slicedbread2 wrote:lobosloboslobos wrote:Hair Canada wrote:Banton is certainly exceeding my expectation, having followed his progress for the last 6 years. Always believed he has NBA potential but didn't expect it to translate so quickly after having some difficulties late in the season at Nebraska. Still, it's a pleasure to see how he's been able to figure things out.
I went back and looked at what I wrote about him in 2018, when he just entered college (Western Kentucky, where he hardly got any playing time) as an anonymous young Canadian:
"Banton is one of the more underrated Canadians coming out of high school this year. Reminds me a bit of SGA, who was also underrated coming into college last year. Like Shai, somewhat of a late-bloomer, who has really made some significant strides during his final high school year. Like Shai, not the strongest or most athletic guard you will find, though he can certainly finish above the rim in traffic. Has somewhat of an underwhelming frame, sporting narrow hips and thin shoulders. But, again like Shai, he has long strides, plays with composure, deceptively changes speeds, and able to regularly get to the basket despite his lack of explosive first step. When he’s fully engaged and in attack mode, Banton can be very dominant on both ends of the floor, with great size for a combo guard. He’s a good ball-handler, who can definitely lead the offense at least some of the time. Showed good scoring abilities last year from all three levels. His 3-point shot still needs refinement and greater persistency. But he already has floaters and mid-range stop-and-pops in his arsenal, and can also finish nicely at the rim with either hand."
that is pretty damn impressive sir
That is one amazingly detailed report. I often refer to Shai as Sega Genesis due to the fact that after learning from CP3 he became unleashed(initially learned from Sam Cassell his rookie year). I checked his college stats and they were insane:
37 games: 14.4pts/4.1rbs/5.1asts/1.6stls on shooting splits of 48.5/40.4/81.7 from the field.
It's absolutely insane that he fell as low as he did. Knicks fans will be punching air for taking Kevin Knox over SGA. A good indicator of whether or not a player's shot will translate from college to the NBA are 3 factors:
-Field goal %. If it's in the high 40's at minimum there's a strong chance he'll get there.
-3pt shot. If it's in the high 30's-low 40's even better
-FT shot. Anything in the low 80's is a good indicator of it translating to the pros. OG had the 1st 2 points checked down, but he was a career 52% FT shooter at Indiana who's shot needed a lot of work. Thankfully the Raptors coaching staff has made strides with him in becoming a reliable FT shooter.
SGA checked all the boxes and is a true 3 threat level scorer and learning from the point god was crucial.
With Banton I thought he'd be a Shaun Livingston prototype as a long guard/wing who could become a reliable secondary ball handler at minimum who's length could be used to defend the smaller guards. If he could've done what Shaun did with the Warriors minus the career altering injury I'd be thrilled especially as he was a mid 2nd round pick. His college stats were 40.8/23.7/63.1 from the field indicating he'd need a lot of work. The fact that he looks composed and aggressive for the most part is good to see.
If he were to be at least half as good as SGA man that'd be amazing.
I am not sure the comparison of Banton being Livingston outside of both being bigger.
Livingston is good with his footwork, changing direction (crossover) and work in the post.
Banton isn't good at changing direction. Banton is more about changing speed (hesitation move).
For him to be Livingston, it will be a big ask to improve his footwork.