mattg wrote:I outlined Kon's self creation issues above, but you're minimizing what he is good at. While he's not an off the dribble shooter, Kon has absolutely excellent shooting fundamentals and mechanics, he will 100% be a great catch and shoot guy in the NBA. That's a skill, it's not just efficiency like how some guys shoot well statistically. Those who actually know can see that with him.
He's not a creative or advanced ball handler, but he's strong enough to attack close outs effectively especially with how hard defenders will close out on him. He has enough bulk physically to be able to shield the ball from defenders and get his shoulder past them/keep them on his hip when he gets a half step. He's also a guy who is just smart on the court, he doesn't make mistakes and isn't going to kill you with bad plays. He can make reads and is willing to move the ball quickly, which means he will play well with better talent.
He is in no way a star, but he definitely has a role in the league, and since he's young there is a path to improve and be more like a Joe Ingles than just a Sam Hauser.
He has enough bulk physically to shield off COLLEGE Defenders. He is going to go from playing on the biggest college team in the country to being an average size wing in the NBA. He also is going to have real shot blockers at the rim every night instead of the 6-8 and 6-9 centers half of college basketball runs out on a nightly basis, his lack of length and explosiveness is going to get exposed. He isn't overpowering the majority of NBA 2s and 3s.
I agree the shooting should be great, but these limitations are going to be issues on the defensive end as well. The dude has no wiggle in his hips, which is one of the main reasons he isn't a good driver of the basketball, he isn't effective at changing directions or speeds which is crucial to be able to guard guys 1 on 1 on the other end. Going to have a small wingspan, low quickness, low vertical pop and bad hips those are all way more important on defense vs being 220 lbs as a wing.
Someone like Luka is a better athlete, bigger and more explosive and he can't guard anyone. Kon is going to be in trouble on the defensive side of the floor most nights.
How much value does a shooter with bad defense carry in the NBA?