4. AMEN THOMPSON VIA THE ATHLETHIC The Scout: The first of the Thompson twins to go, Amen is the point guard of the duo. He’s an electric athlete out in space and in transition, where he can drive easy buckets as a genuine top 1 percent athlete in the NBA. He has a great first step and is an elite leaper and also has tremendous hang time and body control in the air. He attacks the basket aggressively. But he also is a very high-level passer and playmaker who can find his teammates from all sorts of angles and positions. Defensively, Thompson has some real mechanical issues to clean up, but his length and athleticism gives him all sorts of upside, and he already makes consistent plays on that end. He needs more experience making reads in half-court settings — he didn’t get a chance to do a ton of that with Overtime Elite, comparatively to other prospects. But his upside is enormous because of the pressure he puts on defenses. The Fit: The Rockets end up here and get a perfect high-upside swing who would pair sublimely in the backcourt with Jalen Green. Thompson would up the competitive level of the team immediately due to his aggressive transition play and desire to be great. He plays hard and pushes the pace constantly. He fills an immediate need at the point guard position that has hampered them over the last couple of seasons with Kevin Porter Jr. running the show. Thompson might take a year to really lock in as he continues to develop as a half-court decision-maker, but this is the kind of swing that could transform Houston in a significant way long term. If he hits his ceiling, Thompson and Green have “best backcourt in the NBA” upside.
Brandon Miller via SB Nation. https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/5...lottery-results-order-victor-wembanyama-spurs 4. Houston Rockets - Brandon Miller, F, Alabama There’s a case to be made that Miller has the highest floor of any player in this draft after Wembanyama because of his combination of size and shooting. At 6’9, Miller showed knockdown shooting potential during his freshman season at Alabama by hitting 38.4 percent of his threes on 7.5 attempts per game, while making 86 percent of his free throws. Miller is deadly on spot-ups and can bend opposing defenses by running off screens to hit shots. His ceiling will rest on his development with the ball in his hands. Miller doesn’t have a ton of burst as a driver to create separation against his man, and while his finishing got better in the second half of the season, it remains a bit of a question mark. Miller will also have to answer questions about his presence at the murder of 23-year-old Jamea Harris in January despite not being charged.
I think amen is the best fit at 4. I'm worried about the shot, but he's not ben Simmons. he's a poor shooter, he's not a non shooter. I would also consider cam whitmore. he's just as athletic as amen, almost 2 years younger, can shoot. there's a case to be made for him there. in a vacuum I like whitmore more... but I like the idea of amen's fit better.
His jumper is the unsalvageable. We better surround him with 4 shooters if we draft this guy- oh wait, we already have a problem shooting the 3.
There are a million elite athletes who are only good for slam dunk contests because they can’t shoot. In the NBA you gotta have at least an average outside shot.
Giannis, kawhi, Scottie Barnes all guys that couldn't shoot that's why they dropped in the draft. Edit: and scoot Henderson can't shoot either lol
The Worriers need non shooters but the Rockests need shooters. This goes back to the WCF when Ariza and Co bricked all shots.
If we get Amen what does that mean for KPJ? Would Amen come off the bench? KPJ at the 3? I can't imagine it means KPJ off the bench.
Wouldn't mind Amen coming off the bench and learning the ropes. Less pressure and would be the first rookie we actually develop correctly.
Ben Simmons was successful. Doc and Embiid broke him, but that had to do with his mental capacity, not his height.
