All things Collin Murray-Boyles

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Rastapopoulos

Rastapopoulos

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Continuing my theme of draft prospects who would be perfect if it weren't for that one thing, we have a player who'd probably be in the top three if he could shoot. Wait, according to this, he is anyway!

Why we should take him: he could be the next Draymond!
Why we shouldn't: remember Justise Winslow?

Discuss. (Full disclosure: he's probably my first choice if he's there, although if both he and Essengue are there...)
 
Elite defensive feel/awareness

Solid passer

A center in the body of a PF

Couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a drunk elephant with his three point shot — 26%

You draft him for his JYD presence in the paint though. I see a slow adjustment in the mold of a Jarace Walker.

A better Brandon Clarke

Not a better prospect than Jase IMO - but CMB’s
defensive upside is Camara-like.
 
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He used to be the guy I want, in fact I voted for him today but then I did some quick research. I guess the reason I was for him was Cuz I wanted him to be like Draymond and I also I think we need a little more muscle on this team. But the chances he will be as good as Green just seem slim. I rely heavily on the stats posted by Tankathon and so I think I would prefer Essengue or Clifford.
 
UKRAINEFAN said:
I rely heavily on the stats posted by Tankathon and so .........
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In general, I don't think this is a good idea when trying to guess how a prospect will be in a few years. Don't get me wrong, I glance at them too, but tankathon IMO does not do a very good job with that part of their website. A negative defensive rating for CMB? That is ridiculous. You are better off asking AI.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
In general, I don't think this is a good idea when trying to guess how a prospect will be in a few years. Don't get me wrong, I glance at them too, but tankathon IMO does not do a very good job with that part of their website. A negative defensive rating for CMB? That is ridiculous. You are better off asking AI.
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I guess you are right. I did ask Grok:
Is Collin Murray-Boyles a good defender?
Yes, Collin Murray-Boyles is widely regarded as an exceptional defender, particularly for his versatility and impact at the college level, with strong potential to translate to the NBA. Here’s a breakdown of his defensive skills based on available scouting reports and analyses:
  • Versatility and Switchability: Murray-Boyles, at 6’7” with a 7’0.75” wingspan and a strong 239-pound frame, is a highly switchable defender capable of guarding multiple positions, from point guards to undersized centers. His combination of strength, foot speed, and long arms allows him to defend in the post, switch onto perimeter players, and handle various pick-and-roll coverages effectively. Scouts have praised his ability to "lock down every position" and describe him as a "defensive savant" due to his quick hands, coordination, and basketball IQ.
  • Defensive Impact: His defensive presence significantly improves his team’s performance. For example, South Carolina’s defense was 12.1 points per 100 possessions better with Murray-Boyles on the floor, one of the largest differentials in college basketball. He disrupts passing lanes (1.5 steals per game) and provides rim protection (1.3 blocks per game), often making plays from behind or as a help defender. Opposing scorers shot just 38.3% when guarded by him, highlighting his disruptive ability.
  • Rebounding and Hustle: Murray-Boyles is a tenacious rebounder, with a 9.7% offensive rebounding rate and 26% defensive rebounding rate, which are strong indicators of NBA translatability. His relentless motor and physicality allow him to compete against bigger opponents, even at his undersized height for a power forward or small-ball center.
  • Comparisons and Potential: Analysts frequently compare his defensive style to Draymond Green due to his versatility, competitiveness, and high basketball IQ, despite not being an elite vertical athlete. One scout called him the "best defensive prospect" in the 2025 NBA Draft, noting his potential to be a "defensive Swiss army knife" who could anchor a strong defensive culture.
  • Areas for Improvement: While his defensive foot speed is generally solid, some scouts question whether it will hold up against quicker NBA wings. Additionally, he can be overly reactive in drop coverage, occasionally misreading rotations, which could be exploited in the NBA’s perimeter-heavy game.
Overall, Murray-Boyles’ defensive skill set—marked by strength, versatility, active hands, and elite instincts—makes him one of the standout defensive prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. His ability to impact games defensively is a key reason he’s projected as a lottery to mid-first-round pick, though his exact role will depend on how his offensive game, particularly his shooting, develops.
 
Grok did such a good job on that question, I thought would ask who is a better prospect between Murray-Boyles and Essengue:
Comparison and Evaluation
  • Defensive Edge: Murray-Boyles is the better defender right now, with elite instincts, versatility, and proven impact in college. His ability to lock down multiple positions and generate steals/blocks is unmatched in this class, earning him accolades as potentially the best defensive prospect. Essengue, while versatile and mobile, is less polished and relies more on raw athleticism than refined defensive IQ. Murray-Boyles is the safer bet for immediate defensive impact, but Essengue’s length and athleticism give him comparable long-term potential.
  • Offensive Potential: Murray-Boyles is more polished offensively, particularly as a finisher and passer, but his lack of shooting severely limits his ceiling. Essengue’s developing three-point shot and transition dominance give him a higher offensive upside, especially if his jumper becomes consistent. However, his rawness in the half-court makes him a longer-term project.
  • Fit and Readiness: Murray-Boyles has a higher floor due to his physical maturity, two years of college experience, and immediate defensive impact. He’s ready to contribute as a role player, particularly for teams needing a defensive anchor and energy guy. Essengue, at 18, is a higher-upside pick but requires patience as he refines his offensive game and defensive instincts. Teams with developmental systems (e.g., Toronto, Orlando) may prefer Essengue’s potential, while teams needing instant contributors (e.g., Chicago, Portland) may lean toward Murray-Boyles.
  • Ceiling and Risk: Essengue’s youth, size, and athleticism give him a higher ceiling, potentially as a two-way star if his shooting and decision-making improve. However, his rawness carries more risk, as he’s further from contributing consistently. Murray-Boyles’ ceiling is likely as a high-end role player or starter (Draymond Green-lite), with less risk due to his proven production but also less star potential.
Who is the Better Prospect?
  • If Prioritizing Immediate Impact: Murray-Boyles is the better prospect. His elite defensive versatility, high basketball IQ, and proven production in a competitive college environment make him a safer pick for teams needing a plug-and-play forward. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute as a finisher/rebounder ensures he can carve out a role early, even if his shooting doesn’t develop.
  • If Prioritizing Upside: Essengue is the better prospect. His prototypical size, elite athleticism, and flashes of shooting potential make him a more enticing long-term investment, especially for teams willing to develop a raw talent. At 18, he has more time to refine his game, and his performance against professionals in Europe suggests he can handle physicality.
  • Overall: The choice depends on team needs and timeline. Murray-Boyles is the better prospect for teams seeking a high-floor, defense-first player who can contribute immediately, likely as a versatile role player. Essengue is the better pick for teams with a patient approach, as his size and athleticism offer a higher ceiling, potentially as a two-way star. Given Murray-Boyles’ elite defensive impact and more polished game, he edges out slightly as the better prospect for most NBA teams, but Essengue’s upside makes him a strong contender for teams with developmental resources. A recent post on X echoes this sentiment, noting Murray-Boyles’ superior defensive prowess but acknowledging Essengue’s potential as a work-in-progress with similarities to Bilal Coulibaly.
Final Verdict: Murray-Boyles is the better prospect for immediate impact and defensive reliability, but Essengue’s higher ceiling makes him a compelling choice for teams betting on long-term growth. If forced to choose, Murray-Boyles gets the slight edge due to his readiness and defensive excellence, but it’s close, and team fit will be critical.
 

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I have a horrible feeling the Thunder will end up with CMB and he'll make their defense even more impregnable.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
I have a horrible feeling the Thunder will end up with CMB and he'll make their defense even more impregnable.
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Yes, he would be a quality addition, but they are already deep, and he wouldn't start. So I am not sure how much more he can help.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
Yes, he would be a quality addition, but they are already deep, and he wouldn't start. So I am not sure how much more he can help.
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He can be a cheap replacement when they have to start paying their top players big bucks.
 
CMB’s defensive awareness is special.

His defensive feel is off the charts.

I feel he was probably the prospect brought in for the 1v1 workout.
 
the mechanics on his jumper are pretty good & of course the J is the biggest question mark for him by far. If management feels they can improve the results to passable he's likely among their final choices.

STOMP
 
I'm really surprised you all want him on the team. Been a long time since he was on SNL. Doyle-Murray is almost 80 years old!

Oh....Murray-Boyles. nevermind...

barfo
 
barfo said:
I'm really surprised you all want him on the team. Been a long time since he was on SNL. Doyle-Murray is almost 80 years old!

Oh....Murray-Boyles. nevermind...

barfo
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Bill's older(?) brother - I first saw him on a great (for the time) sitcom that only lasted one season that starred Giancarlo Esposito (you know, Gus Fring) in a role that nobody today would ever think him capable of, but that's actually much closer to the real him than any of the sinister taciturn villains he plays now. Also had Ron Eldard - he was great, what happened to him? Last saw him on Justified.

Oh, it was called Bakersfield PD. Anyone else remember it?
 
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