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Didn't make the cut

“Not getting an invite to the combine — at least initially — is tough. But I feel like I’ve made a lot of improvements to my game and I’m looking forward to showing some people that.”

The real fun begins later this week for Happ, who has workouts scheduled with two NBA teams. He’ll visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Happ said his training in Chicago is focused on three main components based on preliminary feedback he’s received from NBA personnel.

The first two are physical: becoming more explosive around the rim and better able to get up and down the floor quickly.

These guys didn't make the cut either

"Rocket Fuel malt liquor. Damn!"

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El-Ka-Bong posted:

Didn't make the cut

The first two are physical: becoming more explosive around the rim and better able to get up and down the floor quickly.

 

 

I think this is fair. He is going to really struggle with a below the rim game in the NBA- and shooting is a premium in today’s game. If you’re not able to shoot you better play above the rim. 

But he does have tremendous hands and feet. 

Music City posted:

I hope he has a Frank-like coming out party...

That would be ideal, but Frank is a 35% 3 point shooter in the NBA for his career and has made 288 NBA 3 pointers in his career. He's also a 77% FT shooter.

Happ is 1-11 at the college 3 point range and is a 56% FT shooter.

The elite NBA teams force guys like big guys like Happ (Kevon Looney, Ryan Anderson, John Henson, Pachulia, Kevin Love, etc.) to guard 1X1 against guys on the perimeter in isolations. If Happ could at least offer some resistance in those situations (like Tristan Thompson, Draymond Green, Al Horford) he has a chance to be a bench guy. If not, he has no chance. Guys like Love and Ryan Anderson are elite 3 point shooters who can be successfully against lesser teams because their scoring ability offsets their defensive liabilities.

I love Happ and his energy.  He's got moves for the NBA....but....he MUST become a lot better at 3-point range and mid-range....and of course, free throws.   Agree.  Otherwise no chance at the NBA.

I agree- he’s not a shooter. For that reason, I do not believe he has an NBA skill set. But he’s a good basketball player and he’ll play professionally. 

What he really needs to do is dump his shooting form and completely rebuild it. He could do that and in a few years actually have a viable stroke. By the time he’s 27-28 and in his physical prime, he could come back to the NBA and make a go of it. He’d need to do the reconstruction while playing professionally in Europe. Hire Dirk’s “shot doctor”. 

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