With the 31st pick, the Raptors select Jonathan Mogbo

[Merit]

He can dunk but the average NBA player can as well, so that makes him an average NBA athlete clearly.

I didn't know dunking was how you determined an NBA athlete.

Carry on

Wingspan / standing reach: elite (Despite being 6'6.25, he has the standing reach of a PF/C at 9'0.5)

Lane agility: average

Shuttle run: average

Three Q sprint: near elite

Standing vertical: above average

Running vertical: slightly above average

Strength: Not measured, but probably above average for his size

Overall, I'd say he's an above average NBA athlete

I'd like to add that he has an above average second jump. Not quite Shawn Marion, but nonetheless solid.

[Scase]

I thing it's more that he can be a small big on the floor who can facilitate at the top of the key on offense and be great defensively. Drayton certainly isn't known for his shooting and time will tell if Mogbo ever improves that part of his game. His FT shooting suggests that it possibly can.

Personally it looks like he can do more out there but is playing within his limits which is great. I do think when he is catching the ball at the top of the key he is only pooking to pass to run certain plays and never looking to drive fir his own bucket. And once he does that will open things up for others more. But that may also be by design given we are 5 games in.

It seems like he can ultimately grow into what Darko is trying to use Jak for now, a big man that handles the ball to a reasonable degree and isn't just a dump into the post type player. Jak is doing his best right now, but it ain't pretty and definitely not playing him to his strengths, Mogbo looks like he could probably manage that in the future.

Jak is in no way asked to dribble the ball. Jak does pass from the elbows and set screens. Jak has been excellent this year and is playing to his strengths.

Mogbo can be a Diaw/Siakam/Draymond type. Decent defender, great court IQ, analytical darling. He's already done more than I expected because he processes the game really well.

Handle as in have in his hands, not dribble. He's so far at a career high of nearly 3 TO a game, they have him with the ball in his hands more than normal, it's led to bad passes and hand offs. They aren't even his fault, they are asking him to do things he isn't cut out for. There is no way you are actually watching the games and not seeing that.

[OakleyDokely]

opponents shooting vs Mogbo:

Guards: 5-23 (21.7%)
Forwards: 8-22 (36.4%)
Centers: 3-7 (42.9%)
Overall: 16-52 (30.8%)

[PushDaRock]

opponents shooting vs Mogbo:

Guards: 5-23 (21.7%)
Forwards: 8-22 (36.4%)
Centers: 3-7 (42.9%)
Overall: 16-52 (30.8%)

not bad for an average NBA athlete

[Merit]

It seems like he can ultimately grow into what Darko is trying to use Jak for now, a big man that handles the ball to a reasonable degree and isn't just a dump into the post type player. Jak is doing his best right now, but it ain't pretty and definitely not playing him to his strengths, Mogbo looks like he could probably manage that in the future.

Jak is in no way asked to dribble the ball. Jak does pass from the elbows and set screens. Jak has been excellent this year and is playing to his strengths.

Mogbo can be a Diaw/Siakam/Draymond type. Decent defender, great court IQ, analytical darling. He's already done more than I expected because he processes the game really well.

Handle as in have in his hands, not dribble. He's so far at a career high of nearly 3 TO a game, they have him with the ball in his hands more than normal, it's led to bad passes and hand offs. They aren't even his fault, they are asking him to do things he isn't cut out for. There is no way you are actually watching the games and not seeing that.

When you define handle the ball as touching the ball and turnovers I can better understand where you're coming from. You're right in that it isn't about him. He is cut out for it, but a DHO takes two parties and it's less than 10 games into the season with a roster full of rookies.

[LoveMyRaps]

https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-november-6-2024-edition

Both of our second round picks are on the rookie ladder.

Mogbo at 7 and Shead at 9.

I thought Masai was washed?

[Scase]

Jak is in no way asked to dribble the ball. Jak does pass from the elbows and set screens. Jak has been excellent this year and is playing to his strengths.

Mogbo can be a Diaw/Siakam/Draymond type. Decent defender, great court IQ, analytical darling. He's already done more than I expected because he processes the game really well.

Handle as in have in his hands, not dribble. He's so far at a career high of nearly 3 TO a game, they have him with the ball in his hands more than normal, it's led to bad passes and hand offs. They aren't even his fault, they are asking him to do things he isn't cut out for. There is no way you are actually watching the games and not seeing that.

When you define handle the ball as touching the ball and turnovers I can better understand where you're coming from. You're right in that it isn't about him. He is cut out for it, but a DHO takes two parties and it's less than 10 games into the season with a roster full of rookies.

All good, using the word handle in this case can easily be taken in different ways. And yeah I'm not saying that it's time to panac, but just that the fumbled DHO's I've seen have skewed more towards him handing it off in weird ways. They've changed up the way he has the ball in his hands, and it's leading to less of those instances, which I think is good, it's not something he's ever been asked to do so there will be growing pains with it.

I'm just thinking that he's been using Jak in those situations just to see if his sets can function in theory, and then use a big that can do a better job.

[OakleyDokely]

Age 23 season:

J Mogbo: 17.7 MIN, 6.6 PPG, 4.7 REB, 1.9 AST, 1.1 STL, 0.7 BLK, .500 FG, .167 3PT, .692 FT, .573 TS
D Green: 21.9 MIN, 6.2 PPG, 5.0 REB, 1.9 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.9 BLK, .407 FG, .333 3PT, .667 FT, .498 TS

[PushDaRock]

His offensive rebounding has been off the charts good, a lot of that is from his ability to tip loose balls. His defensive rebounding is lagging behind, he's averaging 2.7 ORB and just 2.0 DRB per game. Very weird stat really, only recall Steven Adams having a couple years like that. Main issue I see is he boxes out but his ball tracking isn't the same as it is on the offensive end where he's already facing the basket and reacts quicker. All correctable so I'm not too worried in the long run about it.

His offensive game is obviously a work in progress, not having anything to go to when he isn't finishing at the rim makes it tough. He just doesn't have a floater, jump hook or anything like that, the touch is non existent right now which is why a stint in the 905 eventually where he can try to expand his game a lot more isn't the worst idea at some point.

The analytics have been really good for him though. He's a +5.3 in on court per 100 and +18.7 in on/off per 100, the only steady rotation player that's a positive on the court so far. Walter and Carton are as well but have played way fewer minutes and are both shooting terribly.

[Psubs]

His offensive rebounding has been off the charts good, a lot of that is from his ability to tip loose balls. His defensive rebounding is lagging behind, he's averaging 2.7 ORB and just 2.0 DRB per game. Very weird stat really, only recall Steven Adams having a couple years like that. Main issue I see is he boxes out but his ball tracking isn't the same as it is on the offensive end where he's already facing the basket and reacts quicker. All correctable so I'm not too worried in the long run about it.

His offensive game is obviously a work in progress, not having anything to go to when he isn't finishing at the rim makes it tough. He just doesn't have a floater, jump hook or anything like that, the touch is non existent right now which is why a stint in the 905 eventually where he can try to expand his game a lot more isn't the worst idea at some point.

The analytics have been really good for him though. He's a +5.3 in on court per 100 and +18.7 in on/off per 100, the only steady rotation player that's a positive on the court so far. Walter and Carton are as well but have played way fewer minutes and are both shooting terribly.

Rather have Mogbo boxing out than Boucher being lost and giving up long offensive rebounds.

[Steven1562]

Shrewd pick up by Masai and Bobby with Mogbo. He can do a little of everything. A Swiss army knife type player. If his offense can improve a little bit. We have a 2nd round steal.

[MessiahUjiri]

Shrewd pick up by Masai and Bobby with Mogbo. He can do a little of everything. A Swiss army knife type player. If his offense can improve a little bit. We have a 2nd round steal.

There’s a lot of Draymond Green in him.

- Playmaker
- short sized PF/C
- poor shooter
- hustler.


His best position is actually the same as Scottie’s (PF). So interesting to see how their games develop and if they can share the court together.

[Steven1562]

Shrewd pick up by Masai and Bobby with Mogbo. He can do a little of everything. A Swiss army knife type player. If his offense can improve a little bit. We have a 2nd round steal.

There’s a lot of Draymond Green in him.

- Playmaker
- short sized PF/C
- poor shooter
- hustler.


His best position is actually the same as Scottie’s (PF). So interesting to see how their games develop and if they can share the court together.

Yeah I can see the comparable. Even him coming off the bench would be a useful player to have. Sometimes a guy doesn't have to be a knockdown shooter to help a team win. If you can do all the other things and hold your own on defense you can find minutes in the NBA.

[PushDaRock]

I think he has All-NBA level defender potential. He can guard 1-5, his perimeter D is actually quite a bit ahead of his interior D right now which is a bit surprising given his experience as more of a small ball 5. He has some issues processing when to come over and help so he's not getting as many contests at the rim that he should be because he's slow getting over right now, that should improve with more reps. I don't think he will ever be a great shot blocker but he does a really good job of using his long arms to disrupt shots which is similar to Draymond. On the perimeter, he's already really good at navigating screens, excellent lateral quickness and hip mobility to stay in front of guys and he is able to use his wingspan and quickness to pick passes off when he's off ball.

[Jerry Lucas]

Now you all are starting to see why I celebrated this pick like a mad man in the draft threads?

[dagger]

Still, like Shead, I'd like to see us get healthy enough for Mogbo to go to the 905 to be able to try things out of his comfort zone, like some faceup shooting.

[tecumseh18]

Shrewd pick up by Masai and Bobby with Mogbo. He can do a little of everything. A Swiss army knife type player. If his offense can improve a little bit. We have a 2nd round steal.

There’s a lot of Draymond Green in him.

- Playmaker
- short sized PF/C
- poor shooter
- hustler.


His best position is actually the same as Scottie’s (PF). So interesting to see how their games develop and if they can share the court together.

Yeah I can see the comparable. Even him coming off the bench would be a useful player to have. Sometimes a guy doesn't have to be a knockdown shooter to help a team win. If you can do all the other things and hold your own on defense you can find minutes in the NBA.

LOL, it was crazy when he was being compared to Precious early on. Mogbo's obviously a lot smarter than Precious at making offensive decisions, and making FTs. He just needs the semblance of a shot.

[PushDaRock]

There’s a lot of Draymond Green in him.

- Playmaker
- short sized PF/C
- poor shooter
- hustler.


His best position is actually the same as Scottie’s (PF). So interesting to see how their games develop and if they can share the court together.

Yeah I can see the comparable. Even him coming off the bench would be a useful player to have. Sometimes a guy doesn't have to be a knockdown shooter to help a team win. If you can do all the other things and hold your own on defense you can find minutes in the NBA.

LOL, it was crazy when he was being compared to Precious early on. Mogbo's obviously a lot smarter than Precious at making offensive decisions, and making FTs. He just needs the semblance of a shot.

If he shoots 33% from three, that's not going to open anything up for him or anyone else really. It's still worthwhile to add but him being able to make a wide open three at that kind of percentage won't change much because the volume would be so low and he's not utilizing his best strengths parked behind the 3 point line either. Adding a push shot ala Poeltl would help out a lot more given where he operates from on the floor.

[Indeed]

His offensive rebounding has been off the charts good, a lot of that is from his ability to tip loose balls. His defensive rebounding is lagging behind, he's averaging 2.7 ORB and just 2.0 DRB per game. Very weird stat really, only recall Steven Adams having a couple years like that. Main issue I see is he boxes out but his ball tracking isn't the same as it is on the offensive end where he's already facing the basket and reacts quicker. All correctable so I'm not too worried in the long run about it.

His offensive game is obviously a work in progress, not having anything to go to when he isn't finishing at the rim makes it tough. He just doesn't have a floater, jump hook or anything like that, the touch is non existent right now which is why a stint in the 905 eventually where he can try to expand his game a lot more isn't the worst idea at some point.

The analytics have been really good for him though. He's a +5.3 in on court per 100 and +18.7 in on/off per 100, the only steady rotation player that's a positive on the court so far. Walter and Carton are as well but have played way fewer minutes and are both shooting terribly.

Rather have Mogbo boxing out than Boucher being lost and giving up long offensive rebounds.

We have a choice with the lack of bigs, or even lack of quality bigs in the league?
We played Mogbo and Boucher together off the bench, which is pretty much our only solution to the lack of bigs, and they complement each other pretty well.

[TimeForChange]

There’s a lot of Draymond Green in him.

- Playmaker
- short sized PF/C
- poor shooter
- hustler.


His best position is actually the same as Scottie’s (PF). So interesting to see how their games develop and if they can share the court together.

Yeah I can see the comparable. Even him coming off the bench would be a useful player to have. Sometimes a guy doesn't have to be a knockdown shooter to help a team win. If you can do all the other things and hold your own on defense you can find minutes in the NBA.

LOL, it was crazy when he was being compared to Precious early on. Mogbo's obviously a lot smarter than Precious at making offensive decisions, and making FTs. He just needs the semblance of a shot.

this board is not known for it's intellect or basketball knowledge