Skybox wrote:VFX wrote:pepe1991 wrote:Problem with Malauch and in general players without much basketball experience are instincts.
At college, you plant him as 7'1 dude below rim and tell him to disrupt shots. College bigs don't defend switches, there simply isn't enough space, nor enough quality on offense, nor fundamental knowledge among players to take advantage of players being overcommited to either help or defend straight up.
College bigs with any offensive talent tend to look like gods at college for several reasons:
1) very few players are actually tall enough to bother them
2) even fewer among tall ones are actually -skilled.
Most college PF/C positions are filled by bunch of 6'8- 6'10 people who are hardly coordinated. You know- like putting fattest kid on a goal at soccer, that's how C position is filled in unprofessional sports.
Bol Bol at college looked like combo of Shaq, Hakeem and Wilt.
Bol isn't only one who elite. James Wiseman, Mark Williams, Jah, Bagley, Vonleh, Jabari Smith, Hayes, Bamba....
There is lot more on defense, but especially on offense than just camp below rim for block or catch ally oop to dunk. And that's where my scepticism about his instincts starts. He didn't play basketball as kid when kids develop feeling for sport, for pace, when to do what.
He learned all of that because somebody told him he should do that.
Best proof of complete lack of basketball instincts is viewed through his assists numbers. 16 total in 32 games. On 26 TOs. He isn't TO prone, but - once ball gets to him he will either lose it or dunk it. And that's not how nba game is played. Bigs get touches, bigs need to be part of offense, they need to leave paint often, they need to be useful and not just camp below rim, because rules don't allow them to camp.
On defense, same story, vs waaaaaaay faster guards and wings that he ever faced, he will be tasked to guard space. And he won't be able to stay below rim for full possession because, once again, ulike at college, nba forbids such defense.
He also isn't that elite at shotblocking nor rebounding, despite all the advantages he has.
He has athletic tools. But there is realistic scenario where you get him, send him to NBA and ask yourself "wtf is dude doing" - for years. And throw that famous " Bruno Cobocolo- 2 years away from being 2 ways away".
He's is the definition of "lumbering". His instincts aren't great. He's just tall with long arms that can catch lobs. Basically a 7'3 Wendell Carter that actually uses his size to his advantage. Maluach wishes he had 1/6th the kind of feel for the game guys like Bam or Chet do entering the league.
Mark Williams, if healthy, is just a significantly better player as a "shorter" guy positionally. Just more energy, bounce, and feel around the rim.
Centers are huge hit or miss guys when you are drafting if they arent some hidden gem Jokic or surefire Wembanyama at the very top of the draft. There is just too much guesswork involved with them adapting into a specific role based on their work ethic and developing footwork etc. Outside of those two archetypes, they should be avoided entirely in the lotto (top 15 picks).
I'd even go as far to say the same for non versatile PF's/Centers. The skillsets just dont scale with value. These tweener athletic bigs over the last decade have been far more miss than hit. Those 6'7-6'9 bigs that cannot guard faster wings just have no real place on the court if they also cannot shoot.
I've seen YouTube analysts (I know) highlighting Maluach's defensive footwork and agility...not "lumbering".
If he's that big and can slide, run, and jump...Mose can do wonders with him, imo. He seems to play with a motor too.
He's actually more than likely going to be somewhat better in one on one situations. He is better suited for NBA style of play, but he's still super raw.
The chance Weltman trades assets to move up in the draft is slim to none. Barely worth talking about him at this point.
Cuz that guy is allllll any NBA team would want. lob threat, roll man, shotblocker, 3 pnt shooter, had the hook shot, could occasionally pump and head to the basket, etc.
