Hate to say it but I thought Giannis could be that kind of player. Never would have imagined him ballooning up and playing bully ball however. I thought he was going to be Magic-lite. Also believe Ja Morant will be that kind of player 1 day.
Similar athleticism, body control and wingspan - absolutely. But Ja is a better defender, has higher BBIQ and most importantly is an elite playmaker. If Green was a 6'6 Ja Morant, he would be my undisputed pick in this draft. Below is scouting profile on Morant going into the draft.
I can't speak for others just me. I am not impressed that Mobley was guarding 5'11" Tyger Campbell or 6'8" centers in college......thus not the defensive, "quote unquote, "impact." If I'm told Mobley can guard positions 1-5 and find out he can't.....I'm not happy. I feel that I'm sold a bad bill of goods. A bait and switch. Mobley Mob know Evan can't guard centers as a starter in the NBA. When we call them out after we draft Mobley.....then they are going to switch it to, "no no no, we didn't mean that he can guard centers on a regular basis in the NBA." "We meant that he can guard 1-5.......in college." It's not like we can return the #2 pick D......it's buyer beware. No give backs. Same with the defense vs Steph Curry, Ja Morant, Trae Young...."we (Mobley Mob) didn't see a difference offensively between Alfonso Plummer/Tyger Campbell and the offense of Steph Curry, Ja Morant, Trae Young." Really, please. You are being silly !! I'm done talking about Green vs Mobley.....until draft day. I leave you the last word.
Mobley had the top defensive rating in the NCAA last year. His defensive bonafides cannot get any better than that.
I don't know man, I feel like Green can be every bit of a playmaker that is Ja, actually I even feel like Green has a way higher ceiling.
Ja averaged 10 assists before he was drafted. Actually averaged Hardenesque numbers, almost a trip dub. And in his 2 seasons in NBA he is averaging 7 assists. His vision, ball handling, IQ and passing are superior to Green - not hyperbole on my part at all.
Mobley's defensive IQ and potential as a defensive 'QB' is the thing that appeals to me the most about him. He will make everyone else better I believe.
Apache this is something I’ve been concerned about, too… HOWEVER ultimately you just won’t know for sure what translates and all we can go on is the best available information. And that is that Mobley is indeed uniquely suited from a footwork, mobility, athleticism and length perspective to guard 1-5 at least somewhat effectively if not REALLY effectively. I share your concerns about him guarding 5s more than guarding guards the most. Look no one is guarding Steph or KD or Harden really well. But there’s no reason to think that Mobley would be worse than 99% of the other bigs in the league at switching on the perimeter. But he’s definitely light in the pants at the moment… so yeah he may get backed down by folks. Hopefully he makes up for that with great situational awareness and weak side rim protection. the reason this pick is indeed so controversial … and I lean Green but would be “ok” with either and would REALLY like to see a KPJ/Green/Mobley combo… is because there are question marks about both players while simultaneously if both players are all as advertised and reach their peak both can be REALLY REALLY key to a championship squad.
I get that, but Ja is a PG and Green is a Guard. You are totally right about Ja, but Green has a different vibe I think. Its not just because of the hype or the 70% chance of him being a Rocket. I just feel like this dude is going to be big, bigger than Cade. There is something about him and his size alone is already an advantage over Morant. Yes, he is very raw but I think he has something. Some even say Kobe like.
I think Mobley will be more of a giant wing in the NBA. I'm not saying that's not worthy of the #2, but it's not what he's being sold as.
For the same reason Ja can improve his scoring ability is the same reason Green can improve his playmaking. I don't think Ja will ever be the type of pure scorer Green is and Green will never able to run an offense as well as Ja.
Who do ya'll think we will pick? Not who you'd like mind you, but rather the prospect we end up drafting. My gut says Mobley.
Yeah same, I see Stone picking Mobley. He is going the long term route. Mobley is a very mature and responsible pick. I think Morey would be a dead lock on Green. I sort of feel like the first few years are going to be painful watching Green and Cade rise up as big time scorers and players. Please pan out Mobley!!
I have been team whoever Stone wants but the latest Duncd On podcast just did an hour breakdown on him and has all times of yikes about it
Yes, back in March my mindset was that Mobley can play SF if he fails at transitioning to PF or Center in the NBA. Have a higher ceiling than Kenyon Martin jr and Tate (in that order) at SF......but since I've noticed how high in his stance defensively Mobley is and I question Evan's motivation or desire to play basketball. I know he has been motivated to be a top 3 pick as noted by his work with trainers; , but what happens after that? Podcasts have brought up that he really doesn't like basketball and I have noted other players in the past that were questioned like David Robinson and Omeka Okafor that have gone on to be good in the NBA. One scouting report I read was very favorable to Evan Mobley did recount that the coaches had to get after Mobley to be aggressive; he was M.I.A. too often early in the season. So this is a red flag to me, is it normal scatterbrained 18 and 19 year old teenage lack of motivation or will it be a recurring theme with Mobley. Someone needing to light a fire under him often? I've come to believe that actually Kenyon Martin jr has the higher ceiling at SF between KMjr and Mobley. I don't like Mobley at center except in Small-Ball lineups; in which I'm fine with training Kai Jones or Garuba or Thor, or even Murphy IIi to be eventually be for the Rockets. So the only need I find for drafting Mobley#2 is to be the replacement for Wood in the near future as Wood demands max money. I could make that same argument for drafting Jalen Green at #2 to be Eric Gordon's replacement in the near future when his contract expires or he is moved.....still have Kai Jones, Garuba, Thor as options to train as Wood replacement in a year. I'm getting the feeling Tilman will go over the Luxury Tax off of what Stone said recently. Olynyk bird rights allows the Rockets to do just that. With Olynyk backing up Wood at PF.......isn't Mobley at #2 too rich/risky for the Rockets? It is for me. I said too much, now let that be the last I say on the matter until draft day threads. I registered my reservations and I'm on record. No one should doubt where I stand.