freakin bad

And the winner for the worst username is.....

Go back to middle school and learn how to punctuate.

 

[hatvol96]

How would you explaing guys like Pete Maravich, Mark Price, and Larry Bird who all had long successful careers in the NBA then?

They probably had less "God-given" quickness then 99% of the people who have played in the league.

Larry Bird is a hall of famer, and he was never one of the quickest players on the court. Granted he was 6'9" but he probably had the lowest vertical jump in the league.

I explained the tremendous differences between Price and Lofton earlier in this thread. The comparisons to Pistol and Bird are ludicrous. As it pertains to Maravich, he wasn't slow. If you listen to the guys who played against him, like those interviewed in the documentary CBS showed Sunday, they all talk about his first step. Bird had unrivaled instincts for the game. Also, he was a better ballhandler at 6'9" than Lofton is at 6'2".

 

[hatvol96]

Not to mention Jeff Hornachek, Scott Skiles, Brian Winters, and the the spot-up shooting guard that played with the Bulls when Jordan won his initial NBA Championships.

Hornacek and Skiles, much better ballhandlers. At one time Skiles held the NBA record for assists in a game. Winters was bigger, stronger, and played in a different era. Steve Kerr was a point guard at Arizona. Again, a much better ballhandler than Lofton.

 

[WA_Vol]

I explained the tremendous differences between Price and Lofton earlier in this thread. The comparisons to Pistol and Bird are ludicrous. As it pertains to Maravich, he wasn't slow. If you listen to the guys who played against him, like those interviewed in the documentary CBS showed Sunday, they all talk about his first step. Bird had unrivaled instincts for the game. Also, he was a better ballhandler at 6'9" than Lofton is at 6'2".

what about the 2 knee braces maravich was wearing at the end of his career? I think those had a tendency to slow him down some.

 

[WA_Vol]

I explained the tremendous differences between Price and Lofton earlier in this thread. The comparisons to Pistol and Bird are ludicrous. As it pertains to Maravich, he wasn't slow. If you listen to the guys who played against him, like those interviewed in the documentary CBS showed Sunday, they all talk about his first step. Bird had unrivaled instincts for the game. Also, he was a better ballhandler at 6'9" than Lofton is at 6'2".

everybody knows bird was 6'9 and lofton is 6'2 i mentioned it originally in the post.

the point is bird isn't in the hall of fame because of "God-given" quickness. lots of players have overcome shortcomings in this area. why isn't it possible to consider that Lofton could?

 

[hatvol96]

what about the 2 knee braces maravich was wearing at the end of his career? I think those had a tendency to slow him down some.

Didn't do much other than sit on the Celtic bench at that point in his career.

 

[therickbol]

There is also the fact that overall there is more athletic abillity and quickness in the league than when Bird, Price, etc, etc played. Watch replays of games during that era and then watch todays NBA games. The game is just so much quicker today. I am a fan of Chris Lofton and think he is great. I hope he finds a niche in the NBA. I am just being realistic about it. Hey, I think the same thing about JJ Reddick. I love him. Great player. But, he will either find his niche with the right team in a perfect sytem for him or he will not be able to be very successful in the NBA. He is going to have to be surrounded by other players that are very good and will demand double teams so his man leaves him. Otherwise, if the defender just mans up on him and doesn't help off he will never get a good look at the basket. Same deal with Lofton. Realistically.

 

[hatvol96]

everybody knows bird was 6'9 and lofton is 6'2 i mentioned it originally in the post.

the point is bird isn't in the hall of fame because of "God-given" quickness. lots of players have overcome shortcomings in this area. why isn't it possible to consider that Lofton could?

Bird overcame his lack of top level quickness by having the best hand eye coordination in the history of the game and an extraordinary skill set for someone his size. Had Bird been 6'2" he wouldn't have been nearly as effective. Lofton is nowhere near the college player that a Shawn Respert or a Randolph Childress were. They washed out quickly. I see absolutely no reason to expect more from Lofton.

 

[WA_Vol]

Didn't do much other than sit on the Celtic bench at that point in his career.

maravich averaged double digits in scoring with 2 knee braces on legs.

 

[hatvol96]

maravich averaged double digits in scoring with 2 knee braces on legs.

Averaging doulble figures in the league isn't that big a deal for even a decent player. Everyone talks about what a bust Christian Laettner is, but his career average is well over 10 a game. Also, comparing Maravich's ballhandling to Lofton's is like comparing Selma Hayek to Hillary Clinton.

 

[therealUT]

I would have to say that this whole topic is a bit premature. Hatvol is correct, if Lofton does not develop the other parts of his game, then he will never make it on to an NBA roster. However, he has two years to get faster and stronger, smaller and quicker. Hopefully, he goes through the same progression that JJ Redick went through, only time will tell. Either way, this topic is a good year and a half early.

 

[RockTop_Jon]

Loftons game is not ready for the NBA just yet he needs to mature into a better ball handeler and defensive presence. Over his next two season I can not wait to see him turn into a general on the floor that his team mates will follow. But to mention his name with the likes of JJ Redick, only time will tell.

 

[lawgator1]

No.

 

[rockydoc]

Not to mention Jeff Hornachek, Scott Skiles, Brian Winters, and the

the spot-up shooting guard that played with the Bulls when Jordan won his initial NBA Championships.

[/quote

Actually I was referring to John Paxson (not to mention his twin, Jim). Also what about Downtown Freddie Brown who played with the Supersonics in the early 80's. But I'm sure Mr. Know-it-all will have some reason why these were faster,smarter, or better ballhandlers than Lofton. :banghead:

Might as well throw in Craig Hodges who, though a little taller than CL, was purely an outside gunner in the NBA with no speed or ballhandling skills.

 

[holdemvol]

I would like to see some recent examples of slower, smaller, athleticaly challenged players (on the NBA level) who have been successful in THIS era of NBA basketball. The game is a lot different than it was when any of the "examples" posted in this thread played. I am a huge fan of Lofton, but like I posted before does anyone actually believe that lofton could score on the likes of Ron Artest, Tayshaun Prince or Bruce Bowen? The NBA is not the SEC folks and Lofton was not blessed with the tools needed on that level.

 

[hatvol96]

[/quote

Actually I was referring to John Paxson (not to mention his twin, Jim). Also what about Downtown Freddie Brown who played with the Supersonics in the early 80's. But I'm sure Mr. Know-it-all will have some reason why these were faster,smarter, or better ballhandlers than Lofton. :banghead:

Might as well throw in Craig Hodges who, though a little taller than CL, was purely an outside gunner in the NBA with no speed or ballhandling skills.

1. Jim and John Paxson are not twins. 2. Fred Brown hasn't played in 20+ years. Are we going to go back to the pre-24 second clock era next? 3. Chris Lofton has shown himself to be a very good college shooter, nothing more. He's not in the league of truly great college shooters like Chris Mullin, to name one. Craig Hodges was taller, which made it easier to get his shot off. If Garret Temple can eliminate Lofton as a factor, I would cringe to think what elite NBA defenders would do to him.

 

[hatvol96]

I would like to see some recent examples of slower, smaller, athleticaly challenged players (on the NBA level) who have been successful in THIS era of NBA basketball. The game is a lot different than it was when any of the "examples" posted in this thread played. I am a huge fan of Lofton, but like I posted before does anyone actually believe that lofton could score on the likes of Ron Artest, Tayshaun Prince or Bruce Bowen? The NBA is not the SEC folks and Lofton was not blessed with the tools needed on that level.

The better question is, how would Lofton guard Ron Artest, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, etc.?

 

[holdemvol]

The better question is, how would Lofton guard Ron Artest, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, etc.?

Honestly as much as it pains me to say it......it would be laughable. The Lofton story really reminds me of Rick Clausen. Before anyone rips me for that one Lofton is a much better basketball player than RC was a QB but they are both guys that nobody wanted, found some success on the college level, and unfortunately don't have the physical tools needed to go much further.

 

[Taylor Moran]

I don't think Lofton could play in the NBA either for all the reasons listed above.

Imagine Lofton with Asumnu's athleticism.

Thats how Tony Passely was supposed to be but we see what happened there

 

[chasechasechase]

Hopefully we dont have to worry about this for a long time but when he does or if he does...do you think Chris Lofton will be a success in the NBA or will he get drafted? Your Thoughts??

i agree with matt.. lofton is a great shooter and a great game saver... but his defense is, well, terrible.. as much as i hate to say it lofton will not be in the NBA if he doesnt step up his defense...

 

[rockydoc]

You know Tubby Smith didn't think Lofton was good enough to play in the SEC either. He lived to regret that decision.