High praise for Tasmania JackJumpers import Marcus Lee ahead of Kings showdown

He may have only played one game in his new colours but a Tasmania JackJumpers import has received high praise from an assistant coach.

Tasmania JackJumpers assistant coach Mark Radford believes star import Marcus Lee has what it takes to become one of the best players in the NBL.

Ahead of Friday’s first home game at MyState Bank Arena against the Sydney Kings, Radford was full of praise for the American and believes the 29 year-old has all the potential to become one of the league’s must-watch players.

Marcus Lee finished with nine points, nine rebounds and two assists in the loss to Perth last week. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

“I’ve said to Marcus that he can be one of the best players in the league,” Radford said.

“I think he has so much growth and it’s no doubt going to take time. He has played different roles in his pro career so far than what we are asking him to play, with a lot more pressure and getting up the floor.

“It’s different to see a 6 foot 11 guy defending full court but he is actually one of the best athletes in the league and I can see him evolving, if he wants too.

“If he wants to be one of the best players in the league he has the capability. We are going to nurture him that way because we think he has great upside.”

Radford believes if Lee can fully buy into the JackJumpers grit and grind mantra that has become the cornerstone of their game style since day one, then he can live up to his full potential.

“His ability to believe in himself and a 40 minute effort (is key),” Radford said.

“The story of the JackJumpers is that grit and grind mentality and he just has to get used to playing that way. I don’t think it’s anything major (to get to the next level).

Mark Radford (L) has been Scott Roth’s (R) assistant since the JackJumpers joined the NBL. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL)

“I think it’s just about getting comfortable playing that style of basketball and once he gets to that place (then it could happen).

“Everyone has already made the comment to us that he is a presence out on the floor.”

After going down by six points to the Perth Wildcats in the opening round, Radford said the JackJumpers had to compete at a consistent level across the entire contest against a fast-paced Kings outfit.

“Seeing them (Sydney) first hand at the blitz it was clear that they play really fast,” he said.

“They did the first two years, clearly they were champions, but this year I feel like they are even faster and a little bit more athletic. I wouldn’t say they are as good a shooting team with D.J. Hogg out but they play a very fast brand of basketball which is quite contrasting to what we play.

“The consistency of our effort across the course of the night has to be there. We can’t have ups and downs against a team like that, but they also can’t have ups and downs against someone like us that’s pretty methodically in the way we go about it.

“You don’t want to get punched in the nose early and that won’t happen.”