Any news on Matthew Hurt?

[G man]

Does anyone have any information on what the young man is thinking?

[DavidBenAkiva]

No news as far as I can tell.

I believe he has until the end of May to make a decision regarding the NBA. There's no rush and he just got out of quarantine. I assume he is trying to get feedback from NBA people on a couple of things, including where he can get drafted, if he can get on a roster next season, and if he will have to go through the G-League (even if he is drafted in the 1st or 2nd round). He has clearly showed that he can make shots all over the court. It's the defensive side of things that remain a work in progress. The question is, is Duke the best place for him to do that? I've been assuming he is going pro. Perhaps he is hearing that he'll have a better chance at sticking in the NBA with another year in college. Maybe he is hearing that he needs to show that he can play the 3 to have a shot. That would be really interesting to see if he can. The longer he waits, though, the more I wonder about a transfer. The roster at Duke next year doesn't look like it would fit Hurt.

[Bob Green]

He has clearly showed that he can make shots all over the court.

I am not convinced Hurt can make shots all over a NBA court. He clearly needs a couple more years in college to grow stronger but I assume he will not be back.

[DavidBenAkiva]

I am not convinced Hurt can make shots all over a NBA court. He clearly needs a couple more years in college to grow stronger but I assume he will not be back.

I'm curious to hear why you are not convinced he can make shots all over the court. He shot 75% on close 2's, 56.6% on far 2s, and 44.4% from 3-point range. He rarely got blocked and was able to get his shot off with that high release and quick trigger. That and the footwork allowed him to take and make high degree-of-difficulty shots everyone on the court. In the NBA, there will be even more space for him to operate, on and off the ball. His off-ball movement is quite good. I have no doubt he will be able to score the ball at any level of the sport. Now, can a coach trust him to be on the court for extended periods of time? That's the make or break question for him.

[SilkyJ]

I'm curious to hear why you are not convinced he can make shots all over the court. He shot 75% on close 2's, 56.6% on far 2s, and 44.4% from 3-point range. He rarely got blocked and was able to get his shot off with that high release and quick trigger. That and the footwork allowed him to take and make high degree-of-difficulty shots everyone on the court. In the NBA, there will be even more space for him to operate, on and off the ball. His off-ball movement is quite good. I have no doubt he will be able to score the ball at any level of the sport. Now, can a coach trust him to be on the court for extended periods of time? That's the make or break question for him.

My guess is that Bob think's he will struggle in the low post where he will get pushed around and blocked more often than in college.

While I agree with your assessment, DBA, I ultimately agree with Bob (if that's what he's saying about the low-post): Hurt has great natural shooting ability, a release that's tough to block, and some pretty nifty fadeaway moves. But lack of athleticism will make the low-post tougher on him and my guess is he will be largely perimeter oriented in the NBA, hence not "all" over the court.

Very intrigued to see how his career will play out...the NBA has become so perimeter oriented to begin with maybe he can actually make it work for a few years like the Raven. My personal opinion is that lack of footspeed and athleticism puts him in no-mans land for the NBA. Too slow to guard the perimeter, not athletic/big enough for the post in the NBA. Would think he will make lots of money internationally...

[budwom]

^ yeah, guarding people is likely to be an issue...

[revmel53]

^ yeah, guarding people is likely to be an issue...

Initially, I wondered if he would fit in the make up of next year's team, but I believe with other posters that an elite shooter has a place on any team. He does need more time with our coaches before he takes his show on the road to the NBA. And lack of quickness on the defensive side will hurt him at the next level.

[DavidBenAkiva]

My guess is that Bob think's he will struggle in the low post where he will get pushed around and blocked more often than in college.

While I agree with your assessment, DBA, I ultimately agree with Bob (if that's what he's saying about the low-post): Hurt has great natural shooting ability, a release that's tough to block, and some pretty nifty fadeaway moves. But lack of athleticism will make the low-post tougher on him and my guess is he will be largely perimeter oriented in the NBA, hence not "all" over the court.

Very intrigued to see how his career will play out...the NBA has become so perimeter oriented to begin with maybe he can actually make it work for a few years like the Raven. My personal opinion is that lack of footspeed and athleticism puts him in no-mans land for the NBA. Too slow to guard the perimeter, not athletic/big enough for the post in the NBA. Would think he will make lots of money internationally...

It's rare to watch an NBA game and see a team dumping the ball down to the post. There are only a few players that are taking many post entry passes or starting their offense around the rim. I agree that Hurt will largely operate out on the perimeter, but that doesn't preclude him from making an off-ball cut to the rim or taking his man off the dribble for the layup when the opportunity presents itself. I could see a team using him in a pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop action with a dominant ball handler.

[ChillinDuke]

My guess is that Bob think's he will struggle in the low post where he will get pushed around and blocked more often than in college.

While I agree with your assessment, DBA, I ultimately agree with Bob (if that's what he's saying about the low-post): Hurt has great natural shooting ability, a release that's tough to block, and some pretty nifty fadeaway moves. But lack of athleticism will make the low-post tougher on him and my guess is he will be largely perimeter oriented in the NBA, hence not "all" over the court.

Very intrigued to see how his career will play out...the NBA has become so perimeter oriented to begin with maybe he can actually make it work for a few years like the Raven. My personal opinion is that lack of footspeed and athleticism puts him in no-mans land for the NBA. Too slow to guard the perimeter, not athletic/big enough for the post in the NBA. Would think he will make lots of money internationally...

Well said, Silky. I pretty much agree. Hurt was a scoring machine this year. But he had a few go-to moves that, while reasonably high degree of difficulty, aren't as go-to in the NBA. It wasn't like he was super crafty (e.g. Kennard) scoring from all over the court that way or super quick (e.g. Nolan) and scoring from all over the court that way.

He has a jab step move, a mini step back, a Dirk fallaway, he can catch and shoot, and he could bang a bit in the post with a few decent finishes. All of that makes him proficient in college.

In the NBA, I foresee his posts will be neutralized due to size and strength. His jab will be predictable. His step back is not quick enough or big enough to create space. His Dirk may work, but he's materially shorter than Dirk which gives me pause. I have faith in his catch and shoot.

The defense is a whole nother matter. It's a tough transition for Hurt. He has a path but I don't see it as sure-thing-ish as DBA seems to.

- Chillin

[SupaDave]

Well said, Silky. I pretty much agree. Hurt was a scoring machine this year. But he had a few go-to moves that, while reasonably high degree of difficulty, aren't as go-to in the NBA. It wasn't like he was super crafty (e.g. Kennard) scoring from all over the court that way or super quick (e.g. Nolan) and scoring from all over the court that way.

He has a jab step move, a mini step back, a Dirk fallaway, he can catch and shoot, and he could bang a bit in the post with a few decent finishes. All of that makes him proficient in college.

In the NBA, I foresee his posts will be neutralized due to size and strength. His jab will be predictable. His step back is not quick enough or big enough to create space. His Dirk may work, but he's materially shorter than Dirk which gives me pause. I have faith in his catch and shoot.

The defense is a whole nother matter. It's a tough transition for Hurt. He has a path but I don't see it as sure-thing-ish as DBA seems to.

- Chillin

This post reminds me of Luka Doncic's draft weaknesses which made me giggle just a little...

"Weaknesses: He can be considered magrinally average athlete by NBA standards … Not overly long, more of an average actually… His first step is slow even for European standrards … Not a very good leaper of one foot, his good jumps come of two feet … Must continue working on his body … He lost some flexibility while he was bulking up … Can be really emotional at times and lose concentration for a few plays… He can depend too much to his instict at times … If he doesn’t have momentum it’s difficult for him to finish plays at the rim… He must improve in changing speeds and pace … His ball handling still needs some polishing, especially with his left hand … Has problems against aggressive ball pressure from smaller, faster opponents … The lack of explosiveness makes it really difficult for him to create his own shoot against great athletes with good wignspan … Isn’t always able to punish switches when he has a versatile Big against him, especially if there are no shooters around him … He has the tendency to over-dribble, trying to find his way around his defender, icing-out teammates momentarily … It’s a questionmark whether he will be able to create consistently at the next level on ISO situations … Finds it difficult to finish in traffic and against elite length … Finishing against contact might be an issue at the next level … Shooting selecion can become a little iffy occasionally with some off balance shoots and long floaters … Can fall in love with his pull-up game and settle too much against switches … Kind of streaky shooter for now … Incosistent 3-point shooter … Must have feet set to shoot well in Catch and Shoot situations … His off the ball game should still improve a little bit more … The fact that he can see angles that no one else can see leads to some extreme passes and, as a consequence, some turnovers… His assist/turnover ratio could be better … He could be more involved on the offensive boards … Doesn’t always box out and depends on instict and position to grab defensive rebounds … He is not always engaged on defense … He should raise his intensity on the defensive end … Doesn’t keep a low stance all the time when he is guarding a ball handler , which makes it easier for his opponent to blow by him … It’s a questionmark who he could guard at the next level, since he has problems against smaller, quicker opponents, but also against athletic wings … Not always physical enough when he is defending in the post … Has problems reading screens on the defensive end … Has been targetted on defense on Pick and Roll situations that force switches to exploit his defensive limitations … Must be more aggressive on defensive close outs …"

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/luka-doncic/

[miramar]

This post reminds me of Luka Doncic's draft weaknesses which made me giggle just a little...

"Weaknesses: He can be considered magrinally average athlete by NBA standards … Not overly long, more of an average actually… His first step is slow even for European standrards … Not a very good leaper of one foot, his good jumps come of two feet … Must continue working on his body … He lost some flexibility while he was bulking up … Can be really emotional at times and lose concentration for a few plays… He can depend too much to his instict at times … If he doesn’t have momentum it’s difficult for him to finish plays at the rim… He must improve in changing speeds and pace … His ball handling still needs some polishing, especially with his left hand … Has problems against aggressive ball pressure from smaller, faster opponents … The lack of explosiveness makes it really difficult for him to create his own shoot against great athletes with good wignspan … Isn’t always able to punish switches when he has a versatile Big against him, especially if there are no shooters around him … He has the tendency to over-dribble, trying to find his way around his defender, icing-out teammates momentarily … It’s a questionmark whether he will be able to create consistently at the next level on ISO situations … Finds it difficult to finish in traffic and against elite length … Finishing against contact might be an issue at the next level … Shooting selecion can become a little iffy occasionally with some off balance shoots and long floaters … Can fall in love with his pull-up game and settle too much against switches … Kind of streaky shooter for now … Incosistent 3-point shooter … Must have feet set to shoot well in Catch and Shoot situations … His off the ball game should still improve a little bit more … The fact that he can see angles that no one else can see leads to some extreme passes and, as a consequence, some turnovers… His assist/turnover ratio could be better … He could be more involved on the offensive boards … Doesn’t always box out and depends on instict and position to grab defensive rebounds … He is not always engaged on defense … He should raise his intensity on the defensive end … Doesn’t keep a low stance all the time when he is guarding a ball handler , which makes it easier for his opponent to blow by him … It’s a questionmark who he could guard at the next level, since he has problems against smaller, quicker opponents, but also against athletic wings … Not always physical enough when he is defending in the post … Has problems reading screens on the defensive end … Has been targetted on defense on Pick and Roll situations that force switches to exploit his defensive limitations … Must be more aggressive on defensive close outs …"

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/luka-doncic/

No wonder he's done so poorly.

[Bob Green]

I'm curious to hear why you are not convinced he can make shots all over the court.

Hurt will struggle against bigger, stronger NBA defenders.

[jimsumner]

Hurt will struggle against bigger, stronger NBA defenders.

Everybody struggles against bigger, stronger defenders.

[camion]

Everybody struggles against bigger, stronger defenders.

Even Zion will struggle against bigger stronger defenders. Probably in one of the Space Jam movies.

[Duke79UNLV77]

Even Zion will struggle against bigger stronger defenders. Probably in one of the Space Jam movies.

Zion vs. Kong and Godzilla?

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Zion vs. Kong and Godzilla?

Whoa! Careful! No spoilers!

[bullettoothtony]

Everybody struggles against bigger, stronger defenders.

Not necessarily, if the smaller, weaker offensive player has a decided advantage in speed and quickness.

A number of guys that defended Allen Iverson were bigger and stronger. Gilbert Arenas was. And he found Iverson so tough to guard that he's on record as saying he would've rather guarded Kobe than Iverson.

[SupaDave]

Not necessarily, if the smaller, weaker offensive player has a decided advantage in speed and quickness.

A number of guys that defended Allen Iverson were bigger and stronger. Gilbert Arenas was. And he found Iverson so tough to guard that he's on record as saying he would've rather guarded Kobe than Iverson.

I get what you're saying here but you're talking about the most elusive NBA player in the history of the game - who also played with an unparalleled reckless abandon. There are whole reels of AI just getting up off the court. The only way he could compete against the bigger and stronger players was to go all out and play with a little (a lot) of crazy. He sacrificed his body EVERY play.

It's best to think in terms of Steph Curry. He's a whole man now compared to what he looked like coming into the league. He had to get stronger to compete consistently.

[dukelifer]

Not necessarily, if the smaller, weaker offensive player has a decided advantage in speed and quickness.

A number of guys that defended Allen Iverson were bigger and stronger. Gilbert Arenas was. And he found Iverson so tough to guard that he's on record as saying he would've rather guarded Kobe than Iverson.

Pretty sure if Mathew Hurt could develop Iverson’s quickness- he would be also be hard to guard even if he never got any stronger.

[Namtilal]

Pretty sure if Mathew Hurt could develop Iverson’s quickness- he would be also be hard to guard even if he never got any stronger.

Yes, this is true, and also true of my grandmother