2022 Draft Prospects Thread :Bulls get 18th pic: Poll added

[Dresden]

And I think that’s an insane take, but we can agree to disagree.

A couple of blurbs on him:

Draftnet: Moves well, is not a statue in the paint, and has shown an ability to step out and defend in pick and roll situations while still being able to recover to his man …

SB Nation: He also showed flashes defending the perimeter and was very impressive playing drop coverage in the pick and roll. With solid mobility for his size, he showed some ability to switch onto smaller players and overwhelm them with length and size. Just when the opposition thought they’d have him beat off the dribble or created enough space to get off a jump shot, Kessler would recover so quickly that he would either alter or block their shot. The success he had at times defending the perimeter may not translate to the next level, but his effectiveness in drop pick and roll coverage likely will.


Just from watching tape on both players, if I had to bet who could win a race down the court, I'd put my money on Kessler.

Also, Gobert is a 63.8% FT shooter for his career. Kessler would not have to improve that much to equal that at the pro level.

And just to be clear, I"m not advocating that we take Kessler. Just saying if it came to that, he could be a big help for our D.

Not sure I get why the comparison is made with Embiid's speed. Embiid is about coordination and elite offensive skills on the block and perimeter.

Kessler strikes me as a Bradley-type.

Someone said Embiid moves like a guard compared to Kessler, and there was debate about whether Kessler will be too slow to keep on the court at times. That's why that came up.

[rosenthall]

I like a lot of things about Jalen Williams, but he does remind me a. bit of Denzel Valentine- not the most athletic guy, a bit slow. There are questions about his ability on the D end. We already have Demar and Vuc who are not athletic, I'm a little worried about adding another. Plus he didn't play against the best competition in college- will his game translate?

If he can shoot, he'll still be a decent pick up, because you always need shootes. But we thought Denzel could shoot too....

Valentine was one of the all-time worst athletes taken in the lottery at his position. His draft status was based on him having elite offensive skills and one of the greatest college careers of all time, despite god-awful athleticism. His comp coming into the league was 38 year old Grant Hill: great savvy and skill, but basically playing on one leg. It was also a really **** draft.

I don't think Jalen Williams is a can't miss prospect, but if you compare his tools with Denzel Valentine he's clearly better.

Here's a quick comp of the two (Williams numbers are 1st, Denzel's 2nd):

standing reach: 8'9.5, 8'6
wingspan: 7'2.25, 6'10.75
standing vert: 33.5, 27
max vert: 39, 32
lane agility: 11.13 10.51
shuttle run: 3.17 3.22
3/4 sprint: 3.11 3.46

I agree the two of them bring similar strengths and weaknesses, but as physical specimens Williams is bigger, longer, jumps higher and runs faster.

The fact that Williams is kind of toolsy adds to his appeal as a prospect, since it's clear he possesses a good feel for the game and has a nice skillset on offense.

[rosenthall]

I like a lot of things about Jalen Williams, but he does remind me a. bit of Denzel Valentine- not the most athletic guy, a bit slow. There are questions about his ability on the D end. We already have Demar and Vuc who are not athletic, I'm a little worried about adding another. Plus he didn't play against the best competition in college- will his game translate?

If he can shoot, he'll still be a decent pick up, because you always need shootes. But we thought Denzel could shoot too....

Valentine was one of the all-time worst athletes taken in the lottery at his position. His draft status was based on him having elite offensive skills and one of the greatest college careers of all time, despite god-awful athleticism. His comp coming into the league was 38 year old Grant Hill: great savvy and skill, but basically playing on one leg. It was also a really **** draft.

I don't think Jalen Williams is a can't miss prospect, but if you compare his tools with Denzel Valentine he's clearly better.

Here's a quick comp of the two (Williams numbers are 1st, Denzel's 2nd, winner in bold):

standing reach: 8'9.5, 8'6
wingspan: 7'2.25, 6'10.75
standing vert: 33.5, 27
max vert: 39, 32
lane agility: 11.13 10.51
shuttle run: 3.17 3.22
3/4 sprint: 3.11 3.46

I agree the two of them bring similar strengths and weaknesses, but as physical specimens Williams is bigger, longer, jumps higher and runs faster.

The fact that Williams is kind of toolsy adds to his appeal as a prospect, since it's clear he possesses a good feel for the game and has a nice skillset on offense.

[rosenthall]

I like a lot of things about Jalen Williams, but he does remind me a. bit of Denzel Valentine- not the most athletic guy, a bit slow. There are questions about his ability on the D end. We already have Demar and Vuc who are not athletic, I'm a little worried about adding another. Plus he didn't play against the best competition in college- will his game translate?

If he can shoot, he'll still be a decent pick up, because you always need shootes. But we thought Denzel could shoot too....

Valentine was one of the all-time worst athletes taken in the lottery at his position. His draft status was based on him having elite offensive skills and one of the greatest college careers of all time, despite god-awful athleticism. His comp coming into the league was 38 year old Grant Hill: great savvy and skill, but basically playing on one leg. It was also a really **** draft.

I don't think Jalen Williams is a can't miss prospect, but if you compare his tools with Denzel Valentine he's clearly better.

Here's a quick comp of the two (Williams numbers are 1st, Denzel's 2nd, winner in bold):

standing reach: 8'9.5, 8'6
wingspan: 7'2.25, 6'10.75
standing vert: 33.5, 27
max vert: 39, 32
lane agility: 11.13 10.51
shuttle run: 3.17 3.22
3/4 sprint: 3.11 3.46

I agree the two of them bring similar strengths and weaknesses, but as physical specimens Williams is bigger, longer, jumps higher and runs faster.

The fact that Williams is kind of toolsy adds to his appeal as a prospect, since it's clear he possesses a good feel for the game and has a nice skillset on offense.

[rosenthall]

Double post

[Dresden]

That's reassuring the Williams measures out much better than Denzel, but I still worry a bit that he'll run into the some of the same issues in the nba- defending quicker players, not being as effective on offense when playing against better atheletes, etc. But there are things to worry about with any prospect at that point in the draft, so I would not pass on him if he's the BPA when we pick. You can never have too many scorers these days, and we really don't have anyone off the bench that can score consistently at all.

[Dresden]

One interesting pick in the second round (if we had a pick there), is CHristian Koloko, as a rim protector. He's super long, and faster than Kessler.

[rosenthall]

That's reassuring the Williams measures out much better than Denzel, but I still worry a bit that he'll run into the some of the same issues in the nba- defending quicker players, not being as effective on offense when playing against better atheletes, etc. But there are things to worry about with any prospect at that point in the draft, so I would not pass on him if he's the BPA when we pick. You can never have too many scorers these days, and we really don't have anyone off the bench that can score consistently at all.

It's fair to question how well his game will translate to better competition. In some ways Williams has a similar story to Chandler Hutchinson. Not the same stylistically, but both older prospects who produced really well in lesser conferences. So maybe their playing style will wither on the vine once they have to do it in the NBA.

Don't really have a good answer for that one, but if it were obvious he wouldn't be mocked in the middle of the first round.

[Senor Chang]

I like a lot of things about Jalen Williams, but he does remind me a. bit of Denzel Valentine- not the most athletic guy, a bit slow. There are questions about his ability on the D end. We already have Demar and Vuc who are not athletic, I'm a little worried about adding another. Plus he didn't play against the best competition in college- will his game translate?

If he can shoot, he'll still be a decent pick up, because you always need shootes. But we thought Denzel could shoot too....

Valentine was one of the all-time worst athletes taken in the lottery at his position. His draft status was based on him having elite offensive skills and one of the greatest college careers of all time, despite god-awful athleticism. His comp coming into the league was 38 year old Grant Hill: great savvy and skill, but basically playing on one leg. It was also a really **** draft.

I don't think Jalen Williams is a can't miss prospect, but if you compare his tools with Denzel Valentine he's clearly better.

Here's a quick comp of the two (Williams numbers are 1st, Denzel's 2nd, winner in bold):

standing reach: 8'9.5, 8'6
wingspan: 7'2.25, 6'10.75
standing vert: 33.5, 27
max vert: 39, 32
lane agility: 11.13 10.51
shuttle run: 3.17 3.22
3/4 sprint: 3.11 3.46

I agree the two of them bring similar strengths and weaknesses, but as physical specimens Williams is bigger, longer, jumps higher and runs faster.

The fact that Williams is kind of toolsy adds to his appeal as a prospect, since it's clear he possesses a good feel for the game and has a nice skillset on offense.

Excellent... he's like a slightly smaller kawhi with better ball handling and passing. I think the tools will ensure he makes an impact in the league. Athleticism is less important than length and wingspan imho.

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[Rose2Boozer]

That's reassuring the Williams measures out much better than Denzel, but I still worry a bit that he'll run into the some of the same issues in the nba- defending quicker players, not being as effective on offense when playing against better atheletes, etc. But there are things to worry about with any prospect at that point in the draft, so I would not pass on him if he's the BPA when we pick. You can never have too many scorers these days, and we really don't have anyone off the bench that can score consistently at all.

Two games against the Zags. Jalen Williams reminds me of a bigger version of Jrue Holiday on offense. He's so skilled it's hard to speed him up.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[sco]

That's reassuring the Williams measures out much better than Denzel, but I still worry a bit that he'll run into the some of the same issues in the nba- defending quicker players, not being as effective on offense when playing against better atheletes, etc. But there are things to worry about with any prospect at that point in the draft, so I would not pass on him if he's the BPA when we pick. You can never have too many scorers these days, and we really don't have anyone off the bench that can score consistently at all.

Two games against the Zags. Jalen Williams reminds me of a bigger version of Jrue Holiday on offense. He's so skilled it's hard to speed him up.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

He's got a nice handle, but doesn't seem to have much of a game outside of the paint.

[Jvaughn]

Updated Jalen Williams Scouting Report

Watch on YouTube

[JohnnyTapwater]

If Jalen does well I think I have uncovered a weird bias in my evaluation - Because that would be 2 straight years where I'm demonstratively wrong - It's so weird I can't even put it to words yet.

[Jvaughn]

If Jalen does well I think I have uncovered a weird bias in my evaluation - Because that would be 2 straight years where I'm demonstratively wrong - It's so weird I can't even put it to words yet.

who was yours last year?

[ThisGuyFawkes]

If Jalen does well I think I have uncovered a weird bias in my evaluation - Because that would be 2 straight years where I'm demonstratively wrong - It's so weird I can't even put it to words yet.

who was yours last year?

It must have been difficult to pick a flop in last year's draft. I feel like most of them have performed well for their draft position.

[Dresden]

That's reassuring the Williams measures out much better than Denzel, but I still worry a bit that he'll run into the some of the same issues in the nba- defending quicker players, not being as effective on offense when playing against better atheletes, etc. But there are things to worry about with any prospect at that point in the draft, so I would not pass on him if he's the BPA when we pick. You can never have too many scorers these days, and we really don't have anyone off the bench that can score consistently at all.

Two games against the Zags. Jalen Williams reminds me of a bigger version of Jrue Holiday on offense. He's so skilled it's hard to speed him up.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

He's got a nice handle, but doesn't seem to have much of a game outside of the paint.

Plusses:

- is very shifty with the ball, uses change of pace and hesitation moves very nicely
- looks like he should get to the line a lot
- pretty tight handle
- will provide good rebounding
- his shot looks pretty smooth
- plays with poise, not hurried or out of control

Negatives:

- doesn't look like a great finisher in the paint
- doesn't look explosive at all- plays an old man's game
- can he shoot 3's? Doesn't seem to make that a big part of his game.
- mixed bag on his passing- some were good, some were inaccurate.

Overall, if he can prove to be a good 3 point shooter in the nba, I think he could have a good career, because he does enough other things well like rebounding, handling the ball, getting to the line, putting pressure on the defense. Not sure if he can be a starter or not, but could be a nice 6th-7th-8th man.

[Rose2Boozer]

In all honesty, this kid shouldn't be available at 18. I'd say the same about EJ Liddell and Tari Eason.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[JohnnyTapwater]

If Jalen does well I think I have uncovered a weird bias in my evaluation - Because that would be 2 straight years where I'm demonstratively wrong - It's so weird I can't even put it to words yet.

who was yours last year?

It's really bad. Like, really bad. - the reason is even worse.

[rosenthall]

Two games against the Zags. Jalen Williams reminds me of a bigger version of Jrue Holiday on offense. He's so skilled it's hard to speed him up.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

He's got a nice handle, but doesn't seem to have much of a game outside of the paint.

Plusses:

- is very shifty with the ball, uses change of pace and hesitation moves very nicely
- looks like he should get to the line a lot
- pretty tight handle
- will provide good rebounding
- his shot looks pretty smooth
- plays with poise, not hurried or out of control

Negatives:

- doesn't look like a great finisher in the paint
- doesn't look explosive at all- plays an old man's game
- can he shoot 3's? Doesn't seem to make that a big part of his game.
- mixed bag on his passing- some were good, some were inaccurate.

Overall, if he can prove to be a good 3 point shooter in the nba, I think he could have a good career, because he does enough other things well like rebounding, handling the ball, getting to the line, putting pressure on the defense. Not sure if he can be a starter or not, but could be a nice 6th-7th-8th man.

This seems pretty fair, except I'd add that your second negative point is negated somewhat by your first point in the positive.

He's not an explosive leaper, but he shifts gears extremely well, and I''m impressed by how easily he goes north-south. On offense, I'd rather someone who's an effortless jumper with lots of body control and different speeds than a straight-line guy who can explode after taking 2-3 dribbles towards the basket.

So I think his old man's game will translate well. His 7'2 wingspan would also help with floaters, up-and-unders, etc. He already displays those shots now, so I don't see how he couldn't add them to his game in the pros.

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

Jalen Williams reminds me of John Salmons. Not the sexiest name, but 18-4-4 at his peak is nothing to sneeze at.