Lauri Markkanen - How high can he go in the draft?

The-Power · Post #41 » by **The-Power** » Mon Mar 6, 2017 6:00 pm

I don't think defense is a reason to be much lower on him as a prospect. He's really not bad. A capable rebounder with length on a good defensive team who's used to hedge on PnR's and recover and be active overall - that's a solid start. He should do fine against most 4's and can play the 5 in and against smaller line-ups. He even possesses solid mobility for his size.

Offensively he's such a valuable player to have. Great shooting stroke, effective against mismatches inside, mostly in control - great option for the PnP/PnR, as a floor spacer and off-ball player. Definitely a lottery pick in my eyes, potentially top 10.

RipCity71252 · Post #42 » by **RipCity71252** » Tue Mar 7, 2017 12:57 am

Re-watched UCLA v Arizona today and compiled a video of Lauri's off the dribble offense. https://streamable.com/9b29q

It's only one game, but I think it's pretty clear Markkanen will have to play the 5 if he wants to be more than a spot-up, 1-2 dribble pull up guy, and even then it's going to depend on the matchup.

Coeur · Post #43 » by **Coeur** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 6:34 am

Going to go top 5.

Post #44 » by **bwgood77** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 6:41 am

Coeur wrote:Going to go top 5.

I was just thinking, if the Suns have like the 5th pick, he might be too hard to pass up. If there is even a chance you have a guy that is close to anything like Dirk, then having Bender and Chriss shouldn't matter, and heck, that could be your front court rotation. He has the perfect skills and size for today's NBA.

Post #45 » by **Duke4life831** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:16 am

When was the last 7 footer that was this good of a shooter coming into the draft? To me he is almost the perfect offensive stretch 4 prospect. The dude just has so many tools. I wouldn't be shocked if he goes 5th.

Mulhollanddrive · Post #46 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:30 am

Kaminsky?

Post #47 » by **Duke4life831** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:43 am

Mulhollanddrive wrote:Kaminsky?

Kaminsky was a good shooter by his senior year but even then he hit 41% of his 3s on about 2 attempts a game compared to Lauri who is hitting 43% on basically twice as many attempts. Plus Lauri is the better FT shooter.

No-Man · Post #48 » by **No-Man** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 12:39 pm

RipCity71252 wrote:Re-watched UCLA v Arizona today and compiled a video of Lauri's off the dribble offense. https://streamable.com/9b29q

It's only one game, but I think it's pretty clear Markkanen will have to play the 5 if he wants to be more than a spot-up, 1-2 dribble pull up guy, and even then it's going to depend on the matchup.

he still makes those but settles for midrangers a ton and is painfully slow off the dribble.

Post #49 » by **GimmeDat** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 12:46 pm

Damn, people are talking about Markennen in the top 5? I think that would be crazy.

He's going to be a valuable offensive piece, probably one of the better stretch bigs in the league, but his overall game is very limited compared to the top tier guys. I've got him anywhere from 6 to even a chance he goes out of the top 10.

The-Power · Post #50 » by **The-Power** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 4:51 pm

GimmeDat wrote:Damn, people are talking about Markennen in the top 5? I think that would be crazy.

He's going to be a valuable offensive piece, probably one of the better stretch bigs in the league, but his overall game is very limited compared to the top tier guys.

I don't. Anything after Fultz, Ball and Jackson is fair game in my eyes. I'm not saying I necessarily have him top 5 - although he might be - but I believe it's reasonable at the very least.

First of all, Markkanen is a great shooter and he can get his shot off at any time in the PnP. Being elite at this one particular skill is extremely valuable even if he isn't a jack of all trades. But I don't really see the limitations. Obviously he's not going to create off the dribble much considering his size and position. But he's a solid passer, he's shown flashes of being able to drive against slower defenders with enough success to consider it a fathomable part of his future game if he works on it and he does have a rudimentary inside game he's going to improve.

Defensively, he's definitely solid. He's active and mobile for his size, can rebound and occasionally contain players at the rim. He doesn't fill up the boxscore with steals and blocks but I don't believe his defense is going to be an issue at all after he gets used to the NBA. By the way, he's also a quietly good athlete for his height.

He's basically the perfect partner for many Guards in a PnR-driven league on offense. Should be able to play the 5 against smaller line-ups which is a huge plus and can be a good defender down the road. Offensively he's a more polished version of Porzingis.

No-Man · Post #51 » by **No-Man** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 5:01 pm

Numbers dont lie man, I love Lauri's unique skill but he is a weapon, not a game changer, he isnt Dirk, doesnt have nowhere close to his fluidity as an athlete esp on-ball and he is worse physically too, Dirk was amazing rebounding the ball when his body was in his prime, Lauri is getting killed and he is older than several frosh plus has a developed upper body, dunno if he can add much strength honestly.

Love him as a super solid player, but I am not gonna get the beauty of his game trick me, his advanced numbers paint him as a tool, not a generational talent, which is good, but not good enough to not pass up on him for more complete guys.
And he hinders your flexibility building wise.

Disposable Hero · Post #52 » by **Disposable Hero** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 5:47 pm

He has lived up to the preseason hype. His body looks maxed out whereas other kids still have upside. Maybe end of lottery?

EricAnderson · Post #53 » by **EricAnderson** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 4:05 pm

Very surprised with how well he defended guards out on the peremeter last night

UcanUwill · Post #54 » by **UcanUwill** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 4:48 pm

bwgood77 wrote:
Coeur wrote:Going to go top 5.

I was just thinking, if the Suns have like the 5th pick, he might be too hard to pass up. If there is even a chance you have a guy that is close to anything like Dirk, then having Bender and Chriss shouldn't matter, and heck, that could be your front court rotation. He has the perfect skills and size for today's NBA.

Lauri and Bender would be interesting. Not sure it works, but its interesting.

The-Power · Post #55 » by **The-Power** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:00 pm

UcanUwill wrote:
bwgood77 wrote:I was just thinking, if the Suns have like the 5th pick, he might be too hard to pass up. If there is even a chance you have a guy that is close to anything like Dirk, then having Bender and Chriss shouldn't matter, and heck, that could be your front court rotation. He has the perfect skills and size for today's NBA.

Lauri and Bender would be interesting. Not sure it works, but its interesting.

The Suns are going to be interesting no matter who they pick. They are fully committed to developing their young players and with Booker being more selective and efficient with his scoring as of late - coupled with other interesting young guys - and hopefully another top five pick they are going to be fun to watch. I know that's not what your post was about but I just wanted another reason to praise the Suns' future.

916fan · Post #56 » by **916fan** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:09 pm

Markkanen's inconsistency is killing me. How do you go from 29 and 6, to only 11 and 1 the next day? 22shots vs 4shots.

I hope Markkanen can become more aggressive.

The-Power · Post #57 » by **The-Power** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:27 pm

916fan wrote:Markkanen's inconsistency is killing me. How do you go from 29 and 6, to only 11 and 1 the next day? 22shots vs 4shots.

I hope Markkanen can become more aggressive.

The team simply didn't look for Markkanen and they didn't run a single play for him. Every possession he went down to the post with hands up high and in position to catch the ball. Oregon did a good job of shielding him and the team moved on from the idea to give him the ball. How do you have a player like him and not run a single play for him on the top of the key? Or have him spread out to the corner? They run some half-assed screen and roll action a couple of times but they neither leveraged his shooting nor did they try to get him touches inside. Just peculiar and I attribute it to the lack of a good PG on the floor and some dubious coaching. I wouldn't blame him for yesterday, it's not like he didn't want the ball or refused to shoot when he had it.

NatiboyB · Post #58 » by **NatiboyB** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:27 pm

He can go as high as #5 depending on pick order.

I think he will always be selected after Fultz/Ball/Jackson/Tatum however...But I can see him going before Smith Jr and Monk. I view him as a 5-9 guy.

NatiboyB · Post #59 » by **NatiboyB** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:31 pm

He has to be the best I've ever seen he's better than Kaminski was at the time and more mobile but also younger...You pick this guy and pencil him in as a rotation big..My only issue is this do you pick a rotation big over talents such as Tatum/Smith Jr/Isaac and that's with my assumption that Fultz/ball/Jackson are the top 3 no matter what.

Duke4life831 wrote:When was the last 7 footer that was this good of a shooter coming into the draft? To me he is almost the perfect offensive stretch 4 prospect. The dude just has so many tools. I wouldn't be shocked if he goes 5th.

Post #60 » by **Duke4life831** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:00 pm

NatiboyB wrote:He has to be the best I've ever seen he's better than Kaminski was at the time and more mobile but also younger...You pick this guy and pencil him in as a rotation big..My only issue is this do you pick a rotation big over talents such as Tatum/Smith Jr/Isaac and that's with my assumption that Fultz/ball/Jackson are the top 3 no matter what.

Duke4life831 wrote:When was the last 7 footer that was this good of a shooter coming into the draft? To me he is almost the perfect offensive stretch 4 prospect. The dude just has so many tools. I wouldn't be shocked if he goes 5th.

I have him over Isaac, I've started to cool on Isaac. I can see Markkanen having a career similar to Ryan Anderson or I wouldn't be surprised if he makes multiple all stars. Like you said this dude has so many tools offensively. Defensively has some stuff to be desired but if you pair him with a rim protector you're good.