I've seen a couple vids now that really put into question his height and length from Duke. I do have concerns about upside if he's just not going to have a physical edge over guys in the NBA even if he is as highly skilled as it looks like he could be as a 3/4. With the #1 pick I sure as hell don't see the physical upside here for this to be a transformational player... but I guess Cade also didn't check that box either, and at the same time I have always wanted Jabari at #1.... so maybe it's time to start thinking that if we get #1 we might need to swing for the fences with Chet hoping he's got Dirk like potential.
I'm also wondering why this trainer has him continually turning into the defender in the post. In the NBA against a PJ Tucker type you turn the ball over 9 times out of 10.
I think that's where I'm the most frustrated with Silas. The offense is easy to criticize but defense requires less skill because it's mostly about effort. A young team like this should be able to put forth effort on the defensive end of the court almost every night even if their shots aren't falling. That being said, Silas' insistence on playing defensively-inept vets like Wood and Schroder didn't help either.
Im not willing to gamble like that when we already have our generational player in Jalen Green. What Jalen needs is another hub that can run the show while he sits or if he should ever go down for any stretch. During these very playoffs there have been injuries to some relevant "stars" that were absorbed because they had a true #2 to take over. Im not crossing my fingers at the top of the draft that a 3&D player will become more than that when there is no empirical evidence to suggest so. My preference and thought is that it will be easier for Paolo Banchero to become a better shooter and defender in the NBA. If these other players are getting the benefit of the doubt in skill progression why isnt Banchero? There are paths with all of these prospects. Some require more boxes to be checked than others. There is no wrong answer. edit: the draft combine will answer some of these measurable questions. The scrimmage portion will give me the most insight.
Banchero is working with a notable shooting coach. He is also working with another great shooter and NBA champion in MIke MIller. He's working on a variety of things - I'll just give these guys who have done it and are successful in training athletes the benefit of the doubt.
I'm becoming more and more intrigued with seeing Paolo's official measurements at the combine. His roster height at Duke was 6'10", but here he looks spot on the same height as 6'8" Mike Miller. And there's an interview from 2 years ago where he plainly states that he was measured 6'10" without shoes. Not sure what to think anymore.
Well yeah I'm just a dude on the internet and Mike Miller is Mike Miller of course... that being said... as fans I think it also serves as a reminder that these videos of workouts are not always indicators of success as an NBA player. Nothing really can discount seeing them in a real live game with stakes, and evaluating from the stats how better their teams were given what they can provide on both ends. Both Smith and Banchero are similar in that on the court you don't right away see a Lebron James type of impact player, and physically you don't see Giannis/Durant type of physical abilities. Both I think are no doubt going to be good players though as I think Ivy will be as well. The only conundrum is what to do if you get the #1 pick. If you are going to take a "safer" player like Smith or Banchero at 1, I would hope that fundamentally the Rockets see a really really sound player. The last thing you want to do is miss on elements of their game that could keep them benched for most of their first 2 seasons because of silly fouls, or turnovers. I think if we had taken Sengun #1 last year we'd be much more disappointed in the fact that our #1 pick, while intriguing as hell, couldn't start because he was so super turnover prone. That's basically all I'm getting at. Nit picky stuff, but you gotta be nit picky with the #1 pick. If the Rockets end up at #5 then there's room to be a bit less picky of course.
Yeah standing next to Mike Miller doesn't bode well for the desire for him to be comped where he wants to be with the sort of elite athletic guys (Anthony Davis, Durant, Bam, etc.). If you are going to be physically in that Marcus Morris range you need to show that you got just elite level skills. To be a top pick I mean you need to make a strong case for some sort of edge in the league that'll make you unguardable. Jalen has some pretty elite abilities as a guard to justify a top 1 or 2 pick for sure. All things considered, it's just getting harder and harder for me to outright dismiss taking Chet #1 the more I look at these guys.
That's the thing about opinions. Everyone can have one. Chet and Mobley look *much* more fluid in space than Victor. Chet looks way more dynamic offensively as well, being 3 inches shorter and not having to lumber a 7 foot 3 frame around. Victor just looks like a plodder to me. Most of his highlights are blocks and put backs. Chet looks like a much much much more aggressive defender and banger inside the paint. Wembanyama is going to get murdered in space. Too slow. Hard pass. Give me Chet.
Physical upside isn't necessity to becoming a franchise player. Jokic just won consecutive MVPs, as did Steve Nash. Luka Doncic's draft class was filled with strong, athletic big men at the top and he's surpassed them by far. I don't think Paolo has the upside of those guys, but his physical tools aren't really subpar even if his height is comes into question. I remember when Cade's height was decreased from 6'8" to 6'6" and people here lapped it up. Turns out Cade is still a baller.
David Roddy is so underrated and provides almost identical offense and playmaking at 4 spot as Banchero. And he is projected to go in 2nd round. Roddy is as good a passer and 3 level scorer than Banchero imo. 44% from 3P is ridiculous. Similar to Paolo he is not an explosive athlete but he is a physical load, unstoppable at rim with head of steam. David Roddy - 6'6 255 Paolo Banchero 6'10 250 Roddy also more efficient offensively. Per 36 minutes: https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=paolo-banchero--david-roddy PTS Roddy 21.0 > Paolo 18.8 AST Paolo 3.5 > Roddy 3.1 REB Paolo 8.5 > Roddy 8.3 3P% Roddy .438 > Paolo .338 FT% Paolo .729 > Roddy BLK Roddy 1.2 > Paolo 1.0 STL Roddy 1.3 > Paolo 1.1 TS% Roddy .645 > Paolo .557 FG% Roddy .571 > Paolo .478 WS/40 Roddy .247 > Paolo .190 ORTG Roddy 121.9 > Paolo 113.8 DRTG Roddy 97.0 > Paolo 98.1 BPM Roddy 11.1 > Paolo 7.7
Completely fair. You have eyes too! Im sure you enjoy the sport and can deduce certain things without needing a platform for your opinions and complimentary analysis from others. Makes this process fun for guys like us. Have your 'concerns' checklist and do your own homework. Banchero plays within the context of the game and rarely is in foul trouble. Chet finds himself in foul trouble more often actually and I suspect it will follow him at the beginning of his pro career since the NBA has a tendency of exposing rookies. Turnovers happen with all young players. Experience will help smooth some of those issues out IMO. Physically speaking neither Jabari or Paolo carry the concern of Chet, but they ALL will need to prove they belong. I wish Chet was in the gym and putting out videos to further the debate.
It is fascinating that you are on the "fouls/TO" efficiency bandwagon now when you dismissed or ignored this stat entirely last draft when debating between Green and Mobley? Mobley was clearly the better player when it came to defending without fouling committing TO. Mobley ability in this area was worlds better than any big or small in that draft. Convenient that it is your talking point now between Paolo and Chet. Is it because Chet wins every single other advanced stat in defensive AND offensive efficiency?
This account owned by the biggest Christian Wood advocate on Twitter. Of course he doesn't value defense.
