Well, he wasn’t even drafted top 5 as a 22 year old. The draft is such a crapshoot anyway. So many busts and steals every year. All we can do now is hope he develops and the team takes care of him as he gets experience
Genuine question: who's been the best 19 year old PG in NBA history? Better not be Sebastian Telfair...
I know. That was the point. What Damian Lillard was capable of @ 19 likely would’ve reflected in the fact that he wouldn’t have went #3 overall given that he didn’t go in the top 5 when he was drafted. I’m more curious: Does Damian Lillard become Damian Lillard if he is drafted when he was 19 vs 22?
Larry Bird came into the NBA at 23. Does he become Larry Bird if he was drafted at 19? Used to be that just about all players came into the league at 21-22. MJ came in at 21. Dumars at 22; Worthy at 21; KAJ at 22; Havlicek at 22; Bill Russell at 22; Jerry West at 22; Lionel Hollins at 22; Walton at 22; Clyde at 21; Terry Porter at 22 I have a hard time believing the talent of those guys wouldn't have determined the arc of their careers whether they entered at 19 or when they actually did
I really don’t know, there are a lot of factors. They came into the league a lot more polished and developed — and a lot more confident. There is something called the Winner Effect, which is essentially what boxing is based on. You beat up on a lot of shitty opponents because it makes it more likely you’ll beat a good opponent. If MJ is drafted at 19 — does he get the same development that he got at UNC? Does his confidence remain the same? Does he stay out of trouble? (Because you’re also giving these 19 year olds a lot of money, where at 21-22-23 they’ve gone thru college and have learned a bit — and matured a bit). There are a ton of factors and I frankly don’t know. And obviously you’re using examples of some of the best players ever. Obviously is LeBron went to college or not doesn’t particularly matter. Damian doesn’t have that talent level.
yeah, I don't know either and the reality is it's probably unknowable. I mean, what prepares a player best for an NBA career: 4 years of college or 4 years in the NBA? Players like we're talking about are alpha dogs. Dame doesn't have the talent of a Lebron or MJ, but he's definitely an alpha dog. I'd imagine that players like that will reach their ceilings regardless of what path they traveled from 19-22
Don't know if anyone else saw it but there were at least two instance where a guard for the Utah Jazz bumped into Scoot's chest while dribbling in the lane and lost control of the ball for a turnover. One was by Collin Sexton, and the other was Talen Horton-Tucker. Don't know if they are prone to that, or if they didn't expect Brick House Henderson. Malcolm Brogdon never looked like a mismatch against Lauri Markannen when Brogdon was guarding him in the mid-range area. I would think Markannen could just turn around and shoot a jumper but I don't think that happened even once. I'm hoping both Brogdon and Scoot can stay healthy for a while. Brogdon's defense is like his offense, not exciting but can be very effective. Scoot's effort level on defense is good, and if defense is mostly effort he will be fine once he (Sharpe too) figures out what he can and can't do.
<bangs head on desk> I knew it would be an obvious one, lol. Couldn't think of it for the life of me...
