I'm trying to get a sense of how good Dunleavy is and how his strengths may compare with the average NBA player (at SF). I lumped these three together because they all are alleged to have good shots, strong fundamentals, good all-around games and aren't sick athletically (although Battier's pretty athletic). They also went (or is projected to go) about the same place in the draft, top-ten lottery. I'd like to say that their all also being white had nothing to do with them being lumped together, but I can't say that. Just humor me. So tell me why it makes sense to compare these guys, and why it doesn't. Specifically on areas such as shooting, ball handling, court vision, defense, intensity, etc. I could see the Rockets taking Dunleavy at 5 (or rather, 6). However, Dunleavy seems to have the least impressive college resume of the three (Granted, he is a junior while Battier and Miller were both seniors, I believe). For both the short-term and the long-term, how do you see Dunleavy panning out compared to the other two?
Dunleavy is kind of like both Battier and Miller, but not necessarily in a good way. All 3 can shoot and rebound for a 3 but that's about all the 3 of them have in common. Dunleavy has Battier's smarts and intensity, but not the strength or one-on-one defensive capabilities. Dunleavy is like Miller as a shooter, has a similar court vision, but Miller is a little better passer. Dunleavy is probably the least athletic of the 3, but his combo of Battier's smarts and teamwork along with Miller's vision and slightly lesser passing skills combined with the great stroke all 3 possess make him intriguing. Dunleavy and Butler are the 2 most NBA ready 3's as well (like Battier and Miller were) which also adds to their value. In fact, Dunleavy's being NBA ready is the only reason he'll go ahead of Woods who has far more potential than any other 3 in the draft.
so you'd say Miller has the best shot of the three, followed by Dunleavy? And/or it's pretty much a wash?
Dunleavy looks soft I'd rather have Wilcox at 5 between Jefferies, Dunleavy, Nachbar, Tskitishvili, Butler, and Woods, one of the above will be there at 15 Battier is a warrior, Dunleavy is not Dunleavy looks longer than Miller, but seem to have pretty similar skills
1. Miller was a soph not a senior. 2. Dunleavy is probably the better passer since was actually a point guard in high school. 3. Battier was the defensive player of the year in college so I don't think it is a reach to say that he is the better of the three defensively. 4. Battier is the only senior in the group.
True. And Jr's ball handling ability will be a big help to Steve if he is used effectively as a point forward.
That's the thing that makes Dunleavy such a hard read. He could be one of these guys who just absolutely explodes in a more free-flowing environment like the NBA, a sweet-shooting big SF with superior ball-handling abilities, hence the Larry Bird 'comparisons.' He could also be a spot-up shooting specialist. Just depends on how he's utilized. Should be interesting.
Right now, I'm hoping Dunleavy turns out to be more of a rich man's Walt Williams, but we'll have to wait and see. I agree that Larry Legend comparisons are expecting too much.
