I need intel on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

[OkcSinceSGA]

So from watching hours of film+opinions from people on Youtube this is a conclusion I've come to regarding his upside, and would like correction and or additional information if you guys would be so kind.

-His upside is huge on defense. He is not only really promising as a man defender, but has great instincts in the passing lanes where his length is disruptive. I read that he has a knack for getting steals from poking the ball out when being posted up.

-His upside on offense is pretty small. Basically most scouting reports seem to indicate that if he can be something like a 10 point per game, 5 assist guy at the pro level and just not hurt you on offense, that's about as good as it gets. These reports say his shot is slow and predictable, therefor they don't expect much offensively at the next level.

- Intangibles such as work ethic, leadership, toughness and IQ though are supposed to be really good.

Overall upside projection via various reports: High quality starter for years with almost no chance at ever being an all star or franchise player. Comparison- Shaun Livingston pre injury.

Does this seem pretty accurate?

[Dr Positivity]

Jrue Holiday type impact if he works out?

Too early to say he's just going to be a role player on offense. His shot is far from broken, he shot over 40% (SSS) from 3 and 80% FT. The Clippers wouldn't have drafted him that high if they didn't see potential on offense

[OkcSinceSGA]

Jrue Holiday type impact if he works out?

Too early to say he's just going to be a role player on offense. His shot is far from broken, he shot over 40% (SSS) from 3 and 80% FT. The Clippers wouldn't have drafted him that high if they didn't see potential on offense

True. I'm not saying it's set, just saying what projections are. He's definitely a better shooter than Shaun Livingston ever was.

[PLO]

Jrue Holiday type impact if he works out?

Too early to say he's just going to be a role player on offense. His shot is far from broken, he shot over 40% (SSS) from 3 and 80% FT. The Clippers wouldn't have drafted him that high if they didn't see potential on offense

True. I'm not saying it's set, just saying what projections are. He's definitely a better shooter than Shaun Livingston ever was.

That's not true because SL is an excellent shooter off the dribble and in traffic, something basically completely missing from SGA's arsenal today. SL also has a very high and quick release on his shot, the opposite of Shai.

As far as his upside: I'm higher on his offense and lower on his D as you've stated above. He has fantastic game IQ, able to make split-second decisions correctly in traffic etc. He makes other players around him better on O. He may well have mediocre stats in the NBA but his team will be better on the floor while he's there. He probably shouldn't be relied on as a primary initiator because he lacks the athleticism to be a true number one, but if he can improve his shooting (in terms of volume and variety, ie shoot off the dribble, in motion etc) he can be a very good NBA player because of his IQ. His finishing around the rim is intuitive and frequently a delight, albeit something he probably wont get away with in the NBA at this stage.

He's not explosive and that's his big downside: he also has a thin frame and is light which is why I'm lower on his D than most - he'll have a few off-ball highlights on D from time to time. His brick feet sometimes seem like they're in quicksand on both ends of the floor, but over time as he adds muscle this will become less apparent.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Jrue Holiday type impact if he works out?

Too early to say he's just going to be a role player on offense. His shot is far from broken, he shot over 40% (SSS) from 3 and 80% FT. The Clippers wouldn't have drafted him that high if they didn't see potential on offense

True. I'm not saying it's set, just saying what projections are. He's definitely a better shooter than Shaun Livingston ever was.

That's not true because SL is an excellent shooter off the dribble and in traffic, something basically completely missing from SGA's arsenal today. SL also has a very high and quick release on his shot, the opposite of Shai.

As far as his upside: I'm higher on his offense and lower on his D as you've stated above. He has fantastic game IQ, able to make split-second decisions correctly in traffic etc. He makes other players around him better on O. He may well have mediocre stats in the NBA but his team will be better on the floor while he's there. He probably shouldn't be relied on as a primary initiator because he lacks the athleticism to be a true number one, but if he can improve his shooting (in terms of volume and variety, ie shoot off the dribble, in motion etc) he can be a very good NBA player because of his IQ. His finishing around the rim is intuitive and frequently a delight, albeit something he probably wont get away with in the NBA at this stage.

He's not explosive and that's his big downside: he also has a thin frame and is light which is why I'm lower on his D than most - he'll have a few off-ball highlights on D from time to time. His brick feet sometimes seem like they're in quicksand on both ends of the floor, but over time as he adds muscle this will become less apparent.

Referring to young SL. He's improved a ton on the midrange jumper and post up since his Clippers days. I'm referring to baseline as rookie or sophomore Shaun Livingston pre injury. Thanks for good info though.

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[OkcSinceSGA]

Genuine question. Can athleticism be improved much at the pro level? I imagine him adding like 15 lbs of muscle and doing a lot of explosive drills could improve his foot speed a bit and strength at the least? Then maybe a heavy focus on a quicker shot release?

[PLO]

Genuine question. Can athleticism be improved much at the pro level? I imagine him adding like 15 lbs of muscle and doing a lot of explosive drills could improve his foot speed a bit and strength at the least? Then maybe a heavy focus on a quicker shot release?

TBH probably not that much but he's a genuine high IQ 6'6" long-wingspan distributor, that length and intelligence will makeup for a lot of athletic deficiencies.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Genuine question. Can athleticism be improved much at the pro level? I imagine him adding like 15 lbs of muscle and doing a lot of explosive drills could improve his foot speed a bit and strength at the least? Then maybe a heavy focus on a quicker shot release?

TBH probably not that much but he's a genuine high IQ 6'6" long-wingspan distributor, that length and intelligence will makeup for a lot of athletic deficiencies.

Good points. I think he would be fine at around 200 lbs. Needs to gain 15-20. Plenty of skinny guys bulk up once in league. KD never did, but not sure he can survive as a guy who slashes if hes getting hit by 250+ lbs guys who are much stronger every night. I remember Steph Curry did a great job of getting bigger and stronger without losing quickness.

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[Capn'O]

He's gangly and so long so like Frank N as he fills into his body he still may pop a bit more athletically than other prospects can. I could see him in a Livingston/Iguodala type role as a secondary creator that is always impacting his teams positively. Whether he's early or mid/late career for those comps depends on how much his athleticism pops. If his shot translates, that's a new level opening up for him.

[nolang1]

Genuine question. Can athleticism be improved much at the pro level? I imagine him adding like 15 lbs of muscle and doing a lot of explosive drills could improve his foot speed a bit and strength at the least? Then maybe a heavy focus on a quicker shot release?

TBH probably not that much but he's a genuine high IQ 6'6" long-wingspan distributor, that length and intelligence will makeup for a lot of athletic deficiencies.

Good points. I think he would be fine at around 200 lbs. Needs to gain 15-20. Plenty of skinny guys bulk up once in league. KD never did, but not sure he can survive as a guy who slashes if hes getting hit by 250+ lbs guys who are much stronger every night. I remember Steph Curry did a great job of getting bigger and stronger without losing quickness.

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Kevin Durant is like 30 pounds heavier than he was when he entered the league, what are you talking about?

[OkcSinceSGA]

TBH probably not that much but he's a genuine high IQ 6'6" long-wingspan distributor, that length and intelligence will makeup for a lot of athletic deficiencies.

Good points. I think he would be fine at around 200 lbs. Needs to gain 15-20. Plenty of skinny guys bulk up once in league. KD never did, but not sure he can survive as a guy who slashes if hes getting hit by 250+ lbs guys who are much stronger every night. I remember Steph Curry did a great job of getting bigger and stronger without losing quickness.

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Kevin Durant is like 30 pounds heavier than he was when he entered the league, what are you talking about?

Really? I must of missed that. I'm seeing him at 240 now (which is no doubt generous, some have him at 230), he was measured as 220 for draft. So at MOST 20 lbs, probably more like 10-15 realistically

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[Marcus]

Watch on YouTube

[kobyz]

i like his pure talent and great basketball body, could be the next manu...

[Capn'O]

Watch on YouTube

"Meteoric Rise" is a phrase that grinds my gears. Meteors fall!

[The-Power]

Like him as a combo-guard prospect for what he brings to the table. His ceiling in this regard is somewhat limited by his mediocre shooting, and you shouldn't expect him to be able to play PG on offense unless you have excellent wing creators who limit the duties of the PG. But if your expectations aren't too high, you should be happy to get such a high-iq player who can make plays and be a pesky defender.

"Meteoric Rise" is a phrase that grinds my gears. Meteors fall!

Actually, meteors just 'move' – falling and rising is just something that depends on your perspective. Of course in the 'earth is about to get destroyed by a huge meteor' movies it looks like falling.

[Capn'O]

"Meteoric Rise" is a phrase that grinds my gears. Meteors fall!

Actually, meteors just 'move' – falling and rising is just something that depends on your perspective.

Oh, but I saw this one coming when I posted. I'm ready for this. I was born ready and I'll always be ready for this.

I will leave it here to avoid derailing too much further but your semantics are whack. Asteroids move. Meteors fall, as by definition they have entered the Earth's atmosphere and are being controlled by the frickin' Earth's gravitational pull.

[Marcus]

"Meteoric Rise" is a phrase that grinds my gears. Meteors fall!

Actually, meteors just 'move' – falling and rising is just something that depends on your perspective.

Oh, but I saw this one coming when I posted. I'm ready for this. I was born ready and I'll always be ready for this.

I will leave it here to avoid derailing too much further but your semantics are whack. Asteroids move. Meteors fall, as by definition they have entered the Earth's atmosphere and are being controlled by frickin' gravity.

considering how much i love reading post from both of you i'd love to sit in on this debate if you guys happen to take it somewhere else lol.

[Capn'O]

Anyone see an eventual point forward role for him?

[Marcus]

Anyone see an eventual point forward role for him?

ummmm as a member of this team perhaps considering the plethora of guards they already have.

[Capn'O]

Anyone see an eventual point forward role for him?

ummmm as a member of this team perhaps considering the plethora of guards they already have.

I wondered about that. He actually seemed like a better fit for the Hornets as currently constructed. With that said, you've gotta figure West does not plan to sit idle.