2014 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Zach LaVine



Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2014 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Zach LaVine


Position: Shooting Guard

Size: 6-6, 181

School: UCLA, Freshman


Strengths:
  • Athleticism
  • Explosive at the rim
  • All-around scorer
  • Three-point shooting
  • NBA range from deep
  • Catch-and-shoot ability
  • Step-back and pull-up jumper
  • Creating his own shot
  • Awesome in transition
  • Ball handling
  • Plenty of upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Needs to get stronger
  • Toughness
  • Shies away from contact in the lane
  • Shot selection
  • Decision-making
  • Is he a point guard or shooting guard?
  • Defensive effort is mostly non-existent


  • Summary: LaVine is the definition of somebody who will get drafted solely based on his potential. He scored just 11 points in UCLA’s final five games of the 2013 season and is nowhere near NBA ready. However, since LaVine can jump out of the gym, has solid handles, good height and a promising outside stroke, some team may gamble on him in the late lottery. Regardless, he should see a good amount of time in the D-League before he ever becomes a contributor in the NBA.

    Player Comparison: Josh Selby. Great athletes who don’t have a true position at the NBA and left after a somewhat underwhelming freshman seasons in which they were overshadowed by other players; Selby and LaVine have obviously similar backgrounds. Selby never found his niche and is now out of the NBA. LaVine has a higher ceiling than Selby did, plus better size for the next level. When LaVine is on, I see bits of Steph Curry in him. However, I am not high on LaVine and think he may end up being a bust like Selby.







    RELATED LINKS:


    2014 NBA Mock Draft


    2015 NBA Mock Draft


    2014 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings


    2014 NBA Draft Scouting Reports








    Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
    Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
    All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]




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