Micro's Jason Maxiell Thread

[roscoe36]

Now that Joe's made a trade and moved the most talked about draft pick in Pistons history, I thought it might be time to take a look at Jason Maxiell, our last 1st round pick.

Here is a quick rundown on Maxiell.

He's a wide upper body undersized PF. Keeping with Joe's penchant for acquiring long athletes (Prince, Wallace & Wallace), Jason has a 7 foot 3 inch wingspan, while being generously listed at 6 foot 7 inches.

He has a soft jump shot, natural shotblocker instincts, and can destroy a rim with his ferocious dunks.

On the downside, he is small and wide making a move to Center or Small Forward a challenging matchup. Not an outstanding rebounder, and like any rookie who has seen little court time, there is going to be an adjustment as he learns his way.

J-Max played at the University of Cincinnati, for Coach Bob Huggins, who was recently fired for an off the court scandal. Coach Huggins is one of the winningest coaches in Conference USA history, and his program has sent several players to the NBA in recent years including DeMarr Johnson, Rueben Patterson, Kenyon Martin and Danny Fortson. Coach Huggins is known for physical defensive basketball and coaching work ethic and intensity.

In fact, the Danny Fortson comparisons in the Yahoo draft capsule make me laugh as most people will assume they refer to the enforcer that Fortson is today, and not the promising Power Forward he was when entering the league.

Take a look at Danny's first couple of years. Until his foot injury and falling out in Golden State, he was developing into a double double a night player.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...fortsda01.html

At the Vegas Summer League tournament last July, J-Max won First Team honours, as well as finishing second in the league for Blocks per game.

Our own congoman and The Low reported their take on Maxiell based on SL games they saw in Sin City.

congoman

Game 1: We have a definite winner in Maxiel. He has arms almost down to his knees. He is very quick and strong. He's like Corlis on speed. He has a nice 15 ft jumper that he hit every time. He is a very strong rebounder...like Ben.

Game 2: Maxiel is a monster...very aggressive.

Game 3: Maxiell is the real deal. He played the 4 all game and covered Kaman and another 7 footer alot. He not only has long arms but has some hops as well. He has a good feel around the basket and a nice (but flat)12 footer.

The Low

Game 1: Ok, I must say that Maxiell looked pretty good from the start today. At first glance, big wide body. This guys isn't built quite like Ben, but one year in the gym with the Fro and it's OVER. This guy will put on muscle and become a monster.

Game time, this guy is a pretty good shooter from 10 to 12 ft. Teams will not be able to just walk away from this guy. He's got a reach on his jumper like Sheed; not quite the full body extension, but his arms are long enough to where he won't have to out-jump guys to get a shot up over them. He does appear to struggle (but not much) with the turn-around jumper off the block, but that's probably more a balance issue than his actual shot mechanics. He runs the floor pretty well, he won't get caught lagging behind the pack, however, he doesn't quite jump like Ben. I noticed he has a bit of trouble finishing on quick jumps (dunks) and tip jams. I'm sure there's something they can do to help him improve his vertical in that aspect. Excellent two footed jumper in the paint, though.

Maxiell played in spurts so he didn't really get extremely long minutes each time, but the kid looks good and I think once he hits the weights...LOOKOUT!

Game 2: Through the first and second quarters this guy is really hitting the boards well and finishing at the basket. He's put down some monster dunks today...HARD. It seems like everytime this guy leaves the floor they call him for something. Maybe he should put on a Denver jersey and then he wouldn't get the calls against him.

I don't have alot on Maxiell today because this guy was simply solid. I honestly expect him to see some PT this year if he shows well in practices. I think they will need to work with him on avoiding contact. Especially since the league is trying to legislate contact out of the sport. But I will tell you this, Maxiell is backing down from no one. He and Ben should have some classic battles. Didn't shoot as many jumpers today, but did knock down a couple. Did most of his damage around the basket.

Here at PF.com, some of us have taken an early shine to the rookie, and in game chat, either linwood or mercury (assuming my memory is right) dubbed him "The Brahma". Brahmas are bulls, best known as an exotic bucking rodeo breed.

I've also included some choice links on the Baby Bull.

Yahoo - Jason Maxiell Draft Capsule

University of Cincinnati News Record - Jason Maxiell: "The Quiet Monster"

Detroit Free Press - GETTING PERSONAL WITH ... Jason Maxiell

NBA.com Jason Maxiell Player Page

82games.com - Jason Maxiell

Cincinnati Enquirer - Cheers to Maxiell for doing it right, Basketball only part of Max's legacy at UC

Cincinnati Enquirer - He'll help keep "D" in Detroit

Jason Maxiell @ Wikipedia

NBA.com Jason Maxiell Draft Profile

Pistons.com Rookie Diary

Latest Diary Entry (#7)

~~ Comments on The Brahma? ~~

[linwood]

The article from the Cincinnatti newspaper is really good. The moment it starts off with... Conference playoffs against Louisville, brought back some memories. I try to watch as many UK and Louisville games as possible and I remember thinking, "this one kid is going to beat the whole Cardinals team"

I can't wait for JMax to get some playing time. The footage from summer league and the block party is amazing.

Here's a little quote from his coach at Cincinnatti:

He maximizes his strength against taller opponents on the blocks, plays excellent help-side defense (where he registers the majority of his block shots) and seemingly always defends switches and picks correctly. Plus, as DeRogatis recalled from his AAU days, he always "could block anything."

Sounds alot like my favorite Center in the NBA. Also reminescent of a certain 6'9" center:

All indications, according to Patricia, are that Maxiell is not big enough to be a power forward in the NBA. At 6-foot-7, he is a good two-to-three inches short than the average NBA No. 4 man. Experts have told her that Maxiell will be a small forward at the next level. According to his coaches and one NBA scout, these indications are dead wrong.

"No way [Maxiell is a small forward]. No way in a million years. He's a power forward. That's what he is," Kennedy said. "That's what the NBA knows he is. They have no misconceptions about him being anything other than a power forward."

Yeah, and Ben is too small to play center.

I guess I am a fan of that Bearcat style, because even though I hated playing against him, Kenyon Martin is an awesome competitor. And Danny Fortson is a great player too. (Seattle is wasting him in an "enforcer only" role). Nothing excites me more than tough, hardworking cats willing to clean up the glass and play some D.

[mercury]

Free the Brahma!
Honestly with Cato in the Mix seems like we're loaded this year with PF/C's... might have to wait a year...
Still think these kids should be playing some in the NBDL... I think they understand the playbook by now.

[armygirl]

Hey guys;

I also like the obvious potential of JMAX. As much as I also like the upside of Mo Evans, I would pull the trigger on a trade that involves Mo Evans for a nice backup PG. This will free up some room for JMax to get playing time. Only question: Would he be able to hang in there with the top Power Forwards? How will he do in the playoffs going up against say J Oneal? Jmax must start getting 6-7 minutes a game in order to get him prepared for the fast pace of a playoff atmosphere both mentally and physically.

[linwood]

Is there any way to place a Darko ban on this thread? Just one thread with no mention of YKW. Please.

roscoe36: New discussion thread started here. Darko vs. J-Max

[G-man]

Jurys out from the soft underbelly of my barcolounger. I know he's gotten very few minutes and all at the very end of games, but this cat seems to have tunnel vision, string-itis. He gets the rock in his hands it appears to have one way directional GPS chip that's astutely honed to the rim.

I'll be happy to see him pass the ball just so I know he can do it.

[linwood]

Originally Posted by G-man

Jurys out from the soft underbelly of my barcolounger. I know he's gotten very few minutes and all at the very end of games, but this cat seems to have tunnel vision, string-itis. He gets the rock in his hands it appears to have one way directional GPS chip that's astutely honed to the rim.

I'll be happy to see him pass the ball just so I know he can do it.

Maybe tonight the starters can put the Cavs away and we can see the Brahma's first pass.