NBA Draft 2018 Prospect Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
By Adam McGee
Weaknesses
One of the biggest questions about Gilgeous-Alexander is how much of what made him so intriguing on the college level will translate to the NBA.
Will he be as productive defensively against stronger guards who will barrel into his chest and create enough space to negate his length? Without leaning into his jump shot more often, will he be afforded the same kind of driving lanes he made such nice use of with the Wildcats?
In all likelihood, the answer is no. So in other words, Gilgeous-Alexander will need to improve.
That’s certainly still in play, as he doesn’t turn 20 until a couple of weeks after the draft. The key to becoming a high-caliber defender may well be heading into the weight room with an NBA strength and conditioning team, but there can be no disputing that as it stands his frame is slighter than that of the average 20-year-old prospect.
That could also become a factor in regard to his ability to get to the rim offensively, but developing a fully formed jump shot may well unlock greater potential beyond what he’s displayed up until this point.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s stroke is certainly a little on the mechanical side, yet the results have been relatively positive. His 40.4 percent success rate is certainly encouraging, yet it’s the fact he only attempted 57 triples in 1248 minutes that’s a concern.
As an NBA guard it’s very difficult to survive without a respectable three-point stroke, and even if Gilgeous-Alexander’s could bear out at that level, his reluctance to let fly is a concern. With a deeper three-point line and stronger, faster defenders, is he really going to become considerably more willing to take it? That seems unlikely.