CoolBreeze44 wrote:FNG, it's his ability to move laterally and stay in front of his man that is most impressive to me. He also fights hard to get over screens, and then has great recovery ability to block shots when he appears to be beaten. He has more than enough time to develop offensively. I just hope he doesn't settle on that end for being a spot up shooter. Was hoping my previous post would be a little easier to decipher, but I wasn't really coming off my squinting reference. Just trying to placate someone who usually treats me like an asshole on this board.
Ha, I was just teasing a little about the Pippin thing. Because I may be higher on McDaniels than even you are. I had such a negative impression of him when we drafted him because of his immaturity in college as demonstrated by so many technical fouls. But what I saw on the court right from the start was totally different than what I expected. Such a combination of poise, court sense, and athleticism, along with a shooting stroke that looks like he can be reliable from the outside. But I also don't want him to just rely on the outside shot, and you perhaps read that Finch has challenged him to expend his offensive game and put the ball on the floor at times. We saw a little of that last night.
And that footwork! That, plus the other defensive aspects you noted tell me he has Defensive All-NBA potential if he continues to develop. I can see why he was the 7th highest rated player in the country coming out of HS.