I think he is calling for that in the later picks. In other words, successful teams seem to stack their roster with these nba ready type guys over shot in the dark promising prospects. Basically, at the back half of the first round and second round, take guys that seem more able to contribute. Even if the ceiling is low or they can really only do a few things well, as long as it translates to a good stats to dollars ratio, you win.
Of course, i am team scoot, but he isn’t saying to do this with a premium pick like #2. He would probably argue that the two prospects are equal in talent and readiness to produce (like a #2 pick) but miller is a better fit with the roster and probably could have a higher ceiling. (I am just trying to paraphrase what I think his argument is)
But if that is the argument for the later picks, why wouldn’t you want your #2 overall pick? A lot of NBA draft picks are not quite NBA ready, I get that. But when a guy is physically ready, I think that is a huge benefit. Scoot isn’t going to shy away from contact, and in fact, his game is to generate contact and to attack the rim. And he’s physically ready for it.
To me, that’s a good omen for transitioning to the NBA-a guy that is physically ready and has proven he can handle the physical aspect of it.
An aside-I have a strong opinion that people disrespect the g league and under sell the reality that it’s great competition for NBA development. There’s more “grown men” there than college.
Again team scoot here. No three-point jump shot is not NBA ready. Physical can mean a lot of things including skills. Even when they take scoot, hopefully, I don’t think he’s going to light the league on fire. Very few rookies actually do
Straight from high school to NBA 3 point line: 21.6%. Next season: 32.4%.
I mean, that’s what you want to see.
And we already know Scoot can get to the rim, absorb contact, and has an elite mid range game. He’s a multi level scorer. But if Miller’s 3 point shot isn’t working, it’s not like he’s going to score from all over like Scoot can.
I’ll disagree, I think Scoot will have a very good rookie year. I think the Melo/Scoot combo will be pretty sensational.
But we could very well revisit my posts next year and talk about how stupid I am. I doubt it. But maybe.
A lot of people want to sell Scoot and his abilitys . Scoot does a good job of selling his abilitys by his self. But his game isn’t near as good as a few are saying. Do we at Hornets want another guard who can’t shoot. Is two small to guard a lot of shooting guards in the big league.
I prefer Scoot but him and Millers abilitys are not as far apart as some think. This draft is three picks . Then the draft starts. The 2nd and 3rd pick in my mind is a coin flip and hard to tell who will be better,.
You also just made another knock (unintentionally) on Scoot - 6’3 or shorter PG who’s body could not hold up to the riggers of the NBA (ie John Wall, Steve Francis, Derrick Rose and “On and On” to (to quote 70s Steven Bishop).
I can go further and point out that John Wall didn’t get along w his 2 - Bradley Beal to draw more parallels. I am not a John Wall fan at all after seeing him up close and personal for years.
Anyway, watched Scoot and Miller interviews. Loved Scoot’s persistent determination/confidence and loved Miller’s maturity and thoughtful responses. Both seemed to have their heads on straight and both had a youthful energy which is always good! My guess is that Scoot’s shooting can be fixed so that only leaves me truly w height and durability concerns. Miller, I worry about his ceiling and athleticism. With all of that said, I would be happy w either.
How can you say scoot can’t shoot when he shot 32.4% from three last year? He has an elite mid range game, and finished around the basket at a 59% clip in half court sets.
If you want to talk about “can’t shoot”, I’d direct that label to Amen Thompson. That shit looks broke and shoots it way worse than 32.4%.
I don’t believe in trying to prognosticate injuries unless there’s a concrete history of ACL stuff or back problems. And back stuff isn’t even a death sentence. I remember that was the issue with Michael porter jr. and he seems to be making it work on an nba finals nuggets team. But he could go tweak his back tomorrow and I wouldn’t be shocked.
I am trying to talk myself into not worrying about Scoot’s shooting. But driving to the rim to get his shot can shorten his career. I will bring up his name - MKG - we wasted years on trying to teach him to shoot. Not wishing anything like that on Scoot but its a rational fear that nags me.
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t Ja Morant 6’2”. I’d say he’s done ok in the NBA… minus the of course issues. I’m not sure I believe the narrative that Scoot can’t shoot either. I have no doubts that he’ll be ok. His attitude and drive are just too good to pass on and he’s exactly what this team has needed for a while. Brandon Miller just seems too passive to me… just like most of the guys we have on the team now, minus Dennis Smith.
I’m not worried about Scoots shooting at all. Maybe a little worried about Miller’s, because when it’s not falling he’s not doing so much.
If Scoot has huge hands. I’m done, this isn’t remotely close.
On todays LOH the boys told us that the car Miller was in was shot up somewhat during what was apparently as much a shootout as a shooting. There’s more there than first appeared it seems (of course there is). I can’t imagine the Hornets picking that up, but who knows what those knuckleheads will do.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Miller doesn’t drop a ways.
I think the difference for folks is Miller fans are seeing an all-star Tatum type. I just don’t. Add-in the potential baggage and I’m out.
Scoot definitely seems way more mature than Wall and Francis. Way more than Ja obviously. He’s been training to be a professional, and in fact has been a professional the past 2 years, so he’s ahead of where Rose/Westbrook, and anyone else coming on from college.
And he’s very confident in himself and not afraid of speaking up, things we’ve been begging to have here for ever.
Also, watching the Blazers workout video, which is nice but not special or anything, it reconfirmed something I noticed watching his other videos. The bursts of athleticism seem so easy, almost casual, even during games.
Like with Rose and Westbrook, the amount of torque and force they put on their joints was tremendous, and felt like an injury waiting to happen. Same with Ja and Wall, they always look like they’re trying to make a crazy athletic play for the highlights, and always took terrible falls.
But Scoot seems to just glide in the air on his dunks. And I noticed when he’s blowing past people, it never looks like he’s moving crazy fast or jittery. He just gets by defenders like a sudden breeze and they can’t catch up. I wonder if this will keep those stress kind of injuries that befell all the other short kings before him.
Yeah, I’ve been over to the Miller side a bit and almost convinced myself he’s a better fit. It just feels like Scoot will become an unstoppable force with the ball when the team needs a bucket.
My only fear is who is coaching these 2. Cliff will keep them hardworking and professional, but I also don’t think he has the creativity to get everything out of Scoot and Melo that he could. Wish they could at least bring in an offensive assistant who has the vision on how to create all the mismatches with 2 unguardable guards up top.