RJ Barrett

[clyde21]

I don't think RJ is #1 based on stats/eye-test but he is by far #1 based on resume.

He's always been more effective than he is impressive to my eyes. At this point I have to consider that I'm just reading his talent wrong.

I'm the same boat. Just not 'wowd' by him like I am with Little and Zion but he does a lot of things well enough and is super-productive.

I probably have him 5th overall right now to start the year, but it's super fluid.

[Marcus]

I think Zion has taken over

you like Zion better than Nasir?

[Duke4life831]

I will say this, I think his explosion has been improving over the last couple years. He has become a pretty impressive straight line athlete. When he gets some room he can be pretty damn fast and the dude can really explode. With that said, I still dislike the lack of wiggle in his game. He is just a very stiff athlete, kind of like Harrison Barnes. But he is a very crafty scorer that can score with either hand. He needs to really improve his handle (still dribbles really high) and needs that 3pt shot to be consistent. If he can do those 2 things, I am finally starting to come around to seeing the star potential.

you think number 1 is RJ's to lose?

I personally still have Zion. I think there is just a Zion momentum train rolling and I don't see it slowing down. I think it will be very curious to see what happens if RJ can shoot around 40% from 3. I think that would make it very interesting.

[Justwar]

Rj is in a tier above the other two at Duke unless cam reddish suddenly becomes alpha. Zion could go 1 if it's a ticket thing immediately but I have questions whether he'll be worth a max contract someday.

[Marcus]

I will say this, I think his explosion has been improving over the last couple years. He has become a pretty impressive straight line athlete. When he gets some room he can be pretty damn fast and the dude can really explode. With that said, I still dislike the lack of wiggle in his game. He is just a very stiff athlete, kind of like Harrison Barnes. But he is a very crafty scorer that can score with either hand. He needs to really improve his handle (still dribbles really high) and needs that 3pt shot to be consistent. If he can do those 2 things, I am finally starting to come around to seeing the star potential.

you think number 1 is RJ's to lose?

I personally still have Zion. I think there is just a Zion momentum train rolling and I don't see it slowing down. I think it will be very curious to see what happens if RJ can shoot around 40% from 3. I think that would make it very interesting.

can you think of a team where Zion fits?

[Duke4life831]

you think number 1 is RJ's to lose?

I personally still have Zion. I think there is just a Zion momentum train rolling and I don't see it slowing down. I think it will be very curious to see what happens if RJ can shoot around 40% from 3. I think that would make it very interesting.

can you think of a team where Zion fits?

Anywhere he can be the secondary ball handler I think. I personally think within time he can become a primary ball handler similar to Giannis with the Bucks. But I think ideal would be having him be your secondary ball handler (obviously for a rebuilding team that isnt afraid to take some losses for a couple years).

Some teams that come to mind for me are
Atlanta
Cleveland
NY
Brooklyn

Those teams to me dont really have a secondary ball handler. I think Cleveland is probably his best fit. But with all of them I think there is ideal opportunity for him to have the ball in his hands

Two teams that seem like horrible fits
Dallas
Boston

I have a hard time seeing how he fits with either one of these. Dallas has DSJ and Doncic who already take up so much of having the ball in their hands, really not much for Zion. Boston is just stacked with ball handlers and wings already as well.

I think its going to be really important for Zion's development that he gets a good amount of time with the ball in his hands and try to basically mold him into a point forward for your offense. Cam and Little are the easiest to plug into any team in my opinion.

[The-Power]

can you think of a team where Zion fits?

Anywhere he can be the secondary ball handler I think. I personally think within time he can become a primary ball handler similar to Giannis with the Bucks. But I think ideal would be having him be your secondary ball handler (obviously for a rebuilding team that isnt afraid to take some losses for a couple years).

[...]

I think its going to be really important for Zion's development that he gets a good amount of time with the ball in his hands and try to basically mold him into a point forward for your offense.

To me, this is sort of overrated. Nothing wrong with having him focus on other areas at first – being a terror on the boards, playing high-level defense on a consistent basis, leading the break/transition offense, making cuts to the basket and attacking close-outs. Might even be better long-term if he first have to earn the right to create on the ball by proving himself and improving his skills.

Guys like Giannis and Draymond weren't Point Forward from the get-go, they developed and grew into this role after they proved themselves as veritable playmaking options. If Zion is good enough as a scorer, ballhandler and facilitator, he'll get plenty of touches sooner rather than later. What he needs is playing time and a coach to tell him that his first job must be defense, rebounding and transition offense. Upon that foundation you can build.

Generally speaking, I can't emphasize how much I like having Rookies earn their touches. It's a better way to grow in this league and become a team-leader than being granted a role these guys objectively don't deserve – that only feeds entitlement on the part of the players (or possibly wrecks their confidence) and resentments on the part of the teammates. That's why I prefer Rookies developing in winning environments, even if it's at the expense of some playing time and usage.

Obviously, that only applies as long as they still get a fair shot and sufficient opportunities to be on the floor and learn. But if healthy, I don't doubt that Zion will get these opportunities.

[BAMAFREAK]

I hate to post this in the Barrett thread as opposed to the Zion one.....but I think he would be a perfect fit in Memphis. Especially after the addition of JJJ.
You have Conley who can shoot and play off ball, JJJ who can def stretch the floor, then Gasol who can shoot and plays from the top of the key a lot. That leaves ample driving space for Zion, and if he’s going against a 3/small forward, there’s no way they keep him from the rack without fouling. If he draws a big out then you get it to JJJ in the post.
A lot would have to happen for this to come to fruition but it makes me excited thinking about it.
Not to mention he is exactly what we need on the boards

[NBA Fan 1234]

I hate to post this in the Barrett thread as opposed to the Zion one.....but I think he would be a perfect fit in Memphis. Especially after the addition of JJJ.
You have Conley who can shoot and play off ball, JJJ who can def stretch the floor, then Gasol who can shoot and plays from the top of the key a lot. That leaves ample driving space for Zion, and if he’s going against a 3/small forward, there’s no way they keep him from the rack without fouling. If he draws a big out then you get it to JJJ in the post.
A lot would have to happen for this to come to fruition but it makes me excited thinking about it.
Not to mention he is exactly what we need on the boards

Zion is a 4.

[BAMAFREAK]

I hate to post this in the Barrett thread as opposed to the Zion one.....but I think he would be a perfect fit in Memphis. Especially after the addition of JJJ.
You have Conley who can shoot and play off ball, JJJ who can def stretch the floor, then Gasol who can shoot and plays from the top of the key a lot. That leaves ample driving space for Zion, and if he’s going against a 3/small forward, there’s no way they keep him from the rack without fouling. If he draws a big out then you get it to JJJ in the post.
A lot would have to happen for this to come to fruition but it makes me excited thinking about it.
Not to mention he is exactly what we need on the boards

Zion is a 4.

In a vacuum I agree, but his game is versatile enough to fit as a secondary ball handler on a team like the Grizz who have two big men that can stretch the floor.
I also think he is athletic enough to defend most small forwards adequately.

[NBA Fan 1234]

I hate to post this in the Barrett thread as opposed to the Zion one.....but I think he would be a perfect fit in Memphis. Especially after the addition of JJJ.
You have Conley who can shoot and play off ball, JJJ who can def stretch the floor, then Gasol who can shoot and plays from the top of the key a lot. That leaves ample driving space for Zion, and if he’s going against a 3/small forward, there’s no way they keep him from the rack without fouling. If he draws a big out then you get it to JJJ in the post.
A lot would have to happen for this to come to fruition but it makes me excited thinking about it.
Not to mention he is exactly what we need on the boards

Zion is a 4.

In a vacuum I agree, but his game is versatile enough to fit as a secondary ball handler on a team like the Grizz who have two big men that can stretch the floor.
I also think he is athletic enough to defend most small forwards adequately.

I don’t think he is quick enough to defend 3s in the NBA. Defending 4s could present an issue, TBH. I agree on him being a secondary ball handler (he is at his best facing up and attacking), but that would be from the 4 not the 3.

[clyde21]

Zion is a 4.

In a vacuum I agree, but his game is versatile enough to fit as a secondary ball handler on a team like the Grizz who have two big men that can stretch the floor.
I also think he is athletic enough to defend most small forwards adequately.

I don’t think he is quick enough to defend 3s in the NBA. Defending 4s could present an issue, TBH. I agree on him being a secondary ball handler (he is at his best facing up and attacking), but that would be from the 4 not the 3.

Jackson Jr.'s future might be at the 5, anyway. Zion and JJJ front court looks pretty intriguing to me.

[Marcus]

yeah my bad on derailing the thread guys with the Zion question.

Do you guys think RJ is a 3 or a 2 at the next level?

[GimmeDat]

yeah my bad on derailing the thread guys with the Zion question.

Do you guys think RJ is a 3 or a 2 at the next level?

So long as he shoots the 3 well I would say SG, but he seems pretty interchangeable either way.

[King Ken]

Barrett my #2 player in this class but easily the best fit of all top prospects. Every bad team outside of Washington could use and start him.

My now comparison for him is Kent Bazemore. He is more skilled and talented especially when handling the rock but not the shooter or strength of Bazemore. Of course his potential is tremendously greater.

I don't know what I have for his pro comparison. I kinda liken him to Kobe but not as skilled out of college but he kinda gives a lot of Kobe vibes but with much better vision and teammate skills as well as willing to do the little things. He doesn't have the body control of Kobe and is kinda stiff around the hole. He is likely going to be really good, a multi time all star but he does have the ability to be elite but his skills will need tremendous improvement. I like him a ton. Instant starter. Probably the only one in this class I can say that about at this stage along with Reddish and Little.

While this class is strong in terms of guys with a solid ceiling to be good with strong development and the right team, this class is more like the Anthony Davis class but without Anthony Davis.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2012.html

[HeadtopChunes]

Barrett my #2 player in this class but easily the best fit of all top prospects. Every bad team outside of Washington could use and start him.

My now comparison for him is Kent Bazemore. He is more skilled and talented especially when handling the rock but not the shooter or strength of Bazemore. Of course his potential is tremendously greater.

I don't know what I have for his pro comparison. I kinda liken him to Kobe but not as skilled out of college but he kinda gives a lot of Kobe vibes but with much better vision and teammate skills as well as willing to do the little things. He doesn't have the body control of Kobe and is kinda stiff around the hole. He is likely going to be really good, a multi time all star but he does have the ability to be elite but his skills will need tremendous improvement. I like him a ton. Instant starter. Probably the only one in this class I can say that about at this stage along with Reddish and Little.

While this class is strong in terms of guys with a solid ceiling to be good with strong development and the right team, this class is more like the Anthony Davis class but without Anthony Davis.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2012.html

Seems more Derozan than Kobe to me

[clyde21]

A Kent Bazemore+ is not a bad comparison at all. A little bit of DeMar DeRozan on his drives to the rim.

He's good. I don't quite see special (yet?).

[King Ken]

Barrett my #2 player in this class but easily the best fit of all top prospects. Every bad team outside of Washington could use and start him.

My now comparison for him is Kent Bazemore. He is more skilled and talented especially when handling the rock but not the shooter or strength of Bazemore. Of course his potential is tremendously greater.

I don't know what I have for his pro comparison. I kinda liken him to Kobe but not as skilled out of college but he kinda gives a lot of Kobe vibes but with much better vision and teammate skills as well as willing to do the little things. He doesn't have the body control of Kobe and is kinda stiff around the hole. He is likely going to be really good, a multi time all star but he does have the ability to be elite but his skills will need tremendous improvement. I like him a ton. Instant starter. Probably the only one in this class I can say that about at this stage along with Reddish and Little.

While this class is strong in terms of guys with a solid ceiling to be good with strong development and the right team, this class is more like the Anthony Davis class but without Anthony Davis.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2012.html

Seems more Derozan than Kobe to me

I see more Kobe at this stage. Derozan was a better athlete but he wasn't anywhere near as skilled. In fact, I felt he was raw to a degree. While R.J. has decent NBA skill as a 18 year old. Kobe had that as well. He had decent NBA skill as a rookie. I see more Kobe than DeRozan at the same stage. Far more Kobe than Derozan

[GameBredAPBT]

He is so similar to Kobe in so many ways, it's eerie. Down to the uncompromising swagger. This kid has something special, he's going to rule the league in a decade imo. Whoever gets RJ (hoping desperately it's the Bulls) is going to be counting their blessings for years to come.

[The-Power]

What gives me some pause is that things often look so forced and difficult with him. He's highly effective, to be sure, but if you can't create easy offense all that reliably it's an issue. Probably will lead to some overrating because of the amount of difficult shots he converts, but it'll limit him somewhat. Let's hope he can make up for this with great defense in the NBA.