The Art of Passing: D’Angelo Russell vs Tony Wroten (Post Freshmen Season Prospects)

 Let me think for a sec … Russell wins.

 Let me think for a sec … Russell wins.

I will pretty impressed if many people are able to recall both of their seasons well enough to complete this challenge. 

I feel like those two nasty sidespin backdoor passes that D’angelo Russell made have really strengthened his stock as an elite passer. Outside of a couple highlight plays he struck me as an above average passer, but definitely a shoot first guy. 

I will pretty impressed if many people are able to recall both of their seasons well enough to complete this challenge. 

I feel like those two nasty sidespin backdoor passes that D’angelo Russell made have really strengthened his stock as an elite passer. Outside of a couple highlight plays he struck me as an above average passer, but definitely a shoot first guy. 

How about you do it

How about you do it

 Wroten was clueless (and still is) when it came to making the simple pass.  Instead of moving the ball, he’d hold onto it and attempt something more risky, try to make basic passes look flashy or make some other garbage play. Russell plays at pace, allows plays to develop and he anticipates.  Because of his pace and ability to pull up, he projects to be an exceptional PnR ball-handler.  He passes teammates open, hitting them on the move as opposed to driving, kicking, throwing bail out passes at stationary targets who were watching him otherwise pound the crap out of the ball.  His passes aren’t just reactive drive and kick like Wroten. Russell sprays the ball around and shifts the defense, racking up assists within the flow so he’ll be able to function well in a structured offense.  Wroten held onto the ball so that he could get the assist.

2 totally different players and passing styles. One benefits the team, the other is self-serving, stats generating oriented and flashy for the sake of being flashy.

 Wroten was clueless (and still is) when it came to making the simple pass.  Instead of moving the ball, he’d hold onto it and attempt something more risky, try to make basic passes look flashy or make some other garbage play. Russell plays at pace, allows plays to develop and he anticipates.  Because of his pace and ability to pull up, he projects to be an exceptional PnR ball-handler.  He passes teammates open, hitting them on the move as opposed to driving, kicking, throwing bail out passes at stationary targets who were watching him otherwise pound the crap out of the ball.  His passes aren’t just reactive drive and kick like Wroten. Russell sprays the ball around and shifts the defense, racking up assists within the flow so he’ll be able to function well in a structured offense.  Wroten held onto the ball so that he could get the assist.

2 totally different players and passing styles. One benefits the team, the other is self-serving, stats generating oriented and flashy for the sake of being flashy.

 So I guess nobody wants to answer the question. I didn’t follow Wroten in college so unfortunately I can’t rightfully say what I think about his passing. But if I did watch him, I’d probably at least answer the question.

 So I guess nobody wants to answer the question. I didn’t follow Wroten in college so unfortunately I can’t rightfully say what I think about his passing. But if I did watch him, I’d probably at least answer the question.

 I watched Wroten and Ross that year.  I love Wroten for the scoring machine he is.  Give him the ball and he goes right to the rack ever time.  Draws fouls gets FT’s.  Just don’t leave him in there or he starts jackin up threes and thinking too much. Also for the record I liked Ross better than Wroten. Still not sure whos better.

 I watched Wroten and Ross that year.  I love Wroten for the scoring machine he is.  Give him the ball and he goes right to the rack ever time.  Draws fouls gets FT’s.  Just don’t leave him in there or he starts jackin up threes and thinking too much. Also for the record I liked Ross better than Wroten. Still not sure whos better.

 Wroten Avg 16.0 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.7 ats, 3.7 T.O.’s, 1.9 stl 44.3% FG% 6’5” 205 Lbs, Freak athlete, explosive leaper, great 1st step, V. Poor 3pt shooter & Often plays out of control…played in the Pac-12…. Drafted 1st Rnd #25 overall…

Russell Avg 19.3 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.9 T.O.’s, 1.6 stl, 44.9% FG% ^’5” 180 Lbs, Excellent passer, Subpar athlete, No 1st Step, Can Not create his own shot, very poor defender… Played in Big 10… Drafted 1st Rnd # 2 overall…

Not sure why we’re breaking down 10 differnt type of passes, just say you think Russell is the better player / prospect… For me, I do Not like Either guy at the Pro Level… Wroten has excellent size & freakish athleticism but plays Completely out of control, Can Not shoot the 3 at all, he can get to the Rim but b/c no one respects his shot, he’s not fooling anyone. Other than an energy guy off the becnh to scored a few transition baskets, I’m not sure there is Anything you can do w/ him at this Level….

  Russell is Very slighlty built, he played at Less than 180 Lbs most of the year, he does Everything slowly, terrible shot release (slow), can Not create his own shot, can Not get by anyone, Can Not defend Anyone… But he throw a spin pass as long as no one guards him… Only problem is that the top Guards in the West are going to eat him alive… The Lakers may want to bring him off the bench this first year b/c there is a real chance his confidence will be Destroyed otherwise…

Russell Score: 1

Wroten Score: 0

Winner: No One / The Other Team

 Wroten Avg 16.0 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.7 ats, 3.7 T.O.’s, 1.9 stl 44.3% FG% 6’5” 205 Lbs, Freak athlete, explosive leaper, great 1st step, V. Poor 3pt shooter & Often plays out of control…played in the Pac-12…. Drafted 1st Rnd #25 overall…

Russell Avg 19.3 pts, 5.7 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.9 T.O.’s, 1.6 stl, 44.9% FG% ^’5” 180 Lbs, Excellent passer, Subpar athlete, No 1st Step, Can Not create his own shot, very poor defender… Played in Big 10… Drafted 1st Rnd # 2 overall…

Not sure why we’re breaking down 10 differnt type of passes, just say you think Russell is the better player / prospect… For me, I do Not like Either guy at the Pro Level… Wroten has excellent size & freakish athleticism but plays Completely out of control, Can Not shoot the 3 at all, he can get to the Rim but b/c no one respects his shot, he’s not fooling anyone. Other than an energy guy off the becnh to scored a few transition baskets, I’m not sure there is Anything you can do w/ him at this Level….

  Russell is Very slighlty built, he played at Less than 180 Lbs most of the year, he does Everything slowly, terrible shot release (slow), can Not create his own shot, can Not get by anyone, Can Not defend Anyone… But he throw a spin pass as long as no one guards him… Only problem is that the top Guards in the West are going to eat him alive… The Lakers may want to bring him off the bench this first year b/c there is a real chance his confidence will be Destroyed otherwise…

Russell Score: 1

Wroten Score: 0

Winner: No One / The Other Team