Ivan Rabb and Cal are getting drilled by UCLA. He's taking(4) and making(3) 3;s in 2017 tho... Interested to see how that develops..
I have a hard time getting excited about Rabb. Seems like an athletically limited, below-the-rim-player who makes fundamental plays around the basket due to his length and teammates setting him up. I'm not sure how he's better than Ed Davis, if he's even that good a prospect.
He's a much better prospect than Ed Davis, and I liked Ed Davis as a prospect. One of the biggest difference is their dexterity with the off-hand. Davis is a classic strong-hand dominant lefty that finishes almost everything left. Ivan Rabb has been instinctually doing all sorts of finishes with both hands for many years now, that's why I've long compared him to David Lee..
There's also a big difference with their touch. Davis is well equipped to finish at the rim but once oyu get out of that 5=foot range Rabb's touch becomes vastly superior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2XUgFcm-pY
I'd also argue that Davis was playing more of his NBA position in college/HS than Rabb is now, he's asked to play 5 like he was in HS often, in the league he's clearly a 4.
There's Chris Bosh like intangible with Rabb too. He put on the best performance I've ever seen to win a HS state championship 2 years ago. Willed the victory vs an absolutely loaded Mater Dei squad. He brought it to OT and then sealed the W. This is one of the reasons I'm certain he'd fall right in-line in Utah. He's a winner.
So you think his game will translate to the NBA where his size/length won't be much of an advantage, where his athleticism will be average, and where he'll be asked to guard in space? Ed Davis was at least an excellent rebounder with a good second jump.
Someone want to try to explain why Bam Adebayo isn't a lottery pick?
Rik Smits son Derrik is a 7'2" 240lb 20 y/o Fr. C for Valparaiso with a wide frame. He was supposed to be a freshman last yea rbut had to RS. He's on ESPN2 right now (and DX's projected 1st rder Alec Peters). Coming off a career-high 11pts he's just getting started. Interesting player to watch.
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C.L. Brown
ESPN Staff Writer
Rough stretch for Duke freshman Marques Bolden: allows alley oop dunk; fails to roll to the basket a causing turnover; picked up 4th foul in just 6 minutes. If he can't stay on the floor and gain experience in a game the Blue Devils lead by 22, he's going to find it hard to get playing time in games that matter.
Do you guys think TJ Leaf can play playmaking 4? I don't see him being able to defend 3s in the league, but if he can be respectable against 4s, he might be a nice player. They are using him a lot as a playmaker from the high post a LOT and his passing is great for a forward.
Reminds me of Love after his frosh season in this respect - there were reasons not to like him as a prospect, kinda wondered where he'd fit, etc, but ultimately, when you would watch him, he was usually the most productive player on the floor, outplayed the other bigs and he was just really good at playing basketball. I don't know where Leaf will fit, what his role will be, but he'll figure it out because he's awesome at playing basketbsllDo you guys think TJ Leaf can play playmaking 4? I don't see him being able to defend 3s in the league, but if he can be respectable against 4s, he might be a nice player. They are using him a lot as a playmaker from the high post a LOT and his passing is great for a forward.
Reminds me of Love after his frosh season in this respect - there were reasons not to like him as a prospect, kinda wondered where he'd fit, etc, but ultimately, when you would watch him, he was usually the most productive player on the floor, outplayed the other bigs and he was just really good at playing basketball. I don't know where Leaf will fit, what his role will be, but he'll figure it out because he's awesome at playing basketbsll