Post by Funky George! on Jan 3, 2009 20:03:42 GMT -5
Ricky Machata
Sophomore, Michigan State
6'5, 185, 19 years old
C/B+/B/C/C/A
Strengths--Ricky Machata looks like Shaun Livingston and plays like Steve Nash. He's got great speed and amazing court vision. He's taller and quicker than almost any other PG. Awesome jump shot, awesome handles. He's a true playmaker. In his year at Michigan St., he was dominant on the fast break and in the pick-and-roll. His range definitely extends to the three-point line. Essentially, his strength is offense.
Weaknesses- Strength. He's weak. He can't fight through a pick and can't defend a drive. He's not much at the basket because he gets thrown around easily...he's also just generally not a great defender. He'll get into the passing lane once or twice a game because he's long and quick, but he doesn't have good instincts. Bites on crossovers and pump fakes. At this point, he's great on one side of the court and at best a work in progress on the other...As with a lot of flashy playmakers, he takes risks. He's a bit prone to turnovers. Sometimes leaves his feet and forces a bad pass, sometimes just leads a guy on a play that isn't there. He could give you 14 assists, but it might come with 3 or 4 turnovers.
Overall-He's the best shooters and passers that BBS has ever seen in a draft class. He's a liability defensively. Very poor drive to the basket and generally tends to get lit up by capable opponents. With his length and quickness, though, it's likely he'll raise his defense, maybe even as much as a letter grade. He doesn't attack the basket unless he's playing the pick-and-roll or pop.
BBS Draft Projection-5-8...if he falls beyond 8 for his defense, it'll be a mistake. He has the potential to be a B defender, and his handles and outside shoot should be elite very soon.
BBS Comparison--Steve Nash. He'll have his share of 18 and 10 seasons as a starting PG, and even more in the right system. His defense, like Nash's will be shaky, and with the high assists will come 2-3 turnovers a night, even in his prime. For a more recent comparison, see Baron Davis' offensive numbers.
Notes--Yes, he's Gabe Machata's younger brother...speaking of which, Big Gabe claims Ricky once hit him in the chest with bounce pass from 70 feet away on one hop...speaking of which, Big Gabe is a stud.
Quotes from Orlando...
"I'm really focused on being a complete player. I've been working out with Gabe in the gym to try to gain some strength, and I really got into watching tape to see my mistakes on defense. I guess too much and I spend to much time reacting, but I'm not always gonna be like that. I know I can pass and shoot in BBS, but I want to be a great defender someday."
"I'd love to end up somewhere where I can run and do all the things I know how to do, but I think I'd be better off with a coach who will challenge me to do things I'm not good at. I don't mind being punished when I mess up on defense. I know I need to improve."
Our scout's take...
It's a disappointment to see Gabe Machata's brother play such poor defense, but he's one of my favorite offensive players I've ever seen. He's going to rack up point and assists and make some memorable plays. I've seen his work ethic and I've noticed he's not in the air as often as he was in college, so already his defense is getting better. It's still pretty bad, but a point guard with this size and skill set is can't-miss.
Sophomore, Michigan State
6'5, 185, 19 years old
C/B+/B/C/C/A
Strengths--Ricky Machata looks like Shaun Livingston and plays like Steve Nash. He's got great speed and amazing court vision. He's taller and quicker than almost any other PG. Awesome jump shot, awesome handles. He's a true playmaker. In his year at Michigan St., he was dominant on the fast break and in the pick-and-roll. His range definitely extends to the three-point line. Essentially, his strength is offense.
Weaknesses- Strength. He's weak. He can't fight through a pick and can't defend a drive. He's not much at the basket because he gets thrown around easily...he's also just generally not a great defender. He'll get into the passing lane once or twice a game because he's long and quick, but he doesn't have good instincts. Bites on crossovers and pump fakes. At this point, he's great on one side of the court and at best a work in progress on the other...As with a lot of flashy playmakers, he takes risks. He's a bit prone to turnovers. Sometimes leaves his feet and forces a bad pass, sometimes just leads a guy on a play that isn't there. He could give you 14 assists, but it might come with 3 or 4 turnovers.
Overall-He's the best shooters and passers that BBS has ever seen in a draft class. He's a liability defensively. Very poor drive to the basket and generally tends to get lit up by capable opponents. With his length and quickness, though, it's likely he'll raise his defense, maybe even as much as a letter grade. He doesn't attack the basket unless he's playing the pick-and-roll or pop.
BBS Draft Projection-5-8...if he falls beyond 8 for his defense, it'll be a mistake. He has the potential to be a B defender, and his handles and outside shoot should be elite very soon.
BBS Comparison--Steve Nash. He'll have his share of 18 and 10 seasons as a starting PG, and even more in the right system. His defense, like Nash's will be shaky, and with the high assists will come 2-3 turnovers a night, even in his prime. For a more recent comparison, see Baron Davis' offensive numbers.
Notes--Yes, he's Gabe Machata's younger brother...speaking of which, Big Gabe claims Ricky once hit him in the chest with bounce pass from 70 feet away on one hop...speaking of which, Big Gabe is a stud.
Quotes from Orlando...
"I'm really focused on being a complete player. I've been working out with Gabe in the gym to try to gain some strength, and I really got into watching tape to see my mistakes on defense. I guess too much and I spend to much time reacting, but I'm not always gonna be like that. I know I can pass and shoot in BBS, but I want to be a great defender someday."
"I'd love to end up somewhere where I can run and do all the things I know how to do, but I think I'd be better off with a coach who will challenge me to do things I'm not good at. I don't mind being punished when I mess up on defense. I know I need to improve."
Our scout's take...
It's a disappointment to see Gabe Machata's brother play such poor defense, but he's one of my favorite offensive players I've ever seen. He's going to rack up point and assists and make some memorable plays. I've seen his work ethic and I've noticed he's not in the air as often as he was in college, so already his defense is getting better. It's still pretty bad, but a point guard with this size and skill set is can't-miss.
oops
