[scorecard]

Anyway, while I'm being grumpy and contrarian I wasn't as impressed with Travis as the rest of you. There are positive signs -- he seems quite quick, very mobile, cuts well. But then there aren't so many -- his post game appears limited at this point, the jump shot is meh, and I'm not sure about his touch around the rim. On the evidence of one game -- I know, small sample size -- I don't see why he'd be a threat to leave early. Feel free to resurrect this prediction later if it looks stupid, but the NBA isn't exactly lusting for undersized, somewhat athletic power forwards with OK skills.

I don't think he is a threat to leave early at all.  I agree that his game (as presently constructed, and with limited viewing) does not appear to translate to the NBA, but I am not excited about him for the sake of the NBA, I am excited about what he can do for Stanford.  He is the perfect type of player for Stanford, precisely because he is a high level player for the college game who won't be a simple one-and-done (I'd expect 3 years at a minimum, but probably all 4).  He fills a definite need for interior toughness and he is ready to go right now.  I would be happy to some extent even if all he gave us was a game like last night, but I am even more excited because I am certain his best is yet to come.

[scorecard]

Anyway, while I'm being grumpy and contrarian I wasn't as impressed with Travis as the rest of you. There are positive signs -- he seems quite quick, very mobile, cuts well. But then there aren't so many -- his post game appears limited at this point, the jump shot is meh, and I'm not sure about his touch around the rim. On the evidence of one game -- I know, small sample size -- I don't see why he'd be a threat to leave early. Feel free to resurrect this prediction later if it looks stupid, but the NBA isn't exactly lusting for undersized, somewhat athletic power forwards with OK skills.

I don't think he is a threat to leave early at all.  I agree that his game (as presently constructed, and with limited viewing) does not appear to translate to the NBA, but I am not excited about him for the sake of the NBA, I am excited about what he can do for Stanford.  He is the perfect type of player for Stanford, precisely because he is a high level player for the college game who won't be a simple one-and-done (I'd expect 3 years at a minimum, but probably all 4).  He fills a definite need for interior toughness and he is ready to go right now.  I would be happy to some extent even if all he gave us was a game like last night, but I am even more excited because I am certain his best is yet to come.