Excellent stuff. I had a question about Nikola Durisic. You have mentioned his ability to take and make tough shots. What makes you confident that against better athletes and talent he will still be able to get those shots off and make them? I think of Adam Morrison (not necessarily to compare the two as I've never seen Nikola Durisic play) and how his lack of athleticism basically sent him out of the league when he came in as a tough shot taker and maker. Granted his injury made it worse but he was never very good even pre-injury in the NBA. Love your work!
I think the idea gets thrown that he's not quite an NBA athlete, yet his level of competition compared to certain prospects is better. He's more of a strength/coordination athlete than a twitchy one, but he has a strong base and upper body and has finished through contact well on some drives. I'm confident in his tough shot-making because unlike a ton of prospects, he's very comfortable at pull-up jumpers off the dribble, especially to long two distances. I can't say that for a lot of guys.
Morrison wasn't as physical of a driver, nor was he the vision/passing threat is out of pick and roll compared to Djurisic.
I saw you were really high on Brandin Podziemski (#15) in your latest fanspo big board.
I see he averaged 8.8 rebounds/GM last season and had a 39 inch vertical. Can you project how he will fair defensively in the NBA based on those two things, like maybe that he has a high motor and plays with physicality on the defensive end?
I know his shooting, off-the-dribble, will win raves and he seems to fire them up at-will, while making them at a really good rate. He also seems to have good vision in the half-court and transition. Just worried about him defensively.
Thanks for any insights since I don’t think you’ve written on him before…
I don't expect him to be a POA stopper but at least compensate with rebounding. Ending defensive possessions is important too. The vertical doesn't necessarily show there either.
I haven't written about him because I think LAL may go elsewhere. But he's every bit of the shooter, floater out to 15', great reader of an offense, passer, and unlike some players, plays to every bit of his physicality.
I still think he has the best shooting touch in the draft.
It is very difficult to come by. Ideally, they need to be able to defend 1 position well, and sometimes that high level of defensive intensity gets a player, "stretched out," meaning, they can't relax into a shot or the legs are burned, and they're missing shots.
I think Beasley is a better defender but the intensity and focus hasn't been there. Hield, the better shooter, but in the Western Conference, will be targeted.
Gradey Dick is a lottery player because of these skills and doesn't have the strongest core, so he'll still get attacked defensively. He's at least a highly capable defensive playmaker off ball, will draw gravity, and cut, but as we've seen with Reaves's rookie year, the legs didn't last a full season and the shooting dropped at the end.
This is why I don't expect rookies to produce in the playoffs.
Excellent stuff. I had a question about Nikola Durisic. You have mentioned his ability to take and make tough shots. What makes you confident that against better athletes and talent he will still be able to get those shots off and make them? I think of Adam Morrison (not necessarily to compare the two as I've never seen Nikola Durisic play) and how his lack of athleticism basically sent him out of the league when he came in as a tough shot taker and maker. Granted his injury made it worse but he was never very good even pre-injury in the NBA. Love your work!
I think the idea gets thrown that he's not quite an NBA athlete, yet his level of competition compared to certain prospects is better. He's more of a strength/coordination athlete than a twitchy one, but he has a strong base and upper body and has finished through contact well on some drives. I'm confident in his tough shot-making because unlike a ton of prospects, he's very comfortable at pull-up jumpers off the dribble, especially to long two distances. I can't say that for a lot of guys.
Morrison wasn't as physical of a driver, nor was he the vision/passing threat is out of pick and roll compared to Djurisic.
Thanks Mike!
Hey Mike,
I saw you were really high on Brandin Podziemski (#15) in your latest fanspo big board.
I see he averaged 8.8 rebounds/GM last season and had a 39 inch vertical. Can you project how he will fair defensively in the NBA based on those two things, like maybe that he has a high motor and plays with physicality on the defensive end?
I know his shooting, off-the-dribble, will win raves and he seems to fire them up at-will, while making them at a really good rate. He also seems to have good vision in the half-court and transition. Just worried about him defensively.
Thanks for any insights since I don’t think you’ve written on him before…
I don't expect him to be a POA stopper but at least compensate with rebounding. Ending defensive possessions is important too. The vertical doesn't necessarily show there either.
I haven't written about him because I think LAL may go elsewhere. But he's every bit of the shooter, floater out to 15', great reader of an offense, passer, and unlike some players, plays to every bit of his physicality.
I still think he has the best shooting touch in the draft.
Thanks for the response. Just read your new article, too! Such amazing insights! Thanks for all your hard work!
Hi Mike, you've discussed about regular season vs playoff movement shooters. Out of curiosity, how would you class Buddy Hield and Malik Beasley?
It seems like playoffs movement shooter is rare to come by? Is there anyone who's one in recent / this coming draft?
It is very difficult to come by. Ideally, they need to be able to defend 1 position well, and sometimes that high level of defensive intensity gets a player, "stretched out," meaning, they can't relax into a shot or the legs are burned, and they're missing shots.
I think Beasley is a better defender but the intensity and focus hasn't been there. Hield, the better shooter, but in the Western Conference, will be targeted.
Gradey Dick is a lottery player because of these skills and doesn't have the strongest core, so he'll still get attacked defensively. He's at least a highly capable defensive playmaker off ball, will draw gravity, and cut, but as we've seen with Reaves's rookie year, the legs didn't last a full season and the shooting dropped at the end.
This is why I don't expect rookies to produce in the playoffs.
Thanks for the reply!