TJ Leaf

[Upperclass]

He moves an awful lot, like kevin mchale.. I think he may be a Raef LaFrentz type guy though.. they have a similar skillset

[oddwolfhooligan]

Leaf is definitely one of the more polarizing prospects this year and I think he ultimately ends up somewhere in the middle as a player. I love his motor, IQ, and skill level on offense and think he'll be able to use these qualities to become a legitimate rotation player. That being said, I don't think he'll be the same scorer in the pros that he is in college. I think he'll hit wide open, spot up jumpers with good efficiency and obviously that's valuable. As for his post game, I think he'll be serviceable in the pros but have some struggles, depending on the matchup. He has similarly underwhelming length like Kevin Love but doesn't have the strong frame for carving out space that Love has. Obviously, he'll add more strength over time, but he'll never have the above average strength for his position that he needs. This will make scoring with his back to the basket a challenge regardless of his skill level, although his strong touch and feel for the game will at least somewhat neutralize his physical shortcomings.

Defensively, it's gonna be tough for him to be more than average at the next level. He's smart and plays hard, so I don't expect him to be a total liability on defense, but physically, he's absolutely in between positions—not big/long enough to guard 5s and not athletic enough to do a great job against most 4s(length is even below average for defending the 4 too).

It's also worth noting that Leaf is playing in the most perfect system imaginable for a player like him. UCLA is littered with shooters that all stretch the floor and demand attention and their offense is being run by arguably the best facilitator in recent memory. This may not change the fact that Leaf is a really talented dude, but he strikes me as someone who would have a hard time dealing with a defense that was keyed in on him. Just some food for thought.

[Ruzious]

Leaf is definitely one of the more polarizing prospects this year and I think he ultimately ends up somewhere in the middle as a player. I love his motor, IQ, and skill level on offense and think he'll be able to use these qualities to become a legitimate rotation player. That being said, I don't think he'll be the same scorer in the pros that he is in college. I think he'll hit wide open, spot up jumpers with good efficiency and obviously that's valuable. As for his post game, I think he'll be serviceable in the pros but have some struggles, depending on the matchup. He has similarly underwhelming length like Kevin Love but doesn't have the strong frame for carving out space that Love has. Obviously, he'll add more strength over time, but he'll never have the above average strength for his position that he needs. This will make scoring with his back to the basket a challenge regardless of his skill level, although his strong touch and feel for the game will at least somewhat neutralize his physical shortcomings.

Defensively, it's gonna be tough for him to be more than average at the next level. He's smart and plays hard, so I don't expect him to be a total liability on defense, but physically, he's absolutely in between positions—not big/long enough to guard 5s and not athletic enough to do a great job against most 4s(length is even below average for defending the 4 too).

It's also worth noting that Leaf is playing in the most perfect system imaginable for a player like him. UCLA is littered with shooters that all stretch the floor and demand attention and their offense is being run by arguably the best facilitator in recent memory. This may not change the fact that Leaf is a really talented dude, but he strikes me as someone who would have a hard time dealing with a defense that was keyed in on him. Just some food for thought.

I don't agree on the reach issue. He doesn't have a good wingspan for a 4, but he does have a good standing reach - 9 feet - and standing reach is more important than wingspan for 4's and 5's. And he jumps well, so his reach is not a problem, imo. What he needs is to get stronger.

[LonZoBallin]

I like Bam better. I think Bam could be Amare

[oddwolfhooligan]

Leaf is definitely one of the more polarizing prospects this year and I think he ultimately ends up somewhere in the middle as a player. I love his motor, IQ, and skill level on offense and think he'll be able to use these qualities to become a legitimate rotation player. That being said, I don't think he'll be the same scorer in the pros that he is in college. I think he'll hit wide open, spot up jumpers with good efficiency and obviously that's valuable. As for his post game, I think he'll be serviceable in the pros but have some struggles, depending on the matchup. He has similarly underwhelming length like Kevin Love but doesn't have the strong frame for carving out space that Love has. Obviously, he'll add more strength over time, but he'll never have the above average strength for his position that he needs. This will make scoring with his back to the basket a challenge regardless of his skill level, although his strong touch and feel for the game will at least somewhat neutralize his physical shortcomings.

Defensively, it's gonna be tough for him to be more than average at the next level. He's smart and plays hard, so I don't expect him to be a total liability on defense, but physically, he's absolutely in between positions—not big/long enough to guard 5s and not athletic enough to do a great job against most 4s(length is even below average for defending the 4 too).

It's also worth noting that Leaf is playing in the most perfect system imaginable for a player like him. UCLA is littered with shooters that all stretch the floor and demand attention and their offense is being run by arguably the best facilitator in recent memory. This may not change the fact that Leaf is a really talented dude, but he strikes me as someone who would have a hard time dealing with a defense that was keyed in on him. Just some food for thought.

I don't agree on the reach issue. He doesn't have a good wingspan for a 4, but he does have a good standing reach - 9 feet - and standing reach is more important than wingspan for 4's and 5's. And he jumps well, so his reach is not a problem, imo. What he needs is to get stronger.

I could've sworn that I remembered his standing reach being listed at 8'10" when I checked at the beginning or the season. Just double checked DE and saw you're right so in that case, I agree with you.


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[Ruzious]

I like Bam better. I think Bam could be Amare

I like them both a lot and think they're both underrated at this point. They're the 2 ends of the spectrum. If you want a power low post player, go with Bam. If you want a stretch 4, go with Leaf.

[GoodVibezin]

NBADraft.net compares TJ Leaf to Nick Collison. That's a crime. Collison was a great high energy big off the bench. Other than that they have little in common.

TJ Leaf has good low post skills. He's very active, especially on the offensive boards. He grabs the ball above his head and keeps it above his head. And his second jump is quick, resulting in many easy putbacks. Keeping the ball high is no easy task. It's all too common for players to bring it down to their waist.

I'm not concerned with his size. He's a freshman putting up numbers you'd expect from a senior. Plus, anybody can lift wights and eat some beef. Give'm a summer. As it is, he's tough and knows how to fight. I think he's a player. Top 10

[madmaxmedia]

TJ Leaf is shooting 63% FG for the season, and 46% from 3. He's just really effective from many spots on the floor. If he played 15 years ago, he'd be an absolute stud and NCAA player of the year by his junior year. As it stands, I think the strength will come with time and some work in the gym.

I think he'll go around #10 if he has a good run in the tournament. He might not be an immediate contributor but I think he'll have a good long career in the NBA. Not a super high ceiling perhaps, but a low-risk candidate if you don't need immediate impact. He's a much better NBA prospect than Frank Kaminsky for example.

I like the McHale comparison, if only that they both seem somewhat gangly, but are both really effective and obviously skilled and know what they want to do on the floor. They both keep the ball high, at least IIRC correctly with McHale.

[reanimator]

Most of Leaf's offense is assisted, he shoots a low volume of 3s, he plods, doesn't have great size nor length, and isn't a creative ball handler. I don't understand the love.

[No-Man]

Most of Leaf's offense is assisted, he shoots a low volume of 3s, he plods, doesn't have great size nor length, and isn't a creative ball handler. I don't understand the love.

I am with you man, I think I would probably not draft him in the 1st, and he is likely going top20

I am not a fan of Peters, but value wise, picking Peters late 2nd>>>>>>>>>>picking Leaf 10-20th

[jrob23]

Most of Leaf's offense is assisted, he shoots a low volume of 3s, he plods, doesn't have great size nor length, and isn't a creative ball handler. I don't understand the love.

now would you with that incorrect observation. He's a stretch 4. He's got ideal size at 6'10" and plenty of length. He can score on all three levels, is a very good help defender and all around great athlete for his size. There's zero plodding lmao. His upside is to gain strength and size in his upper body. He's shown a great handle and has taken guys off the dribble multiple times. Maybe you just haven't watched him when he's done that. Dunno. But you aren't alone. The clueless draft sites don't respect him either.

[The-Power]

[...]

Since you have pretty strong opinions on every prospect and since all the draftsites - and a lot of other posters - are clueless I'd love to see your rankings before the draft to see if you really are right as often as you seem to believe. Do you happen to have rankings you wouldn't mind to make public?

[RipCity71252]

Out of the offense first bigs (Leaf, Lydon, Markkanen, J. Collins, Swanigan) currently thought to delcare, Leaf is #1 for me right now.

Don't love him, but he's the only one that has shown a versatile skill set while having the tools-- with the help of some added upper body strength--to not be a disaster defensively at PF.

Here's how I'd tier them as of now...

Late Lottery
Leaf
Late First Rd
Markennen
Collins
Swanigan
2nd Round
Lydon

[jrob23]

[...]

Since you have pretty strong opinions on every prospect and since all the draftsites - and a lot of other posters - are clueless I'd love to see your rankings before the draft to see if you really are right as often as you seem to believe. Do you happen to have rankings you wouldn't mind to make public?

I'll make a Big Board maybe a week before the draft. Maybe the mods will make a Big Board thread we can all put ours up in so we have a consolidated place to make it easier to look back on in the future.

[Marcus]

[...]

Since you have pretty strong opinions on every prospect and since all the draftsites - and a lot of other posters - are clueless I'd love to see your rankings before the draft to see if you really are right as often as you seem to believe. Do you happen to have rankings you wouldn't mind to make public?

I'll make a Big Board maybe a week before the draft. Maybe the mods will make a Big Board thread we can all put ours up in so we have a consolidated place to make it easier to look back on in the future.

there's a Mock Draft sub-forum. Post it up there.

[RipCity71252]

TJ Leaf's most impressive athletic qualities are his quick and impressive standing vert and how he fully utilizes his reach. His open court speed is ok too, but not that great in any other area.

Reminds me of a volleyball player athletically. Not sure how well that translates to the NBA.

[EricAnderson]

There's a player in the 19' class Matthew Hurt who's a Leaf clone

[TurboTitan]

cant see him being anything more than a role player in the NBA

[Old Man Game]

Something bothers me about the way this kid moves. Sort of awkward and herky jerky. The athletes at the next level will embarrass him pretty badly I'm afraid.

[Disposable Hero]

I have him as the best power forward. He's deceptively athletic and has a nice stroke from all over. I'd get him in the weight room and be patient with him if I drafted him. I agree with those who have mentioned Kevin Love as a comparison. Just don't expect it for a few years. It's pretty insulting to say he's only going to be a role player.