2014 NBA Draft Prospects Thread #5 | Raps picking 20th

[Double Helix]

Honest question for the board because I'm conflicted on this:

Do Kyle Anderson's defensive issues become less pronounced if moved away from guarding guards exclusively and instead having him guard any position 1-4 on the opposition with the least dangerous mixture of assertiveness, speed, dribble penetration, height or bulk? He could probably get away against many of the non-super star SFs.

When we think of the position we often think of Lebron, Durant, Melo and perhaps even Johnson after the Raps playoff run but there are plenty of SFs out there who don't attack a whole lot off the bounce. So, in the interest of trying to figure out how Kyle Anderson may fit into the league here's a list of SFs that play significant minutes that I think wouldn't exploit his lateral weaknesses, allowing you to enjoy his unique offensive talent on the other end of the court. Some are old. Some don't have attacking styles. Some just aren't all that athletic themselves.

Dunleavy Jr
Leonard
Barnes
Parsons
Granger
Miller
Brewer
AK47
Marion
Aminu
Arizia
Batum
Battier
Chandler
Barnes
Dudley
Webster
Tucker
Singler
Prince
Green
Harris
Jefferson
Budinger

On the PF side of things he could probably guard:
Channing Frye
Ryan Anderson
Kevin Love
Josh McRoberts
Marvin Williams
Ersan Ilyasova
Terrence Jones
Brandon Bass
Kris Middleton



Does knowing that you could probably play him and largely mask him for 24-30 minutes per game against a considerable amount of SFs and PFs change your opinion on the idea of his potential to carve out a niche in the league at all? He does have an 8'11.5 standing reach to close out on shooters and quick hands from guarding out on the perimeter.

The SFs that would give him the most problems are:

Lebron
Durant
Iguodala
Wiggins
Evans
Johnson
Melo
George

Truthfully, not many teams have answers for those guys even if they do go pure 3&D specialist. For a time, Turkoglu was a net positive player despite being a poor defender. What if Kyle Anderson ends up being a better Hedo without the attitude or motivation issues? These are questions I am wondering as I think about him as a player. Freakish players often find a way and a place in this league. It's a league of freaks but the ones with the especially freakish attributes and skill do tend to figure out how to play solid minutes. Say what you want about Anderson but the guy is a freak.

I feel like the range we're at is one where a team could afford to gamble on him as a SF that could also play some point forward for you against second units. I understand the concerns but looking at that list again makes me realize that it may not be as hard to hide him against certain matchups as I had previously thought.

The concerns with him have been obvious from the start but have they been overstated given the lack of SFs and PFs who have the ability to exploit it nightly? And in those matchups, can his pros outweigh the cons due to his ability to make teammates better in addition to his own scoring and rebounding? Can his unique size allow him to be masked against opposing team's least aggressive or physically intimating player 1-4? With his once in a decade mix of length/feel/offensive skill Is there a chance he could end up a rich man's Hedo? I'm curious to hear what others think. He's a very unique prospect. I've went back and forth on him all year long as I imagine him in the league in a few years.

Thinking a few chess moves ahead, is he the type you could let put up stats, get a name for himself, and trade in a few years for somebody with less concerns? In other words, is there the potential for a quick return on investment from him? Fantasy basketball is massive. Anderson's ability to fill up the box score could help him get press in fantasy circles which could therefore make him a more known commodity throughout the league and become a little more popular than some of the other guys who are in that range? Share your thoughts.

[m83588333]

Honest question for the board because I'm conflicted on this:

Do Kyle Anderson's defensive issues become less pronounced if moved away from guarding guards exclusively and instead having him guard any position 1-4 on the opposition with the least dangerous mixture of assertiveness, speed, dribble penetration, height or bulk? He could probably get away against many of the non-super star SFs.

When we think of the position we often think of Lebron, Durant, Melo and perhaps even Johnson after the Raps playoff run but there are plenty of SFs out there who don't attack a whole lot off the bounce. So, in the interest of trying to figure out how Kyle Anderson may fit into the league here's a list of SFs that play significant minutes that I think wouldn't exploit his lateral weaknesses, allowing you to enjoy his unique offensive talent on the other end of the court. Some are old. Some don't have attacking styles. Some just aren't all that athletic themselves.

Dunleavy Jr
Leonard
Barnes
Parsons
Granger
Miller
Brewer
AK47
Marion
Aminu
Arizia
Batum
Battier
Chandler
Barnes
Dudley
Webster
Tucker
Singler
Prince
Green
Harris
Jefferson
Budinger

On the PF side of things he could probably guard:
Channing Frye
Ryan Anderson
Kevin Love
Josh McRoberts
Marvin Williams
Ersan Ilyasova
Terrence Jones
Brandon Bass
Kris Middleton



Does knowing that you could probably play him and largely mask him for 24-30 minutes per game against a considerable amount of SFs and PFs change your opinion on the idea of his potential to carve out a niche in the league at all? He does have an 8'11.5 standing reach to close out on shooters and quick hands from guarding out on the perimeter.

The SFs that would give him the most problems are:

Lebron
Durant
Iguodala
Wiggins
Evans
Johnson
Melo
George

Truthfully, not many teams have answers for those guys even if they do go pure 3&D specialist. For a time, Turkoglu was a net positive player despite being a poor defender. What if Kyle Anderson ends up being a better Hedo without the attitude or motivation issues? These are questions I am wondering as I think about him as a player. Freakish players often find a way and a place in this league. It's a league of freaks but the ones with the especially freakish attributes and skill do tend to figure out how to play solid minutes. Say what you want about Anderson but the guy is a freak.

I feel like the range we're at is one where a team could afford to gamble on him as a SF that could also play some point forward for you against second units. I understand the concerns but looking at that list again makes me realize that it may not be as hard to hide him against certain matchups as I had previously thought.

The concerns with him have been obvious from the start but have they been overstated given the lack of SFs and PFs who have the ability to exploit it nightly? And in those matchups, can his pros outweigh the cons due to his ability to make teammates better in addition to his own scoring and rebounding? Can his unique size allow him to be masked against opposing team's least aggressive or physically intimating player 1-4? With his once in a decade mix of length/feel/offensive skill Is there a chance he could end up a rich man's Hedo? I'm curious to hear what others think. He's a very unique prospect. I've went back and forth on him all year long as I imagine him in the league in a few years.

Thinking a few chess moves ahead, is he the type you could let put up stats, get a name for himself, and trade in a few years for somebody with less concerns? In other words, is there the potential for a quick return on investment from him? Fantasy basketball is massive. Anderson's ability to fill up the box score could help him get press in fantasy circles which could therefore make him a more known commodity throughout the league and become a little more popular than some of the other guys who are in that range? Share your thoughts.

If you just consider regular season games then hiding Anderson works but in the playoffs one dimensional players get exploited. That said Anderson can survive like Diaw being smart rather than athletic.

[nahom1319]

If Nurkic falls to the 20th pick and he's committed to coming over next season, he would be a steal. Second best big in this draft imo.

Even if he isn't committed to coming over at 20 we'd be morons not to take him. I don't think he drops out of the top 10 let alone top 15 though.

I don't get the Nurkic hype. His measurements are average at best, he is a below par athlete, he seems a bit overweight at 280, and he isn't that quick. I've seen videos and I'm not impressed with the guy.

His measurements from 2013? Yeah its hard to stand out when your 18. He's a more fluid player than Jonas, and seems to be a better rebounder. His athleticism is actually pretty good for his size. He definitely needs reps in better leagues and more minutes but given he's only 19 he has a world of time. I would draft and stash immediately and reap the rewards in a few years.

[Undefeated]

Offenses probably won't attack Kyle one on one with an ISO when the defense hides him on an inferior scorer, but they'll target him by putting him in screen-&-roll actions forcing him to defend the ball screen. The 13 pick-&-roll is becoming a prominent action which puts an emphasis on the screener defender to be able to slide with the ball-handler which Kyle might struggle to do mightly.

[m83588333]

Offenses probably won't attack Kyle one on one with an ISO, but they'll target him by putting him in screen-&-roll actions forcing him to defend the ball screen. The 13 pick-&-roll is becoming a prominent action which puts an emphasis on the screener defender to able to slide with the ball-handler which Kyle might struggle to do mightly.

Its hard to justify taking a player that has a glaring weakness in the draft. Better to pick up as a free agent like Diaw on the Spurs.

[Indeed]

Honest question for the board because I'm conflicted on this:

Do Kyle Anderson's defensive issues become less pronounced if moved away from guarding guards exclusively and instead having him guard any position 1-4 on the opposition with the least dangerous mixture of assertiveness, speed, dribble penetration, height or bulk? He could probably get away against many of the non-super star SFs.

When we think of the position we often think of Lebron, Durant, Melo and perhaps even Johnson after the Raps playoff run but there are plenty of SFs out there who don't attack a whole lot off the bounce. So, in the interest of trying to figure out how Kyle Anderson may fit into the league here's a list of SFs that play significant minutes that I think wouldn't exploit his lateral weaknesses, allowing you to enjoy his unique offensive talent on the other end of the court. Some are old. Some don't have attacking styles. Some just aren't all that athletic themselves.

Dunleavy Jr
Leonard
Barnes
Parsons
Granger
Miller
Brewer
AK47
Marion
Aminu
Arizia
Batum
Battier
Chandler
Barnes
Dudley
Webster
Tucker
Singler
Prince
Green
Harris
Jefferson
Budinger

On the PF side of things he could probably guard:
Channing Frye
Ryan Anderson
Kevin Love
Josh McRoberts
Marvin Williams
Ersan Ilyasova
Terrence Jones
Brandon Bass
Kris Middleton



Does knowing that you could probably play him and largely mask him for 24-30 minutes per game against a considerable amount of SFs and PFs change your opinion on the idea of his potential to carve out a niche in the league at all? He does have an 8'11.5 standing reach to close out on shooters and quick hands from guarding out on the perimeter.

The SFs that would give him the most problems are:

Lebron
Durant
Iguodala
Wiggins
Evans
Johnson
Melo
George

Truthfully, not many teams have answers for those guys even if they do go pure 3&D specialist. For a time, Turkoglu was a net positive player despite being a poor defender. What if Kyle Anderson ends up being a better Hedo without the attitude or motivation issues? These are questions I am wondering as I think about him as a player. Freakish players often find a way and a place in this league. It's a league of freaks but the ones with the especially freakish attributes and skill do tend to figure out how to play solid minutes. Say what you want about Anderson but the guy is a freak.

I feel like the range we're at is one where a team could afford to gamble on him as a SF that could also play some point forward for you against second units. I understand the concerns but looking at that list again makes me realize that it may not be as hard to hide him against certain matchups as I had previously thought.

The concerns with him have been obvious from the start but have they been overstated given the lack of SFs and PFs who have the ability to exploit it nightly? And in those matchups, can his pros outweigh the cons due to his ability to make teammates better in addition to his own scoring and rebounding? Can his unique size allow him to be masked against opposing team's least aggressive or physically intimating player 1-4? With his once in a decade mix of length/feel/offensive skill Is there a chance he could end up a rich man's Hedo? I'm curious to hear what others think. He's a very unique prospect. I've went back and forth on him all year long as I imagine him in the league in a few years.

Thinking a few chess moves ahead, is he the type you could let put up stats, get a name for himself, and trade in a few years for somebody with less concerns? In other words, is there the potential for a quick return on investment from him? Fantasy basketball is massive. Anderson's ability to fill up the box score could help him get press in fantasy circles which could therefore make him a more known commodity throughout the league and become a little more popular than some of the other guys who are in that range? Share your thoughts.

1) Is he a sharp shooter? Is his offense make up of his defense? Is he capable of impacting with and without the ball on offense?
- To me, no
2) Is he physical enough to bang in the paint?
- To me, no
3) Are we trying to surround him with 3 + D players and more? Are we trying to surround him with a defensive player of the year at C?
- To me, no
4) Is there a starter type of players at #20 instead of a 6th man? Or someone with less flaw?
- To me, yes

To me, he is only effective when he has a ball, and he is not efficient neither. I don't see his offense makes up for his defensive problem. Besides, we are not in a situation that we have good defense at SF who can compliment him (unlike Orland with Richardson, Lewis and Howard, where they can cover Hedo). Also, I don't see he is more efficient nor effective than other PF.

I see him as a 6th man, and in this deep draft, I rather try to find a 3+D to fill out a starter position. As for fitting in the team, he is definitely not a Casey type of player; can't bang, can't defend, can't shoot. I think he fits into teams that need scoring, such as Charlotte where they have good perimeter defense and need scoring from PF and C.

[m83588333]

If Toronto was a better team or a worse team then Kyle Anderson makes sense either the Spurs or the Magic but the Raptors have too many holes for one dimensional players to get playing time.

[rapz101]

I would much rather take a pass on anderson solely because he most likely will not be the BPA at 20... Although there is alot of interesting things he brings predominantly involving his height, but at the end of the day you want a guy that could play what you need him to play and now the question is, whats anderson gunna play?

Because some of the SF that were named that he would be able to keep up with i disagree with, parsons, batum, leonard, ariza, and even guys that play off the ball well like brewer, tucker, and both greens he would have trouble keeping up with.

Anderson better hope his offensive game keeps him relevant enough to stick in the league because if he cant keep with guys in the NBA hes gunna have a tough time cutting out a niche for himself.

I say the raptors pass on him and go for a more traditional pick

[Volcano]

KA at SF will still have to run through screens and need to be fast on perimeter rotations. Increasing his strength and putting him at PF might be his best bet, but what if he puts on weight and becomes even slower?

He'll still have to deal with Lebron, Carmelo, Durant when they play PF and guys like Griffin, Aldridge, Bosh, Love, Dirk, Anthony Davis, Duncan, David Lee, Josh Smith, ZBo, Ibaka, Nene, Millsap, Faried..etc.

They either have a huge athletic/strength advantage over him or they're very dangerous scorers.

[Naysorn]

I WANNA CONTEND LIKE THE SPURS.

[Rapsobsessed7]

From watching Mitch McGrays videos I like his physicality. Not at #20 but perhaps moving up from #37 to #29-#30. He could be a nice off the bench C

[Risk101]

From watching Mitch McGrays videos I like his physicality. Not at #20 but perhaps moving up from #37 to #29-#30. He could be a nice off the bench C

Tyler Hansbrough does what he does. There both ball hawking rebounders with a high motor. We don't need him if we got Tyler already. Their essentially the same player.

[raptor jesus]

From watching Mitch McGrays videos I like his physicality. Not at #20 but perhaps moving up from #37 to #29-#30. He could be a nice off the bench C

Tyler Hansbrough does what he does. There both ball hawking rebounders with a high motor. We don't need him if we got Tyler already. Their essentially the same player.

McGary is a little taller and quite a bit heavier, so he should be more effective setting screens and defending the post. Plus he's a much better passer. I think McGary can be a high end back up C, and would be thrilled to see him still on the board at 37.

[No-Man]

I like Anderson a lot at 20 for Toronto, I actually believe is a pretty good fit for both.
He can play back-up SF/PF and mix well with the 2nd unit, Valanciunas will make life easier for him, and Amir and Ross will too, strong perimeter D and Casey system will allow him to coast a little bit on defense.

Anderson will bring another dimension to the Raptors offense and this team needs exactly that, he is versatile and can play with any player of your roster plus he will make Vasquez expendable, in case that after Lowry re-signing he asks for too much money (won't give him more than 3m$/y) and you decide to move on.

Plus he has upside and probably will be the BPA at 20 unless someone falls a lot.

Is pretty much option one for Toronto there if Im the Raptors.

[Risk101]

From watching Mitch McGrays videos I like his physicality. Not at #20 but perhaps moving up from #37 to #29-#30. He could be a nice off the bench C

Tyler Hansbrough does what he does. There both ball hawking rebounders with a high motor. We don't need him if we got Tyler already. Their essentially the same player.

McGary is a little taller and quite a bit heavier, so he should be more effective setting screens and defending the post. Plus he's a much better passer. I think McGary can be a high end back up C, and would be thrilled to see him still on the board at 37.

Tyler Hansborough draft combine 2009
Height w/shoes 6' 9.5"
Weight 234
Wingspan 6' 11.5"
Standing Reach 8' 10"

Mitch McGary draft combine 2013
Height w/shoes 6' 10.5"
Weight 266
Wingspan 6' 11.5"
Standing Reach 8' 11.5"

His standing reach and his weight are the only thing different about the two. He probably could set better picks but when they resemble each other so much why draft someone based on setting picks? We could get utilize our picks better with other players. I'd rather get Walter Tavares.

[Dukenukem23]

I don't know if he will even stay in the draft but if he does there isn't any player that's projected to go in the second round that I am more confident will succeed in the nba than Bogdan Bogdanovic. Players with elite size and an all around game rarely bust. He's just too skilled, too smart and too long/athletic not to succeed. How good he can be I don't know but his floor is solid role player and there is no doubt in my mind he will make a name for himself in this league. I really hope he stays in the draft this year and becomes a Toronto
Raptor.

[raptor jesus]

Tyler Hansbrough does what he does. There both ball hawking rebounders with a high motor. We don't need him if we got Tyler already. Their essentially the same player.

McGary is a little taller and quite a bit heavier, so he should be more effective setting screens and defending the post. Plus he's a much better passer. I think McGary can be a high end back up C, and would be thrilled to see him still on the board at 37.

Tyler Hansborough draft combine 2009
Height w/shoes 6' 9.5"
Weight 234
Wingspan 6' 11.5"
Standing Reach 8' 10"

Mitch McGary draft combine 2013
Height w/shoes 6' 10.5"
Weight 266
Wingspan 6' 11.5"
Standing Reach 8' 11.5"

His standing reach and his weight are the only thing different about the two. He probably could set better picks but when they resemble each other so much why draft someone based on setting picks? We could get utilize our picks better with other players. I'd rather get Walter Tavares.

You're downplaying 30 pounds like it's nothing. I think you're also downplaying the importance of setting good picks in today's pick and roll heavy league. McGary's not only wide and solid, but he likes contact too. If you have a guy that sets screens that are hard to get around, it forces switches. That 30 pounds will also help him defend in the post much better than Hans.

Physical assets aside, McGary passing and IQ will make him more than an energy guy like Hans. I mean when's the last time you saw Hans throw a no look pass on the move, or thread the needle with a bounce pass from the high post to a cutter?

[Rapsfan07]

If Nurkic falls to the 20th pick and he's committed to coming over next season, he would be a steal. Second best big in this draft imo.

Yeah Nurkic doesn't get enough buzz. I think he's got a chance to be really, really good in the NBA. I'd take him and worry about the rest later if he was there at #20.

[Rapsfan07]

I just hope Masai is calling Philly about #32. My draft board is already set and I see no reason to change it now.

[Rapsobsessed7]

From watching Mitch McGrays videos I like his physicality. Not at #20 but perhaps moving up from #37 to #29-#30. He could be a nice off the bench C

Tyler Hansbrough does what he does. There both ball hawking rebounders with a high motor. We don't need him if we got Tyler already. Their essentially the same player.

Not really. As you pointed out McGary has a 2 inch and 30 pound advantage over Hansbrough. That in itself is pretty big as it allows him to guard Cs when Hansbrough really struggles with guys that size. Hansbrough also has tunnel vision on offense. Isn't great in the pick and roll and when you throw it to him he rarely looks for teammates. I think McGary is a much better passer, pick and roll player and defender than Hansbrough. We need that size behind JV not a 6"9 PF. I'm not saying take him with #20 but use #37 to try to move up a bit to get him.