jvsimonetti0514 wrote:NewKnicks wrote:
He already has an NBA body, and is really versatile (he can play point forward in certain situations). He's coming out of a program that produces talent at the next level, and that definitely counts for something. Whatever Leonard Hamilton does down there is working. His players adjust quickly to the NBA game, and are some of the most NBA ready players. He can do it all.. Has the height, incredible wingspan, and athletic ability to compete at the next level. I think his jumpshot is good enough now that with a little coaching could be great (even out to 3 in the NBA) He's 19, and the sky is the limit (in my opinion). He's going to be scary in a few years of good coaching in the NBA.
What can't he do? Serious question if you've seen him play a lot. He's a playmaker with the ball, gets his teammates involved and makes the team better because of it. In my opinion he has one the better all-around games in the whole draft, as I don't see many holes in his game. Plus, his ceiling is limitless at this point.
He's up there at the 6th slot in a lot of mocks (in one of the better drafts in a while) that I see out there, so I'm not the only one who thinks the kid has a bright future.
I would love to get your thoughts breaking down his game, and why you don't think he's been that impressive.
Honestly, it's probably because he kinda reminds me of Noah Vonleh.
No real disagreements about his measurements cuz he's definitely got an NBA body already but I feel like he's super raw offensively. I don't completely disagree with NoDope about free throw shooting having some correlation with a player improving their 3pt% but he's not good at either. I'm also kinda worry that he's just a 4 and nothing else cuz he's only 6'9" and he's not a shot blocker. Don't get more wrong I think he's got a lot to build on but it's going to take a lot of time cuz he's gonna be a major project.
No doubt he's going to be a project, but which 19 year old prospect isn't a project? Look at Patrick Williams. He's definitely still a project, but the Bulls are almost playing him 30 minutes a game as a starter, and he's already having an impact and playing a solid all-around game.
Barnes is definitely not just another 4. How many 4's can play point forward in the league? Randle is one.
But you're thinking of him differently than his game has suggested. He's a SF at the next level because of his ball-handling and passing ability. He's not going to be a big like Vonleh, where you're expecting him to bang bodies down low with the bigs in the NBA. He's much more skilled at this point than Vonleh ever was. He's actually pretty similar to Patrick Williams, with a better passing game than Williams.
I get your concern with his free throw %, but not every single player out of each draft has to shoot 80% at the line to be an effective shooter out to the 3. If that's the only measurement tool for every prospect, teams are going to be missing out on a lot of talent.
We all have our preferences, but this kid has potential to be a star at the next level. He does everything well already (for a prospect), and the ceiling is the limit. If you check around and look into other evaluators of the draft, I think you'll hear similar things that I've suggest. He's 19 so of course he's not that polished.
I haven't seen him a ton but I have notice that he does most of his damage on the break and I'm not really sure what his role would be in the half court. He was pretty ineffective during the tourney for that exact reason.
I think ideally, his ceiling is draymond green but we all know that Draymonds ability to play the 5 was what made him so special. Since Barnes doesn't have that shot blocking, I'm not sure you can get away with him playing as a center. The only way I can see that working defensively is if he's such a good switcher that rim protection doesn't matter as much. Plus on top of all of that you gotta fix the jumper too.
