The Hawks hold the rights to multiple picks in the upcoming June 20 NBA Draft.
At Hawks.com, we’ll be talking to some of the writers and bloggers who watched
some of this year’s key prospects most closely.
Jake Lawrence (@TheRealestRJL), who covers North Carolina basketball for Tar
Heel Blog (@TarHeelBlog) about Freshman Guard Nassir Little.
What does Nassir Little do well?
Score and rebound. Looking at his averages of 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, most
wouldn’t believe it. Considering that he achieved those numbers in just 18
minutes a game, and his per-40 average projections were 21.5 and 10.1, I’ll
stand by my assessment. His effective field-goal percentage was 50.7, while
learning both the wing and power forward positions. His PER was 20.0. Lost in
the narrative that he regressed is that Nassir Little simply produced when he
was on the court.
The main reason he didn’t play more (and thus, be able to play through typical
freshman mistakes) was because he backed up two All-ACC players. One of them,
Cameron Johnson, is currently projected as a first-round draft pick. Considering
the circumstances, Nas probably performed as well as should’ve been reasonably
expected last year.
Many players in his situation would become sour. Nas didn’t do that. He was the
ultimate teammate and consistently grew throughout the year (evidenced by his
19.5 ppg in the first two tournament games before the flu limited him in the
Sweet 16). Work ethic or character issues are not a concern with him.
How does his game translate to the NBA?
The general consensus is it will translate very well to the NBA. Nas needs a
little more spacing and fluidity than the college game allows – especially as he
continues to learn the game. When he gets running with a full head of steam his
only thought is putting a defender on a poster. He has an aggression that can’t
be taught, an NBA-ready body and jaw-dropping athleticism. Using him to screen
in pick and rolls or to come off curls and slash will pay dividends early in his
career.
My concern is that he strikes me as a classic “tweener” with his current
skillset. What made him enticing at UNC was the potential mismatch ability he
brought to the court. Too big on the wing and too quick in the post. For most of
the season he struggled to exploit those mismatches, especially on the wing.
What can he do to improve?
Ballhandling. Shooting. Defense. Decision making.
He succeeded in college because of a tenacity to attack the rim and grab
rebounds. That works well when less-athletic players make up a large portion of
the competition. To succeed in the NBA, he will have to improve on the
perimeter.
Can he consistently guard the perimeter in one-on-one matchups? Can he develop
the outside shot and offensive repertoire to thrive in the NBA? I don’t have
those answers, but Nassir absolutely has the work ethic and mentality necessary
to grow his game. If he struggles in the NBA, it will not because of a lack of
effort.
What style of play suits his game best?
Nas needs the freedom to play in the open court and exploit gaps in a defense
while he develops his shooting and shot creation. Any system that uses him as a
secondary option, screener/roller, or slasher will allow him to provide the most
immediate impact. It’s probably less about the system and more about a cultural
fit that will be patient with him.
To which current or past NBA player would you compare him?
I asked our staff and got 6 different answers. Somewhere between Gerald Wallace
and Kawhi Leonard with a hint of Jae Crowder.
Media Content:
https://www.nba.com/hawks/features/draft-profile-what-will-nassir-little-bring-nb
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Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Hawks
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Story Link:
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