The Cleveland Cavaliers may have gotten one of the biggest steals in the NBA Draft.
Emoni Bates drew comparisons to Kevin Durant when he was in high school, and if it wasn’t for his off-court erratic behavior, chances are he would’ve entered the league sooner and in a much better position.
The Cavs took a gamble on him in the second round, and judging by his moves in the gym, it seems like he’s more than ready to make an impact right away.
That’s why multiple fans took to Hoop Central’s clip of Bates knocking down shots in the gym to share their thoughts on the rookie.
https://twitter.com/DaConstrict/status/1694563522565517404
Tell him get his weight up
— ²³?????????????☄️?? (@BronGotGame) August 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/wembanwagon/status/1694563465132720576
Baby Ingram
— Kwazi (@JuiceAk_) August 24, 2023
Ben Simmon highlights 2.0
— ` (@cicbro) August 24, 2023
Chances are that Bates will never be a good defender.
He’s got a subpar wingspan for a small forward, and he’s never been truly committed on that end of the floor, either.
However, he’s got elite shot-making skills and a smooth ability to create separation to get his shot up, not to mention a deep bag of moves to be comfortable as a three-level scorer.
The biggest question is whether he’s going to want it badly enough to find success in the league.
His talents as a scorer have never been a question, but his character has.
Bates could turn out to be a major factor coming off the bench for the Cavs, and he could even play his way up to the starting lineup.
But how will he respond if the playing time isn’t there? That’s a legitimate concern.
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