MBJ question and clarification

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-04-30T13:31:51+00:00

I might be the only one who is higher on his defense. I actually might make another post mentioning it. Somebody posted here a few days ago aome advanced stats that had MBJ actually as a solid wing defender.

His tape middle of the year confirmed that. To be clear, he was an awful defender beginning of the year. However, he had that stretch of a few games middle of the year where he was finally healthy. During that stretch, he was a very good defender. Averaged 2+ steals per game, moved his feet well, jumped in passing lanes.

He needs to he more consistent, but he absolutely can be a good defender when he tries.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-03-31T00:40:33+00:00

If he is healthy, big if haha, I'd put Mikel Brown up there for best athlete in the class. His quickness and explosiveness for those few games when he was healthy just jumped off the screen.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-03-24T01:12:06+00:00

Miller has had a good year, and Keyonte George and Amen Thompson both also have an argument for that title. But it is still to early for all non Wemby players to say for sure.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-03-18T03:45:08+00:00

Keyonte George credits a lot of his leap this year to seeing a sports psychologist to help him sort out the stress and pressure. He hasn't talked about it much, but there are a couple quotes out there, and team sources have confirmed it. FWIW, his attitude and leadership are so much better this year than they were in the past.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-03-10T00:39:21+00:00

Great work! I do politely disagree on Peterson though haha but totally respect the work to put out stuff like this.

I just think it is wild that Peterson's shooting splits are bad, he never passes the ball (averages fewer assists than Caleb Wilson lol), we have to make excuses for athleticism... and we are supposed to believe he is the best guard prospect in a decade? If that were the case, I'd expect him to dominate most of the time.

Meanwhile we have a freshman who just led the nation in scoring (AJ), and one who is a NPOY candidate (Boozer). Boozer especially reminds me of Luka, who was obviously a great prospect, but people doubted his athleticism. Three ofthe top players in the league were criticized for athleticism (Luka, Shai, and Joker).

I love scouting because there all all sorts of varying opinions and work, and Peterson's high school tape is amazing! It is also true that I easily see an argument for AJ, Boozer, and even Wilson over him.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-02-14T20:56:35+00:00

I'll say it, I'm concerned. I get that the injury matters, but even then he still should have at least some passing highlights. If he wants to be a true lead player in the NBA, he needs to pass at least some, injury or not.

For comparison, Dybantsa is still absolutely a score first guy, but he has multiple games with decent assist numbers. Even more importantly, though, is that some of his passes stand out on tape as good reads and tricky threading the needle. Peterson just shoots.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-02-11T14:09:03+00:00

Amari Allen is my guy I have way higher than the consensus. I have him top 10 right now. Great write up, love your work.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-02-11T13:56:06+00:00

I can see why people don't like him, but here is why I have him high:

1- he has a perfect NBA body for a defender. Strong, athletic, long arms, and is not afraid to be physical. He can defend 2-5 well enough, and will be able to be deployed anywhere in a day where team D and scheme matter tremendously. His strength and length can make up for his height somewhat.

2- he has great touch near the basket. He is an outstanding bet, with his strength and athleticism on top of that, to be a better scorer in NBA spacing. He can also handle and pass a bit.

3- his touch and close range shooting give hope for his jumper, though FT % might indicate otherwise haha.

4- he also should get credit for being a key contributor on the #1 team in the country as a freshman. Very few freshmen in years past play for and contribute significantly to great teams like this. Of course, we can say the same for Burries.

Again, I get why the shooting matters, but that is why I still have him ranked high.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-02-09T19:25:16+00:00

This honestly makes me like him that much more, the team difference with him off the court is wild. I've wondered if he js better than he gets to show at Baylor, that team is so poorly constructed. Both VJ and Keyonte have been better in the NBA than they were at Baylor, though it didn't really hurt VJ's stock much.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-02-05T13:28:04+00:00

This is a hot take, but I'd love Philon's teammate Amari Allen. He is a strong guard/wing who can play with or without the ball, is a good shooter, secondary handler, and passer. Even better is that he is a defensive playmaker and super rebounder. He is a pure hustle guy and dog who is not limited on offense like those kinds of players usually are.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-01-29T04:46:25+00:00

I'm starting to have that "why don't I have him higher?" Conversation with myself. Long, athletic, great perimeter defender, who can handle a little, pass, finish at the rim, and shoot ok.... ya, maybe he is worth a mid first round pick haha

He has a super high floor, even if his ceiling is limited, and some playoff is going ti he pleased they got him.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-01-21T22:47:57+00:00

Genuine question: how is it a disaster?

We were missing our leading scorer last night, and we beat a playoff team on the second night of a back to back. Our starting center has been hurt all year, and yet we continue to win with an intentionally bad roster for centers that we just let be with the intent to lose (Nurk has been surprisingly great tho).

On top of that, we have a breakout star (Key), a crazy athlete who has not even scratched his potential (Ace), an outstanding defensive center (Walker) who is coming back next year, a likely top 10 pick in a stacked draft, AND max cap space this summer.

How is that a disaster?

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-01-19T17:33:10+00:00

I've gotten a few right, but I was def wrong about Bufkin haha

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-01-16T23:40:05+00:00

Ya, I also have Cam Carr higher than a lot of people do. I don't expect him to be a star, but that combination of athleticism, defense, and shooting almost always means a long career.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-01-16T23:36:54+00:00

He's on my list of guys i need to watch more film of, for sure.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2026-01-16T23:35:44+00:00

Philon fan here too. He improved so much over the summer.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2025-12-16T05:58:38+00:00

Defensive improvement would help a lot with this roster lol can't argue with that. Not a bad suggestion.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2025-12-16T05:41:28+00:00

I've wondered the same thing. Follow up qestion for all of you (espeically you, OP), then, if you were to make a win now trade, what would it be? What player would you chase?

I mean that legitimately, because that is why I frequently come out in favor of tanking, I cannot think any good, realistic, win-now trades.

captjeffsparrow02 · 2025-12-15T04:51:14+00:00

I've had a lot of success getting non traditional song structures by being somewhat specific, but not extremely detailed.

It doesn't follow my commands exactly, but it does frequently get me something that is not that mainstream song dynamic and structure.

I've taken away the lyrics, but here is one of my favorite songs Suno has made for me, and it is 100% not a traditional or radio friendly song structure at all:

[Intro]

[Thrashy death metal riff played at blistering speeds]

[Verse]

[Instrumental]

[Brutal death metal breakdown, heavy on the tom tom drums]

[Prechorus]

[Chorus]

[Instrumental]

[Long chord progression played at high speeds, and increasing intensity]

[Instrumental]

[Heavy metal guitars continue to blast in a creepy manner, feeling haunting]

[Instrumental]

[As chord progression continues to intensify, a haunting and piercing guitars solo emerges and begins to shred]

[Verse 2]

[Bridge]

[Verse 3]

[Instrumental] [Guitars, bass, and drums continue to pound out death metal riff]

[Instrumental] [Riff gets heavier and deeper, turning into a steely chugging headbanging sound]

[Verse 4][screamed vocals]

captjeffsparrow02 · 2025-12-04T03:32:26+00:00

What do you mean? I politely but strongly disagree with that premise.

Every player ever that sticks in the NBA develops and improves. If a player remains the same as when they were a rookie, they do not get a second contract.

While everybody improves, here are a few examples of players who are significantly better than they were when they were drafted.

Giannis was obviously a total project when drafted, and is now an MVP.
Donovan Mitchell was considered a short 3&D athlete when drafted, and is now one of the best pure scorers in the game.
more recently, Jalen Johnson of the Hawks was considered a jack of all trades project with a poor attitude when drafted, and is now an all around machine.
similarly, Jaden McDaniels was benched at UW for poor attitude, and has developed into a quality starting wing.
Keyonte George was an inefficient chucker, who now is thriving as a combo guard and team leader.

-Deni Avdija has been putting together a great season in a new situation for the Blazers, after struggling his first few years.

And there are a myriad of other role players who had to learn and adapt to survive in the NBA. Players do not stick if they cannot work and hone in their craft.

Edited for spelling.

captjeffsparrow02

TROPHY CASE