[2021 NBA Draft; 23rd overall] Rockets select Usman Garuba

Love this comparison

 

at 19 wow. do i have rose colored glasses on or is this a great draft?

 

I couldn't find this on YouTube. Do you have a link?

 

In watching this Olympic game and holy **** this might not be that much of a reach

He REALLY does give Luc vibes, he’s 230 but can move his feet with 5’10 guards, and what makes him special is the seemless transition from perimeter to interior defense, super polished defensively, high IQ, good footwork, hustles, in the right places... which is exactly what Luc brought to the Rockets in 2017

I remember watching Luc and thinking, god damn this is one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen, he locked up guys of all different sizes and skill levels, which I would have never expected from a vet min signing

The only problem is that as polished as he is defensively, he’s equally as raw offensively, he still really hustles and runs hard, he makes quick decisions, but the shot is super shaky, no handle, kind of messing up the spacing and is out of place too much


But that level of defense from a 19 year old... that’s crazy nice, in today’s NBA this guy is going to have a long career whether he ever develops offensively or not.

 

NBCsports application, can run it from ur computer, xbox, roku etc if you have a cable provider

 

Legit draymond green defensive upside

on offense , he’s probably Corey brewer right now .

but ... he’s 19 . If he can just be serviceable in a year or two he is a legit playoff player

 

noice!

 

Some of these highlights are freaky. Like how fast he goes back up for second blocks, how he can handle the ball a bit in the open court or on pick and rolls, and how relentless he is at times on D.

 

not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5 not 6
we young
we stacked

 

Not quite as explosive vertically as Luc but maybe better laterally.

And his energy is off the charts.

 

Playing with the Spanish stars right now.

 

I’m watching some video highlights. This man has some ball hawk instincts. I could definitely see him developing into a Rodman type player who will simply own the glass. He seems to be developing a touch on his 3 ball too. Perfect rotation player with Tate.

 

Tilman negotiating all you can eat shrimp and Mastros gift certificates.

 

He is bigger/stronger than Luc, has more fluid movement than Ibaka at same age.

I’d say physically his closest NBA comparison is a taller Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Usman is a smarter defender than Thanasis (doesn’t overcommit as much, manages his aggressiveness a bit better), perhaps a bit less explosive leaper. Both can switch to guards, Thanasis can drop his hips better and has a lower defensive stance, but Garuba can turn faster. Biggest difference is height and wingspan which allows Garuba to defend centers naturally.

On offense he needs to screen and roll harder and faster. Hopefully, NBA training/nutrition can help add some height and explosiveness in his vertical jump, to make him a better finisher / threat on the pick n roll.

 

The Rockets just bolstered their front court and their team defense.

From reading, Garuba brings a defensive intensity. He also with Tate are going to stifle teams with suffocating defensive pressure.


But the Rockets got really young last night. Aren't all 4 guys they drafted 19 years old.... And 3 of the guys they drafted all come straight from professional leagues.

 

He just really needs to learn how to shoot. He's amazing defensively, but his ceiling is capped till he manages to at least shoot FT'S. He's like a shorter Capela

 

All we need to do is get him a good shooting coach to correct his form then make sure he does thousands of reps on the corner 3. He can dunk/run in transition, add in a corner 3 and that's our PJ/Luc/Ariza/Battier style hustle glue guy sorted. Hope he's with us for a long time.

 

My favorite part of his blocks is that keeps the ball in play. None of that, let me spike the **** out of the ball out of bounds.