Bryant talked a lot about defensive versatility and communication. Swanigan didn't mention defense once, but was only really asked about the workout itself for about 30 seconds.
Aside: 88 was Batum's number and 44 was Montero's, wasn't it? Are they just recycling ex-players' practice jerseys?
Is Thomas Bryant any relation to Mark Bryant? I think I see a resemblance, in hair if in nothing else.
Nurk's standing reach is only 1.5" higher than Bam's, and Bam's vert is about 12-15" higher. Do we care about vert reach, or only standing reach?
I agree with this. Standing reach for centers and wing span for wings is more important than height. Which is why I never had a problem with Cliff Alexander as a potential backup at center. 6'7" 1/4 height but a 9'1.5" standing reach. (Same as Nurk) Notable bigs in this draft: Zach Collins 9'3 standing reach Patton 9'3.5" standing reach
Standing reach is much more important in low post defense, because the defenders usually on the ground when the low post player gets to their shot. If their in the air, the low post player pump fakes and goes up and under, or draws the foul.
More important, sure, but that doesn't mean vert is completely irrelevant. But if you're dead set on the notion that above-average strength and athleticism (which he has) can't compensate for being 2' below average in standing reach, nothing I can say will sway you.
Caleb Swanigan: Yes, he's undersized and not strong defensively, but wow, this guy should not be a second round pick. I'm hoping the Blazers pick him up somehow.
I'm saying he'll be an average defender at C because of the combination of a below average standing reach and above average strength and athleticism. Thing is, that's his only real strength coming into the draft, so if its not a strength of his in the NBA, he won't be a good player.
He's not undersized at all. He's one of the best 3pnt shooting bigs in the draft, so I'm very confident he'll be able to extend it to NBA range. He struggles defensively, but when you look at the advanced metrics - he still grades out better than 1/2 the other bigs in the draft. Worst case, he's Sullinger - more likely he's early Memphis version of Zbo
Why wouldn't he be able to shoot threes in the NBA? He looks super comfortable shooting the ball. His size is fine at power forward. Ton of PFs with his measurements. I like his patience in the post. I like his rebounding. I like his passing. Good free throw shooter. He's got a little Kevin love in his game. He's probably going to be one of those guys overlooked until a playoff team at the end of the first or second sees his value and ends up making a lot of front offices look dumb.
He has an 8'11/9'0 standing reach. I guess that's average size, but he has a 29" vertical. He'll be a horrendous NBA defender, because PFs are so much agile and athletic, and Swanigan is extremely slow laterally. He won't be a help side influence either. His rebounding won't translate as well as other great rebounders due to his lack of elite size and his lack of athleticism. So I've heard Kennards floor is J.J. Redick, and now Swanigan is more likely to be an all-star instead of a role player. This board is overrating the hell out of the back end of the 1st round. A lot of posters are making the mistake of thinking everything a player does in college he'll be able to do in the NBA.
Sorry, but this is dumb. You can't look base a prospect based off a similarity in college stats between them and a pro before them. With that logic, Frank Mason is a future all star and the next Isaiah Thomas.
Rebounding almost always translates. They said the same thing about Randolph, Dejuan Blair, Millsap, Draymond Green, etc. He's a bad defender, but so was Zach. If you can get a Zach Randolph late in the first round, it's probably worth it. Every single draft there are sf/pf/tweeners who go undervalued. Let's find one.
He's nothing like Kevin Love. Love is much craftier, skilled, with much better footwork than Swanagin. Love could also put the ball on the floor and get to spots, which is something Swanigan couldn't even do in college. Swanigan can't shoot off the dribble either. Swanigan played bully ball in college. It won't work in the NBA. Swanigan will be a horrible NBA player. Count on it.
