How do the pro scouts view Battle.

[TinyManInside]

what i dont get is why the SU kids seem to leave and get drafted when there are about 20 other kids who look the same playing all over who never get a sniff.

Yeah, I have this question quite a lot. Look at Lydon and a comparable player like Bennie Boatright at USC (similar size, similar outside shooting stroke, but much more diverse offensively). I think Boatright has a much higher upside than Lydon but he wasn't on any draft boards last year and came back.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Yeah, I have this question quite a lot. Look at Lydon and a comparable player like Bennie Boatright at USC (similar size, similar outside shooting stroke, but much more diverse offensively). I think Boatright has a much higher upside than Lydon but he wasn't on any draft boards last year and came back.

I see what you’re saying from a pure scoring standpoint, but Boatwright isn’t nearly the rebounder or shotblocker that Lydon is.

 

[TinyManInside]

I'm not huge on Battle as a pro prospect.

If i were a scout, I'd be very concerned that he's waaaay too one-dimensional.

He doesn't pass the ball well (or even willingly to be honest), he doesn't rebound very well for his size.

He is a very good scorer - he has that feel for putting the ball in the basket that you can't really teach - but I'm not sure that is enough these days in the NBA.

I do love his mid-range and pull-up game - that is very NBA-like, but his shooting outside of say 18 feet would be a big red flag in my book because of that hitch in his shot, and how completely inconsistent he is with it.

The other thing that would concern me would be that much of his scoring is done by overpowering the defensive player - he's very good at dribble penetrating simply by holding the opposing defender on his hip. That is SUPER useful in college when you can use your strength as an effective scoring weapon - but you don't see him with blow-by speed a lot of the time. Once you get into the NBA, overpowering defenders becomes waaaay harder because the baseline strength of opposing players at your position is WAY higher.

If he were a better shooter I'd say "poor man's Bradley Beal", but he hasn't proven it yet to me.

I will say that for me I'd put an asterick by his name and monitor his progress in ACC play to see if he improves on his weaknesses that I outline above. If he does, he clearly moves up the board a bit.

 

[TinyManInside]

I see what you’re saying from a pure scoring standpoint, but Boatwright isn’t nearly the rebounder or shotblocker that Lydon is.

No, Boatright doesn't rebound or block shots as well as Lydon did, but he's a much. much more versatile scorer, and I also don't think that Lydon's rebounding and shot-blocking translate so well against bigtime against NBA competition. If it did, he'd probably have a roster spot right now.

 

[endwellcuse]

My NBA scout friend had not seen us so far this season as of the last time I spoke with him, which was only a week or so back.

Generically, he always says about Cuse players that the D is almost impossible to evaluate due to our exclusive use of the Zone. Evaluating the D is especially important for the guys who are more borderline in terms of either the first round or their being drafted at all.

Just two cents of my personal opinion, I think Ty needs to get that hitch out of his three point stroke and improve his long range consistency. In order to do that he will need to do work over the off-season and he should return for one more year to show scouts what he has accomplished.

I just can't see him in the first round with that flaw in his stroke. He is a solid athlete, but not an elite athlete in NBA terms.

So you have to ask, why would any NBA team draft a player with a flawed stroke, average (in NBA terms) athleticism, and unknown defensive abilities in the first round ?

So he will probably have to decide, does he want to go in the draft as most likely a second round pick, maybe even end up undrafted, or will he work on correcting his flaws & comeback for one more season, and then get drafted in the first round (if the flaws

It is an interesting question. His shooting form is a bit odd. He's got a hitch that may concern scouts, because it slows down his release a bit. As we've been saying since last night, he needs to do more to be efficient with the ball, including finding open teammates when he's doubled.

Always hard to determine what they think about his defense because of our system.

I'd love to hear from folks who know scout types.

he has excellent form. He elevates and releases with his elbow at a right angle under the ball. You might be thinking of the CYO push shot. His release is solid.

 

[endwellcuse]

he has excellent form. He elevates and releases with his elbow at a right angle under the ball. You might be thinking of the CYO push shot. His release is solid.

What exactly is the background of all the posters evaluating Battle’s shooting form. Your experience is?

 

[iommi]

This is the most important statement in the entire thread.

And the most "it goes without saying" statement.

 

[OrangeFoo]

I'm not huge on Battle as a pro prospect.

If i were a scout, I'd be very concerned that he's waaaay too one-dimensional.

He doesn't pass the ball well (or even willingly to be honest), he doesn't rebound very well for his size.

He is a very good scorer - he has that feel for putting the ball in the basket that you can't really teach - but I'm not sure that is enough these days in the NBA.

I do love his mid-range and pull-up game - that is very NBA-like, but his shooting outside of say 18 feet would be a big red flag in my book because of that hitch in his shot, and how completely inconsistent he is with it.

The other thing that would concern me would be that much of his scoring is done by overpowering the defensive player - he's very good at dribble penetrating simply by holding the opposing defender on his hip. That is SUPER useful in college when you can use your strength as an effective scoring weapon - but you don't see him with blow-by speed a lot of the time. Once you get into the NBA, overpowering defenders becomes waaaay harder because the baseline strength of opposing players at your position is WAY higher.

If he were a better shooter I'd say "poor man's Bradley Beal", but he hasn't proven it yet to me.

I will say that for me I'd put an asterick by his name and monitor his progress in ACC play to see if he improves on his weaknesses that I outline above. If he does, he clearly moves up the board a bit.

I see a poor mans DeMar DeRozan... Beal is a much purer shooter. DeRozan has a better handle and is a much better finisher but the game style seems comparable.

 

[Hogtowncuse]

I think the DeRozan comparison is a good one. When DeMar first came into the league, he couldn't shoot at all...everything was dribble/drive and make the layup or get to the line. He gradually made himself into a very capable 18 foot shooter and this year has been making (and taking) many more 3s. Similar strength and size...coupled with similar courage going to the hoop...not everyone has this characteristic.

Surprised no one has considered how next year might be a springboard to move up in draft position. With a much better inside game (especially if OB stays) and therefore much more room to operate and dish, etc. he could turn into an elite offensive player...and IMO could turn into a 10-15 draft pick vs today at about 25+. Don't think it's likely he will feel that way but his advisors should at least have him consider that.

 

[rrlbees]

Highest I’ve seen him is 27th. I know many don’t like nbadraft.net, but they have him coming back and going in the second round next year, which doesn’t really make sense. In fact they have Battle, Brissett and Howard all going 2nd round next year.

 

[ssbriefcase]

No, Boatright doesn't rebound or block shots as well as Lydon did, but he's a much. much more versatile scorer, and I also don't think that Lydon's rebounding and shot-blocking translate so well against bigtime against NBA competition. If it did, he'd probably have a roster spot right now.

In watching him in summer league, his shot blocking actually surprised me that it did translate. And he couldn't be in a worse scenario, the nuggs have about 20 forwards. Not saying what will happen, but it doesn't look good for him to get burn in Denver.

 

[br801]

Highest I’ve seen him is 27th. I know many don’t like nbadraft.net, but they have him coming back and going in the second round next year, which doesn’t really make sense. In fact they have Battle, Brissett and Howard all going 2nd round next year.

I don't see Battle returning even if he doesn't project as a first round lock. He's an "old" sophomore and another year is unlikely to improve his draft stock, as very few college upperclassmen are going in the first round these days.

 

[kcsu]

I think he is the prototype NBA 2. His shot is fine. He plays excellent D has a good handle and athleticism. He plays hard, wants the ball in tough situations and is super competitive. Add in the fact that he seems to be a great kid with his head on straight and i think he is a sure fire first round pick.

 

[Cusefan0307]

In watching him in summer league, his shot blocking actually surprised me that it did translate. And he couldn't be in a worse scenario, the nuggs have about 20 forwards. Not saying what will happen, but it doesn't look good for him to get burn in Denver.

Lydon has torn up the G league in the games he played there. The best thing that could happen for him is either he or another forward gets traded.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Lydon has torn up the G league in the games he played there. The best thing that could happen for him is either he or another forward gets traded.

And the problem is Lyles has pretty much lit it up in December, they definitely aren't getting rid of him now.

 

[PeteCalvin]

I don't see Battle returning even if he doesn't project as a first round lock. He's an "old" sophomore and another year is unlikely to improve his draft stock, as very few college upperclassmen are going in the first round these days.

This whole thing about being "old" is a product of the reclassification system that parents are driven too thinking their kids are going to be pro players. AAU perpetuates this. Repeating 8th grade is a big help to some kids in HS because now they are one year more mature than their grade level. But the bigger payoff is on the AAU circuit where kids who reclassed tend to dominate the tourneys. AAU coaches love having the older players to inflate their records and bring prominence to their brand. The drawback is the syndrome of 21-22 year old sophomores who feel they need to make "that decision" to leave. If a kid has the grades to stay on path, he comes to college at 19. If he doesn't have the grades, or didn't progress in his game, now you're looking at prep school and being another year older heading to college.

Or you're Buddy B and going to prep as a true senior with your grades and game in order, on schedule to matriculate at 18, knowing you'll stay atleast three years.

I know of current local players who repeated the 8th grade. A couple really blossomed by doing it, both in grades and game maturity. Another never took advantage of the grade aspect. It can help or hinder a player depending on how it's handled.

I think all of the Paulus brothers were 19-year old seniors at CBA. I had heard way back that both Greg and Mike reclassed.

 

[chugg21]

I see a poor mans DeMar DeRozan... Beal is a much purer shooter. DeRozan has a better handle and is a much better finisher but the game style seems comparable.

More like a homeless mans DeRozan. Guy is one of the top scorers on the planet.

 

[Rage4CUSE]

More like a homeless mans DeRozan. Guy is one of the top scorers on the planet.

Well DeRozan at Battle's age certainly wasn't one of the top scorers in the planet.

 

[chugg21]

Well DeRozan at Battle's age certainly wasn't one of the top scorers in the planet.

He was a top 5 recruit, a mickey d's guy, a 1 and done & a lotto pick. He was on his way. I imagine that battle won't score 25% of the pts in the league as Derozen has. Hence the homeless mans version.

 

[AZOrange]

Look if Dion can play the 2 in the NBA then Battle can. And I love Dion Waiters!

 

[721Comstock]

Look if Dion can play the 2 in the NBA then Battle can. And I love Dion Waiters!

And Mali got drafted in the 1st round, and I think Battle is better than him in pretty much every way.
(and that's no shade @ Mali at all - he was a really good player for us, and I wish him all the best)

 

[RF2044]

I qualify this by pointing out up front that I love Battle. But to excel in the NBA, he needs to show more development in terms of playmaking and taking it to the rack. And obviously, needs to shoot the ball better. He's such an athletic, strong kid -- I have difficulty not envisioning him being a first round pick. If he shores up a few of the holes in his game, he could be a VERY solid NBA player.

He's pretty damn good, but with a bit more skills development, he'd be lethal. Right now, he reminds me a LOT of James White from Cincinnati -- athletic 6-7 guy who has the physical tools to play in the NBA, but doesn't quite have a good enough handle or shoot it well enough.

 

[two3zone]

Look if Dion can play the 2 in the NBA then Battle can. And I love Dion Waiters!

No disrespect to Battle, but he's nowhere near Waiters.

 

[Funk Doc]

The one thing that I think Tyus really has going for him, is his ability to score in one on one situations. At the next level, with a team full of shooters(or at least more than he's working with now), the floor will be much more spread out for him than it is now. With better athlete's defending him, it'll be a bit tougher to get decent shots, but I still think he'll be able to. He also is packed with that dreaded word "potential"...aka, he's a solid player, enough to stand out in college, but not a complete enough game to really carry our team to a championship right now. Where he's projected now, most NBA execs aren't looking for an immediate impact player, like you'd be looking at in the lottery, they're looking for a guy who could become one. That is definitely the group that Tyus falls into. I think that 6-7 minute stretch against Duke in the second half last year, as well as the UVA game, were only a small sample of what he's really capable of.

As a Cuse fan, I'd love to have him back, and really think he still has a great opportunity to improve here, but as others have said, the NBA is a young man's game, and the longer you wait, and the older you get, if you don't make the improvement year to year, like people expect, it will only hurt your stock. He's definitely a better player than last year, but if he returns, will be make another significant jump?

 

[Newhouser]

In watching him in summer league, his shot blocking actually surprised me that it did translate. And he couldn't be in a worse scenario, the nuggs have about 20 forwards. Not saying what will happen, but it doesn't look good for him to get burn in Denver.

He's a great example of what JB talks about all the time - the situation you find yourself in matters. Cavanaugh gets a chance with the woeful Hawks and shows he can play. tyler gets no chance with the Nuggets who are deep at his position and he is in G-League limbo. I still think it's a better spot against better people and oh yeah the checks clear.

 

[TinyManInside]

I see a poor mans DeMar DeRozan... Beal is a much purer shooter. DeRozan has a better handle and is a much better finisher but the game style seems comparable.

exactly, which is why I said "If he were a better shooter" I'd say poor man's Bradley Beal.