I read all your sentences...
Agree completely...compare RJ and Marcus Paige. I love both of them in college but neither are or will be NBA level PGs. It is okay for guys to be great college players. I'll say the same thing about Bacot.
Steph measured 6-2 without shoes at the draft combine. RJ is what, 5-11 without shoes? There's a big size difference between them, not to mention Steph being miles better at every skill on the court.
While I agree with most of this, I disagree with why he was being “torched” his first few years. Correct Help defense was none existent until this year. IMO that was on coaching and Caleb. You could clearly see RJ drive his man into where help should be. That’s basketball at all levels.
I think it's both. RJ doesn't really have quick lateral slides and he's not strong enough to prevent guys getting by him with his chest a lot of times, nor does he have the arm length to contest much.
I understand your reasoning but why is he all of a sudden better this year? He didn’t grow or get longer. Better help. The other night it was mentioned about him getting beat by Mintz and needed help. lol he layed it to Seth, and Ryan also. Mintz just happened to be their best player.
Here's the deal:
He's playing smarter, particularly being more disruptive off ball. His steals are up 50% this year. I still think he's a poor on-ball defender though.
I do agree if it were a perfect league and every team was a contender. But, you know because you stated it, not every team can be good. It’s hasn’t changed in that regard. I think he could play on a team but it would be situational for sure. It’s been known for a long time that a few league stars would love to have shooters waiting in the lurch for them to kick out to. I don’t pull for them, but the Lakers have needed just that for several years now.
The good news is that RJ has Marcus on the bench to talk with about playing overseas.
Easy for me: IN order I have Marcus, Joel, and RJ. I just don't think RJ can guard NBA level PGs, he isn't just smallish, he isn't jet quick, especially laterally for that level. Most small for position players have to make up for it in other ways and usually when it is a small point or 2 guard they make it up in extreme quickness or very special ball handles and passing ability. RJ in the NBA will have to play against guys that are much bigger than he is, much taller than he is, and quicker than he is.
That's easy: Joel on a team that is gonna give him the chance with the big club.
RJ, he has the speed, and his ability to create shots is way better than Paige or Berry. Berry was a great leader, but not great speed or a great ball handler, not really even a great passer. Paige the same, his shooting actually declined over his career if I recall correctly.
Wow, that is a bold prediction. I think the highest I've seen RJ ranked as a draftable prospect is near #100. 1st round, 2nd for sure? In my opinion his game would have to change dramatically this year from what he has been doing to garner any serous consideration for the draft at those spots. That would be terrible for the team sucess though. His deficient areas for the league needs to be avoided, not hey, let's work on these areas the rest of the way. He's 23 already, right? If they draft a G league starting guy there in the draft, it is to mold his game. And that would be younger player, Like GG Jackson who dropped 23 a couple nights ago in his debuts, or Day'Ron Sharpe who is flourishing before his recent injury. You don't stay 4 years and then start the reshaping of your game.
Dtodd you got my wheels turning so I had to look. tshiebwe was the only POY I could find in the last 30 years to go undrafted. That’s crazy, I thought there were a few other guys too. I definitely thought he was drafted before a few others on that list. Knowing how bigs are used in the league now I’m not surprised though for him and Garzas low draft
Drew Timme, and Kofi Cockburn were 1st team all- American too, great college games. Where Eddy goes this year will be interesting, probably 2nd round flyer. RJ will get a look, little guy Nowell All-American from Kansas State last year just got a 10 day call up recently I think.
Doubt you'll keep Powell on the bench for long. I'd just as soon RJ not play a 5th yr. jmo
