[JNixonParticipant]

44: Jereme Richmond, 6’7 207, SF, Illinois, Fr.

One of the more interesting players in the draft, and also one of the rawest, is Fr. prospect Jereme Richmond, who left as a Fr. after not really making his mark at the college level (7.6 ppg and 5 rpg). Many people believe he declared because he didn’t get along with Coach Bruce Weber and because he showed a few character concerns, and instead of getting kicked off the team or transferring and sitting out for a year, he played his hand and declared for the draft. Physically, Richmond has some very good tools that make him an intriguing guy in the 1^st place. He’s a long and thin 6’7 wing who has the frame and the need to get stronger and gained about 10 more lbs. As an athlete, Richmond also has some great tools. Possesses great speed and quickness, being explosive especially in the open floor, and shows solid leaping skills and fluidity.

On offense, Richmond is very raw at this stage. He has some versatility about his game, but he’s really so unpolished that he doesn’t have anything to hang his hat on consistently. Right now he gets a lot of his points off of being such a great athlete and “out-quicking” his matchups, but not by skill. As a shooter, Richmond is below average to put it mildly. He does make shots from about 12-15 feet sometimes and shows a touch that could make him a factor farther out with a lot of work. Has no range right now, and didn’t even make the college 3 much at all (16% on .4 attempts a game). His mechanics don’t look bad though, mind you, and with his decent touch he could become respectable. Has a quick 1^st step, but he’s not much of a slashing threat because his ball-handling needs improvement. Sometimes makes a nice move with the ball, but usually too upright with his body and high with the ball. An above average passer, and shows some raw point forward abilities that would be better utilized if he was a better ball-handler. A great finisher at the rim with his athletic and physical tools. OK offensive rebounder.

On D is where Richmond always has had the most value and potential. Has the length, lateral quickness and overall athleticism to potentially defend any perimeter position. However he struggles right now with 3 things, a lack of strength, proper fundamentals and a low level of IQ and experience. Not a risk taker really, but he showed some great ability this year as a versatile defender on the ball. Struggles with getting through screens and picks. Can be posted up by strength, but his length allows him to contest effectively. OK rebounder, nothing special.

Richmond has a raw skill set and likely won’t be ready to contribute in the NBA anytime soon, especially on the offensive end. He has good potential as a Swiss army knife perimeter defender, but he’s not polished or strong enough to even contribute on that end either right now. He has some interesting aspects of his game that can be developed if he’s willing to work hard, which has been questioned. Similar to Devin Ebanks last year, his potential is as a Corey Brewer-type of defender who won’t score much, passes solid, but who defends OK and uses his athleticism to play good in transition.

 

43: Jeremy Tyler, 6’10 262, PF/C, Tokyo Apache (Japan), 19 years old

Another very interesting and well-known story amongst fans, Tyler’s around-the-world journey to the NBA and not to school has likely concluded. The 1^st high school player to drop out and play professional basketball overseas. Not many have seen much of Tyler, particularly over the past 2 years or so, especially a guy like me who doesn’t have the luxury of getting his game tapes or going overseas to watch him up close. From what I’ve seen, Tyler is a very big man. Looks like an NBA C already physically, with a 6’10 260 body, a huge 7’5 wingspan and very long arms. Athletically, Tyler is average overall but good for his size. Not that quick, explosive, or fast, but he’s fluid and has alright leaping ability.

Offensively, Tyler is a true post man who can also face-up and make 15 foot shots. Always has had very good feet for his size, very soft touch, and a nice amount of moves. Can score with both hands already. Has a turnaround jumper over either shoulder, a nice spin move and some up-and-unders and flaoters. Will struggle getting his post moves off against NBA defenders though, similar to DeMarcus Cousins this year, early on in his career more at least, as he might not have the leaping skills and quickness in and out of his moves to get his shots off effortlessly. Even with his flash of moves and footwork, he’s not consistently decisive when facing similarly sized bigs. As a face-up player, Tyler shows a soft touch and range out to about 20 feet. He won’t be taking many shots that far away in the NBA though, but his solid shooting ability from 15 feet will do. Decent passing skills when he plays unselfishly, but also a bit TO prone right now. Looks like he will an OK offensive rebounder, as he has the size and length to be effective at least some, but he’s not going to outhustle anyone much at all. Doesn’t run the floor hard a lot of the time.

Teams overseas have complained his approach to defense and even in his prep days I remember him not being a very good defender. He has the length and size to be a post defender in time, but he doesn’t have the mindset or effort right now and hasn’t for a while. Too slow-footed to defend most face-ups guys consistently, and will need a good team D to keep him from getting beat a lot in pick-and-roll as he’s just not that quick and agile. Has the length to get about a block a night at best. Will likely be pretty foul prone, especially early in his career. Looks like a serviceable rebounder.

Tyler’s journey is one that was crazy and to me just seems like he must’ve REALLY hated school lol, cause he threw himself through some loops and had to grow up faster than any 16 year should. He took a  bunch of the expected bruises someone that young and immature would take. As a prospect he reminds me of a poor man’s version of DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins was productive in some ways for Sacremento, but he struggled with consistency, maturity, and figuring out how to efficiently score, especially in the post. I think Tyler will have to improve his D, maximize his athleticism by getting stronger and not necessarily bigger, and take a different approach to playing with energy if he’s to reach his potential. I wouldn’t touch him in the 1^st round despite his clear talent, especially with his baggage and questionable work ethic, but I would take him in the 2^nd with no strings attached and hope he works out. If he doesn’t you aren’t set back too much.

 

[NashyMingParticipant]

I like Jeremy Tyler and I would compare him to Andray Blatche.  

Tyler is already pretty quick and atheletic for his size.  If he can turn that 12% body fat into 6~8%, he would be faster and more explosive, he can be a beast if he works hard.

I think the Israel / Japan experiences have helped him mature much quicker than going to college.  If you look back at Renaldo Sidney who was a very highly rated junior in high school.  He took his hype for granted and went down hill from there.  He got a bad attitude, bad work ethic, and out-of-shape for his HS senior year and his college freshman season.  Given Tyler’s history, he may fall into the same trap as Sidney had he decided to stay in school and attend college.

I think with what Jeremy Tyler went through in 2 professional leagues playing against men (although not too talent) and being coach by professional coaches for 2 years (Bob Hill was an NBA coach and he coached Tyler in Japan).  He probably have made significant progress in terms of maturity.  I think #43 is too low for him in this draft.  I would probably put him in early 30s and I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves up to 1st round later.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Richmond is a guy I really like. I thought in his Fr. season at Illinois he would be an impact player. He is a great rebounder, but his shot is very poor for him as a swingman. He will be on someones pine for awhile getting splinters. His best bet is to try & dominate in the D-League. That will get him plenty looks.

Tyler is a guy I really have not seen any of besides the combine workouts. I have read a lot about him throughout his overseas  stop in Japan. I would really love to have him with our 1st Round pick at #27 to pair with Lopez since we got rid of Favors. I can see Avery Johnson bringing the best out of him. Everyone was opposed to him leaving HS early just to play overseas, but I think it helped him mature especially being a 18 year old kid in another country 1000s of miles away from home.

[JNixonParticipant]

I actually wouldn’t be surprised at all if Tyler went in the 1st round, but I wouldn’t recommend it. He’s a guy you take in the 2nd round, so you can be rewarded and don’t have to give him a guaranteed deal. He’s not polished enough to play yet, at least not efficiently. Even if you want New Jersey to pick him, which wouldn’t be a bad team to get him honestly, he’s not going to be a highly effective play early in his career.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Tyler pairing up with Lopez will help eliminate less double teams down low especially with Tyler’s physicall prescence. If he can attack the boards which Lopez rarely does that will be a + also. I really do see him as a can”t miss prospect that late in the 1st 3ound.

[JNixonParticipant]

You think he’s really ready enough to start right now? The guy is pretty raw and will have to adjust to the game. I don’t think he’s an ideal immediate starter, in fact I think Tyler will see a bunch of time in the D-League early on. Him and Lopez isn’t a great rebounding or defensive frontcourt at all either, even if they did play together.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Sorry I’m a huge Tyler fan boy and I felt like a proud father while watching the combine.  Did anybody see Tyler pull an Ibaka and jump over the vert measurements which went up to twelve feet they had to put it on a chair to get an accurate measurement.  But this much we know for sure not only is he heavy enough to play center but he’s explosive and can clear over 12 feat of max height reach.  Combine that with his 7’5 wingspan and an offensive game that is remininscent of Blatche.  But I honestly feel like Tyler is Favors with a jump shot, and a good jump shot. 

[JNixonParticipant]

Favors? DERRICK Favors?

[Lotto StudParticipant]

He does not have to start right away, but he is an upgrade over Humphries.

[JNixonParticipant]

Maybe in time, but not right now he’s not. He’s not even a PF.

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