Appreciation Thread, Anton Watson (Boston/Maine) – (Waived March 2, 2025)

[Hal14]

Interesting article here by a draft guru:

https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba-draft-articles/2024/07/lessons-from-draft-cycles-past-present-and-future/

Implementing a beta version of this model shows one clear beneficiary who my previous method may have been too low on: Gonzaga’s Anton Watson. While I was still higher than consensus before, now I wonder if he is a legitimate rotation piece. Here’s why.

In my previous model, I ranked Watson low in production, high in feel/processing and mediocre in athleticism. The low usage rate for a super senior was the production red flag in particular. But considering the new model, what exactly does Watson not accomplish on the court?

Anton Watson had a 9.2 Box Plus-Minus, second in the WCC to Mogbo, which he accomplished partially by being skilled for his size. At 6’7’’, Watson can dribble some, shoot some and pass some, all while being a high stocks player on defense. Getting steals is skillful, and Watson has some of the best hands in class to help him do so. While not much of a shooter over his college career, he came alive this season as a 67th percentile efficiency spot up shooter and 74th percentile efficiency on runners. His touch was elite on layups, at 92nd percentile efficiency. He can set strong screens. There are not many areas of the court where Watson can’t have an impact. There is our first dimension.

Watson is also a good mover, not necessarily through mobility (though that’s fine) but intentionality. Watson is always in the right spot, leading to a very good 2.8% steal rate and 2.1% block rate while only fouling three times per forty minutes. He also advanced his driving, up by 40% per game from the season before. Not only is he skilled, but he moves to the right spot to utilize that skill. There is our second dimension.

Finally, Watson is strong as f*ck. He is a menace when he has a head of steam, a perfect 30 for 30 on dunks this season, and with a strong 0.44 free throw rate over his college career. Watson is skillful and able to be in the right place and also strong enough to enforce his will. There is our third dimension.

[165bows]

Interesting article here by a draft guru:

https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba-draft-articles/2024/07/lessons-from-draft-cycles-past-present-and-future/

Implementing a beta version of this model shows one clear beneficiary who my previous method may have been too low on: Gonzaga’s Anton Watson. While I was still higher than consensus before, now I wonder if he is a legitimate rotation piece. Here’s why.

In my previous model, I ranked Watson low in production, high in feel/processing and mediocre in athleticism. The low usage rate for a super senior was the production red flag in particular. But considering the new model, what exactly does Watson not accomplish on the court?

Anton Watson had a 9.2 Box Plus-Minus, second in the WCC to Mogbo, which he accomplished partially by being skilled for his size. At 6’7’’, Watson can dribble some, shoot some and pass some, all while being a high stocks player on defense. Getting steals is skillful, and Watson has some of the best hands in class to help him do so. While not much of a shooter over his college career, he came alive this season as a 67th percentile efficiency spot up shooter and 74th percentile efficiency on runners. His touch was elite on layups, at 92nd percentile efficiency. He can set strong screens. There are not many areas of the court where Watson can’t have an impact. There is our first dimension.

Watson is also a good mover, not necessarily through mobility (though that’s fine) but intentionality. Watson is always in the right spot, leading to a very good 2.8% steal rate and 2.1% block rate while only fouling three times per forty minutes. He also advanced his driving, up by 40% per game from the season before. Not only is he skilled, but he moves to the right spot to utilize that skill. There is our second dimension.

Finally, Watson is strong as f*ck. He is a menace when he has a head of steam, a perfect 30 for 30 on dunks this season, and with a strong 0.44 free throw rate over his college career. Watson is skillful and able to be in the right place and also strong enough to enforce his will. There is our third dimension.

Strength is way under rated imo and is highly valued by this front office as far as I can tell. It's not like bench press strength, it's about what space you can occupy and prevent others from doing so. It's eg why a guy like Al Horford can be an elite defender despite not being that big, not that long, or a plus leaper. It's like this guy describes, it's a combo of things that makes a guy who he is. In Al's case, he's got good mobility, elite defensive skill in terms of knowing what to do when and how to do it, and he's also low-key super strong and put all that together and he just doesn't let guys go where they want to go, whether they are bigger or faster or whatever.

Watson's a guy we discussed a good bit prior to the draft and he's not the most exciting guy but he might have a bunch of less heralded traits that allow him to get the job done. Low key intrigued on him short and long term.

I did hear a Celtics Beat podcast with a reporter from Spokane that was posted farther back. Apparently John Stockton was a mentor for him and Watson is second all time in steals at Gonzaga, behind Stockton.

[phincsfan]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

[Hal14]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

Yup..he has some shades of Grant, Tillman and Horford which is likely why Brad drafted him.

[Half-Full]

Interesting article here by a draft guru:

https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba-draft-articles/2024/07/lessons-from-draft-cycles-past-present-and-future/

Implementing a beta version of this model shows one clear beneficiary who my previous method may have been too low on: Gonzaga’s Anton Watson. While I was still higher than consensus before, now I wonder if he is a legitimate rotation piece. Here’s why.

In my previous model, I ranked Watson low in production, high in feel/processing and mediocre in athleticism. The low usage rate for a super senior was the production red flag in particular. But considering the new model, what exactly does Watson not accomplish on the court?

Anton Watson had a 9.2 Box Plus-Minus, second in the WCC to Mogbo, which he accomplished partially by being skilled for his size. At 6’7’’, Watson can dribble some, shoot some and pass some, all while being a high stocks player on defense. Getting steals is skillful, and Watson has some of the best hands in class to help him do so. While not much of a shooter over his college career, he came alive this season as a 67th percentile efficiency spot up shooter and 74th percentile efficiency on runners. His touch was elite on layups, at 92nd percentile efficiency. He can set strong screens. There are not many areas of the court where Watson can’t have an impact. There is our first dimension.

Watson is also a good mover, not necessarily through mobility (though that’s fine) but intentionality. Watson is always in the right spot, leading to a very good 2.8% steal rate and 2.1% block rate while only fouling three times per forty minutes. He also advanced his driving, up by 40% per game from the season before. Not only is he skilled, but he moves to the right spot to utilize that skill. There is our second dimension.

Finally, Watson is strong as f*ck. He is a menace when he has a head of steam, a perfect 30 for 30 on dunks this season, and with a strong 0.44 free throw rate over his college career. Watson is skillful and able to be in the right place and also strong enough to enforce his will. There is our third dimension.

What's not to love? He pretty much does it all, and high BBIQ as well. Yes, my views on rookies are tinted green by my homer glasses, but I still feel very strongly that Anton will prove to be a great pick. This article pretty much fuels my enthusiasm.

[BK_2020]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

Grant and nose for the ball? Doesn't track what I know about him.

[cloverleaf]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

Grant and nose for the ball? Doesn't track what I know about him.

Thankfully, we don't have to suffer through any intellectual posturing and preening with Watson, who seems quite humble, self-aware, and down to earth.

[jfs1000d]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

Yup..he has some shades of Grant, Tillman and Horford which is likely why Brad drafted him.

Brad needs/wants skilled bigs. You have to be able to read defenses, pass the ball, and on defense be able to be switchable.

Anton is that. Will he ever play here? No idea. But give him a two way for two years. He can develop,make some cash, and if it doesn’t work out, doesn’t work out.

[playa-hater]

Yeah yeah but can he Pump fake as good as Grant?? Me thinks Not

[shackles10]

Yeah yeah but can he Pump fake as good as Grant?? Me thinks Not

I’m not sure “good” is the right word.

[playa-hater]

Yeah yeah but can he Pump fake as good as Grant?? Me thinks Not

I’m not sure “good” is the right word.

Well until Watson can do it "as well" .... He is no grant Williams...

[cloverleaf]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

Yup..he has some shades of Grant, Tillman and Horford which is likely why Brad drafted him.

Fortunately, from that list, Al is the one he's chosen to model his game after.

[Hal14]

He reminds me of Grant alot. Good motor, smart, soft hands, nose for the ball, strong and reliable. My only issue with Grant was his size. If Watson can develop into Grant but at 6'8" I wouldn't blink when his contract comes a calling.

Yup..he has some shades of Grant, Tillman and Horford which is likely why Brad drafted him.

Fortunately, from that list, Al is the one he's chosen to model his game after.

Yup, he's a smart kid.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

[playa-hater]

Read on Twitter

I think defensive versatility is/ or should be his calling card to an NBA career. That and a decent jump shot of course.

[Parliament10]

Watson has room for improvement. Looks worth the Two-Way.

[Hal14]

Read on Twitter

[ConstableGeneva]

If the standard is finding another role player that can fit in the squad we already have, he's looked better than Walsh, Peterson, and Davison. Don't let another team get him.

[165bows]

Read on Twitter

I think defensive versatility is/ or should be his calling card to an NBA career. That and a decent jump shot of course.

This guy gets a decent three point shot and there are going to be a lot of teams kicking themselves for passing him up imo.

[djFan71]

If he gets hurt in SL is he screwed? Or does he at least get paid something for playing in it?