[McDunkin]

Perhaps the most polarizing player in the 2015 NBA Draft is point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Commonly regarded as a Top 5 prospect, Mudiay left college basketball for an international professional basketball experience in the Chinese Basketball Association.

So far, so good.

On November 9, 2014, Mudiay led the Guangdong Southern Tigers to a 127-116 victory over the Qingdao Eagles. Not only was he impressive, but he was downright dominant.

Mudiay finished with 22 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his first career professional double-double.

Say what you will about the competitiveness of the CBA in comparison to that of the NBA, but that’s a downright great performance.

Mudiay went toe-to-toe with NBA D-League star Justin Dentmon and FIBA star Hamed Haddadi of Memphis Grizzlies fame. He overwhelmed his opponents with a well-rounded attack and, at times, blazing athleticism.

Regardless of where you play, a triple-double is a triple-double. It’s no easy feat.

The 6’5″ floor general has received comparisons to everyone from Kyrie Irving to Rajon Rondo. His size alone makes him a potential first-round pick, but it’s his ball-handling, facilitating and slashing that make him such a hot commodity.

Due to academic issues, Mudiay left the collegiate ranks. This prevented him from playing under the iconic Larry Brown on the SMU Mustangs—something that intrigued scouts about as much as Mudiay’s size and ability.

Instead, he’ll play in China—a haven for aging NBA veterans. He’ll gain perspective from former association players that he both goes against and teams with.

Former Top 10 pick and four-time CBA Finals MVP Yi Jianlian, for instance, is one of Mudiay’s teammates.

There’s no question that Mudiay will be one of the toughest players to evaluate in this coming draft season. With more performances like this, however, he’d go a long way towards securing his spot as a Top 10 pick.

Polarizing or not, Mudiay can flat-out play.

http://hoopshabit.com/2014/11/09/2015-nba-draft-emmanuel-mudiay-drops-triple-double/

[R.JLewisParticipant]

 the chinese league is an underated league in terms of talent. it will obviously never be an nba or some europe leagues but the CBA is rising rapidly. even over the last 2-3 years ive seen a considerably increase in the talent ain the CBA. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 the cba is awful. the guard play is super weak and they dont play defense there.

the style of play resembles d-league basketball. mostly open court, transition and semi-breaks with very little emphasis on defense.

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 the cba is awful. the guard play is super weak and they dont play defense there.

the style of play resembles d-league basketball. mostly open court, transition and semi-breaks with very little emphasis on defense.

 

[R.JLewisParticipant]

 the chinese league is an underated league in terms of talent. it will obviously never be an nba or some europe leagues but the CBA is rising rapidly. even over the last 2-3 years ive seen a considerably increase in the talent ain the CBA. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 If the competition was absolutely terrible and his teamates were not skilled he woulld have no reason to make 13-assists as he would just score instead of distribute. A triple double at this stage is an impressive feat one would expect him to have at least transistion issues after moving to a foriegn country and culture. Looks like a good move to go play in China for Mudiay, I expect more prospects to follow suit.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 If the competition was absolutely terrible and his teamates were not skilled he woulld have no reason to make 13-assists as he would just score instead of distribute. A triple double at this stage is an impressive feat one would expect him to have at least transistion issues after moving to a foriegn country and culture. Looks like a good move to go play in China for Mudiay, I expect more prospects to follow suit.

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

The comp isn’t great but it’s comparable to high level college. There are guys who have been college stars and NBA players who have been cut from over there

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

The comp isn’t great but it’s comparable to high level college. There are guys who have been college stars and NBA players who have been cut from over there

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 And you can play your game. It improves their leagues and he will be much better his rookie year because of it. Wise choice.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 And you can play your game. It improves their leagues and he will be much better his rookie year because of it. Wise choice.

[McDunkin]

I may have posted this but at the same time im not a fan of CBA basketball as far as development of your game. It’s more for showcasing what you can do. Thanks to the very inconsistent talent/competition level. He may be getting excperience playing as a pro but I can’t name a single player that came back from china much improved even though they more than likely averaged career highs.

[McDunkin]

I may have posted this but at the same time im not a fan of CBA basketball as far as development of your game. It’s more for showcasing what you can do. Thanks to the very inconsistent talent/competition level. He may be getting excperience playing as a pro but I can’t name a single player that came back from china much improved even though they more than likely averaged career highs.

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

Gerald Green disagrees with you McDunkin

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

Gerald Green disagrees with you McDunkin

[McDunkin]

Green spent 2 years in Russia and a season in the nbadl before and after China

[McDunkin]

Green spent 2 years in Russia and a season in the nbadl before and after China

[apb540Participant]

I personally don’t believe that this is going to be the right route for every player, but some are definitely guys who will benefit from the financial freedoms it provides. Would much rather be watching him play in college, but that’s just my selfish view haha. From a basketball view of things, playing in a top European league would definitely be better, but if I was an 18 year old superstar would I choose that over a constant green light, big money, and all the chinese women I can possibly handle? 

[apb540Participant]

I personally don’t believe that this is going to be the right route for every player, but some are definitely guys who will benefit from the financial freedoms it provides. Would much rather be watching him play in college, but that’s just my selfish view haha. From a basketball view of things, playing in a top European league would definitely be better, but if I was an 18 year old superstar would I choose that over a constant green light, big money, and all the chinese women I can possibly handle? 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Until the kid plays in the L. If he appears better and more mature than China will do. Europe limits your game and the minutes vary.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Until the kid plays in the L. If he appears better and more mature than China will do. Europe limits your game and the minutes vary.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

"The 6’5″ floor general has received comparisons to everyone from Kyrie Irving to Rajon Rondo. His size alone makes him a potential first-round pick, but it’s his ball-handling, facilitating and slashing that make him such a hot commodity."

Interesting! An Irving comparison. Good to know that someone else really views Mudiay’s skillset for what it truly is.

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/back-drawing-board-emmanuel-mudiay

[Lotto StudParticipant]

"The 6’5″ floor general has received comparisons to everyone from Kyrie Irving to Rajon Rondo. His size alone makes him a potential first-round pick, but it’s his ball-handling, facilitating and slashing that make him such a hot commodity."

Interesting! An Irving comparison. Good to know that someone else really views Mudiay’s skillset for what it truly is.

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/back-drawing-board-emmanuel-mudiay

[newgenduderParticipant]

I agree @WindyCity, i don’t like most of the common Mudiay comparisons thrown around – Westbrook, Wall. Westbrook is the craziest comparison. Mudiay doesn’t explode over defenders in traffic like Westbrook, despite his leaping abilities. He doesn’t really use his vertical leaping ability for layups in traffic — instead he stays lower to the ground, finds a crevace for a sneaky reverse layup or something, and puts a lot of spin on the ball; and it does resemble Kyrie, IMO. Also, Mudiay plays at a much more controlled pace than Westbrook or Wall. He’s not looking to put his head down and go 100% full throttle in transition. His pace reminds me of a Lilliard in the half court specifically.

[newgenduderParticipant]

I agree @WindyCity, i don’t like most of the common Mudiay comparisons thrown around – Westbrook, Wall. Westbrook is the craziest comparison. Mudiay doesn’t explode over defenders in traffic like Westbrook, despite his leaping abilities. He doesn’t really use his vertical leaping ability for layups in traffic — instead he stays lower to the ground, finds a crevace for a sneaky reverse layup or something, and puts a lot of spin on the ball; and it does resemble Kyrie, IMO. Also, Mudiay plays at a much more controlled pace than Westbrook or Wall. He’s not looking to put his head down and go 100% full throttle in transition. His pace reminds me of a Lilliard in the half court specifically.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I appreciate your take on what I’ve expressed. I also like the fact that you threw out the Lillard mention as well.

Mudiay is a PG prospect that I believe will take the league by storm at his pace because he doesn’t overly force his game. Even through the opening day clip, he was working his way trying to get his feel for the atmosphere before he took over the next game. I really like him a lot. As a fan of collegiate ball, I am a bit upset that he was not able to suit up, but I appreciate his decision even more to become NBA Ready.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I appreciate your take on what I’ve expressed. I also like the fact that you threw out the Lillard mention as well.

Mudiay is a PG prospect that I believe will take the league by storm at his pace because he doesn’t overly force his game. Even through the opening day clip, he was working his way trying to get his feel for the atmosphere before he took over the next game. I really like him a lot. As a fan of collegiate ball, I am a bit upset that he was not able to suit up, but I appreciate his decision even more to become NBA Ready.

[apb540Participant]

I don’t think it’s fair to say Europe "limits your game." If anything, it does the exact opposite for the right player/person; it can teach skills and aspects of basketball that a player may never learn in the States. A paradigm shift, if you will. Once again, just a matter of the person. 

[apb540Participant]

I don’t think it’s fair to say Europe "limits your game." If anything, it does the exact opposite for the right player/person; it can teach skills and aspects of basketball that a player may never learn in the States. A paradigm shift, if you will. Once again, just a matter of the person. 

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