Here we continue to look at the top prospects for the 2013 NBA Draft. Today we examine:
Jamaal Franklin could surprise people like another recent player drafted from SDSU. (Flickr.com photo by SD Dirk)
Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State, 6’5″, 191 lbs
2012-13 Collegiate Stat Line: (all stats courtesy of ESPN.com)
17 points, 41% field goals, 28% 3-point field goals, 79% free throws, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals
The Skinny:
Franklin is a junior out of San Diego State who is fully capable of becoming the next Kawhi Leonard, a fellow Aztec who was criticized for his below-average perimeter shooting before the draft. Like Leonard, Franklin is a stellar rebounder, especially for a 6’5″ shooting guard. Whether or not his 9.5 rebounds per game can transfer to the pro level remains to be seen, but those rebounding instincts would certainly be a welcome addition to any team that’s also looking for athleticism and defense.
Strengths:
At 6’5″, Franklin is a pretty decent-sized shooting guard and his athleticism gives him an advantage on the offensive end. Despite poor perimeter shooting, Franklin can attack the basket and would be a terrific bench addition to any team that plays up-tempo. If he can learn to get to the rim playing with the big boys, he’s a good enough finisher to make him worth playing in a reserve role as a rookie.
However, the defensive end is really where Franklin will most likely earn his minutes. Like Leonard, Franklin is known for his hard work, defensive intensity and his knack for cleaning up the boards. His rebounding ability is staggering for a shooting guard/small forward and he should be able to defend at the next level just fine. If Franklin can develop his perimeter game like Kawhi Leonard did, he’ll be a fantastic addition to any team lucky enough to invest in him.
Weaknesses:
Despite his Kawhi 2.0 potential, Franklin will really have to work on improving his 3-point like like Leonard did or simply remove that aspect from his game entirely. I’d actually characterize Franklin as more of a small forward than a shooting guard, if only because calling him a shooting guard implies that he has the ability to shoot. He shot an underwhelming 41 percent from the floor last season and an appalling 28 percent from 3-point territory. The Aztecs needed Franklin to shoot to be successful; NBA teams will not and if he’s jacking up too many 3s and missing them all, he’ll earn himself a one-way ticket to the bench.
NBA coaches will be able to help him improve this weak spot in his game or at least impress upon him that he doesn’t need to shoot 3s because Franklin seems like a smart kid. But this is easily the worst area of his game that needs to be improved unless he only wants to be used as a defensive stopper off the bench. He could also work on taking care of the ball a little better, since he averaged 3.4 turnovers per game with the Aztecs last year.
Highlight Game:
Dec. 1 vs. UCLA (W 78-69) 28 points, 9-for-18 field goals, 3-for-10 3-point field goals, 7 rebounds
Normally you’d like to see a player’s highlight game be a little further on in the season than the team’s sixth game, but that’s not to say he didn’t play well the rest of the year either. From a statistical standpoint and a team win standpoint, this was a big win for San Diego State and the Mountain West Conference over a quality, storied UCLA team with freshman sensation Shabazz Muhammad. He defended Muhammad well and held him to just 16 points while also chipping in three assists, two steals and one block to go with his 28 points and seven boards. It has to be mentioned that he went a paltry 3-for-10 from downtown, but he took over the game in the second half and showed people early in the season that SDSU was not a team to ignore.
Lowlight Game:
March 15 vs. No. 15 New Mexico (L 60-50) 8 points, 3-for-12 field goals, 2-for-6 3-point field goals, 12 rebounds
In the Mountain West Conference tournament semi-final game, Jamaal Franklin couldn’t come through for his team. New Mexico’s stifling defense that held the Aztecs to just 50 points had a huge part to do with that, but Franklin shot 25 percent from the floor and really only had an impact grabbing rebounds. He lost his composure a few times during that game as he grew frustrated and like the rest of his teammates, couldn’t find any kind of offensive rhythm. Franklin only scored in single digits two times all year, however, which is a testament to his offensive consistency.
Potential Landing Spots:
Jamaal Franklin is currently projected to be a late first round pick and most draft projections (such as Draft Express) have him at No. 24 or No. 25. But there’s a decent chance one or two teams may take Franklin before he falls that far depending on who’s left at that point. Franklin is a versatile player who brings athleticism, defense and rebounding to whatever team picks him up, so it’s hard to pick out a few teams that would benefit from his presence the most, but here are three semi-contenders he’d do well with.
Teams That Make Sense:
Chicago Bulls: Franklin has worked out for Chicago already and apparently the Bulls are very impressed with what they’ve seen. They like his hard work, rebounding is always a nice plus and you know that Tom Thibodeau would love another defensive player to add to his already stifling defense. According to Chad Ford’s Mock Draft 5.0, the Bulls will likely take him with their No. 20 pick. Franklin would have to work to prove himself as more than just another Jimmy Butler, but hey, would another Jimmy Butler be such a bad thing?
New York Knicks: The Knicks have the 24th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and would do well to take Franklin if he’s still on the board. Now that Jason Kidd isn’t there to preach about the importance of teamwork and defense, New York would certainly benefit from a guy who can help them out in both departments. Yes, they already have Carmelo Anthony, but since Melo is more effective at the four-spot, Franklin would bring much-needed help to the small forward position (Chris Copeland and Steve Novak are the only other small forwards unless you also include Iman Shumpert in that group).
Los Angeles Clippers: What better way for a player with potential to learn how to harness his defensive intensity and rebounding skills than to play for Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers. Lob City means business this year with a new coach at the helm and Franklin would easily fit in with Doc’s mind for defense. Franklin would have to work hard to be involved in a rotation on one of the league’s deepest benches (assuming Eric Bledsoe and Matt Barnes stay put), but that’s usually the best way to motivate a young player anyway.
Overall Synopsis:
Jamaal Franklin certainly won’t make an enormous impact on his team in his first season in the league, but he has the potential to grow into a solid role player at the very least. Franklin will most likely have the benefit of playing for a semi-contender in his first season (unless the Milwaukee Bucks are seriously considering him), which would help nurture his development to the highest degree. If he can improve his perimeter shooting, don’t be surprised if he turns into the second coming of Kawhi Leonard.