After Green, who is the best pure 3-level scoring prospect?

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Confused as to why people are so sold on Bouknight as a scorer. If not for that one 40-point game, would he even be on the draft radar? The rest of his season was pretty "meh," and his track record prior to this season never suggested any NBA potential. Plus he has injury issues. What if that game was just a fluke?

EDIT: *And* he's older than I thought, turning 21 this summer. Make it make sense.

Had James Harden level usage on a bad offense in UConn, got doubled all the time and still ended up averaging 20 with a 56TS%. On a good team with modern spacing (i.e. not two bigs in the paint and not on a team that shot like 30% from 3) he can be a spark plug guy right away. If he takes development of his holes seriously he could be a top 5 offensive player from this draft

Also he had an injury to his elbow that required surgery. Can't really blame him that he came back and didn't set the world on fire.

[Charm]

Confused as to why people are so sold on Bouknight as a scorer. If not for that one 40-point game, would he even be on the draft radar? The rest of his season was pretty "meh," and his track record prior to this season never suggested any NBA potential. Plus he has injury issues. What if that game was just a fluke?

EDIT: *And* he's older than I thought, turning 21 this summer. Make it make sense.

Had James Harden level usage on a bad offense in UConn, got doubled all the time and still ended up averaging 20 with a 56TS%. On a good team with modern spacing (i.e. not two bigs in the paint and not on a team that shot like 30% from 3) he can be a spark plug guy right away. If he takes development of his holes seriously he could be a top 5 offensive player from this draft

Also he had an injury to his elbow that required surgery. Can't really blame him that he came back and didn't set the world on fire.

But even before his elbow injury he wasn't setting the world on fire...he set Creighton on fire, and that's it. I just don't think a single college game is enough evidence to say that he's going to be an elite scorer in the NBA.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Confused as to why people are so sold on Bouknight as a scorer. If not for that one 40-point game, would he even be on the draft radar? The rest of his season was pretty "meh," and his track record prior to this season never suggested any NBA potential. Plus he has injury issues. What if that game was just a fluke?

EDIT: *And* he's older than I thought, turning 21 this summer. Make it make sense.

Had James Harden level usage on a bad offense in UConn, got doubled all the time and still ended up averaging 20 with a 56TS%. On a good team with modern spacing (i.e. not two bigs in the paint and not on a team that shot like 30% from 3) he can be a spark plug guy right away. If he takes development of his holes seriously he could be a top 5 offensive player from this draft

Also he had an injury to his elbow that required surgery. Can't really blame him that he came back and didn't set the world on fire.

But even before his elbow injury he wasn't setting the world on fire...he set Creighton on fire, and that's it. I just don't think a single college game is enough evidence to say that he's going to be an elite scorer in the NBA.

I’m looking at his skill set not the numbers. Tatum wasn’t getting the best stats on his own team on Duke and the guy that was is a bench player on the Clippers

James shot 64% at the rim, is a high leaper, can create space for himself easily and has a good looking jumper (also a good FT shooter which gives even more credence his shot will translate)

Again, he was playing on a terrible offense team as the only scorer. Pretty sure you take a guy with his skill set and move him down the pecking order and he gets you points much more efficiently. You also factor in NBA development. No more college classes and extracurriculars when guys are locked into the NbA system

[Charm]

Had James Harden level usage on a bad offense in UConn, got doubled all the time and still ended up averaging 20 with a 56TS%. On a good team with modern spacing (i.e. not two bigs in the paint and not on a team that shot like 30% from 3) he can be a spark plug guy right away. If he takes development of his holes seriously he could be a top 5 offensive player from this draft

Also he had an injury to his elbow that required surgery. Can't really blame him that he came back and didn't set the world on fire.

But even before his elbow injury he wasn't setting the world on fire...he set Creighton on fire, and that's it. I just don't think a single college game is enough evidence to say that he's going to be an elite scorer in the NBA.

I’m looking at his skill set not the numbers. Tatum wasn’t getting the best stats on his own team on Duke and the guy that was is a bench player on the Clippers

James shot 64% at the rim, is a high leaper, can create space for himself easily and has a good looking jumper (also a good FT shooter which gives even more credence his shot will translate)

Again, he was playing on a terrible offense team as the only scorer. Pretty sure you take a guy with his skill set and move him down the pecking order and he gets you points much more efficiently. You also factor in NBA development. No more college classes and extracurriculars when guys are locked into the NbA system

I think there's a pathway there for him to become a useful scoring guard at the NBA level. But big picture, his profile as an older prospect who's shown flashes but never produced consistently is what you typically see in second rounders or undrafted free agents, not in first rounders, and certainly not in lottery picks.

[EvanZ]

I kinda think it's Josh Cristopher potentially.

[gorz]

Best pure scorers in the draft not including potential and projected role

1. Cam Thomas(mid 1st-early 2nd)
2. Max Abmas late 2nd rd most likely undrafted
3. James Bouknight(top 7-lottery)
4. Cade Cunningham 1-2
5. Jalen Green 1-4

Best scoring prospects

1. James Bouknight
2. Cade Cunningham
3. Jalen Green
4. Jalen Suggs
5. Cam Thomas

[Marcus]

I kinda think it's Josh Cristopher potentially.

was waiting to see his name pop. Gotta tighten up selection and consistency from deep but he should absolutely prove to be much more effective in the NBA setting.

[SmoothLefty21]

Confused as to why people are so sold on Bouknight as a scorer.

On the flip side, I'm confused about how anyone doesn't see his potential. Been on his train since his freshman year (he was a projected 1st rounder coming into the season so he was certainly on the NBA radar). I called it that he'd skyrocket up mock drafts once NBA teams saw him in person.

Hesi, pull-up game, ability to create his own shot, ability to finish at the rim, one of the most creative/acrobatic finishers in traffic that we've seen in a bit. He's an elite athlete though he has to get stronger. The way he slithers through tight spaces, his body control in the air, etc. His talent is pretty apparent to those who have watched him extensively and not just watched highlights or read stat sheets.

This is a more thorough write-up than I have the time to put together...

https://www.indycornrows.com/2021/6/8/22451227/james-bouknight-and-the-art-of-off-ball-movement

[Charm]

Confused as to why people are so sold on Bouknight as a scorer.

On the flip side, I'm confused about how anyone doesn't see his potential. Been on his train since his freshman year (he was a projected 1st rounder coming into the season so he was certainly on the NBA radar). I called it that he'd skyrocket up mock drafts once NBA teams saw him in person.

Hesi, pull-up game, ability to create his own shot, ability to finish at the rim, one of the most creative/acrobatic finishers in traffic that we've seen in a bit. He's an elite athlete though he has to get stronger. The way he slithers through tight spaces, his body control in the air, etc. His talent is pretty apparent to those who have watched him extensively and not just watched highlights or read stat sheets.

This is a more thorough write-up than I have the time to put together...

https://www.indycornrows.com/2021/6/8/22451227/james-bouknight-and-the-art-of-off-ball-movement

Potential sure, but if I've rarely if ever seen a 21-year-old drafted in the lottery based on potential. By that age you gotta have something to show for it beyond one good game and a smattering of highlights.

[NYCbeadyrae]

James Bouknight. And he’s better than Green.

[Big J]

James Bouknight. And he’s better than Green.

Cmon man.