Each year, the NBA draft is an opportunity for franchises to shop among the best young basketball players on the planet. A daunting task, influenced by the word of scouts, who between excellent flair shots, sometimes aim beside the bucket. Back – with tolerance and good spirit – on the worst analyzes carried out by these lovers of young legs.
Kevin O’Connor – Giannis Antetokounmpo
What did he say ?
“The ‘Greek Freak’ doesn’t really have exceptional athletic abilities, contrary to his nickname. Compared to some NBA “monsters”, Giannis Antetokounmpo may seem relatively normal. Giannis doesn’t jump very high or overtake anyone with his speed either. That’s not to say Giannis doesn’t have good athleticism – he does – but the “monster” moniker shouldn’t make it sound like he’s a complete athlete. »
What do we have to say to him?
That it really doesn’t matter, Kevin. At the time, Giannis Antetokounmpo was still just a teenager who stuck his nasal discoveries on the wall of his bedroom. From his body, little sculpted, would however have flowed the mention of an immense potential in the scouting report by Kevin O’Connor. He said it ? Ah, uh, no big deal, it’s just funny to read this in 2022, two MVP trophies and an NBA title later.
Doug Gottlieb – Stephen Curry
What did he say ?
« Il [Stephen Curry] doesn’t have Rubio’s potential. Jennings, Flynn, Mills, Teague are all more athletic. »
What do we have to say to him?
There, one cannot hold a speech as indulgent as with Kevin O’Connor. In 2009, two months before Stephen Curry was selected in the 7th position of the draft by the Warriors, Doug Gottlieb – an analyst for ESPN – sends a nasty bastos to the leader of Davidson. This statement was not shocking at the time. Stephen Curry was still frail, and especially the future pioneer of the 3-point forty-two meters. The sentence is just a little violent. Too pronounced.
Stephen Curry declared for NBA Draft. Doug Gottlieb « He doesnt have the upside of Rubio. Jennings, Flynn, Mills, Teague all more athletic. »
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 23, 2009
Tyler Ingle – Jimmy Butler
What did he say ?
“Not an outstanding athlete…Hasn’t proven he can consistently create attacks for himself. Not an isolation player, he feeds on the play of his teammates. »
What do we have to say to him?
That Jimmy Butler is one of the last players to feed on the play of his teammates. He’s not a pure creator, but his ability to cook his defender in just about any way the rules of basketball allow is impressive. At the fadeaway, on a mid-distance, from a sneaking to the lay-up, sometimes at 3-pointers, he is not nicknamed « Jimmy Buckets » because Max Strus gives him good passes.
Jonathan Wasserman – Draymond Green
What did he say ?
« And minimal potential. Vulnerable when defending faster full-backs on the perimeter. Could lose some weight. »
What do we have to say to him?
That this is one of the least courteous sequences in history. He begins by destroying the potential of Draymond Green, and ends by talking about the tank in the front of the vehicle. However, the flair of Jonathan Wasserman – scout at Bleacher Report – is famous. We don’t ask him to identify the Hall of Fame carved career of a 35th draft pick, but pointing the finger at Draymond Green’s inability to defend in all positions, that’s hard.
Davide Bortoluzzi – Mario Hezonja
What did he say ?
“Offensively, he’s a solid shooter, with improved shot form, quick release and unlimited range, even from deep behind the 3-point line. »
What do we have to say to him?
It’s nothing, David. The desire to do too well by detailing European players with a fine-toothed comb sometimes leads to quite an uproar. The 5th pick of the 2015 Draft has never managed to win in the NBA, and his 31.9% of career parking discredits this notion of “unlimited range”. Over his five NBA seasons – between Orlando, New York and Portland – we don’t really remember a streak from the Croatian who draws from nine meters.
Marc D’Amico – Willie Cauley-Stein
What did he say ?
“Like Tyson Chandler, I think his offensive game will grow in the NBA, and I believe Cauley-Stein will bring even more defensive versatility than the former DPOY. »
What do we have to say to him?
Ah, the comparisons *red heart emoji*. Needless to elaborate, if the opinion of Marc D’Amico – reporter for the Celtics – had to be summed up in a single sentence, it is that we have a lot of respect for the career of Tyson Chandler, and very little for that of Willie Cauley-Stein.
Eric Saar – Anthony Bennett
What did he say ?
“Bennett is only 20 years old and his potential is great, since he is already so good. He just needs to work on his defense and go to Hakeem Olajuwon for some post moves. »
What do we have to say to him?
Nothing. Everyone is a little missed on this one. Of course, some did not see Anthony Bennett succeed as first pick, but from there to predict him only four seasons in the NBA, and a place at the bottom of the Hapoel Jerusalem bench nine years later, it’s hard. We just hope he didn’t move Hakeem Olajuwon.
A guy from Draftroom – Kwame Brown
What did he say ?
“Like Garnett, Kwame Brown has outstanding athleticism. He’s already bulkier than Garnett and could become as good a post player as Chris Webber. »
What do we have to say to him?
It’s disappointing to find a scouting report anonymous. Not impossible either that the author came to remove his blaze a few years (months?) after comparing Kwame Brown with Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber. We are on very high level blasphemy, which even his future status as first pick could not have justified. Only time allows this kind of comparison.
The editorial staff of TrashTalk
What did we say?
“The impression of seeing a very poor Okoro” – Giovanni, sur Scottie Barnes
“Questionable offensive choices, not great as a playmaker for friends, irregularity in the effort (especially defensively where it sometimes looks like a plot) […] I’m not saying Edwards can’t become a heavy hitter in the NBA, nor am I saying he will become a bust, but take it easy on comparisons to Dwyane Wade or Donovan Mitchell. » – Nicolas, on Anthony Edwards
“I don’t see any scenario in which Marvin Bagley fails to excel in the NBA. His worst case? It is that of a double-double machine which is possibly in trouble defensively, and again. His best case? A new generation Chris Bosh, with even more athletic qualities. » – Bastien, sur Marvin Bagley III
“We are far from the hype of Luka Doncic or even Mikal Bridges, but Troy Brown has all the necessary tools to have a great and long career with the pros with this little impulsive side to surprise opponents. » – Ben, sur Troy Brown
“I’m afraid he’s slipping into a sixth-man role at best. So nothing infamous to have a career like Jamal Crawford, but we are far from the hype that has surrounded Trae Young for several months. Really, I don’t believe in him as a team leader or even as a first mate on the future. » – David, South Trae Young
A name that is starting to gain weight over the days: Kevin Knox. Huge potential, freak who could go up to the buzzer on Draft night (7-10 today).
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 18, 2018
This overview of the worst pre-draft analyzes finished, it’s time to send big kisses to all the blazes charged in this paper. It is never easy to read the future of a young adult, and fortunately some get wet to gamify this exercise very well puzzle. And guess what? In a week, we start again.