Will Blalock - Sioux Falls Skyforce Tracker - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

buddahfan · #1 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 03:56 AM

Is this guy as good as Mateen?

At least Mateen won a NCAA championship.

Quote:

Mateen Cleaves (born September 7, 1977 in Flint, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics. Cleaves is most remembered for his brilliant career at Michigan State. Cleaves' No. 12 jersey was officially retired at Michigan State University on February 3, 2007 before the Michigan State-Ohio State game.
"Mateen Cleaves took a chance on me and this program before we were established; he might be as responsible as any player in the nation for turning around a team and a program. Michigan State basketball would not be what it is today without him." coach Tom Izzo said.
Cleaves, a three-time MSU captain, led the Spartans to the 2000 national championship and was named MVP of the Final Four. He is the school's only three-time All-American. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year twice. He also leads MSU and the Big Ten in career assists with 816.
Cleaves became the eighth MSU player to have his number retired. The others are Scott Skiles (4), Steve Smith (21), Johnny Green (24), Shawn Respert (24), Jay Vincent (31), Greg Kelser (32) and Magic Johnson (33).

Over 6 years in the NBA Mateen in 167 games has averaged 3.6 points and 1.9 assists per game.

Mateen Cleaves - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mateen Cleaves Statistics - Basketball-Reference.com

In three years at Iowa State, which is not exactly a top level collegiate basketball program Blalock averaged 11.6 points a game and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field and 71% from the charity stripe.

With the Skyforce he is averaging 8.9 points a game and 6.3 assists a game while shooting 37% from the field and 80% from the charity stripe.

Will Blalock - Iowa State Cyclones - NCAA Basketball - Yahoo! Sports

NBA Development League: Will Blalock Player Info

This guy should be waived.

mikhail1973 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 07:57 PM

He needs to be able to shoot. That's the only way he could earn a backup job with an NBA team. Otherwise he'd be useless because teams will not have to guard him and he'd have noone to dish to.

buddahfan · #3 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikhail1973

He needs to be able to shoot. That's the only way he could earn a backup job with an NBA team. Otherwise he'd be useless because teams will not have to guard him and he'd have noone to dish to.

Excellent point. I agree.

Slippy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2007, 11:11 AM

I know I asked a similar question WAY WAY WAY WAY back but can he learn to shoot/score? Particularly in the offseason. I don't see his window in the NBA open much longer. I think Summer league and thats it. He may come back after D-league or In'tl play but this window looks grim.

How long would it take to develop a semi consistent jump shot?

TaShawn · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2007, 11:31 AM

If he were a big man who didn't play basketball his whole life, I would say that he could develop it. But most guards like Will have been playing ball their whole lives. If he doesn't have it now, it may be possible that he just doesn't have it.

He should get a personal shooting coach and work with him for a year while playing in Europe and then come back and try again.

mikhail1973 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2007, 01:24 PM

The problem that I see is that he could not even distinguish himself in the D-League. Amir initially looked totally not ready on Pistons team, but he tore up the D-League and opened some eyes to the talent that he has. Will on the other hand, had a couple of good games, but for the most part looked mediocre. So, realistically there is not much to build upon.

Rip 32 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-24-2007, 11:06 PM

well its not over for him yet the doors arent closed and the lights arent out lol sorry i ad to say that i personally dont like him as an iowa hawkeye fan but he does have a lot of potential tho its funny how mateen hasnt done much in the NBA isnt it does he even play anymore

mikhail1973 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 03:20 AM

Mateen is in NBDL. As far as Blaylock goes, unless he develops a semi-reliable jump-shot he's not going to make it in NBA. Defense would just play him for a pass and he'd have nothing else to show for.

Slippy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 11:59 AM

Blalock returns to the Pistons. Expected to sit inactive.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

TaShawn · #10 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Slippywalker

Blalock returns to the Pistons. Expected to sit inactive.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

I believe I saw him sitting with Amir in a suit last game.

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