So a guys 3pt% decreasing by nearly 10% over 2 years with the same number of shot attempts is somehow seen as a positive? Interesting spin you did there, somehow if Pons 3pt percentage drops at all next year I doubt you would spin it as a positive. Pons shot 42% on catch and shoot 3’s, which is exactly what the NBA is looking at right now, he’s not going to be a guy any team is looking at to be an offensive weapon. Thybulle sure wasn’t asked to be a main offensive weapon this year, he’s asked to be a knock down shooter and an elite defender, something Pons as a junior is already being acknowledged as. Maybe 1-1 he’s not the elite perimeter defender, but Thybulle also doesn’t have the same versatile as a defender as Pons does either. I’ve already acknowledged Pons needs to improve, but if he does that even marginally on the offensive end, say...38% overall from 3, and 45%+ on open 3’s, 75%+ from the free throw line while maintaining his 2pt% and defensive play then I definitely could see him sneaking into the back end of the first round.
All of those are very doable things, especially considering he’s improved on most of those already each year...I don’t think he needs to drastically improve his ball handling, play making abilities, show he can come off screens, develop his dribble drive, continue to improve his shooting and also become an elite 1-1 defender...again he does all that at his size and his elite athleticism and you are talking a Top 15 pick.
