Cauley-Stein a versatile defender, but ...

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Per Pelton
"The difference between Cauley-Stein and those players is on the glass. His projected defensive rebound percentage (15.9 percent) would be the worst of any NBA-bound center in my database. Cauley-Stein has had plenty of competition for rebounds from his teammates, including Noel, Julius Randle and now Karl-Anthony Towns. An adjustment for that competition is one reason Cauley-Stein scores so much better in Layne Vashro's draft projections. Still, it's hard to project Cauley-Stein as even an average rebounder in the NBA."

I don't want to equate athleticism with rebounding. He would give us a versatile defender which our team much needs, but Pelton has serious concerns about his rebounding ability. My concern is that he is basically a better Ryan Hollins, who can defend the pick-and-roll and block shots, but cannot rebound against NBA bigs and cannot give you much help offensively.

I'm not saying he would be a bad pick if he fell to us, but I do want to be honest about some concerns. Thoughts? Agree/Disagree?

[saltlover]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

Also, he's underrated offensively.  He's added more to his game every year -- definitely someone who's worked hard to improve.  I think thats important, because he's a player who's ready for an NBA role right now, and can add value on a team, but is still growing as a player.  He's got upside, but also a very high floor for a big, as bigs always seem to be very high-variance picks. 

[arctic 3.0]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

An athletic big who blocks shots and can defend the perimeter, sound like what we've been looking for.
Get Monroe, draft WCS.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

An athletic big who blocks shots and can defend the perimeter, sound like what we've been looking for.
Get Monroe, draft WCS.

If we did that and planned to play Monroe and WCS next to one another for large portions of the game, we would go from one of the best spacing offenses in the NBA to one of the worst. I don't think that is CBS system.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

Also, he's underrated offensively.  He's added more to his game every year -- definitely someone who's worked hard to improve.  I think thats important, because he's a player who's ready for an NBA role right now, and can add value on a team, but is still growing as a player.  He's got upside, but also a very high floor for a big, as bigs always seem to be very high-variance picks.

Great points. The team is succeeding on the boards. He is playing on the perimeter quite a bit. It still makes be a bit nervous, but that helps.

[jpotter33]

I think being on Kentucky's great rebounding squad has a lot to do with it.

However, it will depend a lot on who we would pair him with. If we pair him with Sully, there probably won't be a problem at all due to how well Sully boards. If we pair him with KO, it might be become an issue, because isn't all that great of a rebounder himself.

That being said, I don't think it will end up being a problem at all. As Saltlover pointed out, there are quite a few factors working against his favor in this regard.

[jonaslopes]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

An athletic big who blocks shots and can defend the perimeter, sound like what we've been looking for.
Get Monroe, draft WCS.

If we did that and planned to play Monroe and WCS next to one another for large portions of the game, we would go from one of the best spacing offenses in the NBA to one of the worst. I don't think that is CBS system.

I said that but nobody wants to hear it. WCS is not a Brad Stevens kind of player; deal with it.

[arctic 3.0]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

An athletic big who blocks shots and can defend the perimeter, sound like what we've been looking for.
Get Monroe, draft WCS.

If we did that and planned to play Monroe and WCS next to one another for large portions of the game, we would go from one of the best spacing offenses in the NBA to one of the worst. I don't think that is CBS system.

Monroe is a better midrange shooter the given credit for, especially from the right side where he is shooting over 50% from mid range.
He also displays great passing from the high post which opens the paint for WCS.

Plus, it's important to consider that Oly and either bass or JJ will be on the team next year.
WCS would probably not start his rookie year so you have the opportunity pair WCS and Monroe with effective floor spacers.

[saltlover]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

An athletic big who blocks shots and can defend the perimeter, sound like what we've been looking for.
Get Monroe, draft WCS.

If we did that and planned to play Monroe and WCS next to one another for large portions of the game, we would go from one of the best spacing offenses in the NBA to one of the worst. I don't think that is CBS system.

I said that but nobody wants to hear it. WCS is not a Brad Stevens kind of player; deal with it.

I think you don't know what a Brad Stevens type player is.  A Stevens player is a guy who works on his game to keep adding and improving his skills, and gives full effort when he's on the court, both offensively and defensively.  WCS absolutely checks both of those boxes.

[JHTruth]

Watching him kill Auburn right now. Perfect draft pick for us. Naturally we're not going to be in a position to draft him..don't worry about it..

[JHTruth]

Rebounding is a relative weakness.  It's a little tough to tell how much tho, because a) he's always played opposite elite rebounders and b) since he's versatile defensively, he's often not under the basket when the shot goes off, as he switches on almost all picks/screens, meaning he's on the perimeter more often than your average big (but for the right reasons).  Kentucky has been the best rebounding team in the country the past two years -- it's hard to imagine you could do that if your center was a liability on the boards.  Still, it is very fair to say he hasn't shown great rebounding skills.  I don't think he'll be terrible at it myself,  but probably no better than average for his position.

An athletic big who blocks shots and can defend the perimeter, sound like what we've been looking for.
Get Monroe, draft WCS.

If we did that and planned to play Monroe and WCS next to one another for large portions of the game, we would go from one of the best spacing offenses in the NBA to one of the worst. I don't think that is CBS system.

I said that but nobody wants to hear it. WCS is not a Brad Stevens kind of player; deal with it.

What does that even mean? He actually has a lot of talent?

[spikelovetheCelts]

Watching him kill Auburn right now. Perfect draft pick for us. Naturally we're not going to be in a position to draft him..don't worry about it..

http://youtu.be/fRjYRl1veuU

[erisred]

Watching him kill Auburn right now. Perfect draft pick for us. Naturally we're not going to be in a position to draft him..don't worry about it..

Well, yeah, he killed Auburn. I think their tallest player was something like 6'6" in that game. Heck, if I remember what Bruce Pearl said correctly it was something like, "The shortest starter for KU was taller than the tallest starter for AU." When asked when he knew his team was going to lose the said, "When the starting lineups were announced."   Auburn played them hard, though, didn't quit...just weren't nearly good enough to make it a game.

OTOH, I've watched Cauley Stein 9 times this year. He can credibly guard every position on the floor, has quietly improved his entire game this year, always plays within the team concept, is an unselfish player, runs like a deer, blocks shots down and to team mates (not out of bounds), plays well above the rim...and would fit the C's needs like a glove.

[Evantime34]

If we are to draft WCS we are going to have to trade up, he won't fall to us.

I think the teammates that rebound certainly skew his rebounding numbers, but even if he isn't rebounding great, the C's have been very good this year at bringing the guards back to have them secure the glass. Even if he isn't a killer on the glass I'd still trade our first plus multiple other picks to move up and grab him.

[drogbagarnett]

Seeing a lot of talks about WCS but not much about Kaminsky who I think would be the best fit in our system!! We need scoring big as much as we need shot blocking... Kaminsky skill level will provide us even more options on offense and he might be easier to trade up for him than WCS...