Damian Lillard - NBADraft.net (original) (raw)

NBA Comparison: Jay Williams/Jerryd Bayless

Strengths: One of the most prolific scorers in the nation … Possesses ideal size for an NBA point guard, standing about 6’2" with a nice wingspan … Uses his strong frame well to absorb contact around the rim … Extremely confident shooter that is dangerous at mid-range or well behind the arc … Won’t hesitate to square up from 25-28 away from the hoop … Needs very little space or time to get off a quality shot … Highly efficient for a volume shooter (43.2% on 7.1 three-point attempts per game) … Is able to create his own shot or spot-up off the ball effectively … Handles the ball fairly well … Uses quick, short dribbles and changes of direction/speed to keep defenders off balance … Is able to get in the paint at will, and is a crafty finisher around the rim … Aggressive in transition, always looking to make something happen … Lives at the stripe, attempting an average of 8.0 free-throws a game (88.4%) … Quality passer, that has the ability to create for his teammates by driving into the lane and kicking the ball out … Can be an effective on-ball defender … Good hands … Likes to pick his opponent’s pocket … Strong leader with a competitive drive …

Weaknesses: Not a true point guard … Looks for his own shot first, which is expected for a player with his talent in the Big Sky, but will leave scouts questioning whether he’ll be able to make his teammates better at the next level … Has improved his decision-making over the last few years, but can get carried away and take questionable shots when he gets hot … Has been dominating all season, but hasn’t faced very strong competition …Missed an entire season before his junior year, so some thought has to be made about injury concerns …

Overall: Lillard has NBA talent, but like most mid-major prospects, he hasn’t proved that he can consistently produce against elite-level talent … A team looking for a scoring point guard could be willing to roll the dice on him, perhaps as soon as the mid/late-lottery …

Tyler Ingle 3/8/12

Strengths: Late blooming 6’2 PG with ideal size and strength for the position … A standout scorer with the ability to knock down shots as well as strong penetration ability … Has a pretty pull up off the dribble and has range well past NBA 3 point … Also has an effective catch and shoot … Excels at three point shooting: (39%) on a high volume of shots … Quality ball handler … Polished one on one skills … Nice quickness: Shows a strong ability to get by his man to the rim … Has the ability to use both hands on the drive … Also shows a developing floater in the lane when his drives get cut off by bigmen in the paint … Gets to the line well where he’s a quality 3 point shooter (85%) … Shows a the ability to run a team and get his shots within the flow of the offense … Quality pick and roll player … Wants the ball at the end of games, and steps up to the challenge when the game is on the line …

Weaknesses: Very good from outside and driving to the rim, but needs to improve his midrange game … Solid athlete, though not extraordinary … Assist to turnover ratio is good but could stand to improve 1.5-to-1 … Gets a little careless with the ball at times … Playing at Weber State, he will have to go above and beyond to get the recognition and respect he deserves … It is also questionable how much development/improvement he can make playing against inferior competition on a regular basis … Struggled down the stretch of the season in big games with his decision making. Will need to show that he can be a steadying influence and has the ability to elevate his game in big games situations … Makes better decisions in the half court than full. Will need to become better on the break …

Notes: Has really developed into a solid prospect in 2 years at Weber State … Has first round talent if he can fill the remaining holes to his game …

Aran Smith 7/2/10