Thanks for digging That is how I remember him as a prospect The perfect NBA build even at 18 with unreal athletic gifts ... But a long way to go in skill development, other than the playmaking, which was always special
Obviously a different era of basketball, but it's a bit stunning to go back and look at both LeBron and Durant shooting under 29% from 3 in their rookie years where they both won ROY, especially considering where both would end up eventually. Here's hoping that someday we'll be talking about how it's unbelievable that Jalen Green actually lost a dunk contest in his rookie year, when he's clinching a finals victory by dunking all over another team...
My initial point which got lost in all this, was that calling Lebron an all time great passer entering the league was putting the cart before the horse regardless of projections. Ben Simmons entered the league averaging 8.2 assists compared to Lebron’s 5.9 assists. It’s their career that defines their greatness or lack of, not their draft comparison. Lebron not only live up to the hype but exceeded it. Paolo is a different type of PF entering the league than Lebron but he already has such an advanced handle and footwork for his size. I would be shocked if Paulo ended up making a top ten assist list but that doesn’t mean Paolo can’t be a great, but not historically great passer for his size.
You would do well to understand nuance and context. I’m really sick of your insulting debating style. Grow up and grow a pair. Fix your daddy issues or whatever.
Which is somewhat like the inverse of Paolo. Lebron was generational prospect that went beyond his court vision. Lebron at his size developed the skills to go along with the vision. I’m not saying Paolo will reach that GOAT level or even hall of fall level, but the blue print is there to be a special type of playmaking (for himself and others). It’s Paolo’s defense potential which is the major question mark for me.
Top 10 in apg is a high bar for a PF that’s for sure. Jokic is basically the only big that gets there. Draymond close at 17th this year. KD, Lebron, Giannis all top 30. but if there’s one thing I’ve learned and am fairly confident in, heliocentric players that do it all are WAY overrated. More often than not it’s a symptom of the rest of the team not being good enough. It also typically results in worse defense just from energy usage. but what IS important to me is that the player is capable of doing it when needed and has high bball iq. With Jalen he needs to become a better playmaker. He DOESNT need to average double digit or high single digit assists. But he needs to get better at making the right read and passes. With Paolo… same concept. He doesn’t need to ever be a top so apg guy. But can he be a primary playmaker than can make high quality, smart and unexpected passes getting him 5,6 per game many years in his prime? I think so.
Yeah me too Same issues for me taking Green over Mobley last year I wanted a foundational core of 2way players for this rebuild I've slowly come around to the idea of the Green - Paulo - Alpy core Part of why I'm obsessed with Eason If we can find stout 3&D role types to surround those 3 pieces, it can work Next steps for me in building this team: Ball-Pressure up top Smart, Lonzo or Dejounte would be ideal but pipedreams Maybe Davion if SAC thinks Wood gets them the play-in KPJ made strides but is not there yet Josh could be the answer So pissed Dyson Daniels skyrocketed - he is the perfect fit in this class to pair next to Green Versatile, long, physical athlete on the wing The curse of #3, part 1, as Jabari is the prototype Tons of these guys in this class Eason, Sochan, Beauchamp, Liddell, Brown Trade up for Tari is my dream scenario, but somebody will fall to #17 Long rim protector inside The curse part 2, as Chet rivals Mobley in this regard Bamba is my target here, and seems to be a lot of buzz there - fingers crossed Myles and Isaac are two more rumored to be available, and either would fit great here if EGo or Wood + picks gets it done No way I want Duren or Williams as high as 17, but wouldn't mind trading for an early 2nd pick for a shot at Kessler, Koloko, etc If we can round out the rotation with these 3 pieces, Paulo, Green and Alpy only have to be decent on DEF end to make it work
Good analysis, though I really do think KPJ will become the 3&D backcourt player. His 3P is already elite for what will be needed (catch and shoot) and his D is rapidly improving. He needs to continue developing there, but I see a LOT of Marcus Smart in him (with better shooting). 3&D wing is the key, and this draft is full of them. A long rim protector at C is probably a pipe dream unfortunately, especially as we need one who won’t destroy spacing. Chet would be perfect, but that isn’t happening. Getting someone who would could rotate off the bench for large opposing bigs or when the D is really struggling while relying on a team approach for the starting lineup is probably the best bet. There is a chance Garuba is that guy, BTW. It would be helpful if the 3 could provide inside support too (like KJ does, but more reliance on length than jumping). If the lineup is KPJ/Green/3&D/Paolo/Alp, the defensive destiny will have to an aggressive switch with one long player (probably the SF) cleaning up at the rim and rotating in a defensive big as needed. That lineup is tall at all but C, and fairly quick. Most NBA players get better at defense once they start winning and get more focus and get time together, so while they will be bad next year, I have faith they will develop into a “good enough” squad on that end while being a really strong offensive team starting pretty quickly. PS. I really want to see what we have in Garuba eventually. I’m not convinced he can’t be the rotational big to spell either Paolo or Sengun against tougher front courts or all-NBA PFs.
Just made this point in another thread but how come nobody ever comps Paolo with Scottie Barnes? lots of similarities to their builds and play type to the point id call them both point forwards. Doesn’t Paolo just on power and by eye test comp clearly better than Barnes coming out of his freshman year? Barnes just won ROY in a “stacked” draft class.
Here is my pipe dream to blend with yours… Wood & Tate …for… #13 (defensive big)& Kelly Oubre—> play for a year as the kids develop & maybe flip at the trade deadline. THEN The Spurs may be our answer with picks 20 & 25. #17 and Martin …for… 20&25 (defensive wings the fall like Brown & Liddell)
Thats not a comparison that immediately comes to mind. I feel like Paolo’s offensive game was more refined in college. But then again, I remember Barnes was a bit of an enigma as a prospect with more defensive versatility and court vision. They do have similar builds as they both have PF bodies. Obviously Toronto nailed that pick. It’s really hard to separate the roles they both played in college to what they will project too.
Defense. But focusing solely on offense, I can definitely see Banchero as that jumbo-playmaking point forward. The problem is, people overlook that skill/position because there aren’t many elite point forwards in today’s NBA: Scottie Barnes Ben Simmons Julius Randle LeBron That’s it. Just one superstar point forward in LeBron, and Banchero doesn’t have his athleticism.
giannis is also a point forward. Averages nearly 6 apg. there’s not like 5+ great players of every play type. Not every PG is a top 5 point guard type thing. When it works, it’s great. When it doesn’t you get a lesser player. There’s basically no Chet’s in the nba at all. Paolo does need to get better at defense for sure.
I'm ok with building around Paolo but he needs to prove he is worthy of building around him first. No point in building around Banchero if he hasnt shown nba level potential yet unlike Green and Sengun. Right now I'm gonna be in a wait and see mode and see how he does when paired with CWood/Usman/Sengun.
next years lineup Ivey aka Wade Green aka Kobe Porter aka Harden Martin aka Larry Nance sr. Sengun aka Baby Divac : Gasol
