DeAndre Hunter only worked out for Hawks pre-draft, here's why

[JayBirdHawk]

Snippets

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Sean Colson was in Los Angeles helping train the Wasserman agency’s potential draft picks in early June when he saw the Hawks had traded Taurean Prince, last season’s starting small forward, and a 2021 second-round pick to Brooklyn in exchange for the No. 17 pick, a lottery-protected 2020 first-round pick and Allen Crabbe.

“Look at the Hawks making moves,” he remembers telling De’Andre Hunter.

It was just the beginning. But that day, June 6, the decision was made in Hunter’s mind: Atlanta was where he wanted to begin his NBA career. His brother Aaron and Colson, Hunter’s former AAU coach and skills trainer, agreed.

 

Colson knew the Hawks wanted Hunter, and he had reason to trust them...........

.....Throughout the pre-draft process Garnett and Hunt would tell Colson that they liked Hunter, but they didn’t run Atlanta’s draft room. After Hunter’s private workout with the Hawks just a couple weeks before the draft, it was again expressed to Garnett and Hunt that Hunter’s preferred destination was Atlanta.

 

“I would always tell him the Hawks are the No. 1 spot because of the way they play and they need a 3-man,” Colson said. “I just thought it would be a good look for him. We thought the Hawks and their situation fits him and the way he wants to play.

 

Atlanta appealed to Hunter because of the Hawks’ fast-pace offense, which is the total opposite of how he played at Virginia, 

 

“Some people will be surprised when they see him play,” Colson said. “They’re going to say, ‘Oh, he can do that? I didn’t see that at Virginia.'”

 

 Hunter could score at all three levels efficiently. He could play with his back to the basket, take opposing defenders off the dribble with ease and get to the rim and finish with either hand......

.........De’Andre is the type of guy though who is going to pass the ball if his teammate is open, even if that player might not be as good as he is. That’s just who he is. That’s a good attribute to have because he’s not selfish.”

“I think he’s going to be way more than just a 3-and-D guy in the NBA because he is so skilled offensively,” Tozer continued. “The way they play at Virginia, he wasn’t able to showcase a lot of the times how he plays on that side of the floor. He could take guys off the dribble. He can get to the rim and finish with both hands. He was a 45 percent 3-point shooter in high school and was a 42-percent 3-point shooter in college. You’re talking about a guy who is shooting over 40 percent from 3 in the best league in college basketball. I think that’ll translate well in the NBA.”

I think he’s going to have a 15-year career and the Atlanta Hawks are going to win a lot of basketball games.”

)

 

[Buzzard]

I love our draft. Some can ballyhoo Culver all they want; but Hunter was my choice over him. He screams skills on both ends of the floor.

[Peoriabird]

Hunter might become my favorite Hawks on this current roster.

[NBASupes]

Great article. Like the Cam Reddish one, a little bit of a reach in some ways but nonetheless a great article and an insight to those close to Hunter.

[Diesel]

Maybe that's why I'm not so hot on Hunter.   I watched some of those Slow paced games at UVA and said.. this is worst than Princeton.  He just seems like a technician but not a guy who can dominate a game.  I agree with Supes, he was a reach but I wonder if he wanted us for the Pace or the Money?

[Peoriabird]

11 minutes ago, Diesel said:

Maybe that's why I'm not so hot on Hunter.    He just seems like a technician but not a guy who can dominate a game. 

Soooo Cam was historically bad at finishing around the rim with mediocre overall college numbers which were far worse than Hunter across the board even with Virginia's slow pace but Cam is Lebron???  Please help me understand your logic!

[Diesel]

1 minute ago, Peoriabird said:

Soooo Cam was historically bad at finishing around the rim with mediocre overall college numbers which were far worse than Hunter across the board even with Virginia's slow pace but Cam is Lebron???  Please help me understand your logic!

When I watch what both can do Physically, I just see more it with Cam.  That's all.   Not that Cam is Lebron.   But I think he's closer than Hunter.  I look forward to Hunter proving me wrong. 

 

[NBASupes]

9 hours ago, Diesel said:

Maybe that's why I'm not so hot on Hunter.   I watched some of those Slow paced games at UVA and said.. this is worst than Princeton.  He just seems like a technician but not a guy who can dominate a game.  I agree with Supes, he was a reach but I wonder if he wanted us for the Pace or the Money?

I didn't say he was a reach. I wanted him by all means. I said the article is a reach. Cam Reddish coaches calling him a Penny/T-Mac hybrid and Colson calling Hunter a 16-18ppg rookie just isn't accurate. We seen no sign of that type of play from him at UVA or in summer league. He might be a lot more skilled and gifted than the internet scouts thinks which I think he is but he more like Horford than Melo or Nique. He is NOT a dynamic scorer but that's not to take away from what he is.

 

A beast!

Edited September 20, 2019 by NBASupes

[NBASupes]

9 hours ago, Peoriabird said:

Soooo Cam was historically bad at finishing around the rim with mediocre overall college numbers which were far worse than Hunter across the board even with Virginia's slow pace but Cam is Lebron???  Please help me understand your logic!

Cam numbers really aren't that bad especially if you just take his numbers before the UNC game where he had the groin core issue which he has just recovered from medically which is a big deal. 

For someone to take so many high variance 3pts with range as well as didn't get a lot of clean transition looks. Cam situation is a lot better in the NBA than at Duke and his situation at Atlanta is perfect. It's like the marriage between Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs. Cam and the Hawks.

[kg01]

17 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

I didn't say he was a reach. I wanted him by all means. I said the article is a reach. Cam Reddish coaches calling him a Penny/T-Mac hybrid and Colson calling Hunter a 16-18ppg rookie just isn't accurate. We seen no sign of that type of play from him at UVA or in summer league. He might be a lot more skilled and gifted than the internet scouts thinks which I think he is but he more like Horford than Melo or Nique. He is NOT a dynamic scorer but that's not to take away from what he is.

 

A beast!

(oh gard, I can't believe I'm about to say this ....)

I actually agree with this. *gag*

Seriously, I'm expecting Hunter to be kinda like a better version of Battier.  A longtime pro, contributor to winning.  Kinda like a SF version of Horford.  *gag*

He's the type of player we'll need as we build our championship roster (don't laugh, that's what we're doing.  may as well get used to that stratosphere, folks).

A culture-setter who'll have big games from time to time but will make timely plays each night on both ends.

[Peoriabird]

7 hours ago, NBASupes said:

Cam numbers really aren't that bad

His defensive numbers aren't bad at all but his offensive numbers were.

[Peoriabird]

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	PER	TS%	eFG%	3PAr	FTr	PProd	ORB%	DRB%	TRB%	AST%	STL%	BLK%	TOV%	USG%		OWS	DWS	WS	WS/40		OBPM	DBPM	BPM
2018-19	Duke	ACC	36	35	1069	13.6	.499	.459	.618	.264	447	2.0	10.7	6.5	10.7	2.9	1.9	16.5	25.3		0.8	2.2	3.0	.113		2.0	2.7	4.7
Career	Duke		36	35	1069	13.6	.499	.459	.618	.264	447	2.0	10.7	6.5	10.7	2.9	1.9	16.5	25.3		0.8	2.2	3.0	.113		2.0	2.7	4.7

•  

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	PER	TS%	eFG%	3PAr	FTr	PProd	ORB%	DRB%	TRB%	AST%	STL%	BLK%	TOV%	USG%		OWS	DWS	WS	WS/40		OBPM	DBPM	BPM
2017-18	Virginia	ACC	33	0	657	23.5	.584	.538	.258	.460	290	7.5	15.0	11.3	11.8	1.9	2.7	10.7	25.7		2.0	1.7	3.7	.227		4.7	4.4	9.1
2018-19	Virginia	ACC	38	38	1234	24.3	.618	.579	.266	.398	541	5.6	13.4	9.8	13.0	1.2	2.4	10.0	24.1		4.8	2.6	7.3	.237		7.3	3.6	10.9
Career	Virginia		71	38	1891	24.0	.606	.564	.264	.420	831	6.3	14.0	10.3	12.6	1.4	2.5	10.2	24.7		6.8	4.2	11.0	.234		6.4	3.9	10.2

[Peoriabird]

Aint nothing good about Reddish's stats except his steal rate.  So why does he get so much love and Hunter so much doubt?

 

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, Peoriabird said:

Aint nothing good about Reddish's stats except his steal rate.  So why does he get so much love and Hunter so much doubt?

 

Quote

Cam numbers really aren't that bad especially if you just take his numbers before the UNC game where he had the groin core issue which he has just recovered from medically which is a big deal. 

Projected 3pt%: 39% which is on par with Klay Thompson as one of the high end projected 3pt percentages which does translate. 

Elite High volume - 10.2 3s per36.

To find a 1st rounder with this type of 3pt shooting volume, you have to go 2009, 10 years ago with Steph Curry who shoot 10.6 per36. For a freshman, this is generational. We do not have data that shows us a 1st rounder with this volume as a freshman other than Trae Young.

Edit: Trae shot 10.4 as well per36

For a freshman, he breaks the typical 3/D archetype. 

His steals rate was elite for any wing especially a freshman. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20190214192729/http://www.tankathon.com/players/cam-reddish

 

The tape speaks volumes as well. He has the tools and ability to rebound well, his EYBL proves it but his role at Duke was to track back. He was playing with positional elite rebounders like Zion, R.J. and Tre. Bolden is a very good rebounder as well. He just wasn't in the role for that. Doesn't mean he can as he averaged 6-7 rpg at EYBL. 

80% of his shots were jumpers which explain the lower FG%. He didn't get many open looks or easy transition attempts and just wasn't a top 3-4 option on his team offensively speaking. He was miscasted not to mention the lack of space hurt a space monster like Reddish. Just the facts. 

 

He will be elite here. Count on it. 

 

Edited September 20, 2019 by NBASupes

[Peoriabird]

9 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Projected 3pt%: 39% which is on par with Klay Thompson as one of the high end projected 3pt percentages which does translate. 

 

 

So if Cam somehow projects to be a 39% shooter from 3 in the NBA after shooting 33% from 3 in college, What percentage will Hunter shoot in the NBA after shooting 44% from 3 as a sophomore in college and 39% as a freshman?

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, Peoriabird said:

So if Cam somehow projects to be a 39% shooter from 3 in the NBA after shooting 33% from 3 in college, What percentage will Hunter shoot in the NBA after shooting 44% from 3 as a sophomore in college and 39% as a freshman?

Hunter projected 3pt% is 35.6%

http://www.tankathon.com/players/de-andre-hunter

If we go back to Feb 2019, his projected 3pt% was 35.1%

https://web.archive.org/web/20190201192723/http://www.tankathon.com/players/de-andre-hunter

This tends to be much more accurate than 3pt%. The most accurate I've seen is two things. 

1.  Does he shoot 3s with high end variance? 

2. Is the player an off ball player 

If those two things are true, expect his percent to be even higher in the NBA than it was at the previous level but not quite as good as his projected 3pt%. 

 

This is why Luka shoots threes at a much higher percentage than his data reads

http://www.tankathon.com/players/luka-doncic but not as good as his projected. 

If you notice, he shot more threes than his projected per36. Same for Donovan Mitchell who has the same profile. 

http://www.tankathon.com/players/donovan-mitchell

From his profile, it makes no sense why he wasn't a top 5 pick to me. 7.4 3s per36, high end variance 3pt shooter, projected 37.7% 3pt shooter. He was a monster with over 50% of his shots being 3s. That's tough! 

 

Some will compare it to Malik Monk and say Monk is clearly a better shooter but what they don't get is, does he shoot high end variance 3s. When he doesn't, then you got to look at, does he have the tools? Monk didn't. Even you ask, is he an off ball player. Monk is, I would say he can play off the ball. Not a movement guy but he can cut a little. Nothing good but decent. He lacked the most important thing you need to translate, shooting 3s with high end variance. 

Also system fit matters. Monk was in a great fit in UK while at Louisville, Mitchell was surrounded by guys who couldn't space the floor. 

http://www.tankathon.com/players/malik-monk

[Peoriabird]

So you based your opinion solely off of this 1 site?  And to be clear about this 3 point prediction...Are they trying to predict an average percentage for their career, 1st year percentage or 1 year career high percentage?

[NBASupes]

1 minute ago, Peoriabird said:

So you based your opinion solely off of this 1 site?  And to be clear about this 3 point prediction...Are they trying to predict an average percentage for their career, 1st year percentage or 1 year career high percentage?

Obviously not, I watch the damn games.

This is not their stat, this stat is used in general by many data types. 

Career

[Peoriabird]

Just now, NBASupes said:

Obviously not, I watch the damn games.

This is not their stat, this stat is used in general by many data types. 

Career

So they expect Trae Young to be a career 40% shooter from 3 point range?

[NBASupes]

1 minute ago, Peoriabird said:

So they expect Trae Young to be a career 40% shooter from 3 point range?

The projection based on his volume, college threes and fts does