Hollins and Vogel: Shooting Guards

While we are still unemployed, we figured we'd dive into the shooting guard position this upcoming draft and talk about the players that really stand out to us. Speaking of stand out, our solid records should stand out for themselves so if any team needs a coach... we're still available!

Hollins: Have you seen this kid Isaiah Sykes? He's fourth in the nation in scoring right now, only behind Wiggins, Muhammad, and DeShaun Thomas. He can ball! He's the only one on his Central Florida team that can do anything, so he's seeing double teams left and right, and he's still creating shots out of thin air. Reminds me of Kemba Walker a few years ago.

Vogel: He's also 2nd in the nation in shot attempts per game, 5th in turnovers per game...

Hollins: Because he has the ball in his hands on every possession. I recognize that he's not perfect, but he's got the CSL skills to create on offense and that doesn't come by easily. Put him around some players that can play and he becomes a much more efficient player, but you can't take an efficient player and teach him how to create. Plus, he can defend pretty well.

Vogel: If we are talking about volume scorers, it's Rasheed Sulaimon who interests me. He's got a good feel for the game, handles the ball well, and is a lights out shooter. He plays a lot like one of my former players, George Hill, and that speaks well for a prospect who's only 20 years old and has a lot of room to grow. And you talk to scouts, they really think he'll grow. As in, plus defender and plus scorer.

Hollins: I can agree with you on him, Sulaimon looks like a future starter and possible all-star, he's got a great game. But he's too easy to discuss, I mean, you and I both know he's a near-lock for a lottery pick. What about a guy like Archie Goodwin? Do you think he's taken the next step with his game after deciding to stay for another year?

Vogel: Unfortunately it really looks like he hasn't which is a shame for a kid with supposedly so much potential. You know he badly wants to make plays out there, but he still doesn't look comfortable without the ball in his hand, his defense lacks skills to match his athleticism, and really the only thing he's got going for him at this point is his ability to drive and kick. He still takes too many contested shots. Who knows, maybe he makes the leap some time this year, but I'm not seeing it.

Hollins: I still think he's worth looking at and possibly drafting because he does have so much athleticism, and sometimes you do see that flash of talent that says he's more than just another Gerald Green, but you are right, he hasn't shown it yet. You know who has though, is Gary Harris. He's leading that Michigan State team and he's doing so on both ends of the court.

Vogel: Yeah, if you just watch him play and ignore the stats and all that, he looks most impressive on the defensive end, always wanting to match up with tough assignments and lock them down, next to Keith Appling, that's a really tough backcourt to score on. Then you look at the stats and see that he's also leading the team in points and knocking down a good percentage of shots, and you see why Harris is considered a top SG prospect in this draft.

Hollins: I also agree with that, Harris and Sulaimon have cemented themselves, so far, as the top SG prospects in this draft. But don't sleep on guys like Sykes or Vander Blue, who's leading Marquette and 3rd in the Big East in scoring...

Vogel: Whatever you say Lionel.