tlance
Kyrie Hater
so you saw Giannis being an MVP talent after year 3? You saw James Harden being an MVP talent after year 3? You saw Bradley Beal being a 30 ppg guy after year 3? You saw Damian Lilliard being a 30 ppg guy who can carry a team on his back after year 3? Did you see Steph Curry being a MVP talent? Or Thompson or Green? Should I go on?
When you are drafting kids at 19, 20 years old -- many are still growing into their bodies and it will take more than a few years to add the strength, maturity and skills necessary to become stars.
Personally, I cannot stand Lonzo Ball. Everything about the kid annoys me. So if I were a Lakers fan -- I'd be happy just to get rid of him and his dad. I was shocked when I saw him play with NO. He looked like a completely different player with a complete different shooting stroke. I still wanted to smack the smug look off his face, but he looked like the player they thought he'd be when he was drafted.
First of all, I will start with the first 2 players you mentioned. Giannis and Harden.
A lot of people saw Giannis as a player with superstar potential after his 3rd year. His athleticsim kept of the page and he only needed to refine his skills.
Harden wasn’t an obvious MVP candidate, but it was obvious that he was going to be a high level all star level player as soon as he got traded to Houston (after year 3). His per minute scoring was very impressive considering he teamed with Russ and KD and was the 3rd wheel.
Curry was amazingly efficient his first 2 years and got hurt in year 3. His concern was health.
Lillard was already a 2 time all star by his 3rd year.
and none of the other players you mentioned are even in the ballpark of being superstars.
So yes. Each 1 of those was projectable based on how they performed their first 3 years.