Jean Pierre Tokoto

I think he would make a good pick at #32. Draft Express has a feature I like where they do a head-to-head comparison and in this case, it was between Tokoto and Jerian Grant. Good perspective (I think) of where their individual skillsets are.

<script height="378px" width="672px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=23b69841d9454479a6f4fcf4a8514588&ec=QxYWNucjpPafeAiKlOufxHGyreOC_J_C"></script>

In case it doesn't embed properly - http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Jerian-Grant-vs-JP-Tokoto-Video-Analysis-4800

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but trying to show my scouting ability. I'll go on record saying this was a mistake for this kid.

 

The way he looked in Summer league hell yes that could turn out to be a huge mistake. KJ was truly someone that should have gone in first round. Same with Carl Landry who went late because of his size. Tokoto is 2nd round talent for a reason.

 

Late second round too. Even Parsons signed a longer deal to make sure his game developed before contract time came about.

 

That's the thing. He's not shown that. He gambles too much, sags off when defending a simple pick, he doesn't use angles, guesses most of the time, but he's a legit rebounder. Being a legit rebounder at the 2 or 3 doesn't get you a contract. The NBA is going to eat this guy's defense alive in my opinion. Defense is about consistency and this guy doesn't have that type of discipline.

I see one NBA skill in him and that's rebounding. A skill that is not sought after at the SG position. His huge mistake is taking a one year contract when he probably needs 2 or 3 years to learn the skills it takes to defend an NBA player that can beat you 30 different ways. But if he wants to play overseas, maybe it wasn't such a bad deal. I would just think that an American player wouldn't dream of playing overseas when they grew up watching the best league in the world.

 

I don't know much about this kid but I think taking a one year deal is a big gamble for most second rounders. I agree with the point that a 2 to 3 year deal would give him more time in the L to work on his game. A one year deal runs a big risk that he's an NBDL player or overseas casualty.

KJ took a big risk and it paid off. I don't think every player that thinks he is big time (and is a second round pick) should take that gamble. Look at Harrell. He's not even signed, but if we sign him to a one year deal how does he know he gets enough playing time to get another contract? It's a big risk.

 

I agree. I would try to get at least a 3 year deal if I'm Harrell. I wouldn't settle for less than 2. As much as I like Harrell, he hasn't shown me an NBA mind yet. Like Tokoto, he also lacks defensive discipline, but he has two NBA skills so far. That turn-around/face-up jumper from the baseline and his dunking. Dunking is cool, but pretty much everyone can do it. That jumper is sweet though. That being said, if Harrell takes a 1 year deal, I think he's risking too much. Time is an under-developed player's best friend.

I think the strongest point that Normalus made was that JP Tokoto should have an opportunity to prove his worth on a team with little depth at his position. My argument is that this will backfire and he'll look terrible. I could be wrong and for the kid's sake, I hope I am.

I think this Tokoto kid's upside is PJ Tucker and he was out of the NBA after 1 season. It's something to really consider. A team that has a longer contract for you is going to put more effort into helping you grow. If PJ signed a longer term deal, he might not have ever played those 5 seasons overseas.

Take less for longer and work hard. That's what works way more often than 1 year deals.

 

Summer League isn't a good barometer for much of how a player would fit on the main team. I think he made a smart move as he can carve a role as a role as a pesky defender/rebounder in his first season.