[JNixonParticipant]

26: Travis Leslie, 6’4 205, SG/SF, Georgia, Jr.

 

Mr. “I think I’m better than Tony Allen” himself, Leslie has created a buzz for something other than his breathtaking athleticism in this draft process with his DX interview. I’ve seen Leslie play since he was a Jr. in HS, because he played nearby where I used to go to school, and I’ve met him personally a few times in college so I’m a fan of his. He’s always been a freak athlete, but if you would’ve said he’d develop into a pro player I would’ve ran down the laundry list of things he must to improve. He managed to largely get better though. Wasn’t very highly recruited, mostly was recruited in-state. Kind of spacey-acting and doesn’t really speak that well. Physically, Leslie plays like a swingman so at 6’4 he’s about 2 or 3 inches shorter than average. He makes up for it though by having a big 6’10.5 wingspan and a very well-built and naturally muscular frame that has filled out beautifully since he’s been in college. As an athlete, Leslie IMO is the best in this 2011 class. Has Slam Dunk contest leaping skills and explosiveness, outstanding speed in the open floor, great quickness, and very smooth strides.

 

While he’s developed a lot as a prospect on offense, Leslie still is a work in progress and remains a bit raw. His skill level still is behind his athleticism. As a jump shooter, Leslie is mediocre to below average. He expanded his range every year at UGA, but he doesn’t have NBA 3-pointer at all honestly. He does show the ability to make pull-up shots in the mid-range area though, although it’s not quite NBA-caliber. Not an accomplished spot-up shooter, and needs to work on that to make him more of a threat. His shooting touch isn’t very good, but he does have a nice shooting mechanics that are getting more and more consistent. Will likely need to be in a gym shooting constantly with a coach. Leslie does do a solid job of getting to the rim with his outstanding athleticism. Often was just too athletic and strong for his matchup to defend straight up, despite a lower skill level. He’s a much better ball-handler than he used to be, but still below average for a wing. Great 1^st step. Utilizes basic left-to-right crossovers to set up his drives a lot. Very right-handed, and on the left side of the goal he will try to finish with his right or reverse his lay-ins, so he should develop a better left. Has no problems finishing, as he has all the physical and athletic tools to finish through contact or in traffic. Seemingly hangs in the air for hours. Has much better touch around the rim than he does as a shooter, which is kind of strange. Likes to come off the baseline on his drives. Terrific at scoring without plays being run for him, and gets a lot of baskets off cuts and offensive rebounds. The best offensive rebounder for a perimeter player in the class. As good as any perimeter player in the class in transition. Runs the floor exceptionally well and is certainly known for the emphatic dunk. The most underrated aspect of Leslie’s game is hands down his passing ability. Quietly unselfish, and shows nice floor vision. Makes good passes in the flow of the scheme.

 

On D, Leslie wasn’t as good as he should’ve been as he shows a raw IQ and sometimes lacks awareness. He has all the tools to be an outstanding defender, and sometimes he’ll string together some great possessions. Plays very tough and isn’t at all afraid of contact. Will be a huge threat getting steals in the passing lanes and is a great shot-blocker for his size. Big-time rebounder from the wing. Can potentially defend all 3 perimeter spots in the NBA.

 

Overall, Leslie was able to rely on his freakish athleticism to get production at UGA a lot. He’s probably going to be one of the best athletes in the NBA as soon as he’s picked too. But his skill level lags behind his athleticism right now. I think he’ll be able to score in the NBA sooner or later just because he’s still getting more skilled, and defend as he gets more experience, but it may take time for him to put it together. His upside is strong, as he pretty much was productive for UGA with a limited IQ and skill level, so he will be a nice role player. I think he’ll have a similar career to Desmond Mason. That’s always been my comparison for him.

 

 

25: Malcolm Lee, 6’5 198, SG/PG, UCLA, Jr.

 

Lee, a Former McDonalds All-American, is a guy who many questioned for leaving early at UCLA. He still has room to grow, sure, but I personally had no problem with it. He showed all he could there, and appears like a very underrated prospect IMO. Physically, Lee has solid size for a combo guard. Possesses a thin frame that would not hurt to put more lbs on (he’s definitely much bigger than he used to be though),  a nice 6’9 wingspan, and strong height at 6’5.5. Lee also is a great athlete. He seems to be extremely quick and pretty fast, and his leaping skills look to be above average too.

 

On offense, Lee showed some ability and also improved at UCLA. He was a very poor shooter when he 1^st got on campus, but he’s gotten progressively better and was a threat with his feet set last season. He still doesn’t possess NBA range though. His touch and mechanics are better than they used to be. Still his touch isn’t great and his mechanics change from shot to shot. Has 2 bad habits: Shooting on the way down and shooting behind his head. Terribly inefficient as a mid-range shooter off the bounce, which will have to improve. Looks good as a slasher. Possesses a great 1^st step and is very shifty. Nice explosiveness. Struggles to finish through contact at times. Ball-handling skills are solid. Sometimes is out of control on his forays to the rim. As a PG, Lee is a work in progress. Doesn’t have great playmaking instincts and doesn’t run offense as effective as a true PG does. Has an underdeveloped feel for the game. Turnover prone. Does look good in pick and roll situations though, where he can use his athleticism and nice passing skills on the move to excel. Looks outstanding in transition, especially with the ball. Finishes well in these situations with his explosiveness and length. Played in a UCLA system that can limit gaudy stats.

 

Lee is a great defender. His length and quickness make him a factor. Plays sticky on-ball D, and has the ability to get in the passing lanes too. Competes on this end and has nice fundamentals too. Has the size and length to defend PG’s and SG’s just like he did in school. Has the potential to be a lockdown defender against guards.

 

Overall, Lee to me is underrated and has great athleticism and length. He’s like a poor man’s Russell Westbrook with his quickness and body type, and his defense. He’s not as explosive an athlete as Westbrook and won’t be asked to handed the keys to the car like he was, but he can contribute on D 1^st and foremost. He’s got the potential to be at least a versatile backup utility guard who can defend great and make plays in the open floor and as a slasher. He just has to work on his shot and decision-making.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Well well well the wait is finally over for Lee. I absolutely love his potential in making the jump to the NBA. I see him being a for sure spark, as a 6th man who can potentially work his way into someones starting lineup, because he brings D. For Lee to take on a lesser playmaking role at UCLA, that took away from his game which people have not seen in him. If you watch his HS clips, you will see he is a very good passer with vision. Although he is a suspect shooter, there is nothing that cannot be done to fix that. He shows in his pre draft workouts, that he is driven to become more than what people knock him for. I’ve said it time & time over again that I see Jamal Crawford in him. Not saying he will be good for 40-50 pt games off the bench, but his style will be similar. The ironic part about that, is that’s who he said he watched film of in HS & was drawing comparison to. Another thing is, he should use Russell Westbrook as fuel for motivation as not being the player people think he can be. Statistics say UCLA guards translate very well in the NBA……..Westbrook, Collison, Holiday. The future will be bright.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Did you do a Darius Morris one yet?

If so, can you link me to it?

If not, you think Morris is better than Lee, Brooks, Josh Selby, AND Reggie Jackson?!

[JNixonParticipant]

Morris is coming up. And yeah, I definitely think he’s alot better than Selby, a little better than Brooks, but Lee and Jackson might be tougher though and that’s why they’re in the same ballpark in my rankings.

[scoutguruParticipant]

I don’t know if Lee will ever be a consistent or efficient offensive threat in the NBA. There’s just too many things missing from his game. And I’m tired of hearing about what ppl did in HS, that’s completely meaningless when evaluating guys for the pros. 
And many criticize Ben Howland’s system, but one thing is you know his guys will come in the league and know how to defend individually, and within the team concept. And that is whats gonna keep Lee in the league. Most guys aren’t going to see any where near the possessions they did at the collegiate level, so if you can do something else thats valuable (defend), it is of great import to a team with established scorers. I can see him being like a Keyon Dooling type player. Come in as a combo guy, play hard D, be aggressive looking for his shot off the bench, but primarily come in and just give a spark, and change the pace of the game. And depending on the team depth, he may be given a few minutes at the point, but he won’t be looked at solely as a point.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

"And I’m tired of hearing about what ppl did in HS, that’s completely meaningless when evaluating guys for the pros."

Really! How can you say that when numerous players got drafted out of HS. Kyrie has only played 11 games & is projected #1 overall off HS hype. It’s not so much of what he showed at Duke, it’s what scouts know what he is capable of.

[JNixonParticipant]

Lol yeah I don’t know what you mean you’re tired of hearing what people did in HS in this case. I agree in some cases though. But Travis Leslie has been in college for 3 years now, and besides the notes I had in the beginning I didn’t mention anything he did in HS. At all.

[JNixonParticipant]

Keyon Dooling is the PERFECT comparison for Lee though. Great call on that one.

[scoutguruParticipant]

Na Iggy, I was referencing Memphis’ comment on Lee’s playmaking in HS. My thing is after watching him for 3 yrs in college, he’s not a guy who’s going to be giving the reigns a pg. When he was moved to the point in the middle of his soph yr, he clearly was out of position. Just cause he made a couple nice passes in HS, that particular aspect means nothing for the pros. So that’s what I mean by that. And Kyrie to me is a different kind of case, who’s at the top of his class and highly thought of, and having those 11 games didn’t hurt either. And yes, I know what you mean, we all know the gm’s draft on potential. I’m saying though, for guys like Lee, who’s been in school for 3 yrs, HS is irrelevant at that point.

And yeah, good looking on the comp Iggy.

[Author]

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