Detailed breakdown of Cauley-Stein (by Fran Fraschilla)

[Eddie20]

The NBA is a league of specialists.

There are 25 or so great multi-skilled players in the league, commonly known as the superstars. Everyone else is a role player (that is not meant to be a condemnation).

There are great players in the NBA who do one or two things well enough to be thought of as stars or, at worst, very good NBA players. Kyle Korver is one of the league's best shooters. The Grizzlies' Tony Allen has carved out a 12-year NBA career as an elite wing defender.

To be effective in a meaningful NBA game, a player has to be very good at something.

Which gets us to Cauley-Stein. His stock has risen this season in part because many NBA teams see an elite athlete with 7-foot size, a 7-2 wingspan and the agility to be an excellent defensive big man who can guard multiple positions and in multiple defensive schemes. In short, he is a defensive playmaker.

Though not exactly the same body type, Cauley-Stein can look to guys like DeAndre Jordan, Tyson Chandler and Andre Drummond, all of whom have become dominant defensive players in the NBA. Cauley-Stein has a chance to affect the game on that end of the court the way they have.

Few big men come into the NBA with Cauley-Stein's ridiculous athleticism. He has had so many jaw-dropping plays this season that they are nearly too numerous to catalog.

Although Cauley-Stein's block rate of 7.1 percent (7.1 blocks per 100 2-point field goal attempts) is lower than teammate Karl-Anthony Towns' 11 percent, he has all the shot-blocking attributes that someone with his size and athleticism should possess. Plus, Cauley-Stein did not have to do all of the rim-protecting himself. Kentucky coach John Calipari at times used Cauley-Stein as a perimeter stopper. Blanketing prolific perimeter scorers added to his mystique among NBA evaluators.

In an NBA game, much of Cauley-Stein's athleticism will manifest itself in defending screen-and-roll situations. Most NBA teams rely on multiple defensive coverages depending on the skills of the ball handler and the screener. He should be right at home.

He will be able to switch to smaller players, especially at the end of the shot clock, "hedge hard" and prevent the ball handler from attacking the basket, or he can "hedge flat or soft," keeping himself closer to the basket. This will make his team's defense more versatile with him on the floor.

One area of concern I have for Cauley-Stein is in defending big, physical players in post-up situations. If he plays early in his NBA career, teams will go at him immediately, and he will need to learn to stand his ground, play with leverage and use his quickness to do his work early inside.

Right now, Cauley-Stein's offense consists mainly of rim-to-rim runs in transition, dump-off dunks off guard penetration, and offensive rebound putbacks. As expected, he makes 73 percent of these at-the-rim shots, according to hoop-math.com.

And while he has shown a willingness to shoot a midrange jump shot, it will not initially be high on the list of priorities for the NBA team that drafts him. He made 33 percent of his 2-point jump shots this season.

Initially, Cauley-Stein will put the most pressure on a defense via his ability to run the floor. If he runs hard, the D's recovery to the lane must keep him from scoring at the rim, and that will open up scoring opportunities for his teammates who fill the lanes, space the floor and spot up at the 3-point line.

One thing that Cauley-Stein will find in the NBA is more space offensively. And he will have more offensive talent around him, especially on the perimeter. That means that because his other teammates' offense will need to be accounted for, scoring opportunities will manifest for him.

When he learns the nuances of the NBA screen-and-roll game, he should develop into a very good rolling finisher at the rim. According to Synergy, he has been involved in very few of those plays this season.

Offensive rebounding should also become a strength for Cauley-Stein. While his body type will be problematic in terms of banging with more physical post players, his energy and motor have revved higher for the Wildcats this season than in his first two years. More importantly, he is a quick "second jumper" with impressive agility for his size.

There have been questions in the past about how much Cauley-Stein loves the game and about his maturity. And while NBA teams will be studying those aspects closely, most of those questions have been answered this season at Kentucky.

Last season, he was projected as a first-round pick even after he fractured his left ankle in the NCAA tournament. The injury required surgery and a lengthy recovery. In eschewing the NBA draft, he has returned to become one of the most dominant players in college basketball and his name has even been mentioned in the national player of the year discussion.

Playing on a stacked Kentucky team has allowed Cauley-Stein to play the role that he will eventually have in the NBA. He has sacrificed his ego by giving up offensive opportunities but has helped lead the Wildcats to one of the most dominant defensive seasons in college basketball history.

Sacrificing that ego as an NBA rookie and knowing his role should make his adjustment to the league a little smoother than most.

-- Fran Fraschilla

[D.o.s.]

I always feel like Fraschilla gets the short end of the stick from NBA fans who only see him during the draft. Beyond the "two years away from being two years away" gems he's got a lot of good insight.

At least, it seems that way to me, someone who doesn't follow college hoops very closely.

[Eddie20]

I always feel like Fraschilla gets the short end of the stick from NBA fans who only see him during the draft. Beyond the "two years away from being two years away" gems he's got a lot of good insight.

At least, it seems that way to me, someone who doesn't follow college hoops very closely.

Agreed. They use him in the draft as the "international expert" because he has a lot of knowledge of the foreign guys.

[Celtics4ever]

Given the NBA game plays more one on one, I think him being athletic will help him more.   There will be more man to man plays and the court is spread where he can swoop in more than in College.

[Eddie20]

Given the NBA game plays more one on one, I think him being athletic will help him more.   There will be more man to man plays and the court is spread where he can swoop in more than in College.

Yep. More high pick and rolls, where he'll be very dangerous in diving to the basket. This will subsequently free up a lot of open corner looks as that defender needs to shade to the paint to prevent the lob. Also, he won't see those true college zones in the NBA. His game is much more suited for the NBA.

Cauley-Stein will not be used a lot offensively, but he'll be extremely efficient with all the high percentage shots he'll get. However, as often stated, his defensive ability is where he'll make his calling and anchor a defense (hopefully ours) for the next decade.

[hwangjini_1]

Given the NBA game plays more one on one, I think him being athletic will help him more.   There will be more man to man plays and the court is spread where he can swoop in more than in College.

Yep. More high pick and rolls, where he'll be very dangerous in diving to the basket. This will subsequently free up a lot of open corner looks as that defender needs to shade to the paint to prevent the lob. Also, he won't see those true college zones in the NBA. His game is much more suited for the NBA.

Cauley-Stein will not be used a lot offensively, but he'll be extremely efficient with all the high percentage shots he'll get. However, as often stated, his defensive ability is where he'll make his calling and anchor a defense (hopefully ours) for the next decade.

cauley-stein should be taken in the 5-8 range of the draft. that would put him well out of the celtics grasp, barring an end of the season collapse for the celtics. from the 10-11 spot, the celtics might be able to trade up for cauley-stein.

but from the 15th slot in the draft, i find it doubtful such a trade could take place. such is life sometimes.

[Eddie20]

Given the NBA game plays more one on one, I think him being athletic will help him more.   There will be more man to man plays and the court is spread where he can swoop in more than in College.

Yep. More high pick and rolls, where he'll be very dangerous in diving to the basket. This will subsequently free up a lot of open corner looks as that defender needs to shade to the paint to prevent the lob. Also, he won't see those true college zones in the NBA. His game is much more suited for the NBA.

Cauley-Stein will not be used a lot offensively, but he'll be extremely efficient with all the high percentage shots he'll get. However, as often stated, his defensive ability is where he'll make his calling and anchor a defense (hopefully ours) for the next decade.

cauley-stein should be taken in the 5-8 range of the draft. that would put him well out of the celtics grasp, barring an end of the season collapse for the celtics. from the 10-11 spot, the celtics might be able to trade up for cauley-stein.

but from the 15th slot in the draft, i find it doubtful such a trade could take place. such is life sometimes.

I see him going no higher than 7. I don't think he'll be taken ahead of Towns, Okafor, Mudiay, Russell, Winsow, or Porzingis, and then could fall slightly based on team need (Detroit would likely take Hezonja or Johnson over him).

[PhoSita]

This is a nice breakdown.  As FF says, role players can be very good.  WCS could be a Kyle Korver of the defensive pogo stick role.

[csfansince60s]

Given the NBA game plays more one on one, I think him being athletic will help him more.   There will be more man to man plays and the court is spread where he can swoop in more than in College.

Yep. More high pick and rolls, where he'll be very dangerous in diving to the basket. This will subsequently free up a lot of open corner looks as that defender needs to shade to the paint to prevent the lob. Also, he won't see those true college zones in the NBA. His game is much more suited for the NBA.

Cauley-Stein will not be used a lot offensively, but he'll be extremely efficient with all the high percentage shots he'll get. However, as often stated, his defensive ability is where he'll make his calling and anchor a defense (hopefully ours) for the next decade.

cauley-stein should be taken in the 5-8 range of the draft. that would put him well out of the celtics grasp, barring an end of the season collapse for the celtics. from the 10-11 spot, the celtics might be able to trade up for cauley-stein.

but from the 15th slot in the draft, i find it doubtful such a trade could take place. such is life sometimes.

+1...the voice of reason and sanity....not a prayer in the world of getting this kid...not from 15-16.....

So many forsake the enduring nature of delayed gratification for the glamour/glitz/immediacy of instant gratification......and all the rationalizations that come with legitimizing the position for instant gratification. 

EDIT: that being said, maybe we'll get lucky and Turner slips a little and we can trade up to 10-12 to get him.

[Rosco917]

I feel Fraschilla's assessment is spot on.

The C's should package a player or two, plus their pick and move up, and see if they can't steal him from a team that already has a front line center. Or possibly throw in another 1st rounder from 2016.

I'm not sure the Celtics will be in contention to acquire a solid center in the 2015 free agency, seems like many of the big guy's are staying home.

[LarBrd33]

Why do I see so many threads about him here?  Isn't he a top 6 pick?  We're picking 15th or 16th.   Might as well start threads about Townes or Okafor.  They look like they'll be better.

[CFAN38]

WCS talk aside one point I really like that Fran made here is the role player factor. Very few players can be stars in the NBA and to make it they must be able to fill a role/ have a niche. Evan turner is an interesting example of a player who really lacks a role. He really has a skill set fit for a star but it simply isnt to the elite level needed in the NBA. When teams give him free range like the 76ers did and the Cs currently are he produces. When on a team with established stars (pacers) he couldnt fit in.

When looking at draft prospects I personally this is important to factor in. First does the player project as a star/high end starter? If the answer is no then does he have a skill set that will allow him to be a role player? I think this is especially important outside the lottery. 

[tazzmaniac]

Why do I see so many threads about him here?  Isn't he a top 6 pick?  We're picking 15th or 16th.   Might as well start threads about Townes or Okafor.  They look like they'll be better.

Unless WCS shows more offensively during the workouts, I can see him dropping to around 10th which would make a trade possible.  I'm not sure which bottom 10 team would really need or want WCS. 

[colincb]

I feel Fraschilla's assessment is spot on.

The C's should package a player or two, plus their pick and move up, and see if they can't steal him from a team that already has a front line center. Or possibly throw in another 1st rounder from 2016.

I'm not sure the Celtics will be in contention to acquire a solid center in the 2015 free agency, seems like many of the big guy's are staying home.

I don't think it's spot on from the offensive side. WCS has no offensive game other than at the rim. His TS% is likely to suffer a bit in the pros and having more space to operate in isn't his issue offensively. OTOH, he is playing close enough to the hole to get lobs in a PnR and runs the floor well enough to not be a complete zero like some D big men.

Defensively, he looks to be elite and should be outstanding against the PnR with his ability to recover.  Blocks are very over-rated, but there are legitimate questions about his rebounding that appear to be unanswerable due to the way he was utilized defensively. There's a split on WCS and I'm not sure about him either. We need a rim protector, but we need more offense as well. Not sure Turner is not a better choice if his legs are OK given the lesser cost to move up.

Secondly, we have assets to trade up with someone like SAC at 6 who's dying for a PF and/or SG, our picks this year are worth more than theirs (according to Tankathon's power rating), and they don't need a center.

http://www.tankathon.com/power_rankings

[Eddie20]

Why do I see so many threads about him here?  Isn't he a top 6 pick?  We're picking 15th or 16th.   Might as well start threads about Townes or Okafor.  They look like they'll be better.

We don't know where we're picking actually. Also, comparing Cauley-Stein's draft stock to Okafor and Towns, consensus top 2 guys, is a reach. Ford has him 7th, draft express 6th, and draft net 10th. He's hardly out of reach with the trade chips we have at our disposal.