Qualls Pre-draft Comparison

[chiefhawg]

Comments are from Basketball Insiders. Qualls at pre-draft training facility.


Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA  ·  10h 10 hours ago
Arkansas' Michael Qualls is another interesting prospect - very Shawn Marion-like, dunks like a monster, solid shooter

[Paul]

Comments are from Basketball Insiders. Qualls at pre-draft training facility.


Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA  ·  10h 10 hours ago
Arkansas' Michael Qualls is another interesting prospect - very Shawn Marion-like, dunks like a monster, solid shooter

. Good for MQ!

[latrops]

Comments are from Basketball Insiders. Qualls at pre-draft training facility.


Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA  ·  10h 10 hours ago
Arkansas' Michael Qualls is another interesting prospect - very Shawn Marion-like, dunks like a monster, solid shooter

Marion was a great defender who averaged over 10 rebounds a game through most of his career.  He is also a sf/pf, where Qualls figures to be a sg/sf.  They are both athletic and capable of highlight dunks, but I'm not sure there is a great deal of similarity in their games, otherwise.  Frankly, Qualls better be a better perimeter shooter than Marion was (at least early on) or he likely won't have much of an NBA career.

[Pig in the Pokey]

Marion was a great defender who averaged over 10 rebounds a game through most of his career.  He is also a sf/pf, where Qualls figures to be a sg/sf.  They are both athletic and capable of highlight dunks, but I'm not sure there is a great deal of similarity in their games, otherwise.  Frankly, Qualls better be a better perimeter shooter than Marion was (at least early on) or he likely won't have much of an NBA career.

they are both linked to arkansas lol.

[intelligence]

Gerald Wallace anyone?

[hvsupastar]

If Qualls has the nba career marion has, I'll be surprised

[sickboy]

Gerald Wallace anyone?

I see that.

[Pork Twain]

His game looks nothing like Marion

[RazorAg]

Gerald Wallace anyone?

I saw that comparison a few months ago, and it's the best one I've seen/heard.

[The_Iceman]

I saw that comparison a few months ago, and it's the best one I've seen/heard.

Except Qualls is closer to 6'5", while Wallace was a solid 6'7". I think Qualls' size puts him at SG, but his skill set is a SF in the NBA, which will hurt him

[latrops]

I saw that [Gerald Wallace] comparison a few months ago, and it's the best one I've seen/heard.

That's kind of the problem for Qualls.  His game compares best to that of guys that are a couple of inches taller....guys that were more pf/sf tweeners than those that are sg/sf tweeners.  Qualls can develop into a fine player, but his game right now doesn't really match his size.  He's a bit smaller than average for a SF, and doesn't handle/distribute well compared to most SGs. 

Another thing about Marion/Wallace is that they were very good defensively.  Qualls has athleticism to be a good defender, but didn't always utilize it well with us.  Because he is such a good athlete, he has quite a bit of upside....but he has a lot of things he will need to develop in order to make it at the NBA level. 

Of course, my saying that pretty much guarantees he stars from day 1.

[popcornhog]

I see that.

Gerald Wallace is like 6'8 though.

[The_Iceman]

Gerald Wallace is like 6'8 though.

If Qualls were 6'7"-6'8", I think there would be Wallace comparisons. Maybe even comparisons to Kwahi Leonard. But 6'7"-6'8" 230-240lb vs. 6'5"-6'6" 210-215lb is a big deal in the NBA.

[UNCLE BACK]

Qualls is a full 6 foot 6.

[The_Iceman]

Qualls is a full 6 foot 6.

Correct, he measured 6'6" w/ shoes this summer at the Nike Skills Academy, but also only weighed 198lbs. NBA Small Forwards like Marion, Leonard, etc. go closer to 230lb+ will good ball handling skills.

[chubrick]

Will q and p leaving hurt our APR?

[Hawg Red]

Will q and p leaving hurt our APR?

Shouldn't. I'm assuming they both will finish out the semester and pass their classes.

[ErieHog]

Marion was a great defender who averaged over 10 rebounds a game through most of his career.  He is also a sf/pf, where Qualls figures to be a sg/sf.  They are both athletic and capable of highlight dunks, but I'm not sure there is a great deal of similarity in their games, otherwise.  Frankly, Qualls better be a better perimeter shooter than Marion was (at least early on) or he likely won't have much of an NBA career.

I think they use the comparison not because their games are alike, but because both had ball handling issues, off-the-charts athleticism, and while hard to place in an NBA role, they stand out visibly as different on a court--  as draft eligible players.   I doubt they were making a comparison to the finished version of Marion,  more likely, just Marion as he came out.

[RazorAg]

Except Qualls is closer to 6'5", while Wallace was a solid 6'7". I think Qualls' size puts him at SG, but his skill set is a SF in the NBA, which will hurt him

Ehh. On DraftExpress.com, where they are diligent about storing heights, they list Qualls as 6'6 and Wallace as 6'7. Couple that minimal difference with Qualls freakish wingspan, and there little overall difference in their overall length.

Now, of course, we can pick apart the comparison. There are definitely differences. But, if you take general size, athleticism and how they produce, that's a pretty good comparison in my opinion.

[rude1]

That's kind of the problem for Qualls.  His game compares best to that of guys that are a couple of inches taller....guys that were more pf/sf tweeners than those that are sg/sf tweeners.  Qualls can develop into a fine player, but his game right now doesn't really match his size.  He's a bit smaller than average for a SF, and doesn't handle/distribute well compared to most SGs. 

Another thing about Marion/Wallace is that they were very good defensively.  Qualls has athleticism to be a good defender, but didn't always utilize it well with us.  Because he is such a good athlete, he has quite a bit of upside....but he has a lot of things he will need to develop in order to make it at the NBA level. 

Of course, my saying that pretty much guarantees he stars from day 1.

This reminds me of a story I read on Michael Cooper of the LA Lakers who played with Magic. As a rookie in camp trying to make the team, he was exploding off the floor with acrobatic dunks as the rest of his game was limited. The light bulb came on when he decided he should focus on defending. He became a defensive stopper first, made the team and his offensive game developed in nicely over the years. Qualls needs to mimic this IMO because his offensive game isn't nearly good enough to get him on a roster.

[RazorAg]

I think they use the comparison not because their games are alike, but because both had ball handling issues, off-the-charts athleticism, and while hard to place in an NBA role, they stand out visibly as different on a court--  as draft eligible players.   I doubt they were making a comparison to the finished version of Marion,  more likely, just Marion as he came out.

Right. As info, when Wallace was coming out, he got compared to Marion.

[hogfanshan]

This will date me...but he's always reminded me of Gerald Wilkins.

[UNCLE BACK]

I will get laughed at for saying this but I truly expect Qualls to be a better NBA player than Portis... I see him as a 10 and 6 guy for a 7 or 8 year period.

[ErieHog]

I will get laughed at for saying this but I truly expect Qualls to be a better NBA player than Portis... I see him as a 10 and 6 guy for a 7 or 8 year period.

Yeah.   Qualls is going to have a hard time catching on, but may develop into a rotation guy.

Portis is a pretty safe bet to be a two contract player, if not three.  He fits in with twenty or so NBA teams today.

[UNCLE BACK]

Yeah.   Qualls is going to have a hard time catching on, but may develop into a rotation guy.

Portis is a pretty safe bet to be a two contract player, if not three.  He fits in with twenty or so NBA teams today.

I can respect that opinion but I just think Portis lack of strength and Athleticism will equate to NBADL...

[ErieHog]

I can respect that opinion but I just think Portis lack of strength and Athleticism will equate to NBADL...

He's very strong, for what he'll be asked to do in the NBA.

People think that the 4 is still a power forward position, when really its just 'really long SF with less off-the-bounce demand'.

[The_Iceman]

He's very strong, for what he'll be asked to do in the NBA.

People think that the 4 is still a power forward position, when really its just 'really long SF with less off-the-bounce demand'.

If you over 6'9" and have a mid-range jumper, you can last a long time in the league. Guards are really the ones now that need the ball-handling and athleticism. The game really runs through them.

[ErieHog]

If you over 6'9" and have a mid-range jumper, you can last a long time in the league. Guards are really the ones now that need the ball-handling and athleticism. The game really runs through them.

Its still the early stages of the pace and space era, but its going to dominate the pro game for the next decade at least.

[trashcan maN]

If he can rein that handle in and keep doing what he's doing with his jumper, he could be a destitute man's Paul George.

Gerald Wallace is probably the best comparison.

[RazorPiggie]

I will get laughed at for saying this but I truly expect Qualls to be a better NBA player than Portis... I see him as a 10 and 6 guy for a 7 or 8 year period.

I'm the complete opposite. I don't see Qualls making a roster.

[HawgWild]

I heard on the news last night that 91 underclassmen have declared for the draft. That's a lot of potential disappointment out there.

[Hawg Red]

I heard on the news last night that 91 underclassmen have declared for the draft. That's a lot of potential disappointment out there.

Not sure the correct number but only 48 from college. Rest are international players already playing pro ball.

[ErieHog]

I'm the complete opposite. I don't see Qualls making a roster.

Qualls has a growable game, like Beverly had, rather than a basket of tools that just had to be arranged into a professional game, like Portis.

I could easily see Qualls making a roster, toiling a few years in obscurity, and emerging into a rotation player.   It just isn't super duper likely.

[UNCLE BACK]

John Lucas thinks Qualls will make a Roster.

[Hawg Red]

Obviously a long way to go still before the draft, and anything could literally happen in the 2nd round, but I've been surprised to see Qualls widely, almost unanimously, projected to go solidly in the 2nd round. When he declared, I viewed him as a borderline 2nd rounder. Hope the best for him. Fit is more important that draft spot, though, so it wouldn't be the end of the world if he didn't get drafted. Would present more options for him provided the NBA interest is there.

[songofthesword]

he's a better shooter than wallace was at this time in his career much better, but not as good a ball handler. 

[Clark W Grishawg]

Igoudala

[WarPig88]

Kwai Lenard

[1highhog]

I will get laughed at for saying this but I truly expect Qualls to be a better NBA player than Portis... I see him as a 10 and 6 guy for a 7 or 8 year period.

I respectly disagree on that.  Most on here probably will laugh me off the Board for saying this, but I don't see Qualls having as good a career as Weems.  Don't forget that Weems was only just coming around offensively his Sr. campaign, but I think his ball handling and defense was better than Qualls entering the NBA. 

Dunking, I'm not sure who wins here, but Weems did win the NCAA Title in Dunking http://www.razorbloggers.net/2008/04/weems-wins-college-slam-dunk-contest/.  My vote goes to Weems, who was shown several times on SC flying through the air dropping powerful dunks on several different NBA players.  If not for the NBA strike, I feel Weems would have stayed and eventually made a starter with a nice long career, but he's doing great where he's at with no reason to leave. 

I hope Qualls pans out and has a nice career, I hope he gets a starting rotation on down the road, time will tell.  Wish him all the best.

[UNCLE BACK]

I respectly disagree on that.  Most on here probably will laugh me off the Board for saying this, but I don't see Qualls having as good a career as Weems.  Don't forget that Weems was only just coming around offensively his Sr. campaign, but I think his ball handling and defense was better than Qualls entering the NBA. 

Dunking, I'm not sure who wins here, but Weems did win the NCAA Title in Dunking http://www.razorbloggers.net/2008/04/weems-wins-college-slam-dunk-contest/.  My vote goes to Weems, who was shown several times on SC flying through the air dropping powerful dunks on several different NBA players.  If not for the NBA strike, I feel Weems would have stayed and eventually made a starter with a nice long career, but he's doing great where he's at with no reason to leave. 

I hope Qualls pans out and has a nice career, I hope he gets a starting rotation on down the road, time will tell.  Wish him all the best.

Qualls has more upside than Weems. He has a ton of potential still!

[HawgWild]

Qualls has more upside than Weems. He has a ton of potential still!

I heard Scott Hastings once say something about Weems not being all that receptive to coaching. (My interpretation.)

[Hawg Red]

I heard Scott Hastings once say something about Weems not being all that receptive to coaching. (My interpretation.)

That was definitely the word on why he didn't work out in Denver with George Karl. It appears that he got the message somewhere along the way.

[UNCLE BACK]

Qualls 7 foot 2 inch Wingspan is very intriguing to NBA scouting experts. Saw a deal on NBA TV that said he would likely be a steal mid second round.