A totally non-expert scouting report of Jaylen Brown

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on

It's a slow day on the board, so I'm posting this for those of you who (like me) don't get scouting reports from Scout/Rivals/etc.  I should add that, aside from helping draft Bob Petit to the St. Louis Hawks, I have no background in basketball.

I watched Jaylen Brown in the McDonald's All-American Game, and I've also watched extended clips (i.e., not just highlights) of his games.  My observations are as follows:

1.  He's a scorer more than a facilitator, but he's a willing and skilled passer.  He took a bad shot or two in the McDonald's game, but he'll generally find open teammates. 

2. He has high vertical leap, as you would imagine, and he's also quick off the ground.  I think he'll be a good rebounder in college even though he's apparently only 6' 5.5" without shoes (he's listed at 6' 7"). 

3.  He's strong.  He's able to take contact in traffic and still get a shot off thanks to his strength.  He could be a bull after a summer in Camp Sanderson.  I can't think of a recent Michigan wing whom he reminds me of. 

4.  He's a good shooter but not the purest shooter you'll ever see.  He missed a three badly and missed a number of free throws at the McDonald's game, where he seemed slightly out of sorts to me.  He's reportedly worked on his shot quite a bit, and while it's effective, it's ever-so-slightly mechanical in my eyes.

5.  He's a very solid ball handler.  He favors his right hand, but his left doesn't seem to be a liability.  He could likely moonlight at PG if needed for a minute here or there.

6.  He'll have to learn that he can't make something happen every trip down the floor.  I assume this is a problem for a lot of highly-rated guys, but Brown sometimes has a bit too much confidence in his ability to make a play.  He's an excellent finisher, as I referenced above, but he throws up some awkward shots in traffic too.  Some of his wilder attempts to finish would likely end up with a missed shot and no foul call in the Big Ten.

7.  He generally plays hard.  I don't remember him being all over the court in the McDonald's game, but he's everywhere in the other games I watched.  He blocks shots, steals the ball, and generally has a hand in much of the action.

8.  He reminds me of...a smaller Dominque Wilkins?  I'm not saying he's going to be as good as Wilkins, but he has a similar combination of quickness, leaping ability, and power.  

9.  How good is he now?  He was not head-and-shoulders above other guys at the McDonald's game, where I thought the best player was Ben Simmons, who is LSU-bound.  I think he'll have to adjust - like all gifted guys - to the fact that he won't be as much of a superman in college as he is in high school.  I don't think he's a good candidate to be a savior of a struggling program in the way that Anthony Davis likely could have been had he chosen that route.  He would be - at the risk of stating the obvious - an outstanding addition to Michigan's roster, but he wouldn't immediately be the focal point of the team. 

But these are all very picky criticisms.  Honestly, it would have been boring to just say how great he is.  Brown, LeVert, and Irvin would make a trio that would be very difficult to guard.  The very short version of this post - unsurprisingly - is DO WANT.

The extended clips I watched:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQvNPoa1Blc 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoqsiE076J0 

Stringer Bell

April 20th, 2015 at 6:28 PM ^

Might be time to forget about Jaylen.  If Levert returns (as most expect) and Beilein doesn't put Hatch on medical (again, as most expect) then there's no room for him.   And it seems like Kenny Williams is emerging as the lead candidate for any potential available scholarship for next year.  Thinking about this team with Jaylen is awfully fun, but it just doesn't seem like it's in the cards.

PurpleStuff

April 20th, 2015 at 6:38 PM ^

Obviously would love to land him, but I wonder what sort of impact he would have on this particular team, at least next year.

Assuming Caris comes back, I don't see Brown starting over him or Irvin (experienced, 14+ ppg guys).  With the run of bigger guys we've picked up lately, I also don't see Beilein wanting/having to head into next season with Irvin at the 4 much of the time again. 

Then when you look at the other wings available off the bench, guys like Dawkins and Robinson have proven to be high level outside shooters (and Dawkins had a number of big games against quality competition).  I think Beilein wants guys like that on the floor, so if we aren't going small there are fewer minutes available if/when those guys see the court.

Can never have too many weapons, but I see a guy who may not have a huge role on next year's team, and who probably doesn't want that, given where he's projected in the draft already.

PurpleStuff

April 20th, 2015 at 11:05 PM ^

That's the only way he squeezes in, and that is a super small lineup, something Beilein looks to be trying to get away from.  That or you play Caris at the point and then Spike and Walton are on the bench, and I'm not sure that doesn't hurt your lineup (we really have no idea how good Brown will be as a college player).  The first option puts Irvin in a shitty position, like Smotrycz, Novak, and GRIII of having to work above their paygrade on D against much bigger dudes.  And if Brown isn't a good outside shooter the 4 out 1 in offense probably isn't as crisp or effective, especially when Dawkins and Robinson are well over 40% from beyond the arc and you'd have them on the bench.

Like I said, would love to have him, but I won't be heartbroken if he doesn't end up here and frankly I wouldn't blame him if he didn't see a role for himself on this team (again, assuming Caris is back).

VectorVictor05

April 20th, 2015 at 6:51 PM ^

I think Kenny Williams may be emerging as the most LIKELY candidate. That has everything to do with Jaylen trending elsewhere. If Jaylen wants to come, Williams will get a firm handshake and thanks for your interest. If Caris unexpectedly leaves, then maybe we find a way to take them both. Jaylen Brown would be the most highly touted recruit since...Webber(?) to come to UofM. We 100% take him if he wants to come.

VectorVictor05

April 20th, 2015 at 6:52 PM ^

I think Kenny Williams may be emerging as the most LIKELY candidate. That has everything to do with Jaylen trending elsewhere. If Jaylen wants to come, Williams will get a firm handshake and thanks for your interest. If Caris unexpectedly leaves, then maybe we find a way to take them both. Jaylen Brown would be the most highly touted recruit since...Webber(?) to come to UofM. We 100% take him if he wants to come.

myblueheaven

April 20th, 2015 at 6:56 PM ^

I've seen him play more than 5 times including the state Championship game where he hit the winning free throws with less than 2 seconds left and I have to agree with your general assessment. He is a decent ball handler now who pretty much knows how to get where he wants and has the strength to finish. He's definitely not the "game changer" type in the mold of a Justice Winston, but he can contribute now. Decent shot, extremely athletic ( good Wilkins reference) which has allowed him to plain dominate the competition statistically thus far. He is definitely closer to 6'7 as I am 6'3 and he has a few inches on me. I also stood next to Zac Irvin(Final Four AtL) and Jaylen looks to be around his height if not a bit taller. Barring a complete jump over the learning curve, a significant improvement in his jumper, a phenomenal adjustment to the speed of college and whatever system he enters, Jaylen in my opinion and at this point, is a two a done!