The feeling is that Thor got a first round promise. He does have great measurables but he really hasn't been a good basketball player yet... maybe someone believes in his shot having improved and is willing to risk it.
My feeling is that the scrimmages are like All Star games. Kinda an organized mess. The guards have a big advantage in that scenario since they are made to shine in that organized mess.....where the big center can be made to look bad and be dunked on. Some guards might let their assignment pass to easily for one reason or another and due to lack of communication Bassey get posterized. Mobley also didn't want to hurt his stock. I think Luka Garza played one game (but he wants to move up from middle 2nd Rd to early 2nd round. Bassey was something like 6'10.25" with 7'3" wingspan and 2nd highest vertical leap of centers listed. Did real well in pro workout according to onlookers. Rockets won't interview Bassey as to not tip their hand that they may be interested but I hope the Rockets manage to get Bassey. Only other player similar to Bassey is Segun and he is slotted to go mid 1st round. Segun is a better offensive player but nowhere near Bassey defensively. Bassey does everything well in the Capela role that Silas system would ask of him. If I was the agent for Bassey, I would have held him out of the scrimmages as well.
Springer is the best defensive guard in this draft, IMO. And EFFICIENT. I'd be ALL OVER that guy at 23/24...
I like Bassey guys, but I am scared about his injury history. "I felt a sharp pain in the lower left of my leg and my knee unlike anything I'd felt before," he tells me now, a year-and-a-half after the injury. "I looked at my knee and it swelled up instantly. I knew it was a bad injury." Bassey suffered a tibial plateau fracture -- the same injury JJ Watt went down with while with the Houston Texans in 2017. He needed surgery. And the timeline was even more brutal than going under the knife: He was given a rehab schedule that spanned nine grueling months. How he responded to that road has shaped him as a person and as a player." He came back strong and all, but man his massive frame is very Greg Oden-ish.
Springer has some dog in him and that can be infectious. I think he projects to being a rich man's Beverly that would slot in perfectly next to KPJ as a spot up shooter who can do a little facilitating as well. Bassey has a chance to be a guy that plays for a long time. Would love for him to come in and be the Rocket's OT. Big and strong guy who does the dirty work down low and sets some hellacious screens. But he can hit the occasional outside shot too.
Agreed, I loved his highlight reel, but quickly saw some very obvious flaws. One scout showed footage of him blowing multiple simple inbound passes. Something so simple that most players don't actually have to practice or learn it. Very worrisome when a foregone skill is so terrible. I could see him being a forever fringe bench player. But 1000% i could be wrong!!
Love Springer too but he would be the Rockets EIGHTH guard on the books if Jalen Green drafted. And that is not including Armoni Brooks. 8 players for 2 positions, leaving only 7 spots for 3 positions. Rockets had too many guards last season too. Love Springer's game (and youth) but he is not uber athlete (same as Khyri) and has average wingspan (6'7 vs. Khyri 6'10) and there are other defenders who are as good or better, available later. Great 3P% (43%) but he only hits about 1 a game (about 2.2 attempts). Mitchell, Butler, Grimes, Dosunmu, McBride, etc. are much more aggressive. http://www.tankathon.com/players/co...cottie-lewis--davion-mitchell--jaden-springer Rockets must prioritize getting longer. That said, I don't think Springer falls to 23.
I could probably find a better defensive guard in this draft, but amongst those players with offensive talent, Springer is the best... I have heard discussion that some scouts think his offensive style of play wont be as effective..... I don't see that, I would gladly take him at 23... he is very young and smart.
Agreed. However, upside is something that few have... and all it takes is one team to believe THEY can make him a great player... or that they will limit his responsibilities and cover up his flaws. Supposedly he has a great attitude, which helps as well.
Defense can be subjective and situational. Clearly amongst the best, and that much we can agree on. For me personally, I think he will be the best defensive guard to come out of this draft. The talent he exhibits there at 18 years old is unique.
A SG who does not shoot much? Maybe evolves into a PRO 3 and D wing? Drafts usually value O over D, so we will see. At 6'4", Springer is right-sized for the Rockets
I would take Jalen Johnson, Keon Johnson or Ziaire Williams at 23/24.... I would gladly take 2 of the 3..... I think Jalen Johnson and Ziaire Williams have been struggling because of unique situations..... I would also buy a second rounder for BJ Boston as well. A lot of talent in the 20's.... Springer and other could fall as well.
Sure, I would rather move up and grab Kai Jones if at all possible. I'm a sucker for big-guys who are overly athletic/coordinated and haven't played for very long. I think that breeds higher potential. I was confident Capela would be a baller simply because he could run, jump and catch w/ no problem and hadn't been playing for long. I do like hearing about the attitude. Makes you believe he will work to get better.
