Post by Jay on Mar 11, 2009 14:28:38 GMT -5
Jonah Manuel
5'1"
PG
133lbs
21
Oregon
BBS Ratings: D B A- C+ D- A
Strengths
When you are 5'1", you get used to overcompensating. Especially in a game where height is at such a premium. Jonah, or "Ant" as he's effectionately called, is really fast. Really, really fast. He runs a 3.96 40-yard dash! He's too low to the ground to take the ball from, so he rarely turns the ball over. He can absolutely destroy people off the dribble (word to AJ Price). If he doesn't make it in BBS, he will make it at the recently renovated Rucker Park.
When you are 5'1", you have to find ways to get your shot off. Since he's not a Nate Robinson type of jumper, he uses a ridiculously quick release to get his shot off. He's a lot better off screens, and will struggle against tough man to man defenders who stay in his face. Another one of his compensation techniques would be his range. There is no way he can finish in the paint, so he makes his living drilling 27 foot jumpers when defenders sag off of him. When he does drive, it's almost always a penetrate-and-dish situation.
Defensively, Jonah is a one trick pony. Too small to do anything else, he gets a ridiculous amount of steals. Mostly due to the fact that he can get lower than any other ballhandler.
Weaknesses
It's hard not to notice that Jonah is only 5'1". The average person looks at him as a midget, so imagine how other players look at him. He's strong for his size, but not when you compare him to a 6'2" point guard. He only finishes in the paint when on a fast break, otherwise there is no chance in hell. He's a match-up disadvantage every single time he's on the court.
There is no reason to discuss rebounding, because there is no way in hell he's going to get anything but long rebounds. He is also going to get taken advantage of in the post. He also is going to get jumpers pulled over him indiscriminately.
Outlook
His size is the basis of his strengths and weaknesses. Scouts are really torn on his potential. Almost all agree that he has the talent to succeed at this level, but he may be too small to ever be a starting point guard. But this same group of scouts is also intrigued because they have never seen anything like him.
Off the bench, he should be an incredibly effective change of pace guard. GMs would be crazy to let this guy slip out of the 1st round.
