[lex24]

The 4th pick in last year's draft, Patrick Williams from FSU, didn't start a single game and his stats on the season were 9/4/1. He is now averaging more points per game for the Chicago Bulls than he did in his single year in college. Has started every game.

So he is now doing better against what should be more capable players than he did in college. It has only been a year so it isn't a long "development" process. Why do you think that happened? I personally believe that 1) his level of effort in college has to be questioned and 2) the NBA isn't really basketball. It is entertainment, and defense doesn't entertain. If he couldn't deliver much in college and is now a better than average pro (with not a long "G" league gestation) it has to mean that the NBA and college are such different games that there is little correlation (or he mailed it in at FSU).

They play much better defense in NBA than college.  The game is entirely different. It’s predicated on length athleticism and 3’s. With a couple exceptions, there is not much low post play.  With most teams, its run, spread, slash, kick, shoot. With some high pick and rolls thrown in. Plus you have a much deeper 3, and players with the ability to shoot it from 5 feet beyond the arc.  Off the dribble. Often creating their own space with a step back. Meaning there is more floor to cover.   The athleticism is off the charts.  Absent that athleticism, most have little chance. So they are looking first and foremost at athletic ability and the potential to grow.

Look at Wiseman.  He is lost half the time on the floor.  Awful defensively. Lousy rebounder for a 7 footer with length.  But he’s 19 and  incredibly athletic.  So you bet on his body maturing and he learns the game at the NBA level. He played 3 college games. No 2 overall pick. 

Compare Garza.  Also around 7 feet.  Tremendous feet down low.  Great post moves. Can hit a college three.  But he’s slow and he can’t jump a lick.  He’s a great college player.  But he has, I think, a very low NBA upside.  So late first round at best.  More likely a second round pick.

[lex24]

The 4th pick in last year's draft, Patrick Williams from FSU, didn't start a single game and his stats on the season were 9/4/1. He is now averaging more points per game for the Chicago Bulls than he did in his single year in college. Has started every game.

So he is now doing better against what should be more capable players than he did in college. It has only been a year so it isn't a long "development" process. Why do you think that happened? I personally believe that 1) his level of effort in college has to be questioned and 2) the NBA isn't really basketball. It is entertainment, and defense doesn't entertain. If he couldn't deliver much in college and is now a better than average pro (with not a long "G" league gestation) it has to mean that the NBA and college are such different games that there is little correlation (or he mailed it in at FSU).

They play much better defense in NBA than college.  The game is entirely different. It’s predicated on length athleticism and 3’s. With a couple exceptions, there is not much low post play.  With most teams, its run, spread, slash, kick, shoot. With some high pick and rolls thrown in. Plus you have a much deeper 3, and players with the ability to shoot it from 5 feet beyond the arc.  Off the dribble. Often creating their own space with a step back. Meaning there is more floor to cover.   The athleticism is off the charts.  Absent that athleticism, most have little chance. So they are looking first and foremost at athletic ability and the potential to grow.

Look at Wiseman.  He is lost half the time on the floor.  Awful defensively. Lousy rebounder for a 7 footer with length.  But he’s 19 and  incredibly athletic.  So you bet on his body maturing and he learns the game at the NBA level. He played 3 college games. No 2 overall pick. 

Compare Garza.  Also around 7 feet.  Tremendous feet down low.  Great post moves. Can hit a college three.  But he’s slow and he can’t jump a lick.  He’s a great college player.  But he has, I think, a very low NBA upside.  So late first round at best.  More likely a second round pick.