Who is Micheal Eric?
2012-07-24Maybe the readers can provide an answer.
After Eric played 63 minutes for the Cavs Summer League team, Byron Scott said to the Akron Beacon Journal: “He has to look at himself as Ibaka, a guy that came in who was raw, but defensively was a great help defender and a great one-on-one defender, then your offensive game kind of comes. That’s how Ibaka has developed and I think he [Eric] has the same type of potential. It’s a hell of a comparison, and it’s a good comparison because I think with his athleticism and the way he jumps and blocks shots, he can be on that level. I don’t know if he can get to where Ibaka is because Ibaka is pretty damn good, but he can be somewhere near that level.”
A quick glance of some handy, dandy references tells me that Ibaka is a 22-year-old member of the NBA all-defense first-team. Our diamond-in-the-rough is a 24 year old, that through four years at Temple never warranted a write-up from draftexpress or ESPN.
The son of a Nigerian soccer player, a brief search turned up at least one more decent article on Eric, via the Detroit Free Press. His work on the boards improved every year with the Owls, and he finished his college career as both a high quality rebounder and shot blocker. Turnover prone, he also struggled with free throws to the tune of 55% makes.
What do you think, Cavs fans? Had B-Scott been staying out to late in Vegas, or can Micheal Eric play?
JAG for some reason many of the commuters labor under the delusion that one can’t get better without being handed the starting job from day one. I agree with you and Byron Scott however in that unless a player earns his minutes it’s better to not give them to him even if he is the better player. That prevents him from from becoming complacent. It reminds me of when the Browns handed the starting corner jobs to Eric Wright and Brandon MAcdonald under Romeo in 07 vs sitting Joe Haden for a couple games under GIni in 10. Ya it… Read more »
I like Miles and always have. Btw, I saw very little from Eric in Summer League that would lead me to believe he will make an opening night roster much less be a rotation guy…
Keith, I’m not saying bring Miles in as a long term starter over Waiters. I see him as a capable NBA rotation player that could start until Waiters proves his worth. Waiters does not seem to be the type of person that will perform unless he is required to compete for his minutes. I think that if he is given the SG position from day one it will stunt his development. His complacency in preparing for summer league is a good indicator of how much of a self motivator he really is. In player development, playing time is secondary to… Read more »
CJ Miles has been a pro for 7 years. No WAY he should start over Dion. Dion’s got potential…time to get him the playing time and see what happens. That’s the only way to grow for the future.
CJ can be a solid rotation guy, but no reason to give him more shots…he’s past that.
Byron Scott most likely is referring to Eric’s being similar style wise and development wise and is not saying he will become the next Ibaka. It’s like when people compare Waiters to Wade. I don’t think anyone believes that Waiters will be as good as Wade. They are saying he has a similar style and that style can play out quite well in the NBA. It’s really hard to determine the upper limits of what these incredibly athletic guys, who didn’t grow up playing BB, actually is. Most of us have written off Eyenga and seemed to be right through… Read more »
I don’t mean to say that Byron is being dumb in that he actually believes this kid can have an Ibaka like career. I just think he is being dumb by saying something like that to motivate him. Maybe someone like Okafur would be closer in playing style. I really don’t think people understand Ibaka’s game and assume that he had all the same problems that African guys frequently have. I think that isn’t beneficial on any level.
He’ll probably be the next Michael Jordan
Eh B. Scott is just trying to motivate the kid. And we’re in the (Moon)dog days of Cavs news right now.
Ben, I think that’s little far calling or even hinting that B. Scott is dumb or stupid. He simply says that Eric has shown at least a little of the fundamentals that Ibaka showed when he was coming into the league. Just because someone is compared to another player in the league, doesn’t mean he has everything that the better player has. I don’t think he’ll be a touch on Ibaka but he could be more of a Jeremy Tyler.
It’s a little depressing to hear Byron talk that way. It is both incredibly disrespectful of Ibaka’s game and/or shows a dose of stupidity that he has normally stayed clear of. For as often as people talk about how raw Ibaka was when he came into the league, it is silly that no one mentions that his shooting stroke was already very good. He still almost always misses long or short and not left or right. You don’t hit as many jumpers as Ibaka has by getting lucky and developing from nothing like it is often claimed. Also, Ibaka is… Read more »
I bet this is the last time we hear of eric murphy
The Cavs are building quite an abundance of role player power forwards.
He has an aggressive haircut…
“A quick glance of some handy, dandy references tells me that Ibaka is a 22-year-old member of the NBA all-defense first-team. Our diamond-in-the-rough is a 24 year old, that through four years at Temple never warranted a write-up from draftexpress or ESPN.” I think that pretty much answers the question. I haven’t seen Eric play, and his rebounding and blocking numbers aren’t bad, so maybe he can find a spot on someone’s bench and given an opportunity to grow. I just have trouble seeing him winning a spot when we have Andy, TT, Leuer, Zeller, Samuels, and Kevin Jones ahead… Read more »