HurricaneKid wrote:FNQ wrote:HurricaneKid wrote:
Based on what exactly? That he was 5th on the squad in ppg? That he averaged 4ppg during the tourney?
He blocks shots but is often WILDLY out of position in trying to do so. That he shot well from 3? He took less than 100 all season. And the NBA line is no joke.
I think his skill set is intriguing. But he is an absolute FLYER. He was LOSING minutes the later we got into the season. If you are getting 18 min/gm during tourney play (Conf & NCAA) after getting 25+ the first month you aren't progressing the way you would want a 1 and done player to progress. I remember Tatum improving week to week last year.
He may get there is 3-4 years but he isn't an NBA player right now.
Are we talking about who's having the best rookie season or who we think will be the best player in the draft? I see tools, IQ, and excellent timing. The issues he has are ones that are corrected with time.
He seemed to fatigue at the end of the year, especially in the tourney, because the lazy fouls he was giving werent the same player at the beginning of the year. But I see a ton of all-around potential in him, like a DeMarcus Cousins. Trade in some of his offense for defense though, of course
Its tough to discern whether a player is lacking in BBIQ or is just young and would cede ground because at every level up to that point he could make that back up with his athleticism. So while I could easily be wrong, I'm not so high on his BBIQ. He makes a lot of boneheaded plays and his positioning is not what I would want it to be. Guys his size should be playing with their bodies not reaching with their arms.
I think you are with me that he is going to have a difficult adjustment to the NBA the first year or two. I just wonder if teams in the top 4-5 are better off taking a C that needs at least a few years of seasoning. Its not that I don't think he has skills that translate. Its that he feels far more similar to Noah Vonleh to me than a truly impactful player.
And if a guy is fatigued after 764 min what is going to happen in the NBA where he is going to be expected to play over 3X that many?
I think he's going to have a career much like his current comp - Jermaine O'Neal - but with more range. And JO had a really rough first couple years for the same reason.
What I see in him is a guy who understands the facets of the game, but isnt reacting quickly enough yet. And thats why I really like him and guys like him - the just late types in college. Because a coach sees that and beats an instinct into him, and the change is night and day impact wise. I just see juicy upside in him, and while he's less likely to realize it than Ayton, something about his overall demeanor both on and off-court make me think he's a future star.
The fatiguing was genuinely concerning but as someone who dealt with college kids as they transitioned from HS, its not unusual. As soon as you become paid to play, the motivation level to keep physically fit 110% of the time spikes tremendously. It can be a work ethic problem with some, but honestly, asking kids at 18/19 to be NBA-ready while actually staying afloat grades wise is a lot. Having a NBA pedigree in his family is hugely important as well. I think he'll be one of those decent impact young kids w/o much playing time, but that would be perfect for a team that actually acknowledges its rebuilding (SAC, ATL, DAL, ORL)
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