Severn Hoos wrote:doclinkin wrote:Nice footage from the SacKings PG workout.Tyreke vs Curry vs Calathes vs Flynn vs Toney Douglas vs Paddy Mills. You can learn more about which players a team is interested in by what players don't show up in their highlights package. There's notably little of Tyreke in here despite reports saying he killed the workout.
On the one hand, it's kind of disappointing that we don't see more footage from the Wiz' workouts. Hmmm, come to think of it, who DID the Wiz showcase in their videos?
There was a lot of footage of Hill and DeRozan. By your theory (which I subscribe to), they're most likely not in serious consideration. There was some limited footage of Harden - could be they're downplaying the interest or how well they thought he did in the workout?
Curry got a lot of time in the Pointguardapalooza video. Does that mean that they're trying to make him look good to hide their interest elsewhere? They even included a clip of Steph going to the hole for a dunk.
But one guy had absolutely no footage on the website. There's a clip of the post-workout interview with Tyreke Evans, but no footage of the actual workout. As far as I can tell, he's the only one who didn't have his workout video posted. Could that be the sign that Tyreke is the first choice if they keep the pick?
Yep, I'm starting to think my prediction for the pick will be moving in Tyreke's direction.
He's definitely an Ernie-type pick, unmatched physical talent at a given position, thus gambling on upside and the ability to adjust. I've had to adjust my comfort level with his possible selection. I'm pretty much where you are in terms of draft strategy and fears.
Some of his weaknesses are the sort of thing that can be fixed. Not sure what to do about that jumper, you either rebuild it entirely or leave it alone. (The ugliest thing about it ain't the release, it's the sloppy fade-away one-legged kick from outside-- that's robbing him of range at the NBA three. That's prob'ly fixable though, just a bad habit). Whatever the jumper may always be inconsistent, streaky when guarded at the next level-- but either way his jumper isn't why you draft him, or not. Freshman turnovers are one stat that commonly drops over time, that's likely to get better no matter what.
One issue I have is more of a question mark. You draft him because of his first step, hesitation quicks, his ability to blow by his man and get a bucket. One problem that Tyreke will have to solve though: In the dribble drive motion offense, when the perimeter attacker is ready to make his move the Bigs get out of the paint and draw the defender with them. If you check his highlights for instnace Tyreke is constantly blowing past a defender to finish in the lane with a gentle lay-up-- no bigs anywhere in sight.
In the NBA, while -- okay yeah I'm convinced-- only a handful of players will be able to stay in front of him (if that) he will need a second option when the paint is closed. He needs a pull-up jumper, or a floater, or a reliable pass to JaVale for the dunk. He really needs an off-the-dribble jumpshot to take advantage of the picks and screens that Flips system will give him. He needs a 1-B move when he's got an Okafor or Dwight in front of him ready to erase that soft lay-up. He's not soaring over them to put his bacon and eggs in their face. And solid as he is, I don't recall him bouncing off bigs to hit the shot (nice mid-air body control, and the long arms means he can get that mid-air lay-up after remarkable contortions).
With a pull-up option he can take advantage of the fact that he can get open on nearly anybody. Without it, well, he's still an upgrade on Critter, and adds rebounding & a willingness to pass as a change-up for Nick. Plus potential for defense, steals and blocks. Primary chemistry question though would still be unresolved in that he takes Gilbert off the ball since he doesn't do much without it himself. That worked alright with Larry (albeit in a different system) and this version of Gil may be fine with taking more outside shots while the youngster drives into traffic to draw all the hackers. Then Gil can turn up the heat on the Hibachi as needed to show him how it's done.
Eh. Like I said, at this point no matter what if we keep the pick we get a talent infusion. The bigger risks lie in getting a little too cute or desperate with trades. We'll have an upgraded team this year no matter what, and lesser pressure on Flip to get it all done at once. We still have mid-season to get a better chem mix for the system as he wants to see it run.
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You recognize his strengths as well as his shortcomings and it's obvious that the former outweigh the latter, imo. (Kudos for backing off the "turnover" paranoia and acknowledging that that's a stat that is certain to get better with experience.)