MAVS NEWS:

[hakeemfaan]

I was exaggerating. 

Of course he would have to have not lost a ton of athleticism. I still dispute that the running, jumping and lateral quickness aren’t as important as other things that make him a great player. If he comes back looking like Gheorghe Muresan, then well, yeah, we’re going to hope they didn’t extend his contract. I’m pretty confident that whatever issues there are aren’t going to reach those levels of calamity.

You still didn't answer what makes him a great player if he loses some of his athleticism. I mentioned his deficiencies as a player.  There is a big difference between what Lively was before and Muresan.  No one is saying he will come back as a Muresan (at least one hopes not). 

You mentioned processing speed and basketball IQ, which I conceded that players who can shine in the NBA (which he certainly did when he was healthy) definitely have.  Someone like Kai Jones didn't make it despite insane athleticism due to that. However, no concessions from you that even superstar players suddenly lose it when they lose a step?  Many veterans have said that there is no gradual decline.  They feel it immediately. Did they all lose their processing speed and IQ? No, but the loss in a step did affect their games. At least the ability to shoot or pass the ball doesn't rely on supreme athletic ability and can allow them to slow down their eventual retirement or mask some of that athletic loss. How will Lively mask that?

Why is there so much optimism that a stress fracture and repeated surgeries are not a big deal for a 7 fter whose game is heavily reliant on his athleticism? Is his processing speed and bbiq going to make up for any drop in his athleticism or shield his body from being injury prone?