Duncd On Free Preview With Mike Schmitz

[Phenom]

Just a heads up Duncd on has a free preview clip with Nate discussing Anthony Edwards with Mike Schmitz. As you know Schmitz is as good as it gets analyzing prospects. He has good insights into why he likes Edwards as a prospect, why he isn't fond of Dion Waiters comps and his impressions of his pro day workout.

http://nateduncannba.com

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, this was good. Schmitz seems to be the face of ESPN when it comes to the draft lately, as I almost never see or hear Givony. I wonder if he's just not as camera-friendly and been relegated to the background more (?).

But yeah, Smitty is definitely bullish on Edwards based on his elite physical profile and talent.It's really too bad he didn't play for a program like Kentucky or Duke, where surely they would not have indulged his worst tendencies in the way Georgia did.

Rosas and Saunders will need to believe that somehow they can provide him the right situation to grow and thrive in. The road is littered with a lot of former GMs that thought they could change a highly talented prospects' natural tendencies when it comes to decision making and attitude.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Does anyone really think Ryan Saunders is going to be the guy that imposes structure on the players on the roster? Really? He's still Flip's son -- the cool, fun player development coach that you can bullshit with like he's one of the boys. If the Wolves are going to rewire some of these guys it isn't going to happen with Saunders as coach.

[KG4Ever]

Does anyone really think Ryan Saunders is going to be the guy that imposes structure on the players on the roster? Really? He's still Flip's son -- the cool, fun player development coach that you can bullshit with like he's one of the boys. If the Wolves are going to rewire some of these guys it isn't going to happen with Saunders as coach.

That's what the assistant coaches are paid for. The Wolves current assistant coaches aren't a bad group and honestly, Ryan's coaching staff has developed undrafted players (e.g. JMac and Reid) better than any of the Wolves prior coaching staffs.

[Monster]

Does anyone really think Ryan Saunders is going to be the guy that imposes structure on the players on the roster? Really? He's still Flip's son -- the cool, fun player development coach that you can bullshit with like he's one of the boys. If the Wolves are going to rewire some of these guys it isn't going to happen with Saunders as coach.

That's what the assistant coaches are paid for. The Wolves current assistant coaches aren't a bad group and honestly, Ryan's coaching staff has developed undrafted players (e.g. JMac and Reid) better than any of the Wolves prior coaching staffs.

I kinda had the same thought at Cam when I read the most recent ESPN article about Edwards. On the other hand Edwards has had a tough go of things with his mom and Grandmother who raised him pass away When he was a teenager. There is some trauma there that he likely still needs to work through. Could the Wolves have a good environment for him? Prigioni seems like a good guard developer. Vanterpool was known to be tough on the blazer guards.

Reading Edwards story harkened back to remembering KG didn't exactly have it easy as a teenager. He lived with his sister a couple years in HS and it was pretty much just them. I wonder if KG had gone to a different franchise and didn't have the right vets maybe he wouldn't have had quite the success he did. KG is one of the all time best all around players of my lifetime but...you never know.

Bottom line is this is still a new organization and we don't know if it's a franchise that can get the best out of certain type of players. Flip and McHale had their moments in that regard for a number of years. Reading that article about Edwards I was like yeah let's get this guy! Then I would read something else and be like oh no and then read another thing and be like well...I hope this kid works out I'm kinda cheering for him wherever he goes.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think there's a significant difference between star players and everybody else. Stars have a burning desire within themselves to be great. It doesn't have to be instilled into them. It doesn't need to be coached out of them. They don't need to be babied or screamed at because the fire is already lit. That's an inherent quality that they've had their whole life. That's all they need. The work ethic, the mentality, the development of skills, etc. -- it all stems from that same desire to be great. It means they care about winning and they care about being remembered when it's all said and done.

The rest of NBA players just don't have that same level of desire. That's the main difference as far as I see it. They're there for reasons outside of greatness -- the money, fame, lifestyle, preferential treatment, etc. Some of them even enjoy competing and at the end of the day still care about winning, but it's not everything to them deep down. Honestly, that's totally fine. They're providing for their families or living their lives to the fullest and riding the roller coaster of life. I'm not judging whatsoever. That's just the way that I see it.

Most NBA players fall into the latter category, in my opinion. You can't measure desire, drive, will to win, the want to improve, etc. And that's why the draft is usually a crapshoot. There's no X-ray or draft interview that can tell you definitively if a player has that desire that I'm rambling about. It's all guesswork that should be the result of countless hours of preparation and scouting.

With all of that said, I just don't get the feeling that either LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards have that desire to be great. I can't tell you right now if James Wiseman or Tyrese Haliburton have it or don't. But I feel very strongly that the two ball dominant, defense optional, subpar shooting guards that are projected to go in the top-three of this draft just don't have it in them. The cars, clothes, women, and houses will appeal to them more than the Larry O'Brien trophy ever could. And that's a shame.

[Monster]

I think there's a significant difference between star players and everybody else. Stars have a burning desire within themselves to be great. It doesn't have to be instilled into them. It doesn't need to be coached out of them. They don't need to be babied or screamed at because the fire is already lit. That's an inherent quality that they've had their whole life. That's all they need. The work ethic, the mentality, the development of skills, etc. -- it all stems from that same desire to be great. It means they care about winning and they care about being remembered when it's all said and done.

The rest of NBA players just don't have that same level of desire. That's the main difference as far as I see it. They're there for reasons outside of greatness -- the money, fame, lifestyle, preferential treatment, etc. Some of them even enjoy competing and at the end of the day still care about winning, but it's not everything to them deep down. Honestly, that's totally fine. They're providing for their families or living their lives to the fullest and riding the roller coaster of life. I'm not judging whatsoever. That's just the way that I see it.

Most NBA players fall into the latter category, in my opinion. You can't measure desire, drive, will to win, the want to improve, etc. And that's why the draft is usually a crapshoot. There's no X-ray or draft interview that can tell you definitively if a player has that desire that I'm rambling about. It's all guesswork that should be the result of countless hours of preparation and scouting.

With all of that said, I just don't get the feeling that either LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards have that desire to be great. I can't tell you right now if James Wiseman or Tyrese Haliburton have it or don't. But I feel very strongly that the two ball dominant, defense optional, subpar shooting guards that are projected to go in the top-three of this draft just don't have it in them. The cars, clothes, women, and houses will appeal to them more than the Larry O'Brien trophy ever could. And that's a shame.

I agree with what you say here. I would add that I think there are guys in the league with that same burning desire as the all time greats but...they simply don't have the talents to be great.

Sometimes I wonder if I would actually want to want to be great. Bird was just one guy the guys you mentioned that is maniacal and had some serious personal issues. You don't HAVE to be like that to be great but it does seem to help some people get there.

It also sucks when you know you are much more capable than you are showing but you can't seem to get there. I've seen that side first hand (Personally) and seen it in many many individuals that I've worked with over the years. It's really gratifying if I can have some sort of part in helping someone get it and have success they are really hoping for. It's not easy.

Below is a link to a quick amusing story from Robbie Hummel about a guy that didn't seem to be getting it early on in his career/life.

https://twitter.com/thefieldof68/status/1328714531757932546?s=21

[Monster]

Also one thing to consider about Edwards when people talk about him reclassifying. He actually reclassified twice. The first time he did so because he went to a school and wanted to work on his academics so he took a step back...then when academics and his basketball were back on track he reclassified to the class he was originally on. So...he is still pretty young or whatever but that's more to the story. I actually think that COULD be a positive that he was willing to take a step back and make sure he was getting everything taken care of academically and basketball wise reclassifying the first time.

[Lipoli390]

Yeah, this was good. Schmitz seems to be the face of ESPN when it comes to the draft lately, as I almost never see or hear Givony. I wonder if he's just not as camera-friendly and been relegated to the background more (?).

But yeah, Smitty is definitely bullish on Edwards based on his elite physical profile and talent.It's really too bad he didn't play for a program like Kentucky or Duke, where surely they would not have indulged his worst tendencies in the way Georgia did.

Rosas and Saunders will need to believe that somehow they can provide him the right situation to grow and thrive in. The road is littered with a lot of former GMs that thought they could change a highly talented prospects' natural tendencies when it comes to decision making and attitude.

Yes, Schmitz is clearly blown away by Edwards' talent. But the really telling part of the interview was Schmitz' comment that Edwards will be, in his words, "a good test case" to see whether a prospect can become a great player without a high competitive drive or good feel for the game. We've already had plenty of test cases and the results are in. No matter how talented, a prospect who lacks both a good feel for the game and a super-competitive drive doesn't develop into a great or even a very good player. Often, they become journeymen and sometimes end up out of the League. Edwards is a guy who disappears from games a lot, shows minimal interest in playing defense, takes terrible shots, and fails to use his incredible physical gifts to drive the lane. He's also a guy who gets up at 10 a.m. and who doesn't watch or love the game he's being drafted to play at the highest level. Yes, Edwards is incredibly gifted physically. Unfortunately, he is one big red flag and the Rosas will be making a colossal mistake if he drafts and keeps him.

[thedoper]

I dont know if I trust Saunders to teach Edwards to refine his shot selection or if he could teach Wiseman to read defenses. Any of these prospects seem like projects. Ball may get by on creativity for a while before either of the other 2 come around. Im afraid the play with any of these rookies is a longer term project that will likely take more time than we will be happy with as fans.