Courtesy: Jimmy Kimmel Live |
If you are a teen and want to make a
connection with an old timer, sit down with them as they crack open their dusty
high school year book. Old people love showing
you their picture, friends, mean teachers, boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. They also LOVE showing you the Superlatives
page, and speculating on which predictions did/didn’t pan out.
“Oh yeah, Judy Martin, Most Likely to have a
hit record… She did have a lovely voice,
but I think she started smoking after graduation.” *Grandma smiles*
“Dave Brown, Most Likely to be in jail, I
couldn’t believe he hadn’t already been locked up!” *Grandma is laughing and
coughing loudly*
“Mitchell Robbins, Most Likely to be the next
Clark Gable. Oh my, he was dreamy…
*Grandma is actually drooling and falling out of her chair*
Seriously
though, how GOOD is the superlatives page of the yearbook page? Everyone loves it. It’s fun, it’s controversial. It brings people together.
I want to bring people together (potentially
at my expense after these predictions are proven ridiculous), and I think that
a 2015 NBA Draft Class Superlatives list would do the trick. So, in no particular order, here we go!
Most
likely to benefit from Draymond Green’s influence: Stanley Johnson
Stanley doesn't have the mouth of Draymond, but does he have the game? |
Whether NBA Front offices realize it or not, Draymond Green is always in their mind (and he is smiling). Stanley Johnson is going to benefit from Draymond’s emergence, maybe not necessarily in draft position, but definitely in how he is utilized by his team. Johnson will be moved all over the court and trained to defend multiple positions as a Draymond-lite. This will stabilize his value, even if his jump shot never improves and he never learns to finish at the rim.
Most
likely to cause the next paradigm shift in NBA Strategy: Jahlil Okafor
This superlative is related to the last. Defensive versatility is the name of the game
right now in the NBA, which brings to question Okafor’s role as a franchise
cornerstone. But if Okafor turns out to
be as dominant an interior finisher as some project, you’re going to have to
match up with HIM before he matches up with YOU. In other words, small ball may not be an
option against Okafor-led teams.
Most “Hey,
remember me?” player: Emmanuel Mudiay
It seems like some people think Emmanuel Mudiay has regressed |
At this time last year, Mudiay was the
consensus #1 pick of the draft. Since
then, he has been gaining pro experience overseas but has somehow devolved into
just a “good athlete” with “decent ball skills”. What happened? Yes, he shot 57% from the line (in only 12
games), which is concerning, but there is still a lot to like. Surviving a year in Guangdong (a city where
hardly anyone speaks English) while playing with pros has given Mudiay life
experience that other draftees can’t touch.
Remember the 2014 Nike Hoops Summit, where Mudiay was by far the best
playmaker on the court? Remember when he
was being called a more physical John Wall?
Definitely the most “Hey, remember me” player.
Most
likely to be underwhelming due to recency bias: (tie) Justise Winslow/Sam
Dekker/Pat Connaughton
Strong NCAA Tournament runs have raised the
draft stock of each of these players, but I don’t think any are as good as
where they are being slotted.
In Winslow’s case, I don’t trust his hot
shooting to finish the season, and wonder if his quickness is being overrated
because of playing against 4s in the tournament. WInslow will be fine defensively because of
his anticipation and motor, but his offense is limited by his inability to
shoot off the dribble.
With Dekker, a few uncharacteristic fade away
threes shouldn’t launch your draft position 20 spots.
Connaughton just has no business being
drafted. Seriously what is going on?
Most
likely to be the exact same player as Thomas Robinson: Cliff Alexander
This is just a comparison I feel strongly
about. The fact that they both went to
Kansas is just icing on the cake.
Most
likely to have weight issues: (tie) Cameron Payne/ Dakari Johnson
Cameron Payne needs Gainz |
Cameron Payne is SKINNY. If he can’t put on weight, I question his
ability to finish in the paint on offense and navigate screens on defense. Of course, Steph Curry had these same
concerns coming out of college, so…
Dakari Johnson is NOT SKINNY. This was highlighted by his performance in
the NBA Draft Combine, which was one of the worst ever. If you can’t get your body right for the
biggest job interview of your life, can you ever?
Most
“fireworks” player: Mario Hezonja
Hezonja is going to be FUN to watch, but I am
concerned there are only going to be flashes of brilliance and not
consistency. He will have to improve his
mid –range game and finishing around the basket if he wants to be more than
just a dunking/3 point shooting highlight reel (think JR Smith).
Most
likely to be on an NBA roster for a long time without actually being good: Tyus
Jones
Ten summers down the line, I can see this conversation happening in front office:
“OK, we need to make one more signing for our
3rd point guard spot.”
“What about Tyus Jones? He would be good for the locker room and he’s
from Minnesota, which is cool.”
“But he’s been on three teams, only had one
season with a TS% above 50%, and his defense blows. I guess he could shoot free throws late in
games?
“Oh! I
just remembered he went to Duke too!
I’ll get on the phone with his agent.”
(I realize this is the 2nd Duke
player I have already ripped)
Most likely Lottery Pick to just rot on the bench their rookie year: Myles Turner
Turner will be drafted as a project, and hopefully by teams willing to wait for his development. He needs a year to work on his body and learn how to use his length in an NBA defensive scheme.
Most likely Late First Rounder to rot on the bench for several years: Chris McCullough
Same as Turner except McCullough is even farther away from contributing.
1st
rounder most likely to be out of the NBA after rookie contract: (Tie) Jerian
Grant/ Delon Wright
In order for a 1st rounder to not
get a 2nd contract, they have to be either a) A total nutcase, b)
older with a perceived lack of potential, or c) injured. I don’t think either Grant or Wright have any
concerns with a) and let’s hope they don’t have any with c). But both players are seniors and I can
imagine them struggling to adjust to a more off-the-ball role in the NBA. Sorry, guys.
Most
likely to be your girl’s favorite player: Kelly Oubre
Every picture is a glamour shot for Kelly Oubre |
Watch out NBA players/fans, Kelly Oubre is primed
and ready to steal your girl.
Most likely
to appear on Shaqtin a Fool: Montrezl Harrell
Montrezl Harrell is a fiery, passionate player. Here are three ways I can see him appearing
on Shaqtin a Fool:
1) The shot clock is winding down and Montrezl finds
himself with the ball around the three point arc. Recognizing the opportunity to showcase
perimeter skills, Montrezl stutter steps his defender and PUTS UP A JUMPER…
that sails over the backboard.
2) Montrezl catches a lob pass and attempts an
emphatic dunk. As he is pumping his
chest and screaming while running back on defense, Montrezl is dismayed to find
that his dunk attempt rattled out and was not converted.
3) Montrezl dunks the ball with a foul and blindly
throws a celebratory punch. The punch
connects with a referee (this move is also known as The Boozer).
Most
likely to be exactly the same player they were in college: Willie Cauley-Stein
A recently uploaded draft workout video of
Cauley-Stein shooting jump shots supposedly gives “evidence” that his offensive
game was being held back in his three years at Kentucky. But I still cannot get over the absolutely
broken jumpers he launched in the Final Four.
For a guy that has already been through three years of college, Cauley-Stein
is still being given the benefit of the doubt in terms of his untapped
talent. I don’t think we’re going to see
his game expand much in the pros (which doesn’t mean he won’t be valuable).
Most
likely to be a totally different player than what they were in college: Karl
Anthony Towns
Towns and Cauley-Stein were teammates so this
is crazy, right? Coach Cal had Towns
develop his low post game in college, but here’s the thing: I don’t think Towns
likes playing down low. He often shied away from contact and relied
on touch more than strength. In the NBA,
where help defenses are much more complex, it is harder and harder to be a true
low post player. I think Towns’ NBA game
will revolve around his jump shot and ability to attack off closeouts (think Al
Horford).
Most
likely to be an SEC player that nobody knows because no one pays attention to
the SEC outside of Kentucky: (tie) Bobby Portis/ Jarell Martin
Remember Jordan Clarkson last year?
Player
standing in the tallest room: Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis is the biggest mystery of the draft |
To clarify, this means that Porzingis has the
largest space (difference) between his floor and his ceiling. How can a player be both so overrated and
underrated at the same time? People
making Bargnani comparisons need to stop.
Porzingis is foreign and does not project as a great rebounder but
that’s about where the similarities end.
People forget that Porzingis was touted first as a defensive project. He
actually likes playing defense. Still, it remains to be seen if his ball
handling and shooting will translate to the NBA (but if it does, porZINGis!)
Player
standing in the shortest room: Justin Anderson
It isn’t hard to predict Anderson’s career
arc. He’s probably going to average
between 6-10, maybe 12 points a game.
He’s going to play good defense.
Where’s the intrigue? Meh.
Most
likely to have their own shoe in the next couple years: D’Angelo Russell
"Bout to get paiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid" |
I mean, the man is marketable. Seriously, if I could buy stock in there
being D’Angelo Russell posters in Foot Locker windows by 2019, I’m doing
it. People are really buying into the
whole “smooth guy” thing right now (Thanks, Steph).
Most
reliant on situation: Frank Kaminsky
Kaminsky’s ceiling isn’t quite as high as
Porzingis’, but his floor is just as low.
The concerns are legitimate. Will
the ball handling transfer? Is his shot
release too low? Can he play
defense? But in an NBA finals where we witnessed
the need for big men to be able to both shoot and create shots for others,
Kaminsky looks like a can’t miss prospect.
I think if he lands in a situation where he can be surrounded by other
floor spacers, he could really thrive.
But, if he is asked to do too much, he could easily be labeled a
bust. Location, location, location.
Most
likely to end up blossoming on the Spurs: Trey Lyles
You know when your little brother is creating
a player on a video game, takes way too long to decide what kind of player he
wants to be, and you end up snatching the controller from him and raise all the
player abilities the same amount? That’s
Trey Lyles. He is equally good at
everything, but not great at anything. But he’s plays intelligently on the floor.
He’s totally going to end up on the Spurs.
Most
likely to look like Matt Barnes’ kinder younger brother: RJ Hunter
Can you see it? |
Most
likely to acquire haters after being drafted by good team: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Hollis-Jefferson is slated to go in the late
1st round, most likely to a contending team. If his team makes it to the playoffs, I could
see Rondae playing a role off the bench as a scrapper and agitating
defender. I can see him getting a key
loose ball, getting up and pounding his chest with a big smile. This is the exact type of player that fans of
opposing teams love to hate. But lots of
guys in history are hustlers. Rondae
sets himself apart with a little “shimmy” free throw routine. Now THAT is a recipe for acquiring MASS
haters.
A few more
rapid fire superlatives:
Most
likely to win 3 Point Contest: Devin Booker (really high on him)
Most
likely to win Dunk Contest: Norman Powell (but no one from this draft will)
Most
likely top 10 bust: Kristaps Porzingis
Quickest
to be an All Star: D’Angelo Russell (if drafted by Sixers or Knicks)
Most
likely 2nd round steals (hard because we don’t know how draft will
end up): Josh Richardson/Richaun
Holmes/Jonathan Holmes/Michael Frazier
Holmes/Jonathan Holmes/Michael Frazier
Most
likely to lead the league in technicals: Willie Cauley-Stein
Most
likely to win MVP: Emmanuel Mudiay (Yep!)
Most
likely to win Defensive Player of the Year: Willie Cauley-Stein
Most
likely 6th man of the year: Terry Rozier (Yep!)
Most likely to drop: Kevon Looney (To the 2nd round)