Who is Bruno Fernando? A scrub? Or a potential all time great?

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Did you know . . . .

That Bruno Fernando's current pedestrian numbers of 4.5 ppg - 2.8 rebs - 55% FG - 20% 3FG as a rookie, puts him in a list of only NINE players in NBA HISTORY who were at least 6-8 in height, that have achieved these numbers as a rookie?

He and fellow rookie Brandon Clarke, are the only rookies in the league who can say they've put up these numbers so far, with of course, Brandon putting up much higher numbers due to increased playing time ( 12.3 ppg - 6.2 rebs - 69% FG - 50% 3FG ).  Brandon looks like the same player he was at Gonzaga, which means that he may have a long NBA career and might develop into a borderline All-Star.  But this list also includes:

• a hodgepodge of scrubs
• decent starters
• all-stars
• a current Atlanta Hawk
• and one Hall of Famer that a former Hawk was once compared to

 

Shawn Long - a 6-9 PF who played for Philly back in the 2016 - 17 season, and only had an 18 game NBA career.

Jarrett Allen - the 3rd year, 6-11 cartoonish looking center of the Brooklyn Nets who flirts with posting a double double on a nightly basis.  He went 5 - 15 from 3 his rookie year, but hasn't developed an outside shot since.  Having said that, he's become a solid defensive center in the league.

Brad Miller - a 6-11 center who played 14 years in the NBA that was one of the more versatile centers in the NBA throughout the 2000s.  He made 1 three his rookie year, but ended up making 201 for his career.  Brad even made 2 All-Star teams, and was once coveted by Hawks fans to man the center spot B.H. ( Before Horford ).

Jeff Ruland - a rugged 6-11 center who had his career ravaged by injuries during the prime of his career.  Ruland could rebound and score with the best of them.  He was a 2 time All-Star that was probably robbed of about 4 - 5 more appearances.  

 

 

John Collins - our very own 6-9 PF that many believed couldn't do much but score on the inside.  The Hawks quickly found out that this guy could shoot a little, which translated into Collins averaging 10 ppg - 7 rebs his rookie campaign, and knocking down 16 threes.  Once Pierce took over, and Trae Young arrived, Collins overall offensive game went to the next level, almost posting 20 ppg and 10 rebs, while knocking down 55 threes.  Before he got hurt ( err . . . suspended ), Collins was 9 - 19 ( 47% ) from three.

Andre Drummond - the East's 2nd best center who has now turned into a rebounding and scoring nightmare for NBA opponents.  While he hasn't developed the 3 point shot, he did go 1 for 2 his rookie year, which qualified him to be on this list.  And he averaged 7.9 ppg - 7.6 rebs - 1.6 blks his rookie year. 7 years later, he flirts with doing what hasn't been seen since Moses Malone, and that's average at least 20 ppg - 17 rebs in a season

And last but not least . . .

James Worthy - the 6-9 Hall of Fame PF was not a starter in his rookie year for the Lakers, but he averaged 13.4 pts - 5.2 rebs and went 1 - 4 from 3.  Worthy would never develop the 3 ball, only making 117 in his entire career ( 60 of those came in his final 2 years in the league ).  But "Big Game James" had a penchant for making big shots and being one of the best fast break finishers the NBA has ever seen.   Marvin Williams was once said to be "James Worthy with a jumpshot".   

 

 

So who is Bruno Fernando?   

• The scrub? 
• The rim runner?
• The bruiser? 
• A potential stretch 4/5? 
• A fast break monster?
• All of the above?

Will Pierce unlock Bruno's potential as an NBA player?   Will Bruno's NBA light fizzle out in just 2 - 3 years?  Will he end up being a journeyman big man that wanders from team to team?

Or is there an all-star that is ready to be unleashed onto the league in 2 - 4 years?

We won't know until he's given the same amount the playing time the other rookies are getting.

 

Edited November 19, 2019 by TheNorthCydeRises

[AHF]

He is clearly more than a scrub.

He is more versatile than a mere rim runner although he can do this.

I don't think he'll be big enough to be a true bruiser but he should fill out to be able to hold his own.

He is a potential stretch 4/5, although not in the "all I do is shoot 3's" mold of some stretch guys.

Not comparable to big game as a fast break monster.

 

I think he is going to be a solid rotation guy who has the potential to be a starter (solid odds here) or a borderline AS ala Brad Miller (ceiling).  Hope I'm underestimating him but he has had a nice rookie season so far for a 2nd rounder who will benefit a lot from development.

[macdaddy]

Seems like a poor man's John Collins.   And that's pretty good.  

[NBASupes]

I am hoping he is somewhere between current Bam Adebayo and Brad Miller by year 3. I do think we won't know what we got in Bruno till the end of his rookie deal.

Edited November 19, 2019 by NBASupes

[macdaddy]

Just now, NBASupes said:

I am hoping he is somewhere between current Bam Adebayo and Mike Miller by year 3. I do think we won't know what we got in Bruno till the end of his rookie deal.

Mike Miller?  Please explain.  I don't think i understand their similarities.  

[NBASupes]

11 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

Seems like a poor man's John Collins.   And that's pretty good.  

He already is a much better defender than John was as a rookie while being no where close movement wise to rookie John. I don't know if John is a good reference point. John was a bucket with great hands even as a rookie. He just sucked at most other things.

Just now, macdaddy said:

Mike Miller?  Please explain.  I don't think i understand their similarities.  

Brad Miller.

[NBASupes]

A lot of things Bruno needs comes with time and experience which is really what you want from a project big. 

He will get stronger as well. I am happy we have him. He has a lot of potential which I think will be realized. 

[macdaddy]

Ohh.  Yes  Brad Miller.  Who i always really liked.  That dude was pretty strong.   I'd love if Bruno became Mike Miller too but that's a pretty tough ask.   Maybe that's  more Cam's future.

[NBASupes]

16 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

Ohh.  Yes  Brad Miller.  Who i always really liked.  That dude was pretty strong.   I'd love if Bruno became Mike Miller too but that's a pretty tough ask.   Maybe that's  more Cam's future.

Cam shows a lot more than Mike ever did in terms of dribble drive flashes, speed, agility, and defense. Mike was a hell of a shooter with vision who had sneaky athleticism in his youth. 

We actually have Mike Miller little brother on the team in Kevin Huerter. My nickname for him is Mike Miller Lite 

Edited November 19, 2019 by NBASupes

[AHF]

1 hour ago, NBASupes said:

My nickname for him is Mike Miller Lite 

You can do a lot better on that nickname!

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, AHF said:

You can do a lot better on that nickname!

Red Velvet is already perfect. Mines is just the style and how he plays. Kevin is the face of Dribble. Pass. And shoot

[bleachkit]

Best rookie from draft based on value is Eric Paschall. Second round pick paying lights out for the dubs.

[NBASupes]

52 minutes ago, bleachkit said:

Best rookie from draft based on value is Eric Paschall. Second round pick paying lights out for the dubs.

It will be interesting to see his role when the squad is back

[Gray Mule]

Eventually, all rookies should just do things automatically.  Right now, Hawks has three rookies who are still in the "think and act" mode.  Sooner or later, they will go into the "act" mode.  No having to pause and think about what they are going to do.

Bruno has played less than the other two and it will take him longer.  But, he will "get it" and become a very good NBA player.  This I believe.

We see him doing some very good things right now.  He will only get better and better as the years and seasons come and go.  I'm very glad that he's a Hawk !!

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

6 hours ago, AHF said:

He is clearly more than a scrub.

He is more versatile than a mere rim runner although he can do this.

I don't think he'll be big enough to be a true bruiser but he should fill out to be able to hold his own.

He is a potential stretch 4/5, although not in the "all I do is shoot 3's" mold of some stretch guys.

Not comparable to big game as a fast break monster.

 

I think he is going to be a solid rotation guy who has the potential to be a starter (solid odds here) or a borderline AS ala Brad Miller (ceiling).  Hope I'm underestimating him but he has had a nice rookie season so far for a 2nd rounder who will benefit a lot from development.

I've been thinking like Nene for awhile now

[TheNorthCydeRises]

48 minutes ago, bleachkit said:

Best rookie from draft based on value is Eric Paschall. Second round pick paying lights out for the dubs.

That's because he's getting playing time.

If they'll give "Mr. Plus" ( aka Bruno ) some extended minutes, we may see better production out of him too.

[AHF]

8 minutes ago, TheNorthCydeRises said:

That's because he's getting playing time.

If they'll give "Mr. Plus" ( aka Bruno ) some extended minutes, we may see better production out of him too.

Paschall is also getting more production per minute.  

Paschall: 16.4 PER, 19.3 PP36 on .606% TS%, WS/48 0.086

Fernando:  12.8 PER, 13.4 PP36 on .584% TS%, WS/48 0.040

 

I would also like to see Bruno getting more time, especially on nights where Jones and Len struggle (which has been most nights for one or both of them).

Bear in mind that Paschall is another 23 year old so this is not shocking that he is more NBA ready than most of the rookies in this class.

[Marvin24Williams]

If he can be anything near Bam Adebayo i'll be ecstatic. 

[NBASupes]

 

[EazyRoc]

Bruno is crazy raw even after 2 seasons in college. He’s going to take a lot of time but he’s got super role player written all over him. Think of him more of a more athletic Dedmon.