Event 2018 NBA Draft

I generally agree here.
Hutch can beat people off the dribble, but its only going to the left. I also think you're being a little harsh on his decision making.

Bridges
Season PER TS% eFG% 3PAr TRB% AST% STL% BLK% TOV% USG% WS/40 BPM
2015-16 18.4 .633 .591 .467 9.3 7.5 3.1 3.6 10.7 14.5 .193 11.5
2016-17 21.0 .676 .644 .481 9.7 12.0 3.5 3.5 15.1 15.3 .205 13.4
2017-18 27.1 .654 .621 .499 9.8 10.8 2.7 3.5 9.0 23.5 .243 12.9

Hutchison
Season PER TS% eFG% 3PAr TRB% AST% STL% BLK% TOV% USG% WS/40 BPM
2014-15 12.2 .430 .379 .161 10.3 12.5 2.5 1.4 12.5 18.9 .113 1.1
2015-16 17.1 .537 .506 .081 12.3 12.8 1.9 2.1 13.6 18.5 .145 3.8
2016-17 22.4 .555 .526 .165 14.2 19.3 2.2 0.6 14.6 28.9 .159 4.5
2017-18 25.9 .575 .528 .296 14.6 24.1 2.7 0.9 16.2 33.2 .208 7.9

Bridges is a much better shooter and doesn't turn the ball over as much (partially due to lower usage rate). Hutchison the better rebounder, creating assists, and carried a larger load on his team.
I think Bridges is definitely a better 3&D prospect. Hutch is a great player to take a chance on at the end of the 1st round.

 

Oh yeah, I agree with that.

I remember when people said the same about Paul George.

 

I think we may see Swanigan replace Ed Davis, and potentially someone like Grayson Allen replace Connaughton next year. Saves us some money to re-sign Nurk and Napier. I think both are reasonable replacement ideas. But I also don't think E.D. or P.C. are going to get big $$ so they may stay here.

 

#Bridgesorbust

 

No offense, but I don't see Swanigan being a replacement off the bench center. The guy is struggling with the talent at the NBA level.
Grayson Allen? not sure?

 

I always thought Grayson was a decent prospect up until I watched his dirty plays video the other day.

Bush league b.s. that I now don't want any part of.

 

If Swanigan can get into the shape he was in during summer league (and he looks close now,) I can see a future for him as a backup center. He's shorter than you'd like but he's got good length and an instinct for where the ball will go on the boards that you can't teach. His passing and shooting potential should add value, and in Terry's system he wouldn't be asked to switch as much playing center, so he can be protected defensively. I think he can be an average individual defender and rim protector because of his IQ and length. But he's got to stay in shape. He can't afford to fluctuate.

But I also wouldn't hesitate to package him with our pick to move up a couple spots either.

 

Never liked him. Even besides the fact that he plays for Duke (The Capital in The Hunger Games).

 

Yes, Paul George struggled shooting off the dribble as a sophomore, but was a better ball handler, finisher and overall shooter and had a much higher skill level at similar ages.

PG: Frosh yr: 58.2% TS on 22% usage
Soph yr: 57.2% TS on 27.9% usage

Hutch: Frosh yr: 43% TS on 18.9% usage
Soph yr: 53.5% TS on 18.5% usage

And to tester's point, I'm likely being too harsh on Hutchison's decision making. Sample bias probably to blame. I've seen some of Hutchison's worst basketball, and when he's bad...he's really bad.

 

I watched some of a game on YouTube tonight. I think he's my target for the Blazers pick.

He definitely has a few holes in his game, but he can be an elite defender.
Positives:
- decent rebounder
- active on D
- can stay in front of quick guards
- can rebound & go
- has quick first step when driving with decent handle
- his shooting percentages have risen dramaticly over his 3 years at tulane
- 3&D guy with potentially much more

Negatives
- seems a bit aloof at times on O
- didn't seem to do the little things (fighting for loose balls etc)
- hunts for steals
- wild when driving

His absolute celing is a Kahwi light. A more likely outcome may be a slightly smaller/quicker Aminu with a better (cleaner) shot & better handle.

 

He's another one that I like. Hopefully he declares despite the broken hand. If so, he might drop low enough for the Blazers to have a chance

 

Are we tanking next year? First off, screw Grayson Allen.

2nd, Swanigan is no where near as effective as Davis. If we're trying to win, that's a horrible idea.

 

Ask yourself this... When PG or Jimmy Butler get to the rim, is it because they "beat" people (i.e. accelerate past them) or is it because they are in control and use their body to shield their layups where they're able to finish with craftiness around the rim? Usually, it's the latter. They just need to get a player on their hip and be going towards the rim, and they likely score.

Hutchison does this well. He's shown a level of control, craftiness, and ability to use his body to put himself in a position to use those skills that translates to the NBA well. It's very rare that SFs end up being players that consistently blow by their defenders in the NBA, so beating guys off the dribble in college isn't what I look for. He's able to accelerate just enough to get next to a defender, and he knows how to score from there.

When you look at Khris Middleton, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler at their time in college, none of these guys shot off the move or had efficient mid-to-long-range jumpers. Kawhi was pretty much a ser shooter. So how did these guys turn into players that could do that? Elite work ethic, which Hutchison has.

To worry about mid-range and off the move shooting is silly with Hutchison. He barely tried to do so in college, so who knows how effective he is. He can be a great player without those things, but I have no doubt he can learn them. He was never a confident jump shooter until his junior season, so with ever-growing confidence I believe his shot-arsenal will continue to open up.

The dude has an extra gear, work ethic, as well as some skills on the court that Bridges doesnt have and that you can't teach easily (elite body control, ability to finish at weird angles, some ability to change pace, quick first step, some passing vision, ability to keep his body and his dribble synchronized, etc.)

I also believe Bridges had the luxury of playing on a great team while Hutchison didnt. Bridges has a better percentage, but he gets a lot more open looks than Hutchison due to playing on a Final Four team. Hutchison was also tasked with trying to distribute for a mediocre supporting cast, and many teams would load up on him defensively, which would be a main reason for his struggles, based on a heavily-loaded defense that he wouldn't see in the NBA so long as he had a decent group of teammates. The 3rd option in a Portland attack would be a great role for him. He would have an easier time trying to create at the NBA level for a team like Portland.

 

OK draftniks, I have a question.... about Grayson Allen.

The guy was a complete immature horse's arse in 2016-17. Did he grow up any in 2017-18? I haven't watched
college ball at all this year, so I'm curious.

 

You make some fair points here, but this conversion sounds eerily similar. I suggest a guy I like, you think he sucks, then u actually watch him and then think he's got all star potential then I have to talk u down.

Hutch has rotation combo forward upside imo.

 

I never thought Hutch sucked I had just never heard of him compared to every other 1st round prospect. I didnt watch Boise State until your mention of him. This is the first guy you loked that I ended up really high on. He has all-star potential.

 

I know everybody hates him, but I look forward to seeing Grayson Allen in Summer League.

 

I’ll be honest. Ive never watched a full Greyson Allen game. If I don’t have to watch that face of his, along with coach Ks, I won’t.

 

Nope. Those psychological issues are deep rooted.

 

Donovan Mitchell?