How good will Eric Bledsoe be?

[Shade8780]

There's not much comparisons I've heard of this kid except..... Mini-LeBron :lol :facepalm

[andremiller07]

Best case something like Jeff Teague is now?

[Shade8780]

Best case something like Jeff Teague is now?
If Bledsoe was starting, he'd be better than Teague is already.

[roffie]

If Bledsoe was starting, he'd be better than Teague is already.

jeff teague's not a bad comparison.. and that's a insult to teague he's been balling this month and his IQ > bledsoe's too

[Shade8780]

jeff teague's not a bad comparison.. and that's a insult to teague he's been balling this month and his IQ > bledsoe's too
Oh, sorry. Just saw his stats there. Don't watch the Hawks much :P What's his PER actually for February??

[Done_And_Done]

It's really difficult to say as it's a whole separate ball game when you're the front man on a nightly basis. Based on what we've seen so far out of him I'm under the impression that he'll fit the role of a starter just fine. Not so sure he'll be worth the impending contract he gets signed for though.

[Whoah10115]

He needs to play alongside a high IQ player in the backcourt, who can handle the ball a bit. James Harden is perfect. If Westbrook wasn't stupid, he'd work as a SG next to Bledsoe...tho neither is a great shooter.


He works well with Crawford, tho Crawford is not a particularly a high IQ guy (not a low IQ guy either).

[qrich]

Think he'll end up being one of the premier defensive point guards in the association, but unless he plays next to a two guard that can handle the rock for the majority of the time or a tall point guard (Marko Jaric/Shaun Livingston type), his best role is coming off the bench ala Bobby Jackson.

[DG#8]

I would ask to CF86.

Trust him.

[Tking714]

He needs to play alongside a high IQ player in the backcourt, who can handle the ball a bit. James Harden is perfect. If Westbrook wasn't stupid, he'd work as a SG next to Bledsoe...tho neither is a great shooter.


He works well with Crawford, tho Crawford is not a particularly a high IQ guy (not a low IQ guy either).

I can't see that combination being any better than an Ellis&Jennings combo. Ellis and Jennings can at least shoot though

[supe12sta12z]

Unless he learns how to run the pick and roll, I don't think his ceiling is that high. He'll make a living off of his athleticism, hustle, and defense. His ceiling is a #2 option. He needs to go to a team that doesn't rely on him to create for others night in and night out and allow him to maximize his strengths.

[PrettyCool]

rich mans Kyrie Irving.

[brwnman]

I haven't seen much to suggest that he's anything better than a good 2nd unit guy or a low-end starter. Yes he fills up the stat sheet every once in a while but he's far too inconsistent. Without a jumpshot and below average vision and playmaking ability, not sure he can survive as a starter. His value is on the defensive end and getting buckets off broken plays and hustle...

[Cherry Picker]

17/5/5/2/2 on 47/34/79

[supe12sta12z]

I haven't seen much to suggest that he's anything better than a good 2nd unit guy or a low-end starter. Yes he fills up the stat sheet every once in a while but he's far too inconsistent. Without a jumpshot and below average vision and playmaking ability, not sure he can survive as a starter. His value is on the defensive end and getting buckets off broken plays and hustle...

Consistency is very hard without consistent playing time. His inconsistencies are normal and is pretty much expected at this stage of his career.

[ThickassGlasses]

I haven't seen much to suggest that he's anything better than a good 2nd unit guy or a low-end starter. Yes he fills up the stat sheet every once in a while but he's far too inconsistent. Without a jumpshot and below average vision and playmaking ability, not sure he can survive as a starter. His value is on the defensive end and getting buckets off broken plays and hustle...

He hit a pretty good stride his last 5 games starting when CP3 was out earlier this year.

He needs to play on a team with Point Forward or a SG that handles the ball, he would be an excellent starter on a team who's best player took the ball out of his hands more often than not.

[Whoah10115]

I can't see that combination being any better than an Ellis&Jennings combo. Ellis and Jennings can at least shoot though



Westbrook is much better than either of those guys, so I disagree there. And Bledsoe plays like he's a lot more willing to disregard personal glory. He's a team player.

[Clippersfan86]

Agree with Woah that if he's with a ball dominant SG who handles the ball like a Crawford, Kobe, Harden he will thrive more. As for player comparison the only thing I can think of is Kyle Lowry. Less scoring/passing ability but better defense and rebounding.

[chazzy]

He's great at the things I don't necessarily need from my PG and not great at what I would want. He's not ideal off of a ball dominant guard because of his lack of jumper

[brandonislegend]

He is a small Tony Allen.

[Clippersfan86]

He's great at the things I don't necessarily need from my PG and not great at what I would want. He's not ideal off of a ball dominant guard because of his lack of jumper

The reason he's good as the off ball guard isn't because he's a lights out shooter. It's because it frees him up for cuts to the basket and puts him in a position to crash the glass which he's dominant at for a PG. I don't think you can undermine the value of offensive rebounding even for a PG.

Although he's a terrible midrange shooter he's shooting 43 percent from 3 this year which is rapidly climbing. So the shooting has obviously improved.

[chazzy]

The reason he's good as the off ball guard isn't because he's a lights out shooter. It's because it frees him up for cuts to the basket and puts him in a position to crash the glass which he's dominant at for a PG. I don't think you can undermine the value of offensive rebounding even for a PG.

Although he's a terrible midrange shooter he's shooting 43 percent from 3 this year which is rapidly climbing. So the shooting has obviously improved.
True, but he's barely taking any 3s. And the shooting thing is the reason why Durant would be a better fit alongside Lebron than Wade. Shooting frees up a lot of space for that ball handler and gives him someone to kick it out to when he drives in. It's just much more likely to create a jumper than to get off ball cut opportunities.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Depends solely on the situation he ends up in.

He's not the type of player that can start on every team, he needs to be in a situation where he guards 1's but doesn't actually have to take on any actual point guard duties. Also you better make sure he's playing alongside a guard who can shoot, to make up for his lack of offense.

If this dude was 6"7 I'd take him as my starting 3 all day long.

But he just cant do (yet) what you need your point guard to do if you plan on contending.

He's good to great at slashing, rebounding & defense.. 2/3 things I couldn't care less about at the point guard position

He'd thrive in an 08 rondo type situation.

[Clippersfan86]

Depends solely on the situation he ends up in.

He's not the type of player that can start on every team, he needs to be in a situation where he guards 1's but doesn't actually have to take on any actual point guard duties. Also you better make sure he's playing alongside a guard who can shoot, to make up for his lack of offense.

If this dude was 6"7 I'd take him as my starting 3 all day long.

But he just cant do (yet) what you need your point guard to do if you plan on contending.

He's good to great at slashing, rebounding & defense.. 2/3 things I couldn't care less about at the point guard position

He'd thrive in an 08 rondo type situation.


Good post. I agree with 90 percent of it personally. I do think things like rebounding, scoring at the rim (see Tony Parker for the value of this) and defense are very useful at any position. Once refs start actually respecting him he will have 3-4 more ppg just off free throws alone because dude gets hacked every time and almost never gets a foul call.

I'm sure you've watched him and seen his knack for getting clutch offensive rebounds when we badly need him to. Those types of things I agree are less important as a PG but they still help tremendously. His blocked shots, steals+dunks and offensive rebounds really swing momentum all the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ePRYBNaS4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rOPZl3lrYQ

No PG in the game is a better ball thief, shot blocker, rebounder (combination of these). This kid gets tip jams regularly as a 6'0 PG. Bledsoe ranks 2nd in the NBA by a tiny margin to teammate CP3 in steals rate, 1st in blocked shot rate, 2nd in rebounding rate among PG'. His offensive aspects like passing/turnovers/shooting are coming along slowly but surely.

[Clippersfan86]

Recent game against the Magic.

27 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals, 3 blocks, 3 assists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nexy123X3MA



Here's his Wizards game where he had some great passes. 17 points, 9 assists, 2 blocks. He did almost all of this damage in the first 3 quarters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M3wdEFQmOc


Just some footage for people that haven't really gotten to watch him.

[Sheed]

I'd say a more athletic version of Mike Conley Jr. A solid (not elite) floor general and a great defender who excels at forcing turnovers. But at the same time a better scorer and rebounder. It really depends on where he ends up after LAC.

[brandonislegend]

I'd say a more athletic version of Mike Conley Jr. A solid (not elite) floor general and a great defender who excels at forcing turnovers. But at the same time a better scorer and rebounder. It really depends on where he ends up after LAC.

Conley is a great shooter now, and he understands how to run a offense, that is not a good comparison other than defense.

He is a small Tony Allen.

[Whoah10115]

Conley is a great shooter now, and he understands how to run a offense, that is not a good comparison other than defense.

He is a small Tony Allen.


Bledsoe can play PG and Allen really can't, despite some of the hype around him when he first came into the league. I don't see the comparison, outside of great defense. They're not even similar in defensive styles.

[Skywalker]

cross between Baron Davis and Dwyane Wade

[brandonislegend]

Bledsoe can play PG and Allen really can't, despite some of the hype around him when he first came into the league. I don't see the comparison, outside of great defense. They're not even similar in defensive styles.

Bledsoe plays PG because he is small and it's the only position that he can play because of his size, he has a lower IQ than Westbrook which is why everyone is saying playing next to a playmaker like James Harden would help because Bledsoe is as smart as a brick...Him and Tony Allen excel at cutting to the basket, offensive rebounds and garbage points, they are both excellent defenders and are ballhawks. Both have questionable jumpers. If you don't see a comparison you should watch some basketball.

[notatop29pg]

Recent game against the Magic.

27 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals, 3 blocks, 3 assists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nexy123X3MA



Here's his Wizards game where he had some great passes. 17 points, 9 assists, 2 blocks. He did almost all of this damage in the first 3 quarters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M3wdEFQmOc


Just some footage for people that haven't really gotten to watch him.

You should include both aspects of what he does if people are to get a good idea of him. From the above links someone who hasn't watched him will be wondering why he wasn't traded for LeBron and two 1st rounders :)

Needs more passes at players feet/ 4 feet over their heads and drives down the lane where he takes out the base of the basket :)

I think he'll start somewhere next season and will mix outrageous stat lines with borderline retarded plays & 8 + turnover games.

Slightly richer mans Kyle Lowry

[Clippersfan86]

You should include both aspects of what he does if people are to get a good idea of him. From the above links someone who hasn't watched him will be wondering why he wasn't traded for LeBron and two 1st rounders :)

Needs more passes at players feet/ 4 feet over their heads and drives down the lane where he takes out the base of the basket :)

I think he'll start somewhere next season and will mix outrageous stat lines with borderline retarded plays & 8 + turnover games.

Slightly richer mans Kyle Lowry

Haha thing is people aren't going to put up bad highlights on Youtube really so I can't. :cheers: . I agree on the mix of outrageous stat lines with retarded plays. Some times he makes mistakes that baffle me. Like tunnel vision pretty much. One time he ran a 3 on 1 fastbreak and somehow missed Caron Butler WIDE OPEN yelling for the ball multiple times and instead drove into the defender and turned it over.

I think with age and experience those things will continue to improve. His turnover rate is down about 25 percent this year which is a big improvement.

[Sheed]

Conley is a great shooter now, and he understands how to run a offense, that is not a good comparison other than defense.

He is a small Tony Allen.
You're right. Conley is a better shooter and he knows how to run an offense, two skills that I believe Bledsoe can and will improve on as he develops. It's not the best comparison (considering their different roles) but when I think of other defensive point guards, Conley comes to mind.

And I certainly don't think Tony Allen is a great comparison; Bledsoe has already proven that he has the potential to be a much better contributor on offense. But I can definitely see the similarities.

[Clippersfan86]

You're right. Conley is a better shooter and he knows how to run an offense, two skills that I believe Bledsoe can and will improve on as he develops. It's not the best comparison but when I think of other defensive point guards, Conley comes to mind.

And I certainly don't think Tony Allen is a great comparison; Bledsoe has already proven that he has the potential to be a much better contributor on offense.

Exactly. Bledsoe has a good amount of games where he has 10-15 points in a quarter off the bench, Allen never scores in bunches like that IMO. Allen also doesn't block shots, rack up steals or crash the boards like Bledsoe. Like Woah said they are different styles of defenders. Bledsoe's shooting, passing and turnovers are already improving and should continue to.

[FindingTim]

I have a hard time rating young, raw point guards. When Rondo was a bit younger, I had no clue he would become the player he is today.
And I certainly didn't foresee Jrue Holliday evolving like he has.

I'd say his floor is a 28 minute per night, super athletic 6th man who swarms the opposing guards and wreaks havoc with blocks and steals, and can finish well in transition.

If his handles, shot, and court-vision develop, I think his ceiling is a poor mans Rajon Rondo/ John Wall hybrid, but with more athleticism and far worse court-vision. argg I don't know, he is a hard guy to find comparisons for.

[Clippersfan86]

I have a hard time rating young, raw point guards. When Rondo was a bit younger, I had no clue he would become the player he is today.
And I certainly didn't foresee Jrue Holliday evolving like he has.

I'd say his floor is a 28 minute per night, super athletic 6th man who swarms the opposing guards and wreaks havoc with blocks and steals, and can finish well in transition.

If his handles, shot, and court-vision develop, I think his ceiling is a poor mans Rajon Rondo/ John Wall hybrid, but with more athleticism and far worse court-vision. argg I don't know, he is a hard guy to find comparisons for.

One of the most unique players in NBA history. Has the skillset of a forward but trapped in the body of a PG. Like you said nobody is a comparison really in terms of physical tools+skillset. To get to comparisons we have to say things like "Rondo without court vision" which would not be Rondo since that's his best attribute.

[Shade8780]

I haven't seen much to suggest that he's anything better than a good 2nd unit guy or a low-end starter. Yes he fills up the stat sheet every once in a while but he's far too inconsistent. Without a jumpshot and below average vision and playmaking ability, not sure he can survive as a starter. His value is on the defensive end and getting buckets off broken plays and hustle...
Bump.

He's averaging 20 and 8 with 2 steals. That's all I'll say.

[PejaNowitzki]

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view5/4882202/eric-bledsoe-game-winner-o.gif


http://www.arizonasports.com/emedia/apimage/33a8e998-609c-497a-bb1a-47a4478a260c.jpg

[no pun intended]

I would ask to CF86.

Trust him.
http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?843416-Has-Eric-Bledsoe-Looked-Like-A-Starter-To-You

lmaoooo

[Haymaker]

Think he'll end up being one of the premier defensive point guards in the association, but unless he plays next to a two guard that can handle the rock for the majority of the time or a tall point guard (Marko Jaric/Shaun Livingston type), his best role is coming off the bench ala Bobby Jackson.

He would be the perfect pg to pair with Harden.