OrlMagic05 wrote:Exp0sed wrote:QingJames wrote:
I guess his best case scenario would be something like this version of 2023 Lauri
This is how I know you dont watch Franz play. He was our starting PG for almost the first 20 games of the season and offense was run thru him and Paolo. His ast did drop once Fultz came back.
Lauri is having a breakout season in his 6th year in the league and was NEVER efficient. Prior to this year his best shooting year was his 4th year in the league and still wasnt as efficient as Franz is this year.
Not sure how many 2nd year players have averaged 20ppg 4ast 4 rebs 49%FG 35%3pt in the past 5 years so I think he deserves a lot more credit than what you are giving him.
I def didn't watch him as much or as closely as Magic fans but i've watched enough Magic games to form an opinion
i've been following basketball for many decades
I like stats as much as the next guy but you know, when you follow a sport really closely for so many years - there's also other stuff that enable you to see the bigger picture, intuition, experience etc.
players are breaking "averages" and records left and right, who cares how many 2nd year players specifically posted some arbitrary benchmark
I already said that he's best case scenarion is current Lauri, which is great i'm sure the Magic will be thrilled with that
Lauri has shown some signs of significant improvement on the Cavs last season and in the Summer when he was "the man" on Finland team he has shown that he is much more confident and capable when actually given freedom to play and create and take upon himself than he was in a limited role standing in the corner, some players are like that (most aren't btw)
Ainge gambled on that and he gambled right, but Lauri has only done this for half a season
there is no guarantee that he will be able to consistently perform at that level, say over the duration of a 4-5 year max
when he'll be in a shooting slump - he doesn't have much else to offer and if his confidence will go down - so will his decsion making and effort level (just a hunch)
can Franz become something like this year's Lauri (or better)? sure, that's possible
but here's what i'm seeing from Franz:
yes, his 2p% is very encouraging
he's very smart, he cuts very well and moves well without the ball, I would even say that he impressed me more off the ball than on it. He can score (easily, because he's got a great jumpshot and a good touch)
with today's rules and no defense culture, a 6'10 guy who can get his shot off easily and is quick enough to take guys to the rim of the dribble is very valuable
but he will never be a good rebounder or an average defender
he won't be a legit #1 on the ball
and i doubt he can find many ways to make his teammates better
i'd be shocked if those things turned out to be untrue but again - he's 20, he can be the GoaT - literally everything is still on the table for him
realistically imo, with the limited time i've watched him my early take is that in order for Franz to be the best player in this draft - all the other candidates have to bust
i'm sure some of them will bust, but not likely that all of them will
and thus it's unlikely imo that Franz will be best player from this draft when it's all said and done
but he's a great player, Lauri has been the best player on a team that was over 0.500 not long ago
he did that by having a huge offensive impact, while being a below average defender
think Trae young but with less crappy defense
if Franz were to reach these levels, i'm sure it will be in that mold as well - elite offense with subpar defense


















