Darius Acuff Jr.

[vincecarter4pres]

Grade his defense. Combine it with his height. Does he get constantly hunted?

He does, but that's how the modern NBA is with the sheer amount of skill possessed by larger guards and small forwards these days. The reality is if his offense is good enough, he will find the court and be a net-positive.

Exactly. People are seriously overrating the importance of point guard defense overall.

As long as they’re not abysmal like Trae Young, or even overall bad, you can get by just fine if the offense is there, especially a guy like Acuff if he translates and is a legit quarterback, ace shooter, good off ball and gets in the paint and to the line.

A mediocre or passable defender will be ok as long as the rest of your lineup aren’t bad.

Great or even good defense from your point guard is a nice luxury, not a necessity.

[JMAC3]

If Trae Young was truly as good as Luka/Harden is on offense for instance his defense wouldn't matter that much.

Trae also is an overrated shooter, he only shoots 35% from three for his career. He shot over 34% from three1 time in his last 5 years with Atlanta. Also, he basically refused to play off the ball the majority of the time. Those along with the defense are all part of the problem.

Even now Trae Young, Morant, Harden, Garland etc... are still starting level players in the NBA. Acting as if Acuff ending up like being the worst outcome still seems like a decent outcome if we are truly being honest with draft hit rates.

[The-Power]

Grade his defense. Combine it with his height. Does he get constantly hunted?

He does, but that's how the modern NBA is with the sheer amount of skill possessed by larger guards and small forwards these days. The reality is if his offense is good enough, he will find the court and be a net-positive.

Exactly. People are seriously overrating the importance of point guard defense overall.

See, I'll take the opposite stance and say that many observers these underrate defense and the impact of bad defenders. The thinking seems to be along the lines of ‘nobody in the NBA plays defense anymore anyways, so it doesn't matter if you're not good on defense’. And what I see is a league in which it is harder than ever to play good defense – but it's no less important and perhaps has never been more important because it's too easy for offenses to run smoothly when even one defender can't keep up. Looking at the good teams in the league today, how many of them feature small players that are good offensive players but poor defenders in important roles? Those are few and far between. And I don't believe it's because those players don't exist these days.

Now, if you want to argue that Acuff is actually not that bad of a defender, that changes the equation. I don't think this is the angle all of his fans come from and based on college tape it's difficult for me to be convinced but in that case I can at least see where you're coming from. Or perhaps you believe he is truly going to be one of the two or three best offensive players in the league. Defense would still be an issue but then it would be worth it for teams to build around him nonetheless. But that's a high bar to clear and definitely not something you can count on when you make the draft decisions. So that should make him drop a bit.

Don't get me wrong – he's still a very good and intriguing prospect. I'd still draft him fairly high to see what heights his offense can reach and whether you can squeeze more defense out of him (his body type at least is a positive IMO). But I have the feeling some observers are way to quick to dismiss the defensive concerns either as unwarranted because he's not all that bad on defense, or as irrelevant because nobody should care about (Guard) defense in today's NBA. And I really don't subscribe to either viewpoint.

[The-Power]

Even now Trae Young, Morant, Harden, Garland etc... are still starting level players in the NBA. Acting as if Acuff ending up like being the worst outcome still seems like a decent outcome if we are truly being honest with draft hit rates.

Starting level players on large contracts and teams that seem to have hit ceilings with them at the helm, and who have decided to move on from them as a result of that. If he's anything like them then it's a solid pick in the 4-7 range, I'd say – but ultimately you should hope that your team sells high or is at least weary of the big extensions down the road. So yeah, good prospect but how high can you go with him if those are your reference points? Unless you want to argue that those guys are lower-end outcomes for him – but I'd find that quite optimistic to put it mildly. Note that I'd also exclude Harden here simply because he's much bigger which changes things considerably.

[tontoz]

I've watched Acuff a lot and i am not concerned about his defense. Sure he falls asleep off ball at times and makes business decisions instead of contesting at the rim at times but i think his on ball defense is fine. On a No Ceilings podcast they mentioned that guys being guarded by Acuff are only shooting about 35% (don't remember the specific number but it was low to mid 30s).

[HMFFL]

Have any scouts compared Acuff's defense to Trae Young's at Oklahoma? I'm asking since he's regarded as a bad defender.
Having a low turnover rate on offense has always stuck out to me. People need to remember that Trae Young turned the ball over 5.2 times a game at Oklahoma. He showed us early on the player he will be. I have Acuff has as the better player.

[JMAC3]

Trae Young issue is he makes 45 million per year, drafting Acuff and paying him 8 million the next 4 years is a massively different value play. I think teams need to be warry what they pay these guys but acting as if they have no place in the league to be drafted is a mistake.

Also, so much matters on the team you are on. Jamal Murray would probably be viewed in same light as Trae Young if he was on the Hawks and Wizards instead of playing next to the best player in the league. Even Kyrie who has played his whole career next to LeBron, Tatum, Durant and Luka.

[King Ken]

Have any scouts compared Acuff's defense to Trae Young's at Oklahoma? I'm asking since he's regarded as a bad defender.
Having a low turnover rate on offense has always stuck out to me. People need to remember that Trae Young turned the ball over 5.2 times a game at Oklahoma. He showed us early on the player he will be. I have Acuff has as the better player.

He's miles better on ball than Trae but as a team defender, he might be worse. That said, team defense is the one thing players improve on the most going into the NBA to becoming vets.

[JMAC3]

I wasn't even attempting to do a 1 for 1 comp of him to Chris Paul, but more so saying a small guard that could be dominant college and pro guard. However, outside of CP3 having better steal numbers Acuff is pretty on par if not better in some categories than CP3. Also, Acuff has had the same levels of team success playing in the best conference in college basketball-- seems like a pretty good indicator of BBIQ.

Chris Paul as a freshman
14.8 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.7 spg, 2.6 TOV and 57% EFG
5.7 FTA per game +1.3 Threes made per game on 46.5%-- 4.8 Win Shares
WF went 21-10 Earned 4 seed in March Madness lost in sweet 16.

Chris Paul as a sophomore
15.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.4 spg, 2.8 TOV and 52.4% EFG
5.8 FTA per game +1.4 Threes made per game on 47.4%-- 4.6 Win Shares
WF went 27-6 Earned a 2 seed in March Madness lost 2nd round.

Darius Acuff as a freshman
22.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 2.1 TOV and 56.5% EFG
5.7 FTA per game + 2.5 Threes made per game on 43.7%--5.5 Win Shares
Ark went 25-8 Earned a 4 seed in March Madness

Acuff better scorer, better ATO ratio, more win shares and has a conference championship under his belt something CP3 never did.

I am still waiting to hear what made Chris Paul such a better prospect than Acuff.

[GSWFan1994]

Acuff reminds me a bit of Damian Lillard.

I don't think he's as small as Trae, or as bad of a defender, or as good as a passer either.

[ReggiesKnicks]

I wasn't even attempting to do a 1 for 1 comp of him to Chris Paul, but more so saying a small guard that could be dominant college and pro guard. However, outside of CP3 having better steal numbers Acuff is pretty on par if not better in some categories than CP3. Also, Acuff has had the same levels of team success playing in the best conference in college basketball-- seems like a pretty good indicator of BBIQ.

Chris Paul as a freshman
14.8 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.7 spg, 2.6 TOV and 57% EFG
5.7 FTA per game +1.3 Threes made per game on 46.5%-- 4.8 Win Shares
WF went 21-10 Earned 4 seed in March Madness lost in sweet 16.

Chris Paul as a sophomore
15.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.4 spg, 2.8 TOV and 52.4% EFG
5.8 FTA per game +1.4 Threes made per game on 47.4%-- 4.6 Win Shares
WF went 27-6 Earned a 2 seed in March Madness lost 2nd round.

Darius Acuff as a freshman
22.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 2.1 TOV and 56.5% EFG
5.7 FTA per game + 2.5 Threes made per game on 43.7%--5.5 Win Shares
Ark went 25-8 Earned a 4 seed in March Madness

Acuff better scorer, better ATO ratio, more win shares and has a conference championship under his belt something CP3 never did.

I am still waiting to hear what made Chris Paul such a better prospect than Acuff.

Since you are dying for me to respond...

CP3 isn't a much better prospect than Acuff. In fact, they are completely different but similar caliber.

Both are in a class with other point guards where they may not be the best PG prospect, or at least there is debate about which one if better. Both are somewhat polarizing, though most agree their strengths outweigh their weaknesses.

CP3 was a coaches dream. Incredible passer and playmaker. Smartest player on the court and had court-mapping, vision and an understanding of the game years beyond his time. Exceptional in the Pick and Roll, great footwork, hit the open shots, could carve up a defense. But he had some serious question marks, notably his 5'11" stature. If he were 6'3" or Kidd size he would have been an even better prospect than Kidd, unquestionable, but his size really made a lot of people hesitant, along with his "lack of growth" statistically in his Sophomore year. His Freshman year was sensational, but he didn't show much growth in his sophomore year.

But I never compared them as prospects. You never compared them as prospects. Here is what you said.

Are we sure this kid isn't the next Chris Paul? I just don't know how much better he can be than he is and still get this amount of hate.

If you are implying the comparison as prospects, which I highlighted above, sure, they should be grouped together.

I read your posts as in this guy will somehow become the smartest player to ever play the game, become one of the best pick and roll operators and be a major + defender as a guard. I disagree with that, but maybe my interpretation of what you said is incorrect, and if you want to clarify what you meant that would be helpful

[Caneman786]

I wasn't even attempting to do a 1 for 1 comp of him to Chris Paul, but more so saying a small guard that could be dominant college and pro guard. However, outside of CP3 having better steal numbers Acuff is pretty on par if not better in some categories than CP3. Also, Acuff has had the same levels of team success playing in the best conference in college basketball-- seems like a pretty good indicator of BBIQ.

Chris Paul as a freshman
14.8 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.7 spg, 2.6 TOV and 57% EFG
5.7 FTA per game +1.3 Threes made per game on 46.5%-- 4.8 Win Shares
WF went 21-10 Earned 4 seed in March Madness lost in sweet 16.

Chris Paul as a sophomore
15.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.4 spg, 2.8 TOV and 52.4% EFG
5.8 FTA per game +1.4 Threes made per game on 47.4%-- 4.6 Win Shares
WF went 27-6 Earned a 2 seed in March Madness lost 2nd round.

Darius Acuff as a freshman
22.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 2.1 TOV and 56.5% EFG
5.7 FTA per game + 2.5 Threes made per game on 43.7%--5.5 Win Shares
Ark went 25-8 Earned a 4 seed in March Madness

Acuff better scorer, better ATO ratio, more win shares and has a conference championship under his belt something CP3 never did.

I am still waiting to hear what made Chris Paul such a better prospect than Acuff.

Defense, leadership, and grit mainly. Offensively they share some similarities, maybe Acuff's profile looks slightly better but it's important to remember that he is under Coach Cal (which is already optimized to make him look better), and there has been stat inflation (there's more pace and efficiency everywhere in college basketball now than there was over two decades ago). BPM would take care of that, and while we don't have Chris Paul's BPM, it'd probably be in that +13 to +15 range.

And CP3 isn't that much better as a prospect. Maybe worse. He was in a pretty weak draft and went 4th, and we'll have to see, but Acuff may be picked 5 in this super strong draft.

Those are just some of the key differences. I think Tyler Tanner is a much better comparison for Chris Paul anyway, but just slightly worse.

I almost wanted to "like" the post above since it's a good post, but I can't bring myself to after seeing who wrote it.

[JMAC3]

I wasn't even attempting to do a 1 for 1 comp of him to Chris Paul, but more so saying a small guard that could be dominant college and pro guard. However, outside of CP3 having better steal numbers Acuff is pretty on par if not better in some categories than CP3. Also, Acuff has had the same levels of team success playing in the best conference in college basketball-- seems like a pretty good indicator of BBIQ.

Chris Paul as a freshman
14.8 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.7 spg, 2.6 TOV and 57% EFG
5.7 FTA per game +1.3 Threes made per game on 46.5%-- 4.8 Win Shares
WF went 21-10 Earned 4 seed in March Madness lost in sweet 16.

Chris Paul as a sophomore
15.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.4 spg, 2.8 TOV and 52.4% EFG
5.8 FTA per game +1.4 Threes made per game on 47.4%-- 4.6 Win Shares
WF went 27-6 Earned a 2 seed in March Madness lost 2nd round.

Darius Acuff as a freshman
22.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 2.1 TOV and 56.5% EFG
5.7 FTA per game + 2.5 Threes made per game on 43.7%--5.5 Win Shares
Ark went 25-8 Earned a 4 seed in March Madness

Acuff better scorer, better ATO ratio, more win shares and has a conference championship under his belt something CP3 never did.

I am still waiting to hear what made Chris Paul such a better prospect than Acuff.

CP3 was a coaches dream. Incredible passer and playmaker. Smartest player on the court and had court-mapping, vision and an understanding of the game years beyond his time. Exceptional in the Pick and Roll, great footwork, hit the open shots, could carve up a defense. But he had some serious question marks, notably his 5'11" stature. If he were 6'3" or Kidd size he would have been an even better prospect than Kidd, unquestionable, but his size really made a lot of people hesitant, along with his "lack of growth" statistically in his Sophomore year. His Freshman year was sensational, but he didn't show much growth in his sophomore year.

Are we acting like Acuff is not a coaches dream? Sean Miller already went on record raving about Acuff. Coach Cal raves about him. Acuff is playing at an incredibly high level and clearly understands footwork, PnR coverages, hitting open shots, carving up defenses and his team is reaping the benefits of it.

I just again am asking what more Acuff needs to be doing in order to get respect. All he is done over perform, win SEC player of the year, win the Conf title, 1st team all american and has Arksansas in the tourney as a 4 seed... He is a true freshman as well, it is not like he is some 22 year old senior who has had 4 years to figure out the college game like a Braden Smith or Mark Sears... but I feel like there are people who would rather pretend that is the level of prospect he is.

If the only negative on him is his size then I think it is kind of silly to act like there is no way he can overcome it when he have seen other players do it.

And I am not saying we need to get into a habit of labeling 2-3 guys like him every year the next coming, but its also okay to acknowledge he is doing things that guys before him haven't done and maybe that makes him a different type of prospect.

[ReggiesKnicks]

I am still waiting to hear what made Chris Paul such a better prospect than Acuff.

CP3 was a coaches dream. Incredible passer and playmaker. Smartest player on the court and had court-mapping, vision and an understanding of the game years beyond his time. Exceptional in the Pick and Roll, great footwork, hit the open shots, could carve up a defense. But he had some serious question marks, notably his 5'11" stature. If he were 6'3" or Kidd size he would have been an even better prospect than Kidd, unquestionable, but his size really made a lot of people hesitant, along with his "lack of growth" statistically in his Sophomore year. His Freshman year was sensational, but he didn't show much growth in his sophomore year.

Are we acting like Acuff is not a coaches dream? Sean Miller already went on record raving about Acuff. Coach Cal raves about him. Acuff is playing at an incredibly high level and clearly understands footwork, PnR coverages, hitting open shots, carving up defenses and his team is reaping the benefits of it.

I just again am asking what more Acuff needs to be doing in order to get respect. All he is done over perform, win SEC player of the year, win the Conf title, 1st team all american and has Arksansas in the tourney as a 4 seed... He is a true freshman as well, it is not like he is some 22 year old senior who has had 4 years to figure out the college game like a Braden Smith or Mark Sears... but I feel like there are people who would rather pretend that is the level of prospect he is.

If the only negative on him is his size then I think it is kind of silly to act like there is no way he can overcome it when he have seen other players do it.

And I am not saying we need to get into a habit of labeling 2-3 guys like him every year the next coming, but its also okay to acknowledge he is doing things that guys before him haven't done and maybe that makes him a different type of prospect.

I think most people in the draft community respect Acuff plenty.

You're preaching to the choir.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Acuff is going to cook Hawaii.

They play a no-switch defense. They switch fewer than any team in the country.

[BlazersBroncos]

I think Acuff is closer to a ground bound Donovan Mitchell than a CP3. Paul was insane as a prospect - near perfect in every way outside his height (And he had athleticism early, dude was finishing in traffic with 1 hand in his early-mid twenties) - and he had that unique stocky frame to make up a bit for his size.

[JMAC3]

I think Acuff is closer to a ground bound Donovan Mitchell than a CP3. Paul was insane as a prospect - near perfect in every way outside his height (And he had athleticism early, dude was finishing in traffic with 1 hand in his early-mid twenties) - and he had that unique stocky frame to make up a bit for his size.

Stocky frame? CP3 was under 6 foot and weighed 178 lbs at the combine lol

[BigGargamel]

I think Acuff is closer to a ground bound Donovan Mitchell than a CP3. Paul was insane as a prospect - near perfect in every way outside his height (And he had athleticism early, dude was finishing in traffic with 1 hand in his early-mid twenties) - and he had that unique stocky frame to make up a bit for his size.

Stocky frame? CP3 was under 6 foot and weighed 178 lbs at the combine lol

Maybe, but he definitely wasn't lanky and skinny.



vs. Acuff

[JMAC3]

I think Acuff is closer to a ground bound Donovan Mitchell than a CP3. Paul was insane as a prospect - near perfect in every way outside his height (And he had athleticism early, dude was finishing in traffic with 1 hand in his early-mid twenties) - and he had that unique stocky frame to make up a bit for his size.

Stocky frame? CP3 was under 6 foot and weighed 178 lbs at the combine lol

Maybe, but he definitely wasn't lanky and skinny.



vs. Acuff

Yeah think picking a photo of Acuff at age 19 vs a 21 year old CP3 after winning ROY and being in NBA probably for over a year is not the best comp. Plenty of photos of CP3 looking very skinny in Wake Forrest uniforms.


https://images.sidearmdev.com/resize?url=https:%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Fwakeforestsports.com%2Fimages%2F2020%2F9%2F11%2FPaul_04_dribble2_clem_71.jpg&height=300

[JMAC3]

Either way we have CP3 combine measurements, I would expect Acuff comes in taller, longer and heavier.