Should Wizards be Concerned with Alex Sarr

[Ferulci]

I'm convinced the 2024 draft should prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that most scouts have no clue what they're talking about. Bub Carrington, Reed Sheppard, Dalton Knect, Rob Dillingham, Tyler Kolek, Ron Holland, Terrence Shannon Jr, Zach Eddy and Donovan Clingan will all be better pros than the first two picks plus probably Salaun. This wasn't as weak a draft as some think it's just that bad scouting projected certain players way above what their actual potential will turn out to be.

So yes, I'd be worried. Dude reaks of Hasheem Thabeet type reality.

I'm convinced the 2024 draft will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that most RealGM Posters have no clue what they're talking about. It's one thing to give hot take on 20 years old based on youtube compilations. But comparing Thabeet and Sarr is pure lunacy, even by RealGM standards.
Their game and physical profiles are nothing alike.
Hasheem was moving like a lumberjack, even in his Huskies days. He was supposed to be a throwback to 90's basketball. Sarr case is the absolute opposite (for better or worse). Think what you want about him, but one thing we can all agree on is his fluidity, that is impressive for someone his size.

[brackdan70]

He’ll be alright. Probably not a star, but seems like he will be a legit NBA player. I’d have taken Clingan or maybe someone else, but I don’t think it was a bad pick.

[Sealab2024]

I'm convinced the 2024 draft should prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that most scouts have no clue what they're talking about. Bub Carrington, Reed Sheppard, Dalton Knect, Rob Dillingham, Tyler Kolek, Ron Holland, Terrence Shannon Jr, Zach Eddy and Donovan Clingan will all be better pros than the first two picks plus probably Salaun. This wasn't as weak a draft as some think it's just that bad scouting projected certain players way above what their actual potential will turn out to be.

So yes, I'd be worried. Dude reaks of Hasheem Thabeet type reality.

I'm convinced the 2024 draft will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that most RealGM Posters have no clue what they're talking about. It's one thing to give hot take on 20 years old based on youtube compilations. But comparing Thabeet and Sarr is pure lunacy, even by RealGM standards.
Their game and physical profiles are nothing alike.
Hasheem was moving like a lumberjack, even in his Huskies days. He was supposed to be a throwback to 90's basketball. Sarr case is the absolute opposite (for better or worse). Think what you want about him, but one thing we can all agree on is his fluidity, that is impressive for someone his size.

I was speaking to bust potential not their particular game bud. Never said anything in comparison to their games.

[sol537]

Sarr and that kid K. George both look pretty solid so far in pre-season but the rest of that Wizards roster... oof... they're gonna be bad for a while, man. They need Cooper Flagg in the worst way.

[Jamaaliver]

For those that watched the game in full, are these criticisms still true at this point?

Read on Twitter

[AFM]

"still can't create" is a real weird way to evaluate a 19 year old kid in his second preseason game..."still" as opposed to when? 2 days ago?

[Jamaaliver]

"still can't create" is a real weird way to evaluate a 19 year old kid in his second preseason game..."still" as opposed to when? 2 days ago?

I mean, he has been playing varying levels of pro basketball for like 3+ years now.

Also, other 19 year old rookies have at least some semblance of creation abilities. Hell, I can think of a few high school kids with better creation skills than Sarr.

It's even more damning since this guy's a second generation basketball player -- with an older brother who's played in both NCAA and the NBA.

It's mind-boggling that Alex Dam Sarr's been exposed to basketball his entire life yet doesn't seem to have a consistent, dependable offensive skill in the half-court.


I imagine this is where the excuses begin...

[ballzboyee]

"still can't create" is a real weird way to evaluate a 19 year old kid in his second preseason game..."still" as opposed to when? 2 days ago?

I mean, he has been playing varying levels of pro basketball for like 3+ years now.

Also, other 19 year old rookies have at least some semblance of creation abilities. Hell, I can think of a few high school kids with better creation skills than Sarr.

It's even more damning since this guy's a second generation basketball player -- with an older brother who's played in both NCAA and the NBA.

It's mind-boggling that Alex Dam Sarr's been exposed to basketball his entire life yet doesn't seem to have a consistent, dependable offensive skill in the half-court.


I imagine this is where the excuses begin...

What exactly are you talking about when you say "creation abilities"? You want the Wizards to clear out to the weak side so he can iso one-on-one like Kobe? There not putting him in to post like a traditional big. It's clear he's a hybrid stretch 4/5 who is being asked to cut to basket and occupy the dunker spot occasionally to rim finish (which he has done well), pick and pop, and then float on the break to the open corner 3. I mean, the highlight in the Twitter post literally shows him cutting from the top of the key to occupy the center of the defense to get an easy layup. That is shot creation. He's also getting a lot of reverse action for an open 3p shot at the top of the arc. He's not occupying those spots on accident. The coaches are putting him in those situations.

[shi-woo]

People are bugging, Sarr reminds me of young JJJ, and think he turns into a similar level player. He's shown the good and the bad, so at this point it's just about how much he wants it. I like that he will be around the french national team and all those great players. I think he eventually develops into an AS level player for the Wizards down the line.

[Optms]

"still can't create" is a real weird way to evaluate a 19 year old kid in his second preseason game..."still" as opposed to when? 2 days ago?

I mean, he has been playing varying levels of pro basketball for like 3+ years now.

Also, other 19 year old rookies have at least some semblance of creation abilities. Hell, I can think of a few high school kids with better creation skills than Sarr.

It's even more damning since this guy's a second generation basketball player -- with an older brother who's played in both NCAA and the NBA.

It's mind-boggling that Alex Dam Sarr's been exposed to basketball his entire life yet doesn't seem to have a consistent, dependable offensive skill in the half-court.


I imagine this is where the excuses begin...

Well, shot creation is overrated in this instance. He isn't a guard who was drafted to score. He's a mobile 7 footer with guard like athleticism drafted for his defense. There rest is gravy.

There was a play where KAT tried to drive past him and he couldn't shake Sarr, and got his shot blocked at the rim. Checks out so far. The rest is a work in progress.

[cgf]

For those that watched the game in full, are these criticisms still true at this point?

Read on Twitter

Sorta, but his team was outclassed and got sloppy, so the impacted losing critique seems unfair for a kid with so much still to learn. He definitely wasn't efficient and struggled with creating for himself, but again, that's going to happen when you're a teenager on a team that's getting stomped

[Jamaaliver]

Sorta, but his team was outclassed and got sloppy, so the impacted losing critique seems unfair for a kid with so much still to learn. He definitely wasn't efficient and struggled with creating for himself, but again, that's going to happen when you're a teenager on a team that's getting stomped

This is the kinda context I was looking for.

Perfect.

And thanks.

[tsherkin]

I think that it's a little unfair to be ragging on Sarr this early. Bigs take longer than smalls, traditionally speaking, and he's playing off others... which isn't awesome on Washington's current roster, right? So he's gonna take a minute even if he's pretty good. It seems like things are starting to come together enough that we can see the flashes and some of his ability and potential are showing through.

The usual mantra of "sample size, sample size, sample size" applies. He's 19. We haven't even hit the RS. And the Wizards were a 15-win team last season, so it's not like he's hitting a talent-rich environment with a high-end winning culture. I don't mean to rag on Washington too hard, more setting context for the rookie's performance.

He needs the All-Star break before we have any real idea. Even Kwame eventually turned into a semi-reasonable NBA journeyman. Obviously well worse than his draft slot, la la la, but like, environment matters a lot. Sarr has potential and while he hasn't been lighting it up, he's young, he's mobile, he seems to be putting in the work. And he doesn't seem to have hands of granite... So he needs a minute.

[cgf]

I think that it's a little unfair to be ragging on Sarr this early. Bigs take longer than smalls, traditionally speaking, and he's playing off others... which isn't awesome on Washington's current roster, right? So he's gonna take a minute even if he's pretty good. It seems like things are starting to come together enough that we can see the flashes and some of his ability and potential are showing through.

The usual mantra of "sample size, sample size, sample size" applies. He's 19. We haven't even hit the RS. And the Wizards were a 15-win team last season, so it's not like he's hitting a talent-rich environment with a high-end winning culture. I don't mean to rag on Washington too hard, more setting context for the rookie's performance.

He needs the All-Star break before we have any real idea. Even Kwame eventually turned into a semi-reasonable NBA journeyman. Obviously well worse than his draft slot, la la la, but like, environment matters a lot. Sarr has potential and while he hasn't been lighting it up, he's young, he's mobile, he seems to be putting in the work. And he doesn't seem to have hands of granite... So he needs a minute.

Yeah, I liked what I saw of him. He & Coulibaly seem like they could be real keepers...even if Washington still likely needs to find a #1 option to make any real noise...because the flashes look very intriguing. They'll lose a lot of games, but I'm kinda curious to see how they look when Poole / Coulibaly / Kuzma / Sarr are all out there together.

I'm not a Val fan, but they could use his scoring more than most...and I kinda like Kuzma now that he's learning to create for his team-mates; while Poole can light it up if he's not doing too much stupid stuff. So I can see a logic to that lineup, even if I don't think the quality is enough to win many games in this rapidly strengthening eastern conference.

[tsherkin]

Yeah, I liked what I saw of him. He & Coulibaly seem like they could be real keepers...even if Washington still likely needs to find their #1 option to make real noise...because the flashes look very intriguing. They'll lose a lot of games, but I'm kinda curious to see how they look when Poole / Coulibaly / Kuzma / Sarr are all out there together.

I'm hanging on to see if Coulibaly can learn how to hit a shot more than 3 feet from the rim, but he's got good physical talent and more of a handle than I was expecting, for sure.

Washington has it tough coming up, but there's some youthful talent there. I don't think anyone is expecting much from them, so it's sort of low-pressure development time.

[cgf]

Yeah, I liked what I saw of him. He & Coulibaly seem like they could be real keepers...even if Washington still likely needs to find their #1 option to make real noise...because the flashes look very intriguing. They'll lose a lot of games, but I'm kinda curious to see how they look when Poole / Coulibaly / Kuzma / Sarr are all out there together.

I'm hanging on to see if Coulibaly can learn how to hit a shot more than 3 feet from the rim, but he's got good physical talent and more of a handle than I was expecting, for sure.

Washington has it tough coming up, but there's some youthful talent there. I don't think anyone is expecting much from them, so it's sort of low-pressure development time.

Yeah, the shot has to come along, but last season he was a lot smoother of a basketball player than I thought he'd be and he seems to have the right instincts...plus the physical tools...

Oh they're in for multiple more years of being bad, but they could at least be fun/interesting bad this season while laying the foundation for future young talent to join.

[tsherkin]

Yeah, the shot has to come along, but last season he was a lot smoother of a basketball player than I thought he'd be and he seems to have the right instincts...plus the physical tools...

Yeah. He's gonna be 20 and going into his second season, so we shall see. Rookie stats are all to be taken with a grain of salt. The concern, of course, is 34.6% from 3-10, 13.3% from 10-16, and 25.0% from 16-23. And 70.2% from the FT line. But 34.6% from 3, and he shot 31.3% of his shots from 0-3 (66.7%, ) and 42.8% from 3. So he was barely shooting anything in between. Almost half of his 3s from the corner, shooting over 39% there. Not amazing, but the Bruce Bowen routine. A good start, especially for a young guy trying to improve. Better on pull-ups than catch-and-shoots, which is annoying, but still. He seems to do well on wide-open threes where he can take a couple of dribbles into it, based on the limited sample. We'll see if that bears out.

Regardless, no pressure, so they can give him minutes and see what happens.

[raleigh]

I think that it's a little unfair to be ragging on Sarr this early.

It's too early to be ragging on any rookie.

Frankly, I think we should be patient with 2nd year players, too. It's crazy to me that fans are more impatient than front offices.

[tsherkin]

I think that it's a little unfair to be ragging on Sarr this early.

It's too early to be ragging on any rookie.

Frankly, I think we should be patient with 2nd year players, too. It's crazy to me that fans are more impatient than front offices.

Yeah, within reason, you have to appreciate context. Age, experience, team environment, appropriate role/position deployment, etc. Like, even Lebron and KD had rough rookie campaigns in terms of efficiency, for example. Higher-end guys typically improve faster, and some hit the ground running pretty well, but there is a steep learning curve in the NBA.

With guys who aren't super physically dominant or otherwise possessed of high-leverage skills, guys who need more development, patience is very important. Speaking from Toronto's context, we're still waiting on Scottie to take The Leap. He may never, but he was an All-Star in his 3rd season and was showing signs of development in his 3pt shooting and defense before the hand injury which derailed the last chunk of his season, right?

That's why I wanted to add a little context to Coulibaly's shooting distribution. Percentages are really unreliable when a player uses the shot zone so rarely, right? He isn't a good shooter, this is known, and is reflected in his FT% and in his tepid 3pt shooting despite using the corner so much. But the team can also frame and support his shooting a little more and I don't think anyone is really expecting him to be an offensive anchor. So if he can just become a competent threat on ball reversal and the like, then he can be a contributor in that space. And he's 19. He wouldn't be the first guy to improve after leaving his teenage years.

[Blame Rasho]

I think that it's a little unfair to be ragging on Sarr this early. Bigs take longer than smalls, traditionally speaking, and he's playing off others... which isn't awesome on Washington's current roster, right? So he's gonna take a minute even if he's pretty good. It seems like things are starting to come together enough that we can see the flashes and some of his ability and potential are showing through.

The usual mantra of "sample size, sample size, sample size" applies. He's 19. We haven't even hit the RS. And the Wizards were a 15-win team last season, so it's not like he's hitting a talent-rich environment with a high-end winning culture. I don't mean to rag on Washington too hard, more setting context for the rookie's performance.

He needs the All-Star break before we have any real idea. Even Kwame eventually turned into a semi-reasonable NBA journeyman. Obviously well worse than his draft slot, la la la, but like, environment matters a lot. Sarr has potential and while he hasn't been lighting it up, he's young, he's mobile, he seems to be putting in the work. And he doesn't seem to have hands of granite... So he needs a minute.

Well he has played as many NBA games as everyone posting on this threads, so perhaps it would be prudent to umm wait until he plays an actual game before being concerned.

You never know he could blossom at the right time lol.