The Intrigue Of E.J Liddell’s All-Around Game

SportsMoney The Intrigue Of E. J Liddell’s All-Around Game Morten Jensen Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I cover a wide variety of subjects within the NBA.

May 26, 2022, 07:42pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 09: E. J. Liddell #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against Clifford .

. . [+] Omoruyi #11 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 9, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Rutgers defeated Ohio State 66-64. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) Getty Images In a draft loaded with power forwards , E. J.

Liddell offers significant intrigue, but can’t seem to shake some skepticism, which at this point in the pre-draft process isn’t uncommon. Scouts are trying to educate decision makers the best they can on a long list of potential candidates, and with Liddell projected to go in the first round, risk analysis is a highly necessary part of the process. Evaluating Liddell The 6’7 big man out of Ohio State is atypical in many ways, unlike draft favorite Jabari Smith Jr.

Despite his short stature, Liddell is a shot-blocking machine, who averaged 2. 6 per game this season . Yet, despite his ability to rise up and swat shots away, he didn’t show the same effect on the glass, averaging a more modest 7.

9 per game over 33. 2 minutes. That isn’t to say he won’t be a capable rebounder in the professional ranks, but he will face taller and larger players which raises questions.

Offensively, Liddell should be able to translate several of his skills, including his ability to get to the free throw line. At 243, Liddell is a wide and big athlete, who throws his weight around in a way that usually benefits him. 6.

9 attempts from the foul line this season is a direct result of him continuously seeking, and absorbing, contact near the basket. Of course, Liddell will only have the ability to get to the rim consistently if he proves that the three-point shot he sported in his junior season is real. After hitting 32 shots from range his first two seasons in college, Liddell hit 46 this year at 37.

4%. The sample size isn’t huge, which is thus an area where scouts and teams will need further investigation, but it is encouraging that his floor spacing appears to be heading in the right direction. MORE FOR YOU WWE Extreme Rules 2021 Results: Winners, News And Notes As Roman Reigns Beats The Demon The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2021: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo Reclaims Top Spot From PSG’s Lionel Messi The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Green Bay Packers’ Win Over The San Francisco 49ers Liddell’s playmaking is also worth some attention.

His 2. 5 nightly assists doesn’t quite do him justice, as he generally showed a strong ability to make adept passes. Some passes may not have led to scores, but there’s potential in his court vision.

As a player who down the line can have the offense run through him for short periods of time, he should be capable, even if he will never be Nikola Jokić out there. The right fit There are quite a few spots that would make interesting landing spots for Liddell. The Chicago Bulls top the list in part due to scheme, but also in part due to need.

It’s no secret the Bulls are thin at the four spot , and should be looking for upgrades at the big forward spot this offseason. Liddell represents a big physical presence, which they’ve lacked, who also provides an element of shot-blocking (also a need) and bench scoring. Armed with the 18th selection , the Bulls stand a good chance at getting him, if they zero in on him, and especially if they miss out on Tari Eason .

The Dallas Mavericks, picking 26th , could also afford a young talent injection. At 21, Liddell is only two years younger than Luka Dončić, allowing him to grow with the superstar on a similar timeline. The presence of Dončić would almost assuredly give Liddell more open looks than he expected at the NBA level, which in turn could accelerate his development.

The Mavericks, who this season made it to the Western Conference Finals, frequently show a need for a versatile big man who can both pop and roll off screen actions. If that player also projects to be a high-volume shot-blocker, that’s only cream on top, for a team that needs to find players who can generate offense, as not having to put too much of a scoring burden on Dončić moving forward. Finally, Liddell could be a strong pick for the Memphis Grizzlies, who have t he 22nd and 29th selections in the first round.

If Kyle Anderson is not returning, which he might not be given his free agent status, Liddell is an intriguing long-term replacement, who offers more athletically, and has a wider set of skills. He’d also slide right into the Grizzlies’ core in terms of readiness, age, and fitting the typical description of a player with a lot of game, who might go ignored for too long in the first round. In fact, small-ball lineups of Brandon Clarke and Liddell in the front-court could have the potential of being great at both ends of the floor, which is usually not the case when teams go small.

Often, they sacrifice size and thus defensive influence. Clarke and Liddell won’t make that sacrifice. Liddell, overall, stands a good chance at landing in a place that’d be good for both him and the team, as long as he proves his unique skill set makes the transition to the NBA.

Given his production this year, it appears to be worth the gamble. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA. com , PBPStats , Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference .

All salary information via Spotrac . All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook . Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn .

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