NLL Insider - Welcome To The Future

by blackmajestic, updated on Monday, February 22 2016, 04:42 am EST

While some GMs are fine tuning their squads to make a charge towards a NLL championship, others have shifted their focus towards the future. With the NCAA March Madness Tournament just around the corner, many GMs will be watching intently, to give themselves the best chance to find the gem amongst the rocks and avoid the enviable bust, as they play draft day minesweeper.
This NLL Insider is going to look into some of the most coverted prospect in the 2016 draft class and what they could or could not offer at the next level.

Ben Simmons - LSU Tigers

How many times have we heard that a guy coming out of college is the "Next Lebron"? Only this time around the comparision many be fairly accurate. Simmons has been the undisputed best player at the college level so far this season, but if you recall, as was Jahlil Okafor at this point last year.
At 6 foot 10 and 240lbs, with an explosive and athletic game style, Simmons creates mismatches at both forward positions the way he bullies some Small Forwards with his size and is often too quick and athletic for the majority of the Power Forwards.
Simmons has many strings to his bow. He can run the offense and often does for LSU. With a high basketball IQ and a great passer, the Australian native is averaging a tick over five assists per game, ranking second amoungst all freshmen in the league. Combine that with is aggressive rebounding, averaging twelve rebounds per game, Simmons is as close as it gets to the complete package in this draft class.
The only possible chink in the armour may be his inconsistent jump shot. Simmons often elects to drive to the hoop even when left wide open due to him not having confidence in his jump shot. Not broken by any means, but work needs to be put in to iron out the kinks.
Ben Simmons has many Managers licking their lips at the thought of bring him into their system and as they should, as he may be a once in a generation sort of player.

Brandon Ingram - Duke

Simmons has been the number one player is the country all season and it doesn't look as though thats going to change, but if anyone is going to surpass Ben, it most likely will be Brendon Ingram. With some scouts giving him the nickname "Baby Durantula", because of his slight frame and shooting ability, Ingram has propelled himself into top five territory after a slow start to the season.
At 6 foot 10 and a crazy wingspan of 7 foot 3, playing out of a wing position, you can see why he is drawing comparisons to the likes of Kevin Durant but to be compared to a future hall of famer is quite unfair in my opinion. In saying that, Ingram is a delicious prospect. With a gorgeous stroke from anywhere on the court, including from three point range, that is something that Ingram has in his arsenal that Simmons does not.
When Ingram is at his best is when he is creating his own shoot on the perimeter, changing speeds, showing tantalizing footwork or finding open team mates off the dribble with his underrated passing ability. Ingram's combination of size, speed and athleticism allows him to score in a variety of different ways and scoring is his biggest asset. Ingram's biggest question marks at this stage are his very skinny body and his inexperience.
Only weighing in at 197lbs, the obvious question is whether his body can hold up against the big boys or whether a knock from Demarcus Cousins inside will send him to an early grave. There was positive signs in Ingram's transition from high school to college where he managed yo put on 22 pounds in that off season so whoever drafts Ingram may be patient as his body develops.
Another knock on Ingram was his inexperience which will obviously come with the more minutes he plays. Only 18 years old, Ingram often would make bad decisions, settling for bad shots or contested long mid range shots and on defense would often get blown by by his opponents. The more minutes and situations Ingram see will allow his to process situations quicker and make better reads on both ends of the court.
Much like the previous draft, to finish second or third in the lottery this year isn't a bad result. To get a player of "Baby Durantula" caliber as a consolation prize and to watch develop and bloosm into a potential All-Star is going to be fun for one lucky GM.

Dragan Bender - Maccabi

With the likes of Porzingis and Hezonja both being selected in the top 10 of last years draft, the European flavour is really starting to embed itself within the league, with more and more young Europeans declaring for the draft. The best of the players outside of the college system this year is an 18 year old Croatian named Dragan Bender. Porzingis has taken the league by storm with his steller play, yet some scouts actually believe that Bender has the ability to trump Porzingis....
In a league that is trending towards the stretch four, Bender, standing at 7 foot 1 indeed fits the bill. In fact, Bender has proven to have the ability to play the three, the four or the five effectively on offense.
Offensively, i wouldn't say Dragan Bender is a beast but he is developing rapidly. With light feet, fluid movements and a soft touch, he has all the basic fundamentals that you are looking for. Bender's shot is is a work in process but his mechanics look smooth and he is starting to hit more shots from beyond the arc.
Bender is a fantastic passer from the Power Forward position. Willing to keep the ball moving rather than letting it stick in the post. A great passer on the move and even has the ability to run the break for his team.
Defensively, Bender is a really exciting propect. As mentioned before, he has light feet and good lateral quickness, combined with his long wingspan, makes guarding smaller players a non issue for Dragan. With a 9 foot 3 standing reach and an above average vertical leap, Bender should be able to be a dominate as a rim protector as he develops.
Like i said, when he develops, but currently, Bender has a very slight frame and needs to desparately needs to put on some muscle because to often he gets bullied in the low post by bigger fours and doesn't absorb contact well when he drives.
Most of Bender's weaknesses are due to his body size and lack or strength. Bender's rebounding leaves alot to be desired. He struggles to fight for position and gets boxed out with ease because he is so light.
Dragan Bender may be a few years off being a dominate force but thats what everyone was saying about Porzingis... Is this mystery man from Croatia worth the wait?

Kris Dunn - Providence

In a league that is dominated by Point Guards, Kris Dunn is arguably the best in this draft class. To be compared to the likes the great Jason Kidd speaks volumes about how valuable Dunn could become to the franchise that has the pleasure of drafting him.
At 6 foot 4 and 220lbs, Dunn has a body that will trasfer nicely to the next level. His size allows him to drive to the basket and fight amongst the trees for rebounds, where he is averaging 5.9 per game for the season. Dunn is a magician with ball in hand, seeing the floor crystal clearly and making quick and precise passes, averaging 6.9 assists per game but Dunn also has great ability to play off the ball. The way he cuts and slashes around screens, Dunn can often get open looks with ease, allowing him to play stretches at the two position next to other Point Guards.
Dunn's speed and ball hawking ability is comparable to that of John Wall. Averaging a touch under three steals per game, Dunn's on ball defense and ability to read passing lanes often allows him to score easy points for his team.
Like many players coming out of college, there are aspects of their game that need to be developed and despite being a senior, Kris Dunn is no different. The biggest question marks around Dunn at the moment are is ability to finsh around the rim and his turnover rate. Dunn is willing to drive to the basket but he avoids contact at all cost and his shot is easily altered due to defenders, resulting in a 45% conversion rate from within the paint. This is Dunn's first full season injury free, which is an issue on its own, so whether its just a fact of him not wanting to get hurt again or something else, it will have to be addressed.
Dunn at times, can play ahead of himself and play alittle out of control. He has nice handles but due to his quickness and sometimes trying to do too much, he can get a sloppy with the basketball, resulting in unnecessary turnovers. In a league where turnovers are so costly, Dunn will need to tighten up this category of his game before being given the keys to lead a franchise.
I feel as though Dunn's positives far out rank his negatives and in a league where good Point Guards are a sort commodity, it wouldn't shock me to see Dunn off the board within the few few selections.

Henry Ellenson - Marquette

With many prized big men likely to declare for the draft this coming summer, one of the biggest movers and shakers over the past month or so has been the Power Forward out of Marquette.
With measurements of 6 foot 10, 240lbs and a 7 foot 2 winspan, Henry Ellenson is a big man that is an exceptional athlete, a great motor and runs the floor efficiently.
On the offensive end of the court, Ellenson is a hot commodity. Despite a mechanically sound technique, he hasn't been able to get his three point shot to fall as of late, though he is hitting a hot 51 percent of his shots from within the arc.
Ellenson has good ball handling skills for a Power Forward, giving him the ability to attack the basket efficiently and he doesn't shy away from contact inside, often drawing fouls from sloppy defenders.
Rebounding is where Ellenson can really dominate a contest. A 9'1" standing reach, strong hands and an endeavour to scrap and fight for every single rebound. Ellenson isn't affraid to through his weight around on both ends of the court to secure missed baskets.
It's on the other end of the court where Ellenson needs to put in some work. This may sound harsh but Ellenson is somewhat of a liability on defense. With a lack luster vertical leap, Ellenson isn't a rim protector despite his length. In a league of stretch fours, he really struggles guarding the perimeter. Ellenson needs to improve his basic fundamentals and footwork if he wants to improve in this area.
There is a steady diet of pick and rolls in this league and Ellenson can struggle in switch situations. Often hunched over and on his heels, he gets blown by way too easily by opposition players.
Ellenson has been compared to Kevin Love on a number of occasions which may be warranted, with his polished offensive and rebounding game but his defensive leaves more to be desired. With all the tools to be a quality defender, maybe in the right system, he may become a steller all round performer.

NLL Insider - Welcome To The Future

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