Post by TimPig on Aug 9, 2020 7:04:25 GMT
This looks like a really solid class, headlined by three centers who could be big-time players in the league for the next decade. At the forefront is KAT, who has the makings of a Hall of Famer. I expect all 10 on the ladder to be players for a while, and could see four or five guys get maxes coming off of their rookie deals if a team wants to take a risky swing for the fences.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns - Harlem Globetrotters (RL: 1)
KAT is the easy choice for first on the 2042 Sophomore Ladder - he leads all second-year players in points per 36 and does it with the best pts/tsa in the class. He's also the best rebounder in the class and it's not close as his 14.3 per 36 are 2.7 more than second place Christian Wood. His 2.5 blocks per 36 also edge out #2 on the list, Myles Turner. The only issue with Towns are his turnovers, but they're not tough to look past when you consider the rest of the package.
2. Myles Turner - Phoenix Suns (RL: 5)
Turner has closed the gap significantly after a somewhat disappointing rookie season. The number two scorer and shot blocker in the class, rebounds have climbed up into the double digits per 36, and the turnovers have dropped substantially. He came into the league with high potential, and at only 20, there's still plenty of room for growth. Turner looks like the complete package and just a touch worse than KAT at everything.
3. Jahlil Okafor - Chicago Zephyrs (RL: 4)
Okafor is an interesting player in that he's extraordinarily efficient due to his high inside/high strength build, and I wonder if there's something to the idea that due to his non-existent jumping, he takes almost no "bad" shots. He couples his solid efficiency with decent defense and excellent turnovers. The glaring weakness is in rebounding. If it sees some natural improvement, we could have three great centers in this draft class.
4. Trey Lyles - Pittsburgh Condors (RL: UR)
If you're in shock that a Condor made the Sophomore Ladder but not the Rookie Ladder, you have to remember that Lyles didn't end his rookie season with the Dallas organization. The big plus for Lyles is his excellent defense. Most players below Lyles on this ladder don't have a true calling card, which moves him up in the rankings. No terrible weaknesses, though the scoring and rebounding are below average for his position. Still has a camp left and, if the Mavs win some awards, the potential to be mentored for an additional +5.
5. Justise Winslow - Sacramento Kings (RL: 6)
Good defense and rebounding from Winslow, whose positional flexibility increases his value. His scoring isn't quite where you want it to be, but I like everything else he contributes. He'll get a slight bump from the camp he still has, but his weak jumper will probably prevent him from ever becoming a superstar. Still, he could be a solid player on a team that needs some D/R from a wing.
6. Montrezl Harrell - Dallas Mavericks (RL: 3)
Harrell scores a bit above average, but that's his only real strength. Rebounding, defense, and turnovers are all in the "playable" category but if he's starting, you probably need a very good big next to him if you're going to contend. I probably like him better than Dragan Tarlac if I'm planning for the future.
7. Mario Hezonja - Seattle SuperSonics (RL: 2)
One of this season's bigger disappointments. He rebounds very well, especially for someone who could play shooting guard, but the scoring is well below league average and has dropped significantly from his rookie season 1.09 pts/tsa. No defense to speak of and turnovers are harder to look past considering the other flaws.
8. Emmanuel Mudiay - Chicago Bulls (RL: 7)
Surprisingly low turnovers considering his profile and build, but if he's playing point guard full time, they're probably higher. An efficient scorer who likely still has some growth in him. He's at his best as a PG/SG backup, but may end up as a serviceable shooting guard if you can live with the poor defense and meh rebounding.
9. Devin Booker - Sacramento Kings (RL: UR)
Numbers actually look pretty similar to Mudiay's, but Mudiay gets the early edge because of positional flexibility. He can't play point guard and you definitely don't want him at small forward with his rebounding numbers. Compared to his rookie season, it's shocking how little change there has been - 4.8 rebounds as a rookie to 4.7 this year; 1.3 steals to 1.2; 0.2 blocks to 0.3; 1.2 turnovers to 1.2. Scoring has improved, but he also received some upgrades in the offseason. The lack of growth otherwise makes me wonder if he will see much natural progression.
10. Kristaps Porzingis - Phoenix Suns (RL: UR)
I'd love to see The Unicorn's build because his solid efficiency combined with terrible volume is a bit of a head scratcher. Considering how bad Okafor's jumping was and his still decent volume, it doesn't seem like that can explain why Porzingis refuses to shoot. No one on the Suns likes shooting that much, so it's weird to see Porzingis' volume not go up as a result. Rebounding is obviously bad, but the defense and turnovers are fine. He'll be one to watch going forward because if he sees growth in the usual categories big men do (boards and blocks) he still has a chance to be a player.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns - Harlem Globetrotters (RL: 1)
KAT is the easy choice for first on the 2042 Sophomore Ladder - he leads all second-year players in points per 36 and does it with the best pts/tsa in the class. He's also the best rebounder in the class and it's not close as his 14.3 per 36 are 2.7 more than second place Christian Wood. His 2.5 blocks per 36 also edge out #2 on the list, Myles Turner. The only issue with Towns are his turnovers, but they're not tough to look past when you consider the rest of the package.
2. Myles Turner - Phoenix Suns (RL: 5)
Turner has closed the gap significantly after a somewhat disappointing rookie season. The number two scorer and shot blocker in the class, rebounds have climbed up into the double digits per 36, and the turnovers have dropped substantially. He came into the league with high potential, and at only 20, there's still plenty of room for growth. Turner looks like the complete package and just a touch worse than KAT at everything.
3. Jahlil Okafor - Chicago Zephyrs (RL: 4)
Okafor is an interesting player in that he's extraordinarily efficient due to his high inside/high strength build, and I wonder if there's something to the idea that due to his non-existent jumping, he takes almost no "bad" shots. He couples his solid efficiency with decent defense and excellent turnovers. The glaring weakness is in rebounding. If it sees some natural improvement, we could have three great centers in this draft class.
4. Trey Lyles - Pittsburgh Condors (RL: UR)
If you're in shock that a Condor made the Sophomore Ladder but not the Rookie Ladder, you have to remember that Lyles didn't end his rookie season with the Dallas organization. The big plus for Lyles is his excellent defense. Most players below Lyles on this ladder don't have a true calling card, which moves him up in the rankings. No terrible weaknesses, though the scoring and rebounding are below average for his position. Still has a camp left and, if the Mavs win some awards, the potential to be mentored for an additional +5.
5. Justise Winslow - Sacramento Kings (RL: 6)
Good defense and rebounding from Winslow, whose positional flexibility increases his value. His scoring isn't quite where you want it to be, but I like everything else he contributes. He'll get a slight bump from the camp he still has, but his weak jumper will probably prevent him from ever becoming a superstar. Still, he could be a solid player on a team that needs some D/R from a wing.
6. Montrezl Harrell - Dallas Mavericks (RL: 3)
Harrell scores a bit above average, but that's his only real strength. Rebounding, defense, and turnovers are all in the "playable" category but if he's starting, you probably need a very good big next to him if you're going to contend. I probably like him better than Dragan Tarlac if I'm planning for the future.
7. Mario Hezonja - Seattle SuperSonics (RL: 2)
One of this season's bigger disappointments. He rebounds very well, especially for someone who could play shooting guard, but the scoring is well below league average and has dropped significantly from his rookie season 1.09 pts/tsa. No defense to speak of and turnovers are harder to look past considering the other flaws.
8. Emmanuel Mudiay - Chicago Bulls (RL: 7)
Surprisingly low turnovers considering his profile and build, but if he's playing point guard full time, they're probably higher. An efficient scorer who likely still has some growth in him. He's at his best as a PG/SG backup, but may end up as a serviceable shooting guard if you can live with the poor defense and meh rebounding.
9. Devin Booker - Sacramento Kings (RL: UR)
Numbers actually look pretty similar to Mudiay's, but Mudiay gets the early edge because of positional flexibility. He can't play point guard and you definitely don't want him at small forward with his rebounding numbers. Compared to his rookie season, it's shocking how little change there has been - 4.8 rebounds as a rookie to 4.7 this year; 1.3 steals to 1.2; 0.2 blocks to 0.3; 1.2 turnovers to 1.2. Scoring has improved, but he also received some upgrades in the offseason. The lack of growth otherwise makes me wonder if he will see much natural progression.
10. Kristaps Porzingis - Phoenix Suns (RL: UR)
I'd love to see The Unicorn's build because his solid efficiency combined with terrible volume is a bit of a head scratcher. Considering how bad Okafor's jumping was and his still decent volume, it doesn't seem like that can explain why Porzingis refuses to shoot. No one on the Suns likes shooting that much, so it's weird to see Porzingis' volume not go up as a result. Rebounding is obviously bad, but the defense and turnovers are fine. He'll be one to watch going forward because if he sees growth in the usual categories big men do (boards and blocks) he still has a chance to be a player.
