Bobby Portis Draft Pub

[Hawg Red]

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider 7 minutes ago

I always write that Bobby Portis does everything well, nothing great. Need to revise that. Portis' motor is great. Always goes hard.

Bobby is currently at a pre-draft workout also featuring Cliff Alexander, Sam Dekker, and R.J. Hunter.

[-Blu]

I know whatever team Portis lands on, It's going to be my 2nd favorite team.  I love the way he plays the game, plays with passion and heart.

I'm selfishly hoping Bobby falls in the 20s and ends up on the Grizz.  He embodies everything the grizzlies are about, and we need a solid back-up PF and a guy to groom to take over for Z-Bo. We've been using Jeff Green as a 4, but if we get Portis we can move him to his natural 3 position full time and play Portis and KK as the 4 and 5 in the second unit.

[hawginbigd1]

Chad Ford hit the nail on the head, reason he scored in double figures even though he was playing poorly at the end was because of his motor! I love a guy like that!

[Hawg Red]

Bobby measured 6'10 1/2 in shoes, 6'9 1/2 without. 246 pounds.

[Hogz87]

Bobby measured 6'10 1/2 in shoes, 6'9 1/2 without. 246 pounds.

So he'll likely get a 6'11" listed height in the NBA just because that's how the league does it -- take a players in shoes height and, if possible, round up.  Either way, 6'9.5" w/o shoes is pretty standard for NBA PFs. 

Was about his wingspan?

[Hawg Red]

So he'll likely get a 6'11" listed height in the NBA just because that's how the league does it -- take a players in shoes height and, if possible, round up.  Either way, 6'9.5" w/o shoes is pretty standard for NBA PFs. 

Was about his wingspan?

Wingspan - 7'2
Standing reach - 9 1/2 feet

[HogFaninMemphis]

I'm just excited to see how his game develops. The NBA loves that mid-range and long-range game from bigs right now, but obviously he needs to add more muscle and improve his defense.

[intelligence]

I'm just excited to see how his game develops. The NBA loves that mid-range and long-range game from bigs right now, but obviously he needs to add more muscle and improve his defense.

He was our best defender last season-- wasn't even close.

[Dr. Starcs]

^^^

Totally disagree there. Bobby had a great year, but he was continually getting beat off the dribble from 25 feet out, leaving us vulnerable quite a bit on defense.

[WarPig88]

He was our best defender last season-- wasn't even close.

His scouting report says that he is not a good defender on the block at all.

[nextlevel]

Bobby measured 6'10 1/2 in shoes, 6'9 1/2 without. 246 pounds.

And 8.9% Body Fat.

Qualls was

Height- 6'5 (without shoes)
Weight- 205
Wingspan- 7'0.25
Standing Reach- 8'0.9
Body Fat Percentage- 4.0% (lowest at combine)

[OnTheHillHogFan]

And 8.9% Body Fat.

Qualls was

Height- 6'5 (without shoes)
Weight- 205
Wingspan- 7'0.25
Standing Reach- 8'0.9
Body Fat Percentage- 4.0% (lowest at combine)

Great wingspan for his height. Hopefully he can put on about 15 pounds or so because he'll need it to guard 2's and some 3's in the NBA.

[intelligence]

^^^

Totally disagree there. Bobby had a great year, but he was continually getting beat off the dribble from 25 feet out, leaving us vulnerable quite a bit on defense.

That was the scheme teams employed against us, pulling him from the lane to help other defenders. you just aren't very observant.

[Big Nasty 34]

That was the scheme teams employed against us, pulling him from the lane to help other defenders. you just aren't very observant.

Or that's just a product of our always switch on picks defense. Instead of maybe hedging hard and recovering, we just straight switch on guards or bigs.

[azhog10]

He was our best defender last season-- wasn't even close.

Bobby was a lot of things for our team but the best defender was not one of them. He made up for it with his motor and what he did on the offensive end. But by no means was he a great defender. Outside of us switching a lot, Bobby was constantly out of position and slow to help. His scouting report is spot on in terms of his defense.

[UNCLE BACK]

His scouting report says that he is not a good defender on the block at all.

I am trying to figure out what part of Bobby's game will translate to the NBA game. He hustles... He is not athletic, he takes about two seconds to get a jump shot off.

[Hawg Red]

I am trying to figure out what part of Bobby's game will translate to the NBA game. He hustles... He is not athletic, he takes about two seconds to get a jump shot off.

Um, he's not an elite athlete, but he's athletic. Maybe this is what you meant. He's more athletic than, say, Tiago Splitter or Boris Diaw. He's athletic enough for the NBA, but probably not athletic enough to be a star.

[WarPig88]

Um, he's not an elite athlete, but he's athletic. Maybe this is what you meant. He's more athletic than, say, Tiago Splitter or Boris Diaw. He's athletic enough for the NBA, but probably not athletic enough to be a star.

Portis is very athletic for a man his size. Not elite though.

What he is not is explosive like say a Blake Griffin or Taj Gipson type of guy.

[hawginbigd1]

BP is a "-" defender, one of his down sides, along with handle and quickness. His NBA selling points, range, touch, passing, and most of all his 6'10" has a motor that won't stop.

[twistitup]

I thought Bobby took his advance and opened a bar on Dickson after reading the thread title

I was like....Look at my boy, a bar owner before the nba- shoot for the stars!

[ErieHog]

^^^

Totally disagree there. Bobby had a great year, but he was continually getting beat off the dribble from 25 feet out, leaving us vulnerable quite a bit on defense.

Bobby was getting beat off the bounce because he was trusted to play down 3 positions, effectively, creating a PG vs PF matchup at the top of the defense. He won't be asked to do that at the next level, anywhere near as much as we asked, but the experience is still valuable.

At 6'10, he was doing things defensively you'd expect from a guy who is 6'6", in terms of mobility.

His real defensive struggles are going to be on the block, where even smaller guys who play with good leverage are able to get under him and score.

His athletic issues aren't that he isn't athletic enough to do things-- it is that people end to like explosive, above the rim play- the belief that they can harness athleticism and translate that into basketball talent.   Portis is considered 'safe' and 'unexciting', because he's a very good basketball player without that explosiveness. 

As far as what translates to the NBA--  his game is tailor made for the space and pace era.

[azhog10]

Bobby was getting beat off the bounce because he was trusted to play down 3 positions, effectively, creating a PG vs PF matchup at the top of the defense. He won't be asked to do that at the next level, anywhere near as much as we asked, but the experience is still valuable.

At 6'10, he was doing things defensively you'd expect from a guy who is 6'6", in terms of mobility.

His real defensive struggles are going to be on the block, where even smaller guys who play with good leverage are able to get under him and score.

His athletic issues aren't that he isn't athletic enough to do things-- it is that people end to like explosive, above the rim play- the belief that they can harness athleticism and translate that into basketball talent.   Portis is considered 'safe' and 'unexciting', because he's a very good basketball player without that explosiveness. 

As far as what translates to the NBA--  his game is tailor made for the space and pace era.

That's only a small part of it. Bobby's Defensive Awareness was also below average. It wasn't even about him staying in front of point guards it was about his positioning on defense that have scouts turned off. Obviously defense isn't a big dea in the NBA until the playoffs role around, but whether you like it or not, it is his BIGGEST liability with NBA teams.

[Dr. Starcs]

That was the scheme teams employed against us, pulling him from the lane to help other defenders. you just aren't very observant.

And if you don't think this will happen during an nba game, you aren't very observant either.

[Dr. Starcs]

Bobby was getting beat off the bounce because he was trusted to play down 3 positions, effectively, creating a PG vs PF matchup at the top of the defense. He won't be asked to do that at the next level, anywhere near as much as we asked, but the experience is still valuable.

At 6'10, he was doing things defensively you'd expect from a guy who is 6'6", in terms of mobility.

I see nothing but ball screens go on in the nba forcing the defense to do precisely that.

[OnTheHillHogFan]

I see nothing but ball screens go on in the nba forcing the defense to do precisely that.

They don't switch in the NBA like CMA allows his players to do they hedge and then move back to the big.

[Dr. Starcs]

They do quite a bit actually. Just not 35 feet away from the basket as CMA does.

[hogman99]

Or that's just a product of our always switch on picks defense. Instead of maybe hedging hard and recovering, we just straight switch on guards or bigs.

Be careful now don't be bashing our coaching staff.  Also, it takes years to learn our system. Now that we are in Year 5, the staff has the players in place who know the system and what it takes to produces wins.  We are on our way and in no way in rebuilding mode. 

[razorbackfanatic]

Bobby was getting beat off the bounce because he was trusted to play down 3 positions, effectively, creating a PG vs PF matchup at the top of the defense. He won't be asked to do that at the next level, anywhere near as much as we asked, but the experience is still valuable.

At 6'10, he was doing things defensively you'd expect from a guy who is 6'6", in terms of mobility.

His real defensive struggles are going to be on the block, where even smaller guys who play with good leverage are able to get under him and score.

His athletic issues aren't that he isn't athletic enough to do things-- it is that people end to like explosive, above the rim play- the belief that they can harness athleticism and translate that into basketball talent.   Portis is considered 'safe' and 'unexciting', because he's a very good basketball player without that explosiveness. 

As far as what translates to the NBA--  his game is tailor made for the space and pace era.

+1 this is pretty much spot on!

[goshog]

Tony Jones(Jazz reporter) tweeted: @Tjonessltrib: Arkansas F Bobby Portis with the line of the day: In 18-19 years, I want people to look back and say I was the best player in this draft

[goshog]

Sam Vecenie (CBS Writer) tweeted: @Sam_Vecenie: Early leader in media room for best interview is Bobby Portis. Said before every game, he imagines someone "slapped his mom" to play intense

[rkjones]

He is the angriest game-day Razorback athlete I have ever seen play on the Hill.

[popcornhog]

I know whatever team Portis lands on, It's going to be my 2nd favorite team.  I love the way he plays the game, plays with passion and heart.

I'm selfishly hoping Bobby falls in the 20s and ends up on the Grizz.  He embodies everything the grizzlies are about, and we need a solid back-up PF and a guy to groom to take over for Z-Bo. We've been using Jeff Green as a 4, but if we get Portis we can move him to his natural 3 position full time and play Portis and KK as the 4 and 5 in the second unit.

Agreed.

[STLhawg]

ESPN is reporting BP's mock draft spot as the 19th pick (to the Wizards).  Not saying that is where he'll end up, but I bet that isn't what BP was thinking when he declared.

[ErieHog]

ESPN is reporting BP's mock draft spot as the 19th pick (to the Wizards).  Not saying that is where he'll end up, but I bet that isn't what BP was thinking when he declared.

I bet it isn't that far.   11-20 has always been his projection.

[Big Nasty 34]

ESPN is reporting BP's mock draft spot as the 19th pick (to the Wizards).  Not saying that is where he'll end up, but I bet that isn't what BP was thinking when he declared.

Going to go play for a playoff team? I bet he will take it.

[McKdaddy]

Bobby was a lot of things for our team but the best defender was not one of them. He made up for it with his motor and what he did on the offensive end. But by no means was he a great defender. Outside of us switching a lot, Bobby was constantly out of position and slow to help. His scouting report is spot on in terms of his defense.

[mbgrulz]

Bobby was getting beat off the bounce because he was trusted to play down 3 positions, effectively, creating a PG vs PF matchup at the top of the defense. He won't be asked to do that at the next level, anywhere near as much as we asked, but the experience is still valuable.

At 6'10, he was doing things defensively you'd expect from a guy who is 6'6", in terms of mobility.

His real defensive struggles are going to be on the block, where even smaller guys who play with good leverage are able to get under him and score.

His athletic issues aren't that he isn't athletic enough to do things-- it is that people end to like explosive, above the rim play- the belief that they can harness athleticism and translate that into basketball talent.   Portis is considered 'safe' and 'unexciting', because he's a very good basketball player without that explosiveness. 

As far as what translates to the NBA--  his game is tailor made for the space and pace era.

I think BP will be a solid backup player for his career, and that ain't bad!

If I were a GM, I'd worry about how BP do against those guys who ARE freak athletes. I worry that his lack of explosiveness will get him chewed up by those guys.

I also think BP is a below avg defender, and that stems from his lack of quickness and rigidity IMO.

All that said, I would definitely take him if he fit a need. He was a VERY consistent producer at the high major level for 2 years. He also seems like a fabulous locker room guy. 

[ErieHog]

I think BP will be a solid backup player for his career, and that ain't bad!

If I were a GM, I'd worry about how BP do against those guys who ARE freak athletes. I worry that his lack of explosiveness will get him chewed up by those guys.

I also think BP is a below avg defender, and that stems from his lack of quickness and rigidity IMO.

All that said, I would definitely take him if he fit a need. He was a VERY consistent producer at the high major level for 2 years. He also seems like a fabulous locker room guy. 

The idea of being a 'back up'  is  increasingly outdated.   Is it more important to play 20 minutes a night as a starter, or to play 25 minutes a night, including crunch time?

Bobby is a rotation player, from day 1;  whether he starts or not, will depend on team needs.   He has all the tools, though, to be a decade long contributor at a fairly high level.

[Temprees]

^^^

Totally disagree there. Bobby had a great year, but he was continually getting beat off the dribble from 25 feet out, leaving us vulnerable quite a bit on defense.

He was getting beat by guards after switching.  He was not getting beat by bigs.

The NBA and athlete thing is over stated.  Being a freak athlete is good if paired with great basketball skills.  But other types (the non-freak athletes) have had great success in the NBA.  Players such as Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and others were not the freak athletes, yet they were super stars for lengthy careers, because of their skill as basketball players.  Steph Curry does not fit the freak athletic definition that many look for.  Many considered that he would not succeed in the NBA, because he was not a great athlete.  At 6'3" he is not a high flying dunker, but he is a highly skilled basketball player who knows how to play.  He works hard at his craft to improve his basketball skills.  Portis also has a great work ethic, and I can see him continue to grow and develop.  I think that Portis will have a long and successful career.   

[Hawg Red]

Harrison (Atlanta)

Who do the Hawks target at 15? Assuming they resign Millsap and DMC and bring over Edy Tavares, do they go after a wing (Dekker, Booker, Oubre) or a big (Lyles, Turner, Portis)?

Chad Ford  (1:50 PM)

As Kevin Pelton rightly noted, the Hawks definitely seem in need of size. However, given that they are a contender, I'm not sure they really use the draft to fill that need. Portis would be interesting in that he's more NBA ready than many and plays with the sort of all out motor that should quickly endear him to a head coach. I also like Dekker a lot here.

[Hogberry Snortcake]

Solid

[Llanowan]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/tough-portis-shows-winning-attributes-cs-workout?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

[poloprince]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/tough-portis-shows-winning-attributes-cs-workout?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

Nice  :razorback:

[King Kong]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=250GfoRCG9s

BP workout video. Wearing a Hog T-Shirt

[rzrbackramsfan]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=250GfoRCG9s

BP workout video. Wearing a Hog T-Shirt

lol at people saying he's not a good enough athlete.


Man he would have DOMINATED if he came back.

[WorfHog]

lol at people saying he's not a good enough athlete.


Man he would have DOMINATED if he came back.

Hopefully he goes really high and Mike can use it to sell the program.

[hawgmasta]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/tough-portis-shows-winning-attributes-cs-workout?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

I would love to see him as a Celtic. Stevens looks like he's turning out to be a great coach in the pros as he was in college.

[Hawg Red]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/06/02/phoenix-suns-bobby-portis-kevon-looney-nba-draft/28384287/

[Arazorbackguy1]

Was glad to see Bobby on the local PHX news last night!

[blacksuit]

I think he has a high floor, sort of like Ronnie Brewer in that he may not be a star, but he has attributes that correlate with a long career as a journeyman or rotation player.

I follow the NBA more than most in Arkansas and I have not heard a lot of buzz about Portis good or bad. There are a lot of good players this year and Portis is more likely to fall out of the lottery into the 15-20 range than he is to jump up into the top 10, at least based on what I'm reading.