I’d say his defense was always the elite-level strength of his game. Not really sure that anyone would say it was a concern entering the draft. He was one of the best defenders in college basketball.
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Franz was a bit shifty in his drive but he showed more wiggle in his moves. He’s much more aggressive than he was at Michigan, but I have to wonder if it’s because of the spacing in the NBA where there’s less congestion in the paint that allowed him to be more aggressive. Franz’s game has translated well into the NBA but showed higher level of shot creation than he has shown at Michigan. He flashed but was never a featured ball handler that he is at Orlando.
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The spacing definitely helps. I’m sure the low stakes (Orlando isn’t winning anything) and incentive to feature him as a young talent helps accelerate his development too.
I also think Franz’ growth as a playmaker last year was a little underrated. He was quite clearly Michigan’s No. 2 ball screen option and was really good in those spots. That’s rare to see for a 6-9 guy.
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I read/watched vids with concerns expressed about him being stiff in the hips and maybe that part of his game wouldn’t fully transfer over to the NBA. Maybe would project as not fast enough to be more than adequate at checking 3s or strong enough to truly thrive check 4s. I don’t think any of it rose to the level of expecting him to be actually a bad defender overall.
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Not sure if it’s just the jersey, but he looks a lot stronger too.
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If he can keep his 3 pt shooting consistent where he can shoot 36-40% every night, he’s going to be tough to handle for most players. He’s still a streaky shooter, but he’s shooting better than expected.
From what I can tell and have absorbed via podcast and reading, Franz is considered a “solid” defender as a rookie. He doesn’t make many plays (steals, blocks), but generally holds his own against the opposition’s best option without getting completely punked in the process.
I would also note that the Magic REALLY don’t have any spacing that is freeing him - he’s generally on the floor with 2 centers (Carter, Bamba), Cole Anthony, then either Jalen Suggs or Gary Harris.
Suggs basically hasn’t made a shot all year, Carter and Bamba “shoot well for centers” but are generally poor shooters, and Gary Harris has been under 35% for three years now. Anthony is the only plus shooter on the floor with him generally (and, on the roster) - shooting 36% on a super rough diet of off-the-dribble Steph Curry range shots.
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Relative, sure but there is significantly more spacing in the NBA in general. It is a different game than college hoops.
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Fair point - maybe better to say “bad spacing for the NBA”. That being said, I’d bet that last year’s Michigan team shot the 3 better than this Magic team does (and had pretty good spacing?).
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Yea he’s getting all these featured on-ball opportunities with Fultz and Isaac out for the year, Suggs out for weeks now, and Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton in and out of the lineup, on a team with nothing to lose. He’s certainly leaped Hampton now in the on-ball opportunity pecking order and his recent scoring outbursts have him right there with Cole, Suggs, and Fultz. Franz still does his fair share of traditional 3-and-D wing stuff when Cole and Suggs play. But how good he’s been on the ball is just undeniable and it’s amazing to see his pick and roll and finishing craft on display.
It’s been a pretty great personal situation for his development thus far. I think the Magic are ripe for a consolidation trade at some point with the amount of young bodies they have at the 1/2 (Suggs, Cole, RJ Hampton, Fultz) and the 3/4 (Franz, Chuma Okeke, Isaac, Wendell Carter)
Good spacing generally yes but defense can’t park in the paint in the NBA like they do in the NCAA level. Defensive 3 seconds plus 3 pt line makes it easier for players to get into the paint. I know a couple of NBA players who have told me that it’s easier to get into the paint because of the NBA 3 pt line and rules.
Yeah, I think the comparative distance of the line matters., that’s a good point.
“athletic limitations” ? defensive concerns? I’d suggest those wereand are strengths
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I think this is the most important difference. One reason that you see the push for super athletic players in the draft, but also the reason really smart players make it in the league too.
I really believe what we are seeing at the NBA is just the continued growth as a ball screen playmaker that started last year. He also gets a lot of people in the air on shot fakes (again, shooting like he did in big ten play makes this possible) and has always been a great finisher with his length.
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Yeah I think we tend to think of “finishing” as big dunks, but Franz definitely was effective doing Inspector-Gadget-Arms from 4-5 feet out and just laying it over guys.
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Agree Franz was a good finisher in college. Perhaps should be quantified by suggesting he was somewhat awkward and loose with the ball as a Frosh. He would show tantalizing driving skill but fail to finish the play because of a mishandled turnover or fumbleitis.
He was much more tight with the ball as a SOPH and continues to be as a pro. His growth is exponential.
Chaundee is drawing the Zach Lavine assignment for the second straight night. He does have 5 points early…
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Duncan in one corner shooting 3s and Stauskas in the other!
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Step back and under control.
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