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2018 NBA Mock Draft: March is finally here

By Brendon Kleen

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Breslin Center on January 26, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Breslin Center on January 26, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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player. 125. . G/F. Arizona. Rawle Alkins. 25

Watching Alkins against Oregon over the weekend, I thought a few things to myself:

  • His shot is very worrisome, with an inconsistent motion and trajectory. It hits different parts of the rim and backboard each time it goes up.
  • Without Allonzo Trier in the lineup, Alkins’ inability to handle the ball or initiate the offense was pronounced.
  • Oh! Maybe he could be like a Tony Allen-type guy.

That last observation was intended in my brain to be a compliment, but as soon as it entered my consciousness I realized that it is in fact not a compliment at all. Tony Allen is an interesting player in this league’s history because he existed almost in disagreement with the direction of the NBA. Allen was effective in spite of what logic spoke, providing value mostly only on defense and choking the Grizzlies’ offense so much he could barely play at the end of certain games.

Alkins cannot be that player and be effective in the league. He will likely not be as impactful a defender as Allen, who is one of the best wing defenders in NBA history. And if he doesn’t get to that point, the matchups in which he is unplayable are more numerous.

Despite a 8-of-16 showing by the end of Saturday’s loss to the Ducks, Alkins is shooting 37 percent from the field over his last six games. March will be a big test for him, especially if Trier can’t go.