The versatile point-forward looks to slow opponents’ success at the next level.
UCLA point-forward is what you would call a head-scratcher. Depending on what you like in a basketball player you will either love Slo-Mo or hate him. If you like your basketball players fast, athletic, and physically imposing chances are you will pass on the molasses fast, rail-thin sophomore. If you like your players polished, multi-skilled, and cerebral you will likely fall in love with the kid’s old school game. Regardless, what everybody can’t deny is that Anderson is a basketball player. I hate using that cliché but to borrow another one “If the glove fits…”
Anderson is what you would call an unorthodox player, making him an unnerving player to play against. Anderson has game plan disrupting ability thanks to his equanimity, knowledge of limitations, length (including long, difficult to time strides), and above-average combination of ball-handling, shooting, and passing skills. Defenders usually know how to handle poor athletes and run-and-jump athletes but an unusual blend of the two is where players like Manu Ginobili have made storied careers. Point-forwards are cut from the same cloth by nature, making the Anderson-Magic Johnson comparisons less blasphemous than they appear in first breath. Simply put, Slo-Mo’s wide array of skills for his size make him a dynamic player.
This terrific length and great handles for his 6’9″ frame set the pace well for UCLA as their primary ball-handler. Possessing excellent court vision, Anderson is adept at using deceptive crossovers and long steps to penetrate defenses and end with a clever pass to an open man or a pull-up mid-range jumper. Despite the Slo-Mo moniker, he’s able to create a decent percentage shot from all over by cleverly creating separation and using his length. His shooting mechanics are solid, relying on more of a set shot and his percentages are greatly improved from his freshman year (FG%: 42% to 48%; 3PT%: 21% to 48%), quelling one of his biggest knocks. He fills the stat sheet in the usual areas as well, averaging nearly nine rebounds, six and a half assists, nearly two steals and roughly a block a game in his second year on a talented Bruins team. Slo-Mo is an above-average team defender, relying on his length and ability to read angles.
The main question marks revolve around his lack of foot speed. Listed at a generous 230 lbs he could be a defensive liability on the inside at either forward positions. His lack of a natural NBA position on defense could make him a gamble some GMs are not willing to take depending on their roster. Anderson also has a tendency to over rely on his ball-handling and become too ball dominant, hurting ball movement and turning the ball over by having his dribble too high.
Draft wise Slo-Mo is a real wild card. He could go early after the first tier of “can’t miss” guys are mostly gone if GMs deem him a versatile fit for their roster. Or he could fall mid-first round if GMs are wary about his physical ability to translate his skills at the NBA level. Either way he should be a first round selection and a welcome addition to their team for most fans.
NBA Comparison: This is a pickle. Post-injury Shaun Livingston, no lift Lamar Odom, more PG-oriented Boris Diaw, maybe a ceiling of Steve Smith?
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