Miami Heat RTD: Early NBA Draft Wish List
By Wes Goldberg
Dec 10, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) drives on Georgetown Hoyas guard Jabril Trawick (55) during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Kelly Oubre Is A Natural Fit
By Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg)
Kelly Oubre has all of the tools you want from an NBA wing player. He’s a physically gifted freshman with the size and skills to be a two-way player. For Heat fans looking for the next Kawhi Leonard, this is likely as close as you’ll get.
Just check out their measurables and stats from their final collegiate seasons.
Leonard: 6-7 (7-3 wingspan), 44% FG, 28% 3FG, 76% FT, 15.2 PPG, 10.5 REB, 2.6 AST, 33 MPG, 15 possessions per game.
Oubre: 6-7 (7-2 wingspan) 45% FG, 36% 3FG, 72% FT, 9.3 PPG, 5 REB, 0.8 AST, 21 MPG, 8.5 possessions per game.
I’m not saying he’ll be the next Leonard but, if a team is looking for one (and the Heat may be), Oubre is the closest fit.
For as raw as he is, Oubre has a very polished shooting stroke that is almost identical every time–the mark of a good shooter. He can contribute right away as a shooter as he continues to improve his defensive and ball handling skills.
Then there is the Bill Self problem. Self is a great college coach, but he’s notorious for putting his players in position that doesn’t showcase their NBA skills. Andrew Wiggins wasn’t used to being the man on offense, for example, and faced a learning curve his rookie season.
Luckily for Oubre, he wouldn’t have to be the man if he is drafted by a team like the Heat. It would give him and the coaching staff plenty of time to adapt and develop.
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