[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

I’d like to discuss some of the wing prospects that may enter this year’s draft that have flashed enough combinations of skills that would make them become potential 3-and-D plus candidates in Bruce Brown of Miami, Donovan Mitchell of Louisville and Jacob Evans of Cincinatti.

I actually like all of these prospects so much compared to other guys that have usually been sloted in the mid-to-late lottery picks that I have them there as well. For one, I’m pretty down on all the bigs that’ll probably enter the draft like Williams, Patton, Hartenstein, Giles and Adebayo, even Markkanen to a degree. A lot of it has to do with how some of their defensive big men feel and skills will translate to the next level and every other big that I didn’t mention I think should be either a late-first or second-round pick on my big board, except Zach Collins, who’d the only big I like but won’t probably come out.

Now, lets get into the actual topic. For starters, Bruce Brown is killing it right now in Miami and is doing a lot of skills that he’d be overqualified to do in the NBA. He sort of the de-facto point guard with Newton in the U-M back court but he has the shot creation skills like that of a Dion Waiters except without all the knuckleheadedness, if that’s a word. He’s 6’5 at 190 but has a bulldog frame but good length to guard both one’s and two’s with his 6’9 wingspan. He just has really good feel and ball skills, throwing out some nice crossovers and hesitation dribbles to create space on his shot and I read somewhere that his pretty high in PPP for a catch-and-shoot two-guard this season which places him in that 3-and-D plus role, that is heavily valued right now in the NBA.

Mitchell is sort of the same player but shorter and with less vision and ball skill ability but he’s a slighty better shooter than Brown and understands defensive fundamentals and positioning a bit better to go along with his high motor. Now, it depends how believable you think his shot is because his gone on a tear this season shooting 36% on 6.6 3-pt attempts a game. I heard someone asking Jeff Goodman about how different is he really from Monk given shooting that well from that many attempts and playing at the size they’re both at and I wouldn’t go that far but it lets me view Mitchell should probably be higher than where he’s ranked on a lot of other big boards.

Lastly, Jacob Evans from Cincinatti is a your prototypical 3-and-D wing at his size 6’6½ with a nice wingspan and good base to guard both two’s and three’s, maybe have the footspeed to guard one’s too. He moves the ball really well once he’s in the triple treat position and he’s really shown that he’s a nice shooter from a lot of different facets like catch-and-shoot and coming off screens that I’d take the gamble select him in the lottery.

Anyways, I want to hear your thoughts on these three players, maybe even the Villanova wings in Bridges and Hart, both who I have in the teens as well but Bridges won’t declare and Hart I have just outside the lottery.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I think Mitchell is a great prospect and agree he will rise. He reminds me of Victor Oladipo. After Monk there arent many natural Gaurd type Shooting Gaurds mocked early in the draft which means someone will likely rise. Alot of people like Kennard, Allen and Bacon for me its between Trier and Mitchell. 

Havent watched Brown that much. In games I did see him he seemed kind of predicable . Kind of like Hardaway Jr. 

I saw the Cincinnati vs. Smu games this year and Evans never really stood out. What kind of player is he. 

 

 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

I can see how you get that impression of predictability from Brown. I just think he’s miscast at Miami as their primary go-to option, where if your had him in a tertiary role or maybe secondary role, his play would blossom much better than it has and with that aside, he’s already an amazing freshmen regardless of that.

As for Evans, if the shot really sticks, you’re potentially looking at another Danny Green. The good thing is throughout high school he was considered a good volume three-point shooter as well. You’re not asking him to dribble anything more than once but you’ll have a flexible defender at the wing. Cronin has instilled some good principals in him and he’s pretty engaged and intense. He shoots a quick one-motion shot but he’s super high in the air doing it, which gets him a clean look but I think he gets to high sometimes and it messes with the arch of his shot. I also want his sample size for coming off-screens to grow, you’ll see it once in a while and its good but Cincinatti not running it a lot for him. In the NBA, where everyone runs floppy sets, I think he’d do really well there. And his shot selection with his pull-up attempts can improve.

[kobyzParticipant]

Mikal Bridges is the next Danny Green…

[r377Participant]

Good write up.

For me I like Allonzo Trier, Josh Hart and Dillon Brooks. I think Trier can be an NBA starter and the other two should be able to make a roster spot.

Josh Hart currently ranked 41st and 36th on the other site, I have him going late in the first round.

Dillon Brooks currently ranked 45th on here, I think he goes late first or early second round.

Allonzo Trier currently ranked 31st on here, the kid can play and with the lack of quality SG I think he can go anywhere from 13th to 26th on the big day. I wouldn’t mind if my Pistons took him with their first round pick….

[kazamParticipant]

 I really like Donovan Mitchell. He has some impressive physical tools and his burgeoning shooting and playmaking. Understands how to change his pace in the PnR. Should be a better defender than he is, not a great off ball defender, gets back cut, is late to closeout and contest. I like him in the first round. I really think a team that is patient with him can mold him into whatever they need him to be. This may be a bit of a stretch but Avery Bradley lite, understanding how far he has to go on the defensive end to make that comp even possible. 

[r377Participant]

I am not high on Jacob Evans – all he is, is a open 3 point shooter – he struggles offensively in every area beside shooting the open 3 ball. He doesn’t have a quick release and the release is a bit low.

I don’t think he will even get drafted this year, I think he comes back for next season…

[r377Participant]

I dont’ like Donovan Mitchell. He too small and can’t finish at the rim. He isn’t a very good shooter.

I don’t think Donovan Mitchell is successful in the NBA.

[binetParticipant]

 Teams are looking for bigger wings that can play the Small Ball 4.

 6’8" athletic wing is the cream is what team wants. Surprising picks and rising players should be in that mold. That’s why mocks are overrating Justin Jackson recently despite low talent, and why Terrance Ferguson is still a lock in the first round despite hardly showing anything but bust promises: perfect NBA body and projectible number one skill in 3PT shooting has a lot of value.Same with guys like Devin Robinson, Jaron Blossomgame, Wesley Iwundu, VJ Beachem, and probably some unheralded international prospects that should become the next Davis Bertans that we have not necessarily seen yet (watch closely Hoop Summit’s 6’7"+ euro wings).

 

 

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