NBA Draft 2019

[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

I think this goes either way and personally I'm on the flipside. I think he's going to have more lanes and space in the NBA due to the nature of the game as opposed to the goat **** that is college basketball. Zion attacking closeouts and in transition in a modern NBA offense is terrifying. There is no one in the league to put on him. He's too quick for stretch 4s and too strong for smaller guys. He'll have an adjustment period where he learns who he can go through and when he has to go around people but I like that he's shown a good touch around the rim in situations where he can't dunk. A lot of these freak athletes aren't great finishers when they can't dunk.

I also think his handle is better than everyone gives him credit for. The only thing I'm worried about is his jumper. I think there's enough of everything else: handles, passing, IQ, hustle/motor, rebounding, defense, lack of ego/divaness.

I've always said you can fix a jump shot. That's easy. For Christ Sakes... DeAndre Jordan can shoot free throws now lol

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/8gLgKzuQfHhIDPlZkl" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/zion-spin-move-8gLgKzuQfHhIDPlZkl">via GIPHY</a></p>

That ain't no sloppy handle. The Jab step and go into spin move. He also has a behind the back counter from left to right.

Today's game is all about the 3...you're asking Zion to play 90s and 2000 style basketball. I just dont see that being effective without the threat of popping a 3 like Harden or Westbrook...or LeBron.

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I wouldn't think of Zion as some 3 point shooter. I would think of him in more of a Giannis type of player. That draws a double team and has the IQ to kick it out.

And again in my opinion... He's got good form right now.

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/69ANSfC0DK5O3wzdJK" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/zion-three-point-69ANSfC0DK5O3wzdJK">via GIPHY</a></p>

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Today's game is all about the 3...you're asking Zion to play 90s and 2000 style basketball. I just dont see that being effective without the threat of popping a 3 like Harden or Westbrook...or LeBron.

It's possible and that will be the biggest factor in deciding his ceiling. I think he's still far and away the best prospect in this draft even with that concern.

Draymond hasn't shot over 30% from three in like four years and he's still a pretty darn good player (obviously you want Zion to be better than Green) but I think certain players can still transcend. Same with Giannis.

[KG]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Zion is a man among boys in college. He's got the body of today's LeBron but with 2003 hops.

Dude plays good defense (even his blocks are jaw dropping) and has a good motor. One thing I believe is all the open lanes and "bullying" to get to the rim will be WAY less available in the NBA. I'd comment on his jumoshot but I never see it. My worry with Zion is if he goes thru a DRose injury...and loses the incredible athleticism...what else is there?

...this is why I'd probably prefer RJ over Zion right now.

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You can’t not draft a player because you’re scared he might have some freak injury. Besides, Rose suffered from a lot of mental issues which derailed his MVP career as well (obviously not as much as the physical).

Basketball aside, you’re also getting a walking sellout every night, especially if he’s in NY. Zion puts butts in the seats on Day 1. I don’t think RJ does that


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[Titans4lyfe]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

One more thing regarding Zion that needs to be taken into account is this Duke squad is probably not even the best fit for his offensive skillset.

We(Duke fan here lol) severely lack shooting. We are shooting 31% from 3 as a team and and only have one player shooting over 35% from there( and he only plays 13 MPG). This, of course, causes teams to pack the paint more than normal. Let him play with NBA spacing and surrounded by actual high level shooters, and he'll watch just how much he'll flourish.

And one last sidenote. His shot has actually been sneaky good lately. It's a small sample size but in conference play(8 games so far) he's shooting 40% from 3 at 2.5 attempts per game.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Zion just blitzed a BC PnR, basically took the ball right out of the BC PG's hands, and made a really nice one-handed bounce pass from halfcourt to split defenders for a layup.

[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Zion just blitzed a BC PnR, basically took the ball right out of the BC PG's hands, and made a really nice one-handed bounce pass from halfcourt to split defenders for a layup.

You beat me to it. I was going to post this play tomorrow morning. But yeah that's a high level defensive play. And then with all that. He makes the pass for the wide open layup. You want to know the even better part about the play. After he makes the pass. He is in a full sprint to fill the lane. Most players just stand there and watch the play unfold.

https://youtu.be/gRkJQo4F-7w

Look at his stat line.. 4 steals and 3 blocks


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[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

I got another bone to pick.....We obviously know Zion is the most unique player. RJ is most likely second or third on that list. And Ja is probably 3-5 on that list.

But man oh man... People really sleeping on Cam like that. What third wheel has ever actually been really good? I think of players like Kevin Love, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Klay Thompson and many others. The third spot is a tough spot to play out of.

I just saw this article on Bleacher report

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2817223-is-being-dukes-third-wheel-hurting-cam-reddishs-nba-draft-stock

Articles like these make me throw up. Basing everything on numbers.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Said it before and I'll say it again: Reddish is the biggest wild card in this draft. As of now, I want no part of him. He's a 6'8" perimeter guy who's shooting 36% from the floor and 34% from three. From what we've seen, he's the classic "shooter who can't shoot," but his stroke is good and he should be fine long term. His percentage is concerning because he gets a lot of great open looks due Duke being so loaded and he's still struggling with his shot.

He can create his own shot though and has decent defensive potential. He's a guy I'd feel better about drafting in the 6-10 range than Top 3. I don't think his ceiling is particularly high. Then again, he's a 6'8" guy who's shown he can create for himself and could be a pretty good defender. Those are pretty rare.

[Titans4lyfe]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

My two main concerns with Reddish is his finishing ability and ball handling(specifically in traffic with both). I don't know what his numbers are near the rim but it has to be poor. He's missed so many easy layups and really struggles finishing in traffic. He also loses the ball way too much when he's driving. I wonder if it's a lack of strength thing.

Having said that, he's slowly beginning to play better recently(averaging 18/3/3/2 on 41/38/100 shooting in our past 3 games. Again not great but better) and has not let his poor offense affect his defense throughout the year. I feel he could have a big final stretch of the season/tournament ala Justise Winslow in 2015, to get back in good grace with folks.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

My two main concerns with Reddish is his finishing ability and ball handling(specifically in traffic with both). I don't know what his numbers are near the rim but it has to be poor. He's missed so many easy layups and really struggles finishing in traffic. He also loses the ball way too much when he's driving. I wonder if it's a lack of strength thing.

It's amazing how poor he is at protecting the ball on drives in traffic. Maybe it's just the times I've watched but he seems like the ball gets stripped in the lane way too often.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Re: Cam Reddish

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1093573940499369984

Basically saying that nobody with his current shooting splits has ever been successful in the NBA.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Re: Cam Reddish

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1093573940499369984

Basically saying that nobody with his current shooting splits has ever been successful in the NBA.

And Reddish has gotten many more good/easy looks than Richardson had at Cuse. Been a while but I remember Richardson taking a lot of wild/bad/contested shots in college.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

And Reddish has gotten many more good/easy looks than Richardson had at Cuse. Been a while but I remember Richardson taking a lot of wild/bad/contested shots in college.

His shot selection was JR Smith bad. One of my least favorite Syracuse players.


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[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

It's amazing how poor he is at protecting the ball on drives in traffic. Maybe it's just the times I've watched but he seems like the ball gets stripped in the lane way too often.

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=87

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=54

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=68

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=116

He's not Zion (force), He's not RJ (he's sneaky)

Cam is just smooth as hell.

But I think he's overall problem is adjusting from being the number one guy to the number 3. He was handling the ball so much.

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=149

He loves the stepback off dribble.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=87

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=54

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=68

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=116

He's not Zion (force), He's not RJ (he's sneaky)

Cam is just smooth as hell.

But I think he's overall problem is adjusting from being the number one guy to the number 3. He was handling the ball so much.

https://youtu.be/UqJv-nlQzmM?t=149

He loves the stepback off dribble.

These are highlights; everyone looks good in their highlights. Put together a compilation of how many times he gets stripped in the lane.

I don't care how smooth he looks if he's can't shoot 40% from inside the arc. If you're shooting 39% from inside the arc it should be pretty easy to put together a lowlights clip.