Originally Posted by
the_ouskull
A few thoughts...
- Tiny losing the weight wasn't about "his work ethic." Tiny losing the weight was about him doing the bare minimum along his path towards his NBA destiny. They weren't going to draft a fat kid with only one year of college. Now that he's just portly, perhaps they will.
Being able to play, on both ends of the court, but ESPECIALLY defense, helps in the NBA too, kid.
- As for Willie not being big enough to play the two in the NBA... he's listed at D-Wade's height, and is easily 3-4" taller than Allen Iverson. JJ Reddick is not a "tall" 6'3" because of his athleticism. Willie Warren IS a "tall" 6'3" because of his. I mean, I don't think he'll be an NBA point guard either, but I could be wrong.
-----
One thing that is somewhat disturbing to me, is, with Willie coming here because of Blake, and Tiny coming here because of Blake and Willie, are THESE the types of players we're going to attract to OU now? The "I-do-it-my-way" AAU-bred Five-Star kids with no idea about how to work, who weren't smart/creative enough to get into Duke? I'd rather have Heart, Hustle, and Hardwood back. Give me a Renzi Stone over a Tiny Gallon. At least if Renzi hit someone, the words "b*tch" and "slap" weren't going to be involved. With "Tiny," I'm not so sure.
It's as much an indictment on the whole "trophy culture" that h.s. basketball has become anyway. It's not about the championships anymore, so much as the individual accolades; the Arches - the ESPN and Rivals 100. I hope I'm wrong about Willie; I want to believe that I am, even though I do not think that I am - and as far as I'm concerned, unless he gets punched in the face by Steven Segall over the summer and gets some sense knocked into him, "Tiny" is a wash, too.
Enjoy your three year rookie contract, "Tiny." Don't expect a second one unless you ditch the (pre-09/10) Zach Randolph tag I saddled you with earlier this year. You think OU fans are harsh. Try going to an NBA team, sir. There, you're getting paid, and best believe people will say whatever they want. Kinda like me, only I love the Sooners, and I get the idea that some sportswriters downright hate the teams they cover.
It should be an interesting off-season leading into next year. It can only get better, gang.
the_ouskull