• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

2021 NBA Draft Safari

Do Not Sell My Personal Information
It’s worth noting that Gonzaga rolled over their conference competition at such a level that they weren’t asking their guards to shoot because they could basically get lay ups or a Kispert 3 on every possession.

From what I’ve seen, every time Gonzaga has played real competition, or at least teams like USC that have an elite shot blocker, Suggs has stepped up with his shooting.

Conference stats don’t mean as much when nobody stayed within single digits, and only twice did a team stay within 15.
 
I'mWithDan said:
I like these exercises.....because it is just a blind look at similar production. So I can search and find a profile that is similar in both production and age and see how perceptions of one prospect may just differ so much for (possibly) more subjective reasons.

Who do people think this is? Lottery PG in the past 5 years. I've hidden data that makes it easier to google. :chuckle:

Screen-Shot-2021-04-04-at-7-06-53-AM.png
Click to expand...
Sexton?
 
I’m thinking it’s Dennis Smith Jr who never passed the eye test to me. Was always just a guy overpowering the competition with his athleticism in college.

There's also a difference between putting up those numbers on a 15-17 NC State team and putting them up on a 31-0 National Title contender.
 
Last edited:
adam81king said:
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be selecting either 5th, or 8th. We should all accept it now and get used to the idea of Suggs in San Francisco, Oklahoma City, or Houston.
Click to expand...

If the NBA allows the "lottery odds" to somehow give the Warriors Suggs in the draft, then the entire lottery rules should be scrapped. Would be worse than the Lakers getting #4 that year ever so conveniently.

If the Cavs are able to pick him, they should. I don't think it would be much of a log jam because behind Sexland, it's thin at guard.

If the Cavs can even pick #5 in this draft that's good. I would hope Barnes would be available by 8, because that'd still be good. Beyond that might as well be a second round pick.
 
Dr. Claw said:
If the NBA allows the "lottery odds" to somehow give the Warriors Suggs in the draft, then the entire lottery rules should be scrapped. Would be worse than the Lakers getting #4 that year ever so conveniently.

If the Cavs are able to pick him, they should. I don't think it would be much of a log jam because behind Sexland, it's thin at guard.

If the Cavs can even pick #5 in this draft that's good. I would hope Barnes would be available by 8, because that'd still be good. Beyond that might as well be a second round pick.
Click to expand...

The Cavaliers got the #1 pick 3 times in 4 years. As much as it sucks now, we can't really complain about "lottery odds/gods" not working in our favor...
 
Worth noting that Suggs was also an elite level football recruit coming out of his home state of Minnesota.

Guy like that tend to show a lot of growth once they start focusing on one sport.

Aaron Judge comes to mind as a recent cross-sport comp.
 
@I'mWithDan how does your stuff like Jaquez? Just reiterating that he's put together a really solid resume...not an outlier by any stretch, but no apparent weaknesses either. Especially liked his defense against Kispert in that game, because 2/3 wings in the NBA will very often be asked to chase around and contain dangerous off-ball scorers like Kispert.
 
Derek said:
Worth noting that Suggs was also an elite level football recruit coming out of his home state of Minnesota.

Guy like that tend to show a lot of growth once they start focusing on one sport.

Aaron Judge comes to mind as a recent cross-sport comp.
Click to expand...

McBride, another guard I like in this draft, is also a good example. He apparently had interest from B10 and SEC teams as a QB prospect, but decided to focus on basketball despite being only a fringe top-50 PG in the 2019 recruiting class. A few years later he looks like arguably the #2 PG in his class after Ball.
 
I'mWithDan said:
It is interesting that people call him a better shooter here. He’s kind of a weird case where his form looks good but he hasn’t really gotten a result at any level.

He’s hovered as a 30-32% shooter through all levels the past 24 months here, wether it be high school, various AAU / international competitions and now college.

If he improves as a shooter, I do think he has a good offensive profile but I would be concerned that he’s seen such a plateau here during these developmental years and can’t really seem to translate shooting improvement on the court, that it maybe isn’t as likely to happen as people think.
Click to expand...

I agree with your point, but current Fultz is basically a 15 ft and in player and I'm confident Suggs has a better jumper than that.

I also struggle to evaluate how much Gonzaga's personnel helps Suggs. Usually you watch players in college and it seems like they would benefit in the NBA with better shooting around them and defenses not shading or doubling them whenever they get a touch or attack. But Gonzaga might be the best college offense I've ever seen and it's ridiculous how good their spacing and shooting is. Their 5th starter just had a clutch step back 3, the talent is insane top to bottom.
 
For me, it's not that Suggs has some crucial weakness to his game...it's that he doesn't have any defining strengths, at least offensively. He's just an okay shooter. He's a good finisher at the rim, but he's a nonfactor on the offensive glass, and he doesn't draw very many fouls. He's a pretty good passer, but certainly no better than your average first round PG prospect.

His defense is another story...there he seems to be genuinely among the best defensive backcourt prospects of the last decade. But it's kinda weird to draft a guard top-5 for his defense.
 
Gonzaga has played 8 games that were decided by 15 points or less this year, here are Suggs's numbers in those games:
18.1 ppg
5.8 rpg
5.1 apg
2.1 steals
3.0 to
49.0% from the field
50.0% on 3's (2.1 makes per game)

EDIT: Missed a game when I was compiling stats
 
Last edited:
Derek said:
Gonzaga has played 7 games that were decided by 15 points or less this year, here are Suggs's numbers in those games:
20.1 ppg
5.7 rpg
5.1 apg
2.0 steals
3.1 to
50% from the field
51.5% on 3's (2.4 makes per game)
Click to expand...

Definitely better than if it was the other way around...but...is there any way to explain why he's been more accurate from 3 in close games, other than it's a total fluke? Not opposed to counting his confidence and leadership in his top-5-pick argument, but I don't think his shooting will actually be more accurate on average in closer games against better competition.
 
Nathan S said:
For me, it's not that Suggs has some crucial weakness to his game...it's that he doesn't have any defining strengths, at least offensively. He's just an okay shooter. He's a good finisher at the rim, but he's a nonfactor on the offensive glass, and he doesn't draw very many fouls. He's a pretty good passer, but certainly no better than your average first round PG prospect.

His defense is another story...there he seems to be genuinely among the best defensive backcourt prospects of the last decade. But it's kinda weird to draft a guard top-5 for his defense.
Click to expand...
To me, his defense is what makes him go from a good prospect to a great prospect. He's a legit defensive playmaker. His anticipation is next level. Quick hands, great athleticism and size. The block -> fast break last night was awesome, but it's so much more than that. His defensive awareness to know when to double at the perfect time to blindside the offensive player and get a steal before he knows what hit him is special.

I agree that he's kind of good at everything offensively, but maybe not great at one particularly thing. I do think his passing is significantly better than an average first round PG prospect (not quite Lamelo level special, but still very good). With the high BBIQ and ability to control the game offensively, I do think he'll be a huge weapon on both ends of the court.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-15: "Cavs Survive and Advance"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:15: Cavs Survive and Advance
Top