Here we continue to look at the top prospects for the 2013 NBA Draft. Today we examine:
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Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse 6’6”, 185 lbs
2012-13 Collegiate Stat Line: (all stats courtesy of ESPN.com)
11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 39% field goals, 29% 3-point field goals, 69% free throws, 2.8 steals, 3.4 turnovers
The Skinny:
There are a number of talented players who did not perform well during the 2012-13 college basketball season, somewhat diminishing their standing in the NBA Draft talks. Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams is one of the players. While immensely skilled, MCW faded down the stretch for Syracuse, but had a terrific NCAA Tournament to reestablish himself as one of the top prospects in the draft. There’s some work to be done, but he’s a talented point guard who can still improve.
Strengths:
Carter-Williams uses his length better than most college point guards. He uses his long arms to disrupt opposing offenses, while also helping himself find open teammates and thread the needle. At 6’6”, MCW has the length to also size up his opponents on offense and back down his defenders in the paint. Yes, length is a key for MCW.
He has quick feet and a quick shooting release. Combining that with his length and size for a point guard, MCW has the intangibles to be a success in the NBA. He has no hesitations in creating his own shot, but prefers to find his teammates for easier scores, a huge plus for playing the point.
Length, size, speed, ball handling and creating for teammates are going to be the major keys for MCW. He can do all of these things at a high level, but maintaining that high level is the issue.
Here’s a perfect example of MCW strengths and weaknesses in one eight-minute stretch against Louisville:
Weaknesses:
Because he plays point guard, MCW has the ball in his hands during crucial periods of games. He has, at times, shined through, but his decision-making ability needs to dramatically increase. Nobody in the NBA wants a point guard who is going to make a more difficult pass when the easy one can lead to the same result. Carter-Williams often makes things more difficult for himself than they need to be.
Quick: Name a Syracuse stud besides Carmelo Anthony that became a star in the NBA. You can’t, can you? Syracuse and Duke are two schools notorious for producing college stars, but their pros don’t always pan out, especially in the last five to 10 years. While both teams are are great college programs, their NBA star potential is pretty low. This could very well be the case for MCW. Great college player, mediocre NBA player. Just something worth noting.
Highlight Game:
March 28 vs. Indiana (NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 W 61-50)
24 points, 9-for-19 field goals, 3-for-6 3-point field goals, 3-for-6 free throws, five rebounds, four steals
In one of the biggest game of the year, Syracuse needed its star point guard to produce against inferior head-to-head matchups against Indiana. Yogi Ferrell and Jordan Hulls were severely outmatched against Carter-Williams and MCW asserted his dominance. Efficient shooting and ball handling all game long was the key for the Orange point in a huge win for Syracuse.
Lowlight Game:
April 6 vs. Michigan (NCAA Tournament Final Four L 61-56)
Two points, 1-for-6 field goals, 0-for-2 3-point field goals, 0-for-0 free throws, five rebounds, two assists, five turnovers
Michigan’s Trey Burke won all of the National Player of the Year awards imaginable for a reason and MCW didn’t stand a chance, even with a six-inch height advantage. Credit the Syracuse defense for holding Burke to seven points in the game, but Burke himself held MCW to two points. MCW found no rhythm in his offensive game against the Wolverines and was rattled all night long, coughing up five untimely turnovers. Only getting six shot attempts is one thing, but with such a big height advantage, zero free throw attempts is not going to cut it.
Potential Land Spots:
Michael Carter-Williams helped his draft stock in the NCAA Tournament and he also hurt it. A once-potential top-10 selection may find himself missing the lottery completely, but probably won’t fall much lower than that. There are a few potential lottery teams that could take the gamble on the Syracuse alum, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slip on draft day.
Teams That Make Sense:
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks are on the verge of missing the playoffs and they aren’t getting any younger. With a roster that is headlined by Vince Carter, Elton Brand and Shawn Marion, Dallas needs to start to go young before the franchise crumbles entirely. O.J. Mayo has started to show his star potential, but Dirk Nowitzki can’t do it himself.
Darren Collison and Rodrigue Beaubois are restricted free agents this summer, so finding a young point guard for the future may be the way to go in the draft.
Philadelphia 76ers: So the Andrew Bynum trade hasn’t exactly panned out for the 76ers this year. It’s gone so bad they’ve only won 12 more games than the Charlotte Bobcats have this year. They came into the year as a potential challenger to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. What they ended up with is a lottery pick.
Jrue Holiday has been the lone silver lining for Philadelphia, but beyond him the offense doesn’t flow well. Bringing in a nice reserve point guard to who help spell Holiday and provide a spark to a dead 76er offense could be a way to rejuvenate the struggling franchise.
Overall Synopsis:
Michael Carter-Williams has some great upside but could end up falling in the draft due to his lack of quality play in his two years at Syracuse. He can become a great player or frequent the overseas basketball scene like many Orange alum before him. MCW is a name to keep an eye on throughout the 2013 NBA Draft this June.