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Kawhi Leonard is moving up on the Big Board!!

Darkwing Duck said:
So you don't want the Jazz to draft anyone with the "potential" tag and only draft the sure thing?
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I'm all for drafting potential. But I like my potential to come with the youngest age and the least concrete negative data. So I don't want to draft a guy with two years of data saying he can't shoot hoping he has potential to shoot. But I'll roll the dice on a guy who hasn't proved one way or another he can shoot. That's at least a neutral qualifier, not something I have to talk myself into against logic.
 
Mr. McGibblets said:
Hayward also shot 29% from 3 his last year of college. I would not rule out drafting a guy merely due to his shooting percentage in college, but it is a negative. If he really has an incredible work ethic and a decent stroke then I think there's room for improvement. Hayward had a huge drop off during his second year shooting wise, whereas Leonard improved his second year compared to the first. I realize not everyone will have a huge jump in the pros, but the rest of Leonard makes him an intriguing pick. I'd definitely like him more at 12 than 6, but we will see.

I also like what Qman said about his stats against BYU - he played pretty well and defended Jimmer a lot of the game. Saying he didn't do much during those games is a bit bewildering and makes me question your judgment.
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Terrible example. Hayward shot 45% his freshmen year and then 30% his sophomore year. That's a fantastic season and a crappy season. 20 and 29 over 2 years is two crappy seasons.
 
Leonard is easy to like when you read about him. Athletic, right attitude, known for defense, plays hard. He seems like a lock as a rotation player and that's not nothing. But without an ability to shoot, his ceiling seems kind of low. I just don't think you draft a guy like that at 6.
 
^ not to mention Hayward was a much better free throw shooter, the sign of a good shooter.

and draining 3's in practice when no one is guarding you is obviously different from draining 3's in game action.

the guy hasn't shown any ablity to do it in college, you really expect him to be a good shooter in the pro's? unless you want to compare his #'s to CJ miles.

his game isn't polished but he does have potential, consider him at #12..hell nah at #6.
 
prodigy said:
^ not to mention Hayward was a much better free throw shooter, the sign of a good shooter.

and draining 3's in practice when no one is guarding you is obviously different from draining 3's in game action.

the guy hasn't shown any ablity to do it in college, you really expect him to be a good shooter in the pro's? unless you want to compare his #'s to CJ miles.

his game isn't polished but he does have potential, consider him at #12..hell nah at #6.
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I don't think he will come in and be a great shooter. He is a good FT shooter too, 76%.
 
prodigy said:
^
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Are you responding to my post with your following points? If so, allow me to respond.

not to mention Hayward was a much better free throw shooter, the sign of a good shooter.
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I wouldn't define 75% for Leonard v. 82% for Hayward as "much better." 75% is still decent.

and draining 3's in practice when no one is guarding you is obviously different from draining 3's in game action.
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Agreed.

the guy hasn't shown any ablity to do it in college, you really expect him to be a good shooter in the pro's?
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No, I don't "expect him to be a good shooter in the pros." I never said that. All I said was that he has improved his shot over the past 2 years and with his work ethic and stroke there's room for improvement. I also stated that I realize most don't have a huge improvement in their shot % in the pros, but that the rest of his talent makes him an intriguing pick at 12.

his game isn't polished but he does have potential, consider him at #12..hell nah at #6.
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I agree.
 
billyshelby said:
Leonard is easy to like when you read about him. Athletic, right attitude, known for defense, plays hard. He seems like a lock as a rotation player and that's not nothing. But without an ability to shoot, his ceiling seems kind of low. I just don't think you draft a guy like that at 6.
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He is also very very easy to like if you watch him. I watched a lot of SDSU games this year and I've said this before, his 3 point numbers are surprising to me, it seems like he shoots it much better from just watching. Lets say Irving, Williams, Kanter, Knight, Biyombo are off the board when we pick at 6. Who do you draft? Options for us are really Leonard, Walker, Vesely, Thompson if you are convinced he can play the 3, and Burks. I definitely go Leonard.
 
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MDAV28 said:
He is also very very easy to like if you watch him. I watched a lot of SDSU games this year and I've said this before, his 3 point numbers are surprising to me, it seems like he shoots it much better from just watching. Lets say Irving, Williams, Kanter, Knight, Biyombo are off the board when we pick at 6. Who do you draft? Options for us are really Leonard, Walker, Vesely, Thompson if you are convinced he can play the 3, and Burks. I definitely go Leonard.
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That is my nightmare, that those 5 players are off the board. If its KOC's nightmare as well, and the pick remains at 6, he may make a drastic attempt to move up.
 
It's a good video too. Instead of showing you that he is just making shots, you get a good look at his release from shot to shot.
 
Dwill_PwnasaurasRex said:
Everyone's favorite draft website Draft Express is also impressed in Leonard's improvement to his game. https://www.draftexpress.com/articl...rt-One-Joe-Abunassars-Impact-Basketball-3703/

Article/Video/Interview with Leonard.
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Thanks for posting. That dude's got long arms. I bet measures out with better reach than other players 6'7".

Now I'm picturing a front court with Favors, Biyombo and Leonard. With Hayward at SG, that could be some smothering defense.
 
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