doclinkin wrote:Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I don't have stats to back this up, but my gut feeling is Tristan Thompson IS worth the sixth pick. He is a tremendous defender. His HS profile and competitiveness as a freshman at Texas makes me think he's eventually going to be a terrific defensive presence in the NBA.
Here's the stats to back it up, of course they also highlight Chris Singleton, Kawhi Leonard and Jordan Hamilton:
Texas was the
#2 team in overall defensive efficiency, holding their opponents to a eFG of 42.5% with a low rate of FT's per shot attempt. And T2 was the most effective defender on their team. Jordan Hamilton was pretty good despite his write-up and profile but Tristan's length and willingness to challenge out to the perimeter as well as inside was a key factor. Jordan Hamilton feasted on defensive rebounds forced by Tristan's willingness to challenge - one reason why Thompson's defensive rebounding numbers are low while his offensive boards are solid is that he was forcing misses for Hamilton to scoop up. Brendan Haywood style.
Notice though the #1 defensive squad: Florida State and Chris Singleton.
And the #3 defensive squad: San Diego State and Kawhi Leonard.
This is a good year for defensive stalwarts. A weak draft from an all-star perspective, but there are competent tough savvy competitive defensive mugs all up and down the draft.
I think this draft is deep with NBA players. Who becomes a star is an unknown. I think stars are made when opportunity presents itself. Example, Terry is really stepping it up for Dallas. So is Shawn. Now if you mean Wade type starts, they are sometimes hard to predict. 6-4 220. Dirke took a while to develop into the level he is now but 7-0 pure shooters like him are hard to find. He used to be all perimeter and soft. Now he takes it to the rack more.
There may not be a Wade or Dirke or LeBron in this group but there is probably a Marion and Terry or two. Maybe even a PP type.
We have a PG who can break, drive and dish.
McGee should be able play at Chandlers level or better in time.
Booker is that motor tough dude who can dunk and has some post game. He will add a mid range.
Dray is an all around high compliment player ala Odem. He can shine in spots.
Nick is the spot up pure shooter who could add more driving skills.
Crawford is a nice piece. He has that edge. He has a motor and can play some PG some SG.
This team may need defenders, but I think they need to focus on that multidemsional scorer who can do it inside and out and get to the line and defend. The PP type. That might be Morris. Going straight defense or rebounding I think would be a mistake at this point. At least with the top pick.
They also need another pure perimeter player. Better outside shooting and more dribble penetration is going to mean less rebounds. When it gets down to it late in the playoffs and defenses get really tight, you need someone who can hit open shots from outside and someone who can handle the ball, drive, get to the line and create their own shot. Wall as a PG will get trapped and doubled so he needs that compliment player. That is usually a SG, SG/SF, SF, SF/PF type. They have one pure shooter who is Nick and he might not even be around.
Wade is Miami's star, not LeBron or Bosh. Terry and Marian are taking the pressure off Dirke.
Enes would be great help at center which the team could use.
But they also need a slasher finisher who gets to the line who isn't the PG.
And more pure shooting.
Morris my be the best fit for what we need first.
No, it's more my assumption that the Wiz will have an aversion to drafting another relativistically unskilled big.