Phoenix Suns NBA Draft: Why Nico Mannion is worth taking at No. 10

Phoenix Suns NBA Draft: Nico Mannion’s lack of athleticism

The NBA Draft Combine is going to be different this year. Nico Mannion will not get the chance to address the concerns over his lack of athleticism in person in front of team executives and scouts.

Scouts have also claimed Mannion lacks athleticism compared to his peers. That is just simply not true. Fans and scouts often mistake being a great athlete solely as being a great sprinter or jumper. Displays of world-class athleticism are often much more subtle.

Mannion, by this expanded definition, is very athletic. Exceptional body control and fast-twitch movements are way more important than a 40-inch vertical for an NBA point guard.

Mannion’s finishing at the basket is elite for a point guard. His quick-twitch hips allow him to attack the basket in a straight line and finish at any angle. He can consistently finish with both his right and left hand. His core strength is exceptional, evidenced by his ability to rotate mid-air to find the most optimal shooting angle, all while maintaining his eyes on the basket, much like Steve Nash.