Are we doing the minutes contest yet? This is my best estimation as of today, based on
footage of the scrimmages on YouTube. This is a guess based on what I think the best version of this team would be, not who starts or comes off the bench at the beginning of the season.
Starters
PG: Jeremy Roach (33 mins)
SG: Trevor Keels (27 mins)
SF: AJ Griffin (24 mins)
PF: Paolo Banchero (32 mins)
C: Mark Williams (24 mins)
6: Wendell Moore (22 mins)
7: Joey Baker (20 mins)
8: Theo John (14 mins)
9: Jaylen Blakes (2 mins)
everyone else combined: 2 min
I think people are going to be amazed at how good Paolo Banchero is. He's essentially a 6'9" guard, capable of handling the rock at the top of the key and creating shots for himself and others. He actually runs pick and roll a few times with Mark Wiliams, and that is freakin awesome. I think he's a NPOY candidate, and easily the best player on this team.
After him, I honestly think the second most impressive player from these scrimmages is either Joey Baker or Trevor Keels. I'll believe it when I see it in real games with Baker . . . he does look very impressive in these scrimmages, though.
Keels has an NBA body already and can just bully other guards on the drive, where he's able to hit some tough off balance shots in the mid range after creating space with his brute strength. I love his game and I think he can be a really solid 2-way guy.
Wendell Moore just looks the same as he's always looked, which is to say up and down (mostly down). AJ Griffin was largely absent from any major highlights. It seems like he was just a little passive in this particular practice, but he's unquestionably an ultra-talented player.
I'm pretty excited about this team. We have very a strong squad this year.