[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

I honestly don’t see a big difference in the three. I think the Kristaps hype has helped Bender a lot. He seems to have a better feel for the game than Maker and Skal at this point, but that’s not saying a lot. I mean, if you watch Bender, you see some nba skills, but I’m not sure he has enough to be an all-star. His offensive game is basically limited to attacking closeouts and spot up shooting, but he’s not even that good at those. His post game and ISO game may develop, but I don’t see much right now. Bender reminds me of Jonas Jerebko – not a bad NBA player, but best as a role player.

Skal and Maker are basically limited to spot up shooting right now. They still need to attack closeouts and learn the post game, but you could argue that both of them are better athletes than Bender. Skal is the thinnest, but Maker and Bender are pretty comparable right now. 

I’d probably still pick Bender first, but I think their potential is actually pretty comparable, depending on the situation they get in. 

Players with below average skill and feel need a system that has rhythm. If Maker, Skal, and Bender get in a system where they get the ball in the same position consistently, they will develop confidence in those situations and then can branch out from there. 

When I look at the three of them, I see similar athleticism, size, offensive skill set, defensive potential, IQ, and feel for the game. 

I STILL LIKE BENDER BEST, but I don’t think Maker and Skal are as far behind as currently ranked. I think Bender should be a bit lower, and Maker should be in the early teens with Skal right now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

With the Rabb news they are all high lottery picks now. Maker had the most upside but Bender will go ahead of them. 

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

With the Rabb news they are all high lottery picks now. Maker had the most upside but Bender will go ahead of them. 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Deyonte Davis is another one. He has a more raw jumpshot, but he is probably a better big man defender than the others. 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Deyonte Davis is another one. He has a more raw jumpshot, but he is probably a better big man defender than the others. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I just don’t see how Labissiere goes late lotto yet Maker goes late 1st. It seems like mock drafts are just slotting him in the 20’s so during the predraft process they can use him as click bait. I can see it now, headlines stating "Thon Maker rising up draft boards". 

If you replaced Skal with Thon this year it is hard to believe he would perform worse than Labissiere. I actually believe although both players are high risk they are also high reward and in this draft both players deserve lottery consideration.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I just don’t see how Labissiere goes late lotto yet Maker goes late 1st. It seems like mock drafts are just slotting him in the 20’s so during the predraft process they can use him as click bait. I can see it now, headlines stating "Thon Maker rising up draft boards". 

If you replaced Skal with Thon this year it is hard to believe he would perform worse than Labissiere. I actually believe although both players are high risk they are also high reward and in this draft both players deserve lottery consideration.

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I agree there are similarities. Bender cannot play center considering his dinosaur arms and that he doesn’t have the atheticism to make up for it. You would think Labisierre could handle center considering his measurements and blocking ability, but he’s so far from fierce I’d be worried he’ll never get beyond PF. Maker has the measurements, athleticism, and grit to play center after he gains 20-30 pounds. He’s not a free swinger at blocking shots, he has the Roy Hibbert, go straight up approach. Labisierre is impressive in that his blocks aren’t from being athletic, it comes from the quickness in his hands. 

Offensively, Labissiere has the best shot of the trio. Form looks great and he has great post moves. He’s like Okafor without the strength, but with a jumper. In no time he’ll be hitting 3’s. Bender has a good overall offensive game. Maker’s shot has great form, but it doesn’t fall enough yet. That’ll come. He has great footwork, but he’s not really a post player yet. His great offensive ability will come from taking centers out to the three point line, taking the other teams shot blocker out of the occasion, and driving often on a slower big man. He will take more time, but I see more upside in him and Labissiere. Bender will be better on day 1. So if a playoff team gets the pick, Bender should be the guy. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I agree there are similarities. Bender cannot play center considering his dinosaur arms and that he doesn’t have the atheticism to make up for it. You would think Labisierre could handle center considering his measurements and blocking ability, but he’s so far from fierce I’d be worried he’ll never get beyond PF. Maker has the measurements, athleticism, and grit to play center after he gains 20-30 pounds. He’s not a free swinger at blocking shots, he has the Roy Hibbert, go straight up approach. Labisierre is impressive in that his blocks aren’t from being athletic, it comes from the quickness in his hands. 

Offensively, Labissiere has the best shot of the trio. Form looks great and he has great post moves. He’s like Okafor without the strength, but with a jumper. In no time he’ll be hitting 3’s. Bender has a good overall offensive game. Maker’s shot has great form, but it doesn’t fall enough yet. That’ll come. He has great footwork, but he’s not really a post player yet. His great offensive ability will come from taking centers out to the three point line, taking the other teams shot blocker out of the occasion, and driving often on a slower big man. He will take more time, but I see more upside in him and Labissiere. Bender will be better on day 1. So if a playoff team gets the pick, Bender should be the guy. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Bender has "dinosaur arms" yet his standing reach was already measured at 9’3, which is 3" longer than Skal’s.  If Bender has "dinosaur arms," what does Skal have?

Skal is nothing like Okafor without the strength.  His post game isn’t even good.  All he really has is a right-handed jump hook if he manages to get deep position and he can turn left shoulder for a turnaround.  He doesn’t feel his defender and he has no counters or counter counters.  For him to get off his first move, he has to establish deep position, which is a major problem for him because his base is super weak and he has a naturally high center of gravity. I don’t foresee him posting up much at the next level because of how soft he is.

I’m not sure what you’ve been watching but Maker’s footwork sucks.  He’s got that Adreian Payne-like, top-heavy, baby deer leg coordination where he loses his balance easily.  He predetermines his moves, which means he has no concept of reading or reacting to a defender as if he’s trying to execute a move vs a chair.  He also rushes his moves too, which again leads to him losing his balance, stumbling, traveling or taking off-balanced shots. And that is if he actually catches the ball cleanly near the post which he struggles to do with his bad, small hands. Have you even watched an entire game of Thon’s? Judging my your analysis I would guess that you haven’t. Here’s a game right here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGiB7Hf63ok 

  Watch that and tell me what you think of his footwork and coordination

Basically, I disagree with your entire post.

 I personally think Bender is the clear cut best prospect of the 3 and it really isn’t even close.  Bender’s understanding and feel for the game is phenomenal.  He doesn’t project to be an amazing scorer, but you can trust him mkaing decisions with the ball in his hands as a hub which I can’t say the same for either Skal or Thon who both show a poor feel for the game.  I also think Bender’s the most fluid, coordinated and agile of the 3.  Just watch him move laterally in space, it’s almost SF-esque.  So combine that with his basketball intelligence and I think his potential as a help defender is immense.  Neither Thon nor Skal really know how to play.  Skal is super soft and doesn’t know to assert himself and you can’t trust him to make a decision with the ball outside of shoot.  Maker could maybe ovecome some of his many deficiencies with his energetic play, but that’s all I see him ever becoming, a possible energy guy with length.

 

 

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Bender has "dinosaur arms" yet his standing reach was already measured at 9’3, which is 3" longer than Skal’s.  If Bender has "dinosaur arms," what does Skal have?

Skal is nothing like Okafor without the strength.  His post game isn’t even good.  All he really has is a right-handed jump hook if he manages to get deep position and he can turn left shoulder for a turnaround.  He doesn’t feel his defender and he has no counters or counter counters.  For him to get off his first move, he has to establish deep position, which is a major problem for him because his base is super weak and he has a naturally high center of gravity. I don’t foresee him posting up much at the next level because of how soft he is.

I’m not sure what you’ve been watching but Maker’s footwork sucks.  He’s got that Adreian Payne-like, top-heavy, baby deer leg coordination where he loses his balance easily.  He predetermines his moves, which means he has no concept of reading or reacting to a defender as if he’s trying to execute a move vs a chair.  He also rushes his moves too, which again leads to him losing his balance, stumbling, traveling or taking off-balanced shots. And that is if he actually catches the ball cleanly near the post which he struggles to do with his bad, small hands. Have you even watched an entire game of Thon’s? Judging my your analysis I would guess that you haven’t. Here’s a game right here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGiB7Hf63ok 

  Watch that and tell me what you think of his footwork and coordination

Basically, I disagree with your entire post.

 I personally think Bender is the clear cut best prospect of the 3 and it really isn’t even close.  Bender’s understanding and feel for the game is phenomenal.  He doesn’t project to be an amazing scorer, but you can trust him mkaing decisions with the ball in his hands as a hub which I can’t say the same for either Skal or Thon who both show a poor feel for the game.  I also think Bender’s the most fluid, coordinated and agile of the 3.  Just watch him move laterally in space, it’s almost SF-esque.  So combine that with his basketball intelligence and I think his potential as a help defender is immense.  Neither Thon nor Skal really know how to play.  Skal is super soft and doesn’t know to assert himself and you can’t trust him to make a decision with the ball outside of shoot.  Maker could maybe ovecome some of his many deficiencies with his energetic play, but that’s all I see him ever becoming, a possible energy guy with length.

 

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

We define footwork differently because nothing in that video says bad footwork to me. He got tripped a couple times, slipped, and got knocked over. So what? Obviously, that was a substandard game for him. The good footwork showed at the top of the key with some cross over moves, followed by a jumper. Otherwise, there wasn’t any footwork showcased. He didn’t try to drive on anyone and he didn’t post up. So what are you looking for? 

I’ve seen plenty Maker games and Skai games, but only clips of Bender. I read his height and wingspan were the same. Obviously, if his reach is 9’3", his wingspan is longer. He still doesn’t use it well enough to be a center unless they’re playing small ball. 

I stand by Skai having good moves. Had he any strength or tenacity, he’d be way better. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Footwork isn’t just execution, it’s balance. Thon loses his balance easily.  He’s actually pretty gangly and uncoordinated.  Even when he tries to execute moves in space he’s all hunched over like he’s anticipating losing the ball.  I don’t see the feel, the balance, patience associated with someone with good footwork so I’m just gonna completely disagree with you on that.  I don’t see those traits in Skal either ftm.  In space, facing up he shows more promise, but not in the post. I don’t see any of these guys being real post threats except for Skal in the mid-post face up and Bender in the high post.  With Thon I don’t really see any projectable offensive skill.

Bender won’t play C. but he still has better dimensions than Skal who’s length is actually more comparable to average NBA PF’s. Even as a PF I think Bender has more defensive potential than all 3 because of his agility and smarts.  Thon would be right behind him in terms of defensive potential because of his length and energy with Skal a distant 3rd with his inattentiveness, poor feel, inconsistent energy and general softness.

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Footwork isn’t just execution, it’s balance. Thon loses his balance easily.  He’s actually pretty gangly and uncoordinated.  Even when he tries to execute moves in space he’s all hunched over like he’s anticipating losing the ball.  I don’t see the feel, the balance, patience associated with someone with good footwork so I’m just gonna completely disagree with you on that.  I don’t see those traits in Skal either ftm.  In space, facing up he shows more promise, but not in the post. I don’t see any of these guys being real post threats except for Skal in the mid-post face up and Bender in the high post.  With Thon I don’t really see any projectable offensive skill.

Bender won’t play C. but he still has better dimensions than Skal who’s length is actually more comparable to average NBA PF’s. Even as a PF I think Bender has more defensive potential than all 3 because of his agility and smarts.  Thon would be right behind him in terms of defensive potential because of his length and energy with Skal a distant 3rd with his inattentiveness, poor feel, inconsistent energy and general softness.

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

We define footwork differently because nothing in that video says bad footwork to me. He got tripped a couple times, slipped, and got knocked over. So what? Obviously, that was a substandard game for him. The good footwork showed at the top of the key with some cross over moves, followed by a jumper. Otherwise, there wasn’t any footwork showcased. He didn’t try to drive on anyone and he didn’t post up. So what are you looking for? 

I’ve seen plenty Maker games and Skai games, but only clips of Bender. I read his height and wingspan were the same. Obviously, if his reach is 9’3", his wingspan is longer. He still doesn’t use it well enough to be a center unless they’re playing small ball. 

I stand by Skai having good moves. Had he any strength or tenacity, he’d be way better. 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

I am not sure at this point, but as a Celtic fan with multiple draft picks, I am very glad to read this thread. keep it going.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

 Celtic fan here also. This is why, if they get the 3rd pick, I want them to take Murray and then Maker, followed by stand prospects. 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

 Celtic fan here also. This is why, if they get the 3rd pick, I want them to take Murray and then Maker, followed by stand prospects. 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

I am not sure at this point, but as a Celtic fan with multiple draft picks, I am very glad to read this thread. keep it going.

[Author]

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