Anonymous
Years ago
Tate scored 13 points, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and had a plus-minus of +14, comfortably the highest on his team. He played 37 minutes in a game that went to overtime.
Houston were missing a few players due to COVID protocol, so it's not expected his minutes will be that high all the time, but he showed that he belonged.
Could he be the best NBL to NBA export?
No Weaver on sideline. Tate was good, nbl is great teaching league.
Lol everyone needs to stop riding Melos dick...
The Melo love is crazy.
Let's be happy for Tate.
Let's see, Doug Overton had a long career there.
Maybe Melo will be an all star ( probably not).
But this thread is to acknowledge Tate's impressive debut.
Melo riding can have a separate thread.
Overton played in the NBA for 11 seasons. Tate has played just one game. A solid debut, but let's hold off on anointing him just yet. He’s a classic case of a situational guy who has landed in a perfect situation for his skillset. Not to discredit what he did and I loved his energy. But let’s see what he does when the rest of the roster is cleared to play.
The OP asked: Could he be the best NBL to NBA export?
Answer: Melo will be
D2.0
Years ago
Obviously he's not the first, nor the last, but Do you think this further boosts the profile of the NBL? In the minds of NBA recruiters??
As in "guys that do exceptionally well here are worth a crack"??
eg does it help guys like Londale who are hoping to go from here direct to the NBA??
OR, do you think someone like Tate was already on their radar, and his year here was almost irrelevant?
I suppose part of my question is; "would it be better for an NBA aspirant to STAR in the NBL, or to play in a tougher Euro league, where his stats would be less spectacular?"
It helps to have connections, Tate was great but it was always a one and done, his first season in Belgium wasn't that great, as soon as Weaver was signed he was a king. He had great references re hard work, great competitor and team man. He proved himself and got in the nba. As someone else noted , not a great difference between him and Creek. Good luck to him and a great debut.
I’m still not convinced Landale with his level of athleticism is going to get there, there are players in the nba similar to him but all 7ft plus with massive arm spans. Certainly playing at United this season imo is a help for him though.
AngusH
Years ago
Those 4 games with the Sydney Kings really kickstarted Stephen Jackson's NBA career. ;P
Tate looked really good. Got an opportunity and made the most of it.
"I suppose part of my question is; would it be better for an NBA aspirant to STAR in the NBL, or to play in a tougher Euro league, where his stats would be less spectacular?"
Take out the Euroleague, there is no competition in Europe that stands above the NBL, so coming to Australia allows you to play at a level that is highly respected, and to be a standout you need to be playing at a very high level.
Everyone saying Creek could do what Tate did - but didn't Creek get a few games and didn't really produce anything like what Tate did in his first game?
Tate got over 30 minutes due to rockets having so many out, he did great but got a good run at it.
Much tougher day at the office. His defence is looking like against Perth in last season GF. Still great highlight dunk though.
His defense is ultimately what will determine if he has an NBA future or not. Was exposed too many times yesterday as it was in the NBL GF and if it doesn't improve, he isn’t at a level where the other stuff he does can make up for it and earn him minutes.
Tate won't last the season. It’s as simple as that.
Tjamu
Years ago
Lamelo Ball is a gifted passer and literally nothing else. The fact anyone thinks he has a shot at rookie of the year or an all star level career shows us how everyone is a prisoner of the moment.....
Shows you how many many people got it wrong. I certainly saw him play and undoubtedly talented, nothing more.
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