Marvin Bagley III: 2018 NBA Draft player profile

Weaknesses

Pick-and-roll/Team defense

This is easily Bagley’s most recognizable weakness, and might be the most talked about as well. With how often NBA teams run and pick-and-rolls and how much the modern NBA big man has to switch screens or defend in space, it’s worrisome to see Bagley struggle in these important and critical defensive areas.

One of the worst games for Bagley defensively was in Duke’s loss to St. John’s in February. Early in this game Bagley showed his poor team defense off the ball. This is a very simple play early on in the game. Bagley is matched up with Red Storm forward Marvin Clark. St. John’s runs a simple pick-and-roll in the middle of the floor.

Wendell Carter is a little late running back to the roll man Tariq Owens. Unfortunately, when you look off the ball at Bagley, it is easy to see Owens runs right past Bagley, whose eyes are glued to Marvin Clark as Owens gets the easy basket. It’s also worth mentioning Bagley did the same exact thing when St. John’s ran the same play less than two minutes prior to start the game.

Here’s Bagley in his game against Wake Forest where he just completely loses his man Olivier Sarr on defense. On this possession, Bagley looks completely lost. You can even see him collect himself for a minute to try and find Sarr on the perimeter. Then he fails to slide over and cut off Bryant Crawford, just lazily swiping at the ball as Crawford dunks it in.

Now going back to the St. John’s game, Bagley gets stuck on Shamoire Ponds after a switch on a ball screen. Ponds is a draft prospect in his own right and he is quick in the open court, but he does not come close to elite NBA speed. As Ponds makes a slower dribble move than he’s usually capable of, he blows by Marvin Bagley for the layup.

Right-handed finishing

I may have to Venmo somebody $10 if they can find me a play where Marvin Bagley finished at the rim with his right hand. It’s a very fundamental principle, but it still is extremely important. There are dozens of times Bagley would’ve had an easier shot if he used his right hand, rather than increasing the degree of difficulty with his left hand.

Here’s Bagley against Wake Forrest where he’s driving to his right and could go up with a little right handed running hook and potential have two points. Instead he has to go across his body to shoot a floater with the left hand.