As he continues to develop...is CJ Fair eventually going to play in the NBA?

[moqui]

I think he will get a decent NBA paycheck for a while. We are definitely seeing flashes of his athleticism and his ability to attack the rim. While Joseph has ups and can finish.. CJ when he attacks.. he is explosive off the floor from a standing jump. That alley-oop against Uconn only further proves how good his hops can be. One thing about CJ that you can't understate is his approach to the game. When you watch KJo or Wes attack the hoop they do so sometimes too quickly and get in trouble. CJ slows the game down for himself and use the shot fake and good footwork to attack using both his athleticism and skill along with patience. Patience is the key along with confidence. CJ has that uncanny sense to make the right move to the hoop and be in the right position that makes the difference between a guy who has all the tools but can't connect the dots vs the guy that can.

In the spirit of Linsanity.. watch Lin how he approaches the game. He does so quickly but measures up his opponent and makes an intelligent play and then uses skill to finish the play. CJ has this ability.. Pace had it as well but CJ is more athletically and sizewise gifted than pace and he also has a much nicer shot. If CJ continues to improve his explosiveness and his outside jumper.. he has an NBA career ahead of him.

CJ can't doesn't go to his right; he always goes left. If he was a primary offensive option, teams would prepar for him and just sit on that left hand. He would be a turnover machine.

 

[The General]

As far as height their are plenty of 6-6 to 6'-7" SF in the NBA. To me he compares to Josh Howard. 6'7" doesn't do anything great but is solid. drafted 29th. Good scorer and has played a good amount of years.

Don't agree with the comments that CJ isn't atheletic. Guy jumps out of the gym and has had some nasty dunks. He gets up and down the court fast.

Good comparison. I keep saying Matt Barnes.

 

[The General]

CJ can't doesn't go to his right; he always goes left. If he was a primary offensive option, teams would prepar for him and just sit on that left hand. He would be a turnover machine.

It's funny, watch when he drives with his right across the lane. He does the same thing every time. Stops, turns back and looks to pass it out. With his left he just goes up over his guy.

 

[Orangezoo]

I agree he has his limitations.. he needs to develop going to the opposite hand. That can be part of his progression. You rarely see him not find an open teammate or turn it over when that happens however. He recognizes his limitations and quickly moves the ball before he gets into trouble. Have noticed him attack from the right wing a couple of times so I am presuming he will get there with his off-hand

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Good comparison. I keep saying Matt Barnes.

Thats a really really good comparison. I couldnt think of a guy, but CJ could be a Barnes-esque guy if he keeps developing and expanding his offensive game.

 

[Garbs]

Wes Johnson has absolutely no motor, but he was a workout monster out of college. Great kid, good head, nice attitude, great athlete, appeared to be a good spot up shooter in college. But you watch him now and he clearly does not belong in the NBA. He literally stands in place on the court, making nothing happen off the ball. I don't have that concern with CJ, if he were to get a shot.

exactly Wes Johnson was way over-rated

 

[Flacusian]

This is how I view it:

I'm going to make a rough assumption that guys 9 through 15 on most NBA rosters are pretty much equal as players, and there is another X number of players that could land on one of those spots but for whatever reason aren't in the league. The ones that are have ended up there because a team invested in them (draft pick), they're young and have some upside, they fill some niche role, they play for cheap, they have an appealing contract situation that makes them some kind of an asset, the coaching staff/GM are high on the player for whatever reason, etc. and the ones that didn't just didn't have those same things going for them.

Anyway, the context the player ends up with matters. I mean geez, we have a guy in Lin that was the 4th point guard on Houston's bench now making headlines about how Melo is going to have to adjust his all-star caliber game to fit with Lin's style.

So I'm not as concerned about projecting CJ's talent or strengths and weaknesses. I think a lot of guys have a shot, if they can land in the right situation for them. I think CJ can be one of those guys. I'm not saying he will definitely get a chance to be an NBA player like Waiters and Fab will, but it's not impossible for me to envision him landing on an NBA roster as one of those 9 through 15 guys.

Good Post Otto/ I see it pretty much the same way.

 

[OttoMets]

CJ can't doesn't go to his right; he always goes left. If he was a primary offensive option, teams would prepar for him and just sit on that left hand. He would be a turnover machine.

Good observation. This thread sounds suspiciously similar to many regarding Joseph two years ago (before defenses keyed in on his weaknesses).

Come December, Fair have a five-turnover game because of that inability to go right. Posters on here will say all manner of horrible things about him (while clamoring for that future NBA all-star Jerami Grant to be given a more prominent role).

 

[moqui]

(while clamoring for that future NBA all-star Jerami Grant to be given a more prominent role).

 

[rrlbees]

As much as I would love to see him get a shot in the NBA, I just don't think he will stick. To me is a 4 in a 3's body. He doesn't shoot well enough nor handle well enough to be an NBA 3, although that is what he will be here next year, and he isn't close to the size of a 4. Bt who knows, maybe in the next 2 years he finds a great handle and shot.

 

[realorange]

CJ with 2 more years experience at Syracuse + 20 #muscle + progressive skills = NBA

 

[kcsu]

yes he has a knack for the ball plays good D is a team player and being a lefty helps

 

[Garbs]

nbadraft.net as of this morning has him as the last pick in the first round next year