Potential sleepers

[hcsilla]

Tyler Dorsey from Oregon, a combo G with excellent 3P-shooting. He seems to be a less creative version of D'Angelo Russell.

[Justin33]

ben bentil of Providence is coming on strong with an impressive inside/outside game hes averaging 19 and 8 and has an NBA body right now

[doordoor123]

If Jerome Robinson from Boston College could put up better numbers as the season continues I could see him sneaking into the first round. I'd like to see him against better competition too. I really like him. I love point guards not afraid of contact.

Another possible sleeper is Pascal Siakam from New Mexico State. He's pretty explosive to the basket and has shown the ability to hit threes. Great frame too.

Bradley Hayes from Georgetown is a guy you'll probably want to watch too. I think he's just bigger than most guys 7'0 with 275 pounds, but his hook shot is money and he had defended the paint well so far. I'm going to monitor him, but he looks really promising so far.

Found some footage for you on Hayes:
http://youtu.be/inUEvsnR0S0

[Dr Positivity]

Some guys I noticed looking at numbers, although may not be in this draft

Donovan Mitchell of Louisville has some quality stats so far for a freshman at 15.3 pt, 8 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.4 stl per 40

Aaron Holiday at 12.4 pt, 4.7 ast, 4.0 reb, 2.1 stl per 40, his playstyle seems to fit the profile exactly of what you'd expect from another Holiday

Both have good physical tools

And Dedric Lawson should get a bump, he's 20.9 pts, 12.8 reb, 3.7 ast, 3.1 blk, 1.8 stl per 40 for a freshman, that gives him arguably no less than the 2nd best statistical resume in the class behind Simmons

[doordoor123]

Some guys I noticed looking at numbers, although may not be in this draft

Donovan Mitchell of Louisville has some quality stats so far for a freshman at 15.3 pt, 8 reb, 4.4 ast, 2.4 stl per 40

Aaron Holiday at 12.4 pt, 4.7 ast, 4.0 reb, 2.1 stl per 40, not a natural scorer but could be good at some of the same things Jrue and Justin are

Both have good physical tools

And Dedric Lawson should get a bump, he's 20.9 pts, 12.8 reb, 3.7 ast, 3.1 blk, 1.8 stl per 40 for a freshman, that gives him probably the 2nd best statistical resume in the class behind Simmons

My personal opinion? Per 40s don't say anything. They're nice to look at and say, "what if?" but the college game is so much different. There is no correlation between per 40 and entering the league otherwise Noah Vonleh would have been an All-Star by now.

Having said that, I actually haven't watched Louisville this year, which is weird because they're ranked.

Holiday is a feisty player, but nothing special. I'm a big UCLA fan and I'm usually high on their players, but not really big on Holiday. He's a hustle guy that can make a big defensive play here and there, like Nate Robinson (minus being that short and athletic). His IQ and vision hadn't been good too.

Dedric Lawson is so slow. My opinion is that he's a small ball PF in the NBA. 7'2 wingspan. He needs to learn to stretch the floor. He should definitely stay another year to work on his stuff, but hes still a ways away from being anything special. I see him as someone who could develop into a starter over time.

[Dr Positivity]

A lot of successful players in the NBA had good per minute production at stats like stl, blk, reb as freshman in the NCAA.

[doordoor123]

A lot of successful players in the NBA had good per minute production at stats like stl, blk, reb as freshman in the NCAA.

I agree, not arguing against that. I just don't think per 40 is a good evaluation of success because players like Noah Vonleh have had those kind of blocking and stealing numbers, but haven't been successful in the league. I feel like it's a shortcut to make that assessment and shortcuts (like only looking at numbers) are misleading because you're not getting all the information.

[Dr Positivity]

On my spreadsheet the median for Griffin, Bosh, Love, Davis, Favors, Aldridge, Millsap as freshman per 40 minutes was 1.3 steals, 2.7 blocks, 12.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 18 points, .63 TS%. Vonleh per 40 was 1.3 steals, 2.1 blks, 13.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 17 points, .61 TS%. So Vonleh's numbers weren't that stellar. He only really had plus rebounding while his stl and blk combined was below average compared to recent star PFs, was worryingly low in assists and slightly below average in scoring. Bennett for example had 1 stl, 1.7 blk, 11.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 23.2 pt, .6 TS%, below average in stls and blks, a little below in rebounding and assists, but excellent scoring. Overall due to scoring and passing better Bennett had probably as good a profile as Vonleh but neither were amazing like a KAT was.

With that said I agree with the premise that it has to be counterbalanced with talent, freshman Jordan Adams has fantastic stats for example but is not looking like much

[doordoor123]

On my spreadsheet the median for Griffin, Bosh, Love, Davis, Favors, Aldridge, Millsap as freshman per 40 minutes was 1.3 steals, 2.7 blocks, 12.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 18 points, .63 TS%. Vonleh per 40 was 1.3 steals, 2.1 blks, 13.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 17 points, .61 TS%. So Vonleh's numbers weren't that stellar. He only really had plus rebounding while his stl and blk combined was below average compared to recent star PFs, was worryingly low in assists and slightly below average in scoring. Bennett for example had 1 stl, 1.7 blk, 11.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 23.2 pt, .6 TS%, below average in stls and blks, a little below in rebounding and assists, but excellent scoring. Overall due to scoring and passing better Bennett had probably as good a profile as Vonleh but neither were amazing like a KAT was.

With that said I agree with the premise that it has to be counterbalanced with talent, freshman Jordan Adams has fantastic stats for example but is not looking like much

I think the reason Jordan Adams was so successful in college is because the shorter three point line. Same with Kyle Anderson. When teams drive, the defense collapses easier and they don't need as much foot speed to clog lanes.

[No-Man]

The tiny fella from Oakland is legit.
Lawson is not fast but he is so smooth, and long, he can make up for it.

[reanimator]

Per 40 should be used in conjunction with other metrics and your eyes, just like any other stat.

[ElectricMayhem]

The tiny fella from Oakland is legit.

I was really impressed with the way Felder absolutely tore apart the Michigan State defense. He's 2nd in the country in ppg and 1st in apg. He's a hard worker and a leader. It's tremendously difficult for someone 5'9 to succeed in the league, but he's got Isaiah (not Isiah) Thomas-like ability and can use him as a success map. I'd place him somewhere between Boykins and IT, a bit closer to IT.

[doordoor123]

The tiny fella from Oakland is legit.

I was really impressed with the way Felder absolutely tore apart the Michigan State defense. He's 2nd in the country in ppg and 1st in apg. He's a hard worker and a leader. It's tremendously difficult for someone 5'9 to succeed in the league, but he's got Isaiah (not Isiah) Thomas-like ability and can use him as a success map. I'd place him somewhere between Boykins and IT, a bit closer to IT.

I have him going at the back end of the first round. I could see a team like the Suns picking him up (especially after the Isaiah Thomas experiment). Otherwise I'm sure there's a team out there that would take another IT in the first round (at the end).

[Dame Lizard]

How about Amida Brimah and AJ Hammons as rim protectors (both of whom are decent FT shooters)?

Brimah has improved his horrible rebounding to decent levels this season (is out for 8 weeks with a broken finger though, unfortunately).

All I know is Portland needs a defensive centre, and these two as potential 2nd round steals are very much on my radar.

[babyjax13]

Nigel Hayes? Stretch 4 that can handle the ball, pass, defend or shift to small forward. Probably not a lotto pick, but a great guy to grab in the 15-30 range.

[PoundTown]

Nigel Hayes? Stretch 4 that can handle the ball, pass, defend or shift to small forward. Probably not a lotto pick, but a great guy to grab in the 15-30 range.

Like him to. Seems like a rotation player to me. I think the key for him is being able to be a good 3 point shooter on high volume as an undersized stretch 4. I think he has the length and strength to defend 4's in today's NBA game and is a better rebounder than his stats indicate due to the slower pace in the B1G and Wisconsin's pace traditionally. Might be wrong, but either way he is adequate in that department. If he can shoot it well from behind the arc he can marry that with his off ball movement and passing to make a pretty valuable player, especially next to a rim protector/ rebounder type of center.

Brice Johnson is a guy I think is a strong pick in the backend of the first round. Improves every year, great touch, proven by great FG%. Also, can mix in the midrange game when he needs to, just not his role right now, but the times he has he does so with a quick, smooth release. Might be able to stretch his range to corner 3 over time. He's active, long and rebounds and great in the P n' R on both ends.

[Ruzious]

Robert Carter Jr., another smallball C type, with range, mobility, and strength, not quite the passer but he plays smart.

He's definitely getting slept on at this point. If he measures at 6'9 (with shoes), he'll definitely be a first rounder. He's in much better shape after sitting out last season. he reminds me of a shorter Mark West. Real good all-around player, and the passing skills have arrived. Real safe pick - much as Bobby Portis was a safe value pick.

[Cammo101]

I like Stefan Jankovic from Hawaii a lot. Moves really well for a guy his size. Though he's a junior and not likely declaring.

[PoundTown]

Robert Carter Jr., another smallball C type, with range, mobility, and strength, not quite the passer but he plays smart.

He's definitely getting slept on at this point. If he measures at 6'9 (with shoes), he'll definitely be a first rounder. He's in much better shape after sitting out last season. he reminds me of a shorter Mark West. Real good all-around player, and the passing skills have arrived. Real safe pick - much as Bobby Portis was a safe value pick.

Not a lot of him on youtube, but I am curious as to what he can do. Only thing after looking at his stats I dislike are his rebounding numbers but I know he plays on a very big team w Stone and Layman. Definitely a guy I want to watch for a full game against a team like Purdue or Michigan State. Doesn't look like his 3 ball is quite there yet but I like that he is extending his range and his FT% is very strong. Need to watch his games to see the passing skill and to see if he plays strong D.

[Ruzious]

Robert Carter Jr., another smallball C type, with range, mobility, and strength, not quite the passer but he plays smart.

He's definitely getting slept on at this point. If he measures at 6'9 (with shoes), he'll definitely be a first rounder. He's in much better shape after sitting out last season. he reminds me of a shorter Mark West. Real good all-around player, and the passing skills have arrived. Real safe pick - much as Bobby Portis was a safe value pick.

Not a lot of him on youtube, but I am curious as to what he can do. Only thing after looking at his stats I dislike are his rebounding numbers but I know he plays on a very big team w Stone and Layman. Definitely a guy I want to watch for a full game against a team like Purdue or Michigan State. Doesn't look like his 3 ball is quite there yet but I like that he is extending his range and his FT% is very strong. Need to watch his games to see the passing skill and to see if he plays strong D.

The play he made that impressed me the most: He was passed the ball in the low post, saw an opponent coming in to double him, and immediately whipped a pass to Layman in the corner for a wide open 3 - which Layman made. Stone would not have made that pass in his present state of development.

He's made some 3's, but he doesn't have that smooth quick release I saw with Bobby Portis last season. He needs to be wide open to make them - at this point.