RealGM

STRENGTHS
Can take over games defensively when locked in. Has exceptional agility at 6-foot-9, covers ground very quickly.
Doesn’t need any time to load when jumping up to block shots or dunk. One of the most explosive players in the draft.
Huge block radius thanks to 7-foot-4 wingspan. Regularly alters shots out of his area and is a threat as a weak side rim protector.
Flashes of face-up ability. Has been asked to play a lot of 4 at Texas A&M which has allowed him to hone his high-low passing ability and a semblance of a mid-range jumper.
Rarely brings the ball down around the bucket. Plays a strong game on offense.
Quietly sound passer. Game has slowed down considerably for him this season. Should be able to make short-roll reads and execute some tough passes in time.
Gets low to the ground and establishes position in the post against smaller defenders. Doesn’t project to handle many possessions in post in NBA but gets good extension and has solid touch on jump hooks.
High-points rebounds thanks to length and ability to get off the ground. One of the best rebounders in the draft even without consistently boxing out.
Excellent rim-runner when he wants to be. Effortlessly explodes over the top of the defense for dunks.
Should look much better in the NBA as a primary 5 rather than next to another big. Will allow him to be maximized as dive man, as Texas A&M rarely uses him in that role.
Ballerina-like feet allow him to switch all across perimeter and contest shots out to the three-point line. Very few bigs as versatile as he is on defense.
WEAKNESSES
Ghastly jump shooting numbers across two seasons at Texas A&M. Will he ever become a credible mid-range threat?
Motor runs hot-and-cold. Will disappear for long stretches of games and doesn’t go out of his way to make hustle plays.
Defensive IQ comes and goes. Doesn’t get into foul trouble much but sells himself out for blocks and forgets to box out too often.
Has narrow hips and a relatively thin lower body. Will have a very hard time in post-up situations against Cousins/Embiid types.
Not overly comfortable playing out of the post on offense. Still makes some bone-headed turnovers with the ball in his hands.
Free-throw shooting has dipped significantly this season to below 50 percent. He must get better at that to prevent being a serious liability.
Isn’t very engaged off the ball on defense. Relies on his elite athleticism to help him recover for blocks. How will that work against better spaced NBA offenses?
Not much in his game that is technically sound. Athleticism carries him on both ends of the floor. Can that translate to the NBA?
BOTTOM LINE
Williams is one of the best run-and-jump athletes in this draft, and when combined with his imposing size, he profiles as an excellent rim-runner and shot-blocker in the NBA. Throw in his flashes of face-up ability, blossoming short-roll game, and switch-ability on defense, and Williams is a really enticing prospect. However, his underwhelming girth, questionable motor, and lack of improvement in the skilled parts of his game make it hard to fully commit to him as a lottery pick. He should be a useful situational big in the NBA, but Williams has not made the necessary strides this season to earn a “future starter” badge. That said, if he gets stronger and is consistently dialed in, he has all the tools to be a starting-caliber big man.

A supreme dunker who fits the mold of a rim-running center, though he must improve his discipline.
SHADES OF: DeAndre Jordan, Clint Capela, Amir Johnson
PLUSES
Elite athlete who is always a threat for lobs via pick-and-roll dives, cuts, or transition rim runs.
Bouncy leaper who keeps balls alive on the offensive boards and can throw down explosive dunks even from a standstill.
Can put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles, though he must improve his footwork.
Solid passer who recognizes cutters and puts velocity on the ball.
Athletic shot blocker who closes gaps in a flash as a help defender.
Capable of switching onto guards due to his quickness.
Played out of position at Texas A&M in a two-big offense, so will likely produce more effectively in an NBA situation.
MINUSES
Limbs flail when he shoots jumpers. Form and release look different each time.
Needs to overhaul his shot form; he brings the ball up the left side of his body, but shoots with his right hand.
Doesn’t always do the little things; doesn’t show proper screening technique and rarely seals a defender on the post.
Undisciplined defender who reaches too often and falls out of his stance.
Only an average rebounder statistically considering his athleticism, though that may be because he played out of position at A&M.

16. Robert Williams

Robert Williams is long, athletic and statistically productive, but it seems like something is missing with him. His team defense was worse with him on the floor, and it’s a concern that he’s just an enticing talent who will never put it all together.

That said his talent is enticing, so it feels wrong to be totally out on him. He is a slippery prospect to evaluate, and it’s hard to know what to expect.

yosemiteben wrote:Shades of Vonleh - PF height with long arms, can't shoot.

DY_nasty wrote:arm his arms longer than zellers? if yes, trade up for him

Vanderbilt_Grad wrote:In honor of McBob, I shall call him Bobert if drafted. Would be OK with him as a pick, but higher on some other folks.