In their breakdown video they're kind of wishy-washy about it. They say he has the feet and movement to guard 4s, and he has the length to guard 5s. On the other hand, they say he's got the frame for a 4, but the skillset of a 5. And they say he's probably going to have to play the 5 in today's NBA. Do you think that's wrong and that he's a pure 4? I haven't watched enough of him to be able to tell. I also don't quite see his huge upside. Or at least I think it's a big longshot that he reaches it.
What would you say his biggest upside is? Someone who can guard 1-5 and be an elite rebounder/finisher with a 17 foot jumper? What do you think his realistic upside is, very good rebounder who can defend the pick and roll and protect the rim in a pinch?
We're talking about Giles right? I take umbrage with a particular part of that, the "today's NBA" bit. It's a blanket statement, and if I've learned anything from watching the draft closely for years it's that things for the most part are done on a case-by-case basis, u never know what a team is looking for/thinking.
Giles could play 4 for the Jazz and also backup 5. I think Giles can definitely function as a 4 who also can play backup 5 in spurts, matchup depending.
The bit you've got about his upside is quite off base. He can't guard 1-5 or anywhere close to that so just forget that. His upside is a player defensively who can hedge all the way out to the perimiter, get stuck on an island vs a guard and still put in a good effort.
Offensively he's got a lot of room for improvement. The upside is very real,don't think a few surgeries and a **** season really have curtailed that, I'm certain there's real underlying value. I wouldn't say his upside is as an elite rebounder either, he can be very good.
What he is offensively or what he could be is a player who uses skill and quickness and hand-eye coordination and balance and misdirection to be devastatingly effective. I'd say picture Amir Johnson but plus a bunch of tricks up his sleeve. He's got great basketball instincts. He's nimble, there's not exactly a bunch of players like him. He can handle the rock, he can develop some really advanced combination of moves and fakes and spins and real fancy looking ****, thats effective, he can put a slow footed defender in a blender. He's got nice touch, he's got hook shots in the arsenal, his upside is that of an extremely polished 2-way player.. He's good in small-space "in a phonebooth" thats where his anticipation and hand-eye coordination really shines.
there's no doubt that his stock has taken a hit because teams will look at him as a project, moreso than a player ready to contribute in a year or 2...
He must add strength, when he does the game will change for him. He's a smart kid, I like his chances at finding a niche. (Much of this goes for Ivan Rabb too).
there was one particular defensive sequence that ended with a block that I'm looking for that IMO was his best play of the season and made me question why duke isn't playing him more. I can't find it because duke fans are just concerned with his block vs UNC mainly..
