I had many long discussions about Anderson with my UCLA co-worker. I think it is safe to say I liked him better than he did and he is a die hard UCLA alum. He is projected around 23 in the draft express mock. I think that is a good spot for him. I would gamble on him that late. He needs to improve his outside game, but I like his over all game. I think he is a NBA player.
It is really trendy to like Kyle Anderson now, but I saw him a lot in college and was not overly impressed. Doesn't have the quickness you need as a point forward, won't get away with taking it too the hoop at the NBA level, and not really a outside shooter. May be a good bench player. I am not saying he won't get better, I just think his skills are maxed out.
I watched him once, against Arizona in the ACC finals. UCLA lost but not by much and it was clear they struggled when he was on the bench. He was by far their most important player, their entire offense is built around him. Think of Batum running the offense but doing it all the time, with Batum's size, play-making ability, passing but without fading to the background like Batum does - that's Anderson. You say he's a forward but he was the PG for them, he is playing a role I hope Batum can accept - the primary point guard on offense next to a combo-guard who likes to play off-the-ball like in our case Lillard. I think that's the right situation for Anderson as well.
I love his skillset but he's really tough to figure out - how is he going to translate? He's as athletic as late career Andre Miller but has the standing-reach of a center. He's a pure PG and I think he ends up at PF eventually.
A power forward? Kind of like how Magic Johnson was a PF at the end of his career? Regardless he could be very versatile. Last year some of you were touting Otto Porter as this all around "glue" player and that was worthy of the #3 selection. I did not like him coming out of college. I would much rather have someone like Kyle Anderson who I think does have skills. But as a mid first round pick, not a lottery pick.
I think it's his best position. Guarding the perimeter will be a problem. Would you have Z-Bo chasing around the Kawhi's of the world? That's IMO his best comparison athletically. And I think he will be available in the mid-first. ....I'd still rather have Dario Saric, but Kyle isn't too far behind.
Seems like his stock is rising. The Hawks (#15) are bringing him in for a second workout. If he's out of reach I'd look at Micic - likely a more realistic target.
He's built much more like Batum than Randolph. Don't know if has Batum's foot speed or defense but he's not comparable to Randolph in any way physically. He'd be something between a very big PG and a point-forward. On defense he probably can't guard PGs but he can't guard PFs either.
