Bol² (according to Jeff Van Gundy) looks like he has a unicorn skillset, a seven footer who can shoot threes, run the floor, block shots and pass. If he ever fills out athletically to play major minutes, defend heavier players and rebound he could be a star player with great potential if fulfilled.
Denver has a really nice scouting department. They know what they are doing. There are some physical limitations Bol has but he has a 7’9” wingspan and can pass and shoot. He has had a couple plays were he has crossed over and through larger players which were especially impressive.
Props to Nuggets, Miami and Raptors FO when it comes to scouting they always get the best players in the bottom of the draft/undrafted.
Bol would def be a lotto pick in a redraft today. I think the concerns were he was just too thin and injury prone to be a center and bang with people inside full time but if Nuggs are gonna play him SF/Perimeter oriented PF then it's not an issue. Joe Chee would've had the same role except his 3 pt shot was broken whereas Bol was hitting 3s at near 50%.
Basically defensive rotations. He likes to foul and turn the ball over. I hope he is able to translate a bit more this year. I'd start getting worried If he doesn't.
Good points. He still is very skinny too. I know his frame precludes much gain, but he needs to get stronger.
He can rotate okay, the problem is when he has to completely switch. They already have defensive issues so it is hard for them to really cover his weaknesses, plus he really needs to be shooting and controlling the ball in order to be maximized on the court. He is one of those guys that really has to be good enough to start and have an team to a point built around him. Even with all that in mind, last year, he was the one young player that the Nuggets would not include in trade talks, so that gives you an idea of what they think the possible upside is with him.
He might need to be on a rebuilding team to really be able to develop. Denver is competing for a top seed and to be a contender, not sure if a long term high potential project will get what he needs with the talent they have there. He definitely has things to work on, but the Nuggets might be mishandling his development due to immediate team needs and the roster ahead of him, not sure.
Agree we'll see what happens as he develops over the years, hopefully he gets there. I think he'll be more consistent and a little stronger, but I think he'll stay on the lighter side weight-wise for his career. He has a body frame like his father which likely can't carry too much weight to avoid injuries his old man had as a pro. He'll be better, but I think he'll still have the same weaknesses and needs a roster to complement his strengths. Bol is a true unicorn offensively but also a tweener defensively. Great reach/wingspan but not great lateral movement to guard all-star level or quicker perimeter players consistently, and not really big enough to avoid getting bullied by bigger front court players (you will see both in the playoffs). But can't gain too much weight to avoid injury. With Jokic, MPJ, and others keeping him buried on the bench, Denver not being able to afford to have a guy get hunted defensively in the playoffs due to being a contender, he might top out as a 6th man or do really well on another team as a small-ball big. Maybe Denver gives him burn and he becomes a star? Haven't seen Denver do it yet, but you never know.
