[Andrew1984Participant]

Kyle Anderson was MVP of the Vegas SL and Doug McDermott was named to the All-SL First Team. These were two of my favorite prospects in last year’s draft, and I loved that they were taken by solid franchises. I knew they’d have to wait a couple years, but I have commented several times throughout this past year that even though they had uneventful rookie years, their time will come. 

Here’s why I like them so much, and it fits in with my perspective on basketball in general: they just know how to play. Neither one has the measurables as far as leaping ability, shear athleticism, or blinding speed. Both were criticized for being unlikely to defend well at the professional level due to their slow feet. The same was said of Steph Curry in 2009, and at the time I was saying I’d have taken him No. 2 overall anyway, and here’s why: some guys just have a preternatural understanding of how the game is played. 

Most of the players I have loved over the years have fit into this: they succeed because they have honed the fundamental techniques of the game, or they succeed because they have an uncanny ability to find open teammates. Stockton, Magic, Price, Dale Ellis, Nash, Dumars, Steph. Add Kyle Anderson and Doug McDermott to that list. 

Anderson: Everyone argued about it on this site, but he has never been a three or a four. He’s a PG. He is a leader who runs a team and has an incredible knack for knowing where teammates are and seeing angles and creative way to deliver the ball to them. He can dribble, pass, and shoot. He’s going to excel eventually, and SL was a great boost of confidence for him.

McDermott: Since this time last year, he has been considered "too small for the four and too slow for the three." But players who keep making shots find ways to stay on the floor! McDermott can make so many different types of shots; he has catch-and-shoot ability from all over the floor and I believe will be one of the greatest perimeter shooters to ever play one day. He can make runners. He can go shot-fake, one dribble, shot. He can make leaning mid-range shots off post-ups. He may be positionless, he may not play great defense, but his game just works, and I am 100 percent convinced that he will be an elite scorer who shoots high percentages and makes winning plays.

 

 

 

 

 

[Rip255]

Props to Slow-Mo for giving hope to all the chubby kids at schools, showing them that you can win using fundamentals and savvy. He’s a poor-mans Larry Bird but I think he can be part of a winning system.  

I’m with you regarding McDermott. I think he can be every bit as good as Wally Szerbiack. He can stretch the defense on his 3pt shooting alone, and he’s got way more all-around skills than gunners like Korver & Steve Novak. 

My breakout players are Noah Vonleh and Dante Exum. These guys are both really young and might even be 12 months away from breaking out. Lets be honest…no-one watches Utah games but Exum is much better than his stats suggest. 

My least favourite sophomore is Marcus Smart. He plays with a low IQ and I feel like he’s going to do something crazy again. My under/over for Marcus Smart technicals in 2015/16 is 10. 

 

 

 

 

[Rip255]

Props to Slow-Mo for giving hope to all the chubby kids at schools, showing them that you can win using fundamentals and savvy. He’s a poor-mans Larry Bird but I think he can be part of a winning system.  

I’m with you regarding McDermott. I think he can be every bit as good as Wally Szerbiack. He can stretch the defense on his 3pt shooting alone, and he’s got way more all-around skills than gunners like Korver & Steve Novak. 

My breakout players are Noah Vonleh and Dante Exum. These guys are both really young and might even be 12 months away from breaking out. Lets be honest…no-one watches Utah games but Exum is much better than his stats suggest. 

My least favourite sophomore is Marcus Smart. He plays with a low IQ and I feel like he’s going to do something crazy again. My under/over for Marcus Smart technicals in 2015/16 is 10. 

 

 

 

 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

McDermott measured out better then we thought athletically in the combine. I thought that had put it to rest. I have considered him a SF/PF for some time now.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

McDermott measured out better then we thought athletically in the combine. I thought that had put it to rest. I have considered him a SF/PF for some time now.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 The most impressive improvement has to go to Aaron Gordon. In his rookie year he rarely scored on a play he created himself or showed much skill at all. I never would have guessed his skills would be this developed this fast yet have always believed in him as a player. His progression reminds me of Derozans from rookie to sophomore, he started with a huge summer league breakout then went from 8-ppg to 17-ppg.

I’ve always been fans of unorthodox players like Anderson, Warren, Payne, and Stokes. It’s nice to see Anderson and Warren succeed and show if invested I to with playing time they will produce at a high level.

Lavine and Clarkson really showed they have crazy potential as combo gaurds and Elfrid Payton and Exum proved to be more talented pure floor generals while Smart is all over the place yet still shows good talent.

Two guys I would like to see get an opportunity are Russ Smith and Semaj Christon. Russ had two game winners in summer league and showed that Louisville swag and tenacity. Semaj dominated the D-League last year and is waiting on the future of OKC to get an opportunity.

Not impressed with how Randle came back but he may take some time. It’s his first time sitting out that long and he needs to get back into the flow. Although his dominant left hand is worrisome.

Dougie Mcbuckets showed why his last name is Mcbuckets. Looks like he has his confidence back under coach Hoiberg who shouldve been an NBA coach a while ago. Vonlehs maybe saved from a loss of confidence as well with his move to Portland. Funny what a little bit of competitive spirit and positive  reinforcement can do for people.

As a Raptors fan and Toronto guy I’ve gotta say I’m happy with Caboclos please progression. His English still isn’t good enough for him to start on an NBA team although the work he has done on his skills and body is tremendous. Once the langauge settles in and he can speak, listen, and think in English subconsciously or without thinking about it he will be a difference maker.

Dwight Powell is another Canadian boy making noise on the second team. He should be able to crack an NBA roster with his versatile skillset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 The most impressive improvement has to go to Aaron Gordon. In his rookie year he rarely scored on a play he created himself or showed much skill at all. I never would have guessed his skills would be this developed this fast yet have always believed in him as a player. His progression reminds me of Derozans from rookie to sophomore, he started with a huge summer league breakout then went from 8-ppg to 17-ppg.

I’ve always been fans of unorthodox players like Anderson, Warren, Payne, and Stokes. It’s nice to see Anderson and Warren succeed and show if invested I to with playing time they will produce at a high level.

Lavine and Clarkson really showed they have crazy potential as combo gaurds and Elfrid Payton and Exum proved to be more talented pure floor generals while Smart is all over the place yet still shows good talent.

Two guys I would like to see get an opportunity are Russ Smith and Semaj Christon. Russ had two game winners in summer league and showed that Louisville swag and tenacity. Semaj dominated the D-League last year and is waiting on the future of OKC to get an opportunity.

Not impressed with how Randle came back but he may take some time. It’s his first time sitting out that long and he needs to get back into the flow. Although his dominant left hand is worrisome.

Dougie Mcbuckets showed why his last name is Mcbuckets. Looks like he has his confidence back under coach Hoiberg who shouldve been an NBA coach a while ago. Vonlehs maybe saved from a loss of confidence as well with his move to Portland. Funny what a little bit of competitive spirit and positive  reinforcement can do for people.

As a Raptors fan and Toronto guy I’ve gotta say I’m happy with Caboclos please progression. His English still isn’t good enough for him to start on an NBA team although the work he has done on his skills and body is tremendous. Once the langauge settles in and he can speak, listen, and think in English subconsciously or without thinking about it he will be a difference maker.

Dwight Powell is another Canadian boy making noise on the second team. He should be able to crack an NBA roster with his versatile skillset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I agree Gordon looked great. I didn’t realize how good Clarkson was unt I saw him next to Russell. If he ends up counting as a 2, maybe he can be an all-star. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I agree Gordon looked great. I didn’t realize how good Clarkson was unt I saw him next to Russell. If he ends up counting as a 2, maybe he can be an all-star. 

[holefillers1Participant]

 Nerlens Noel will get DPOY consideration.  Rookie avg of 10 and 9 with almost 2 blk and 2 stl per game. He will get more weak side blocks and generally wreak havoc on the court.
I interested to see what Marcus Smart does this year. Boston is a borderline playoff team and I could see him being the bulldog on that team. A bit like Kyle Lowery.

[holefillers1Participant]

 Nerlens Noel will get DPOY consideration.  Rookie avg of 10 and 9 with almost 2 blk and 2 stl per game. He will get more weak side blocks and generally wreak havoc on the court.
I interested to see what Marcus Smart does this year. Boston is a borderline playoff team and I could see him being the bulldog on that team. A bit like Kyle Lowery.

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I think Terry Rozier will be a better long-term NBA player than Marcus Smart. This’ll be an interesting one to re-visit in five years. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I think Terry Rozier will be a better long-term NBA player than Marcus Smart. This’ll be an interesting one to re-visit in five years. 

[holefillers1Participant]

 I love rozier. Was hoping the Sixers got back into first rd to get him.  Boston should be able to score with easy with Thomas, Smart, Rozier and Young.

[T Rex]

 You forgot RJ Hunter, sniper elite. And now David Lee, along with 3 point shooter Olynyk and the ever-improving Tyler Zeller, who quietly got a lot better last year. By the end of the season he had an effortless, confident 20 ft jumper, to go along with his soft touch around the hoop.

We’re like 15-16 deep, actually. Trying to find a spot for Jonathan Holmes, who shot like 55-60% from 3 in summer league on a lot of shots per game.

 

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 You forgot RJ Hunter, sniper elite. And now David Lee, along with 3 point shooter Olynyk and the ever-improving Tyler Zeller, who quietly got a lot better last year. By the end of the season he had an effortless, confident 20 ft jumper, to go along with his soft touch around the hoop.

We’re like 15-16 deep, actually. Trying to find a spot for Jonathan Holmes, who shot like 55-60% from 3 in summer league on a lot of shots per game.

 

 

 

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 I love rozier. Was hoping the Sixers got back into first rd to get him.  Boston should be able to score with easy with Thomas, Smart, Rozier and Young.

[T Rex]

 Anderson was my favorite prospect last year as well, and I wanted him at 17 instead of James Young.

D’Angello Russell is exactly like Anderson, except that skill set without athletic ability only works for tall players. It does not work for players like Russell, unless they have Harden-like strength or something.

Anderson will be like a Paul Pierce level point forward, with much superior length to compensate for not having Pierce’s athleticism.

A guy who can take over a game when he has to, while making everybody else better at the same time.

It was, however, some consolation to see James Young finally have a good game against the Spurs and Anderson, hitting a couple of turn-around jumpers right over Anderson’s 9’0 reach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 Anderson was my favorite prospect last year as well, and I wanted him at 17 instead of James Young.

D’Angello Russell is exactly like Anderson, except that skill set without athletic ability only works for tall players. It does not work for players like Russell, unless they have Harden-like strength or something.

Anderson will be like a Paul Pierce level point forward, with much superior length to compensate for not having Pierce’s athleticism.

A guy who can take over a game when he has to, while making everybody else better at the same time.

It was, however, some consolation to see James Young finally have a good game against the Spurs and Anderson, hitting a couple of turn-around jumpers right over Anderson’s 9’0 reach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[r377Participant]

I still like TJ Warren

[r377Participant]

I still like TJ Warren

[straightcashParticipant]

To say Marcus Smart plays with a low IQ might be the dumbest statement I’ve ever heard.

No disrespect, I just don’t agree with that at all.

[straightcashParticipant]

To say Marcus Smart plays with a low IQ might be the dumbest statement I’ve ever heard.

No disrespect, I just don’t agree with that at all.

[Rip255]

None taken. I look forward to checking out a few Celtics games to see him run the offense. 

[Rip255]

None taken. I look forward to checking out a few Celtics games to see him run the offense. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

He does not have a low IQ he just tried to do to much because he puts the teams pressure to win on his back. He knows better yet still tries to force the issue to get his team ahead. He knows better though.

For instance if Kobe goes up the court and jacks up a contested three then next possession Nick Young does it there’s a difference. Kobe is doing it because he is trying to force the issue. Nick Young is doing it because he thinks its a good shot.

At times Smart does play hero ball and takes out of rythm shots he shouldn’t take but you can’t hate someone for the same reason you love him. The confidence and assertiveness he has can be found in the best PGs in the league and most of them have been criticized for being ball hogs, turnover prone, wild, having low IQ or whatever as well.

I like Smart and think his physicality and aggressive play will take him a far way in this league. I have to say I’m kinda regretting standing up for him he is one of the most hated players on this forum right now.

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

He does not have a low IQ he just tried to do to much because he puts the teams pressure to win on his back. He knows better yet still tries to force the issue to get his team ahead. He knows better though.

For instance if Kobe goes up the court and jacks up a contested three then next possession Nick Young does it there’s a difference. Kobe is doing it because he is trying to force the issue. Nick Young is doing it because he thinks its a good shot.

At times Smart does play hero ball and takes out of rythm shots he shouldn’t take but you can’t hate someone for the same reason you love him. The confidence and assertiveness he has can be found in the best PGs in the league and most of them have been criticized for being ball hogs, turnover prone, wild, having low IQ or whatever as well.

I like Smart and think his physicality and aggressive play will take him a far way in this league. I have to say I’m kinda regretting standing up for him he is one of the most hated players on this forum right now.

 

 

 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I wouldn’t say he has bad ball IQ, but what about skill ? You mention Kobe one of the greatest players of all time skill wise. Smart shouldn’t be mentioned with Kobe because he doesn’t have close to that talent skill wise or game in my opinion even though it’s still early. He is one of the players that fans have really stood up usually for his mentality not talent.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I wouldn’t say he has bad ball IQ, but what about skill ? You mention Kobe one of the greatest players of all time skill wise. Smart shouldn’t be mentioned with Kobe because he doesn’t have close to that talent skill wise or game in my opinion even though it’s still early. He is one of the players that fans have really stood up usually for his mentality not talent.

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