The case for Jonathan Isaac

[fendilim]

Anyway, I wouldnt draft a 3 and D player at 6th. That is just terrible.

How do you feel about Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard his first 4 years, Otto Porter, etc? Would you rather take a risk on a high flyer with superstar potential... like a.. Mario Hezonja type?

The teams that stay in the dumpsters are the ones that make multiple bad draft picks consecutively. There is nothing wrong with grabbing a really good 3 & D player at 6. Expecting to land a superstar play maker at 6 is often a pipe dream. DSJ is the only player that might be there with that kind of potential, every single other player in the draft will be gone or isn't the type of player you will want. You can't really be disgusted with a drafting a really high potential 3 & D player. They are a near necessity in todays game and getting a good makes your team much better.

Picking him at 6th would be laughable when you have someone like DSJ who is possibly available. I wouldn't even be surprised if we go for Monk over Isaac.

Yes, 3 and D players are important than ever before, but is Isaac even a respectable 3 point shooter? He shot only 35% from 3, and 80% of those shots were assisted.

[Cosmic_Backlash]

Klay has a sub 10% assist rate, takes 45% of his shots from 3, is assisted on 95% of his threes and 75% of his twos. To me, he is the best 3&D player from the shooting guard position.

[pepe1991]

Klay has a sub 10% assist rate, takes 45% of his shots from 3, is assisted on 95% of his threes and 75% of his twos. To me, he is the best 3&D player from the shooting guard position.

That is fair, however he happends to be one of greatest shooters of all time and , unlike somebody like Korver he actually has versitale offensive game where he will beat you off dribble, score from post ( underrated post player ) and pull up from any range. Him and Beal are basically in vacuum nothing but shooters, but because of their crazy repeatability of shooting ( unlike most shooters who go through motions during a season ) they become consistant offensive weapon. When you leave Korver for 10 games he will have 8 threes game and score 20 points once , Klay and Beal will in 10 games , if left wide open, average 35 ppg . Hell Klay can score 30 in one quater

[OrlandoDream]

Rashard required development time, though I would agree that they aren't comparable players. Offensively, Rashard is probably Isaac's ceiling, but Isaac has far more potential at the defensive end than Lewis ever had.

Good points.

Let's recall that Lewis was a two-time Allstar (once with Orlando). If Isaac has a 20 ppg game like Lewis AND plays defense, well .... WOW !!!!


..

If GMs belived that Isaac has the ability to reach the offensive game of Rashard Lewis with more elite defense, he would be a top 2 pick.

Hammond may buy into it making Isaac our most likely pick if DSJr is gone.

[KillMonger]

All this talk about Issac but has he scheduled a workout here yet? He's in Florida you'd think we'd be the first workout due to proximity alone

[Skin]

Jonathan is a 4?

I thought that was Gordon's spot, after all the experiment last season

4 on defense. 3, 4, 5 on offense.

[Skin]

You didnt convince me.Im still on DSJ bandwagon.Im dead set on him its DSJ or bust in my mind.
I know Im setting myslef up for a huge disappointment because we never drafted a player I wanted us to draft so at the same time Im already preparing my rant speech XD.

I would be thrilled with DSJ, but I do think there is a case to be made for Isaac too.

[Skin]

I have compared Isaac to Ibaka since last year. He doesn't have near the perimeter skills to be a 3, his shooting is alright nothing special. At the 4 he can be a shot blocker like Ibaka is with some range and his lack of ball handling won't be a severe there.

Isaac may not have the handle of Durant, but it's certainly better than Ibaka. Ibaka is a fish out of water at SF. Isaac has a lot more competency with the ball in his hands. Ibaka certainly does not rebound and dribble the ball down the court and dribble it between his legs with comfort...

Click to play.

Gfycat Video - Click to Play

Not many SFs even have really dazzling handles. Disagree on your evaluation of his perimeter skills as well.

Isaac can break his man off the dribble from the perimeter. I don't even know many SF who have a floater in their arsenal.

Gfycat Video - Click to Play

Gfycat Video - Click to Play

As for 3PT shooting, Isaac does not take a backseat to the other top SF prospects in this draft either.

Jackson took 20% of his shots from 3 at a .378 3PT%.
Tatum took 32% of his shots from 3 at .342 3PT%.
Isaac took 35% of his shots from 3 at a .348 3PT%.

Often people just look at quantity of shots made or taken and get mislead. They'll see Tatum took 117 3PTA compared to Isaac's 89 3PTA and think he's the better 3PT shooter... Based on usage, Isaac is more comfortable and more efficient on the perimeter. You need to take usage and role into account. Isaac was on a veteran laden squad that had 13 players average more than 10 mpg as opposed to Tatum who was given heavy minutes and freedom to shoot.

[SOUL]

All this talk about Issac but has he scheduled a workout here yet? He's in Florida you'd think we'd be the first workout due to proximity alone

Fairly certain that workouts aren't based on convenience. These guys have pretty crazy schedules for the weeks leading up to the draft, we'll be slotted in as it makes sense to the franchise/player in their travel plans, and if we plan on actually working them out.

The only names I've heard publicly so far (at least for "big" names) is Dennis Smith Jr., Zach Collins, De'Aaron Fox and Ivan Rabb (x2). I know we've scheduled/worked out a few others that will be in play for the 25 pick.

[Skin]

We don't know that teams see Isaac as a future big. They may see him as a wing hybrid. He played the wing game in college.

As for AG, he doesn't play the wing game at all so I doubt that will matter much.

I think the Magic draft Isaac if they work him out and see versatility to play 3-5. If he is a 4-5 guy I don't think he has the same ceiling and I don't think the Magic take him.

It's just hard to imagine somebody that tall playing SF . Sure Durant and Giannis are doing it just fine but they are exception, not a rule.

I'm not asking you to imagine it. I am simply saying that I believe he will be analyzed as a wing by Hammond. So if we take him, I believe Hammond will state in his Presser that he sees Isaac as a versatile wing player.

Yeah, he very well could... and he could also see him as a Center too. The guys who criticize Isaac at SF have some merit, I just think they tend to overblow it a little and besides, Isaac's real value is more as a mobile 4 or 5.

Hammond took Thon Maker last year and he ended up getting a lot of minutes last year playing Center next to Giannis. Thon has a lot of similar characteristics to his game that Isaac has. I tend to talk about using Isaac starting off playing SF/PF and small ball C (until he develops his game and body), just because I'm trying to be cautious in my immediate hopes for him, but who knows... maybe Hammond will utilize Isaac at C out of the gates with Gordon at PF. To me that would be a very bold and exciting reason to draft Isaac and I LOVE the thought of it. I was a big Thon Maker fan last year and the fact that he showed such a positive impact in his rookie year shutdown his doubters and validated my thoughts.

In any case... something like these scenarios have me excited about the possibility of adding Isaac to the Magic.

PG Payton
SG Ross/Fournier
SF Isaac/Hezonja - On defense, AG and Isaac switch. Gordon, Isaac and Biyombo form a beastly defensive trio on D.
PF Gordon
C Biyombo/Vucevic

or

PG Payton
SG Fournier/Ross
SF Gordon/Hezonja
PF Isaac - This is the "Ibaka" line up that didn't work last year but certain situations could still call for it.
C Biyombo/Vucevic

or

PG Payton
SG Fournier/Ross
SF Ross/Hezonja
PF Gordon
C Isaac

If Isaac plays the 5 this could pose so many different problems for other teams in terms of Pace and Space. We have the youth and mobility to outrun the competition. Plus, Payton and Gordon would have open lanes to attack the rim with Fournier, Ross and Isaac spacing the floor. For those who think Isaac and Gordon can't play together... I call BS. Not only is Isaac a good fit next to Gordon. He's a good fit for the other players we have which make him all the more valuable.

[drsd]

In Orlando he was, but in Seattle he wasnt limited to a 3 and D.

Lewis was routinely taking from 250 to 400 3-ball attempts in Seattle. Yes he nearly doubled that in Orlando (whilst keeping his percentages up), but Lewis was definitely a 3-ball player from day 1 till day-retirenment.

Lewis was a much better defender than most people think or realize.

Against SFs. But against PFs, he was not.

(we need to recall that when Orlando inked Lewis he was to play SF with Howard at PF (and Miličić at C).


..

[No-Man]

Playing Isaac and Gordon with another big is a recipe for disaster if that other big is Biyombo even worse.
that's going back to Ibaka and Gordon all over again, unless you play Gordon and Isaac inside as a PF/C combo, you shouldn't draft Isaac at all.

[No-Man]

It's just hard to imagine somebody that tall playing SF . Sure Durant and Giannis are doing it just fine but they are exception, not a rule.

Giannis and Durant play most of their PT as bigs, Giannis defends as a big almost always and Durant most of the time in the Playoffs, Durant is a generational player playing with the 2 best off-ball shooters in the league, not really a viable analogy.

[pepe1991]

It's just hard to imagine somebody that tall playing SF . Sure Durant and Giannis are doing it just fine but they are exception, not a rule.

Giannis and Durant play most of their PT as bigs, Giannis defends as a big almost always and Durant most of the time in the Playoffs, Durant is a generational player playing with the 2 best off-ball shooters in the league, not really a viable analogy.

Yea i pointed out in past. Only 3 players at SF are 6'10 or taller , all 3 of them play PF a lot.
Durant is basically small ball center/PF especially in nba finals. ( btw guy is jaw-dropping to watch this year )

[No-Man]

It's just hard to imagine somebody that tall playing SF . Sure Durant and Giannis are doing it just fine but they are exception, not a rule.

Giannis and Durant play most of their PT as bigs, Giannis defends as a big almost always and Durant most of the time in the Playoffs, Durant is a generational player playing with the 2 best off-ball shooters in the league, not really a viable analogy.

Yea i pointed out in past. Only 3 players at SF are 6'10 or taller , all 3 of them play PF a lot.
Durant is basically small ball center/PF especially in nba finals. ( btw guy is jaw-dropping to watch this year )

he is miles better as a big than as a wing also, limits his turnovers and sizeable improve his D impact

[Skybox]

Giannis and Durant play most of their PT as bigs, Giannis defends as a big almost always and Durant most of the time in the Playoffs, Durant is a generational player playing with the 2 best off-ball shooters in the league, not really a viable analogy.

Yea i pointed out in past. Only 3 players at SF are 6'10 or taller , all 3 of them play PF a lot.
Durant is basically small ball center/PF especially in nba finals. ( btw guy is jaw-dropping to watch this year )

he is miles better as a big than as a wing also, limits his turnovers and sizeable improve his D impact

Watching GSW makes me think the future is long, agile bigs who can rip down a rebound and take off, initiating the offense (or at least a couple of dribbles in the right direction)...Gordon does it, Isaac certainly appears to be that guy...exciting. Putting him at SF temporarily, while he learns and puts on 10-20 lbs, is an exciting concept. I see him at C eventually...I'm not saying he's Durant or KG, but that's the style of play I'm dreaming about. Vuc would brutalize an Isaac down low, but there's just not many Vuc's anymore, in the NBA...Furthermore, a Vuc-type would be staring at Isaac's back streaking the other way off of a miss. If Vuc would submit to a lesser role (?) could be an exciting development and a deeper versatile team.

[tiderulz]

Hammond took Thon Maker last year and he ended up getting a lot of minutes last year playing Center next to Giannis.
..
I was a big Thon Maker fan last year and the fact that he showed such a positive impact in his rookie year shutdown his doubters and validated my thoughts.

In any case... something like these scenarios have me excited about the possibility of adding Isaac to the Magic.

I will say, you have opened my eyes a lot more to Isaac as a strong possibility. But lets slow down the Thon Maker parade. He played 10 mpg for the year and i would strongly debate that he "shut down doubters". And yes, he did play almost 20 mpg in the playoffs, but his play was much worse, dropping from 46% to 39% in shooting and from 38% (at basically 1 attempt per game) to 20%.

PG Payton
SG Ross/Fournier
SF Isaac/Hezonja - On defense, AG and Isaac switch. Gordon, Isaac and Biyombo form a beastly defensive trio on D.
PF Gordon
C Biyombo/Vucevic

or

PG Payton
SG Fournier/Ross
SF Gordon/Hezonja
PF Isaac - This is the "Ibaka" line up that didn't work last year but certain situations could still call for it.
C Biyombo/Vucevic

or

PG Payton
SG Fournier/Ross
SF Ross/Hezonja
PF Gordon
C Isaac

If Isaac plays the 5 this could pose so many different problems for other teams in terms of Pace and Space. We have the youth and mobility to outrun the competition. Plus, Payton and Gordon would have open lanes to attack the rim with Fournier, Ross and Isaac spacing the floor. For those who think Isaac and Gordon can't play together... I call BS. Not only is Isaac a good fit next to Gordon. He's a good fit for the other players we have which make him all the more valuable.

those would be interesting line ups. add in what i believe could be a good prospect at 25 (Lydon, Rabb, Evans, Ojeleye). I would consider taking Josh Hart at 33/35 and then move Ross or Fournier for a SF, or the scouting dept find us a good prospect for SF

[Furinkazan]

You didnt convince me.Im still on DSJ bandwagon.Im dead set on him its DSJ or bust in my mind.
I know Im setting myslef up for a huge disappointment because we never drafted a player I wanted us to draft so at the same time Im already preparing my rant speech XD.

I would be thrilled with DSJ, but I do think there is a case to be made for Isaac too.

Im happy you made this thread because Im 99% certain we are taking Isaac so maybe Ill warm up to this idea.
I think its easy pick for our managment.Isaac is a local product so local fans wont be too upset about passing on DSJ or Fox and he has a lot of upside and also fits Hammond drafting fetishes.

Im somehow convinced one of 2 options will happen
A:Sacto or Philly Takes DSJ
B:DSJ falls to us but we skip him and take Isaac

if B option gonna happen DSJ will land in Minny (history likes to repeat itslef as they collected poing guards once before XD)...then they will be like this cute chick you go crazy about every time she pass you by >_> DSJ Wiggins KAT

[drsd]

[quote="~Snoopy~"]Im happy you made this thread because Im 99% certain we are taking Isaac so maybe Ill warm up to this idea./quote]


I too am some 93% certain. For me the 7% is found in either Tatum/Jackson slides, or the Magic trade up to #3 or #4 for Tatum/Jackson.

I really only see a SF as the outcome of the draft.


..

[OrlandoDream]

If we go, Isaac, then we have to go PG with the 25th and wing with the second rounders. Something like;

6th: Jonathan Isaac
25th: Jawun Evans
33rd: Dillon Brooks

That would be a hell of a retool. Would address multiple areas we need help on.