NBL thread

[Juan Lun]

^^
So I ask again, "was Kai's defensive impact and upside "FILM" assessed by the 30 NBA teams last July? And what were the confirmed results ?

Let Kai's statement speak for itself:

?They?re usually looking for bigs who can defend quicker and small players. NBA today has a lot of switches, pick and rolls. They?re looking for the ones that are athletic, mobile, faster,? he said. ?I think that?s what I lacked and needs to improve on for me to have a spot on an NBA team.?

Question is, has kai improved to the point that he can have a spot in the NBA team today? until the official contract offer arrives the answer is still no

[Juan Lun]

how many bigs in the nba really fit the bill of what you people describe as excellent perimeter defenders?

oh and if great laterals and perimeter defense are such prerequisites in the nba today why are teams still scoring like there's no tomorrow?

imho the big man with laterals and can the defend the pick and roll argument is so overblown and taken out of context

Note this is Kai himself who said this, not "we people", (your basically questioning Kai)

There are levels of these "athletic, mobile, faster" bigs that Kai is referring to.

IMO: athletic bigs that can defend Adebayo, AD, Allen etc, there are the wide bodies with at least NBA standard mobility Zubac Plumlee, Adams, Kesller etc

And then there are those who are below NBA standards like Kai and Zhou Qi.

[NOiNU]

The upside on Wembanyama is just off the roof and surprisingly Rayan Rupert at no 10 (just goes to show switchability/modern defense is the trend - in line with what Kai said). Another possible signee for me is Franks (kai's teammate), at the NBA level he can be a good 3 and D guy

Franks a 3 and D? Where would the D part come from?

[Juan Lun]

Franks a 3 and D? Where would the D part come from?

He's mobile has decent size and long wingspan

[PeeZones]

Franks a 3 and D? Where would the D part come from?

It doesn't show.lol He is one of the main reasons ADL's season is down the drain. He has been chucking a lot of shots and giving up way more on the other end.haha

[NOiNU]

He's mobile has decent size and long wingspan

Mobile, yes, but he can’t defend. He’s closer to a Tobias Harris than an OG Anonuby or Herb Jones.

[DAdmiral]

There actuall test (beep test ) done in workouts, similar to one Kai was doing after draft rejection, that actually verify speed movement, balance etc .

Teams don't just assume things they have the test results

[PeeZones]

There actuall test (beep test ) done in workouts, similar to one Kai was doing after draft rejection, that actually verify speed movement, balance etc .

Teams don't just assume things they have the test results

So did Kai really fail that test?lol You are again peddling opinions/assumptions.lol If Baynes could pass that test, Kai surely aced that.haha Just stop promoting opinions without proof.

[thatweirdguy]

There actuall test (beep test ) done in workouts, similar to one Kai was doing after draft rejection, that actually verify speed movement, balance etc .

Teams don't just assume things they have the test results

It's a shame that Kai wasn't tested iland measured in the combine. I was really curious if he's really athletic or not. I'm guessing he's not that bad of an athlete but not at the top either. And of course his actual measurements.

[DAdmiral]

We know two things
1. The test are done for all prospects (Kai included )
2. AND we.know the outcome, wasn't invited or drafted with a report feedback was what Kai.cited ( result in doing same drills after )
The two above are well documented.
Some here cited the concern he has his father's genes in terms of mobility (which is probably right and is highlighted in the NBA higher demands for apeed)

[Juan Lun]

It's a shame that Kai wasn't tested iland measured in the combine. I was really curious if he's really athletic or not. I'm guessing he's not that bad of an athlete but not at the top either. And of course his actual measurements.

There actuall test (beep test ) done in workouts, similar to one Kai was doing after draft rejection, that actually verify speed movement, balance etc .

Teams don't just assume things they have the test results

IMO in terms of speed in running in straight line Kai is ok, it's his mobility/quickness when moving sideways, shifting directions is his what is below NBA standard couple with his low strength and motor.

Also Athletically speaking his jump is excellent in NBA standard, it's the other aspects of being "athletic" that is hindering him from landing in the NBA.

The thing is Kai himself acknowledges this, (the fact that he is undrafted and is not in the NBA is in itself the waking point Kai had to take) and is a good thing since he has time to improve at his current age - just imagine if continues to live the hype (thinking he's faster than current starting 5 centers like Zubac and Adams), he'll wake up at 25 years old and will probably say I wish I could've worked on those weaknesses when I was 20 years old

[DAdmiral]

Adams a rugby player as a teenager supported by his test results is an excellent athlete (relative to none elite NBA athletes).
You cannot lead the NBA in offensive rebounds and not have good mobility, there are really levels to this.

[DAdmiral]

The Breakers blew out Brisbane to come within a win of 2nd place Cairns (and a by from play in tournament

Sean Mark's NETS GM and Knicks in attendance

Commentators mentioned 4 players being watched
Rupert
MacDowell White ( who commentators say is 2nd best PG in NBL
Brantley
Baynes is returns to old form

[DAdmiral]

Scouting Report - defensive impact and further potential upside at 18:

"Rupert often starts and/or finishes games and has been an essential part of the Breakers' league-best defense, pressuring opposing point guards the length of the floor and disrupting the opponents' offensive flow with his 7-foot-3 wingspan"

"Nevertheless, his impact on film clearly exceeds what is suggested by the box score"

-----

"As a prospect, Rupert is far from a finished product"

"Arguably the best long-term European prospect outside of Wembanyama"

It's clear what they rely on as basis (FILM) for making draft and invite (top 100) decisions. Also you can guarantee they know each prospects defensive metrics per 100 possessions., hustle stats etc.
To make a decision without both film and analytics is negligence for what these scouts are paid (we all know the outcome decision based on FiLm and analytics in last draft process)

[DAdmiral]

In no particular order

Top 5 draft / 2 way contract ( next 20 not drafted) prospects for 2022.
Dieng
Travers
Besson
Maker
White (ACL in 2020 draft)

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/basketball/news/best-nbl-prospects-2022-nba-draft/eqo1nrraxmcepctcjsj5atpc

Top NBA FA prospects for 2023 (different than 2 way development deals)
Cooks
Simon
Brantley
MacDowell White
Brown Jr
Pinder
Cleveland


* as good as the following below are producing I don't think they are high FA prospects
Cotton
Goulding
Webster
Manek
Wandenberg
Vasiljevic
Harvey


List may not be complete and may miss some,. Just on.top of my head