Scal Not High on Thon Maker

[Grindfather]

Scal was on the Vertical podcast with Chris Mannix and talked about what he looks for in draft prospects.  For him it basically comes down to separation.  If you can create separation, you can be successful in the League.  He said Maker couldn't create separation against weak high school competition.  Scal's a pretty astute basketball mind, so I trust his opinion on this.  The same thing he sees might be why most scouts are so down on Maker as a prospect.

The whole podcast is worth listening to, but the scouting stuff starts and about the 25:00 mark

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-vertical-podcast-with-chris-mannix-brian-scalabrine-142551764.html?soc_src=copy

[droopdog7]

I'm not high on him at all either.  I mean, I might take a flyer on him with our last pick the second round but that's about it.

[LarBrd33]

Nobody is high on him at this point.

[Eja117]

A 7ft 1 high schooler that can hit threes can't get separation? Interesting

[PhoSita]

I thought that part about separation was interesting as well. Would like to hear Scals opinions on the top prospects.

[coffee425]

A 7ft 1 high schooler that can hit threes can't get separation? Interesting

In the podcast, Scal's concern is that he can't create separation against significantly shorter and slower high-school competition.

Frankly, at his weight and lack of separation, i doubt he'll be able to get an open look against isaiah right now

[PickNRoll]

Great podcast!  I want more content like this Scals!

[Silent Storm]

Forming a definitive opinion about Maker is completely fallacious at this point, because there isn't enough information to base it on. Maybe he can't create separation because he wasn't taught how to do it, and instead just shot over his opposition in high school due to his length. The Celtics have not had Maker in for a workout yet, so if and when they do will be more indicative of his capabilities and our interest. His intelligence, work ethic, and physical gifts are what make him worthy of a gamble.

[knuckleballer]

Forming a definitive opinion about Maker is completely fallacious at this point, because there isn't enough information to base it on. Maybe he can't create separation because he wasn't taught how to do it, and instead just shot over his opposition in high school due to his length. The Celtics have not had Maker in for a workout yet, so if and when they do will be more indicative of his capabilities and our interest. His intelligence, work ethic, and physical gifts are what make him worthy of a gamble.

I've posted these videos a couple of times, but I don't think many people have watched them.  They show all his plays in a few high school games against good competition.

I was high on him until I watched them.  He's not that good of a player.  He scores a lot of points in these games because it's high school competition, but he doesn't look good doing it.  His coordination and feel for the game isn't good.  Most of his points are outside shots and he's only an ok shooter.  His timing on blocking shots is far from impressive.

Still, as you point out he has a good head on his shoulders, a good work ethic, plays with intensity, and has rare physical traits.  We have three first rounders and 5 2nd rounders, so I would like to take a shot at him.  I'm not sure where.  Maybe with the 23rd pick, definately with an early 2nd.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vcH_7pJ2HPs
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YflrrBzqFzQ
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju3ymkPQyhc

[bdm860]

Scal was on the Vertical podcast with Chris Mannix and talked about what he looks for in draft prospects.  For him it basically comes down to separation.  If you can create separation, you can be successful in the League.  He said Maker couldn't create separation against weak high school competition.  Scal's a pretty astute basketball mind, so I trust his opinion on this.  The same thing he sees might be why most scouts are so down on Maker as a prospect.

The whole podcast is worth listening to, but the scouting stuff starts and about the 25:00 mark

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-vertical-podcast-with-chris-mannix-brian-scalabrine-142551764.html?soc_src=copy

Just listened to it, I wouldn't put too much stake in what Scal has to say on Maker.

"Whose this guy, uh Maker, Von Maker?"

The way that sounded, he's never seen this guy play.  He didn't even know his name.  Sure he knows "of him" (vaguely) but didn't sound like he really knows anything about him.

Also the reason he doesn't like Maker is because he said doesn't create separation, but also said Ingram doesn't separate much.


Unrelated to this, but at the end of the podcast they're talking about players calling out teammates.  Scal said guys like Bird and Jordan didn't care what their teammates think, but a guy like LeBron cares what other people think.  Then he goes on to talk about the '08 team.  Said Pierce didn't care, he knows Rondo didn't care (big laugh from Scal and Mannix), KG cared, Ray was hard to gauge.  The way he delivered that line about Rondo part had me cracking up.  (That whole conversation about caring starts about  the 50:11 minute mark).

[coffee425]

Forming a definitive opinion about Maker is completely fallacious at this point, because there isn't enough information to base it on. Maybe he can't create separation because he wasn't taught how to do it, and instead just shot over his opposition in high school due to his length. The Celtics have not had Maker in for a workout yet, so if and when they do will be more indicative of his capabilities and our interest. His intelligence, work ethic, and physical gifts are what make him worthy of a gamble.

This is, by definition, why the opinion on him is late 1st/2nd round. If he is this inexperienced with basketball, but has good physical tools, it's the only reason that he is even considered to be drafted. When i hear that Thon should be higher than Labiessiere, it's insanity. They're physically so similar, but at least Skal has played in college. Skill is what separates the athletes from being late 1st, to lottery, to top 5 prospect.

[SHAQATTACK]

Scal.....is blind

[bdm860]

Great podcast!  I want more content like this Scals!

For anyone interested, a few other podcasts and Scal-centric material out there that I've enjoyed.  Definitely a few hours worth of good stuff.

Scal on the Bill Simmon's BS Report from Oct 2012
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8542797

Scal on Woj's Vertical podcast from Feb 2016
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-vertical-podcast-with-woj--brian-scalabrine-145212732.html

Scal on Toucher and Rich (scroll to the bottom for audio)
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/10/21/toucher-rich-celtics-season-preview-with-brian-scalabrine/

Not a podcast, but a brief article where Scal answers mailbag questions on the Players' Tribune
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/brian-scalabrine-nba-qa-mailbag/

[mmmmm]

Forming a definitive opinion about Maker is completely fallacious at this point, because there isn't enough information to base it on. Maybe he can't create separation because he wasn't taught how to do it, and instead just shot over his opposition in high school due to his length. The Celtics have not had Maker in for a workout yet, so if and when they do will be more indicative of his capabilities and our interest. His intelligence, work ethic, and physical gifts are what make him worthy of a gamble.

This is, by definition, why the opinion on him is late 1st/2nd round. If he is this inexperienced with basketball, but has good physical tools, it's the only reason that he is even considered to be drafted. When i hear that Thon should be higher than Labiessiere, it's insanity. They're physically so similar, but at least Skal has played in college. Skill is what separates the athletes from being late 1st, to lottery, to top 5 prospect.

I think you are right about where he probably should be ranked on public mocks, because as you note - that uncertainty is a negative.  The same way a stock with more uncertainty has more risk and thus less value.

However, once GMs have him in for private workouts (which often include 3-on-3 & 5-on-5 scrimmages) they'll have far more information than we will have.   So on the private draft boards of GMs, he may go way up or way down.   I won't be shocked no matter how high or how low he ends up getting picked.

[walker834]

Thon can't move like you see in mixtapes.  He is going to be more a down low player in the nba if he is ever successful.  He does not move that well.

Mutombo could probably hit a 3 and dribble it through his legs too, but that's not who he is at all.

Thon is a major darkhorse and has major bust potential that way.  He could be good though but it's not what you see.