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If his shooting/finishing and handling can improve like DjM he will be a star.
Future Elite Role Player
Future Star
I’d argue that he’s one step away from being an elite role player right now. Once he starts hitting 3’s consistently, he’s there.
But with the emergence of him being a point forward because he’s been thrusted into that role, does that change anyone’s perception of him? I think it was always wishful thinking that he’d have that kind of responsibility in a Boris Diaw kind of way, but he’s handling the ball more than a Boris Diaw in these last two games. It seems like it’s trending more towards a true secondary playmaker instead of a third option type, handle-the-ball-when-you-have-to player.
I think this opens up his upside by a ton. A 6-8” playmaker is going to be fun to watch as a Spurs fan.
If his shooting/finishing and handling can improve like DjM he will be a star.
From a “potential” standpoint he has star written all over him. It will take (early career) Kawhi-like commitment to get there, as his game has some big holes to fill in order for him to reach ‘star’ level. But he’s got the tools to get there.
He has star equity for sure. All-NBA ceiling. Him and Devin has that.
Any player comparison? Max ceiling
He's already on the path to becoming an elite role player. If he hits jumpers at a league average % or better, he's going to be a star. Not the kind that puts up earth shattering numbers, but the kind that influences the outcome of games, like Manu did.
Elite role player is my expectation and I think there's a chance at becoming a future star. It will come down to his outside shooting. I'm not overly confident that he will ever solve that and that's why I didn't have him higher on my BB at the draft. He's fun to watch though and I'm really hoping he can fix his mechanics and become a plus outside shooter.
The real question is if there has ever been a player who reached elite role player status in their first or second year and remained that way for the rest of their career.
He's not just a first year player, he's a 19 y.o first year player. He's going to grow in every aspect of the game, the question is how much can his shooting improve, because it's bad... worse than I thought. The good news is, he doesn't seem to have mental struggles a la Ben Simmons, and he's willing to put in the work, so I'm optimistic he'll get it done (to a degree).
This boy has even more skills than we are currently witnessing; shoot for the star designation! I like his mental makeup.
Pop is playing him like his Ben Simmons right now. Transition PG, POA defender.
He's not explosive like Ben Simmons is, he doesn't have that first step, and coupled with his poor outside shooting, that's what limits his PG duties to specific moments or in transition. I like the Draymond Green comparison better, but more agile and with better offense.
That’s a good starting point, can he be better than Draymond Green? Seems like yes, but feels early to say that.
He really reminds me of a Rookie Rodman. His footwork, pest-like qualities, great positioning as a rebounder, even his frame.
15 games into the season and how many times has he beaten everybody downcourt? Elite role player will come with some seasoning. Future star is up to him.
If he has the off-season fire to go for it, look out.
One nice thing about this soft tanking/lineup experimentation is that the Spurs get 82 full games of player development at full speed against the best talent in the world. I expect the current young players to improve even more quickly than those in the past.
Just so it's crystal clear, I've been touting his ability to be what everyone thinks or at least thought Ben Simmons could be for a year now. Watching his tape at Baylor pointed that out.
The shocking thing is from Pop, and it's incredibly surprising. The same pop that barely played rookies is now not only playing, but starting Sochan. Furthermore, not even 15 games into the season, he's experimenting with letting a 4 run the point. Why? Partly because our shortage there mandated someone else giving it a go, but also because the kid must be really showing this staff he has the ability to do it. That is a mind-blowing transformation coming from the stick in the mud 73 year old Pop.
Following up on my post above. Can you imagine if we were somehow fortunate enough to snag Wembanyama???!!??
We could have the league's first 4 & 5 points on the same team in NBA history. Would totally re-write how the game is played, especially if Sochan could develop a consistent 3 like Wembanyama already has. Sky would absolutely be the limit for this team. Gotta tank though.
You could play a big lineup defensive lineup with Poeltl guarding the 5, Wembanyama the 4, Sochan the 3, Devin the 2, and whomever at the 1. Talk about length for miles.
And because if Wembanyama and Sochans athleticism and hopeful shooting ability, you could even get away with that offensively for stretches.
Question: many people here were skeptic of taking Sochan at no. 9, for many reasons: perceived lack of athleticism, poor shooting, and no. 9 being too high a pick to take a role player with supposedly limited potential. How do you feel about it now, with what we've seen? is he the best option available at no. 9? of those taken before him, how many would you take over him?
Me: he was always one of my favorite options at no. 9, and I'd still take him there. Other than Banchero and Ivey, there's no one I'd take clearly over him, with Mathurin (who was my other option then) and Sharpe (who I was very wary of and proved his upside is real) being the ones I'd also consider in a do over (but neither were available, so).
He is not being played like Dray though. He is legit running pick and rolls as the ball handler.
This is what I'm hoping for. We've assembled a group that can grow into a very good supporting cast for a contender, but needs a true centerpiece. Wembanyama & Henderson could be that, maybe someone else too. If we get lucky come next lottery, watch out, give this young group a couple of years and we're back were we left off.
In the end he’s a great fit for Pop and a position of need. Good thing we avoided Jonny Davis, he hasn’t done well. I still like Tari Eason but not sure he would be as good a fit with Pop. So in the end, seems like a perfect fit.
If he can legit be a 6’9” PG? Potential all the way up to Superstar.
In Pop I trust. And when I see Pop do not hesitate to throw Sochan in there to play starting PG against the defending Champs, on top of guarding the best shooter this game has known, there must be a reason why. Sochan embraces the challenges. He doesn’t do too much, he doesn’t gamble. He just stays in front of you. That much discipline on a 19 years old says A LOT! A lot of times the best defense is to deny the entry or just be there. Too many wants to reach and get silly foul, overplay and you get burn. And that’s the problem I had with DJM. He gambles and baits his guy to get the steal, but often times he gets burn, but he gets his 2-3 steals, stats padding imo. Kawhi just stays in front of his guy, and that’s enough.
Offensively, Sochan’s shooting is still suspect. But he’s not shy to send them when open. I have no doubt he will work to get better. But putting the ball in his hands opens more opportunities for him, he can rimrun, bully a smaller defender while zooming fast slower big men. The best part is, he relishes the opportunity to get better. Again in Pop I trust. Keldon, Devin and soon Jeremy. I think there’s our big 3.
I’ve been curious why not sign another backup PG? Damn. If you don’t have one, then Sochan will be forced to be one
What do you define as star? An all-star? Sure.
First or 1A/1B option on a legit contender? We'll see. Not the Spurs way, anyway.
His defense is just ridiculous for a rookie. If nothing goes wrong, he'll easily be the best defender in the league in 3 to 5 years.
I don't really watch college or bother with all the potential picks we don't get, so his playmaking really surprised me. If he's this good so early on, he can become a legit secondary ballhandler.
I don't think he'll ever run the point, but I'd like to be surprised.
Call me biased, but after watching all these kids so far, if I had to do a redraft I'd even take him as the first pick.
It's way easier to turn an elite defender into a star on offense than the other way around. Nephew and Jimmy being the best examples.
How many elite scorers developed into elite defenders later on?
Kobe, MJ, Garnet to name a few
I respect your opinion, but the game of basketball is putting the ball in the hoops first. More often your best scorer beats your best defender, and it would take team defense to stop a great scorer. I’d start with a scorer first and try to make him a better defender than the other way around, just for arguments sake.
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