Kyle Filipowski's Road to Being a 7' Playmaker

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I've been really impressed with Filipowski's ability to handle, pass, and quickly process on the court. I think the moment he steps on the court for the Jazz, he's going to be the team's best technical passer. Of course, guys like Sexton/Collier will probably average more assist due to their ability to create passing lanes through their scoring pressure, but as far as passing creativity/accuracy/quickness, I think Filipowski is the best we have on the team.

And it's not just his passing, his handle and ability to accelerate with the ball is really impressive for his size. He's already a better ball-handler than Lauri Markkanen (him handling the ball on the perimeter and faking DHO's was very reminiscent of Draymond Green). His coast to coast attempts have been really impressive. He doesnt always have the finishing due to him lacking some confidence in his ability to finish, but I believe he can get there. His physical strength level is the lowest hanging fruit. He just doesnt have a lot of craftiness to his scoring currently and he will have to learn to develop that.

The shot doesnt seem to be very good given his inconsistency at the FT line, but it looks great and the 3pt shot is extremely comfortable for him. A lot of his misses have been close misses. I'm not overly concerned, as I do think he will clean it up and ultimately be someone teams really have to respect. Obvioulsy the shot is going to be a big key to opening up his playmaking, as his best ability is driving and finding reads out of those drives.

Of course, he also has a lot of rough moments with his lack of finishing ability and strength, but the passing/playmaking is already very impressive.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Man, you go after your takes hard.

- He does seem like a good passer/instincts guy, and we do desperately need that on this team
- Let's see how it looks in real NBA games before getting too carried away
- Is he good enough at everything else to be on the court so that he can do the things he's good at

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Man, you go after your takes hard.

- He does seem like a good passer/instincts guy, and we do desperately need that on this team
- Let's see how it looks in real NBA games before getting too carried away
- Is he good enough at everything else to be on the court so that he can do the things he's good at

If the Jazz were trying to win? No, he would probably need to be a G-League guy for a year so he can get comfortable in the NBA game and get his strength up (he'd dominate the G-League and probably average 20-10-5). But the Jazz arent trying to win, so he will get a lot of NBA minutes relatively soon.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

If the Jazz were trying to win? No, he would probably need to be a G-League guy for a year so he can get comfortable in the NBA game and get his strength up (he'd dominate the G-League and probably average 20-10-5). But the Jazz arent trying to win, so he will get a lot of NBA minutes relatively soon.

If Lauri, Kessler, Collins, Hendricks are still on the team, where do his minutes come from?

 

[KqWIN]

Poor shooting/finishing is a tough place to start. While I liked Flip in the draft, this was one of my biggest concerns. Finishing around the basket and shooting left a lot to be desired at Duke. He'll need to improve at one or the other at minimum to open up his playmaking.

But as far as being a 7'0 playmaker, he also needs to do the big man stuff. He needs to rebound and defend like a big, otherwise "for his size' doesn't really mean much. His defensive feet are ok, his effort level is mostly there, but his instincts/awareness are lacking at the moment. The lack of length also shows up.

At this point, I think Lofton is more effective and more promising as a playmaking big. Much greater threat to score and open up his playmaking. Flip is just starting out though and will have his chance to exceed him. Lofton might get dropped.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

If Lauri, Kessler, Collins, Hendricks are still on the team, where do his minutes come from?

He might beat out Hendricks for minutes...

I know we are all hoping Hendricks is better around better talent, but he might just be an extremely mediocre player who can't process the game at a high level.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Poor shooting/finishing is a tough place to start. While I liked Flip in the draft, this was one of my biggest concerns. Finishing around the basket and shooting left a lot to be desired at Duke. He'll need to improve at one or the other at minimum to open up his playmaking.

But as far as being a 7'0 playmaker, he also needs to do the big man stuff. He needs to rebound and defend like a big, otherwise "for his size' doesn't really mean much. His defensive feet are ok, his effort level is mostly there, but his instincts/awareness are lacking at the moment. The lack of length also shows up.

At this point, I think Lofton is more effective and more promising as a playmaking big. Much greater threat to score and open up his playmaking. Flip is just starting out though and will have his chance to exceed him. Lofton might get dropped.

Lofton isnt close to Filipowksi's level as a playmaker and is more of a ball-stopper who has to take seconds off the clock to make decisions. Not on the same playing field.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

He might beat out Hendricks for minutes...

Pretty doubtful, in my opinion. He would have to really outplay him, because I think you can develop Flip in the G-League better than you can develop Hendricks. If Hendricks doesn't get NBA minutes next year, the Jazz might be giving up on him.

 

[KqWIN]

Lofton isnt close to Filipowksi's level as a playmaker and is more of a ball-stopper who has to take seconds off the clock to make decisions. Not on the same playing field.

He puts way more pressure on the defense as a scorer though, and that opens up his passing. If Flip is no threat to score, it really hampers his playmaking.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

He puts way more pressure on the defense as a scorer though, and that opens up his passing. If Flip is no threat to score, it really hampers his playmaking.

His playmaking/passing is still miles ahead of Lofton's due to the processing speed and dribbling ability.

 

[KqWIN]

His playmaking/passing is still miles ahead of Lofton's due to the processing speed and dribbling ability.

I do believe he is a better passer, but when I say playmaking, I'm talking about the ability to breakdown the defense and create plays for others. Scoring ability/threat to the defense is part of that.

 

[sip]

I'm pretty optimistic from what he has shown so far as a playmaker. I feel like Hendricks and Flip have games that are better utilized in a more structured atmosphere where they can focus on a more defined role. Summer league and the gleague get chaotic with the lack of structure and overall style of play.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I do believe he is a better passer, but when I say playmaking, I'm talking about the ability to breakdown the defense and create plays for others. Scoring ability/threat to the defense is part of that.

Sure, but it's only a part and I don't think Lofton's ability in that regard is good enough at his size vs Filipowski who has the size. Filipowski is a better shooter than Lofton and he's a more dynamic driver with the ball.

 

[KqWIN]

Sure, but it's only a part and I don't think Lofton's ability in that regard is good enough at his size vs Filipowski who has the size. Filipowski is a better shooter than Lofton and he's a more dynamic driver with the ball.

Eh, neither is a proven threat to shoot. Flip hasn't proved anything in that regard. I wouldn't say he's a better or more dynamic driver with the ball either. If I had to pick one or the other to drive to the basket out of the high post, I'd put my bets on Lofton for sure at this point.

Like I said, Flip has just started and will have time to catch up/exceed Lofton. But when I see the offense with Lofton vs Flip in the same role, Lofton is much more effective. Lofton would already be above average compared to NBA players, he's no slouch.

 

[The Midnight]

Cy gonna Cy.

How’s THT doing?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Cy gonna Cy.

How’s THT doing?

IDK you tell me. Arent you the same person who threw a hissy fit when I drafted Edey at 8 in a mock draft then he went 9 in the real draft?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Flip may not be a rotation NBA player.

He won't be doing any "playmaking" in the league, that much is clear. Summer League is a place where fantasies can briefly become reality: guys who won't be allowed to shoot in reg season games can take 15 shots per game with no repercussions, off ball players pound the rock, and dudes who will average a 11% USG for their career pretend they're offensive hubs and throw no look passes.

I still have no idea what Flip's NBA role is supposed to be.

 

[sip]

Flip may not be a rotation NBA player.

He won't be doing any "playmaking" in the league, that much is clear. Summer League is a place where fantasies can briefly become reality: guys who won't be allowed to shoot in reg season games can take 15 shots per game with no repercussions, off ball players pound the rock, and dudes who will average a 11% USG for their career pretend they're offensive hubs and throw no look passes.

I still have no idea what Flip's NBA role is supposed to be.

His role is a solid backup big and he projects pretty nicely in that role.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

His role is a solid backup big and he projects pretty nicely in that role.

There's no way in hell Flip can play the 5 in the NBA. He'll get destroyed.

He's not a PF either because you have to be able to space the floor in that role these days.

Flip was a "college big", which is a dangerous thing to be. Most college bigs have to reinvent themselves when they get to the league, and I can't see a lot of room for that in Flip's game unless he magically becomes 40% more athletic or develops an outside shot. His type of "finesse" doesn't work in the league because he won't have any space to use it.

Girlfriend jokes aside, there was a good reason he dropped like a rock in the draft. I don't understand what's supposed to make him a better NBA prospect than Drew Timme.

 

[Qman]

I suspect many people don’t remember how long olynyk struggled in the league before his skills developed.

I see several nba skills that are close to being there for flip. I also think it will take him years to work it all out. But his size and mobility when his skills develop could make him a useful rotation big. In other words he like many 2nd round picks.