Jacob LeRea

Likely my Final Big Board update, but here's where I'm at 15 days before the NBA Draft. Here's an explanation of my overall process: Philosophy-wise, the four pillars to my scouting framework this cycle have been: 1. Playoff Versatility: Can this player hold their own when intensity and physicality ramp up? 2. Scheme Versatility: Can the player fit into a multitude of offensive/defensive schemes not built around them? Can they adapt? 3. Standout Skill(s): Does the player have a core skill(s) that they perform at an NBA level, which can earn them real minutes? 4. Developmental runway: What is the ROI on the prospect? How much growth is left, and what's their timeline? How do I know if a player satisfies the pillar? Truth be told, each pillar is a spectrum rather than a checkbox. Basically, I examine how deep on each pillar's spectrum a player sits. The film tells me how a player acts in game-time situations. Their poise, athletic/physical functionality, and how they react in pressured moments. Analytics serve more as a litmus test and tell me if what they do is repeatable. Tier-wise, my ranking follows: 1. Franchise Cornerstones: Players a team can build around long-term 2. Core Building Blocks: Maybe not who you want to build your franchise around, but a piece that can be a significant, upper option moving forward. 3. High End Contributor: Can have a defined role on a contending team and hold their own when the game tightens, but pose questions regarding one or more pillars. 4. Rotation Value/High ROI w Q's: Self explanatory, but split between older players possibly ready to play now and players with high reward if invested and developed properly. 5. Specialists: Know exactly what kind of player they are and how they function best. Usually, one skill that may get them on an NBA floor. Lower ceiling 6. Developmental projects: Fringe prospects with high variance in potential Let me know any questions, comments, or concerns you have below! Open to any conversations. #NBADraft

Check out what @finleykuehl and I had to say about everyone else’s Fantasy team that will absolutely lose to our powerhouse.

Pat Ngongba

As I revisit prospects from last cycle who returned to school, I told myself I’d prioritize identifying defined skills that translate to postseason settings. Billy Richmond certainly has that with his on-ball defense: -Real horizontal and vertical fluidity on screen navigation (0.747 PPP guarding PnR BH) -Comfortable guarding in space against BH, especially in full court (0.750 PPP Iso, PnR, Hand-offs combined) -Able to size up and maintain positioning against forwards -Consistently disruptive contests (Opponent eFG 44.1%) Of course, Billy has multiple swing skills that limit his overall developmental runway: - Overall Shooting (Career 23.0% shooter on 16.2% 3Pr) - Diversity Attacking Closeouts (only 46/67 were rim attacks, only 7 total dribble pull-ups) - Live Dribble Decision Making (13.5% TOVr on all drives) Nonetheless, Billy had a SUPERB combine last year! Really, really excited to see Billy's growth over the course of the season. @NoCeilingsNBA #NBADraft