Tai Webster - NBL

[FredsSlacks]

I don't know if HE ever was quoted as saying it but I do remember it being talked about.

 

I don't believe Tai ever said he'd be here in June, but I believe that Hawkins and Fuller will be arriving on June 7 for the first summer session.

 

If Webster doesn't show for a reason other than bombing the SAT, which I doubt will happen, then he's a king-sized douchebag who lied to his teammates, lied to the staff and lied to the fans. I'd like to think he and his family are better than that.

 

I'd prefer to see Tai in Lincoln in June, because, as you said, once he's here, he's here. I'd also rather see him running in pick-up games with his teammates than playing pro ball back in Kiwi land. However, he will get some good playing experience, so it's not all bad. Keeping my fingers crossed that the curse left with Doc.

Think about leaving the United States for the next 4 years. Wouldn't you want to stay in your home country for as long as possible until it's time to leave.

[Norm Peterson]

June is winter time in New Zealand.  He could come here and have two summers in a year.

[TheKamdyMan]

Could you imagine the uproar in this country if a basketball team was called the "Tall Blacks"? Oh boy...

Would technically describe some of the teams in the country.

[Nebrasketballer]

://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/322726426501582848">April

[Cell]

In his first game in the New Zealand National League Tai had 19 points, 6 assists in a full 40 minutes of game time. His team the Waikato Pistons lost 115-84 to the Wellington Saints. 

 

Heres the box score:

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/12151/07/57/79/37jJCQA9CrEg/

[trickey]

Can

[trickey]

In his first game in the New Zealand National League Tai had 19 points, 6 assists in a full 40 minutes of game time. His team the Waikato Pistons lost 115-84 to the Wellington Saints. 

 

Heres the box score:

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/12151/07/57/79/37jJCQA9CrEg/

Can anybody give us an idea of what kind of level this league is?

[trickey]

Can

Obviously, I still have a few things to learn about the edit option!

[Jugular]

Accordingto some posters, not even Class A in Nebraska. so, probably C2....Girls

In his first game in the New Zealand National League Tai had 19 points, 6 assists in a full 40 minutes of game time. His team the Waikato Pistons lost 115-84 to the Wellington Saints. 

 

Heres the box score:

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/12151/07/57/79/37jJCQA9CrEg/

Can anybody give us an idea of what kind of level this league is?

[Norm Peterson]

Accordingto some posters, not even Class A in Nebraska. so, probably C2....Girls

 

 

In his first game in the New Zealand National League Tai had 19 points, 6 assists in a full 40 minutes of game time. His team the Waikato Pistons lost 115-84 to the Wellington Saints. 

 

Heres the box score:

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/12151/07/57/79/37jJCQA9CrEg/

Can anybody give us an idea of what kind of level this league is?

 

I saw posters say that about his high school (Central would beat them) but I haven't seen anyone say that about this league.  This league might be pretty good.

[Nebrasketballer]

AUCKLAND (NBL) - The New Zealand Breakers have cemented their status as one of the finest teams in NBL history by capturing the title for the third straight time.

 

The club that's helping keep the national team, the Tall Blacks, among the formidable sides in international basketball swept the Perth Wildcats in the best-of-three Grand Final.

 

They followed up a 79-67 Game 1 triumph in Auckland with a 70-66 championship-clinching triumph in Perth over the weekend.

 

"Three in a row is something that only one team has ever done before."

 

Sydney captured the title in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

 

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/arti.asp?newsid=55306

[hugh42]

Interesting note, Tai's older brother Corey plays for Wellington.  Taking a brief look at the Wellington roster, these guys are men, not teenagers.  Couple of guys from the U.S. as well.  So Tai is more than likely playing against good competition and putting up good numbers, at least in game one anyway.

[Cell]

The New Zealand National League is a decent level of competition for somebody like Tai. It is no Big Ten but teams would range from solid mid majors (Wellington) to low majors (Waikato).

 

Each team has 2 Americans, usually these players were solid college players, either role players at big time schools or all conference type players at smaller ones. Examples are Josh Pace (Syracuse), Brian Conklin (St Louis), Jack Leasure (Coastal Carolina) and Vernon Hamilton (Clemson).

 

Most teams also include 2,3,4 or 5 top New Zealand players, these guys are veterans of processional basketball leagues in New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Lots of them have been to Olympics, World Championships and some played college ball in the US.

 

Generally the left over roster spots are filled by former New Zealand junior national team players and young current junior national team players. A bunch of these players have played lower level college basketball (NAIA, Junior College, DII).

 

For an Idea on the size of players; Guards range from 5'11 to 6'6. Forwards usually between 6'6 and 6'8. Centres are between 6'7 and 6'10.

 

That pretty much sums up the quality of the NZ league, if I find a stream for one of Tai's games ill post it here.

[Silverbacked1]

Thanks Cell it is always good to hear from you.

[jimmykc]

Yes, nice to read something from someone who actually seems to know something about the situation there. Hope you appreciate my kiwi.

[Cell]

Here's a link to a full game of Tai's from the NBL that was live streamed on the internet yesterday.

 

http://new.livestream.com/HighViewSport/events/2090702

 

Its the Wellington Saints (2nd on the table) against Tai's team, the Waikato Pistons (last placed). He is #9 on the white team.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Thanks, cell.  Interesting vid.  I'd say Tai would benefit from getting to Lincoln as soon as possible and working out with his new team.  The announcer's observation about his Pistons team having a very "static offense" was certainly accurate.  Lots of standing around.  Not creating passing lanes for teammates or moving well without the ball.  I worry that Tai could be developing some bad habits like on one of his early drives to the basket where he was hooking/pushing off his defender on his way driving to the hoop.

 

Tai did some nice things.  Showed some shooting touch and showed some decent court vision.  I don't like the hesitation at the top of his free throw windup.  But he has touch.  And he can shoot.  But the sooner he starts learning Miles' motion offense the better off he'll (and we'll) be.

[MandRHusker]

Tai must have had at least 20 in that game. What level of competition do you think those teams represented? D1?

[hugh42]

The players from the U.S. that are on the various rosters in the league were from D1 schools, albeit most from mid-majors or lower.  I would think it would be safe to say that the level of play would equate to D1, but not that of a high major.

[Norm Peterson]

From an athletic standpoint, his league in NZ is better than high school, certainly.  Not sure what level of college, but clearly better than HS.  So, he's facing better competition in this league than what his recruiting classmates Fuller and Hawkins faced this last season.  And the players are probably some-level-of-college skilled as well.  It's the coaching that leaves me wanting.  Cell mentions that Tai's team is in last place and it's not hard to see why.  There didn't seem to be a lot of unity of movement with his teammates, particularly in the halfcourt offense.  They were playing a glorified pickup game on their offensive end.  I saw some things that suggest that Tai could become a special player but he needs to get here in order to develop.  And the sooner that happens, the quicker he'll get up to speed and be able to contribute to this team this year.  

[uneblinstu]

IIRC, Tai joined the team late, which makes me wonder how many of his teammates were in a similar situaiton.  Gotta be hard to learn offensive and defensive systems and develop team chemistry that quickly.  (Another reason why Tai needs to get here...) So, if tha'ts true, it's not hard to believe why they're struggling.

[royalfan]

From an athletic standpoint, his league in NZ is better than high school, certainly.  Not sure what level of college, but clearly better than HS.  So, he's facing better competition in this league than what his recruiting classmates Fuller and Hawkins faced this last season.  And the players are probably some-level-of-college skilled as well.  It's the coaching that leaves me wanting.  Cell mentions that Tai's team is in last place and it's not hard to see why.  There didn't seem to be a lot of unity of movement with his teammates, particularly in the halfcourt offense.  They were playing a glorified pickup game on their offensive end.  I saw some things that suggest that Tai could become a special player but he needs to get here in order to develop.  And the sooner that happens, the quicker he'll get up to speed and be able to contribute to this team this year.  

Without taking the time to watch the video late night, I respect your opinion.  Do you believe he showed talent to be a good one on this small sample size video clip?  Seems you have been cautiously optimistic on him, rather than optimistic like many.  Curious what your thoughts are on him at this time.  You can PM me if you do not want to speak in public on the matter.  Thanks for the great contributions Norm. 

[Norm Peterson]

Royal, no sweat.  I'll speak openly so people can comment.  And if they disagree, that's fair.  You're right, I am cautiously optimistic about him and the reason is that I think the competition level that he faced in high school is no better than Class B Nebraska.  Central would have crushed the team Tai played against in their national championship game.  And what that means to me is that it's hard to evaluate how good he really is. 

 

Now, having said that, I like a LOT of what I saw from Tai in that full game video that Cell posted.  (I watched the first half of it.)  He's a quality shooter.  It's not perfect form -- he doesn't get a lot of elevation on his jumper for example -- but it's not bad and it's effective.  And he has a nice step-back shot that he can hit off the dribble.  That's a weapon, man.  There were also a couple of times where he showed nice ability to finish at the rim.  One drive in particular where he took his guy off the dribble and knifed to the basket.  First shot of the 2nd quarter if you're looking for it.

 

The two free throw shots I saw him take were both nothing but net.  Smooth release and soft touch.  He just has a hesitation at the top that isn't ideal.  But I would be very surprised if he's anywhere south of 70% from the stripe in college.  I'll be somewhat surprised if he's not at least 75-80% from the line in college.  The kid has touch.  And he has range.  What I saw of him in this game, though, didn't really test his handles nor show us much of his passing ability.  He made some decent passes.  And a couple that weren't so good.  Seems to have good vision and awareness.  But, on defense, I frankly thought he disappeared at times.  I thought he gave up dribble penetration too easily.  And a lot of that is probably coaching, which is why I think it would benefit him greatly to get here sooner rather than later.

 

Anyway, mostly the reason I'm cautiously optimistic rather than totally optimistic is that his hype is enormous and the quality of the competition I've seen him face, particularly in high school, is not.  And that makes it difficult to know exactly how good he is.  I think he could be the player we hope he is.  Nothing I've seen makes me worry he's a stiff.  We'll just have to see. 

 

I will say that watching this video and knowing that some of the guys on his team played D1 in college gives me some added degree of confidence that what we're seeing is real (and not like Benny Parker torching what had to be the worst team in Kansas for 40 points.)  Watching him here in this vid from Cell, I would have to say that he compares favorably with what I saw of Mike Gesell playing at State when he was at South Sioux.  Different types of players, sure, but Tai shows a level of ability that I think puts him in that category.  Does that make him Rivals top 150 good?  I have no idea.  I certainly don't think he's a wasted scholarship and he could turn out to be fantastic.  I'm just cautious about how much he's been built up.

[MandRHusker]

Royal, no sweat.  I'll speak openly so people can comment.  And if they disagree, that's fair.  You're right, I am cautiously optimistic about him and the reason is that I think the competition level that he faced in high school is no better than Class B Nebraska.  Central would have crushed the team Tai played against in their national championship game.  And what that means to me is that it's hard to evaluate how good he really is. 

 

Now, having said that, I like a LOT of what I saw from Tai in that full game video that Cell posted.  (I watched the first half of it.)  He's a quality shooter.  It's not perfect form -- he doesn't get a lot of elevation on his jumper for example -- but it's not bad and it's effective.  And he has a nice step-back shot that he can hit off the dribble.  That's a weapon, man.  There were also a couple of times where he showed nice ability to finish at the rim.  One drive in particular where he took his guy off the dribble and knifed to the basket.  First shot of the 2nd quarter if you're looking for it.

 

The two free throw shots I saw him take were both nothing but net.  Smooth release and soft touch.  He just has a hesitation at the top that isn't ideal.  But I would be very surprised if he's anywhere south of 70% from the stripe in college.  I'll be somewhat surprised if he's not at least 75-80% from the line in college.  The kid has touch.  And he has range.  What I saw of him in this game, though, didn't really test his handles nor show us much of his passing ability.  He made some decent passes.  Seems to have good vision and awareness.  But, on defense, I frankly thought he disappeared at times.  I thought he gave up dribble penetration too easily.  And a lot of that is probably coaching, which is why I think it would benefit him greatly to get here sooner rather than later.

 

Anyway, mostly the reason I'm cautiously optimistic rather than totally optimistic is that his hype is enormous and the quality of the competition I've seen him face, particularly in high school, is not.  And that makes it difficult to know exactly how good he is.  I think he could be the player we hope he is.  Nothing I've seen makes me worry he's a stiff.  We'll just have to see. 

 

I will say that watching this video and knowing that some of the guys on his team played D1 in college gives me some added degree of confidence that what we're seeing is real (and not like Benny Parker torching what had to be the worst team in Kansas for 40 points.)  Watching him here in this vid from Cell, I would have to say that he compares favorably with what I saw of Mike Gesell playing at State when he was at South Sioux.  Different types of players, sure, but Tai shows a level of ability that I think puts him in that category.  Does that make him Rivals top 150 good?  I have no idea.  I certainly don't think he's a wasted scholarship and he could turn out to be fantastic.  I'm just cautious about how much he's been built up.

The great thing is that it is much easier for a good coach to teach defense than it is to teach offense. If Tai has a good attitude and the desire, he can be a very good defensive player quickly.

 

What is your opinion of the level of competition in the vdeo Cell posted? Mid major D1?

[Norm Peterson]

That's tough to say, M&R.  I think it would equate to some level of college.  D1?  Perhaps.  Honestly, I think some of the recent exhibition teams we've faced from NAIA schools around here would have held their ground against Tai's Piston team.  Boy, that's a tough question.  I just don't know.  I would definitely say it's college level, though.  I wouldn't say it's HS level.  And he's clearly one of the better players on the floor if not the best player.  Without question, watching this video has given me added confidence about Tai.