Moderators: HMFFL, dms269, Jamaaliver
thr3ep01nte4 wrote:How’s Carter’s defense? Don’t want to watch Jokic on Harden again.
Jamaaliver wrote:thr3ep01nte4 wrote:How’s Carter’s defense? Don’t want to watch Jokic on Harden again.
He lacks the footspeed to guard perimeter players.
But he a solid help defender other wise. Above average shot blocker. (Though far from elite.)
Good in one on one post defense.
Solid against the pick and roll. But can be overwhelmed by high flyers who can finish strongly at the rim.
thr3ep01nte4 wrote:So he’s a liability. That doesn’t sound like a recipe for success when your only big man on the floor can be constantly exposed on defense in the playoffs.
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Wendell Carter has a substantial case as Duke’s best player this season. Scouts view his game as extremely well-rounded, and he appears likely to crack the lottery given the way he’s produced. Carter leads the team’s regulars in field goal percentage, true shooting percentage, defensive rebound percentage and blocks per game, coming on strong in conference play and showing the diversity of his skill set. There really aren’t many holes in his game, and he’s been a central figure in Duke’s success.
Carter is often critiqued for a perceived lack of elite athleticism, but it pertains more to his quickness off the floor, as Carter moves his feet pretty well and has stepped up defensively in recent weeks as Duke’s chief rim protector. Carter has improved his body and stands a legitimate 6’10” with a 7’3” reported wingspan, adequate for a center. Philly.comFor Villanova's Mikal Bridges, there's more to success than talent
The skills that Mikal Bridges has developed over the last seven years – his defensive prowess, moving without the basketball, his ability to knock down a three-point shot or drive to the hoop for an emphatic dunk – are about to make him a certain lottery pick in the next NBA draft.
[H]is coaches during that time will tell you there’s more to Bridges than talent alone. It’s being a good teammate in his dedication to working within the framework of the team. It’s his attention to detail and preparation. It’s taking coaching without complaint and always striving to improve.
In the view of Jay Wright, “he’s humble and coachable.”
Recent NBA mock drafts have shown him to be going anywhere from No. 8 to 11 in the first round. Bridges has one more year of eligibility but Wright has joked more than once, “If he’s going to be picked that high, I’m booting him out of here.”
“It’s his versatility,” he said. “He can guard anybody, any position. He can shoot threes. He can handle the ball. We’ve watched gradual progress in him every year. I think what the scouts see is if he keeps improving at that rate, we could have something special.”
Jamaaliver wrote:Overall, Wendell's a better defender than Bagley or Ayton. And a more consistent offensive threat than Bamba or JJJ.
Spud2nique wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:Spud2nique wrote:Brad Daugherty is the closest comparison I can’t think of off the top of my head....
Doesn't seem too far off.
The only thing about this is that the Cavs were an awesome regular season team for about 5 or 6 years but they couldn’t get past the 2nd round if I’m not mistaken...was any of that on Brad? Was it mainly Lenny’s system? Was it Price?
I don’t mind Daugherty’s game at all...again specially in today’s weak style of play. Weak as in physically weak.
hawkmanreturns wrote:Spud2nique wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:
Doesn't seem too far off.
The only thing about this is that the Cavs were an awesome regular season team for about 5 or 6 years but they couldn’t get past the 2nd round if I’m not mistaken...was any of that on Brad? Was it mainly Lenny’s system? Was it Price?
I don’t mind Daugherty’s game at all...again specially in today’s weak style of play. Weak as in physically weak.
Two words: Michael Jordan
Spud2nique wrote:I’m 90% certain Luka will be drafted by the Kings, the Mavs or the Hawks. I’m right 60% of the time. Vlade wants Luka...Carlisle wants Luka... Bud wants Luka...
BOOK IT!!!
macd-gm wrote:Spud2nique wrote:I’m 90% certain Luka will be drafted by the Kings, the Mavs or the Hawks. I’m right 60% of the time. Vlade wants Luka...Carlisle wants Luka... Bud wants Luka...
BOOK IT!!!
Hmmm. So one of the first 3 teams picking will pick the player who is a consensus top 3 pick. Damn spud you're good...you are good.
Spud2nique wrote:I’m 90% certain Luka will be drafted by the Kings, the Mavs or the Hawks. I’m right 60% of the time. Vlade wants Luka...Carlisle wants Luka... Bud wants Luka...
BOOK IT!!!
Bridges almost didn’t post up at all in his freshman (once) and sophomore (zero) seasons. He barely came off screens (16 total possessions his first two years). Now he has integrated both of those aspects to his game as a 6-7 wing, while also becoming a hyper efficient spot-up shooter and pick-and-roll initiator. He still maintains high levels of efficiency in transition scoring and cutting to the hoop. Of players with at least 400 possessions of offense resulting in a shot attempt, free throw attempt, or turnover, Bridges ranks fourth in the entire country in scoring efficiency.
Bridges hasn’t really lost much efficiency with his increased usage and role over his three years at Villanova. He takes care of the ball and makes shots at a very efficient rate.
Jamaaliver wrote:None of those guys were worthy of a top 3 pick, though.