realEAST wrote:I think he was best option at our pick, both player and fit, I liked him prior to draft, really have no problem with that pick at #7.
That said, if we could have got JJJ for taking on Parsons, as it seems we could have, my opinion is that it would have been worth it - and that is my main "objection" to Carter.
Only real queation mark I have with him as player isthing that his lateral mobility and agility, and therefore his ability to defend P'n'R at NBA level.
Still he has good motor, he looked mobile to me, so all this can just be overstating - maybe he isn't as fluid as Bagley, JJJy Ayton - but he is agile enough to contain penetrators, especially given good insticts.
Furthermore, there are reports he is actually working on this part of the game - both from phisical standpoint, but also works on his footwork already so I guess that is a great sign.
Lastly, to focus on positives - team player, great character and game awareness, good and willing passer in the post - he and Markk could form a really nice partnership, I see them both fitting well and clicking together - promising shooter as well, got some post moves and relatively soft touch; strong, phisical, great rebounder and talented rim protector. He basically checks all the boxes you'd want from a big man. I think we got starter for a long time.
So yeah, I guess my only objection is - we could have gotten JJJ. But Carter will be very good.
*just a superficial bit about Horford comparisons - Horford was better an athlete at an early age than Carter is, but Al Horford is still able to defend at very high level at 32 with few hard injuries behind him, and was able to play PF earlier in his career even after those injuries that diminished his athletic ability. So if he was brought down to Carter's level of athleticism pretty early in his career, but still managed to have more than successfull career and is still a high level defender, I am getting less and less worried that Carter is going to be very good there, barring some misfortune. That makes me feel better regarding his main questionmark in my eyes.
So, to finish this with a grade as is popular: B+
Agree with all of this man, using the Horford comps as a negative has bugged me a bit since Horford was one of 3 or so big men effective late in the season this year. Horford isn't blowing anyone away with his on ball defense and lateral quickness, but he plays the game efficiently and intelligently and is able to operate as a free safety type presence on defense. Guys like Draymond are outliers, big men aren't supposed to be able to defend the perimeter. It sounds like WCJ, while limited with quickness, has the IQ and skill to be able to extend his defense out to the perimeter on switches. For bigs that get switched on to smaller guards, the difference between a successful switch and blown assignment is usually IQ and positioning. Taj was very effective on the perimeter by playing smart, keeping straight and in front of his opponent, and anticipating shots. It's more mental than anything. Not worried about WCJ in that regard.
People honestly get way too gassed up on athleticism and don't pay enough attention to how a prospect feels the game. I think we got a real gem in WCJ. He's young, smart, and hungry. Can't teach that **** dude.
