re: The character factor for the Pelicans draft picks

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So Herb is proof that someone with elite defense and mediocre to bad offense can improve on that side of the ball?

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Yes he is, and he was able to prove it before he was drafted.
That's the point.
Why would you draft someone with the #8 overall pick, and hope he learns how to not be a complete non factor on offense after you draft him?
That's the kind of guy you take in the 20's and 30's, not #8.

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When you're drafting at 8, there's going to be a risk with every player available,

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There's a risk with everyone, but that risk gets greater and greater the further in the draft you go. Doesn't mean you have to take someone that risky at #8 when there's plenty of other less risky players available, or players with risk that have much higher floors.
What is Sochan's ceiling, b/c his floor is someone who barely makes it to a second contract.

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I'll take the 19 year old with elite defense, and bet that he can up his shooting percentage a few points, over a shooter who either doesn't care or doesn't have the basketball instincts to play good defense.

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I would agree with that, and i do think Sochan can be a good C&S 3 point shooter in the NBA. His release is slow, but when he has time it looks good. He's also slow and not that athletic, but his motor is what makes him good, and i always like guys like that.
But as i said, there's way too much risk with him, and not enough reward to take him 8th overall.