Isaac Bonga - Lottery pick?

logical_art · Post #1 » by **logical_art** » Thu Feb 1, 2018 11:58 pm

I never heard of this guy until someone brought him up on the Bulls forum. He looks very similar to Giannis. He's long, fast, has a very good handle and good vision. Doesn't appear to be a great athlete vertically and his jumper needs a lot of work but he's only 19.

Just from what I saw I'd be shocked if he's not a lottery pick, especially with Giannis' breakout.

Post #2 » by **HomoSapien** » Fri Feb 2, 2018 12:02 am

Watch on YouTube

doordoor123 · Post #3 » by **doordoor123** » Fri Feb 2, 2018 12:15 am

He can’t play off-ball at all. But he’s quick, he’s a 6’9 point guard and he finishes well. He has a great first step too, but I’m not sure he’s going to slide well on defense. But on offense he can handle really well for someone that size. He’s a project, but in a couple years he could be really good. I’m just not sure how realistic it is that he can improve his shot. I definitely think he can be a lotto pick by the time the draft rolls around. I’m just not sure if I want a project. I’m concerned with his vision too honestly. He’s a good dime-passer, but I don’t think he’s great at reading defenses and making passes. I see him as a cutter and slasher who could dime the ball.

CP War Hawks · Post #4 » by **CP War Hawks** » Fri Feb 2, 2018 1:58 am

Young Boris Diaw.

Catchall · Post #5 » by **Catchall** » Sun Feb 11, 2018 2:34 am

I think he'll go in the 15 - 20 range. He's got great tools, but obviously is raw by NBA standards. As a Jazz fan, I'm curious about both Bonga and Jared Vanderbilt as long, athletic, 2-way wings with ball skills.

LakersSoul · Post #6 » by **LakersSoul** » Tue Feb 13, 2018 3:31 am

logical_art wrote:I never heard of this guy until someone brought him up on the Bulls forum. He looks very similar to Giannis. He's long, fast, has a very good handle and good vision. Doesn't appear to be a great athlete vertically and his jumper needs a lot of work but he's only 19.

Just from what I saw I'd be shocked if he's not a lottery pick, especially with Giannis' breakout.

Many mock draft sites have him listed as a 2nd rounder. If he performs well during the draft camps then he could sneak into the late first rounder. He is mostly positioned as a wing/SF. I like him with the Lakers 2nd round pick.

Catchall · Post #7 » by **Catchall** » Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:52 pm

I like him. He's got good hands, good timing and good instincts in general, having played mostly PG. He runs the floor with long strides. He can handle. He can pass. He can finish around the rim. He needs to add strength and keep maturing physically, and he needs to figure out his jump shot, but he's not just a project given his feel and intangibles.

No-Man · Post #8 » by **No-Man** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:58 pm

I would have him top20 for sure, not really bothering with ranking more than 20 guys or so anyway, and he is climbing, really impressed with how he hwas improved athletically and the shooting seems better by the numbers.

Catchall · Post #9 » by **Catchall** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:44 am

A year ago, he was pretty awkward physically. Once he grows into his body, the upside is real. Watch him measure out at 6'10" with a 7' wingspan this spring. If he can show development in his shooting, he'll rise on draft boards.

SeattleJazzFan · Post #10 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 12:21 am

6'10" with a 7' wingspan is not very good. that's what Bagley is expected and folks talk about his t-rex arms.

Kalela · Post #11 » by **Kalela** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 12:35 am

SeattleJazzFan wrote:6'10" with a 7' wingspan is not very good. that's what Bagley is expected and folks talk his t-rex arms.

Going by videos Bonga does not look like he has T-Rex arms. He appears to have really long arms and he looks shorter than 6'10" as well. Where are these numbers from?

SeattleJazzFan · Post #12 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:17 am

Kalela wrote:
SeattleJazzFan wrote:6'10" with a 7' wingspan is not very good. that's what Bagley is expected and folks talk his t-rex arms.

Going by videos Bonga does not look like he has T-Rex arms. He appears to have really long arms and he looks shorter than 6'10" as well. Where are these numbers from?

just the post above mine.

doordoor123 · Post #13 » by **doordoor123** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:44 am

SeattleJazzFan wrote:
Kalela wrote:
SeattleJazzFan wrote:6'10" with a 7' wingspan is not very good. that's what Bagley is expected and folks talk his t-rex arms.

Going by videos Bonga does not look like he has T-Rex arms. He appears to have really long arms and he looks shorter than 6'10" as well. Where are these numbers from?

just the post above mine.

I did the research for my big board. He has a recorded 7’0 wingspan.

Post #14 » by **GimmeDat** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:12 am

Bagley's role on the court projects to be a fair bit different to what Bonga's would be. I don't see an issue with Bonga's dimensions.

jonjames · Post #15 » by **jonjames** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 11:35 am

SeattleJazzFan wrote:6'10" with a 7' wingspan is not very good. that's what Bagley is expected and folks talk about his t-rex arms.

7ft wingspan as a pg/wing is completely different than a 7ft wingspan as a big.

zzaj · Post #16 » by **zzaj** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:48 pm

It looks like he has long arms but his shoulders aren't very broad...could be a reason for the non-elite wingspan for his probably height.

My worry with him is how translatable his skills are in the NBA. He doesn't seem to possess great change of direction or hesitation moves, which are going to be necessary as a point-forward at the NBA level.

Like doordoor mentioned, based on watching video he seems more like a "find an open man" passer than someone with elite vision that can make reads and warp defenses. Still, IMO he's got some intriguing tools that could be translatable with a few years work.

SeattleJazzFan · Post #17 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:09 pm

jonjames wrote:
SeattleJazzFan wrote:6'10" with a 7' wingspan is not very good. that's what Bagley is expected and folks talk about his t-rex arms.

7ft wingspan as a pg/wing is completely different than a 7ft wingspan as a big.

agreed.

Catchall · Post #18 » by **Catchall** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 11:51 pm

This is from Jonathan Givony a year ago (Feb. 2017) --- "Measured 6'8 ½ without shoes with a 7'0 wingspan. Has the size of a power forward but the skill-set of a guard."

Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Isaac-Bonga-84711/

He should measure out similarly to Jared Vanderbilt and Kevin Knox (at a minimum).

Catchall · Post #19 » by **Catchall** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 11:55 pm

zzaj wrote:
My worry with him is how translatable his skills are in the NBA. He doesn't seem to possess great change of direction or hesitation moves, which are going to be necessary as a point-forward at the NBA level.

Like doordoor mentioned, based on watching video he seems more like a "find an open man" passer than someone with elite vision that can make reads and warp defenses. Still, IMO he's got some intriguing tools that could be translatable with a few years work.

He hasn't shown much wiggle at this point, but he has enough length and subtle timing to get by defenders, similar to players like Dante Exum and Leandro Barbosa, imo. I don't think he's going to play on the ball like a PG at the next level, but his ability to see and pass over the defense is appealing for a wing or a high-post player.