I'd guess Jimmer's no step vert is about 26-27 inches. That's just a guess though based on measurement's history on draftexpress. Who knows though...some dudes like Archie's seemingly explosive (based on highlights) Willie Warren came in at just 23 while others who hardly attack the rim like Mike Conley Jr. come in at 35.5. Hell, Koby Karl, Chris Paul and Josh Smith both came in relatively equal at 32.0, 32.0 and 32.5 respectively.
So what's it really mean? These measurements all occur in the vacuum of a very controlled environment which incorporates athletic endeavors that never actually occur in an NBA game. Do guys jump high and block shots? Sure. But they don't stand there, set their feet perfectly, jump as explosively as possible and then reach as high as possible like say the No Step Vert Reach. Blocking shots incorporates so much more like positioning, timing, and an ability to block said shot without fouling just to name a few things. The same can be said for all measurement tests performed in Orlando. They aren't an indication of how these players use their athletic abilities, or lack thereof, in game play which is all that matters.
For me, based on the little I watched Jimmer (two tourney games), I thought he may be explosive enough to offensively play the 1 in the league. He has a solid first step that can perhaps be improved ever so slightly and once he gets next to or by his defender has such a great basketball iq that he can, at least oftentimes in college, make a sharp pass or create space with crafty body positioning for a shot or lay-up. Beyond his obvious shooting range, this is where he excels in what I saw. In many ways, that's not unlike Gordon Hayward. Both have average athleticism but have great in-game iq's and are crafty which helps them make up for said white boy syndrome. Knowing that, I would not be opposed to taking Jimmer at #12. Why I would never take him at #6 nor trade up a spot or two for him though is because of his bball iq and historical mediocrity on the defensive side of the court as well as his ego, for lack of a better term. Hayward was at least coached on a team that stressed defense above pretty much everything else. It's a large part of the reason Butler went to the title game again. He played strong defense there and was taught how to play said defense very intelligently. Not only was Jimmer not expected to play even close to the same defense as Hayward was (and even if he was expected to, he sucked at it) but he (I would bet) was not coached nearly as well on the art of doing so as Hayward was at Butler. Additionally, I wonder how Jimmer would adapt to the NBA environment, the obvious struggles that that will bring him, and the fact that he's no longer not only not the man, but not even close to the man, coming off the bench as likely our 10th guy, give or take, at least early on in the season, if not all season. Sports demand a tough psychological make-up and I/we have no idea if he'll mentally be able to deal with the rigors of what he'll face in the NBA.
Orlando should tell us a little bit more about his defensive make-up and ability to run the point. I'm very interested to see how things go there.
