London's right though, you go under those screens every time against Fox, and if he beats you with long twos, you live with it. Especially with a guy like Ball who still has the length to contest after going under. You go over and Fox is going to get in the lane and wreak havoc all night.
Fox just turned 19 years old. He doesn't have to be able to shoot yet although I feel you're overstating his ability right now. He's shooting FT at 73% and has solid mechanics to grow this area of his game. Fox has all the physicals and is only lacking the most easily learnable skill for a PG.
Many future NBA PGs his age improved their shot from age 18-22 in college. The problem with phenoms today is that they have to do it while being in the NBA. Instead of honing their game for 4 years, taking 500 shots a day during the summer, and being on a college weight program they are having to do all this while on their rookie contract. It's a tough thing being a young player these days. The angst over players not being perfect in every sense of their game at 18 and 19 is absurd. Not directing this toward anyone in particular just a generalization.
I don't think there is "angst" over his ability to shoot or a denial of his potential to improve. There is a general concern that, as a top 5 pick, he has not yet shown that ability. It's a ridiculous straw man to say that this is a "tough thing" for a young player. It wasn't that long ago that these guys were coming to the league after high school. And, even ignoring that, no one is forcing these kids to leave after one year. They are doing it because it is better to get paid now, especially because it means that the flaws in your game can be discounted due to the ability to improve, than it is to play 4 years in college and develop your game against lesser competition. Finally, it's not exactly hard to get shooting reps in the D league.
After Fultz, Fox seems the best athlete of the bunch when factoring in position. Yes, Jackson is a great athlete but is he really a top-5 wing in terms of athleticism?
I was thinking Rondo which I don't think works well in Brad's offense. I think you need shooting from your guard and wing spots and if they can drop off and dare you to shoot while limiting your penetration you are neutering the entire set. Just my opinion but as much as I like Rajon I don't think fit is here for Fox. If we don't get Fultz I'd probably go to Jackson of Kansas next and then probably Tatum (I don't like Ball's shot, the fact that he doesn't seem to be able to go both ways and his loud father.)
I guess you and I disagree on the definition of "works." I guess you could say that Marcus "works" in this offense in a kind of hybrid big role. Most of his touches once he initiates and moves, come in the block or at the end of the clock for a heave. Fox isn't that guy, he's Rondo/E. Payton. He's ball dominant, a handler without a shot. Marcus also doesn't seem to have a shot but he doesn't require being ball dominant to be effective. I love Marcus for what he brings on the defensive end and for his tenacious rebounding, not for his offense.
In a cocaine heartbeat I would. The real muscle of this draft is the sheer depth of quality not necessarily a can't miss perennial all-star at the top.
Fair. I suppose if we end up trading Bradley, he could net pick in that range. Of the teams drafting there, only Philly is really a roster fit though. Philly could be an ideal fit for Bradley if Simmons ends up playing point forward for them. Bradley could start at the 1 defensively and not need to run the point on offense, which is the ideal use of his skill set. Philly badly needs floor spacing, and the value is probably more or less correct. A trade like this might also free up enough cap space to sign a marquee FA without losing Olynyk. On the other hand, it would make for a team that is trying to compete breaking in 4 rookies next year. That doesn't seem desirable, so I'd think we're more likely, even if we are trading Bradley, to look for NBA talent back or picks further into the future.
Maybe the agent has relationships with teams? Is able to get you private workouts or interviews? Imagine being a 20 year old kid, you have no idea how to do any of this stuff. And, if you hire an agent, you are most likely (save for the few knuckleheads that declare for no real reason every year) you are most likely playing ball next year, whether it's in the NBA, D - League or overseas.
It's really complicated just setting up itineraries and accommodations and stiff like that for getting to the various workouts and agents do that for kids. Plus some of the training tuff these kids do are uber-expensive and the agents front the fees.
And that small deal with Bazemore helped them land Curry.
The agent is CRUCIAL for the large majority of prospects in arranging workouts, scheduling them properly and placing certain guidelines on them to protect his client.
Yeah, Jaylen is one of the unique individuals who combine the intelligence that most 19-year old kids don't possess along with the advantage of only having a small handful of teams to focus on. I did state "large majority" as I never really understood why consensus #1 (or 2) picks wouldn't do this without paying the huge chunk of commission.
He's a 3, not a 4. He was forced into the 4 because MSU's front court depth got decimated on the first day of practice last year losing 2 bigs for the season. He will almost exclusively play the 3 next year. As a Spartan fan I'm thrilled to have him back a 2nd year.
Yeah, my point was, that since he doesn't have the length to play the the 4 consistently at the next level, his value is going to be capped. But this point, I think he'll pretty clearly play some minutes as a combo forward in the NBA, given the direction of the modern game. Unless he makes big strides in his ball-handling and general perimeter play, he gonna be a pretty unconventional 3, but add a inch or two of height and a couple of inches in length, and he'd be a great stretch 4 prospect. Given his young age for his class, some growth isn't entirely out of the question. I love his attitude and motor (in addition to his strength and athleticism), so hopefully he'll be able to fill the gaps in his game at the 3. As a casual MSU fan, I'd be happy to see him in East Lansing for another year.
Apparently money doesn't mean a lot to him because I doubt his draft position improves at all. So all he's going to accomplish is delaying his second contract and playing a year at NCAA wages rather than late lottery pick wages.
Not quite as surprising to me as Robert Williams, who was truly a shock given the relative weakness of this year's center class, but yeah, it's certainly rolling the dice financially. Apparently Bridges consulted Gary Harris about the decision. It's a bit refreshing to see an elite prospect actually think twice about making the jump. If he stays, I hope it works out for him. Another year learning from Izzo and being The Guy could benefit his long term development.
This could be an interesting discussion ---- what players have IMPROVED their financial outcomes by staying? I intentionally used "financial outcomes" instead of "draft slot" because there are plenty of guys that have improved their draft slot BUT did they do so enough to make up for a missing year of NBA salary? In fact, is it even mathematically possible to do so? I think you'd almost have to be considered "undrafted" to drafted to do it.
Anyone remember where Blake Griffin was projected after his freshman year? I think he was a guy who surprised people by staying. I'm not sure what the rookie scale was back then, but under the current scale the #1 pick would make about 5.2 million more over his first three years than the #5 pick, who's first year salary would be $3,227,100. It matters more at the top of the draft- the differences in draft slot salary decrease as you move down the draft board.
