Jalen Suggs: The other No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft
By Evan Wheeler
Scoring and shooting
While the similarities to Westbrook are very apparent and the comparison seems to be inevitable, I also think Suggs shares the same makeup as other guards like Damian Lillard and Jamal Murray. Both Lillard and Murray can pressure defenses quickly in the open floor as well, but where Suggs reminds me the most of the two scoring dynamo’s is how he can dismantle a defense in the halfcourt.
He can break a defender down off the dribble and has no problem creating his own shot, sporting a good handle and elite first-step quickness that make him a nightmare matchup for opposing guards. Suggs utilizes high screens well and is an acrobatic, efficient finisher converting 67.1 percent of his shots at the rim so far this season.
Unlike a lot of lead guards, Suggs isn’t just a straight-line driver when he looks to attack the lane either. He might not have the footwork or manipulates angles in the way Cunningham does, but Suggs can manipulate his speed off the dribble instead to dissect his defender.
His float crossover is deadly fast and combined with a great hesitation dribble, this allows Suggs to choose his choice of weaponry to blast by whoever is guarding him.
Where I really see Suggs having a chance to be like Lillard and Murray as a scorer though is with his shooting versatility. This seems to be one of the big areas of Suggs’ game that analysts and scouts are most skeptical of, but the film and numbers suggest pretty positive signs for the freshman star’s potential in the NBA as a go-to offensive option. His true shooting percentage currently sits at 61.4 percent and his effective field goal percentage is 59.5 percent, pretty remarkable marks for a player who supposedly is a questionable shooter.
Suggs has big-time three-level scoring potential in my opinion and can force defenses to defend out to the 3-point line. Taking the lane away from him just because he’s a dynamic, athletic, slasher and finisher won’t neutralize his ability to attack your defense. Like Lillard and Murray, Suggs can run defenders off DHO’s to create 3-point shot opening’s and also is comfortable shooting off the dribble, showcasing a lethal stepback 3.
However, the most important and exciting level of shooting skill that Suggs might possess is his pull-up shooting. Again similar to the Blazers and Nuggets stars, he can pull up quickly and has the range to snipe three’s from deep that force the defense to extend out even further than the perimeter arc. Now you add in his dangerous skillset in the open floor and you’ve got a player who constantly can create mismatches for you offensively.
