The 2018 NBA Manifesto
DeAndre’ Bembry
SG/SF - 6’6, 210lbs - 23 years old - 2 years of experience
Being injured for much of the season must, of course, temper any analysis of Bembry’s season. But in the third he did manage, he was poor. For the second consecutive season.
Activity isn’t the problem. Bembry bounds about the court with the right intent, the desire to impact a game, and occasionally looks like a playmaker. But activity is not itself impact, and Bembry has thus far struggled to make any impact at the NBA level, even when healthy.
The idea of a point forward is very far off being a reality. As of right now, Bembry is neither a shooter, nor a ball handler, and is a net negative on the offensive end. The defence does not offset it – indeed, the defence is perhaps the most frustrating part, as a player who should be a versatile multi-positional defender like his namesake Liggins makes too many mistakes to be trusted much on that end. And the offensive decision making is no better. Driving and kicking is a virtue, but not when driving into excessive traffic.
Circumstances were against him. The injuries most obviously derailed the season, and injuries to triceps and wrists do not lend themselves well to good outside shooting or finishing at the rim. A groin injury does not help either. Yet even if he did not have the fortune to do a lot, Liggins had the opportunities to do something, and he didn’t.
At a time when the door to playing time was wide open, with many veterans having departed and the team’s prioritisation of younger players, Bembry could not go through it.
Player Plan: Third season of rookie scale contract upcoming, with the option for the fourth. Does not seem to have earned the option year, but next season, with a clean bill of health, should suffice as an audition. If he still is not outproducing G-League players by that time, sign G-League players.
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SG/SF - 6’6, 210lbs - 23 years old - 2 years of experience
Being injured for much of the season must, of course, temper any analysis of Bembry’s season. But in the third he did manage, he was poor. For the second consecutive season.
Activity isn’t the problem. Bembry bounds about the court with the right intent, the desire to impact a game, and occasionally looks like a playmaker. But activity is not itself impact, and Bembry has thus far struggled to make any impact at the NBA level, even when healthy.
The idea of a point forward is very far off being a reality. As of right now, Bembry is neither a shooter, nor a ball handler, and is a net negative on the offensive end. The defence does not offset it – indeed, the defence is perhaps the most frustrating part, as a player who should be a versatile multi-positional defender like his namesake Liggins makes too many mistakes to be trusted much on that end. And the offensive decision making is no better. Driving and kicking is a virtue, but not when driving into excessive traffic.
Circumstances were against him. The injuries most obviously derailed the season, and injuries to triceps and wrists do not lend themselves well to good outside shooting or finishing at the rim. A groin injury does not help either. Yet even if he did not have the fortune to do a lot, Liggins had the opportunities to do something, and he didn’t.
At a time when the door to playing time was wide open, with many veterans having departed and the team’s prioritisation of younger players, Bembry could not go through it.
Player Plan: Third season of rookie scale contract upcoming, with the option for the fourth. Does not seem to have earned the option year, but next season, with a clean bill of health, should suffice as an audition. If he still is not outproducing G-League players by that time, sign G-League players.
