Sophomore Impressions 2016-17

[alexb618]

jonathon simmons is going to have a break out year imo

[Gus McCrae]

Honest question, where would you guys rank Russell among the sophomores as far as potential going forward?

Probably 6 or 7ish. Obviously there's a lot of development that has to happen, but I have a hard time envisioning him being much more than a modern Nick Van Exel (which is still pretty good). I think there are others with significantly higher ceilings.

Clearly behind KAT, Jokic and Porzingis. Probably also behind Booker, Winslow and Okafor. And probably Turner. It gets a bit muddy in there. I think he can be a fringe All Star, quality starter type but I don't think you guys hit the jackpot on Russell.

I won't put my opinion as I'm a lakerfan so ya know, I think he's #2 lol. But in seriousness I can see a case for the players you mentioned except for Justice Winslow. I liked him coming in but had no idea he would be so bad offensively. I would assume the reason he's ranked so high is people see a first team all D potential in him. Even so, if his offense remains anywhere near its current state I don't see how he can be considered better than someone like Russell

[Brapman]

I agree with the comment that every lottery pick has a lot of potential - all-star potential. The exceptions IMO are WCS and Kaminsky. WCS is a super potential defender, but it remains to be seen if he has Ben Wallace's passion and hustle for the game. Kaminsky is going to be a role player - a good one, but a role player. I might eat those words about Frank this season, but I just don't see star in his future.

Winslow is the real deal on D and running the court, and eventually, he'll knock down open 3's and finish well on the break and on broken plays. I think he could be an all-star even though he'll never be a great offensive player.

IMO, this is going down as one of the best draft classes of all time. That's why I started this thread. I think they're a fascinating group to watch.

[cyclix]

http://www.nba.com/heat/newsrecap/summer-winslow/

A good evaluation of Winslow this summer provided in the TOP link: A versatile wing that can play positions 1-4 (listed as SG, SF & PF on yahoo). Played PG in AAU ball and on his HS team. Played C in the NBA conference finals.



He the most versatile player on the court.

Lack of a consistent jumper is what his hindering his offensive potential. He is very skilled offensively, but his jumpshot is so broken and flat that opposing teams see this and they intentionally play off to keep him from exploiting his other skills.

[j-ragg]

Yeah I watched Winslow in summer league. Jumper looks awful. When he's spotted up and wide open it doesn't look that terrible. But he has his offense down, just like Harden. Run into people and expect calls. Not saying that as a negative on him, more so officials.

[MotownMadness]

http://www.nba.com/heat/newsrecap/summer-winslow/

A good evaluation of Winslow this summer provided in the TOP link: A versatile wing that can play positions 1-4 (listed as SG, SF & PF on yahoo). Played PG in AAU ball and on his HS team. Played C in the NBA conference finals.



He the most versatile player on the court.

Lack of a consistent jumper is what his hindering his offensive potential. He is very skilled offensively, but his jumpshot is so broken and flat that opposing teams see this and they intentionally play off to keep him from exploiting his other skills.

Does Winslow look even bigger this year or is it just me? Ellenson is 6'11 and couldn't even budge him when trying to back him down the other day.

[erudite23]

It's going to be one of the strongest classes of the decade. Maybe the strongest.

Lyles has been strong in the summer league, showing he can be a lot more than just a jump shooter and floor spacer. He's also been working on his rebounding and he's averaging over 10rpg in less than 30mpg (3 games). That was his biggest weakness as a rook so it's encouraging to see him working hard.

[Ferulci]

Towns vs. Jokic on who becomes a Top 15 player first.

I love Jokic but I would be shocked if he ever was a Top 15 player (I see him as a 2nd/3 best player on a very good team). Towns might get there by year 3.

[MotownMadness]

Towns vs. Jokic on who becomes a Top 15 player first.

I love Jokic but I would be shocked if he ever was a Top 15 player (I see him as a 2nd/3 best player on a very good team). Towns might get there by year 3.

Yeah top 15 seems a bit much for Jokic

[The Goonibomber]

Mudiay can get to Kemba Walker status without the J
D'angelo can get to Mike Conley status

Kemba Walker without the J is a career D-leaguer.

I haven't watched him, but I thought the going comparison for Mudiay was a slower John Wall.

[Kobblehead]

Towns vs. Jokic on who becomes a Top 15 player first.

I love Jokic but I would be shocked if he ever was a Top 15 player (I see him as a 2nd/3 best player on a very good team). Towns might get there by year 3.

That doesn't stop Draymond Green from being a Top 15 player. That didn't stop prime Kirilenko from being a Top 15 player.

Jokic is a freak. Great rebounder with CWebb-esche passing and elite positional steal generating. And the jumpshot is real. Once he starts unleashing it at higher volume, he'll be the ultimate threat.

[Scalabrine]

3 Six Latvia was an elite defensive player last year. His offense was pretty good and he showed a ton of promise, but he needs to be more consistent. I think last years rookie class will be remembered as very good in a few years.

Towns/Okafor/Jokic/Kaminsky
Porzingis/Turner/WCS/Portis/Lyles
Johnson/Winslow/Hollis-Jefferson
Booker/Hezonja
Mudiay/Russell/Grant

All of these guys have legit NBA starter potential and a handful of them will likely be multi-time all stars.

[pcbothwel]

I hate to have to stick up for my own, but Oubre looks to be the main backup to Otto Porter and I'm a fan.
He's athletic, long, and attacks the basket relentlessly. That with a passable 3pt shot (33%+) makes him viable offensively.

And while his team Defense/IQ will need to improve/mature, his on-ball D can be ferocious. He has quick hands and feet along with a 7'2 wingspan and if locks in on you its like watching PG13, Ariza, etc.

I think he ends up being the best wing in the draft class over Johnson, Winslow, etc.

[InfraRedshaw]

i think this year you will see norman powell outperform a handful of the lottery picks
averaged 15 ppg in april

[Moose10Fan]

Has Winslow packed on the lbs?

[cyclix]

I hate to have to stick up for my own, but Oubre looks to be the main backup to Otto Porter and I'm a fan.
He's athletic, long, and attacks the basket relentlessly. That with a passable 3pt shot (33%+) makes him viable offensively.

And while his team Defense/IQ will need to improve/mature, his on-ball D can be ferocious. He has quick hands and feet along with a 7'2 wingspan and if locks in on you its like watching PG13, Ariza, etc.

I think he ends up being the best wing in the draft class over Johnson, Winslow, etc.

I think Winslow/Stanley are more versatile both offensively and defensively. Both have man bodies already and are younger in age. Both can play multiple positions while Oubre is a tweener at wing

[Jadoogar]

Is there single bust from the lottery? I don't mean "not as good as their draft position" but actual bad players?
- KAT (obvious)
- D'angelo (competant starting pg at worst)
- Okafor (Kanter level at worst, higher if he improves defensively)
- Porzingis (progessed much faster than anyone thought)
- Hezonja (only debatable player in the bunch but hasn't really had an opportunity to play)
- WCS (potentional to be a great defensive player, Kings could be the only thing holding him back)
- Mudiay (didn't watch much)
- Stanley Johnson (loved watching him play, do it all type forward)
- Kaminsky (again picked higher than he should have been but looks to be a good rotation player)
- Winslow (already a great defender, potentional on offense)
- Myles Turner (witnessed his impact firsthand during the playoffs. incredible talent)
- Trey Lyles (didn't watch much)
- Booker (potentional to be Klay Thompson-lite)

What a great class

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I wish the Pacers didn't make Turner their center, I think his gifts are better served as a PF. I know that being a C means he can man the paint and theoretically get more blocks, but his interior defense as a PF devastated us in the playoffs and almost got us knocked out in the first round. He's so mobile and nimble on his feet that he can rotate over to the weak side in the blink of an eye. Having that kind of twin tower defense clogging up the paint can completely shut the paint down, and Turner's capable of keeping up with perimeter players.

Sounds like he will continue to play a bit of both. Bird said in an interview today that he thinks Turner will share the court with Jefferson quite a lot this year.

[pcbothwel]

I hate to have to stick up for my own, but Oubre looks to be the main backup to Otto Porter and I'm a fan.
He's athletic, long, and attacks the basket relentlessly. That with a passable 3pt shot (33%+) makes him viable offensively.

And while his team Defense/IQ will need to improve/mature, his on-ball D can be ferocious. He has quick hands and feet along with a 7'2 wingspan and if locks in on you its like watching PG13, Ariza, etc.

I think he ends up being the best wing in the draft class over Johnson, Winslow, etc.

I think Winslow/Stanley are more versatile both offensively and defensively. Both have man bodies already and are younger in age. Both can play multiple positions while Oubre is a tweener at wing

Oubre is 6 months older (All 3 are 20), not really a big deal.
Oubre is taller and longer than both. Nothing tweener about him.
And while not as strong, he is more athletic than both.

i also wouldn't say they are more versatile. While they both defend bigs better because of their size, neither have the foot speed to shut down guards like Oubre (All 3 handle themselves against 3's)
Offesnvily, Oubre will not be the passer Johnson is, but he is a better shooter and gets to the FT more than either.

We'll just have to see, but the fact that they all had comparable rookie years, yet Oubre was clearly the most raw and least physically developed of the 3 out of college gives me hope.

Remember, Johnson played 3X as much and Winslow 4X as much. Oubre was buried by Randy Wittman and it was hard for him to get into rhythm

[cyclix]

Oubre is 6 months older (All 3 are 20), not really a big deal.
Oubre is taller and longer than both. Nothing tweener about him.
And while not as strong, he is more athletic than both.

i also wouldn't say they are more versatile. While they both defend bigs better because of their size, neither have the foot speed to shut down guards like Oubre (All 3 handle themselves against 3's)
Offesnvily, Oubre will not be the passer Johnson is, but he is a better shooter and gets to the FT more than either.

We'll just have to see, but the fact that they all had comparable rookie years, yet Oubre was clearly the most raw and least physically developed of the 3 out of college gives me hope.

Remember, Johnson played 3X as much and Winslow 4X as much. Oubre was buried by Randy Wittman and it was hard for him to get into rhythm

Oubre cannot create his own shot and lacks ballhandling ability to have real offensive potential. His potential is really that of a 3&D wing player. Oubre is like Tayshaun Prince potential.

Stanley is a skilled, multipositional player that can create his own shot while guarding multiple positions. Stanley is like Joe Johnson potential.

Winslow is the same as Stanley, but worse jumpshot and better defense. Winslow is like Draymond Green potential.

Even RHJ is going to be better than Oubre.