EJ Liddell

[Arsenal]

Can’t find a thread for him. Seems to be in play in the early 20’s. 6’7” in shoes with a 6’11.75” wingspan.

Stats all look great with the sole exception of steal percentage. Looks like he can score, pass, rebound and block shots.

Big question I guess is can he switch defensively and handle 3 or 4 positions credibly.

Why is this guy not the next Grant Williams or even Paul Millsap?

[JRoy]

I like Liddell. I think he might surprise in a diet-Draymond role. But Millsap was a terrific rebounder and a better prospect in my opinion.

[babyjax13]

I see Eric Paschall with better rebounding + rim protection, which is a pretty good player, probably a borderline starter.

[Dirkules]

One of the most underrated players in the draft IMO. He might not be great but he's one of those guys that's just going to be a really good NBA player for a really long time. Shawn Marion type.

[SNPA]

I like his game a lot. He’d be a great fit for Sac next to Sabonis. Mobile, blocks shots and hits threes. He fits the modern game.

[shangrila]

I've cooled on him a lot but I still like him. He seems like he'll be a solid if unspectacular player for many years.

Offensively I worry about his skills outside of shooting. He won't be able to post much in the league and that was such a huge part of his game in college. The shot I buy, especially after watching his pro day and seeing how he could rid of the little flick he used to have at the end of his shot (that turned it into a line drive more than an arc). His IQ on that end is also good as he makes good reads. But his handles also aren't great so I worry about him beating guys 1 on 1.

Defensively the footspeed is a concern against some faster guys but he's got good physicality and enough speed not to be targeted in the playoffs. My big concern here is rebounding as he's probably below average on that end in the league.

[Almost Retired]

I see him as a 3 & D guy that can play the 3 or the 4 depending on matchups and who he is teamed with. He can switch 1-4 for short bursts. He slides his feet well to keep his solid body between the ball and the hoop. His help defense is outstanding. He doesn't give up on plays. His BBIQ is above average. He comes in after 3 seasons in the Big 10. Certainly an NBA body strength wise. I wish he was 6'9" but he had the second highest vertical among front court players at the combine, his wingspan is just under 7' 0", and he has excellent timing in blocking shots from the front or from behind as he chases guys down. I don't expect Superstardom for Liddell. But I don't see future superstars in any of the prospects after about pick number #4. My expectations for Liddell are fitting in as a solid rotation player, maybe a starter eventually. He could fit into a lineup much like a Mikal Bridges who doesn't put up gaudy numbers offensively but provides some offense and a high BBIQ to play the role of the "glue guy" on defense. I'm a Bulls fan. I want Liddell at #18.

[Upperclass]

A very obvious small ball Center for some team like the Spurs, Hawks, Jazz etc. Has a toolset that doesn't come around often

[bucknut]

I think he will be a real good player - best hands in the draft. Very soft hands

Similar hands to milsap but he doesn't have the defensive steal ability like milsap.....not the drive ability milsap had either but I think he plays a bit taller and has a high release.....Will be very efficient shooting the ball on pick and pop, has some iso post game, mid range, and can hit threes, and can block shots....alot to like.

[Upperclass]

^ Also has a nice handle.. Reminds me of BB Davis when he was on the Celts

[Hal14]

Can’t find a thread for him. Seems to be in play in the early 20’s. 6’7” in shoes with a 6’11.75” wingspan.

Stats all look great with the sole exception of steal percentage. Looks like he can score, pass, rebound and block shots.

Big question I guess is can he switch defensively and handle 3 or 4 positions credibly.

Why is this guy not the next Grant Williams or even Paul Millsap?

Millsap is exactly the comp I keep making for Liddell. The other is Boris Diaw.

Steal % might not be super high but I'd wager that most guys who are 240+ lbs don't have a very high steal %. It is what it is.

Liddell is going to have a long career as a good role player. A 4 who can play some small ball 5. #19 on my big board..

[shangrila]

Can’t find a thread for him. Seems to be in play in the early 20’s. 6’7” in shoes with a 6’11.75” wingspan.

Stats all look great with the sole exception of steal percentage. Looks like he can score, pass, rebound and block shots.

Big question I guess is can he switch defensively and handle 3 or 4 positions credibly.

Why is this guy not the next Grant Williams or even Paul Millsap?

Millsap is exactly the comp I keep making for Liddell. The other is Boris Diaw.

Steal % might not be super high but I'd wager that most guys who are 240+ lbs don't have a very high steal %. It is what it is.

Liddell is going to have a long career as a good role player. A 4 who can play some small ball 5. #19 on my big board..

I hate the Millsap comp, specifically because of that steal rate.

Sports-reference doesn't have Millsap's rate but he averaged 1.9spg compared to Liddell's 0.6. Millsap also destroys EJ's defensive advanced stats (DWS 6.7 vs 1.6). He's just a far superior defensive prospect.

[bucknut]

David West, Jamychal Green, Leon Powe but can block shots.

[BostonCouchGM]

a better Grant Williams. I gladly take him towards the back half of the 1st round

[Hal14]

Can’t find a thread for him. Seems to be in play in the early 20’s. 6’7” in shoes with a 6’11.75” wingspan.

Stats all look great with the sole exception of steal percentage. Looks like he can score, pass, rebound and block shots.

Big question I guess is can he switch defensively and handle 3 or 4 positions credibly.

Why is this guy not the next Grant Williams or even Paul Millsap?

Millsap is exactly the comp I keep making for Liddell. The other is Boris Diaw.

Steal % might not be super high but I'd wager that most guys who are 240+ lbs don't have a very high steal %. It is what it is.

Liddell is going to have a long career as a good role player. A 4 who can play some small ball 5. #19 on my big board..

I hate the Millsap comp, specifically because of that steal rate.

Sports-reference doesn't have Millsap's rate but he averaged 1.9spg compared to Liddell's 0.6. Millsap also destroys EJ's defensive advanced stats (DWS 6.7 vs 1.6). He's just a far superior defensive prospect.

What about shot blocking? During last season of college: MIllsap 2.7 blocks per 40 mins, Liddell 3.1. And that's with Liddell playing a large chunk of his mins next to another big man, Key.

[Hal14]

David West, Jamychal Green, Leon Powe but can block shots.

None of those guys could shoot 3's.

[bucknut]

David West, Jamychal Green, Leon Powe but can block shots.

None of those guys could shoot 3's.

Jamychal Green can but i'll give you the other too - he's got such similarity in height tho and midrange.....the faceup game of west I think. Can shimmer, shake a little from a variety of mid range feet away from the basket including a little post. Not just limited to pick and pops is key here I think Liddell can give you some iso's.

It's hard to get to Boris Diaw comparisons - I have to stop thinking of Diaw as a point forward to get there... Diaw was such a unique player, his movement, passing, and style was different, his 2 point shots were more like crafty scoops, hooks. different type of backdown, but he had some similarities in his shooting and scoring drives.

I think Liddel's got some Juwan howard and P.J. Brown with extended range

Thing people sleeping about liddell is his hands and feet. He catches anything, and he can move his feet great. Better prospect than Branham for me.

[Hal14]

David West, Jamychal Green, Leon Powe but can block shots.

None of those guys could shoot 3's.

Jamychal Green can but i'll give you the other too - he's got such similarity in height tho and midrange.....the faceup game of west I think. Can shimmer, shake a little from a variety of mid range feet away from the basket including a little post. Not just limited to pick and pops is key here I think Liddell can give you some iso's.

It's hard to get to Boris Diaw comparisons - I have to stop thinking of Diaw as a point forward to get there... Diaw was such a unique player, his movement, passing, and style was different, his 2 point shots were more like crafty scoops, hooks. different type of backdown, but he had some similarities in his shooting and scoring drives.

I think Liddel's got some Juwan howard and P.J. Brown with extended range

Thing people sleeping about liddell is his hands and feet. He catches anything, and he can move his feet great. Better prospect than Branham for me.

yeah a couple more good comps. Liddell of course with more range. But it's definitely an archetype we've seen be a good solid role player in this league many times.

[shangrila]

Millsap is exactly the comp I keep making for Liddell. The other is Boris Diaw.

Steal % might not be super high but I'd wager that most guys who are 240+ lbs don't have a very high steal %. It is what it is.

Liddell is going to have a long career as a good role player. A 4 who can play some small ball 5. #19 on my big board..

I hate the Millsap comp, specifically because of that steal rate.

Sports-reference doesn't have Millsap's rate but he averaged 1.9spg compared to Liddell's 0.6. Millsap also destroys EJ's defensive advanced stats (DWS 6.7 vs 1.6). He's just a far superior defensive prospect.

What about shot blocking? During last season of college: MIllsap 2.7 blocks per 40 mins, Liddell 3.1. And that's with Liddell playing a large chunk of his mins next to another big man, Key.

Yeah, they're roughly equal as shotblockers. But that's it.

If your comp is "Paul Millsap but only with shotblocking and not any other defensive abilities" then...sure, I can buy that. But is that much of a comp? Might as well go with Draymond at that point.

[kobyz]

how about Ron Artest comparison?