Rockets fans who are freaking out at the thought of Amen Thompson and his horrible shooting need not worry. The clear number 4 is Cam Whitmore. Watch Cam’s highlights and you won’t be complaining about 20% threes or 55% free throws. All it takes is watching 5 minutes of actual game footage (not highlights) of Thompson and no way he goes number 4. Guy is a turnover machine and misses layup after non-highlight layup. He’s also almost 3 years older than Whitmore. His high school ranking is about 30 spots lower than Whitmore’s ranking. Rockets have a good scouting staff and will go with Cam easily over Amen.
I like Whitmore, but he had 19 assists. No, not 19 in one game... The entire season combined. He averaged 0.7 assists per game. I've virtually never seen a guy who handled the ball as much as he did and passed it as little as he did. He has real questions about his game similar to the way Amen does, they're just in different areas, and he's a notch below Amen Thompson on athleticism. If the Rockets evaluate both players and decide Whitmore is the better prospect, I'll defer to their process and hope for the best, but I doubt they will pick him at #4.
I’m just not seeing it with Cam Whitmore. 1) He’ll likely never be a good enough shooter to be a top scoring option (34% 3PT/ 70% FT) 2) He doesn’t have a bag. He can’t create his own shot unless he bullies his way to the rim. 3) Also has a severe case of tunnel vision. Will likely never become a good enough playmaker. Miles Bridges 2.0
He’s only 18 lol. All of these flaws can be taught and fixed. Also Miles Bridges’ development was trending towards All Star level before he decided to beat up his girlfriend.
Finally a Whitmore thread. I’m hoping the Rockets can trade up or trade the pick for an established star, but I’d be perfectly fine with Whitmore at 4 if they stay put. The guy has already got a really good foundation. He’s got an nba body, high motor, elite athleticism, good length and amazing first step. He needs work on his team defense and developing his offensive repertoire. He shot a high volume of threes and his percentage was meh, but it’s encouraging that he shot so many and wasn’t terrible. Also, his form looks good. He’s not going to need a complete rehaul of his shot. Plus dude will still only be 18 on draft day. Right now I think he’s easily a better prospect than the twins.
Whitmore will be a solid player. I can actually see him carving out a nice 15 year career. But lack of shooting, playmaking, and self-creation are major flaws when you’re drafting as high as 4.
I also wouldn’t be upset if they took Gradey Dick at 4. We need shooting and he’s one of the best in the draft. Also really young with a good foundation to work with on offense and defense.
Gradey Dick? That guy is going to go like #14 in this class, lol. If they want him they should trade up from the Clippers pick.
I also wouldn’t be upset if they took Gradey Dick at 4. We need shooting and he’s one of the best in the draft. Also really young with a good foundation to work with on offense and defense. He reminds me of Klay on offense.
Haven’t seen him projected to go that low anywhere but projections and mocks don’t really matter. Josh Giddey was mocked by several people to go 10 or later. Most people here thought we’d have to trade up for Tari Eason. Jabari was supposed to go number 1 until the last second. Don’t care about projections.
I don't mind if the Rockets want to spend an asset to move up and get him, but you're just leaving a ton of value on the table if you pick him at #4. I would be shocked if any team picks him higher than like the back end of the top 10. At a minimum, I expect the Thompson twins, Whitmore, Walker, and Hendricks to go before he does.
Everybody that would potentially be available at 4 has major flaws though. It’s just Amen, Whitmore, Walker or Hendricks.
Coach spins says Whitmore is the most athletic player he's ever seen. He also has more power than Amen.
He is extremely athletic in a straight line and up and down, perhaps even roughly equivalent to Amen Thompson in that regard, and he does have more power. But as a complete package (when factoring in lateral agility, body control, deceleration, fluidity, etc) I don't think it's particularly close.
He strikes me as one of these Okoro, Josh Jackson types. MAYBE more offensive upside … MAYBE. I don’t see one elite skill set. HARD pass for me.
Gradey will be a big time contributor for 15 yrs in the league barring any major health issues. Not saying a star necessarily, but a solid pc to any team. Not a crazy athlete by any means, but a smart, tough competitor, that can shoot, pass and hustle on both ends of the court all day. Wouldn't pk him 4th, but say they traded down for 6 and 11, I'd be happy with him at 11. We need the shooting.
