[JNixonParticipant]

32: Nikola Mirotic, 6’10 210, PF, Real Madrid (Spain), 20 years old

 

A good long-term prospect with a fishy contract situation, Mirotic is a player who grew up and exceeded expectations and has a lot of intrigue to scouts. Played in 2^nd level League in 09-10. Fought for minutes with former Toronto Raptors combo forward Jorge Garbajosa when he moved up to Real Madrid, and didn’t start playing any meaningful time until the 2^nd half of the season. Became very productive, and at the same time Real Madrid went on a tear. Physically, Mirotic has nice size at 6’10 210 with a frame that can add a lot of weight. Has decent length as well. Athletically, Mirotic can run pretty well and he’s coordinated, but he’s not very quick or a great leaper.

 

Offensively, Mirotic is a very simple player. He can shoot with his feet set very well, has the release speed and size to get his shot off and his touch is soft. His jumper sets up everything he does, as he likes to use pump fakes and wild close outs to create straight line drives to the rim. Can use an escape dribble and simple pull-ups off as many as 2 dribbles and make it consistently. Has functional handle and 1^st step, but not going to beat guys off the dribble in the NBA much. Effective floater. Has a post game, and likes to use jump hook most. Not really afraid of contact and will bang more than most Euro prospects do. Doesn’t play outside of his strengths. Not going to pass the ball, unless it’s a last resort. Average offensive rebounder.

 

Mirotic is an OK defender who just plays his man and does it fundamentally. I don’t think he’ll be a big shot-blocking threat or presence. Not strong yet, but he has the frame to grow and the potential to defend 4’s and 5’s (definitely better suited for PF’s though). Average rebounder.

 

A basic player who does things the way they should be done without playing outside of his role, Mirotic has the potential to be a floor-spacing role player who makes his shots and has a high IQ. He’s not a special prospect, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s solid enough to fill a role as a frontline guy off the bench. His contract situation may make it so that he’s not going to play in the NBA in the short term though, as I think he was scheduled to sign a 3-year extension with Real Madrid.

 

 

31: Jordan Williams, 6’9 247, C, Maryland, So.

 

A big man prospect that used big flashes of potential playing with Greivis Vazquez and a very productive Sophomore season to leave Maryland, Jordan Williams declared right before his Coach Gary Williams retired from coaching. Williams has had to work to change his body to maximize his physical and athletic potential, and he has lost about 15 pounds according to him. Physically, Williams didn’t do himself a favor by being 6’9 and having a solid 7’ wingspan. But he does have a big frame, obviously. Athletically, Williams simply isn’t an athlete. He’s a pedestrian leaper and he’s not quick, although he does make an effort to run the floor, and does so better than his size would indicate.

 

Williams has a raw post game right now, but he does show nice touch and potential with it. Has the size and strength to establish and hold position, and a promising touch with developing footwork. Good hands, and the strength and length to give a good radius for entry feeds. Shows a nice turnaround jumper, a basic drop step, and a jump hook, and sometimes flashes up-and-under moves. Struggles to finish over bigs who have the strength and length to make him work for position. Will likely get his shots blocked a bit. Not quick or decisive with his moves at times, and they can be timed and blocked. Didn’t shoot jumpers in college, but he has potential as a 12-15 foot shooter because of his touch. Still, will probably have to work on repetition for it to be a weapon in games. Not quick enough to go off the dribble at all, and has shown no ability to face up and attack off the bounce. Improvable passer. Not a good free throw shooter. Outstanding offensive rebounder who gets a lot of offense by working off the ball and getting easy catch and finish opportunities. Will run the floor hard if he sees a chance to get an easy basket.

 

On D, I think Williams will struggle. He lacks the foot speed to recover on pick and roll D and will likely need to be backed by a strong team D to not get exposed a lot as an individual defender. Has the body to deny position down low, but he often struggles with letting similar-sized players guys establish on him, which means he’s not quite as strong as his size suggests (or not as tough?). Not going to block a lot of shots in the NBA. Easy to imagine him being foul prone. Big time rebounder on the defensive end of the floor.

 

Williams has the big body and raw skills to be a good scorer in the NBA. Big-time rebounding and post skills will be what he hangs his hat on NBA the NBA. He might not be good enough on D due to his athleticism and mediocre fundamentals to play extended minutes. Williams will need to grow up and gain polish, as well as staying on top of his body to be the best pro he can be. I think Williams could be a future starter, or he could be an Ike Diogu-type journeyman big who has big-time scoring ability and small time D and conditioning.

[kobyzParticipant]

you know who Nikola Mirotic remind me of? the formar Duke’s star Danny Ferry.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Jordan Williams stocked dropped a little at the combine…Some say he’s carrying too much weight,isnt that athletic and is closer to 6’9 than his listed height which Maryland had him at 6’10..But at the end of the day,he gets the job done..

But whoever drafts him is going to get a steal…Some team that made the playoffs this year will draft him late in the 1st round…

[The White MambaParticipant]

Jordan Williams could go either way with his weight, he could balloon to 300+ pounds or he could become a physical specimen type

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

Jordan Williams is one of the players that I will be happy if the Mavs picked with 26 pick

[iguapops420Participant]

 Funny how much his scouting reports, measurements, and game remind one of Carlos Boozer really.

[Author]

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