Best game of the season for him, easily, and he did show some positive signs on defense, but that play in particular was nothing special. The guy he's guarding is a freshman who only started getting minutes last month and who's averaging just 2 points per game. And in spite of having a 6 inch height advantage and perfect position, he somehow failed to block the shot, resulting in an offensive rebound for ASU. Compared to what we've seen Bamba and Jackson Jr. do in similar situations, this is nothing.
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2018 NBA Draft - June 21
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Best game of the season for him, easily, and he did show some positive signs on defense, but that play in particular was nothing special. The guy he's guarding is a freshman who only started getting minutes last month and who's averaging just 2 points per game. And in spite of having a 6 inch height advantage and perfect position, he somehow failed to block the shot, resulting in an offensive rebound for ASU. Compared to what we've seen Bamba and Jackson Jr. do in similar situations, this is nothing.
blommen
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I agree that it isn't a matter of laziness for him, but I don't think boredom is the problem either. From what I've read and seen of Ayton this year it seems more like he has a very specific idea of the kind of player he wants to be, and that's a power forward. I would imagine that could have been a somewhat contentious point when it came to college recruitment and Ayton was so highly touted out of high school that I bet he would've had some say regarding his role on his up coming college team, so maybe the coaches don't really have much of a choice.
Now, this isn't to suggest that he's a malcontent because it sounds like he's a hard worker and his team mates love him, but is he a bit of a diva? I'm starting to think so a little bit. You can tell that he expects to be a star and wants to be one, and I don't even think that is necessarily a bad trait to have. The problem arises when that confidence and belief in himself stops him from evolving his game in the most productive manner.
I mean, let's not kid ourselves, Ayton is an NBA center, full stop. it's the position where his athleticism and graceful movement offers him the biggest advantage. He will have to come to terms with making that transition at some point, and the fact that he hasn't started doing it earlier, when he was 6'10'' at 16 years of age, is tremendously disappointing to me.
Mikal Bridges might be a better pro than some of the guys mentioned in the top 5 or 6.
Dude does every thing you need to on the wing. Reminds me of Kawhi with a smaller build, and less aggression. More of a savvy player with the ball in his hands, and can dominate the ball or play off-ball.
Dude does every thing you need to on the wing. Reminds me of Kawhi with a smaller build, and less aggression. More of a savvy player with the ball in his hands, and can dominate the ball or play off-ball.
It's weird...in my opinion, Mikal has been standing out less and less relative to all the other upperclassmen 3&D style wings. He's still obviously the best of the bunch, but he hasn't developed into one of the top five or so players in the country like I thought he might earlier this season. I'd have him late lottery right now.
MirORich
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Is the thinking that offense is more innate and that defense can be drastically improved by the level of coaching, higher level of teammates in the pros, and supervised time available to put in as a professional?(provided of course that the player has at least the baseline amount of required athleticism and measurable for his position)
Noticed that DX did a nice series on Doncic following Euroleague that I had overlooked until now. I'd like to point out his passing in particular:
As I've said before, he's not just a "high IQ for a wing" kind of guy. His pure passing skills are on par with prospects like Rubio and Ball, which is to say he'd probably merit a top-5 pick even if the rest of his game was a giant questionmark.
transition game:
pick&roll scoring:
off ball scoring:
isolation game:
defense:
I'll also note that he's answered some of the questions about his scoring ability since the time of these videos (last fall's Eurobasket). After averaging a modest 19.4 points/40 on 56% true shooting in Eurobasket, he's averaging 25.6 points/40 on 62% true shooting so far in this Euroleague/ACB season. An improved handle and a brand-new post up game are to thank for that, I believe.
As I've said before, he's not just a "high IQ for a wing" kind of guy. His pure passing skills are on par with prospects like Rubio and Ball, which is to say he'd probably merit a top-5 pick even if the rest of his game was a giant questionmark.
transition game:
pick&roll scoring:
off ball scoring:
isolation game:
MEDIA=youtube]EYZSRVHamh0[/MEDIA]
defense:
I'll also note that he's answered some of the questions about his scoring ability since the time of these videos (last fall's Eurobasket). After averaging a modest 19.4 points/40 on 56% true shooting in Eurobasket, he's averaging 25.6 points/40 on 62% true shooting so far in this Euroleague/ACB season. An improved handle and a brand-new post up game are to thank for that, I believe.
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And he's 18 freaking years old....
The other thing I really like about him is that he's the son of a professional player, who is now a coach. So he absolutely just gets it in terms of what it takes to build a team, and the importance of working on your game. It also is absolutely clear that the kid just loves playing basketball.
Sir'Dom Pointer
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Young's shot has fallen so hard, and it also looks like he has been slightly figured out. It sucks that he has regressed because I want him to stay in the top 5.
Did you notice that rebound by Bamba on one of the first possessions of the game where one of the Oklahoma guys thought he had it and then Bamba reached from behind him with his long arms and just ripped it away effortlessly? That's something that stands out about him when you watch him...for such a skinny, lanky guy he has remarkably strong and fast hands .
Sir'Dom Pointer
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He has also filled up pretty nicely. His frame is ridiculous man.
He has great hands and his lob radius and rebound radius because of his good vertical and reach is pretty crazy. But even with his ridiculous measurements, looking at his synergy stats, he isn't close to being the same defender as Jaren Jackson has been this year. He has ways to go in defending PnR plays.
Refs really help Young when he is struggling. I have no doubt he is going to get good ref treatment in the NBA...
MD13
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It's been a couple of weeks since I've watched Bamba live, and his decision making on offense is night and day since the last time. That split second hesitation when he catches the ball is gone and he's made some really confident moves as soon as he catches it. It looks like "the game has slowed down" a bit for him. Really impressive to see
Sir'Dom Pointer
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Bamba has to be atleast 7'... no way he is 6'11 lol.