Time to start thinking about Whaley playing at the next level

[WrenchFan69]

The closest comp I currently see is Montrezl Harrell. Undersized 5 who can't really shoot but is tough and does a lot of things to help his team win. Athletic, versatile, high energy 6'8" guys have a shot at the league if they can shoot in the 30%s from deep. With continued improvement maybe he can be something like Daniel Theis. Ultimately I don't think it happens but I'd love for him to get a shot at it.

 

[imno1]

The closest comp I currently see is Montrezl Harrell. Undersized 5 who can't really shoot but is tough and does a lot of things to help his team win. Athletic, versatile, high energy 6'8" guys have a shot at the league if they can shoot in the 30%s from deep. With continued improvement maybe he can be something like Daniel Theis. Ultimately I don't think it happens but I'd love for him to get a shot at it.

Whaley is shooting 58% from the field and 50% (small sample) from 3. He's a sneaky good shooter. He also doesn't take many bad shots

 

[WrenchFan69]

Whaley is shooting 58% from the field and 50% (small sample) from 3. He's a sneaky good shooter. He also doesn't take many bad shots

He's taken 4 3 pointers in his career. I'm very high on Whaley but that's nowhere near enough to call him a good shooter.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

He's taken 4 3 pointers in his career. I'm very high on Whaley but that's nowhere near enough to call him a good shooter.

Kevin Garnett didn’t take threes but was absolutely deadly about 5 ft in from the arch. In no way comparing IW to KG but 3s isn’t the end all be all of good shooting

 

[the Q]

Whaley’s midrange jumpers are really good and is 2-4 from 3. He’s actually a fairly good shooter.

And his passing in the last few games has been really impressive.

I do want him to post up and have a couple post moves in his bag, as well as being an effective post passer.

Whaley is shooting 58% from the field and 50% (small sample) from 3. He's a sneaky good shooter. He also doesn't take many bad shots

He's taken 4 3 pointers in his career. I'm very high on Whaley but that's nowhere near enough to call him a good shooter.

Kevin Garnett didn’t take threes but was absolutely deadly about 5 ft in from the arch. In no way comparing IW to KG but 3s isn’t the end all be all of good shooting

As it’s been stated, way too small of a sample size.

Depending on when the draft is this year, he may actually get a a chance to workout against higher rated players and get a chance.

the later in the year the draft is the better. Because he’s going to need as much of a sample as possible

I kind of look at a Patrick Patterson as the kind of hi post 4 who can switch off. Curius what his wingspan is, and how much stronger he can get. Can he be a small ball 5? Especially as teams continue to go smaller in crunch time. That’s a big ? That will determine a lot.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

As it’s been stated, way too small of a sample size.

Depending on when the draft is this year, he may actually get a a chance to workout against higher rated players and get a chance.

the later in the year the draft is the better. Because he’s going to need as much of a sample as possible

I kind of look at a Patrick Patterson as the kind of hi post 4 who can switch off. Curius what his wingspan is, and how much stronger he can get. Can he be a small ball 5? Especially as teams continue to go smaller in crunch time. That’s a big ? That will determine a lot.

He’s got that wiry strength. Like the skinny skateboard kid who could randomly do 20 pull-ups in gym class

 

[the Q]

He’s got that wiry strength. Like the skinny skateboard kid who could randomly do 20 pull-ups in gym class

Yes, but he’ll need to play some 5 unless he drastically improves that jumper for high reps.

another potential role is udonis Haslem, the early years.

 

[Husky25]

Kevin Garnett didn’t take threes but was absolutely deadly about 5 ft in from the arch. In no way comparing IW to KG but 3s isn’t the end all be all of good shooting

Garnett played in the 90s-early teens, when the midrange jumper was valued on offense. Whaley has to be consistent from 23+ feet, be able to penetrate effectively, or both.

 

[Waquoit]

I like the kid but no way. Anyone want to bet me?

Do you pay?

 

[XLCenterFan]

Do you pay?

I’m a gambler, so absolutely. We can settle up on Venmo/PayPal. DM me if you’re interested and we can settle on terms/amount. Doesn’t have to be large. I’d actually prefer a smallish bet since I can’t be certain you’ll pay. I have a rule - I don’t gamble with non-gamblers - they usually either don’t pay, or get all salty about it. Let me know.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Kevin Garnett didn’t take threes but was absolutely deadly about 5 ft in from the arch. In no way comparing IW to KG but 3s isn’t the end all be all of good shooting

Mid range jump shots are considered awful shots in today's NBA

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I like the kid but no way. Anyone want to bet me?

Bet you what?

 

[XLCenterFan]

Bet you what?

Should've been more specific. I don't think Whaley (as much as I love him here) is an NBA product. I'd bet on that.

 

[Chief00]

I love everyone’s enthusiasm on this Whaley thread and the top 10 ranking thread the other day. I just think our wonderful fans are getting a little ahead of themselves. I know Chief is usually the ultimate optimist but we need to play some more good teams to see where we stand. Sure, reach for and dream for the stars, but please let’s not have a meltdown, if we have some bumps in the road.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Should've been more specific. I don't think Whaley (as much as I love him here) is an NBA product. I'd bet on that.

Sort of like taking the field at Tournament time. What are the odds? That's obviously not a straight up bet. A guy like Whaley is a long shot that's going to have to grind it out for years to make that happen.

 

[RichZ]

There are some things we have NEVER seen him do until now which leads me to believe the ceiling is higher than originally thought. He will determine his own destiny. IMO it’s too early to tell but with Hurley allowing his players to play with flexibility it opens up more future possibilities for the young man. I hope he continues to show off in game...

Evidently, three points is now the going price for disrespecting Whaley on the perimeter. The passing feint caused Cain to stop heading toward Whaley and commit toward Badams. But Garcia held the double on Josh for a beat instead of closing on Whaley, and he just decided to make them pay for the lack of respect.

 

[XLCenterFan]

Sort of like taking the field at Tournament time. What are the odds? That's obviously not a straight up bet. A guy like Whaley is a long shot that's going to have to grind it out for years to make that happen.

Very similar to taking the field, yes. It could be a straight up bet. He has the time to improve his stock, and depending upon how much either side of the bet likes their position, even money could be negotiated. If I were to make that bet right now I'd probably lay about -200 (so I'd risk twice what the other side was wagering). Or in other terms, I'd give someone 2-1. I'm more confident in him not playing in the NBA than in him playing in the NBA, but I also know it's possible. It's definitely NOT impossible - there is a chance. Which is why I would be hesitant to lay more than -200 this far out. Perhaps the bet could be placed closer to the end of his time at UConn. Also, terms would have to be negotiated. He may not get drafted but could try out and make a team. He could get drafted and never play in league. He could go to the D League and then move up, or bounce back and forth. He could play overseas and then move to the NBA after a few years. There's always details in bets like that that have to ironed out. This makes it hard for strangers to place bets like these - they are usually fun bets with friends. Perhaps this is an opportunity to design an app where strangers could negotiate a wager, place their money into the account, and it gets released to the winner upon settlement.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Very similar to taking the field, yes. It could be a straight up bet. He has the time to improve his stock, and depending upon how much either side of the bet likes their position, even money could be negotiated. If I were to make that bet right now I'd probably lay about -200 (so I'd risk twice what the other side was wagering). Or in other terms, I'd give someone 2-1. I'm more confident in him not playing in the NBA than in him playing in the NBA, but I also know it's possible. It's definitely NOT impossible - there is a chance. Which is why I would be hesitant to lay more than -200 this far out. Perhaps the bet could be placed closer to the end of his time at UConn. Also, terms would have to be negotiated. He may not get drafted but could try out and make a team. He could get drafted and never play in league. He could go to the D League and then move up, or bounce back and forth. He could play overseas and then move to the NBA after a few years. There's always details in bets like that that have to ironed out. This makes it hard for strangers to place bets like these - they are usually fun bets with friends. Perhaps this is an opportunity to design an app where strangers could negotiate a wager, place their money into the account, and it gets released to the winner upon settlement.

Yeah I think there's virtually zero chance that he's drafted, although weird things happen late in the second round. I think it's much more likely that he goes the G League route and gets a shot due to injury, roster need, a team evaluating what they have when they're out of the playoffs, etc.

But whereas it seemed inconceivable when he was a freshman, it would not shock me to see him check into an NBA game at least once some time in the future.