[JNixonParticipant]

16: Bismack Biyombo, 6’9 243, PF/C, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (Spain), 18 years old

Biyombo has entered the draft with much hype and little in the way of actual film or production as a player. Every year there is a prospect who has shot-blocking skills and athleticism and it makes scouts go crazy, and this year Biyombo is that man. Physically, Biyombo is great. He’s probably about an inch short on height for the C position he certainly best fits at, but he has a big 243 lb frame that is very chiseled and he appears to have the frame to add 5-10 lbs without losing athleticism. The thing that helps most is his unreal 7’7 wingspan, which allows him to play a good bit taller than he is on both ends. Athletically, Biyombo is explosive, as he shows great leaping skills and agility for his size, as well as very good speed and quickness. Not going to find many problems with his physical profile.

Offense? What’s that? Seriously, Biyombo is a huge project and work in progress on the offensive end. He’s a basic catch and finish guy right now, and projects to be the same way down the line too. Will flash a quick spin move, but only if you sit on his left hand (which would be dumb, since he’s not a threat going left at all). Struggles outside of 5 feet to score, and isn’t a dominant finisher in traffic either. Has extremely raw footwork, and will get traveling calls. No counter moves. Has the strength and length to give guards a wide target to feed in the post. Works hard to get position down low and is obviously a threat to finish if he receives the ball in good position, but can get offensive fouls because of how wild he sometimes is, swinging his arms unnecessarily. Possesses 0% of a jump shot, and expectedly struggles from the free throw line. Ugly shooting mechanics and not great touch. Struggles badly as a passer out of the post, on the rare occasion he actually does pass. Super turnover prone for someone who doesn’t even create offense, which is a very big cause of concern. Pretty weak hands, and it shows in his handle down low. Will never be more than a 5^th option scorer when he’s on the floor.

Biyombo has big upside on D. His length, aggressiveness and explosiveness make him a great as a shot-blocker. Plays with incredible energy. His energy leads to him being extremely foul and mistake prone though. Moves his feet, but bails his opponents out with unnecessary contact. Bites on fakes a lot, and tries to block everything. Doesn’t really play fundamental man-to-man defense right now. Has to improve his IQ and fundamentals to be more than a shotblocker. Is a very good rebounder.

Biyombo is not a guy I’d take in the lottery. He’s never going to be a playmaker on offense, and his defense lacks fundamentals. Sure he can block shots and he tries hard, but he struggles at most other aspects on D. I think Biyombo is a project, but why take a project in the lottery?

 

15: Tobias Harris, 6’8 223, PF/SF, Tennessee, Fr.

Harris was a highly touted recruit out of New York who possesses a skill set and maturity that are uncommon for most 19 years. His projection to the NBA centers around questions about his size, lack of a position, and mediocre athletic traits. Physically, Harris has average tools. He’s got good height for a SF, but he’s more of a PF and he’d be a about an inch or 2 short for that. And at 225, he’s not the biggest guy either even though he has the frame to add a good amount of bulk. His 6’11 wingspan is decent. Athletically, Harris is also ordinary. He’s not especially explosive, quick or fast, simply mediocre at all aspect.

Harris has a solid skill set, as mentioned, for a player his age. He’s a tweener forward, and has the ability to take a lot of PF’s off the bounce as a solid ball-handler for his size, but also has the strength to post against most SF’s. His post game isn’t the best, and mostly is centered around finishing deep in the post and the occasional jump hook. He would be very well-served to develop his post arsenal, as he’s not going to be that big a mismatch facing up against pro PF’s. Facing up, Harris doesn’t possess a great 1^st step, and isn’t going to consistently blow by PF’s at all, but his handle and size allow him to create off the dribble pretty well. Able to grab rebounds and go coast to coast, but he won’t be athletic nough to do that much in the NBA. He also has a solid face-up shot with consistent range out to 17 feet. Struggled shooting the ball from college 3-point range and doesn’t quite have the consistent range to be an efficient threat from NBA range either. Shows great shot selection, and understands when to shoot, slash and pass. Plays unselfish isn’t a bad passer. Very consistent, and got around the same stats and played with the same demeanor all throughout his freshman season. Not bad on the offensive glass.

On D, Harris is mediocre at best. He isn’t great one-on-one, and doesn’t pose much of a threat as a weakside defender. His below average size and middling athleticism doesn’t give him a sure position to defend. Too slow to defend most NBA SF’s, and not big enough or tall enough to consistently effect the shots of most PF’s. Doesn’t play with a particularly high motor on this end. Only OK on the glass.

Harris is a tweener, and its put into question whether he’ll be able to consistently play a position or if he’s destined for a role off the bench for a team. He’s pretty skilled and mature, but he’s also not the best defender. He’s similar to a less athletic Jeff Green.

 

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

 Jeff Green 33.5" Standing Vertical 38" One Step Vertical 12 sec. lane agilitly 3.34 sec. 3/4 sprint………………….Tobias Harris 31.5" Standing Vertical 37.5" One Step Vertical 10.96 sec. lane agilitly 3.17 sec. 3/4 sprint…………I wouldn’t say Jeff Green is a better athlete he is a little more expolsive but not as quick or fast, I would actually say Tobias is a little better athlete.

[JNixonParticipant]

"I wouldn’t say Jeff Green is a better athlete he is a little more expolsive but not as quick or fast, I would actually say Tobias is a little better athlete."

Do you think Jeff Green is the same athlete he was in college after being in the NBA for about 4 or 5 years? Also, Green is a better athlete during games than Harris. Green is much more effecitve against wing players than Harris.

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

 I don’t think that Jeff Green is the same athlete but, I also don’t think Tobias will be either after a couple of years in the league, he had 8.4% body fat compared to 3.7% body fat of Jeff Green which tells me he can get in much better shape and get more athletic.

[mamadouParticipant]

Harris is 18…

[Krypt14Participant]

long time reader, new poster…jnixon, really enjoy your write ups! its rare that a passion for the game is combined with such a knowledge and ability to write! really enjoying the countdown!

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Ehh, im one of the few that arent on the Tobias Harris train, he reminds me of Ryan Gomes…
 

[providencefriars1Participant]

Dont be hatin on Gomes he is a solid role player in the NBA. Not to mention the all time leading scorer at PC

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 When was I hating? Im actually a fan of Gomes…good role player, every team would like a guy like him

But Harris is getting comparisons to Jeff Green, Glen Rice(?), and Shane Battier(?), and I just think hes closer to Gomes than any of those guys..

[JNixonParticipant]

Gomes is a very good comparison. No disagreement there

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

MARK This DOWN..

By the time the Draft Rolls around..Dont be Surprise to see Biyombo Last until the 2nd round…

 

[providencefriars1Participant]

O my bad Magikknick I guess I misunderstood your level of interest of both guys

[Author]

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