Here is my own brief dive into this big man class (with everything draft related being so stagnant why not)
Looking over the NBA playoff teams I have loosely placed their starting centers into rough archetypes
Transcendent "Star Big" : these players are elite and cover multiple archetypes with their skill sets
Embiid, elite size, length, strength, athleticism (for this athleticism is relative to size, and has an elite offensive skill set
Jokic, high end size, length, strength, and has an elite offensive skill set
Porzingis, elite end size, length, and has an elite offensive skill set
Marc Gasol, he is fading with age much has elite size, length, strength and a versatile skill set
This draft class doesn't have any bigs that I would place in that category
Big Anchor big men : these are all bigs who have elite size, strength and length. Their size is the foundation of there success and they skill set if what differentiates them from their piers.
Gobert, elite size, length, strength, athleticism, and elite defensive instincts
Adams, elite size, length, strength, athleticism, and brings extreme physicality to the position
B Lopez, elite size, length, strength, and provides high end outside shooting
Zubac, elite size, length, strength ( he is a sub 20mpg role player who starts to give unit size)
McGee, elite size, length, strength, athleticism ( he is a sub 20mpg role player who starts to give unit size)
There are a handful of bigs this class who would fit in this group
Wiseman, he has very Gobert like measurements. Those coupled with his athleticism give him a Mcgee level floor. His development as a P&R defender could place him at the top of this archetype along with Gobert, Whitside, Drummond.
Carey Jr, he lacks the elite length that is typical of this group but is athletic (for his size) and strong. His abilities as a defender severally limit his top end projection. I without significant development as a defender his ceiling is capped at a Kanter type rotational big.
Azubuike, he possess elite size, length, strength, and is very quick off the ground for his immense size. While he is limited on offense he is an elite finisher in the paint. If he can adjust to the speed of the NBA game and be serviceable in the P&R he should be able to carve out a rotational role in the league. He may be able to crack a starting lineup in a Zubac/Mcgee type role providing an elite team 15-20mpg of rim protection, rebounding, and rim running.
Skilled Undersized 5s who are rebranded 4s from a generation ago: These are bigs who would have been traditional power forwards in the past. They either lack ideal height, length, or strength for a traditional center but are able to compensate and be effective in the modern game.
Adebayo, despite being under 6'9 (w/o shoes) Bam has great length (7'2+), a stong frame and is vert athletic. His athleticism and skill in the open court, and passing has made his a very effective modern big man
Sabonis, his sub 7' wingspan and 240lb frame make him undersized despite standing 6'10 (w/o shoes). Like Bam his advanced skill set and passing has made him a very effective modern big.
Theis, as we all know Theis is undersized at 6'8 240lbs but has what I would estimate to be at least a 7'2 wingspan. His ability to move on the perimeter allows for defensive versatility that is a linchpin to the Cs defense.
This is the most represented group in this big man class
Onongwu , reported to be around 6'9 240 with a 7'1 wingspan these measurements are of a traditional 4. Like Theis he is extremly mobile laterally on D. He is also a very skilled post scorer. His ability to pass the ball with likely be the swing skill that allows him to reach a ceiling somwhere below Bam's.
Toppin, he is a scary prospect in that he lacks the height, length, strength or lateral mobility to play the role of a small versatile 5. What he does possess is an elite offensive skill set. Ultimately he may be destine to be a 20pt 10rb on a bad team type of player
Smith, smith will be undersized at around 6'9-6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan at 225lbs but he is mobile and can shoot from the outside. He may not project as a starter but if he can shoot the NBA 3 at a high level he has enough other skills to be a really effective role player.
Pokusevski, he is the "mystery man" of this draft he has great size and length at 7' with a 7'3 ws but his strength is abysmal. He is so skilled at that size that if by a long shot he can bulk his frame up to a respectable 240lbs he could be the best big in this draft.
Nnaji , he will be limited by his length (rumored 7'1) and strength but is reported to be a much better shooter who was held back from shooting 3s at Arizona. He moves really well for his size and shows promise as a P&R defender. Still being 19 it is plausible that he adds strength and develops his outside shot and becomes a start-able big on a good team.
Tillman, one of my favorites in this draft at a reported 6'8 245lbs with a 7'1 ws he is absolutely undersized however he is very strong. His strength along with his elite IQ on both ends of the floor makes him all but a lock to have an NBA career. His outside shot will be his swing skill. With a reliable 3pt shot he becomes a lesser version of Horford and a high end rotational big.
Hustle Undersized 5s who are rebranded 4s from a generation ago
This group isn't represented the current playoff teams. Examples of these types of bigs would be Tristan Thompson, Biyombo, Faried, R Williams. These are bigs without traditional positional size but who possess elite physical tools that they couple with high motors to be effecting rebounding, defending, and rim running type big men.
Precious Achiuwa , out of high-school he was branded as a perimeter player but at Memphis he has shown to be a much better prospect as a 5. He is an elite run jump athlete who players his a very high motor. He does have some skill and should be a grab and go open court threat.
Isiah Stewart, he is an extremely long 7'4 ws and strong freshman who lacks explosiveness but should be able to carve out a nice back up role in NBA. His swing skill maybe his offensive versatility, he was a good FT shooter in college and if he develops an outside shot could add versatility to his offensive game.
Topic: Which Big to draft and when 17,26, or 30? (Read 9226 times)