Draft Prospect: Luke Babbitt

[ace3g]

Luke Babbitt’s lack of speed and athleticism was glaring in the full court drills. Shot the ball extremely well as he did all season. Shows the intensity and effort level to make up for his lack of quickness, staying with Devin Ebanks in the line sprints.

http://www.nbadraft.net/nba-draft-combine-day-1

[ace3g]

...don't forget the Utah Jazz.

I was going to throw them in there but they've done pretty well with guys like Millsap, Matthews and others recently; though they've yet to earn eradication of the stigma.

Indiana just takes "white" to another level these days.

Gordon Hayward Larry Bird had his eyes on Hayward the minute he walked through the door and never took them off him. Hayward mentioned that he would love to play for the hometown Pacers, but being taken 10th overall seems high.

http://www.nbadraft.net/nba-draft-combine-day-1

[SenorSpur]

As peviously mentioned most of the SF candidates have defensive problems. That can be corrected. While most look to Babbitt for shooting, it is his motor that could help him compensate for his current lack of defense.

That begs an interesting question. Which skill is the hardest for a young player to perfect at the next level? Developing into a consistent 3-point shooter or learning how to defend?

[yavozerb]

That begs an interesting question. Which skill is the hardest for a young player to perfect at the next level? Developing into a consistent 3-point shooter or learning how to defend?

I think the real question should be if the player has the mindset and heart to want to get better at 3pt shooting or defense..I look at a player like jj re who was one of the best college 3 pts shooters ever and has worked hard on his defensive skills so that he is not a liability to his team on that side of the floor. Then you have to look at a guy like bruce bowen who always was good defensive player work hard on developing a spot on the floor (the corner) where he could be effective at 3 pt shooting. With that said, I would prefer a 3pt shooter who can be helped out with good team defense rather a bad shooter who really hurts his team if he continues to miss wide open looks.

[dbestpro]

That begs an interesting question. Which skill is the hardest for a young player to perfect at the next level? Developing into a consistent 3-point shooter or learning how to defend?

I would say teaching defense is easier. Reason being most college players have no idea about NBA defensive schemes and they will have to learn, anyway. Teaching an athletic kid defense and how to shoot can be a bit much to ask for and adds to ingredients for a project player that takes many years to develop, if ever. In the end, you've got to be able to put the ball in the basket to win.

[Maddog]

That begs an interesting question. Which skill is the hardest for a young player to perfect at the next level? Developing into a consistent 3-point shooter or learning how to defend?

I don't think there is a straight answer to that.
Bowen became a good 3 point shooter. Not great but good.
He never became Ray Allen etc
Defense can be taught but only to a certain extent. If you don't have a certain amount of athletic ability then your never going to bee great. It really seems that lateral quickness is a prerequisite in the NBA to be an elit defender.
When I hear about College PFs that are undersized who are not great atheletes I get somewhat nervous about the ability to play SF.

[yavozerb]

6 ' 7.5" without shoes, 6'8 with shoes, 218 lbs, 6'11 wingspan...Better measurements than I was expecting.

[Mr Bones]

6 ' 7.5" without shoes, 6'8 with shoes, 218 lbs, 6'11 wingspan...Better measurements than I was expecting.

6' 8.75" with shoes

[Mr Bones]

Height: 6-8
Weight: 220 lbs
Birthday: 06/20/1989
College: Nevada

DraftExpress
nbadraft

He looks a little bit like Jim Carroll, the author of The Basketball Diaries.

[Maddog]

He looks a little bit like Jim Carroll, the author of The Basketball Diaries.

must know a lot of people who died

[mountainballer]

in his case the measurements should help big time. good numbers and unlike most white guys also a much better wingspan than height. also pretty big hands.
teams that wondered if he could also play PF in the NBA now know. he has nice tools to develop into a hybrid player like Battier or Gomes.
if the Spurs have him on their list (which I do believe), he should also have moved up. if they don't re sign Bonner (thinking about tax implications they won't) they could find minutes for him in the Bonner role and as back up for RJ. this option might look pretty attractive for them. can't tell about his upside on defense. speed will always be an issue, but he looks as if he can easily add 10-20lbs and get significantly stronger. he doesn't seem to be soft or shy away from contact, so he could become a decent defender for other combo forwards down the road.
many of the more frequently discussed options will be gone at 20. Babbitt might be our guy that moment.

[DPG21920]

Plus, unlike Bonner, he has other tools in his game. He might struggle getting to the rim because of speed at the NBA level, but he is a decent athlete.

[mountainballer]

twitter from Chad Ford:

http://twitter.com/chadfordinsider
Big winner of combine scores? Luke Babbitt. 37.5 inch max vert. 3.19 second sprint. 10.98 lane agility. He's a good athlete.

wow. this white man can jump. combined with his size measurements this numbers are super impressive.

to put things into perspective: Babbitt was compared to Dudley.
well, he is in fact in another world athletically and he is significantly taller.

[FeZZy]

steve novak 2.0?

[jesterbobman]

Measurements and Athletic testing sure make him seem like a far more attractive option. He's a good athlete, with a good frame. I was a little ambivalent on my thoughts before, but I think he definitely moves ahead of James, Robinson(though, probably also moved past pick 20. He seemingly has both the size and speed to be a combo forward.

[mountainballer]

I also think that he good numbers might lift him to late lottery.

[benefactor]

twitter from Chad Ford:


wow. this white man can jump. combined with his size measurements this numbers are super impressive.

to put things into perspective: Babbitt was compared to Dudley.
well, he is in fact in another world athletically and he is significantly taller.

Man...that's much better than I anticipated. Perhaps I was selling this kid a bit short.

[admiralsnackbar]

Man...that's much better than I anticipated. Perhaps I was selling this kid a bit short.

I know I was.

It's a pla ude at this point to remark about how deep this draft class is, but I really can't remember the last time so many useful players were available. Even if Babbitt's stock begins to rise beyond us based on his new measurements, he'll only push another worthy guy down our way -- not to mention that the whole league can't be reloading at the 3.

[Chieflion]

If we can't get George, I think Babbitt would be perfect. Damn those measurements are scary, and he is quite a polished player.

The reason why it is so scary is that,

John Wall: 30.0, 39.0, -N-a, 10.84, 3.14 (No-Step Vert, Max Vert, Bench Press, Lane Agility, 3/4 Sprint)
Luke Babbitt: 29.5, 37.5, 15, 10.98, 3.4 (No-Step Vert, Max Vert, Bench Press, Lane Agility, 3/4 Sprint)

John Wall is definitely the most athletic player in the draft, no question. Although measurements cannot tell the entire story, like in-game explosiveness, but it shows that Babbitt is deceptively athletic as a forward and has some size and length. They also started doing hand length and width in which Babbitt also measured quite well in.

Luke Babbitt: 8.5, 10.0 (Hand Length, Hand Width)

In comparision, let us see the size of the hands of the other small forwards/shooting guards.

Al-Farouq Aminu: 9.5, 9.5 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Devin Ebanks: 8.3, 9.0 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Paul George: 8.5, 9.0 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Xavier Henry: 8.8, 10.0 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Damion James: 9.3, 8.5 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Wesley Johnson: 9.0, 9.5 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Lance Stephenson: 9.0, 10.3 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Evan Turner: 8.8, 9.5 (Hand Length, Hand Width)
Gordon Hayward: 8.5, 9.3 (Hand Length, Hand Width)

Again, in comparision to these guys, Babbitt has bigger hands than most and a way better shooting touch than most of the players, which is a very good positive.

[Mr. Body]

steve novak 2.0?

Better.

[Mr. Body]

It's a pla ude at this point to remark about how deep this draft class is, but I really can't remember the last time so many useful players were available.

It only appears deep, IMO. I can see almost all of these players being very marginal at best.

[admiralsnackbar]

It only appears deep, IMO. I can see almost all of these players being very marginal at best.

I guess only time will tell, but I have a feeling we'll see several better-than-average role-players emerge from this class, even if I agree with you insofar as superstar talent is concerned.

[BronxCowboy]

I doubt there are many (if any) superstars in this class, outside of John Wall, but I think there are a lot of guys that will "stick" in the NBA, but we'll see in 2-3 years.

[rayray2k8]

This draft is very deep. Looks like every team is gonna get a quality player in the 1st round. Wouldn't be surprised to see some this years talent go all the way into the 2nd round.

Why does Babbit somewhat remind me of Dirk? Like a shorter version. Probably his footwork from 20 feet.

[duncan228]

NBA Draft Big Board: Top 75 Players
SI.com

39 Luke Babbitt
Nevada, Sop re
6-7, 215, 20 years old
SF
Exceptionally skilled wing player with deep range and intriguing shot-creating ability. Smart polished player who is one of the better perimeter scorers in this draft, shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc and 92 percent from the free-throw line. Average athlete who played primarily at the 4 in college due to his defensive limitations. Lacks significant lateral quickness and could have a difficult time guarding his position at the NBA level.