Eastern Michigan forward Emoni Bates plays during the second half of an NCAA college basketball ... [+] game, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reservedTake a look at a few NBA mock drafts and you’ll notice a consistency towards the top.
Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-5 French star, is a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick, with guard Scoot Henderson of G League Ignite widely expected to go No. 2. One NBA agent told me Wembanyama, who has drawn comparisons to a taller version of Kevin Durant, could end up being the “greatest player ever.” Take that for what it’s worth.
After that, there are a number of college players projected to fill out the lottery along with a set of twin brothers from Overtime Elite, the semiprofessional league based in Atlanta, in Amen and Ausar Thompson.
Once upon a time, Emoni Bates was in the mix for the one of the top spots in this summer’s draft — maybe the top spot. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 15-year-old and was called “a young Kevin Durant” by ESPN and said to “often resemble a 6’ 9” Stephen Curry” in the SI story.
But a lot has happened since then. The short version is Bates is on his second school after transferring to Eastern Michigan from Memphis, and last fall he had felony gun charges dropped after he was pulled over by police while driving someone else’s car. A gun and weed were found in the vehicle.
Scan some mocks and you’ll see the 6-foot-9 Bates — who turns 19 on Saturday — ranging from No. 26 on SB Nation to No. 47 on ESPN.com to No. 55 on Tankathon.
A source close to Bates’ camp said they had spoken with 20 teams and his draft projection ranges from 20-45, which sounds about right.
“He will be a polarizing guy,” one NBA scout said of Bates. “I would guess someone will take a chance.”
“He’s a talented offensive player who right now is a 2nd-round pick,” a second NBA executive said. “Risky, but worth the risk.”
On Tuesday, Bates made national news by scoring 29 straight points in the first half of Eastern Michigan’s 84-79 to Toledo and finished with 43 on 65% shooting while going 9–of-14 from three.
“That dude is an offensive player,” ESPN’s Seth Greenberg said on air after the game.
Bates also scored 36 in a loss to South Carolina, 30 in a loss to then-No. 22 Michigan, 29 in a loss to Florida Atlantic and 26 twice, most recently in a Jan. 7 win over Central Michigan.
“He started getting compared to Kevin Durant, and that’s hard for any young person," Michigan coach Juwan Howard, an NBA veteran, said after the game on Nov. 11.
He added: “There’s a chance for this young man to do some special things in the game of basketball.”
For the season, Bates is averaging 20.5 points and 5.7 rebounds on 44% shooting. Eastern Michigan is 4-16 on the season.
Bates is the only college underclassman averaging 20+. Alabama freshman Brandon Miller, an All-America candidate, is averaging 19.5 and is a projected lottery pick.
A year ago, as a 17-year-old, Bates averaged 9.7 points during a turbulent season under Penny Hardaway at Memphis.
NBA scouts are still weighing Bates’ potential upside.
“I’m all over the place,” a third scout said. “Perspective is a big thing with that one. I think it’s about deciphering who the kid is compared to the background and story…if he can be salvaged … what type of kid is he? Does he value winning? Can he do things other than scoring that impact the bottom line?”
The jury is out and there’s still a few months left in this season. But for now, Bates is trending upward and has helped himself this season if he opts to enter the draft.
It will be fascinating to see where he lands and how his career unfolds going forward.
Adam Zagoria, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2023/01/27/nba-scouts-weigh-in-on-polarizing-eastern-michigan-star-emoni-bates/
By: Adam Zagoria, Contributor
Title: NBA Scouts Weigh In On ‘Polarizing’ Eastern Michigan Star Emoni Bates
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2023/01/27/nba-scouts-weigh-in-on-polarizing-eastern-michigan-star-emoni-bates/
Published Date: 01-28-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best defender of all time in the NBA?
Anybody familiar with basketball would not be surprised to see "The Dream" at the top of this list. Hakeem Olajuwon made 3,830 blocked shots over his 18-year NBA career. This is more than any other player. He was also an All-Defensive player (9 times) and 2-time DPOY (2 times), leading his team to two NBA Championships. He was a great defender. His footwork, timing, and athleticism made him a good shot blocker as well as a rebounder. His ability to guard any position on the court made him a nightmare for opponents. He was also one the most offensive players. He was quick and agile with a great array of spin moves. This allowed him score in the post. His all-around versatility made him one of the best players, let alone defenders. There is no doubt that Hakeem Olajuwon deserves to be at the top of this list.
Bill Russell only makes it to #2 due to his average 15.1 ppg. However, he was the greatest defender of his time and gave opposing teams nightmares. Bill Russell has 11 NBA Championships to his credit throughout his career. He also holds the record for the most defensive win percentages in NBA history, 133.64. His defensive prowess as well as rebounding abilities were key to the Boston Celtics' incredible success. Many consider him the most decorated NBA defender. His ability to read and anticipate play made him an intimidating presence on court.
Dennis Rodman comes in third on this list. He was one the most important players in NBA history. His contributions were always significant. Rodman played tough defence, rebounded well, and didn't need the ball to score, which allowed his team win often. Dennis Rodman was a 7 time Rebounding Champ, 8 times All-Defensive player, 2-time DPOY and a 5-time NBA champion. His defensive end tenacity was exceptional, and he always seemed in the right place at just the right time. He was also an excellent rebounder, often out-jumping much taller players and snatching boards away from them.
Which NBA player is the leading scorer now?
The answer to this question is subjective, as different players have different styles of play that make them unique and successful. Kevin Durant is a popular choice for the NBA's best scorer. Stephen Curry and LeBron James are also good choices.
Kevin Durant is not just a shooting star, he's an all-around offensive machine! He has two NBA Championships and two Finals MVPs under his belt, as well as a regular season MVP title. This player is serious.
What is a NBA-specific hybrid contract?
Players can receive higher salaries through the NBA's hybrid contracts. The contract includes a portion that is added to the team’s salary cap. The remainder is paid to the players as a bonus. This allows teams and players to have higher salaries, while still adhering to league salary restrictions. Players are also more likely to sign with teams that offer higher salaries while still being able to comply with league salary restrictions.
What is a restricted agent free in NBA?
An NBA restricted-free agent is a player whose rookie contract has been completed and who becomes an unrestricted, free agent. However, their rights are still owned by their previous team. The team may match an offer sheet from another team for the player. If they decide to do so, the player will remain with their former team and must honor their existing contract. This allows teams to retain players who have proven themselves valuable in the past but may not be able to afford them under their current salary cap. Restricted free agents are a type of free agent that can provide teams with valuable flexibility when building their rosters.
Statistics
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
External Links
sbnation.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
twitter.com
- Tweet / Follow Twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
si.com
How To
How does the NBA All-Star Game determine which players are to be chosen?
The 24 NBA All-Star Game players are selected by a combination of media, fan and player voting. Fans make up 50 percent of the vote. Media and current players account for 25 percent. Each vote counts as one and all three groups must submit their ballots simultaneously. Each conference chooses its players according to their position: two guards, two forwards, one center. If a player is injured or unable to play due to any other reason, then the NBA Commissioner will select a replacement for that player. The All-Star Game sees the participants compete against each in a predetermined format. The team that accumulates the most points in the four quarters wins will win. Each year, the winning team receives a donation to charity.
An award is given to the best player of the game. As it brings together the best players from both conferences, The All-Star Game has become a very popular event in the NBA. It is an opportunity for fans and players to compete against each another, and see who emerges victorious. Fans look forward to the All-Star Game every year because it showcases some of the best players in the NBA. With its unique selection process, the NBA All-Star Game is sure to provide an incredible show of talent and entertainment.
