Mahoney definitely nailed Wood. (insert rimshot)
I met Tyson Chandler during preseason and asked about Wood. He didn't offer anything super juicy but he said Wood has "all the talent in the world". I asked if Wood can play defense and Tyson raised his eyebrows and shook his head as if to say he wasn't sure. Then after a brief pause he said "He has to want to."
That was the narrative on Wood coming in and it's reflected in Mahoney's analysis where he notes "...unless Wood drills down on ... attentive defense, sturdier screens, more diligent box-outs ..." The idea being that Wood is capable of playing winning basketball, he just doesn't.
But after watching him for 24 games I really do wonder if there's something else at play. Maybe it's a maturity thing that he'll never outgrow. He's clearly motivated to be a great player, but not a winning one, and I have serious doubts that will change.
I met Tyson Chandler during preseason and asked about Wood. He didn't offer anything super juicy but he said Wood has "all the talent in the world". I asked if Wood can play defense and Tyson raised his eyebrows and shook his head as if to say he wasn't sure. Then after a brief pause he said "He has to want to."
That was the narrative on Wood coming in and it's reflected in Mahoney's analysis where he notes "...unless Wood drills down on ... attentive defense, sturdier screens, more diligent box-outs ..." The idea being that Wood is capable of playing winning basketball, he just doesn't.
But after watching him for 24 games I really do wonder if there's something else at play. Maybe it's a maturity thing that he'll never outgrow. He's clearly motivated to be a great player, but not a winning one, and I have serious doubts that will change.
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