NBA DraftExpress breaks down Stauskas
NBA DraftExpress, one of the best sources for scouting/draft info, breaks down the game of our favorite Canadian. I asked them to delete all content related to Nik being drafted but they politely declined. I'm having issues embedding from this computer, but here's the link:
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Draft-Prospect-of-the-Week-Nik-…
February 4th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
for those of us who can't watch video at work, what is their projection for him?
February 4th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
They've got him going at #19 to the Toronto Raptors, with Adreiaiean Payne going #20. That suprises me. Putting position needs aside, I would think Payne would go earlier.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
thanks. although the fact that the premier nba draft site has further confirmed that stauskas is likely to leave has given me quite the sad.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
If it makes you feel better, I think they had him as high as #14 a week or two ago and he dropped to #19. I think the draft-niks peg him as having a ceiling on the defensive end due to relative lack of quickness, and they may also be concerned about his ability to get separation from elite defenders. I'm not sure either of those issues can really be "solved" with another year of school, though. Bittersweet situation for us UM basketball fans.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
those issues definitely can be solved with more college. i don't know how, but that's my story and i'm sticking to it. there, now i feel a little better.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
Some things can be proven with more college playing like shooting, play-making, strength. Other things like height, quickness, athleticism aren't going to change much.
If Nik plays like an all-conference caliber player this year the only reason for him to return would be to show a more well-rounded game (rebounding, smart defense). It's likely his draft stock wouldn't improve dramatically.
That said, his draft POSITION might be. Depending on who comes out the '14 draft may be much deeper than 15.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
it says he should stay at Michigan two more years to improve his game before going to the nba
...
...JUST WOKE UP FROM MY DREAM
February 4th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
Good stuff but did you notice on the right hand side bar of the site they showed their recent respecitve profiles for other Michigan players with one major F-up? Here's who they give stats for:
Nik Stauskas: Age 20
Trey Burke: Age 21
Tim Hardaway: Age 47
Mitch McGary: Age 21
Methinks someone forgot to load in the "Jr" when pulling the stat sheets to display on Tim Hardaway.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
Taken in the '89 draft by the Warriors. Awesome.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
What makes you think that?
February 4th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^
To be fair, when they did a synopsis on Greg Oden some years ago, the algorithm popped out 57 and nobody blinked an eye.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
After watching that I'm surprised they had him as high as 19 but that probably says more about the current state of the NBA than anything. Unfortunately for Michigan I get the impression Stauskas really wants to be inthe NBA - would love it if he stayed another year but appears to be where his thinking is. His father's recent comments confirmed as much.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm pretty confused about what this scouting report says about the current state of the NBA.
I've got a sinking feeling it has something to do with how "nobody plays defense and they all travel and it wasn't like this in the 90's" though.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
Don't know what it has to do with the 90s but yeah, there is an unprecedented amount of bad defense throughout the NBA these days. You don't see it as much with the top teams but pretty much everywhere else. That's why a player with this skillset can go relatively high.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
There was no zone defense or def 3 seconds, it was just illegal. 
Hand checking was legal
There were no flagrant fouls, so hard fouls were just hard fouls and someone like Charles Oakley could just get 6 hard fouls before sitting down, meaning it was more dangerous, entertaining, and harder to get into the paint.
An opinion - big guys were less scared to go for blocks and risk getting dunked on. Now if you get dunked on you're on ESPN, GIF'd etc. back then, guys went for the block. Of course, sometimes it ended like this anyway:
February 4th, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
Okay, but I think this is consistent with my original point. A player with Stauskas's defensive skill set is viewed as less of a liability. The reasons why can be debated endlessly. Being in NY I've had the dubious pleasure of watching Carmelo Anthony for the last several years. Suffice it to say he wouldn't have been dropping 62 on Dave Debusschere.
February 4th, 2014 at 8:26 PM ^
Ugh, no, you're wrong. Defense today is better on the whole than it ever has been. The days of yore when 20 guys per season would average between 25-30 points per game are gone. The removal of the illegal defense rules have made defenses much more complex and harder to beat.
February 4th, 2014 at 10:57 PM ^
Okay...ugh. My point was that with the current state of defense in the NBA, including that you now have the option to play zone, players with Stauskas' skill set are more viable. There are fewer great defenders overall and it's easier to hide poor ones. In the past there were many more high level defensive players.
February 4th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
You can't improve lateral quickness to pro level if you don't have it or t-rex arms. He is gone.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
It was interesting to watch. It makes you appreciate all the things Nik can do. It is easy to fixate on the weaknesses, but he can do a lot of really good things. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
and with his weaknesses, he is still projected 19. I guess DraftExpress knows how to put them in proper perspective.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
That was a nice breakdown and I don't think any of it is a surprise to anyone who's watched Michigan play this year. He's much better off the bounce, can shoot, etc. and he hasn't reached his ceiling. While I'd love a 3rd year of Stauskis, I agree with Mat above - he's not going to do himself any draft favors by adding strength in college. The NBA will take him if he needs 15lbs and have him put it on there. His efficiency metrics for eligible 2 guards are great. He should go.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:47 PM ^
Draft Express is the best site for NBA scouting info. And sadly, it's still not that great (love the videos and write-ups, scoff at the mocks). It's not stiff competition for that title. NBADraft.net has been a disaster for years.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^
Here are the breakdowns for McGary and last year's 1st rounders for reference/comparison/comment, as well:
February 4th, 2014 at 5:55 PM ^