[JNixonParticipant]

 56: Tony Mitchell, 6’7 190, SF, Alabama, Jr.

Mitchell was a 3 year starter at Alabama, and was very productive after not qualifying to go to Alabama as a part of the 2008 class and having to attend a JUCO. Was dismissed from the team this past year in the heart of the conference slate after starting the season very well, due to violating team rules. He will have to answer multiple questions about that in interviews. Can be hotheaded on the court, and show shaky body language. Physically, Mitchell looks the part of an NBA wing. He has good size at 6’7 190, although he is fairly thin he plays pretty strong, and he has a nice wingspan and the frame to add more muscle without the loss of athleticism. Athletically, Mitchell is extremely good. He’s ultra-explosive as a leaper, and he’s pretty fast and agile as well. He’s not super quick, but he’s decent.

Offensively, Mitchell is fairly raw, especially for a guy who will be 23 at the beginning of the NBA season next year. He has improved his skill level noticeably since he was a Fr. to his credit though. Still at his best making plays off garbage plays, run-outs, and off-ball cuts. Doesn’t need plays run for him to get a lot of his baskets. Really excellent making the right moves to get high percentage shots. Finishes well around the rim despite having shaky touch, and often finishes with authority and explosiveness. Will get you a lot of dunks. Is a big threat for baseline alley-oops and backdoors. Running the floor is his forte’, and he is a terror in transition. Does not have a good jump shot. He showed that he can make shots with his feet set from 22 ft., but not anything that teams will have to fear. Really uncomfortable shooting off the dribble. Mid-range game is not there right now. Will have his screens dived at all times. Not a great slasher from the wing either, does not have good handles. He has to use his 1^st step to get clean slashes from the wing, not going to break perimeter guys down off the dribble. Struggles with change of direction moves. A bit loose with his dribble. Doesn’t show much of a left hand. Ball slows him down off the dribble. Doesnt pass the ball the ball much. Is a nice offensive rebounder for a wing player. Bad free throw shooter. Played a lot of PF in college.

Defensively Mitchell is mediocre. He will get aggressive at times and be a tough matchup for wings, and he can guard SG’s and SF’s. Can lose his man when off the ball for easy baskets or fouls. Does not always show good awareness and fundamentals. Is a shot-blocking threat on the wing, and will jump the passing lanes for steals. Can get caught gambling and get burned for it. Sometimes is overly eager to release for fast breaks. Very raw and will have a lot to learn about maximizing his potential on this end to be an NBA player. Sometimes he’s too foul prone. Fares very well on the defensive glass.

Mitchell’s athleticism is just as good as any SF prospect in this class, and he does not need plays to be effective. He plays with energy and really explosive in some areas of the game. His transition play is great and he gets you steals, blocks, and rebounds, as well as the fact he doesn’t need plays run for him to get a lot of his hoops. Still, he is a limited offensive player who lacks a good shot or handle and his defensive fundamentals are erratic and raw. He has an uphill battle, but his athleticism is top notch and he has more upside than a typical 3^rd year entree that is gonna be 23 by the start of the NBA season next year.

 

55: Jordan Taylor, 6’2 195, PG, Wisconsin, Sr.

Taylor was a 2 year starter for Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin team, and led them to the Sweet 16 both years as the lead guard. Pre-season All-American who had a great Jr. year even though he struggled at times as a Sr. Very good leader with a cerebral approach to the game, and a good work ethic. Physically, Taylor is average for NBA standards. He is about 6’1 or 6’2, and he boasts a strong frame but his wingspan is OK at 6’3. As an athlete Taylor is below average. Although he should decent agility, he isn’t particularly quick, or fast, and he also has below average explosiveness and leaping skills.

Offensively, Taylor has clear strengths and weaknesses. He came to college as a slasher with little jump shot, but he really became a solid jump shooter in his last 2 seasons. Likes to shoot the 3 ball now, and is a threat with his feet set. Also comfortable with pull-up jumpers. Will try and make you pay if you dive his screens, and is generally effective when doing so. He does struggle with tough pressure D and will force some shots in this instances, causing his efficiency to be more average than his shooting skills suggest. Off the dribble, Taylor isn’t going to be that good. He lacks quickness, and struggles to get to the rim, even against average athletes. Not an effective finisher around the rim against athleticism. Rarely gets a clean step on top athletes at the guard spot, so he struggles finishing when helpside rotates over in these instances. Does use his body well enough to shield the defense and attack from the proper angles, often drawing fouls. Is more of a physical slasher than a blow-by type of guard. His handle is solid, and he usually is very secure with the ball. Liked to run pick and pops with Wisconsin’s perimeter shooters, being effective when doing so. Does not turn the ball over. Had a 4/1 A/TO as a Jr., and nearly a 3/1 as a Sr. Has proven to be very well-rounded in knowing when to run an offense and when to look for his shots. Unselfish. Decent from the foul line. Pretty smart and savvy.

Defensively, Taylor will struggle with speedy guards but he does have the fundamentals and effort level to compete. Moves his feet well and isn’t as slow laterally as you’d think. Even when beat he does a good job of sealing off and leading his matchup into helpside D. Contests shots and shows active hands. Does a nice job of getting through screens and switching when he has to. Can stagnate penetration at the point sometimes, due to his strength. Willing rebounder from the guard spot. Not going to get you many steals.

Taylor has backup PG potential. His game reminds me of Derek Fisher’s, and he will have to find an offense that fits him to really flourish. As with mostly all 2^nd round prospects, situation matters as to whether he sticks. He can hit open shots, is comfortable in the pick and roll/pop game, and takes care of the ball. He also knows how to use his strength as an advantage. He isn’t athletic or physically gifted though, and he struggles against athleticism, but he can be a 2^nd or 3^rd PG due to his smarts and the strengths he brings to the table.

[orangeshadow83Participant]

I love these posts thank you for doing this again this year. Once again great evaluation of these two propects. I can see Jordan Taylor being a great pickup in round 2 for someone.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I Like that Taylor to Fisher comparision,another player i’d compare him to is Kyle Lowry becuz of his similar built & fearless pittbull attack to the game… Taylor played in Bo Ryan’s system that doesnt use a point guard in the traditional way..

Taylor’s job was to run plays and decide who gets the ball when the clock is running down..The bad is that style held him back so he’s going to have to prove himself in workouts..Prove that he can run an offense and that his limited athleticism wont be a problem…The good about playing in that Wisconsin offense is that he had the best assist to turnover ratio in the history of college basketball and he learned how to play without the ball….

[JNixonParticipant]

 Yeah he did have a kind of skewed A/TO ratio due to the ball swing offense Bo Ryan ran, but he still took care of the ball better than any other Wisconsin guard has. Wisconsin has had some good PG’s too, with Travon Hughes, Kam Taylor, and Devin Harris and none of them even took care of the ball better. He’s really smart about how he functions. He’s not going to be a good transition PG, but he could be a decent backup who runs the sets correctly and makes basic plays when the defense makes mistakes.

[HaleParticipant]

It’s weird to think Taylor was only a 2 year starter. He obviously isn’t a great athlete, but he’s a smart kid so I think regardless of where he’s drafted he’ll stick around as 2nd or 3rd PG on a team.

[WTF I’m BANNED]

 only god knows how many negs i got for talking about tony mitchell getting drafted.

i mentioned the lakers drafting him, know i seen like 4 different drafts of people drafting mitchell to L.A.

it is what it is

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

@WTF I’M BANNED.. I See you’re the only person out of the 20 Million Mocks i’ve seen, that have Terrance Ross as the 2nd pick in the draft!!!Are you his agent or related to him?

[WTF I’m BANNED]

that’s a whole lotta mocks u seen there, eh?

its not a mock… its a board. and that’s just to show that im high on him. realistically, i would put him  9-14

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Yeah, i think if Terrance Ross was a better ball handler he could be a top 5 pick…He does a great job of playing away from the ball….

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