The Haters Are Being Silly; Shabazz Muhammad Reminds Some Of A NBA All-Star

If there was any freshman in college basketball this season that fully exemplified the notion of a “roller coaster ride season,” it was Shabazz Muhammad. From issues surrounding his age, to NCAA eligibility problems, to even a first-round exit from the NCAA tournament, coupled with some disappointing play during his first season, Muhammad dealt with a lot this year.

Although the aforementioned is true, Muhammad still has plenty to bring to the table offensively for any NBA franchise at the small forward position, a place where his skills should truly shine. The 6-6, 223-pound 20-year-old from Las Vegas boasts a 6-11 wingspan that will keep many defenders at bay. To add to the equation, his physical tools, combined with quickness and explosiveness and a consistent jumper from anywhere on the floor, make him dangerous to opposing defenses.

One of the main problems plaguing the former UCLA Golden Bear won’t be that he may be an inch or two shorter than an ideal NBA swingman. It’s his off-court issues combined with him only being a solid athlete rather than a great one. Muhammad is also a player that relies more on instincts than actual skill, which could prove problematic in the future.

Regardless, Muhammad should be able to shine no matter what team drafts him on June 27.

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NBA Draft Comparison: James Harden
In no way, shape or form is Muhammad close to the current version of James Harden, let’s make that clear first and foremost. However, looking at the pre-draft measurements of Harden, his play style and height, weight and wingspan, Muhammad’s form will continue to mirror the former Arizona State Sun Devil.

Looking at the basics, both Muhammad and Harden stand at 6-4 without shoes on. When on an NBA hardwood, their heights still are pretty close, Harden standing at 6-5.25 and Muhammad at 6-6.25. Their wingspans, a big part of their game defensively, are both listed at 6-11, and both weight 223 pounds (not to mention the two are southpaws). Without adding any stats, shooting mechanics or other on-court skills, or All-Star appearances, Harden and Muhammad are identical.

Now looking at the entire package of each player, it’s obvious that Harden is still the stronger candidate and may always be unless Muhammad becomes sounder defensively and a better playmaker. But offensively, they may be closer than many people would agree.

This season, Harden only shot 36.8 percent from deep and is usually praised as a three-point specialist, whereas Muhammad shot 37.7 percent from the arc on only three attempts per contest, playing nearly eight less minutes per game. Of course, the collegiate-to-NBA comparison is a deal breaker here but the potential for Muhammad to be as offensively gifted as Harden is definitely plausible. Muhammad also shot a better percentage from the field (44.3 percent) while Harden turned the ball over almost double what Muhammad did (3.8 to 1.6 TOs respectively).

Both Muhammad and Harden are scorers but in different ways, and both draw contact around the rim. Harden gets to the rim and draws contact, uses a range of Euro hop, and step back variations to create separation from the defense. Muhammad has more of a midrange game, using turnaround jumpers from the low post, floaters and pull-up jumpers. Although they score differently, both have a knack for getting into the lane and attempting to finish, score and produce at a very high level.

Even though Harden is more sound defensively, Muhammad has all the tools offensively to mirror the way Harden plays. From the way they both set their feet when curling off a screen… to their release, their offense is almost identical, yet Muhammad still has a ways to go before he’s an All-Star.

Grades:

ATHLETICISM: 8
While Muhammad has elite speed, quickness and leaping ability, he fails to finish around the rim when he gets the opportunity and usually gets his shot or dunk attempts blocked whether underneath the cup or on a straight-line drive. But when he does finish, he finishes strong around the rim with emphatic slams in transition and high-angled tomahawk dunks. He just doesn’t have elite swingman athleticism.

SKILL: 9
Muhammad has a great offensive package for a wing scorer. Possessing a deadly three-point shot, a quick trigger, solid range of midrange shots in his arsenal, and experience on the low block, Muhammad can keep any defense off guard.

NBA READINESS: 8
Muhammad is ready for the NBA in terms of his body and scoring ability. He has the perfect body for a NBA swingman at 6-6 and 223 pounds. That being said, he’s tumultuous defensively and that limits him for truly being ready to take on players with offensive arsenals like Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Rudy Gay. His defense leaves him so hung out to dry that even on a switch on rotation he may be at a disadvantage against some guards in the NBA. His length and quickness will help compensate for this problem.

UPSIDE: 9
Even though he has defensive woes and problems using his right hand on dribble drives, Muhammad has a load of potential at the elite level. Not only will he learn his position, but after he receives some proper coaching at the next level for his defense, he may be the biggest threat in the draft from an all-around perspective.

INTANGIBLES: 7
There are so many intangibles on the defensive end of the ball that should alert any NBA general manager. The difference though is that Muhammad can easily disperse some of these problems defensively if he just sets the right attitude. If he can’t get into that mindset, he’ll have a shorter NBA career.

Keep reading to see a list of all of Muhammad’s strengths and weaknesses…

Strengths
– Great motor, easily capable of playing a high range of minutes
– Tremendous offensive rebounder at the wing position, grabbing more offensive boards (2.7) than defensively (2.5) this season
– Excellent at catch-and-shoot opportunities, making 40 percent of these chances at UCLA
– Aggressive scorer, finds his way to the free throw line almost seven times per game
– Quick trigger southpaw release, coming off of curls, flares, or pin downs around the floor, resulting in high-percentage looks around the arc
– Good range from deep, shows he can hit a NBA three-pointer
– Great wingspan at 6-11 for a 6-6 wing player; creates a good build and uses strength in post-up situations and to finish and-1 opportunities while creating contact
– Excellent midrange arsenal composed of low-post spins, turnaround jumpers, a floater that was difficult at times to stop and pull-up jumpers
– Shows a strong will to improve his skills off the court; high NBA upside and potential
– Has the potential to be one of the most clutch players to come out of college in the last few years; his killer instinct to score the ball is one of his biggest strengths
– Terrific leaking out in transition to find a large amount of his scoring opportunities

Weaknesses
– Has trouble creating his shot off the dribble, mostly drives left and if he does begin his crossover right, it results in a spin move back to his dominant side
– Not strong shooting the ball off the dribble; percentages plummet when doing so
– Settles for his midrange floater too much when being contested or stopped on the dribble, usually resulting in poor shot selection and a transition bucket on the other end.
– Defensive awareness and skills are usually tested; never fully low in his stance and is usually upright, resulting in the offense blowing by him on many opportunities
– Looks to display his own offense more than helping the team thrive at times
– Doesn’t create for his teammates; dished 26 assists in 30 games this season at UCLA
– Since he drives to the basket and draws a large deal of contact, he may become injury prone at the NBA level; also piled up a number of injuries during his time at UCLA
– Poor defensive footwork, ballhandling and lateral quickness at times
– Doesn’t get engaged as defensively as he should; often shows poor body language on the court
– Red flags surround his age; overbearing father who would bring problems with the media; didn’t celebrate during teammate’s game-winning buzzer-beater; may translate to him not having the ball in his hands enough at the NBA level in which case he could really be a problem if not utilized correctly.

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Draft Projection: First-Round Pick, ranging from No. 8 to Detroit Pistons to No. 17 to Atlanta Hawks
Despite his amazing ability on the offensive side of the ball, his defensive problems — combined with poor draft workouts and some off-the-court red flags — have really decreased Muhammad’s draft stock. Originally thought of as a top-three pick in a weaker draft class, now he may have a chance of falling out of the lottery if he’s not careful. All things aside, Muhammad still has the potential to be one of the best pure scorers in the 2013 Draft class. His quick trigger, shooting arsenal from midrange, strength, quickness and athleticism all will make him a deadly asset to any team that can properly utilize his skills.

Hit page 3 to check out some of his greatest highlights…

5. Shabazz Muhammad All-Around