John Doe [MIN] wrote:He's not top 5 because he's not a two way player. Two numbers should tell you about everything you need to know: TS%: .562, Usage Rate 16.2%. So even though he gets used on offense no more often than the classic "stand by the rim, hope for a dunk opportunity" center, his True Shooting Percentage is 4-5% lower than what those types of players regularly put up.
And what's more, he's not a center. Teams get away with no offense centers because that's all that's available. By contrast, power forward is arguably the most offensively stacked position in the league, which means a no-offense PF will be outperformed by a greater proportion of his competition than would a similarly talented defensive specialist at any other position. Hopefully people can follow that logic.
Lastly, he'd absolutely be on an entirely lower tier from both Favors and Davis. Favors and Davis are the 1st or 2nd options on their teams. Ibaka is less efficient as his team's 4th or 5th option. That's the difference between them as prospects. And as a side note about Favors, I've now had people tell me that he's A) not as big as advertised B) not as athletic as advertised C) unskilled D) not being fed easy buckets by his guards. How exactly is a short, fat, unskilled, un-set-up player putting up the numbers he did?
-ibaka is not a 2 way player, yet, but he has shown signs of being able to take advantage of whatever opportunities that are presented. his jumpshot in particular looks very good. about half his attempts are jumpshots and he converts them at a very good rate (46% eFG). what ibaka also has over favors is his activity level. he's very active and moves with a purpose. contrast that with favors who, when he doesnt get his touches looks meandering with his low energy level.
-even if serge's reduced to being a jumpshooting garbageman, who runs the floor well and is also utilized in pick n roll situations, that would still be enough to be productive offensively. just look at noah, he's able to put up double digits on energy and activity alone. now imagine if noah had a real jumpshot.
-how about you back up your claim that favors is MUCH more skilled offensively? what is he good at on that end of the floor?
-if ibaka played college ball he'd be a #1 or 2 option as well.
-favors will NOT be an offensive force in the NBA. hes' too robotic and he does not show good post instincts (gaining/ holding position, lack of moves, lack of off-hand, no ability to pass out of post, slow to react, poor ball skills/limited face-up ability, etc)
-ibaka is NOT absolutely a lower tier than favors nor davis. you're comparing ibaka being a raw, but rotational player in the NBA to a college player who is bigger, stronger and more athletic than just about anyone he faces. that will NOT be the case in the NBA. furthermore, even while being bigger and stronger than the overwhelming majority of his opponents, favors' numbers werent even that impressive. guys like wally judge or mason plumlee couldve put up those type of numbers if they were given a similar role.
your hyperbole isnt helping your case. favors is neither short, fat nor un-athletic (although his athleticism is SEVERELY overrated by scouts, especially when projected to the next level), but he is unskilled with limited potential offensively...who also doesnt have the defensive potential that ibaka has.
