[valentine]

I am a UNC homer, but am working on being a lot more objective in my thinking and when I play couch scout watching the TV.  A thread just a little while ago was published asking for the top 5 prospects in each position.  I was shocked as not one person put him in the top 5 for small forwards.  Guys like Kyle Whiltjer, Troy Williams, etc were ranked above him according to the board. 

Look I get it.  He started off the season slow, he is not a mixtape guy and his game is extremely simple.  

That being said, I challenge you to name a Small Forward that moves better without the ball than he does, or who has a quicker release in the mid range.  Since the article posted by this site (showing him as a stock down), he has averaged (against better competition) 22.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.3 apg on 58% FG% and 43% 3FG%.  

Being deceptively quick, having above average court vision and handles for his size, a high basketball IQ and a reliable shot, makes him IMHO an ultimate glue guy at the next level.  I get he is not the biggest nor the most athletic, but he knows his strengths and plays to them.  He has found his comfort zone without Paige, and look out for when Paige gets back and he has even more space to operate in.  

I would put him at number 4 in the SF’s prospect list behind Simmons, Brown, and Ingram.

Now I just hope I did not jinx him for his showdown against Jake Layman, haha.  

 

  

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 He’s not a great 3pt shooter, and his extreme skinniness will limit his ability to slash at the next level as well as be an effective rebounder. He has been extremely apathetic on defense the few UNC games I’ve seen, so unless he gets killers mentality defensively I don’t see him being anything more than a roleplayer at the next level. 

College wise, he’s extremely skilled and can dominate against teams that lack elite physicality that he struggles against, as seen by his perfomances over the last 3 games. But agian, that frame is really going to hinder his effectiveness in the NBA, especially while his outside shot is still suspect and inconsistent.

 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 He’s not a great 3pt shooter, and his extreme skinniness will limit his ability to slash at the next level as well as be an effective rebounder. He has been extremely apathetic on defense the few UNC games I’ve seen, so unless he gets killers mentality defensively I don’t see him being anything more than a roleplayer at the next level. 

College wise, he’s extremely skilled and can dominate against teams that lack elite physicality that he struggles against, as seen by his perfomances over the last 3 games. But agian, that frame is really going to hinder his effectiveness in the NBA, especially while his outside shot is still suspect and inconsistent.

 

[reynolds07Participant]

 At times he is no where near as agressive as he should be especially starting games

 

 

[reynolds07Participant]

 At times he is no where near as agressive as he should be especially starting games

 

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 I actually love his game and believe he’s a lottery pick. He’s your perfect 3 man for the space and pace offense. I see him being an Otto Porter type player, w/o the defense. He can do it all on offense. He is probably the best mid range player in college, good passer, outstanding cutter, and knows how to get into the right position to score. The only problem I see w/ him is his three point shot and who does he guard on defense. 

I believe he might be even better when Marcus Paige comes back. And I remember watching Kelly Oubre, Justise Winslow, and Justin Jackson play on  the same team in AAU and Justin Jackson actually stood out more. He will have his critics due to the fact that he’s not a average defender and he can’t knock down the three point shot. But, I still see a lottery pick w/ him this year because of his off ball offense and the fact that he’s your prototypical modern day NBA wing player.

I believe he would be a great fit for a team like the Celtics/Pelicans

 

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 I actually love his game and believe he’s a lottery pick. He’s your perfect 3 man for the space and pace offense. I see him being an Otto Porter type player, w/o the defense. He can do it all on offense. He is probably the best mid range player in college, good passer, outstanding cutter, and knows how to get into the right position to score. The only problem I see w/ him is his three point shot and who does he guard on defense. 

I believe he might be even better when Marcus Paige comes back. And I remember watching Kelly Oubre, Justise Winslow, and Justin Jackson play on  the same team in AAU and Justin Jackson actually stood out more. He will have his critics due to the fact that he’s not a average defender and he can’t knock down the three point shot. But, I still see a lottery pick w/ him this year because of his off ball offense and the fact that he’s your prototypical modern day NBA wing player.

I believe he would be a great fit for a team like the Celtics/Pelicans

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’m actually a fan of his as well. He just has a feel for the game that you can’t reach. He moves as well without the ball as any player in the country and is extremely versatile. Only real downsides right now are the lack of strength and outside shooting. I think he can develop into a competent shooter. I like the otto Porter comparison a lot.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’m actually a fan of his as well. He just has a feel for the game that you can’t reach. He moves as well without the ball as any player in the country and is extremely versatile. Only real downsides right now are the lack of strength and outside shooting. I think he can develop into a competent shooter. I like the otto Porter comparison a lot.

[SubZeroParticipant]

If we’re saying Denzel Valentine is a Draymond-type 4 and not a 3, I agree

[SubZeroParticipant]

If we’re saying Denzel Valentine is a Draymond-type 4 and not a 3, I agree

[Leonard WashingtonParticipant]

I wasn’t sure what UNC was getting with JJ when they recruiting him other than a scorer with length and I was never high on him (still not).  Granted he has done well at times and other times I’m sitting here like wtf is this kid doing.  He has stints where he I feel like he gets bullied and doesn’t have the "Dog" in him (ala Westbrook, Draymond) to battle back.  Its hard to watch sometimes especially when we are missing out on recruits in his position that IMO are better players and a better fit for Roy’s system.  

Hope improves over time, which I’m sure his skill set will.  I just don’t think he will develop his body or improve his athleticism enough to be nothing more than a NBA back-up, especially if he keeps playing with a weak minded approach.  He’s a Poor Man’s Tayshaun to me.

 

[Leonard WashingtonParticipant]

I wasn’t sure what UNC was getting with JJ when they recruiting him other than a scorer with length and I was never high on him (still not).  Granted he has done well at times and other times I’m sitting here like wtf is this kid doing.  He has stints where he I feel like he gets bullied and doesn’t have the "Dog" in him (ala Westbrook, Draymond) to battle back.  Its hard to watch sometimes especially when we are missing out on recruits in his position that IMO are better players and a better fit for Roy’s system.  

Hope improves over time, which I’m sure his skill set will.  I just don’t think he will develop his body or improve his athleticism enough to be nothing more than a NBA back-up, especially if he keeps playing with a weak minded approach.  He’s a Poor Man’s Tayshaun to me.

 

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Matt Barnes is his equal comparison 

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Matt Barnes is his equal comparison 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

As a UNC guy, I’m torn on Justin.  He is the epitome of a "finesse" player.  He drives and loves shooting that little floater in the lane.  He has such great touch.  I just wish he was more nasty.  He is too nice.  He has the ultimate baby face and just looks like he would be the guy to compliment another guy on the other team for  making a good play.  I was really worred about him after a couple games but he has been a beast recently.  For a guy with such a nice stroke, I don’t understand why he’s not a better 3 point shooter.  He couldn’t miss from deep against UVA in the semifinals of the ACC tournament then went something like 0-7 against Notre Dame.  I think he has the talent to be a first rounder easy.  I’m also torn on his athleticism.  I think he’s a very good athlete, but his game isn’t predicated on it.  He’s got really good speed in the open court and is good in transition.  He’ll always be weak because that’s his body type.  I think the combine will be huge for him if he declares after this year.  He’ll have to prove to scouts he can compete athletically in the NBA in my opinion. 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

As a UNC guy, I’m torn on Justin.  He is the epitome of a "finesse" player.  He drives and loves shooting that little floater in the lane.  He has such great touch.  I just wish he was more nasty.  He is too nice.  He has the ultimate baby face and just looks like he would be the guy to compliment another guy on the other team for  making a good play.  I was really worred about him after a couple games but he has been a beast recently.  For a guy with such a nice stroke, I don’t understand why he’s not a better 3 point shooter.  He couldn’t miss from deep against UVA in the semifinals of the ACC tournament then went something like 0-7 against Notre Dame.  I think he has the talent to be a first rounder easy.  I’m also torn on his athleticism.  I think he’s a very good athlete, but his game isn’t predicated on it.  He’s got really good speed in the open court and is good in transition.  He’ll always be weak because that’s his body type.  I think the combine will be huge for him if he declares after this year.  He’ll have to prove to scouts he can compete athletically in the NBA in my opinion. 

[Mad MaxParticipant]

 Matt Barnes 2.0 imo, which is worth a late lotto-1st rd pick

[Mad MaxParticipant]

 Matt Barnes 2.0 imo, which is worth a late lotto-1st rd pick

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