A Closer Look at RJ Hunter

[EdMonix11]

Stay away from this guy! His shot selection is horrible, he's doesn't project to be a good defender at the next level, and he's very streaky. Sure, in a highlight reel, his shot looks good, but he shot 39% from the field and 29% from 3 in college despite being almost 22 years old… Can't see him suddenly becoming an efficient shooter in the NBA if he can't shoot the ball even semi-well in college as a junior. Very concerning for a guy whose primary strength is supposed to be shooting. If you look at current NBA sharpshooters like Curry, Kyrie, Korver, Klay, Reddick, etc, they were all efficient shooters in college.

Please, Cavs, take Hollis-Jefferson and don't look back!

What are you talking about?

You have to understand, this kid was practically Georgia State's entire offense. He shot 36% and 40% from 3-point the previous two seasons, he's always been around 90% from FT. The Kyle Korver defense was how you slowed him down this year. He responded by forcing some bad shots but he also led his team in assists-- so he's not JUST a shooter.

Not a good defender? He averaged two steals per game for his college career and he's super long. He's not the most athletic guy but he's instinctual. He's 6'6" with a 6'10.5" wingspan...hard not to be at least a decent defender with those measurables.

Not saying I want him, but a little perspective goes a long way in these situations. There's also no way he lasts long enough in the draft for the Cavs to take him. I guess he shot 19-25 from 3-point in a recent draft workout. If that continues, he's off the board mid to late lottery....

 

[All4One1ForAll]

What are you talking about?

RJ Hunter. I thought that was obvious.

You have to understand, this kid was practically Georgia State's entire offense. He shot 36% and 40% from 3-point the previous two seasons, he's always been around 90% from FT. The Kyle Korver defense was how you slowed him down this year. He responded by forcing some bad shots but he also led his team in assists-- so he's not JUST a shooter.

It doesn't matter if he was "practically Georgia State's entire offense." Most college kids who are headed to the NBA were their entire team's offense, except for those on teams like Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas. Yet guys like Curry, Korver, etc, still found ways to be incredibly efficient. I realize he was more efficient the previous years, which does help his case, but it is worrisome that he couldn't shoot it very well in his most recent year of play. He's maidenly inconsistent, which is a big red flag for me.

He's also not athletic, which is pretty much demanded in the current NBA, especially at the SG position, unless you're absolutely lights out like Kyle Korver. His first step is slow, his leaping ability is poor, and he has trouble finishing over length. All of those lacking attributes would trouble me if I were a GM.

Not a good defender? He averaged two steals per game for his college career and he's super long. He's not the most athletic guy but he's instinctual. He's 6'6" with a 6'10.5" wingspan...hard not to be at least a decent defender with those measurables.

Notice I said that he doesn't project to be a good one at the NBA level. He doesn't have the lateral quickness or general athleticism to stop guys from getting past him, which was very evident even in college, and in the NBA, it's only harder to stop guys from beating you off the dribble. Yes, he has good height and length, but that doesn't translate to being a good defender. It definitely helps, but when you're as lacking in athleticism and strength (the fact that he's only 180 pounds at almost 22 years old leaves me wondering how much more he'll be able to fill out) as Hunter is, lots of times it doesn't matter.

Not saying I want him, but a little perspective goes a long way in these situations. There's also no way he lasts long enough in the draft for the Cavs to take him. I guess he shot 19-25 from 3-point in a recent draft workout. If that continues, he's off the board mid to late lottery....

Well, I'm hoping the Cavs take RHJ instead. If he's gone, then shoot for the stars and take Robert Upshaw. He has his personal issues which are big red flags, but that kind of upside usually isn't available in the late first round, and it's possible that LeBron will be able to help him sort things out, a la JR Smith.

 

[EdMonix11]

RJ Hunter. I thought that was obvious.

It doesn't matter if he was "practically Georgia State's entire offense." Most college kids who are headed to the NBA were their entire team's offense, except for those on teams like Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas. Yet guys like Curry, Korver, etc, still found ways to be incredibly efficient. I realize he was more efficient the previous years, which does help his case, but it is worrisome that he couldn't shoot it very well in his most recent year of play. He's maidenly inconsistent, which is a big red flag for me.

He's also not athletic, which is pretty much demanded in the current NBA, especially at the SG position, unless you're absolutely lights out like Kyle Korver. His first step is slow, his leaping ability is poor, and he has trouble finishing over length. All of those lacking attributes would trouble me if I were a GM.

Notice I said that he doesn't project to be a good one at the NBA level. He doesn't have the lateral quickness or general athleticism to stop guys from getting past him, which was very evident even in college, and in the NBA, it's only harder to stop guys from beating you off the dribble. Yes, he has good height and length, but that doesn't translate to being a good defender. It definitely helps, but when you're as lacking in athleticism and strength (the fact that he's only 180 pounds at almost 22 years old leaves me wondering how much more he'll be able to fill out) as Hunter is, lots of times it doesn't matter.

Well, I'm hoping the Cavs take RHJ instead. If he's gone, then shoot for the stars and take Robert Upshaw. He has his personal issues which are big red flags, but that kind of upside usually isn't available in the late first round, and it's possible that LeBron will be able to help him sort things out, a la JR Smith.

I'm not going to respond to all of this because I don't care if we take the kid but you really seem to adamant against it for some odd reason. The hot takes are out of control. It's funny you use two of the better shooters in the modern history of the game to gauge this kid's shooting ability against....just stop, dude, we're picking 24th, temper your expectations. I don't really care who we take, they'll probably be traded anyways, but I see the merit in possibly taking Hunter and I'll leave it at that. He's long and can shoot the ball from distance. I don't care if he's not a HoF caliber shooter but I think he could have a role here. It's great that you prefer someone else but that doesn't mean everyone else is terrible. You lost me on the whole Upshaw thing. His issues are nothing remotely close to JR's and LeBron is no babysitter.

 

[All4One1ForAll]

I'm not going to respond to all of this because I don't care if we take the kid but you really seem to adamant against it for some odd reason. The hot takes are out of control. It's funny you use two of the better shooters in the modern history of the game to gauge this kid's shooting ability against....just stop, dude, we're picking 24th, temper your expectations. I don't really care who we take, they'll probably be traded anyways, but I see the merit in possibly taking Hunter and I'll leave it at that. He's long and can shoot the ball from distance. I don't care if he's not a HoF caliber shooter but I think he could have a role here. It's great that you prefer someone else but that doesn't mean everyone else is terrible. You lost me on the whole Upshaw thing. His issues are nothing remotely close to JR's and LeBron is no babysitter.

Sigh. I hate when people respond like this. Just have a rational debate. I'm not trying to sound aggressive and I have no idea why you're getting so offended. I'm supporting why I think we should avoid Hunter. Yes, we're picking 24th, but that doesn't mean we should just pick anyone just because players picked in the late first round rarely amount to much. I just think RHJ and Upshaw are better options. And I didn't just reference his shooting. I noted a lot of weaknesses in his game/physical attributes that would scare me off as a GM.

 

[Willard513]

Watched a lot of this kids highlights today and he reminds me of a poor mans/bigger Stephen curry with a surprisingly similar shot. Main difference too me was worse ball handling/passing but much more defensive potential, especially given his 6'9 wingspan. His shot is so smooth and he is very effective in all forms of scoring including 3's(off screens, PnR, and cuts as well as off the dribble and spotting up), floaters, and different lay ups.

His defense still leaves a lot to be desired but it was still fairly effective especially given his high usage rate.

My biggest issue with him is his mental makeup. Sure he does not shay away from the spotlight, but the difference in talent and skill between the Sun Belt conference and the NBA is large.

 

[Dr. Claw]

if the Cavs can't get nothing better for #24.... BRING HIM IN. I want him on the Cavs bench next season. He could be the Cavs version of Klay Thompson.

 

[Dr. Claw]

He was there, and the Cavs traded with the Wolves. For what?
And then the goddamn Celtics picked him. I'm pissed.

Cavs need scoring. SCORING! SCORING! and cheap!

 

[BimboColesHair]

He was there, and the Cavs traded with the Wolves. For what?

So we don't have the cap hold and the guaranteed contract of a 1st round pick after, I'm assuming, the players left on our board were scooped up in the few picks before us.

Cavs need scoring. SCORING! SCORING! and cheap!

No, we don't. 3rd in the league in Offensive Rating. 8th in points per game. Besides, we have JR and Shump as our SGs, so where does he get playing time?

 

[Adam]

Quick change the title to RJ hunter will make 25 teams pay!

I do t get the hype and neither it appears did most scouts

 

[Dr. Claw]

So we don't have the cap hold and the guaranteed contract of a 1st round pick after, I'm assuming, the players left on our board were scooped up in the few picks before us.



No, we don't. 3rd in the league in Offensive Rating. 8th in points per game. Besides, we have JR and Shump as our SGs, so where does he get playing time?

3rd in the league is likely skewed by the Cavs' starters; this pick was not meant to be a starting player or a considerable contributor in the upcoming season, more like a cheap way to get some points off the bench. The Cavs desperately need bench scoring. Shump is more of a defensive player, and while JR saved the Cavs in the Hawks series, he isn't the most reliable one out there. I'm thinking that for right now, someone that can fill in where James Jones et al were supposed to, but down the line can be something more for cheap.

3rd in the league in offensive rating just tells me that the starters are doing their jobs. But as we saw, not being able to rest any of them (or use them for that matter) can derail our plans to go further.

But I see that "guaranteed contract" conditions dictated the Cavs trading out of the first round altogether, and picking the rights to an international player who would likely never see playing time on the Cavs with one of the picks recieved in return and IMO the best player available with the second is just further confirmation that not being able to shop that pick further forced the Cavs to just hang flyers and save money with what is sure to be a ridiculous payroll.