In this installment of our series before June 26’s draft, we look at a guard with size and shooting ability:
Zach LaVine
Position: PG
Height/Weight: 6-6, 181
School: UCLA
LaVine had a streaky year for the Bruins. He began his only season at UCLA by scoring in double figures in nine of his first 10 games. Then he dropped off some. LaVine averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and almost a steal per game.
LaVine hit 44.1 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three (on 3.5 attempts per game). He helped himself at the pre-draft combine. At the LeBron James camp in 2012, LaVine was 6-3 in shoes. This year, he measured 6-5 3/4 in shoes. He’s considered to have good height and length for the position, and he’s extremely athletic.
Strengths
He’s a shooter, which is why some people thought he might project as a two guard in the NBA. It appears that LaVine will play the point, though -- perhaps because he has an excellent first step and he’s tall for the position.
LaVine is good in transition. He can shoot with his feet set or on the move. And he’s super athletic.
Weaknesses
His decision making and ball handling need to improve. He averaged just 1.8 assists per game and had an assist rate of only 12.6. For someone who’s supposed to be a point guard, you’d like to see those numbers improve significantly.
LaVine wasn’t super efficient as a scorer. He had a 54.5 true shooting percentage and 14.6 PER. He didn’t get to the line very often (1.8 free throws per game) and made 69.1 percent when he did.
Defensively, he struggled at times to keep players in front of him even though he often had a quickness and height advantage. One NBA exec called him “so oblivious it’s scary.” Not good.
LIke a lot of 19-year-olds, he also needs to put on weight.
How he’d fit with the Sixers
He can run and he’s not afraid to shoot from the outside, two things the Sixers emphasize. If the Sixers slid him to shooting guard, could he become an efficient enough scorer to justify the selection? Even if they called it a two-point guard system, would he develop into a capable passer? For a team with so many needs, it wouldn’t be ideal.
NBA comparison
An athletic, tall, skinny point guard who can shoot but doesn’t pass very often or defend very well. This one is tough. Sounds like Tony Wroten with a better jumper.
Draft projection
Mid-first round.