Recently CMB has started to pick up some more attention as he has gotten more playing time with all the injuries to Raps starters. Going into the draft he was known to be an elite defensive prospect, getting ceiling comps to Draymond. Now we are halfway through his rookie season and I think it isn’t that crazy to say he has been a top 25 defender in the entire league… AS A ROOKIE.

It’s typically unheard of for rookies to be plus defenders. Only all time defenders like Wemby are able to come in and not be immediate negatives on that end. What CMB has been doing is honestly amazing. This is a guy who is undersized even for his natural 4 position, and he’s being played as a 5 and still outhustling, outmuscling, and locking down 1-5. His strength, IQ, and instincts are unreal for his age. I am glazing, but I truly believe we are looking at one of the greatest rookie defensive seasons ever.

DozahFrozah | Minneapolis Lakers

61 | 4 hours ago

I ran into this guy playing 2k a month ago or so and didn’t know who he was, I looked him up after the game and have lowkey been following his rookie season and I’m happy to see he’s doing so well in more playing time.

Rooting for him and the Raptors.

oliferro | Raptors

15 | 3 hours ago

I think it’s so funny that NBA players play 2k

They’ll spend like 100 hours a week training, playing, studying and talking about basketball, and when they get time off, they play a basketball videogame lol

They really are passionate about their sport

Jakusevac_city

8 | 2 hours ago

Farmers play farming simulators

alpacamegafan

6 | 2 hours ago

Engineers playing Satisfactory

shangalang69 | Raptors

2 | an hour ago

Damn, Satisfactory. Been a minute.

DozahFrozah | Minneapolis Lakers

2 | 3 hours ago

Right? And then to be good at that too? Like cmon man, you’re already playing this game at the highest possible level making millions of dollars.

Leave the virtual side of the game to those of us who never stood a chance on the actual court lol

snek-jazz | Raptors

2 | an hour ago

Footballer Diogo Jota who played for Liverpool (and tragically died in a car crash last year) was apparently really good at Fifa, like one of the best in the world.

Wild that he could be world class at both real football and video game football.

oliferro | Raptors

1 | an hour ago

I mean they see the game a lot differently than normal people I imagine. Their knowledge about their sport probably helps them a lot in the games

cad_internet

10 | 4 hours ago

Was he good at the game?

DozahFrozah | Minneapolis Lakers

15 | 4 hours ago

He was, his team beat mine fairly easily.

cad_internet

12 | 4 hours ago

High bbiq confirmed

nowhathappenedwas | NBA

48 | 4 hours ago

Only all time defenders like Wemby are able to come in and not be immediate negatives on that end.

This is overstating things a bit. It’s actually more common for rookies to be elite defenders than elite offensive players.

Recent rookies (since 2020) to be 90th percentile or better in D-EPM: Jaylen Clark, Wemby, Amen, Ausar, Chet, Dyson, Alvarado, Mobley, Facu (LOL), Tillman, Thybulle

And the same list for O-EPM: Zion and Kon. That’s it.

doormanpowell

8 | 3 hours ago

Fair enough, I think though at least that list gives us a good idea that this level of rookie defensive EPM projects well to future defensive performance (if minutes are actually there) given that Wemby, Amen, Ausar, Chet, Dyson, Mobley, Alvarado, and Thybulle are still elite defenders

nowhathappenedwas | NBA

10 | 3 hours ago

For sure. It’s impressive how accurate D-EPM has been at identifying top defenders as rookies.

Jaylen Clark is also an excellent defensive player.

Raptorsthrowaway1

20 | 4 hours ago

He is elite for his age. Can’t wait to see how good he is at ²⁶⁄₂₇

sewsgup

1 | 4 hours ago

also wonder if his build is gonna be better if he gets leaner (to get a little more verticality), or if he bulks up even more (granted, he’s stocky as is)

YSLAnunoby | Raptors

10 | 4 hours ago

He’s already shown more hops than I’d actually expected for his build, and if he is going to be a PF/C then probably just makes sense to stay how he is to be physical in the post and on the boards/boxing out. It’s not like he’s PJ Tucker at 6’5 ~250 who had 0 vert

OrganicValley_ | Bucks

10 | 3 hours ago

PJ had no vert to protect his shoes

[deleted]

1 | 3 hours ago

[deleted]

YSLAnunoby | Raptors

1 | 3 hours ago

Yeah I know which is why I brought up PJ as a similar build of player who had no vert to contrast him with CMB who does have a vert. PJ also played a lot of ⁴⁄₅ though more as a guy being physical as a human brick than doing any kind of rim protecting cuz of the lack of vert and being smaller

YSLAnunoby | Raptors

15 | 4 hours ago

I’m not sure how good EPM is considered at rating D but the eye test supports him being excellent at D. Besides already coming in with tons of strength to guard PFs I have been impressed with his footwork when he slides with guards. He’s also very aware on D and makes good reads

WeBelieveIn4 | Raptors

13 | 4 hours ago

Kid is a brick wall, it’s legit crazy how strong he is for his age/size.

Pollsmor | Nets

14 | 3 hours ago

Grabbed the data for the 14 lottery picks.

Expected Defensive EPM (Percentile)	Expected EPM (Percentile)
Collin Murray-Boyles	+1.5 (95th)	+0.2 (73rd)
VJ Edgecombe	+0.9 (86th)	+1.4 (86th)
Dylan Harper	+0.8 (84th)	-0.6 (64th)
Cedric Coward	+0.3 (74th)	+0.4 (77th)
Egor Demin	+0.1 (69th)	+0.1 (72nd)
Carter Bryant	-0.2 (58th)	-3.3 (16th)
Kon Knueppel	-0.3 (53rd)	+1.4 (87th)
Cooper Flagg	-0.5 (44th)	-0.6 (63rd)
Derik Queen	-0.6 (37th)	-1.3 (55th)
Tre Johnson	-0.7 (36th)	-1.2 (57th)
Noa Essengue	-0.9 (25th)	-2.8 (26th)
Ace Bailey	-1.1 (16th)	-2.4 (36th)
Khaman Maluach	-1.2 (13th)	-5.2 (1st)
Jeremiah Fears	-1.6 (5th)	-3.4 (14th)

shangalang69 | Raptors

1 | an hour ago

CMB’s all rookie 1st team campaign has begun

latman | Nets

0 | an hour ago

Maluach is looking like such a bust

EarthWarping | NBA

7 | 4 hours ago

Him being NBA ready was to be a bit expected (obv not at this level however he did play 2 years in college)

Hes probably 5th imo in a redraft only behind coop/kon/edgecombe/harper

cad_internet

9 | 4 hours ago

Too early to say. Tons of potential in this draft. I think everyone in the top 10 would be happy with their pick’s performance so far except for Bailey (edit: and Maluach). And it’s not like he’s been terrible either.

If CMB can develop a reliable jumper he has star potential. If not, he still has an incredible floor.

Really curious how this draft will shape up 5 years from now.

YSLAnunoby | Raptors

1 | 4 hours ago

Yeah I wasn’t super keyed into the pre draft stuff so didn’t know much about him but when a lot of Raps people were excited we got him despite a lot of the fit discussion with Scottie I realized he must have been really good. I think the D isn’t super surprising based on his tools and intelligence but what’s more intriguing is the fact he’s hitting some 3s when I really didn’t think he’d be a factor from there at all. Not that I’m calling him a threat from range but the fact the ability is there is what’s exciting

EarthWarping | NBA

2 | 4 hours ago

he is their chance to have a real contending core, if he becomes all star calibre.

Scottie/cmb/player X is a good base with one of ingram/barrett probably

moistkebab32 | Suns

1 | 4 hours ago

I’d have him 7/8th with Tre Johnson

Queen and Coward have been better.

Bailey still has the upside but hasn’t been as good as CMB to date.

Subredditcensorship | Nets

5 | 3 hours ago

Queen is heavily overrated by offensive counting stats. Horrible defensively, and the pelicans have been better without him lately.

Egor demin has also been really good lately. Advanced stats like him quite a bit.

reason4rage | 76ers

6 | 4 hours ago

People that call it glazing because you are impressed with an individual’s achievements are just upset nothing they do is impressive to anyone. Full stop.

SaulBerenson12 | SAS

6 | 3 hours ago

He’s amazing. So glad to see the impact he’s having

Definitely a 10-15 year guy

DangerousKick5792 | Raptors

6 | 4 hours ago

He’s incredibly disruptive on defence, and I’ve seen him have quarters or halves where he’s everywhere, being the fuck up person.

He’s really, really talented on that end. And in terms of physical strength he’s already walking over opposing wings.

izJayse

7 | 4 hours ago

He’s literally a consistent shot away from being like an all star/all league player

roastedhambone | Thunder

4 | 4 hours ago

I mean he’s played 20 or more minutes in 18 games this season. I think it’s a little crazy to say he’s a top 25 defender in the league already. He’s been very good for a rookie

flip0213

4 | 4 hours ago

He’s been picking up his play recently in the past 3 weeks.

His defense certainly tracks with the eye test

doormanpowell

-3 | 4 hours ago

Realistically, who is above him? I would say Wemby, Gobert, AG, Dort, Cason, AC, Chet, Suggs, Amen, Draymond, OG, Chet, Mobley, Ausar, Mcdaniels, Dyson, Bam, AD, Scottie? Some of those are generous IMO already and that’s 19

Zealousideal-Cold246 | Toronto Huskies

4 | 3 hours ago

OG, Herb, Ausar, Duren, White, arguably Jaylen brown, Camara, arguably Jrue, Giannis. Just to name a few more. He’s only a rookies so he’s got a ways to go but we’re very happy with his progress and recognition coming along

shangalang69 | Raptors

2 | an hour ago

Duren?

doormanpowell

1 | 3 hours ago

OG and Ausar already on the list. Herb, Brown, Duren, Camara I wouldn’t agree with this year and Jrue has barely played. I’ll give White and Giannis

Zealousideal-Cold246 | Toronto Huskies

2 | 3 hours ago

We love him over in the raps sub. If the brother was at least 6’9 it would be so fuckin over for the rest of the east. His 3 isn’t there yet but he’s still shooting like 38% this year? Still pretty solid and room for growth and development.

Low_Income4405 | Knicks

6 | 4 hours ago

Toronto has something going with this core, though I don’t think IQ is the right choice at point guard (though I love him to death as a Knicks fan)

Ok_Respond7928

7 | 3 hours ago

I wish he grew into the player I thought he could be after getting traded to Toronto but he just isn’t a PG and it’s really shown this season.

YSLAnunoby | Raptors

4 | 3 hours ago

I think if Scottie had more wiggle downhill to be more like a LeBron/Luka type big point man then IQ makes more sense because he can do more of his best Jamal Murray combo guard impression but he has to do more point duties than he probably has the skill for. I still like him but he’s not really doing any advanced reads running point and doesn’t really put much pressure on the rim to start creating rotations.

snek-jazz | Raptors

1 | an hour ago

It’s tough right now man, it feels like almost everyone else on the team is on an upward trajectory (Gradey, who is really struggling with shooting is an exception) and IQ is not only not keeping up, but is falling behind.

Outrageous-Maybe-200 | Nuggets

4 | 3 hours ago

Good player. The scouting report on him being a Draymond Green-esque player was correct

fuzzythinker | Nuggets

5 | 2 hours ago

Him not being in the official top 10 ROTY list shows how out of touch the list is.

shangalang69 | Raptors

1 | an hour ago

my boy needs to statpad his ppg for those lists lol

frankievejle | Rockets

3 | 3 hours ago

He was top of my wish list had we kept the 10th pick, but as it happens he wouldn’t have fallen to us anyway. Great talent and great to see he’s translated so well to the league.

hickok3 | Raptors

3 | 3 hours ago

The last 10 or so games he has been rebounding with force too. Like palming the ball out of the air, and slamming it to his off hand to secure it. He’s had his thumb taped for most of the season(along with like half of our team due to thumb sprains) and I think it is starting to heal and he is now a lot more aggressive on the boards.

Still needs to work on scoring, and will always be undersized, but he is showing a lot of promise. It’s crazy how deep this draft class is panning out to be, especially since there was chatter of it falling off with dude returning to play an additional year of college.

Goatlikejordan | Knicks

3 | 3 hours ago

His girl looks nice

Kevinar | Knicks

2 | an hour ago

He’s going to be a great player, but I’ve been advised to never trust a Collin with 2 Ls. It’s just bad luck

RNsteve

1 | an hour ago

Putting on a case to be one of the top 3 rookies in the draft.

Defensively he’s ahead of everyone else by a solid margin.

(I do think Flagg could give him a run for his money on that end if he didn’t have to focus so much on offense).

Case to take him oflver Kon or Edgecombe.

shangalang69 | Raptors

1 | an hour ago

Absolute beast

Last 10 games: 10 points, 10 rebounds (4.6 offensive), 3 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.2 blocks, +67

Collin Murray-Boyles halfway through the season: 95th percentile in Defensive EPM