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2024 NBA Draft Film Review

KqWIN

Well-Known Member
Contributor
I'm making a new thread to keep my film reviews in one place and not lost in the big thread. Each year I like to watch a couple full games (or full halves) of prospects I'm interested in, watch them every single play, and write down anything and everything. While watching 1-2 full games isn't the most comprehensive review, there are only so many hours in the day and I do think I get something out of it versus watching highlights alone.

Here's what I'll prioritize when selecting games to watch:

1. I can find the full game online to watch it.
2. There are multiple prospects in the same game.
3. The prospect has a more involved box score.
4. I prefer to see a "good" and "bad" game.

Here is the list of games I will be watching, it would be fun if anyone else wants to join along. I will add more as I go along.

Kentucky (Sheppard, Dillingham, Edwards)
vs
Tennessee (Knecht)

Game 1

Game 2

UConn (Clingan, Castle)
vs
Providence (Carter)

Game 1

Game 2

USC (Collier, Johnson)
vs
Colorado (Williams, da Silva, Simpson)

Game 1

Duke (Filipowski, McCain)
vs
Baylor (Walter, Missi)

Game 1

GLeague Ignite

Working on links
 
Kentucky vs Tennessee game 1

1H

Impressions:

Sheppard
- Doesn't force anything on offense, maybe he should? Had good results when he was aggressive but was mostly passive.
- Had some big struggle moments from TN press, not the greatest look
- Defense a mixed bag, too small in moments but otherwise mostly good
- Terrific passing in both half court and transition. Really knows how to move the ball

Dillingham
- Electric half making several tough shots
- Very aggressive, tries to makes something happen every time he touches the ball
- Not great defense, beat too easily
- Was making the right passes for the most part

Knecht
- Great shooting stroke
- Makes good decisions with the ball...some mistakes, but UK was really focused on him
- Thought he was more dangerous off the ball than on the ball
- Not a ton of action this half

Edwards
- Good half on both ends, looked like a projectable 3&D guy.

Other notes
- TN has a lot of shorties, but they are quick and play tough on ball defense in the press
- UK spacing is as bad as ever, always random dudes standing at the basket. Hard to tell if drives were being cut off by the defense or their own team

- Shep starting this game, Wagner is out.
- Edwards gets the starting defensive assignment on Knecht
- TN extending their defense, first action for Shep is as PnR ballhandler and makes the simple read for a pick and pop pass
- play ends up in offensive rebound, gets back to Shep who makes a quick decision pass...moves the ball quickly
- Knecht's first action is off ball running around screens, Edwards does a good job. Nothing.
- Next play semi transition, Edwards kind of ball watching leads to open corner 3. Knecht misses.
- Shep has half open 3 in semi transition, decides to fire a quick pass to Edwards who misses good look.
- Shep hits 3 from ATO
- Shep switched onto Knecht off ball. Fights through screens decently, he's there, Knecht drains mid range over him
- Edwards active hands leads to unlucky bounce. Wide open 3 in scramble.
- Wild skip pass from Shep, seemed to be designed play though
- Good defense from UK. #3 stops Knecht's drive, then Shep stops TN's shorty.
- Knecht with a quick pass, TN hits 3 in Sheps face. Prob a little late from Shep.
- Press causes turnover from Shep, bad look
- High PnR for Knecht, UK with a strong hedge to force ball out of his hands
- Rob is in the game and goes right to work in PnR, TN switches and defends well. Shep comes to help and ends up with a made floater against good defense.
- Shep gets caught on screen and it leads to open 3
- Rob pullup 3 in defender's face...cash
- Rob w/ weak defense off ball. Leads to Knecht assist
- Rob tries to iso, gets nothing. #3 attacks Knecht on closeout and beats him
- Good perimeter passing leads to another Rob 3
- Knecht gets to rim in semi transition but gets rejected
- Shep finds teammate for open 3 other way, missed
- Knecht wants iso against Rob, Shep good double and recover. Knecht ends up with an offensive rebound, stopped by double team of Rob + Shep again. Prob a foul a Rob.
- Knecht defensive gamble ends up in foul
- Rob tries to iso again, gets inside but TN defender is there. He is so aggressive. Ends up doing enough to scramble the defense.
- Rob now beat by straight line drive
- Rob sick step back over well defended contest from Knecht. This man goes for it every time lol.
- Deep 3 for Shep in transition, miss
- Wild possession from Rob, almost turned it over with bad pass. Ends up with it again and hits crazy step back to his left.
- Rob LOVES going left
- Nice two man game with Rob and Shep leads to decent look for Rob, kind of flops the three point attempt and it's a miss
- Bigger TN player shoots mid range right over Rob for easy basket
- Good drive from Shep in PnR, but TN big man recovers well and blocks the dunk attempt
- Good stunt from Shep creates turnover
- More pressure causes another turnover for Shep. Shep plays great transition defense though and gets a strip.
- Knecht movement three out of ATO over Edwards, great shot
- Rob gets to basket out of PnR but can't finish against a good contest
- Edwards steps in for a nice middy against closeout
- Knecht great crossover leads to AND1 finish
- Another contested step back to his left for Rob, misses this one
- Knecht making good decisions when doubled
- Rob turnover after bad lob pass
- Rob good defensive hands creates turnover
- Another middy for Edwards, this time off ball curl action over Knecht
- Edwards good off ball defense+communication
- Quick crossover gets Shep to the basket, but he misses contested layup/floater
- Rob turned it statue in closeout situation
- Edwards C&S 3 after good ball movement from Shep
- More good off ball defense from Edwards causes Knecht turnover....Rob transition miss on other end
- Rob gets into the paint, scrambles defense enough to pick up assist against scramble
- Shep terrific full court pass leads to FT's
- Shep able to touch paint which creates closeout opportunity. Play ends up in C&S 3 make from the top by Rob
- Rob involved in miscommunication on defense, can't tell if it was his fault. Play ends up with Knecht iso vs Rob, Knecht cooks him but it's a tough miss against good help defense
- Scrambled play leads to C&S miss from Shep
- Shep great defensive reads creates almost turnover. TN lucks out and gets a basket out of it.
- Shep decent defense, but too small against switch leads to basket
- Quick release 3 from Rob punishes defense for sleeping
- Shep gets caught up in screening actions, but recovers well enough for good contest
- Rob iso draws foul
- Another Shep C&S miss
- Great transition pass from Sheppard again....missed layup though
- Rob bad foul on three pointer
- Knecht PnR opportunity, attacks the hedge but swallowed up by the defense...turnover
 
UConn vs Providence

Game 1

1H

Impressions:

Castle
- Terrific defensive half, absolutely shut down Carter
- Was the offensive hub for UConn playing like an playmaking big man, think Draymond/Bam
- Did not want to shoot long jumpers, defense begged him to
- Likes to operate in low PnR situation and find his midrage
- Destroyer of screens

Clingan
- Fouls

Carter
- He is a dog, great competitor
- Isolations did not work against Castle, his team had no other offense
- Great defense against Spencer
- Is not a PG, not a diss....but he does not play PG for his team
- Hit and miss passing
- Hard to tell if he makes poor decisions or if it's because his team has no firepower

- Carter defending Cam Spencer on first possession....looks way bigger than him
- Clingan postup, clumsy but gets shot off....miss
- Providence has a Carter doppleganger with the same haircut and shoe color, nightmare situation for film review
- Clingan defending postup now...concedes a long jump hook. Good defense
- Castle is defending Carter well in PnR....Providence has....good spacing ?!?!? Carter converts tough finish over Castle inside the paint
- Castle gets to his short mid range/floater pullup in PnR and scores
- Carter side PnR....iced coverage done well by Castle+Clingan stuffs the possession
- Clingan setting good screens, Castle finds his way to his short pullup gain
- Castle making screens useless, Prov hustle play draws and1 against Clingan
- Carter attacks closeout well, but Clingan help D too good....Clingan does bite on pump fake though
- Carter is all over Spencer pressuring him, but Spencer is calm
- Clingan bad passing turnover
- Great pass beats Clingan's PnR hedging defense
- Carter flop causes moving screen, come on ref
- Carter misses loaded grenade 3
- Carter great off ball denial defense
- Prov going wayyy under on Castle PnR, he still finds his way to short pullup but misses
- Great entry pass by Carter
- Wild transition attempt by Carter, miss
- Carter gets a little lost off ball this time which gave up an open 3
- Carter gets to a floater shot against drop PnR coverage, misses but athletic put back for the score
- Newton tries Carter, no chance of that going in
- Prov clearly instructed to back off Castle....every time Castle touches it they take a step away. Castle shoots the 3 they gave him and misses.
- UConn running a lot of dribble handoff stuff at the top with Castle like Draymond
- Carter tries to drive on Castle....nope
- Lazy OTO pass by Carter is a pick 6
- Now Carter tries to iso vs Castle, terrible missed 3
- Castle able to attack a closeout and get FT's
- Carter another turnover in high PnR against trap. He's unraveling on offense.....Castle gets FTs the other way in transition
- Castle really good double in the post....later on causes a 3 second violation with lockdown post D
- UConn doesn't run high PnR with Castle, they start him out much closer to the basket....chooses to not shoot his floater range shot this time
- Carter iso vs Spencer....gets into the paint but Spencer is there. Teammate hits a nice 3 to save the day. \
- Carter attacks Castle with a straight line drive, decent defense causes a miss. In the NBA they calling a foul on Castle.
- Castle wide open C&S three is taken with confidence, but he misses.
- Castle weaves his way into the paint again with another low PnR, eventually gets FTs
- Castle keeps blowing up screens....but he misses tough transition layup
- Alley oop finish by Castle, great cut + read from Newton
- Carter tries Castle with fake DHO....almost turnover. Later on he tries another iso and gets enough penetration for a kickout 3
- Karaban nice D on one end and hits a 3 over Carter on the other end
- Carter is able to get Castle off of him with a switch, beats Newton off the dribble and good interior pass for assist
- Carter goes iso vs Castle again, bullies his way to touch shot that misses
- Fake DHO turns into offensive foul on Carter drawn by Castle
- This Garwey Dual guy really sucks
 
USC vs Colorado

First 10 minutes

Impressions:

Collier
- Looks like a great ball hander + explosive
- Uses his body well
- Seemed to be engaged on defense

Tristan Da Silva
- Looked great, moved and plays like a guard
- Active on both ends
- Skinny

Cody Williams
- Extremely long, extremely goofy
- Was trusted to take the Collier matchup, looked fine
- Good finishing for the most part, maybe a little soft with contact

Kobe Johnson
- I like him

- TDS looks comfy handling the pall, passing the ball aroudn perimeter
- Cody gets the assignment on Collier
- Cody in PnR...looks goofy AF not gonna lie
- Cody now with alley oop dunk in transition, he's slow but definitely long
- Collier tries backdoor cut, but good recognition by Cody
- TDS great push and entry pass
- Collier attacks closeout and misses floater badly, Cody good deflection later on
- Great cut by Cody, gets the pass but then almost turns it over
- Collier rejects screen and gets all the way to the basket for a score.
- Smooth drive and finish by TDS
- Now TDS with active hands, steal, and transition assist
- Collier rejects the screen, but bad spacing by USC. Ends up in a step back 3 make over Cody.
- Cody PnR possession, gets all the way to the hoop with long strides
- Cody in transition, weak attempt is a miss
- Collier explosive acceleration and then a great pass for assist in transition
- TDS looks amazing so far, hits a fading jumper out of post up
- Cody gets two FTs out of scramble
- Collier seems active/focused on defense. TDS missed floater
- Simpson nice step back 3
- Kobe Johnson is good
- TDS busts the center of the zone and gets two FT
 
Going to be picking this back up. Not going to do as detailed notes, but I'll be watching the remainder of the games for:

Knecht
Carter
Holland
Williams
Dillingham

If anyone has easy access to Topic/Salaun I'd love to watch some of their full games as well
 
Providence @ UCONN

Game 1 2H

Impressions:

Carter
- Was living at the rim, finishing inconsitent
- Is very patient in PnR....makes decent reads but not sure he looks like a natural
- Took Cam Spencer out the game defensively
- Is looking to gamble/make plays all the time
- Some hit and miss moments trying to challenge Castle off the dribble

Castle
- Destroyed the Ben Simmons defense

Clingan
- Big boy on Providence made him BBQ chicken

Notes:
- Good PnR read by Carter, patient
- Carter all over Spencer off ball, no room to breathe
- Quick trigger contested 3 in Caste's face, moonball goes in
- On ball is hounding Spencer
- Always looking to create turnovers, maybe out of position a little (gambling)
- semi transition, blows by Castle for FTs
- having his way with Castle this half, blow by...but misses tough layup. Might have been a foul
- Good contest on Castle, but Castle makes it in his face.
- Castle locks him up in PnR this time
- Another PnR possesion, patient but good defensive coverage swallows it up
- Offensive foul in semi transition. Out of control
- Castle eating up this Ben Simmons defense
- Another out of control transition possession
- Bulldozed newton but miss easy layup
- Good cut easy dunk
- Castle back to shutting down his drives
- Clingan seal Carter, he has to foul
- Good decision out of pindown for assist
- Baits Castle in to 3FG foul
- Good transition finish
- More bully ball in the post
- Blow by against Newton
- Messed up switch leads to straight line drive for Spencer
- Big boy on Providence is cooking Clingan
- Castle holding Carter off the ball is a foul
- Forced, missed contested layup at the rim
- Another miss at the rim, good contest by Clingan
- Now is fouled at the rim, good drive vs Newton
 
USC vs Colorado

First 10 minutes

Impressions:

Collier
- Looks like a great ball hander + explosive
- Uses his body well
- Seemed to be engaged on defense

Tristan Da Silva
- Looked great, moved and plays like a guard
- Active on both ends
- Skinny

Cody Williams
- Extremely long, extremely goofy
- Was trusted to take the Collier matchup, looked fine
- Good finishing for the most part, maybe a little soft with contact

Kobe Johnson
- I like him

- TDS looks comfy handling the pall, passing the ball aroudn perimeter
- Cody gets the assignment on Collier
- Cody in PnR...looks goofy AF not gonna lie
- Cody now with alley oop dunk in transition, he's slow but definitely long
- Collier tries backdoor cut, but good recognition by Cody
- TDS great push and entry pass
- Collier attacks closeout and misses floater badly, Cody good deflection later on
- Great cut by Cody, gets the pass but then almost turns it over
- Collier rejects screen and gets all the way to the basket for a score.
- Smooth drive and finish by TDS
- Now TDS with active hands, steal, and transition assist
- Collier rejects the screen, but bad spacing by USC. Ends up in a step back 3 make over Cody.
- Cody PnR possession, gets all the way to the hoop with long strides
- Cody in transition, weak attempt is a miss
- Collier explosive acceleration and then a great pass for assist in transition
- TDS looks amazing so far, hits a fading jumper out of post up
- Cody gets two FTs out of scramble
- Collier seems active/focused on defense. TDS missed floater
- Simpson nice step back 3
- Kobe Johnson is good
- TDS busts the center of the zone and gets two FT

Watched the rest of this tonight, pretty fun game to watch. Cody is guarding Collier the majority of the time.

Collier

This was an awesome game for him. Looked like a lotto pick for sure.

Offense
- Super explosive speed/burst. Different speed than everyone else on the court.
- Bowling ball at the rim, if the defender isn't in perfect position he will knock them back and finish. He might do that even if they are in perfect position
- Not confident in his jumper
- Passing hit and miss. Great at delivering passes/good vision. Is too flashy and that's a detriment If he wasn't trying to be flashy he'd be an awesome passer.

Defense
- Was awesome on defense this game
- Multiple great off ball plays in help defense causing turnovers/blocks
- Hit and miss on ball, some good moments when locked in but also some blow bys
- Effort and engagement level was good, had a few lapses

Williams

Tough game for him. Wasn't involved much on offense and yet found a way to have 7 turnovers. Defense wasn't "bad" but Collier is a terrible matchup for him.

Offense
- Lots of turnovers, traveling/bad passes ect
- Even on some of his makes looked like he was on the verge of turning it over
- Great touch/footwork around the basket
- Handle looked decent
- Not explosive or bursty, but covers a lot of space in a small amount of steps/dribbles

Defense
- Stayed in front for the most part, but also got bullied at the rim for the most part
- Was the POA defender most the game
- Screens/any kind of contact has an impact on him
 
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