RealGM

2017 will be known as the year of the unicorn.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kristaps Porzingis, NBA big men with unusual versatility, lead the league in scoring. [We] contacted five NBA scouts to find out who they'd pick to follow Simmons, Porzingis and Antetokounmpo.

Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C, Freshman)

"Bamba is closest to a unicorn. [He has a] 7'9" wingspan, can handle, pass, shoot threes."

The NBA doesn't have a player with Mohamed Bamba's measurements and skill set.

It's extraordinary how much ground and air space he covers between his length and nimble feet. Bamba has flashed more offensively than just simple finishes off dump downs, dives, lobs and putbacks. His ability to give guards a towering, high-percentage dunk target (9'6" reach) is still valuable, but it's Bamba's improving footwork and shooting range that could earn him his unicorn card.

Marvin Bagley III (Duke, PF/C, Freshman)

"Versatile at both ends, but the kid can do everything on offense."

Marvin Bagley III's potential touches every strength and skill across the board.

It's the do-it-all skill set and defensive speed that can separate Bagley as a unicorn. A power forward/center, Bagley shows good ball control with his handle and the ability to initiate the break after clearing the defensive glass.

he's also a tough cover for bigs in the half court, where he can play away from the basket and exploit his first step and quickness. He'll take defenders off the dribble and finish with layups and improvised runners typically used by wings or hybrid 4s.

Throw in developing back-to-the-basket footwork and hook shots and capable mid-range touch.

DeAndre Ayton (Arizona, C, Freshman)

"I'd take Bamba over Bagley, but there is one more out there I'd take hands down over either."

Within the unicorn family, DeAndre Ayton fits the mold of an Embiid or Karl-Anthony Towns—long, nimble centers with bodies built for the paint and inside-out skill sets to score in volume.

The unicorn potential kicks in once his perimeter game fully develops. He has been shooting threes for some time now. A quick, uncontestable release on his jumper is convincing, even if he doesn't shoot a high percentage right away. Like Towns and Embiid, he's become a threat to pick-and-pop behind the arc, spot up or rise and fire over his man from the elbows or short corners.

With quick spins in the post and the ability to separate into quality one-handed looks around the key, Ayton can score from all three levels, as well as control the glass and block shots.

Jamaaliver wrote:I VOTED Bagley.

I know he's actively modeling his game after Giannis even now.

The Unicorn Era Has Reached the NBA All-Star Game

With the All-Star reserves announced, it feels as though we’re officially ushering in a new generation with the fresh infusion of talent in this year’s exhibition.

The unicorns came galloping in: Kristaps Porzingis (East) and Karl-Anthony Towns (West) joined starter Joel Embiid for their first All-Star trips.

The NBA's Best Unicorn: Kristaps Porzingis

Observers have long cast Porzingis as a "unicorn," but even that mythical label doesn't encapsulate the rarity of Porzingis's game—at both ends of the floor—now that it has been more fully realized. As New York's lead scoring option, he has hammered home thunderous alley-oops, glided through the paint for impossible-to-block runners, backed down smaller defenders to set up turn-around jumpers and buried deep threes from Stephen Curry territory.



Unleashed Porzingis recalls both Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Durant. From a spacing standpoint, Porzingis profiles as an elite modern wing: He's shooting 42% on five three-point attempts per game, a level of volume and efficiency on par with Leonard and Durant last season.

Porzingis isn't just a souped-up unicorn or a likely first-time All-Star. The early favorite for Most Improved Player is an ideal building block whose presence provides an identity and reduces the pressure on role players.

Battle of the Unicorns

Kristaps Porzingis, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are dominant, jaw-dropping, once-in-a-generation talents — and they’re still under 23. But who’s the most precious unicorn in the NBA?

macd-gm wrote:I need to watch Bagley more i guess. What is it about him that will translate to a great nba player? I've only seen a little bit but he seems like a guy feasting on smaller, less athletic college players. What are his offensive talents?

hawkmanreturns wrote:I voted Ayton. He's going to be a monster once he realizes his full potential. He's a monster now when his teammates decide to give him the ball. We have to get this kid into a Hawks uniform this Summer.

hawkmanreturns wrote:I voted Ayton. He's going to be a monster once he realizes his full potential. He's a monster now when his teammates decide to give him the ball. We have to get this kid into a Hawks uniform this Summer.

Spud2nique wrote:Btw...the new thing is unicorn huh? What happened to beasts? Lol

CP War Hawks wrote:Not too high on Ayton right now. I see alot of what he does on offense negated by his defense, particularly out on the perimeter. I'm seeing Dwight like effort guarding the pnr and jump shooters especially as he ages and body gets too big. Would love him 10 years back, it's just the NBA has phased out bigs that aren't too mobile.

I think Bagley and his post game is underrated. Just his overall quickness from jumping, first step, shooting, etc. will translate against bigs in the NBA. His defense is worrisome, however his motor/conditioning is so good that the effort should always be there. He should be a terror out on the break alongside Dennis (or Sexton), Collins, and Prince.

Jamaaliver wrote:

CP War Hawks wrote:Not too high on Ayton right now. I see alot of what he does on offense negated by his defense, particularly out on the perimeter. I'm seeing Dwight like effort guarding the pnr and jump shooters especially as he ages and body gets too big. Would love him 10 years back, it's just the NBA has phased out bigs that aren't too mobile.

I think Bagley and his post game is underrated. Just his overall quickness from jumping, first step, shooting, etc. will translate against bigs in the NBA. His defense is worrisome, however his motor/conditioning is so good that the effort should always be there. He should be a terror out on the break alongside Dennis (or Sexton), Collins, and Prince.

Sadly, all of the top 4 draftees are poor defensively this year. A byproduct of youth more than anything.

Ayton has the tools to be above average defender in the league. This is both a knock against him for being so bad defensively this year. And mark in his favor because he has that potential.

There are serious defensive questions about all of Bagley, Doncic and Trae Young. (Even defensive stud Mo Bamba is currently too weak to dominate the paint against NBA big men...for now.)