Spurs Select F Chimezie Metu in the 2018 NBA Draft (49th Overall)

[Chinook]

LOL at arguing over whether a big is a C or PF in 2018.

As more and more teams are fielding 3-4 wings in lineups, bigs will only be playing the "5" spot as the lone big on the floor. Metu will fill the role as a PnR/diving big with versatility to pop on occasion for a mid range.

We're more arguing over whether he's a real big or not. Again, the dude is the same size as a big wing. PFs might be getting phased out of the league, but centers aren't getting smaller. Even GS keeps a seven-footer out there most of the time.

[Pavlov]

Me too. As I said, I hope he starts. I don't see a reasonable justification for going into the off-season without plans for Metu to be at least a two-way guy. I hope he gets PF minutes too, so we can see how well his perimeter skills work against better compe ion. Some of his moves look great, but it's against guys who won't even make the g-league. Reminds me of those vids of Ryan Richards dominating 6-3 guys in high school.

Having three or four mobile PFs with shooting range and some blocking ability on the SL roster can at least give us hope the Spurs have that kind of player in mind.

[objective]

I'm not convinced he's an NBA player, but I do think he has a better chance than every NCAA second rounder selected by the Spurs since Blair.

[MaNu4Tres]

We're more arguing over whether he's a real big or not. Again, the dude is the same size as a big wing. PFs might be getting phased out of the league, but centers aren't getting smaller. Even GS keeps a seven-footer out there most of the time.

If Draymond, Jordan Bell, Looney are bigs, then so is Metu. If he puts in the work, I can definitely see him being the PnR/Diving 5 off the bench in the next 2-3 years imo.

[Chinook]

If Draymond, Jordan Bell, Looney are bigs, then so is Metu. If he puts in the work, I can definitely see him being the PnR/Diving 5 off the bench in the next 2-3 years imo.

Draymond regularly plays the four though. So the most modern NBA team still uses two bigs most of the time. Plus Green is stockier and has long arms while also having one of the best DBBIQs in the game. It doesn't make sense to compare Metu to him. Looney's a bit player whom GS is letting go early because they don't think he's effective.

[kobyz]

Ersan and Musc both play a lot of center/single big in their own rights. They certainly are defensive centers at this point in their careers, and they're not very good at it. All this is why ATL was terrible last year. If winning games isn't a requirement, then Metu can play PG.

In today game matu is a backup 5, should not play 4... I compare matu the most to Drew gooden, which is last role in the NBA was backup 5 with the wizards...

[Chinook]

You can't have it both ways. Either Green is a big, and so bigs still play the four. Or Green isn't a big, and Metu might not be either. Dray played the five in only one of the 10 most frequent lineups he was in. Looney was the solo big in only three of his. Bell in two. The idea that they were real centers is real wrong.

[Pavlov]

I don't see the mania to make him a center. If he can chuck it from the arc OK and move decently without the ball, dude can play with either LMA or Gasol. The small ball center is going to be LMA.

[BackHome]

In today’s game Metu is a PF

[Chinook]

I was simply comparing Metu's size to Greens and Green plays the 5 quite often. They obviously have different games. Green has a very unique skill set, that allows him to play the 4 ( bigger wing) position in that he can spot up and attack close outs pretty damn well. He also has the ability to dive in PnRs and be a brilliant passer in 4 on 3 or 3 on 2 situations when he receives the pass early in PnRs.

BBref has him playing 1 percent of his minutes at C last year.

[MaNu4Tres]

I was simply comparing Metu's size to Greens and Green plays the 5 more than any other big on the Warriors when it matters most ( the playoffs). However, they obviously have different games.

Green has a very unique skill set, that allows him to play the 4 ( bigger wing) position in that he can spot up and attack close outs pretty damn well. He also has the ability to dive in PnRs and be a brilliant passer in 4 on 3 or 3 on 2 situations when he receives the pass early in PnRs. Greens' overall game makes him very versatile, but back to my point: Although a bit undersized, Green still plays the 5 quite often.

Metu doesn't have a versatile offensive game to play the stretch 4, so due to his size and limited PnR Diver skillset -- he'll be a 5 if he puts in the work. Also it's worth nothing, Metu was an elite roller in college shooting 67% in a large sample size as a roller in PnRs. I actually like him more than I did when Mahinmi was drafted. More mobile, more pop, has touch with his shot if its needed and can finish strong in PnRs. I think he's going to end up a nice contributor for the Spurs down the line if he puts in the work.

I think an above average athletic,mobile, defensive, PnR diving 5 off the bench -- that can switch and defend multiple positions is a reasonable ceiling of what Spurs fans should hope for in 2-3 years. I can see the potential if he puts in the work. Great draft all around, from Lonnie to getting Metu at 49.

[DPG21920]

Maybe like a better shot blocking Thad Young if things go really, really well.

[Chinook]

Green's not a natural five who can play the four. He's a wing stocky enough and cheaty enough to play center some of the time. On a regular team, he'd never see minutes there. Metu's ability to spot up, attack closeouts and find the open man is pretty much the only thing that got him drafted. Size and athleticism alone would have made him a UDFA.

[NameLess Scrub]

In before he gets stashed indefinitely or traded for newly released purple Doritos and vanilla Coke.

[look_at_g_shred]

All we need is for this guy to be Joel Anthony. Are you telling me he can't be that? I think some of y'all have expectations toooooo high. By the way, anyone know his FT % ?

[Pavlov]

All we need this guy to be is Joel Anthony? Are you telling me he can't be that? I think some of y'all have expectations toooooo high. By the way, anyone know his FT % ?

73% last season.

[TD 21]

"PF" is now the domain of combo forwards and on a part time basis, elite combo bigs (mostly veteran types, so in the next generation, it'll just be the former).

Metu obviously doesn't fit either description. If he makes it, he'll be a C, in the vein of Lauvergne, with superior athleticism.

Metu doesn't have a versatile offensive game to play the stretch 4, so due to his size and limited PnR Diver skillset -- he'll be a 5 if he puts in the work. Also it's worth nothing, Metu was an elite roller in college shooting 67% in a large sample size as a roller in PnRs. I actually like him more than I did when Mahinmi was drafted. More mobile, more pop, has touch with his shot if its needed and can finish strong in PnRs. I think he's going to end up a nice contributor for the Spurs down the line if he puts in the work.

I think an above average athletic,mobile, defensive, PnR diving 5 off the bench -- that can switch and defend multiple positions is a reasonable ceiling of what Spurs fans should hope for in 2-3 years. I can see the potential if he puts in the work. Great draft all around, from Lonnie to getting Metu at 49.

Don't know about the "above average" part, but to the rest. I'm not sure how this is debatable.

[MaNu4Tres]

"PF" is now the domain of combo forwards and on a part time basis, elite combo bigs (mostly veteran types, so in the next generation, it'll just be the former).

Metu obviously doesn't fit either description. If he makes it, he'll be a C, in the vein of Lauvergne, with superior athleticism.

Don't know about the "above average" part, but to the rest. I'm not sure how this is debatable.

To be clear, above average for bench standards. Not above average figuring in starters too. And I was talking about ceiling, if he hits ( which I think he will).

[BackHome]

For a second round pick if he makes the team we hit gold tbh

[Atl Spur]

For a second round pick if he makes the team we hit gold tbh

His footwork......priceless!

[NickiRasgo]

Hopefully his life doesn't go the same way

Was about to say that as well that hopefully he wouldn't rob as well.

[cutewizard]

From my limited knowledge I'm actually a little higher on this pick than past 2nd rounders. Footwork, pick and roll moves and passing show a little polish. Nice baby hook that might get over NBA defenders. Some range on his jumper. Not a good rebounder for his size and frame isn't going to take much more weight. May actually get some minutes for the mothership someday. Would like to see how he compares to Costello and Putney in summer league.

[cutewizard]

I was simply comparing Metu's size to Greens and Green plays the 5 more than any other big on the Warriors when it matters most ( the playoffs). However, they obviously have different games.

Green has a very unique skill set, that allows him to play the 4 ( bigger wing) position in that he can spot up and attack close outs pretty damn well. He also has the ability to dive in PnRs and be a brilliant passer in 4 on 3 or 3 on 2 situations when he receives the pass early in PnRs. Greens' overall game makes him very versatile, but back to my point: Although a bit undersized, Green still plays the 5 quite often.

Metu doesn't have a versatile offensive game to play the stretch 4, so due to his size and limited PnR Diver skillset -- he'll be a 5 if he puts in the work. Also it's worth nothing, Metu was an elite roller in college shooting 67% in a large sample size as a roller in PnRs. I actually like him more than I did when Mahinmi was drafted. More mobile, more pop, has touch with his shot if its needed and can finish strong in PnRs. I think he's going to end up a nice contributor for the Spurs down the line if he puts in the work.

I think an above average athletic,mobile, defensive, PnR diving 5 off the bench -- that can switch and defend multiple positions is a reasonable ceiling of what Spurs fans should hope for in 2-3 years. I can see the potential if he puts in the work. Great draft all around, from Lonnie to getting Metu at 49.

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[ace3g]

[phxspurfan]

Metu's rebounding rate off the charts so far in SL...