zzaj wrote:BlazersBroncos wrote:zzaj wrote:I've only watched Wolf a couple of times so far this year, so grain of salt...
I think he'll be a decent backup big right away--I think he has a pretty high floor actually. He reminds me of a bigger, slower Kelly Olynyk in the way he plays (not just on skin color, I promise)...and that's a pretty good player.
My immediate reaction when I watched him was "who and how does he guard"? The way he plays, he's not really a rim protector so you can count that out. He's pretty slow and methodical, so modern 5s and certainly 4s are going to eat him alive, although his advanced metrics look pretty good on D. But that means in order to make up for defensive shortcomings he has to be incredibly good on the offensive end in order to be a starting player. Is he going to be able to scale to an NBA system and not give up the things he's good at? He's a good passer, but he's also a net neutral on that end at the College level in terms of his A:T. He can certainly spread the floor, but so can a player like Wreath. He also can put the ball on the floor a little bit, but it's hard to know how valuable that is going to be in the NBA which has better spacing but MUCH better defense...so what will putting the ball on the floor lead to?
I like Wolf--he's a fun player. Like I said, I think he's certainly a back up big in the NBA for a long time. I'm just not sure he'll ever be a starter based on what I've seen. I think he'll be 21 at draft time, and he's a Junior. I DEFINITELY think he's a first rounder, and think he'll go in the 15-20 range. I look forward to tracking him in years to come...
Wolf has grown on me a bit but I see him as position locked to C - he wont have the footspeed to play PF. If he is BPA w/ a pick we get in a Simons trade - then go for it. We need to lean BPA. But I would prefer a PF to compliment Deni and potentially replace him if we are priced out when he hits FA. Rayan is who knows and Murray is a 15th man IMO.
Carter Bryant is the type of high upside guy I would love to gamble on if we get that lower FRP from ORL.
6'8, 225lbs, elite athleticism, workable shot, great motor, great rebounder for his size. Reminds me of Peyton Watson coming out with some Ariza upside IMO.
I've only watched Bryant in 2 games this year, Duke and Baylor...so he's not really on my deep radar. My impressions in those games weren't really noteworthy.
If the Blazers are looking to replace a Deni at some point, I'd prefer Fleming. I'm super high on him as a prospect.
I prefer him as well - but I think he goes Top-15 or 20. Think Bryant is one of those balls of clay with great upside that is avaliable with a late FRP.
I want Noa if we dont get Top-5 FWIW.
On another note - I found the measurements from Basketball w/o Borders - bodes well for Kasparas and Nao. Measurements are barefoot so likely add an inch for NBA listed measurement -
Kasparas - 6'4.5, 6'7.5 WS, 38" max vert (2nd best of all participants), 10.91 lane agility (Saraf was 11.75 here). Basically, this indicates that Kasparas is an above average NBA athlete for his size / position - BUT that often doesnt flash functionally on court (1 dunk all year) - still, means there is alot to work with and might be a good indication that he IS athletic enough in footspeed to defend adequately at the next level.
Noa - 6'9, 6'11 WS, 35.5" max vert, 10.66 lane agility, 3.35 3/4 court sprint (In comparison, touted G prospect Traore was 10.7 and 3.25 at a MUCH smaller size). His hands are 10.25" - the same size as big man Malauch for Duke. In the NBA he will be listed at 6'10, with functional mobility similar to guard prospects and hands the size of a 7 footer. If we are talking upside, Noa is at the top of the list for this draft. Huge, long, guard like speed and hands the size of a 7'1 big man.
