NBADraft.net has Shamorie Ponds as the last pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. I personally think that's way too low and I truly believe he could be picked in the 12-17 range by next season.
I think there are two solid comparisons for Ponds. Kris Dunn and Kemba Walker. I think both are a bit more explosive than Ponds but Ponds has a very crafty and agile athleticism. He has a great mid-range jump shot and he has a lot of dribble drive moves. He's an underrated passer and defender. I personally think he's a better passer and rebounder than Kemba was as a sophomore and junior but Kemba was a better scorer.
However, I don't think Shamorie is far off. I think what's hurt Shamorie's three ball this year was them trying to get him to play off ball and letting Lovett and Simon be more of the ball handlers. I think Shamorie needs the ball in his hand and he needs to create. If he can work on that and develop his ability to hit catch and shoot 3's, I think he could be, at least, a 35% shooter from 3. The other thing he'll need to work on is adding a little more muscle and focusing on drawing contact when he gets to the rim. He needs to know when and how to draw more fouls to get to the line.
His usage rate is almost where Kemba's was as a junior and Ponds has the same turnover% that Kemba had as a junior.
Shamorie has a Kyrie/Isaiah Thomas like ability to use the glass while driving (he isn't Kyrie and Isaiah is more athletic) and his ability to stop on a dime and hit a mid-range jumper is key. If he can add a floater, become a better off-ball player (look at the 3 he missed against Georgetown and then the one he hit), and learn how to draw contact more, he could be a dynamic player in the NBA. I think Kemba Walker would be his ceiling.
But maybe I'm biased. What do you guys think?
I'm the biggest Ponds fan going but Dunn and Walker are bad comps. Both are super athletes while Ponds is above average. And Dunn is like 6'3 225. Ponds seems to be more in the Mo Williams and Seth Curry category with a poor man's Steph Curry as his ceiling if his skills develop.
You can have your opinions on who was better between our guards the last 20 years, but Ponds is the best NBA guard prospect we've had in the 21st century. Better than Barkley and Cook and certainly better than Hatten, Hardy, and Harrison.
Steph Curry?
If he develops his skills? You mean if he can develop his shooting skills from 19% from college line to that of the best shooter on the planet.
That would be like asking a guy with a 5 inch penis to develop his penis to be Dirk Diggler size. Not happening!
He shot 38% last year on 6 attempts per game. He can't do it alone. Look at his FT % when he doesn't have to rely on the trash he shares a roster with. You're not that dumb WASJU. You know he has no support.
He plays with better guys than Curry ever did.
Curry lifetime in college 47%, 41 %, 88%
Ponds career so far 42%, 31%, 83%
Can't believe we are discussing this.
Dave had best comparison when Ponds was coming in to school, "Poor man's Cuttino Mobley"
Mobley was listed at 6-4 though.
BTW Mobley shot 44%, 35%, 82%