Thanks for sharing, @J.R. !! Good read on everyone. Quick! Someone send shoulder pictures to The Athletic!
Mobley got worked by bigger guys on the block all year anyone who says otherwise is biased. Drew Timme dominated Mobley in their matchup. Skills are awesome in practice and during drills but will they translate against big, mean NBA players? That is the million dollar question - FOR ALL OF THESE KIDS!
I wonder if Thor is a hard worker, or if just wants to be a role player. His Indiana interview was okay. He stated he wants to work on defense first. Where is the report on Scottie Lewis? He is explosive, and loves playing defense. His jumper can get better, it's not broken.
Well, I'm wanting a couple of Bigs with some sand in their pants. They will get pushed around near the rim; but not nearly as much as the paper thin centers. Olynyk weighs 245 pounds but knows nothing about leverage and is kinda a dork. Therefore he gets manhandled more times than not. If Kyle Anderson, Brook Lopez can play in the NBA as slow as they are.....so can Garuba or Bassey.
Garuba and Bassey have a strong base and play with great energy. Bassey is a good shot blocker/rebounder. He can close out pretty well on the perimeter. Usman is a terrific defender, good rebounder. Charles is better on offense. I think Garuba could get a bit quicker and maybe jump a little better with more conditioning.
That would make me a very happy man. I don't see either Johnson falling to 23. I hope at least one of them will be available for Houston to select.
Mobley is a monster defensive prospect with genuine All-Defense upside in the modern NBA if things break right. His rim protection is elite. USC had the best 2-point defense in the country this past season as the 7-footer shut down the paint. Mobley is an ambidextrous shot blocker who often prefers to block shots with his left hand. Despite his lack of bulk, Mobley is a real hindrance around the basket because he knows how to contest vertically, getting every inch of contest out of his frame. He’s also terrific at not fouling. He averaged just 2.1 fouls per 40 minutes, a ridiculously low clip given how active he was as a shot contester inside. His rotational instincts are terrific from the weak side, and he’s almost always there to provide a difficult look to the driver inside. Beyond that on defense, Mobley is a terrific pick-and-roll defender too. You can run a switch-heavy defense with him because he can go out and deal with quick guards (although he’s not necessarily elite at it, a la Bam Adebayo or anything). Those flexible hips showcase themselves well here, as he can flip and drop his hips as necessary to cut off opposing guards and drivers. He’s also really smart in drop coverage settings, where his quick reaction times allow him to cut off gaps and angles with ease. His limbs allow him to simultaneously guard diving bigs as well as driving guards. He defends both away from and at the rim at an exceedingly high level for a center.
My wish list would be both. They fit my Tweener mold of not too skinny and not too jumbo as PF/Center combo bigs.
Like another favorite - Kai Jones, JJ is also a project. But both with such sky high upside. Very skilled point forward, just needs to refine his game. Off court stuff will drop him, question is just how far?
Has anybody seen that ridiculous expectations/trade proposals that one or some pistons fans are posting. #1 for #2, 23, 24 3 future first rounders, Wood and Tate lol thats not gonna happen. What do ya think?
Good write up by KOC. Some talent evaluators around the league consider Mobley the best prospect in this class because of his versatility on both offense and defense. He can protect the rim, switch on to the perimeter, and serve as the lone big in a lineup. On offense, he can shoot, pass, and make plays off the bounce, making him an all-around smooth fit alongside Cleveland’s existing personnel. But really, Mobley can excel anywhere. And yet another mock where Scottie Barnes has leap frogged Kuminga. He could rise past Suggs to 4th.