D'angelo Russell

[MinneOOPalis]

Oh, so only the main things that really make or break guards at the next level? Ok...

Yeah but if he were to play the point, his size would help him a heap against alot of point guards on defense

Not if he's an average athlete and an average defensive player at college level. He'll just end up being Greivis Vasquez with a better outside shot. Nothing wrong with that, of course, as Vasquez is a solid back-up guard, but it's not the type of player I'd like to be spending a lottery pick on.

Youre confusing skill level with skill set my friend.

[Damon_3388]

Yeah but if he were to play the point, his size would help him a heap against alot of point guards on defense

Not if he's an average athlete and an average defensive player at college level. He'll just end up being Greivis Vasquez with a better outside shot. Nothing wrong with that, of course, as Vasquez is a solid back-up guard, but it's not the type of player I'd like to be spending a lottery pick on.

Youre confusing skill level with skill set my friend.

Well you need to have a certain level of ability or capability in an area for it to be a part of your skill set I would think.

If he's rated as an average athlete and average defensive player at college level, sure, he can always improve, but his size won't cover for it. Every 6'4"+ PG in NBA history (and there hasn't really been that many) that have been good defensively at NBA level has either been a good athlete, or a good defensive players at lower levels, or (usually) both.

I'm not a fan of pidgeon-holing guys into "novelty" roles, if they don't genuinely have the requisite athleticism and abilities on both ends to back it up. In this case, people severely overrate the advantages of height at the point guard position. Just because a guy handles the ball a lot and shows that he's a great passer at college level, it doesn't necessarily mean he's suited for the PG role in the NBA, especially if he's lacking other tools to succeed in that role.

[MinneOOPalis]

Not if he's an average athlete and an average defensive player at college level. He'll just end up being Greivis Vasquez with a better outside shot. Nothing wrong with that, of course, as Vasquez is a solid back-up guard, but it's not the type of player I'd like to be spending a lottery pick on.

Youre confusing skill level with skill set my friend.

Well you need to have a certain level of ability or capability in an area for it to be a part of your skill set I would think.

If he's rated as an average athlete and average defensive player at college level, sure, he can always improve, but his size won't cover for it. Every 6'4"+ PG in NBA history (and there hasn't really been that many) that have been good defensively at NBA level has either been a good athlete, or a good defensive players at lower levels, or (usually) both.

I'm not a fan of pidgeon-holing guys into "novelty" roles, if they don't genuinely have the requisite athleticism and abilities on both ends to back it up. In this case, people severely overrate the advantages of height at the point guard position. Just because a guy handles the ball a lot and shows that he's a great passer at college level, it doesn't necessarily mean he's suited for the PG role in the NBA, especially if he's lacking other tools to succeed in that role.

Extreme athleticism isn't needed to succeed in the NBA. Guys like Ricky Rubio ,Steph Curry, and Kevin Love get by on below average athleticism compared to their peers. But they compensate with skills and smarts.

And I agree with him maybe not being able to play PG. But I think paired with another combo guard who can guard both positions would be best for him. Someone like Zach Lavine or Victor Oladipo.

[AussieBuck]

Curry and Rubio have excellent lateral movement, they are just underrated by people because of a lack of strength and hops. There's no way Rubio would be the defensive god that he is without his agility.

[E-Balla]

Curry and Rubio have excellent lateral movement, they are just underrated by people because of a lack of strength and hops. There's no way Rubio would be the defensive god that he is without his agility.

Rubio yes but Steph? Steph is not quick without the ball. People tend to completely underrate guys that aren't super athletes for some reason. He's lacking speed but he's the most skilled player by far next to Jahlil Okafor.

[Ruzious]

He is kind of Curry for me, thats the best comp, poor mans Curry of course, but he is a freshmen, is difficult to compare him.

The more I watch him, the better that comparison looks. He's real good at basketball - not just shooting. 7 rebounds, 6 assists, no turnovers last night - in a barn-burner.

[165bows]

He is kind of Curry for me, thats the best comp, poor mans Curry of course, but he is a freshmen, is difficult to compare him.

The more I watch him, the better that comparison looks. He's real good at basketball - not just shooting. 7 rebounds, 6 assists, no turnovers last night - in a barn-burner.

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

[Marcus]

He is kind of Curry for me, thats the best comp, poor mans Curry of course, but he is a freshmen, is difficult to compare him.

The more I watch him, the better that comparison looks. He's real good at basketball - not just shooting. 7 rebounds, 6 assists, no turnovers last night - in a barn-burner.

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

where do you see Evan Turner?

[165bows]

The more I watch him, the better that comparison looks. He's real good at basketball - not just shooting. 7 rebounds, 6 assists, no turnovers last night - in a barn-burner.

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

where do you see Evan Turner?

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

[Marcus]

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

where do you see Evan Turner?

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

D.Russ lands in Boston.....you move Smart off the ball?

[MCDubbin]

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

where do you see Evan Turner?

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

Except Turner was nowhere near good of a shooter Russell is. Turner also plays with his back bent which really negates his quickness and speed.

[165bows]

where do you see Evan Turner?

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

D.Russ lands in Boston.....you move Smart off the ball?

Good question, some folks think that might happen though they've come out and said they see Smart as a PG. I think they could compliment each other pretty well, sort of the two PG system like in Phoenix (where there is obviously the GM connection with Boston). Brad Stevens has also said in the past that he liked the two PG lineup and finished games with it a lot at Butler.

From what I've seen they are both good ball handlers but not great against tough ball pressure, so maybe two combo guard types (if that's what they are) compliment each other. Definitely they would defensively.

And I might be reading into it too much with the school connection, but Boston does have Sullinger/Turner (who both have the same agent), and have had some of Falk's other clients too.

[ManualRam]

He is kind of Curry for me, thats the best comp, poor mans Curry of course, but he is a freshmen, is difficult to compare him.

The more I watch him, the better that comparison looks. He's real good at basketball - not just shooting. 7 rebounds, 6 assists, no turnovers last night - in a barn-burner.

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

im not getting the turner analogy. there's more than 1 aspect to scoring. since you're using turner in your analogy then you'd be talking about on-the-ball scoring. that is the only way that evan can be relatively effective. say russell's on-the-ball scoring doesn't translate well. he still can shoot. you can space the floor with him. he's comfortable shooting on the move, so you can involve him in curl/floppy sets. he has excellent PnR potential because of his combination of pace, pocket passing and pull-up ability. he's not ball-dominant either. he's not just a drive and kicker or a flashy passer either. he's unselfish. he'll swing the ball. make the hit ahead pass, post entry, etc. he knows how to move the ball unlike evan who tends to stop the ball and pound the crap out of it to get to where he needs to go. furthermore, unlike evan, russell's individual game is not 1 that is usually played by athletic players. he's first and foremost a shooter, which doesn't necessarily require great athleticism. evan turner is an un-athletic slasher who doesnt shoot it well. those qualities and that type of style usually do not go well together, hence why evan turner is what he is.

[ManualRam]

where do you see Evan Turner?

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

D.Russ lands in Boston.....you move Smart off the ball?

i dont see why smart would be on the ball to begin with

[Marcus]

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

D.Russ lands in Boston.....you move Smart off the ball?

i dont see why smart would be on the ball to begin with

i don't either but some folks seem to believe he should be.

[E-Balla]

Mentioned it on the C's board but two guys he reminds me of. Curry is one, but he also reminds me of Evan Turner. Intriguing but terrifying guy to pick IMO, in that the scoring has got to translate or you might not end up with much.

where do you see Evan Turner?

Basically his physical presence if that makes sense. Both are guys that fill the box score, have good activity and anticipation, but can't remember a time I've seen Turner this year try to just drive through someone attacking the rim. For guys with relatively good size and athleticism, they seem like the guy more apt to bounce off of people than bounce other guys around, and prefer to use finesse and shake and bake.

Probably not a good explanation but my thought is what is Russell in the pros if the shooting doesn't translate well? Best answer I could think of was 14-15 Evan Turner's PG run in Boston. Not exactly Russell's floor but more like what does he look like if he doesn't pan out well. Good ball handler and passer but not quite good enough for full time PG duties, etc.

But as I said above I definitely see the Curry comps as well, not many guys shoot off the dribble like that, have size, anticipation and can pass too. I hope he turns out well as the Celtics have pretty much all of this decade's OSU guys, so maybe there is something going on there.

First off he's 45% from deep, 40% on 2 point jumpers, and 79% from the stripe while having low assisted rates. He's the real deal and at the very least way better than Evan Turner and his horrible shot. That automatically makes him a different monster.

Secondly he's only 18. Evan Turner was 21 when he had his great season and honestly Russell right now looks like a better prospect than Turner did at that time. I usually don't like these types of guys but Russell looks amazing to me.

If we end up with the 2nd pick I have no idea of who to grab between Russell and Towns. I'm leaning Russell because I like him more as a prospect but I was so far on the Towns bandwagon since seeing him play Team USA that I feel dirty saying Russell is better.

[E-Balla]

Also Russell is the most statistically impressive freshman guard in years. Here's the top freshmen guards with over 28% usage ranked by offensive rating over the last 10 years:

Russell - 120.1 ORTG
McCollum - 118.8 ORTG
Curry - 116.9 ORTG
Harden - 115.7 ORTG

[Marcus]

Also Russell is the most statistically freshman guard in years. Here's the top freshmen guards with over 28% usage ranked by offensive rating over the last 10 years:

Russell - 120.1 ORTG
McCollum - 118.8 ORTG
Curry - 116.9 ORTG
Harden - 115.7 ORTG

the most what?

[E-Balla]

Also Russell is the most statistically freshman guard in years. Here's the top freshmen guards with over 28% usage ranked by offensive rating over the last 10 years:

Russell - 120.1 ORTG
McCollum - 118.8 ORTG
Curry - 116.9 ORTG
Harden - 115.7 ORTG

the most what?

*statistically impressive

[ColdBlooded]

BRB jumping on the Russell bandwagon.