re: Cam Thomas

On draft kings hes a SF

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Because he is a guard. He played guard at Virginia. He played guard at Rice. He was listed as a guard in the draft.

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He played SF, not SG, not that there's really that big of a difference.


He's almost the same size as MPJ and Otto Porter.
His feet make him able to guard smaller guys b/c he's quick enough, and his length helps him recover, but he's big enough to handle most small ball 4's, but i would agree that he's more suited to play as a "guard"

i personally think your PG should be able to defend both guard positions effectively. I don't expect the PG to be able to handle the big SF's or big men.
your SG and SF should be able to defend 1-4, within reason (AD is not a 4), maybe not effectively guard some elite PG's are 4's, but hold their own on switches.
your 4 should be able to guard big men, as well as switch onto guards and hold his own, with the exception of elite guys that can penetrate on anyone or elite bigs like Jokic and Embiid.
I expect my 5 to be able to hold his own against Jokic and Embiid. I didn't say stop them, I said hold your own, as in big enough to bang with them and not get dominated like a smaller guy would get dominated.

I think Murphy fits in that SG/SF role. doesn't matter which one really.

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On pretty much every site he's a SF. Some have him as SF/SG. None I saw listed him as just SG.

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Well, he is a SG/SF.

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He said projects more as a PF than a SG. Not that he projects as a PF. I can easily see him playing "PF" when Zion sits in small ball lineups. BI played 30% of his minutes as a "PF" last season and he's even lighter and shorter.

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Nothing about him projects as a PF though. He’s a catch and shoot guy on offense and plus perimeter defender. Of course positioning does not exist in a vacuum, I’m sure there will be instances when he can play 4 depending on the matchups. I reckon most coaches would direct their PFs to go right at Murphy if he were guarding. I think you’re underestimating the size of the majority of 4s around the league

As for Ingram, he was 195 with a 7’3” wing at 18 years old. He’s been in an NBA weight program for 5 years and has likely grown in length over that time. He’s not an ideal 4 but is more equipped than a Murphy at this point

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Nothing about him projects as a PF though. He’s a catch and shoot guy on offense and plus perimeter defender. Of course positioning does not exist in a vacuum, I’m sure there will be instances when he can play 4 depending on the matchups. I reckon most coaches would direct their PFs to go right at Murphy if he were guarding. I think you’re underestimating the size of the majority of 4s around the league

As for Ingram, he was 195 with a 7’3” wing at 18 years old. He’s been in an NBA weight program for 5 years and has likely grown in length over that time. He’s not an ideal 4 but is more equipped than a Murphy at this point

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Once again, no one is saying he is an actual PF, especially not currently. Most PF are in the 230-240 range. 10 lbs put Murphy at 215 which with his length (7'1), he should easily be able to spend some time at the 4. Even at his current weight it's not impossible. Ingram is no more equipped than Murphy. Ingram came in at 195 and doesn't look considerably bigger now. Chris Boucher is 200 lbs and plays PF. Brandon Clarke is 215. Robert Covington is 209. Darius Bazley is 208. It has and can be done.

This isn't Murphys skull set or why he got drafted. He is a great perimeter defender. UVA used him as a rover to lock down PGs and SGs. Whoever the other teams best scorer was. It was a huge advantage for him, cause he was so much taller, longer and is quick for his size.

There are so few pure SFs that come out of college. Most have to play in the front court. So it is a bit of a gamble on who can make the transition. Now a lot of teams are just using guards with bigger frames to play SF (O'neale, Dort, Powell, even us with Hart).

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There aren't that many 4's who even use their size to their advantage in the post. Especially backup 4's.

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No they just take you off the dribble and outmuscle you to get to where they want near the rim, and then over power you to prevent you from doing the same when they’re guarding you. They have no problem boxing you out for a rebound.

Having tweener outliers around the league who play out of position does not justify Murphy playing there. We can just be happy with a having a competent wing and not try to make him something he’s not

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Most 4's in today's NBA are perimeter players

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*and are highly skilled within 10 feet
* and are some of the best rebounders in the league

I guess it’s good if he can guard Chris Boucher and Al Farooq Aminu, but those guys are like 5% of the PF crop

To be honest, Murphy base is solid. He didn't look overmatched when Patrick Williams and Kuminga was trying to get physical with him. I think he'll be fine unless he goes against a bruiser like Blake Griffin, Giannis, and Julius Randle of the world.

Not ideal but it can be viable.

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Backup 4s are going to do this?

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Some do, some don’t. Majority have arse are proficient around the basket. Some have other facets in their bag.

If murphy is guarding 4s, it means Zion isn’t on the floor. I think the ideal lineup may have both on the floor together

If Zion is healthy there aren’t many minutes to cover there. Ingram, Hayes, Hart, Naji all covered minutes there last year. Sato has dabbled there. None are ideal but you have options based on the matchup. And there are a few instances where we can hide Murphy there

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Don’t know if mentioned previously, but I think not picking up Cam will haunt us for years to come. If he can live up to what he flashed at LSU...he will be a perennial all-star type player! Just didn’t understand passing him up.

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