Hansen Yang

[ReggiesKnicks]

Congrats on describing the career arc of Julius Randle.

I think that is King Ken's point. A 1.5" taller Randle and 0.5" longer wingspan.

Julius Randle is a multi-All-NBA and Top 30-50 player in the NBA.

On his 4th team and they still want to trade his ass. But fine, Randle is whatever and he eventually did help a team win. But do you think Julius Randle and Zion Williamson would be a good match playing together?

Zion isn't a long-term piece. But if he is, and Queen becomes as good as many think, trading Queen for value shouldn't be a difficult task.

I understand the logic of New Orleans and the theoretical ceiling of Queen in the NBA. I don't agree with the price they paid, nor do I think it is the direction I would take, but I am not going to nitpick every NBA decision I don't agree with; I am instead going to attempt to understand the decision-making process and thought process behind the decision. With this, I will grow.

[EvanZ]

I think that is King Ken's point. A 1.5" taller Randle and 0.5" longer wingspan.

Julius Randle is a multi-All-NBA and Top 30-50 player in the NBA.

On his 4th team and they still want to trade his ass. But fine, Randle is whatever and he eventually did help a team win. But do you think Julius Randle and Zion Williamson would be a good match playing together?

Zion isn't a long-term piece. But if he is, and Queen becomes as good as many think, trading Queen for value shouldn't be a difficult task.

I understand the logic of New Orleans and the theoretical ceiling of Queen in the NBA. I don't agree with the price they paid, nor do I think it is the direction I would take, but I am not going to nitpick every NBA decision I don't agree with; I am instead going to attempt to understand the decision-making process and thought process behind the decision. With this, I will grow.

I mean what else is there besides to debate the price they paid? In a vaccum every decision could be considered "fine". I had Queen at 11 and that's obviously given my reservations. It's *only* the price that makes me question the value there. Otherwise, sure, Queen at 13 whatever.

[ReggiesKnicks]

On his 4th team and they still want to trade his ass. But fine, Randle is whatever and he eventually did help a team win. But do you think Julius Randle and Zion Williamson would be a good match playing together?

Zion isn't a long-term piece. But if he is, and Queen becomes as good as many think, trading Queen for value shouldn't be a difficult task.

I understand the logic of New Orleans and the theoretical ceiling of Queen in the NBA. I don't agree with the price they paid, nor do I think it is the direction I would take, but I am not going to nitpick every NBA decision I don't agree with; I am instead going to attempt to understand the decision-making process and thought process behind the decision. With this, I will grow.

I mean what else is there besides to debate the price they paid? In a vaccum every decision could be considered "fine". I had Queen at 11 and that's obviously given my reservations. It's *only* the price that makes me question the value there. Otherwise, sure, Queen at 13 whatever.

Exactly.

Queen will be an interesting fit in the NBA and for the Pelicans now and in the future. Unfortunately, Fears is going to stink it up in his on-court minutes for the next couple of seasons.

[bucknut]

I see some flashes of Domantas Sabonis. Moreso in how he reads the floor and his little ball fakes at the top near the key looking for a cutter or a DHO.

Are we underrating yangs post moves ? Like sabonis, for the talks of him being a stiff.....his post reverse pivot agility is immaculate. Yang sets you up going right and his feet are already circling back for the drop step left. It's a move you don't see often from today's centers.

His shoulder gate to get to his hook shot is very strong.

He is a very legitimate post threat, can stretch from 3, and a hub passer

And he blocks shots on defense. He can get caught flat footed from time to time on d. But I like his defense over Derek queen all day

[EvanZ]

To me his ceiling looks something like Marc Gasol. That is who he should try to emulate.

[JRoy]

I think he's better than Maluach. Take that as you may.

Maluach looks like a stiff to me.

[God Squad]

I think he's better than Maluach. Take that as you may.

Maluach looks like a stiff to me.

Mal is a suspect rebounder, with bad hands, and an awful block rate. I find him a weird prospect to evaluate IMO.

[BlazersBroncos]

I think he's better than Maluach. Take that as you may.

Maluach looks like a stiff to me.

Mal is a suspect rebounder, with bad hands, and an awful block rate. I find him a weird prospect to evaluate IMO.

He also tested quite a bit worse than Yang in most movement drills.

Marc and NBA Sabonis are the guys to emulate (USSR-pre-injury-young Sabonis was on another planet athletically).

Yang has that post footwork where he seems to be moving in slow motion but it simply works - he knows his spots. His 1 handed passing is very reminiscent of guys like Sabonis, Gasol and Divac (Clearly he isnt the passer that Joker is - no big has ever been). His jumper looks workable (Think he needs to flick the wrist more, get a bit more knee bend - but its not trash). Like the decently high release point - its not Joker but its high.

PDX needed to swing for a guy that they think can move the needle. They see Yang as that dude. IDK if it works out, but I like thinking big. The main issue here is using 7 on DC last season - but if they both work out there are worse positions to be in (Trade 1 or try to resign 1 early on a friendly deal and run a 48 minute giant rotation at C).

I hope PDX gets him some PT this year. Excited to see him play. Seems like a good dude, saw him get some hugs from the guys he played in the combine scrimmage w/ so he has to have some personality (Would be easy, for me at least, to be pretty quiet/reserved going overseas and thrown into a mix of guys like that - but he seemed to be a well liked character).

[EvanZ]

Difference between Jokic and these other "big passers" (throw in a guy like Bogut too) is the ball handling at that size. Yang will never have that. Gasol didn't have that either where you can get to any spot on the court. That's why Jokic is a 3-time MVP. The handling ability unlocks a higher volume of passing.

[deepeeenn]

I see some flashes of Domantas Sabonis. Moreso in how he reads the floor and his little ball fakes at the top near the key looking for a cutter or a DHO.

Are we underrating yangs post moves ? Like sabonis, for the talks of him being a stiff.....his post reverse pivot agility is immaculate. Yang sets you up going right and his feet are already circling back for the drop step left. It's a move you don't see often from today's centers.

His shoulder gate to get to his hook shot is very strong.

He is a very legitimate post threat, can stretch from 3, and a hub passer

And he blocks shots on defense. He can get caught flat footed from time to time on d. But I like his defense over Derek queen all day

I think I made it pretty clear what I was comparing between him and Sabonis. I never mentioned his post moves or footwork. Just how he scans the floor before he passes

[bucknut]

What is yangs ceiling ?

How would you compare yangs defense to edey coming into the draft

It feels too easy to stereotype bigs as unplayable beyond spot minutes with the label they can't defend in space.

Edey and yang both look more mobile then a guy like myles turner who looks like he is walking on a wooden leg.

If his defense is decent I want to say he has star value on offense. Though his moves and offensive arsenal do suggest more then 15 ppg in the cba that fat and old jared sullinger is dominating

[NO-KG-AI]

Queen by a significant margin. I believe Queen is a prototype that's much more rare once his shot comes and he's giving the rights to be his team's primary ball handler.

You think Queen is going to be a primary ball handler?

I think he could eventually develop into that. The unseen heliocentric center. His shooting isn't there yet and that's the thing, it's critical to the prototype. You don't have to be a good shooter, just have to do it enough to where it's respectable to setup the dribble drive. What's unique about Queen is once that happens, all other aspects that's already there will blossom even more than what we have seen so far. That's why I am buying Queen as a long term play. For now, he's a solid 6th man. Good offensive player even as a rookie who struggles lots on defense but give it 4 years, he will be a negative on D but closer to net neutral. People have to give both of these players time. They are far from where they could be considering their unique talents.

I think people get very caught up in the word “primary” thinking that means entire offenses have to center around a guy at all times. Truth is, great offenses usually have multiple guys that can create off the bounce and set up themselves and others. Plenty of teams are hurting for more guys that can do that . Queen can cause major problems for defenses on the short roll and with the ball in his hands as the handler without needing a heliocentric offense around him, and that’s still super valuable. Teams can’t have too many guys that can attack and pass. Even as a rookie, if we can get 15 minutes of rim pressure, passing, energy, and rebounding, it’ll be a huge help with a second unit.

[azcatz11]

Difference between Jokic and these other "big passers" (throw in a guy like Bogut too) is the ball handling at that size. Yang will never have that. Gasol didn't have that either where you can get to any spot on the court. That's why Jokic is a 3-time MVP. The handling ability unlocks a higher volume of passing.

Yang also has high hips and a very high COG.

[Chuck Everett]

Yang could get a lot better in practice. Dude would be going against Clingan, Ayton, Rob Williams (when not in street clothes) and Duop Reath. Portland has the deepest collection of centers in the league by far.

[bucknut]

Difference between Jokic and these other "big passers" (throw in a guy like Bogut too) is the ball handling at that size. Yang will never have that. Gasol didn't have that either where you can get to any spot on the court. That's why Jokic is a 3-time MVP. The handling ability unlocks a higher volume of passing.

Yang also has high hips and a very high COG.

did you see the highlights portland put out today of yang ? ......

Read on Twitter

Full of highlights dribbling in, spinning, creative ballhandling from the 3 point line all the way to the hoop

I'm actually getting thoughts yang is a top 5 top 10 guy. I'm starting to think he has it in him defensively; he just gets away with lapses in the cba reaching in and not moving his feet.Theres also highlights of him sprinting on a closeout then turning around and catching up at the hoop

He's got a sound athletic lean body on him; and is going to put on alot of good weight and power.

[SNPA]

Difference between Jokic and these other "big passers" (throw in a guy like Bogut too) is the ball handling at that size. Yang will never have that. Gasol didn't have that either where you can get to any spot on the court. That's why Jokic is a 3-time MVP. The handling ability unlocks a higher volume of passing.

Yang also has high hips and a very high COG.

did you see the highlights portland put out today of yang ? ......

Read on Twitter

Full of highlights dribbling in, spinning, creative ballhandling from the 3 point line all the way to the hoop

I'm actually getting thoughts yang is a top 5 top 10 guy. I'm starting to think he has it in him defensively; he just gets away with lapses in the cba reaching in and not moving his feet.Theres also highlights of him sprinting on a closeout then turning around and catching up at the hoop

He's got a sound athletic lean body on him; and is going to put on alot of good weight and power.

The Chinese Vlade. Chilade.

Yang Gang will be a thing in Portland. I can see him being a fan favorite.

[azcatz11]

Difference between Jokic and these other "big passers" (throw in a guy like Bogut too) is the ball handling at that size. Yang will never have that. Gasol didn't have that either where you can get to any spot on the court. That's why Jokic is a 3-time MVP. The handling ability unlocks a higher volume of passing.

Yang also has high hips and a very high COG.

did you see the highlights portland put out today of yang ? ......

Read on Twitter

Full of highlights dribbling in, spinning, creative ballhandling from the 3 point line all the way to the hoop

I'm actually getting thoughts yang is a top 5 top 10 guy. I'm starting to think he has it in him defensively; he just gets away with lapses in the cba reaching in and not moving his feet.Theres also highlights of him sprinting on a closeout then turning around and catching up at the hoop

He's got a sound athletic lean body on him; and is going to put on alot of good weight and power.

China's pro league is really bad. There is no competition. That highlight reel reminds me of the Thon Maker package against complete scrubs.

[SNPA]

Yang also has high hips and a very high COG.

did you see the highlights portland put out today of yang ? ......

Read on Twitter

Full of highlights dribbling in, spinning, creative ballhandling from the 3 point line all the way to the hoop

I'm actually getting thoughts yang is a top 5 top 10 guy. I'm starting to think he has it in him defensively; he just gets away with lapses in the cba reaching in and not moving his feet.Theres also highlights of him sprinting on a closeout then turning around and catching up at the hoop

He's got a sound athletic lean body on him; and is going to put on alot of good weight and power.

China's pro league is really bad. There is no competition. That highlight reel reminds me of the Thon Maker package against complete scrubs.

Of course the competition is bad by NbA standards. No one argues that point. But you can still see Yang on a court. There’s value in that. Obviously the debate becomes can he do it against NBA talent…fine. That’s the right debate but it’s not a debate about can he do it. He can. We’ve seen him. And the fact he did do well at the combine could easily lead one to believe he can to some degree scale up to the NBA level.

[tester551]

Difference between Jokic and these other "big passers" (throw in a guy like Bogut too) is the ball handling at that size. Yang will never have that. Gasol didn't have that either where you can get to any spot on the court. That's why Jokic is a 3-time MVP. The handling ability unlocks a higher volume of passing.

From what Ive seen - he has very good ball handling skills for his size

[tester551]

Yang also has high hips and a very high COG.

did you see the highlights portland put out today of yang ? ......

Read on Twitter

Full of highlights dribbling in, spinning, creative ballhandling from the 3 point line all the way to the hoop

I'm actually getting thoughts yang is a top 5 top 10 guy. I'm starting to think he has it in him defensively; he just gets away with lapses in the cba reaching in and not moving his feet.Theres also highlights of him sprinting on a closeout then turning around and catching up at the hoop

He's got a sound athletic lean body on him; and is going to put on alot of good weight and power.

China's pro league is really bad. There is no competition. That highlight reel reminds me of the Thon Maker package against complete scrubs.

What level of ball would you compare it to?
Smaller D1 schools like Mountain West/C-USA?
A level down like Big Sky/Horizon?
D II schools?