Kyle Anderson?

[Rastapopoulos]

I've long coveted Boris Diaw, who has looked especially good this postseason, and it strikes me that Anderson might be similar. When Diaw was drafted by the Hawks, he was projected as a big guard, and never really worked out for them. It was only when he went to the Suns and D'Antoni let him be versatile that he really blossomed. (Packing on the pounds doesn't seem to have hurt, either.) While we probably need frontline help more, I am always drawn to talented passers and big guards, and he's both. He's slow and not particularly athletic, but he's also over 6'8", so you can play him as a point forward, like Batum. Anyone spent much time watching UCLA? My comparison (besides young Boris): black Toni Kukoc.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Yeah I can see the Diaw comparison I also see Lamar Odom before he went crazy. Would be a great pickup.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Boris Diaw?! WTF??
I think a good comparison is MCW and while they're not exactly the same, Anderson plays slower in a way that's very unique, I think Anderson would also be a great player with the right team.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Maybe you can compare Anderson running the offense to Batum.
The difference is Anderson did it all the time with UCLA.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Boris Deiw didn't do moch till he got to San Antonio. A lot of the players used by the Spurs are system players. I'm not saying they aren't good but don't let it fool you.

 

[Rhal]

Boris Deiw didn't do moch till he got to San Antonio. A lot of the players used by the Spurs are system players. I'm not saying they aren't good but don't let it fool you.

... he did a lot with the Suns and besides being fat its what he is best known for. The year Amare was out he came in and avg 13/6/6 and played great, was able to shine alongside Nash with his superb passing for a big man and overall high BBIQ. Heck even when Amare came back and his role and minutes changed he still avg almost 4 assists a game but he wasn't a great 3 point shooter and couldn't spread the floor like the suns wanted so he was traded.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I thought Anderson really blossomed this year at UCLA and he got better as the season went on. I particularly paid attention to the Bruins' game against the Gators during this year's Tournament and it was clear that Anderson could do whatever he wanted with the ball in his hands. Florida only ran away with the game when Anderson had to rest.

The questions that surround his game are: What position will he play, can he guard anyone, and will his lack of athleticism hurt his game?

I look at him as a Point Forward, similar to Batum, Antoine Walker, Diaw, etc. I think he could be a team's de-facto Point Guard or secondary ballhandler. He'd also thrive as a Stretch 4 in the right system (see Diaw) dropping dimes from the elbow and all other angles.

Right now, I have no idea what position he'd be able to play defensively. Point Guards would be too quick and Power Forwards would be too overpowering.

He plays slow, hence the "Slow-Mo" nickname given to him. But Brandon also played so and it played to his advantage, so it can be done. If he's played at PG, he could do a lot of damage in the post (Send the kid some Andre Miller tapes) and with his height advantage, he'll have a clear look at all the passing lanes. While his lack of athleticism will hurt, as long as he's able to play to his strengths, he should have a home in this league given the right fit.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I think he's a PG, he needs the ball in his hands.
On defense he's probably a 2 or a 3

 

[Rastapopoulos]

[video=youtube;CFGl9ndbjZ0]

 

[42N8Bounce]

Kyle Anderson (so) UCLA, 6-9, 230
** 33.2 mpg, 14.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.8 bpg, 3.1 tpg, 48.0% fg
** 2013-14 UCLA 28-9 (NBA? - Adams, LaVine)
Grant Hill (so) Duke, 6-8, 225
** 30.3 mpg, 14.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.8 bpg, 2.4 tpg, 61.1% fg
** 1991-92 Duke 34-2 National Champs (NBA - Laettner, Hurley, Parks, Davis, Lang)

It's always tough to compare a someone to a 7 time NBA all-star, but I think the college stats similarities are there. Kyle Anderson may look slow, but he seems to be getting it done at that speed - similar to Brandon Roy.

I think he'll end up being one of the top 6 players in this draft. As it was pointed out earlier in this tread, getting the right fit/position on the team that selects him is critical to his development.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

If you go this rout I think it's a toss up between Anderson and Saric.

Along with their bbiq they both have PF/C-esque reach at 9'0"

 

[jlprk]

I think he'll end up being one of the top 6 players in this draft.

Radical prediction there. Might as well be bold.

 

[dviss1]

Color me not impressed. Doesn't pass the eye test IMHO. Way too slow. And please don't compare him to Brandon Roy slow because Brandon had a QUICK 1st step and could blow by anyone. Roy had a badass crossover and could cook ANYONE'S ankles. Bite your tongue comparing this cat to Brandon!

 

[jlprk]

Yeah, I watched the first half of that 14-minute tape (his positives). Then they started on his negatives and I turned it off.

Like they say, his plus is height, and his minus is no explosiveness.

 

[Blazer4ever]

He's a much better passer, facilitator than Brandon, though. Plus, not being as good as Brandon doesn't mean he isn't a good prospect. Brandon was the best in his class.
I think question-marks about the right position, right team for him, will cause him to slide in the draft but he has a very unique talent, he's court vision/creativity for his size are rare.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Ed Weiland (HoopsAnalyst) on Anderson:

Kyle Anderson, Point Forward UCLA: The problem with evaluating Kyle Anderson is he’s a rare player. There aren’t any forwards in recent years who have passed this well, nor are there any guards who have rebounded this well. Anderson is at 10.4 R40 and 8.3 A40. The only player I can find who topped 8.0 in both numbers is Magic Johnson back in his championship year of 1979. Magic was at 8.1 R40 and 9.2 A40. If I seriously believed Anderson could be another Magic Johnson, he’d be at the top of this list. But just the fact that it can be said of Anderson, “Not since Magic Johnson has a player…” says a lot about his potential to become something special. His offense remains a concern

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

[video=youtube;CFGl9ndbjZ0]

Watching him this year I think it's safe to say that he'll never play SG.

Ever.

He will be a combo SF/PF. He's crafty and his 9'0" reach -- I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually played PF full time down the road.

His athletic ability is comparable to Zach Randolph.

 

[riverman]

Boris Diaw is an unrestricted FA so why not just make him an offer? Talk about upgrading the bench, he's my guy.

 

[BBert]

All this talk about getting Boris Diaw, on this and other threads. I'm confused. Are we talking about the Boris Diaw who is about to win an NBA championship playing a key role on the Spurs? Why would he want to leave the Spurs for Portland? Why wouldn't the Spurs want him back? Or are we talking about a different Boris Diaw?

 

[jlprk]

All this talk about getting Boris Diaw, on this and other threads. I'm confused. Are we talking about the Boris Diaw who is about to win an NBA championship playing a key role on the Spurs? Why would he want to leave the Spurs for Portland? Why wouldn't the Spurs want him back? Or are we talking about a different Boris Diaw?

Hey, at least Diaw would probably remain a starter. In another thread, I'm arguing with Natebishop over whether Chalmers would come here from Miami to sit on the bench.

http://sportstwo.com/threads/263303...ould-you-do)?p=3367829&viewfull=1#post3367829

 

[Pinwheel1]

I had many long discussions about Anderson with my UCLA co-worker. I think it is safe to say I liked him better than he did and he is a die hard UCLA alum. He is projected around 23 in the draft express mock. I think that is a good spot for him. I would gamble on him that late. He needs to improve his outside game, but I like his over all game. I think he is a NBA player.

 

[BBert]

This Kyle Anderson fellow sounds like a Spurs kinda guy.

 

[ripcityboy]

It is really trendy to like Kyle Anderson now, but I saw him a lot in college and was not overly impressed. Doesn't have the quickness you need
as a point forward, won't get away with taking it too the hoop at the NBA level, and not really a outside shooter. May be
a good bench player. I am not saying he won't get better, I just think his skills are maxed out.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Blazer4ever]

I watched him once, against Arizona in the ACC finals.
UCLA lost but not by much and it was clear they struggled when he was on the bench. He was by far their most important player, their entire offense is built around him.
Think of Batum running the offense but doing it all the time, with Batum's size, play-making ability, passing but without fading to the background like Batum does - that's Anderson. You say he's a forward but he was the PG for them, he is playing a role I hope Batum can accept - the primary point guard on offense next to a combo-guard who likes to play off-the-ball like in our case Lillard. I think that's the right situation for Anderson as well.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Bandwagon jumpers...

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Bandwagon jumpers...

I love his skillset but he's really tough to figure out - how is he going to translate?

He's as athletic as late career Andre Miller but has the standing-reach of a center. He's a pure PG and I think he ends up at PF eventually.

 

[ehizzy3]

I watched him once, against Arizona in the ACC finals.
UCLA lost but not by much and it was clear they struggled when he was on the bench. He was by far their most important player, their entire offense is built around him.
Think of Batum running the offense but doing it all the time, with Batum's size, play-making ability, passing but without fading to the background like Batum does - that's Anderson. You say he's a forward but he was the PG for them, he is playing a role I hope Batum can accept - the primary point guard on offense next to a combo-guard who likes to play off-the-ball like in our case Lillard. I think that's the right situation for Anderson as well.

The acc final?

 

[Pinwheel1]

I love his skillset but he's really tough to figure out - how is he going to translate?

He's as athletic as late career Andre Miller but has the standing-reach of a center. He's a pure PG and I think he ends up at PF eventually.

A power forward? Kind of like how Magic Johnson was a PF at the end of his career? Regardless he could be very versatile.

Last year some of you were touting Otto Porter as this all around "glue" player and that was worthy of the #3 selection. I did not like him coming out of college. I would much rather have someone like Kyle Anderson who I think does have skills. But as a mid first round pick, not a lottery pick.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

A power forward? Kind of like how Magic Johnson was a PF at the end of his career? Regardless he could be very versatile.

Last year some of you were touting Otto Porter as this all around "glue" player and that was worthy of the #3 selection. I did not like him coming out of college. I would much rather have someone like Kyle Anderson who I think does have skills. But as a mid first round pick, not a lottery pick.

I think it's his best position. Guarding the perimeter will be a problem. Would you have Z-Bo chasing around the Kawhi's of the world? That's IMO his best comparison athletically.

And I think he will be available in the mid-first.

....I'd still rather have Dario Saric, but Kyle isn't too far behind.