moocow007 wrote:Zenzibar wrote:moocow007 wrote:
Is there an offensive breakdown? Kawhi Leonard is Kawhi Leonard because of what he can do on both sides of the ball (as well as the big wingspan and monster sized hands). If he's just Kawhi Leonard on the defensive end, and I'll be quite honest, what makes Leonard who he is on the defensive end is more than just effort and intensity, then this vid should be titled probably more so "Can Tyler Bey be the next Justise Winslow, Andre Roberson, Luc Mbah A Moute (etc)" instead.
In fact Andre Roberson, who like Bey also attended the University of Colorado and who, like Bey, also was a long armed athletic defensive force, may be a better comp for Tyler Bey. Bey is a tick better as a shooter than Roberson was (Bey has better form than Roberson had at the same age) but Roberson I'd argue was a better defender. And there's actually nothing wrong if Bey turned out to be Roberson cause Roberson's started 269 of the 296 games in the NBA he's played in across 4.5 seasons. If a team can get another Andre Roberson (one of the best wing defenders in the league according to advanced stats) at 27 then that would probably be considered a job well done for any NBA GM.
Guys like Leonard has a smoothness to their game so that they don't need to look like a chicken with their head cut off and still be everywhere on defense and shutting opposing players down. They don't need to be dunking and exploding to the basket and expending all that energy, and still before you know it they've scored 25 points in all sorts of ways. Guys like Leonard (and Steph Curry, and James Harden, Rusell Westbrook, Dwayne Wade and every other superstar player) has a 'naturalness' (be it explosive based or finesse based or some combination) to their game that makes them seem both effortless and dominant all at the same time. That's what you look for if you want to project someone as a possible superstar player in the NBA.
I'm not sure I see that in Bey. He does have long arms and moves his feet well and built like an ideal NBA wing (why Kawhi Leonard was brought into the discussion). But I think that comparison is just a bit nuts and really more click bait and wishful thinking than anything else since obviously a lot less likely anyone bother watching the clip if it was titled "Can Tyler Bey be the next Andre Roberson?".
Now as far as the Knicks drafting Bey with the Clippers pick? I think Bey would be a great pick for a team looking to compete for a title (bottom of the 1st round). For the Knicks? The Knicks could use defense but they need so much right now that I don't know that an Andre Roberson type would ever really get much of a look. I would stick with trying to find someone that can be a super diamond in the rough than playing it safe with someone like Bey. The same group of guys consisting of Vernon Carey, Kira Lewis, Jalen Smith, etc.
WOW

, that was a long ass reply. You must have a lot of time of your hands, oh wait...
Question though. How many full games of Colorado have you seen?
More than you...especially if you believe after watching him play he's the next Kawhi Leonard.

Seriously though he's closer to Andre Roberson than Kawhi Leonard like I said.
And draft.net has some of the worst comparisons ever. The number of Larry Birds and Michael Jordans that were supposed to be in the NBA...
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https://grantland.com/features/the-nba-draft-lottery-player-guide/Kawhi Leonard
Age: 20
Height: 6-7
Weight: 225
San Diego State
Kawhi Leonard is one of the most physically gifted players in this year’s draft pool. With his height, bulk and leaping ability, Leonard looks like he could become the prototypical NBA small forward. Questions remain about his outside shot —
he made just 29 percent of his 3s last season — and whether he can create his own shot. His skills might be better suited to play the power forward position, where he’d be seriously undersized at 6-foot-7. Leonard also played passive at times at San Diego State, sometimes disappearing for long stretches of games.
The player from this draft he most resembles is Tristan Thompson, another undersized post player who relies on hustle and strength. Of the two, Leonard is shorter but has a better chance at playing the post. He has a 7-3 wingspan and should be good for at least one YouTube-worthy dunk or block per week. If he develops a jumper and improves his ability to finish at the rim, Leonard could become more than just a defensive role player.
CEILING: Gerald Wallace
FLOOR: Ronaldo BalkmanMOST TELLING STAT: Hand measurements (9.8 inches long, 11.3 inches wide)
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/700602-2011-nba-mock-draft-definitive-full-two-round-post-draft-lottery-order-editionWhy?
After viewing some tape of Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas, I don't think either have the elite athleticism needed to be drafted in the top 10. However, Kawhi Leonard certainly does, as the 6'7" small forward (he claims in this recent Draft Express interview that he can also play some shooting guard) with a tremendous seven-foot plus wing span can immediately start for the Detroit Pistons with Tayshaun Prince leaving.
Why Not?
I watched a couple San Diego State games this season and wondered where Leonard was on the floor at times.
He can be a great complementary player for a good playoff team, but I don't see him ever leading one there. Furthermore, would the Pistons reach for size in Jonas Valanciunas or Donatas Motiejunas?
That being said, in a weak draft, having a freakish athlete like Leonard will be a blessing for the Pistons.
Anyway, give me 2 picks at 27 and I'll give you 2. We'll circle back.