How much can we trust pre-NBA draft predictions about big man defense?
When it comes to evaluating big men in the draft, the ability to stay on the court defensively is the skill that every team is looking for. There aren’t many doubts about Jaren Jackson Jr.’s defensive chops, but all of the other top bigs in this draft have areas of concern on that end of the floor. DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley have been criticized for their lack of awareness. Meanwhile, Mohamed Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr.’s ability to guard in space has been put under a microscope.