Yeah I knew Sam had Cam ranked high, so I was curious to see what he had to say. Honestly sounds kinda like "yeah he's got major issues, but if he figures it out, he should be great!" Oversimplifying it, but yeah I don't disagree with that. And I think Sam is higher on his shot than me (and he's just a bit smarter than me, so I'll defer to him). Interestingly, I recall Sam not liking the idea of Cam's fit in Houston (due to JG and Jabari...for reasons I guess). So I guess some of his potential might depend on the right situation too.
he did get Jokic right . But agreed, I’m not sure I can trust this guy. I still like Whitmore despite the red flags. Again, he’s only 18. Weakest Villanova team in over a decade or so, and first year without Jay Wright. That has to factor in somewhere.
imo the mental game for all of these guys not named scoot has to improve leaps and bounds . these are not the 22 year old seniors teams used to draft . cam I like . Idk if I like him more than amen or black or Hendricks / Walker … but he’s the youngest . And that’s not a bad thing . everyone gushed over Amens athleticism, but cam is right there and he’s a year and a half younger … you don’t think he could be an even better athlete than Amen in that timeframe ? I like POWER . Cam and black both very strong . overall I like black most . If he can just work on that left hand a good bit he’s really got what you need already and a shot is just gravy . Amen , idk , I’m very worried about his competition level and age . I’m worried about his finishing and not being able to get in transition . Like we all heard about how Green was a Ferrari , but we haven’t really been able to get out in transition that much because our defense sucks . Amen is more physically mature than green coming out , but his shot isn’t nearly as developed . Cam needs the most work on skills and processing , but again , he’s the youngest .
A coach like Ime would be a blessing for a player like Whitmore. Villanova did not have a good system in place and I think that showed up in his game. The athleticism and talent is there, just needs to be coached up and be on the floor with better players in a good system. We need a SF that attacks the rim and can finish consistently. KMJ and Tari can be backups (KMJ eventually moved for something else we will need). I like Amen too, but the more I read and think about him as a PG with no shooting, that gives me a little pause. He was not dominant in his league even though he was the best athlete in the league. I think we are better off trading for or signing a young vet PG with some experience.
Why do so many of you think that a 21 year old can suddenly become a sharpshooter??? If he can’t shoot against 16 year okds he certainly as heck won’t shoot any better against grown men. Rockets will take Cam as he’s clearly the best player available at 4 and Rockets have good scouting.
Why do so many of you think that a 21 year old can suddenly become a sharpshooter??? If he can’t shoot against 16 year okds he certainly as heck won’t shoot any better against grown men. Rockets will take Cam as he’s clearly the best player available at 4 and Rockets have good scouting.
Cam is a no defense, no passing NBA prospect. A average shooter with 6’7 but he looks 6’6. What position will he play? SF? A undersized SF who have a bully mentality….if you are 6’10 and 250 lbs(Bancheros) that’s different, but a short 6’7…nope
He is too short, if he drive to the basket…he is going to get it block. He is not a playmaker and not a good defender
If you are referring to Vecenie - he didn’t like Cam’s fit with Jalen and Jabari because neither make quick reads. I believe he said - too many ball stoppers.
Yes, I was referring to that (I got lazy and just shortened it to "reasons" since I'm not sure I fully agreed). Sam actually just talked about this more in his latest podcast, and I guess I misunderstood his take as he says Cam is a good fit with JG/Jabari long-term (especially if Harden/FVV/etc were signed). He does ultimately lean with Amen over Cam for HOU specifically despite having Cam higher on his own board. Seems to be citing interesting playmaking he could provide.
He’s brought Cam up in a few different podcasts - it seems he favors Cam in any environment with a more ball dominant playmaker - basically someone who can limit situations where Cam has to make decisions with the ball too much.
Haha...so of course he puts out a new (intel based?) mock draft, and has the Rockets picking Cam just to screw with me: https://theathletic.com/4598473/2023/06/15/ba-mock-draft-wembanyama-henderson-hornets-miller/ That seems to be the opposite of the intel Kelly and others have, but OK. Unless he's just basing this on intel of Harden returning.
starting to come around on Whitmore but he sounds like a terrible fit for our roster. We need someone who can thrive off-the ball since KPJ and Sengun will have the ball in their hands 70% of the time. Now if KPJ was on the move the Whitmore makes more sense.
There are two attributes that are essentially static for prospects. They almost never improve after you draft them. Size and feel. Cam is a solo artist. Looks like he's unaware there are 4 teammates on the court, or that passing is allowed. So slow to make decisions he basically doesn't make decisions, he just gets it and bullrushes the rim. That's not going to change much in the league. Feel never really changes much, from when you're a teenager. You either see and process the whole floor intuitively or you don't. I love our guys, but imagine a lineup of KPJ, Jalen, Cam, Tari, and Jabari. It would be disgusting basketball stylistically. This team is full up on low feel iso scorers. Can't take Cam.
Cam Whitmore = Kenyon Martin Jr with a handle. If he were 6'8-6'9 it would make him much more appealing. Plus he plays a selfish brand of "hero" ball himself - is that what this team needs?
I see it as he’s 18; one of the youngest players in the draft. And has the talent to be a great 2-way player. Sure he’s not perfect, but I think he’ll play the brand of basketball he’s coached to play. There’s a lot to work with.
Well the handle is what allows him to attack the defense, which is a valuable commodity. But, yeah, selfish. Coaches don’t like selfish players, he may get frozen out. Another Selfish Cam, Cam Thomas in BKN cannot get playing time, even though he gets 45 pts when he plays…
