Nikola Topic

[FarBeyondDriven]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

Yes, you don't play basketball with the top of your head, rather you play it with your hands that are attached to your shoulders, fine.

However, I'm not so sure about how your functional height idea applies to PG's. PG's are typically the shortest players on the floor anyways; they don't block a ton of shots. The thing PG's really gain from height is that they find it easier to see over/past other players and can thus see more of the floor. At which point, a long neck gives them just about everything that normal height would give them...

You're right, the ability to see the floor because your eyes are higher is an asset so his neck helps him there. Where it hurts is that he has the wingspan of a 6'3" guy instead of a 6'6" guy and that hurts him on defensive and finishing at the rim at the NBA level.

[DaddyCool19]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

I want to agree with you, because he has a long neck and negatve wingspan but he somehow still has a 8'6 standing reach.

I think that would be considered as a fine reach even for a SG instead of a PG.

[clyde21]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

I want to agree with you, because he has a long neck and negatve wingspan but he somehow still has a 8'6 standing reach.

I think that would be considered as a fine reach even for a SG instead of a PG.

is that supposed to be impressive? 8'6" standing reach is like in the bottom 10% at the combine, and majority of players below him are 6-0 or 6-1 guys like Kolek and Dilly and Carter

[DaddyCool19]

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

I want to agree with you, because he has a long neck and negatve wingspan but he somehow still has a 8'6 standing reach.

I think that would be considered as a fine reach even for a SG instead of a PG.

is that supposed to be impressive? 8'6" standing reach is like in the bottom 10% at the combine, and majority of players below him are 6-0 or 6-1 guys like Kolek and Dilly and Carter

How is 8'6 in the bottom 10% of the combine? I think there were a bit more than 80 players at combine. 24 of them have a sub 8'6 reach. There are 5 players beside Topic who have a 8'6 combine.

How does the math work out here?

https://www.draftexpress.com/average-measurements-by-position/all/NBA+Draft+Combine/all/14/

Draftexpress has the average standing reach for a SG at 8'5,5. How isn't that decent for a Guard? I think a +8'6 reach is quite rare for a real PG and it isn't a bad reach for a SG, as there are even some SF's in the league who have a 8'5-8'7 reach

[Mickey8]

Team who is going to draft him,will draft him to be their point guard not the shot blocker. What was Steve Nash's standing reach

[bucknut]

Watched Usc vs topics team looking for drisivic film. He didn't play and usc won but....

Topic got in lane way more then Isiah Collier and that's colliers strength....and topics defense didn't look bad this game. Had a few strips 1 v1 (then missed contested layups in transition) and off ball steals

Looks shorter then his height for sure tho. I'm buying his dribble penetration and ....in this game his 3 didn't look broken

Alot of his defensive film out there are from him over helping and being caught in no mans land and then looking bad helping back ....id say he's still a bad defender but perhaps not as bad as people think. I didn't see historically bad in this game at all.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I think I'm moving him way down. There was always a concern that he was doing this against weaker competition but with him measuring smaller than reported, his lack of athleticism and the knee concerns I think there's a very big chance he busts and there are too many other talented players I'd feel more comfortable taking a chance on. He's still worth drafting but he's a huge boom/bust guy imo.

[JMAC3]

I think I'm moving him way down. There was always a concern that he was doing this against weaker competition but with him measuring smaller than reported, his lack of athleticism and the knee concerns I think there's a very big chance he busts and there are too many other talented players I'd feel more comfortable taking a chance on. He's still worth drafting but he's a huge boom/bust guy imo.

The history of these guys who get hurt, miss their rookie years and come back is pretty good. Blake, Chet, Simmons...

I think moving an 18 yr old down because of an acl injury is probably something that could look pretty foolish 2-3 years down the line.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I think I'm moving him way down. There was always a concern that he was doing this against weaker competition but with him measuring smaller than reported, his lack of athleticism and the knee concerns I think there's a very big chance he busts and there are too many other talented players I'd feel more comfortable taking a chance on. He's still worth drafting but he's a huge boom/bust guy imo.

The history of these guys who get hurt, miss their rookie years and come back is pretty good. Blake, Chet, Simmons...

I think moving an 18 yr old down because of an acl injury is probably something that could look pretty foolish 2-3 years down the line.

the injury is just one of many concerns that I've had for awhile and been given him the benefit of the doubt on but adding them all up it just doesn't make sense to risk a lottery pick on him. It's a very deep PG class. Why take the risk? When he was supposedly 6'7" with a 7' wingspan I could see it. But not now. I have to really squint my eyes and not only overlook the multiple injuries, but overlook the competition, the lack of length and athleticism? It's a bit much. It's a huge leap of faith. I understand you have to make a similar leap with Sarr, Risacher and Salaun but they play positions not as reliant on athleticism and they've done it on bigger stages versus better comp and haven't dealt with injuries. If I'm wrong, that's cool, I hope I am for the kid's sake. It's not a death sentence for him not be considered a lottery talent.

[Telfaire]

I think I'm moving him way down. There was always a concern that he was doing this against weaker competition but with him measuring smaller than reported, his lack of athleticism and the knee concerns I think there's a very big chance he busts and there are too many other talented players I'd feel more comfortable taking a chance on. He's still worth drafting but he's a huge boom/bust guy imo.

The history of these guys who get hurt, miss their rookie years and come back is pretty good. Blake, Chet, Simmons...

I think moving an 18 yr old down because of an acl injury is probably something that could look pretty foolish 2-3 years down the line.

Griffin had a stress fracture in his knee.
Simmons & Chet - a foot injury.

An ACL tear is something else, I worry how it might affect Topic playing style. While it's not considered ahtletically-based, he does constantly leap into the air to attack the rim. Also, he might just be injury-prone, especially at the knees.