PF - Jordan Mickey vs Kentucky highlights

[Tr1boy]

PF Jordan Mickey - 6'8" 242 pounds - 7'3.5" wingspan - 8'10" reach - 37.5 inch max vertical leap

2nd year accomplishments
- First-team All-SEC
- All-SEC Defensive team
- SEC player of the year candidate

Stats
- 15.4 ppg, 50.4 FG percentage, 64.6 FT percentage, 9.9 rpg, 3.6 bpg (1st in Div 1)


He had a very productive year.  Many think he was not given enough touches on the offensive end.   Participated in the 5 on 5  NBA Combine competitive action and was considered one of the best players. He flashed an improved mid range jump shot, had 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 blocks in game 1.  4 Blocks in game 2. Just being a key defensive presence for his team

I think Mickey's stock is on a big rise. Some have him in their top 20-22 now.   He is in the same group of guys as Portis, Lyles, Wood. 

While Mickey is only 6'8" he has a long wingspan and elite level leaping ability from standstill and max vertical. Explosive unlike Portis and Lyles that should help him do more things on the NBA court.   Unlike Wood is 240 pounds and as you can see from the highlights below, is not easily pushed around.  Towns for example is easily 15-20 pounds heavier.  I like the way he fights to deny entry passes and does not shy away from physical contact

Comparison:  A slightly shorter Chris Bosh without as good of a jump shot.

I like the possibility of Upshaw at 16 but more than his off the court problems , I worry about his ability to handle stress.  Able to play physical , battle guys, box out (from scouting, videos he is inconsistent).   Can he take what the coach says and adapt?  Can he handle the rigorous NBA schedule??

With a guy like Mickey you are not worried about these potential issues.   He had no redflags, played a crap load of minutes for LSU, guarded bigger players on a nightly basis, did not foul out of many games and was the defensive anchor for LSU.

He was also one of the few PFs that was able to hold his own against the Kentucky trees.  Something guys like Portis, Turner were not able to do.

Not stating to reach for Mickey at 16, but man do we need rim protection in the worse way possible. Mickey is one of the best from the draft. In addition he is a very good rebounder and offensively he has some go to moves that are hard to stop. Add/refine the jump shot and you got yourself a nice pf.

Wouldn't mind getting Mickey in a Celtics uniform (fallback plan).   thoughts?

(my 1st video edit)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvA-1x9aq4k&feature=youtu.be

[tarheelsxxiii]

Thanks for the post, TP. Had not heard of him, but seems to be an exciting prospect. I am so juiced for tomorrow!!

[jpd985]

Thanks for the post, TP. Had not heard of him, but seems to be an exciting prospect. I am so juiced for tomorrow!!

I agree and I don't see him on Draftexpress' top 25 so it seems he could be available in the 2nd round

[Tr1boy]

Thanks for the post, TP. Had not heard of him, but seems to be an exciting prospect. I am so juiced for tomorrow!!

I agree and I don't see him on Draftexpress' top 25 so it seems he could be available in the 2nd round

You can't really go by these mock websites. 

Top 10-14 are usually no brainers. But from there nobody knows what happens. 

Mickey being 6'8 should not matter if he can hold his own against bigger players, rebound, block shot at a high level in the NBA.   In addition he could be better offensively since he will have more space to work with. Improve on his jump shot.   

I think at the very least, he will still be a very good shot blocker and good rebounder in the nba. 

[Celtics4ever]

I would be all for taking him if he can switch to SF.

[Who]

Looks like an interesting backup PF.

[Tr1boy]

I would be all for taking him if he can switch to SF.

you know that won't happen.  You will be taking away his advantage  (shot blocking, rebounding)

He held his own against bigger opponents in addition provided weakside help all season long. 

You don't think he can do that in the nba?

[Tr1boy]

Looks like an interesting backup PF. A replacement for Leon Powe.

Good call.  Powe was also 6'8 with a very long wingspan.

Mickey has a higher ceiling though. Better shot blocker and brings more to the table on the offensive end

[hwangjini_1]

Looks like an interesting backup PF. A replacement for Leon Powe.

Good call.  Powe was also 6'8 with a very long wingspan.

Mickey has a higher ceiling though. Better shot blocker and brings more to the table on the offensive end

how so, on the offensive end? i ask because i just read the draftexpress write up on mickey and they clearly stated his weakness is scoring. aside from put backs he doesnt seem to have much of an offensive game. very raw. forget 3 pointers from him as well (11%!). and his free throw shooting sits at 65%.

on offensive, mickey is pretty mousey. 

[Tr1boy]

Looks like an interesting backup PF. A replacement for Leon Powe.

Good call.  Powe was also 6'8 with a very long wingspan.

Mickey has a higher ceiling though. Better shot blocker and brings more to the table on the offensive end

how so, on the offensive end? i ask because i just read the draftexpress write up on mickey and they clearly stated his weakness is scoring. aside from put backs he doesnt seem to have much of an offensive game. very raw. forget 3 pointers from him as well (11%!). and his free throw shooting sits at 65%.

on offensive, mickey is pretty mousey. 

Take a look at the highlights on the 1st post.   Mickey can score in other ways then putbacks, dunks.  His mid range jump shot also has improved I'm reading (5 on 5 NBA combine)

[wiley]

I'd be psyched to add Mickey at 28.

[Who]

Via Draftexpress

He isn't the most polished player at this time and will need to show scouts how we will be able to contribute offensively at the next level, as he scored just 16.1 points per 40 minutes pace adjusted with the Tigers. Over a quarter of his offensive possessions came on post-ups, but he didn't show many translatable post moves that he could use against NBA defenders. He relied on a jump hook that he could get off with his length but he didn't demonstrate advanced footwork for a counter move. He'll likely be matched up against taller defenders and will need to use improved lower body strength to gain position and better footwork to beat his defender to score with his back to the basket.

Mickey doesn't show much in the way of perimeter skills either, attempting just nine threes this season and making just one. He is a decent midrange shooter, converting 45.7% of his 46 attempts categorized by Synergy Sports Technology as 17 feet to the three point line. He also flashed some potential as a face-up driver, using his explosive first step to drive past big defenders. He is only comfortable driving in a straight line to his right, but this gives him some potential as a pick and roll player by giving him multiple ways to score as the screener.

So it sounds like there is some jump-shooting capability there.

Only a sophomore. 20 years old. Lot of time to improve. In a few years, that jumper could become interesting.

[Celtics4ever]

you know that won't happen.  You will be taking away his advantage  (shot blocking, rebounding)

He held his own against bigger opponents in addition provided weakside help all season long. 

You don't think he can do that in the nba?

It depends on how athletic he is really, but your right that is a hard transition to make.

I think that guys with size and athletic ability have an advantage over tweeners with athletic ability.   In the NBA, being athletic is common, size is common, a player has to be exceptional to overcome that kind of adversity.

It remains to be seen.  A few guys have been able to do both.   He does not have the range to stretch the floor so I think that may be a knock against him with CBS.

Jordan Mickey, Sophomore, PF, LSU

Mickey was a defensive force all weekend, averaging six blocks per game over his two games. Beyond just the numbers, Mickey controlled the paint, altering more shots than his block total indicated, and visibly changing the opponents offensive game plan and mindset.

That combination of shot blocking and rebounding is Mickey's calling card, but he also showed some ability on the offensive end, making a couple of hook shots and even showing some touch on his jumpers. Those jump shots are important, as it's something that he flashed at times at LSU, but wasn't really a big part of his game, and will be crucial in his ability to transition to playing the power forward spot in the NBA.

Mickey also measured out well in the athletic testing. While he only measured just over 6-8 in shoes, which is slightly undersized for a power forward, his 7-3 1/4 wingspan and 37 1/2-inch vertical leap were very impressive measurements for somebody of his size, and help show why he's such a dynamic shot blocking force.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2015/05/17/lsus-jordan-mickey-boosts-draft-stock/27499115/

Weaknesses: The biggest drawback to Mickey's game is that he lacks height and strength for the PF position and doesn't really possess wing skills at this point, but that is something that his length and athleticism should help him to overcome ... He isn't a great post defender due to his lack of size. He'll need to continue to get stronger so that bigger guys don't bully him in the post ... Although he has made strides with his offensive game, his footwork and back to the basket game leaves a lot to be desired ... He is still turnover prone (over three per game) particularly in the post when teams double him ... Still isn't as consistent with his jump shot as you would want and he isn't fluid just yet but mechanics can be fixed with the right coaching ...

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jordan-mickey

Fix those mechanics and you never know, he may be a diamond in the rough.   But he needs work in several areas.   I like him better at 28 than 16.

I think it is more likely CBS goes with a big who can spread the floor like maybe his team mate Jarrell Martin.

[Tr1boy]

you know that won't happen.  You will be taking away his advantage  (shot blocking, rebounding)

He held his own against bigger opponents in addition provided weakside help all season long. 

You don't think he can do that in the nba?

It depends on how athletic he is really, but your right that is a hard transition to make.

I think that guys with size and athletic ability have an advantage over tweeners with athletic ability.   In the NBA, being athletic is common, size is common, a player has to be exceptional to overcome that kind of adversity.

It remains to be seen.  A few guys have been able to do both.   He does not have the range to stretch the floor so I think that may be a knock against him with CBS.

Jordan Mickey, Sophomore, PF, LSU

Mickey was a defensive force all weekend, averaging six blocks per game over his two games. Beyond just the numbers, Mickey controlled the paint, altering more shots than his block total indicated, and visibly changing the opponents offensive game plan and mindset.

That combination of shot blocking and rebounding is Mickey's calling card, but he also showed some ability on the offensive end, making a couple of hook shots and even showing some touch on his jumpers. Those jump shots are important, as it's something that he flashed at times at LSU, but wasn't really a big part of his game, and will be crucial in his ability to transition to playing the power forward spot in the NBA.

Mickey also measured out well in the athletic testing. While he only measured just over 6-8 in shoes, which is slightly undersized for a power forward, his 7-3 1/4 wingspan and 37 1/2-inch vertical leap were very impressive measurements for somebody of his size, and help show why he's such a dynamic shot blocking force.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2015/05/17/lsus-jordan-mickey-boosts-draft-stock/27499115/

Weaknesses: The biggest drawback to Mickey's game is that he lacks height and strength for the PF position and doesn't really possess wing skills at this point, but that is something that his length and athleticism should help him to overcome ... He isn't a great post defender due to his lack of size. He'll need to continue to get stronger so that bigger guys don't bully him in the post ... Although he has made strides with his offensive game, his footwork and back to the basket game leaves a lot to be desired ... He is still turnover prone (over three per game) particularly in the post when teams double him ... Still isn't as consistent with his jump shot as you would want and he isn't fluid just yet but mechanics can be fixed with the right coaching ...

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jordan-mickey

Fix those mechanics and you never know, he may be a diamond in the rough.   But he needs work in several areas.   I like him better at 28 than 16.

I think it is more likely CBS goes with a big who can spread the floor like maybe his team mate Jarrell Martin.

He has been making progress with his jump shot as seen from the 5 on 5. He has said the lSU coach did not want him hanging around the perimeter. That team really needed Mickey near the post on both ends.

I do agree with what you said regarding you need size and athleticism these days. Unless...

you have a a wingspan (7'3.5) and max vertical leap (37.5 inches) - elite for a pf.   37.5 inch max veritcal is elite jumping measure for some sg/sf .   And he is not a toothpick being 240 pounds and could add on another 10-15 pounds without losing much explosiveness/quickness imo

[Tr1boy]

some game high stats last season

Rebounds - 20 vs mstate, 17 vs Mizzou
Block shots - 7 - 3 times,  6 - 3 times
Points  - 27 vs Weber , 25 x 2, 24  x2