With the 19th Pick, the Raptors select Ja'Kobe Walter!

[Prestige]

I don’t know how players can play with those distracting hair styles, but hey, works for Nico Williams.

[Tha Cynic]

A better defending version of Gary Trent Jr. is probably his realistic expectation. His offensive arsenal seems pretty similar from the perimeter in terms of shot creation, but he does seem to love drawing fouls which is also a benefit.

As the 19th pick, that would be alright. We got screwed by the coin flip which I still question.

But this team needs to start targeting elite shot creation now, or at the least a big man who can score and has size. The modern 7 footers are coming back and a requirement. They will need to find Poelt's replacement.

[Psubs]

A better defending version of Gary Trent Jr. is probably his realistic expectation. His offensive arsenal seems pretty similar from the perimeter in terms of shot creation, but he does seem to love drawing fouls which is also a benefit.

As the 19th pick, that would be alright. We got screwed by the coin flip which I still question.

But this team needs to start targeting elite shot creation now, or at the least a big man who can score and has size. The modern 7 footers are coming back and a requirement. They will need to find Poelt's replacement.

Walter gets to the hoop. I think a younger Terrence Shannon Jr with more potential is what he is.

[DreamTeam09]

A better defending version of Gary Trent Jr. is probably his realistic expectation. His offensive arsenal seems pretty similar from the perimeter in terms of shot creation, but he does seem to love drawing fouls which is also a benefit.

As the 19th pick, that would be alright. We got screwed by the coin flip which I still question.

But this team needs to start targeting elite shot creation now, or at the least a big man who can score and has size. The modern 7 footers are coming back and a requirement. They will need to find Poelt's replacement.

Walter gets to the hoop. I think a younger Terrence Shannon Jr with more potential is what he is.

TSJ is nice, gonna be a problem, no pun lol

[GreatWhiteStiff]

Been watching some more Ja'kobe vids since watching him in the two games over the weekend.

I think his secret skill is going to be his craftiness in getting to the line. Sold footwork and spatial awareness.

In the Denver game, he was 3/8 but managed to go 4/4 from the FT line, and ultimately scored an efficient 12 points on 8 shots despite the FG%. His ability to draw fouls was called out when he was drafted, but re-watching some of the interviews, I think this is what was underrated by teams who passed over him and why Bobby expressed surprise.

He's a hooper, and that kind of instinct is hard to teach. He's got some Demar in him offensively - Demar worked very hard to refine his footwork and handle, I think Ja'kobe has a similar opportunity (needs to improve both those areas). Seems to have the work ethic, hopefully he'll get there.

More like De'Kobe De'Walters IYAM.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

The free throw draw rate he had in college was crazy though, like 10% more free throws attempted than 2pt shots. I used to keep track of Harden early in his career because he had an incredible free throw draw rate, and would talk to my brother about him, who dismissed him/it lol. I'm interessted in how that translates for sure.

Looking at Harden's college stats, he actually had less FT attempts than 2pt attempts and he was drafted as a sophomore. And he was only a 75% free throw guy in college. Overall his stats were good, and his free throw rate still impressive I think.

[LoveMyRaps]

Last two games got me a lil excited for his future. Only 19 years old.

[Thaddy]

Last two games got me a lil excited for his future. Only 19 years old.

He needs to branch out even if its just scoring. I was hoping to see off ball, movement shooting, drives, drawn FTs, creation, and on ball defense.

He did a okay job but didn't cross everything off the list. The concern I'm sensing is the poor POA defense. The lateral quickness is affected by his large wingspan? But he doesn't leverage it much either.

[OakleyDokely]

First 3 games: 23.0 MIN, 13.7 PPG, 27 FG%, 12 3PT%
Last 2 games: 25.5 MIN, 16.0 PPG, 45 FG%, 36 3PT%


The most promising thing is the FT rate. It was high in college (6.5 per 40) and he got to the line 4.6 times in 24 mins in summer league. And he hits his FT's at a high rate which is important.

[WuTang_CMB]

Overall thought he was solid. Always an adjustment going into a new league and not being #1 option. Need to see him for the full year to really evaluate what he can become.

[Dennis 37]

A better defending version of Gary Trent Jr. is probably his realistic expectation. His offensive arsenal seems pretty similar from the perimeter in terms of shot creation, but he does seem to love drawing fouls which is also a benefit.

As the 19th pick, that would be alright. We got screwed by the coin flip which I still question.

But this team needs to start targeting elite shot creation now, or at the least a big man who can score and has size. The modern 7 footers are coming back and a requirement. They will need to find Poelt's replacement.

With all the data available, there couldn't have been a statistical way to break the tie? Even point differential between in games between the tied teams with, I don't know?, math to figure it out if games played between each was not the same.

[lolwut]

I don’t know how players can play with those distracting hair styles, but hey, works for Nico Williams.

I always wondered about that. As a pro athlete, isn't it in your best interest to do whatever you can to get a competitive edge? Or, at least, don't do any thing that obviously hinders your performance.

[Duffman100]

First 3 games: 23.0 MIN, 13.7 PPG, 27 FG%, 12 3PT%
Last 2 games: 25.5 MIN, 16.0 PPG, 45 FG%, 36 3PT%


The most promising thing is the FT rate. It was high in college (6.5 per 40) and he got to the line 4.6 times in 24 mins in summer league. And he hits his FT's at a high rate which is important.

Hopefully those shooting splits are a bit better. Without elite footstep or any sort of ball handling, I struggle to see him at the next level.

BUT.

he does seem to go at his own speed, which is valuable. That multi pivot, pump fake move he had was great or 19 years old. showed no pressure or rush.

[PhilBlackson]

Right now he reminds me of KCP.

Everything is gonna depend on his ball handling improvements & ability to shoot contested jumpers. Said it before but he should study Booker to watch how he creates.

[Basketball_Jones]

Like Shead, he’s probably much more of a pick and roll guy and I’m not sure we’re going to run much of that with him. Foul rate is nice though and he seems to have a soft floater. He’ll be more of a close out attacker with better players around him, will be interesting to see how he fares in that environment.

[Duffman100]

Like Shead, he’s probably much more of a pick and roll guy and I’m not sure we’re going to run much of that with him. Foul rate is nice though and he seems to have a soft floater. He’ll be more of a close out attacker with better players around him, will be interesting to see how he fares in that environment.

Yeah you're spot on IMO. He'll rely on movement shooting and close out attacking for a while (maybe forever).

Hopefully if he builds the skill, he can be a PNR/PNP facilitator off the bench.

[DreamTeam09]

Like Shead, he’s probably much more of a pick and roll guy and I’m not sure we’re going to run much of that with him. Foul rate is nice though and he seems to have a soft floater. He’ll be more of a close out attacker with better players around him, will be interesting to see how he fares in that environment.

Why can't they just call for a screen and play out of that? Especially when the play breaks down.

[kwajo]

Right now he reminds me of KCP.

Everything is gonna depend on his ball handling improvements & ability to shoot contested jumpers. Said it before but he should study Booker to watch how he creates.

For where he was drafted, KCP-level is a pretty great outlook if he reaches that potential.

[Psubs]

Right now he reminds me of KCP.

Everything is gonna depend on his ball handling improvements & ability to shoot contested jumpers. Said it before but he should study Booker to watch how he creates.

For where he was drafted, KCP-level is a pretty great outlook if he reaches that potential.

Rip Hamilton with better 3pt shooting would be great too.

[manjusaka]

Like Shead, he’s probably much more of a pick and roll guy and I’m not sure we’re going to run much of that with him. Foul rate is nice though and he seems to have a soft floater. He’ll be more of a close out attacker with better players around him, will be interesting to see how he fares in that environment.

I can’t remember which interview was but they said they are going to run IQ/Scottie pnr. Shead and Walter should be fine in that system. Problem is, we don’t have many guys that can set the pick properly.