Draft Prospects: OG Anunoby & Robert Williams

[TBpup]

D69 and I were discussing Draft possibilities while watching the first part of the Indiana/Louisville game this morning. Portland is currently slotted at #9 where DraftExpress has OG Anunoby (Ah nun oh bee) slotted. First of all, we both like wingspan and Anunoby's wingspan is reported to be a ridiculous 7'6" for a player 6'8". He also has a reported 40" vertical. Not bad for a guy who is a 6'8", 235lb wing. Built a bit like Clyde Drexler.

Against projected Top-3 pick Josh Jackson of Kansas, Anunoby (who is projected as a 3-n-D guy) held Jackson to 9 points on 3-11 shooting while getting 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks of his own. He has active hands and feet on defense and plays to contact instead of away from it like so may players today.

In watching him against Louisville, his strength sheds defenders and when he boxes out, other people get moved. He finishes well with contact due to his size and strength and is shooting 37% from '3'.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/OG-Anunoby-93246/


Robert Williams is currently projected to go at #30 but we both believe he will climb much higher by the time the Draft comes. His wingspan is 7'4" but he is reported to still be growing. His vertical is reported between 40-44". He currently has the highest PER of any player in the 1st round as just a Freshman coming off the bench for Texas A&M. He needs some polish and doesn't use his size as well as you'd like to see, but he has some impressive physical skills that are worth taking a look at.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Robert-Williams-89995/

We have both been big proponents of wingspan and these two players have it in spades. Combine that with some unique physical skills and you have 2 guys who could be intriguing prospects come Draft time.

 

[damianlillard]

just curious but what you guy think of Drew Eubanks from oregon state?

 

[TBpup]

just curious but what you guy think of Drew Eubanks from oregon state?

Nice college center but will have to play PF to have any shot in the pros. Finishes well around the basket but no real low-post game and doesn't shoot it from the outside either. Good physical skills. Since he got such a late start playing basketball, he needs his learning curve to be exponential.

As of now, a long shot to make the NBA and if he does, will fill a spot towards the end of the bench.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I want the next Dwight Howard. Who's he in this draft?

 

[blue9]

A 6'8" SG with good defense combined with a long wingspan? Yes please!

 

[TBpup]

A 6'8" SG with good defense combined with a long wingspan? Yes please!

Check out the posterization in the first highlight. So much wingspan! http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/video?gameId=400914976

 

[e_blazer]

Why are you thinking about guys who are lottery picks? Do you think we can trade into the lotto?

 

[damianlillard]

Nice college center but will have to play PF to have any shot in the pros. Finishes well around the basket but no real low-post game and doesn't shoot it from the outside either. Good physical skills. Since he got such a late start playing basketball, he needs his learning curve to be exponential.

As of now, a long shot to make the NBA and if he does, will fill a spot towards the end of the bench.

But mason is the same height as drew but drew easily got a longer arm. drew literally have the same offense as mason as right now but he is quickly improving his jump shot. And drew is the kind of defensive center we've been looking for. He will only come at a cost of a draft pick not giving up cj for a star center. drew is a shot blocking machine with a really good pick and roll defense

 

[TBpup]

But mason is the same height as drew but drew easily got a longer arm. drew literally have the same offense as mason as right now but he is quickly improving his jump shot. And drew is the kind of defensive center we've been looking for. He will only come at a cost of a draft pick not giving up cj for a star center. drew is a shot blocking machine with a really good pick and roll defense

Mason is listed at 6'11 and Drew at 6'10" so they are close. Plumlee doesn't have an offensive game either but compensates for that by being probably the best passing center in the NBA. Also, Plumlee has played all of his life and has better/quicker instincts. They may come for Drew but for now, when I watch him, he is a step slow even if that is just from only playing ball for a few year. It's not from lack of athletic ability. Just doesn't have the feel for the game yet.

Maybe he gets that. As of now, he would be a FA signee hoping to make the bottom of a roster somewhere as a flyer.

 

[JDC]

OG really doesn't do it for me. His upside looks Aminu like with less rebounding and a slightly better outside shot.

Robert Williams is intriguing but can hold up at the 5 despite his freakish length? He's lacking a certain physicality to his game and his rebounding numbers are concerning. Not sure he comes out, but Ike Anigbogou looks like a better defensive center prospect. Much stronger and projects to be significantly better on the defensive boards.

 

[TBpup]

OG really doesn't do it for me. His upside looks Aminu like with less rebounding and a slightly better outside shot.

Robert Williams is intriguing but can hold up at the 5 despite his freakish length? He's lacking a certain physicality to his game and his rebounding numbers are concerning. Not sure he comes out, but Ike Anigbogou looks like a better defensive center prospect. Much stronger and projects to be significantly better on the defensive boards.

Much bigger body thank Aminu already at just 19 years old. Better handles, better shot and a much more physical player. Who knows what he becomes but different body types to be sure.

Williams won't be a center....he'll be a PF.

Too early to tell on Ike although he has good size. 4 rebounds and 0 blocks against the Ducks and 3 rebounds/1 block against the Beavers.....both in limited minutes.

 

[Orion Bailey]

@TBpup
If we are gonna go to #9. Lets trade up to #3 and get Josh Jackson

Similar comparison but much better handles nad perimeter D.

 

[damianlillard]

@TBpup
If we are gonna go to #9. Lets trade up to #3 and get Josh Jackson

Similar comparison but much better handles nad perimeter D.

I would take a trade like that in a heartbeat. Josh Jackson have the potential to be what michael jordan was, he will be somewhat overlooked in the first 2 pick but will pick #3. I think we need to grab him. but for some reason i think we will continue to slide and now that dallas have caught fire we have a chance to get a top 5 pick

 

[TBpup]

@TBpup
If we are gonna go to #9. Lets trade up to #3 and get Josh Jackson

Similar comparison but much better handles nad perimeter D.

We are now up to #8. Can't be winning silly games against the T-Wolves that don't really matter anyhow if you want a player like Jackson.

 

[Orion Bailey]

We are now up to #8. Can't be winning silly games against the T-Wolves that don't really matter anyhow if you want a player like Jackson.

Cant try to win every game and then trade up? Who has #3, Phi Right?

Our two 1sts and a filler like Ezeli for cap space or something?
Our two firsts and Crabbe?

What would it take to get the top 3 pick? If we can do that without giving up Dame & CJ, then CJ becomes our 6tgh man or you trade him for DMC or something.

The more I think about it and the more I watch the Blazers play, I cant stand it, but we must break Dame and CJ up.
I think this is the best way to to it. Put a rookie with incredible potential next to Dame and then use CJ to trade for an elite big. We will be in the mix again next year and the year after should be contending.

 

[WillG]

In regard to the OP, Nice analysis TBPup. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TBpup]

In regard to the OP, Nice analysis TBPup. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you but credit is due as well to D69. He has been one of the bet Draft prognosticators in the last 10 years. He was really high on Giannis, Gobert, wanted Durant over Oden, didn't want Ammo at all, predicted Bennett would be a bust well before the Draft....a tremendous resource.

 

[damianlillard]

I want the next Dwight Howard. Who's he in this draft?

with time it will be drew eubanks, he could be a way better offensively player than dwight but pretty similar on defense, however drew probably won't enter into this draft

 

[TBpup]

with time it will be drew eubanks, he could be a way better offensively player than dwight but pretty similar on defense, however drew probably won't enter into this draft

Now THAT is a die-hard Beaver fan! Props to your faith.

 

[damianlillard]

Now THAT is a die-hard Beaver fan! Props to your faith.

lol I have to admit I am a die-hard beavers fan, probably the biggest beavers fan there is. But I have to admit that drew would be better than davis and meyers. plus mason is gone after this year so drew would be the greatest blazers center ever if he live up to his potential

 

[TBpup]

lol I have to admit I am a die-hard beavers fan, probably the biggest beavers fan there is. But I have to admit that drew would be better than davis and meyers. plus mason is gone after this year so drew would be the greatest blazers center ever if he live up to his potential

Bill Walton and Arvydas Sabonis....Beaverfan damianlillard has put you in your place. Sucks to be you two.

 

[WillG]

Thank you but credit is due as well to D69. He has been one of the bet Draft prognosticators in the last 10 years. He was really high on Giannis, Gobert, wanted Durant over Oden, didn't want Ammo at all, predicted Bennett would be a bust well before the Draft....a tremendous resource.

Yeah Giannis and Gobert were the two guys I really wanted. Such good value picks.

Oden/Durant draft is a non issue for me. Without knowing his health issues in the future Oden was still the right pick.

It does seem D69 has the knack. Got to say plenty of people saw the Bennett pick being a bust though. . .

 

[TBpup]

Yeah Giannis and Gobert were the two guys I really wanted. Such good value picks.
D69 Seems like he has the knack. Got to say plenty of people saw the Bennett pick being a bust though. . .

If I remember, he didn't have Bennett even in the Lottery. He had me so convinced about Durant there is a picture of me at the Draft party with a Durant sign....it was a very lonely time...lol. He had Giannis as a Top-3 and Gobert as a Top-5....or maybe it was the other way around be he had them very high up.

He did have a big miss. The year we traded the pick that would/could have been Chris Paul, he wanted Gerald Green instead of Martell Webster. We had a good laugh years later.

 

[WillG]

If I remember, he didn't have Bennett even in the Lottery. He had me so convinced about Durant there is a picture of me at the Draft party with a Durant sign....it was a very lonely time...lol. He had Giannis as a Top-3 and Gobert as a Top-5....or maybe it was the other way around be he had them very high up.

He did have a big miss. The year we traded the pick that would/could have been Chris Paul, he wanted Gerald Green instead of Martell Webster. We had a good laugh years later.

That seals it then - the man definitely knows what he's talking about. I'll have to check him out.

Unfortunately, I can still remember my disbelief when we passed on Chris Paul. The memory is backed by the soundtrack of Dick Vitales break down of the pick at the time - where he was adamant that Portland would go on to regret it.

 

[WillG]

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk looks intriguing.
Looks intelligent, crafty - can pass, shoot & pretty decent athlete.
Needs some refinement and some time in an NBA gym.
Biggest questions: can he defend & can he translate to the speed of the NBA?

Could be a value pick early second round (akin to the Crabbe pick)

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Sviatoslav-Mykhailiuk-62959/