Post#883 » by machu46 » Tue Jun 21, 2022 8:02 pm
Some of the interesting bits on players we've been linked to in The Athletic draft guide:
Dalen Terry - More comfortable making passes towards the hoop (i.e. hitting cutters) rather than kickouts. Made 34.4% of catch-and-shoots and 55.4% at the rim ("a solid number for a player who self-created many of those looks"). Fights through screens exceptionally well and is extremely aggressive on the ball. Scoring will be a concern if the shooting doesn't develop.
Jalen Williams - Was only 6'3" when he arrived on campus before sprouting up to 6'6", which led to some struggles as he got used to his new body. Made 60% at the rim, 50% of floaters, 35% on pull-ups, and 48.4% on catch-and-shoot 3's. Could guard 1-4 defensively.
Jaden Hardy - Listed at 6'4" with a 6'9" wingspan (but has not been officially measured and the 6'4" is "generous"). Hit 40.7% of catch-and-shoots. One of the best in the G-League in terms of getting to the rim, but was the worst in the league in terms of finishing there, shooting 38.6% at the rim. Just 25% on floaters as well. Simply not a good athlete, which led to him being both the worst finisher in the league as well as one of the worst defenders.
Jake LaRavia - Processes the game exceptionally well, keeps the ball moving, just fits well into a team. Relatively low-volume shooter in college, but shoots it beautifully, shot it well in college, and has shot amazingly in workouts. However, his shooting is basically a non-factor outside of standstill spot-ups. Made 57% at the rim in half-court settings. Good team defender, good hands, Wake Forest was 8 points better defensively when he was on the floor. Will be tested athletically, but made it work in college at least.
Christian Braun - Talks an immense amount of trash, plays with a lot of confidence, and energizes the rest of the team. Was among the leaders in the country in terms of transition points per game. Also among the leaders in terms of dunks per game. 41.4% on catch-and-shoots this year (though not a super high volume guy due to some mechanical stuff as he loads up). Underrated team defender, great closeouts, will thrive in schemes that involve scrambling and X-outs. Should be switchable 1-3. Bigger wings could hunt him due to his relatively short arms.
EJ Liddell - 59.5% at the rim in half-court and 50% out of post-ups. 38.5% on catch-and-shoots and 43% on pull-ups. A lot of questions about how his game will translate at the NBA level and whether or not he'll be able to shoot, but teams love that he took their feedback last season and sort of recreated himself this year to fit into the league.
Ismael Kamagate - He wasn't on my radar personally at all until this morning when Givony mentioned him as a Bucks target. Finished 4th in his French league in blocks per game. Skinny right now, but very strong in his lower half and anchors himself down low well. Really shines as a perimeter defender for a center; can shadow guards and if they do beat him, can recover due to his athleticism. Wouldn't call him a switch defender right now due to him still learning how to position himself, but has a chance to get there. Offensively, he's a monster finisher but can mix in some up and unders too. Shot 69% at the rim in the half-court. Some interesting flashes of short-roll passing, but overall, is very raw offensively and still learning defensively as well. Could be something like Robert Williams if it all pans out.
Walker Kessler - Good hand-eye coordination that can be seen in how he catches the ball and also how ambidextrous he is blocking shots. His 19.1% block rate is the best that we've seen in college since Larry Sanders in 2008. Does a better job staying in front of guards than you'd think, though he may struggle with shiftier, quicker guards; probably won't get cooked on switches unless he's matched up on a "stud pull-up artist". Made 82% of his shots out of the pick and roll and showed impressive short-roll moments out of that as well. 72.7% at the rim in half-court, one of the best in the class. "Needs to go to a team that's willing to play a consistent drop coverage scheme".
Nikola Jovic - Won Adriatic League's Young Player of the Year award this season. 37.3% on catch-and-shoots, shot looks better than the percentages. Only made 25% of his pull-ups and only 50.9% of his shots at the rim. Not comfortable finishing with his left hand. Ridiculous ball-handler and passer for his size, a legitimate point forward prospect. Very smart, high IQ player. Poor strength and poor lateral quickness; bulking up could take away from some of his other skills. Gets crushed on switches by smaller, quicker ballhandlers. Was a turnstile in Europe and will be even worse in the NBA.
Kennedy Chandler - True floor general, excels playing out of ball screens, the kind of guard that can kill switches on the offensive end. 58.1% at the rim in the half-court, pretty good for a guard and great for someone his size. 40.5% on catch-and-shoots and 43% on NBA-range 3's. Defensively, pressures the hell out of lead guards with his athleticism, great hands, and ability to fight through screens. Size obviously concerns you defensively as PG is the only spot he really has a chance to defend, and if the finishing at the rim doesn't translate due to his size, he doesn't have an in-between game to fall back on right now, as he didn't shoot it well on floaters or pull-ups this year. Struggles to shoot with range off the dribble as well.
Andrew Nembhard - Arguably the best operator out of ball screens in the draft class and can make all the passes from all the angles. Dished out 7.4 pointers per game out of pick-and-roll passes, 2nd best in the class. Has improved his shooting mechanics over the years, but concerns remain. Can't argue with the results this season though, as he was among the best in the country on pull-ups. Uses his size well defensively and navigates screens well. Below-average athlete for a PG, which makes him relatively easy to defend. Can't create out of isolation. Questions his ability to score at the NBA level and might struggle defensively too due to his relatively slow feet.
trwi7 wrote:**** me deep, Giannis. ****. Me. Deep.
