re: Just for fun: NBADraft.net and DraftExpress recent mocks.

Jonathan Tjarks on Robert Carter III of Maryland. Not a lottery pick, but a guy, according to Tjarks, worth keeping an eye on in the 2nd round.

LINK

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Carter is a prototype small-ball 5

A generation ago, Carter would have been a 4. He was 6'9 and he had prototype size and the ability to play on the perimeter and in the post on both sides of the ball. These days, height isn't as important a consideration at the C position while speed and shooting is more important than ever. The problem with most small ball 5's is they just don't have the size and the strength to wrestle with the bigger C's at the NBA level. They don't need to dominate bigger players - they just need to be able to hold their own against them. That was the most encouraging part of Carter's performance on Saturday to me. Watch how he's able to hold off Haas (7'2 300) in the block. This is a guy whose not afraid of getting physical and guarding bigger players

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What makes that skill so valuable is what it allows you to do on the other end of the floor. If RC3 can hold his own in the post and provide some modicum of rim protection, he puts opposing C's in a world of hurt on offense. There's no way that guys like Haas and Hammons can stick with Carter at the 3-point line, much less contest his shot while still being able to prevent him from getting to the rim. There's a lot of different thing that a coach can do with a multi-dimensional big man who can guard 5's while being able to handle, shoot and pass.

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My guess is that RC3 is ultimately going to come off the bench at the next level as a 4/5 but if a true 5 doesn't project as a high level two-way player (which means he will ultimately be a bench player on a good team) than I'd rather my backup 5 provide more line-up versatility. This is a unfair because of the age gap but RC3 is a better NCAA player than Stone right now and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the better NBA player.

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