Practice Report: New Mexico Lobos

Tuesday, February 4 | The Pit (Albuquerque, NM)

Alex Kirk — C, 7-0, 250
Junior, 22 years old

Season (32 mpg): 14 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.8 BPG

Notes: Kirk’s combination of size and shooting make him an intriguing prospect.

Kirk made shots from all three ranges in practice — interior, mid-range, and 3-point. He converted 9-of-10 threes in a shooting drill, scored facing up in the high post, and finished hook shots with either hand down low. He has a strong upper body which allows him to seal his man in the paint, and quick bounce off the floor to finish with a dunk. He’s quicker than I first realized, in terms of constantly moving without the ball and also leaving the ground. The threat of his jump shot pays dividends for his entire team, because Kirk stretches the defense and thus opens up the floor for his teammates.

Kirk had two dunks through traffic as well—he’s not an elite athlete, but he finishes above the rim when given space. Nice vision from the high post, and can pass out of double teams in the low post.

Defensively, Kirk moves his feet well, but I’m not sure how well because Kirk wasn’t challenged defensively in practice. I’m also curious to see Kirk’s shot blocking ability. On paper he’s an elite shot blocker, but he’s merely an average athlete, so I’m curious.

Good stuff overall. Kirk finished with power and touch at the basket, and was a catch-and-shoot machine from the high post. He could enter the draft after this season, or he could stay for his redshirt senior year, when he’ll be the focal point of New Mexico’s offense.

*If the videos do not appear, please “refresh” the webpage once

New Mexico 66, Wyoming 61 (OT)

February 5, 2014 | The Pit (Albuquerque, NM)

Alex Kirk — C, 7-0, 250
Junior, 22 years old

Season (32 mpg): 14 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.8 BPG

Game: 15 pts, 10 rbs, 2 stl
7-11 FG, 1-1 FT

Outlook: Kirk posted a double-double and on an efficient 64%. But he failed to establish a rhythm, attempting only two shots in 13 first-half minutes.

Nevertheless, he flashed glimpses of NBA potential. Standing at 7-feet tall, Kirk has a versatile game, with power down low and range to 18-feet. He produced from the paint and perimeter vs. Wyoming—power and touch at the basket, and a catch-and-shoot machine from the high post. The threat of his jump shot pays dividends for New Mexico, because Kirk stretches the defense and creates space for his teammates. I need to watch more film to understand his defense, but offensively he’s more skilled than most 7-footers. Kirk could enter the draft after this season, or stay for his redshirt senior year, when he’ll be the focal point of New Mexico’s offense.

Strengths
— True 7-footer
— Adequate rebounder
— Range (effective shooter inside 3-point line; only making 19% of 3-pointers, though)
— Mobile in transition
— Explosive from stand-still position (not particularly explosive off the dribble)
— Skilled in low post (shooting 70% around the basket, per Synergy)
— Pick-and-Pop Potential

Defects/Areas of Improvement
— Has range, but poor 3-point shooter
— Unproven defender (in my opinion)
— Not very physical on either side of the ball (how will he fit as a 7-footer?; is there such a thing as a “stretch 7-footer?”)
— Underwent back surgery, which led to redshirt sophomore year

Video

Points vs. Wyoming

Crashing Boards (recent)

Nance Blocks Kirk

04/23/14

Overview: After an impressive redshirt sophomore season, in which he averaged 12 points/8 rebounds/1.8 blocks returning from back surgery, Alex Kirk opted against entering the 2013 Draft, instead returning to New Mexico for his junior year.

The former top-100 recruit had finally ascended into the NBA conscience, and figured he’d use an extra year to improve heading into the 2014 Draft.

However, this season didn’t unfold as Kirk hoped. Statistically and on film, Kirk’s game plateaued. A year went by, but his stats were the same, and his game didn’t improve or evolve.

Kirk’s non-improvement is attributable to several possible factors—the emergence of Cameron Bairstow, Kendall Wiliams’ struggles, opposing teams now keying in on stopping Kirk. Regardless of the cause, though, Kirk was essentially the same player this season as he was last year; slightly better in some areas, slightly worse in others.

Quick look:

This Year (junior): 23% usage rate, 20.7 PER, 0.94 points per possession

32 MPG — 13.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 2.7 BPG, 1.8 TO
49% FG, 54% 2-pointers, 12-56 three-pointers
3.8 free throw attempts (67%)

Last Year (sophomore): 23% usage rate, 22 PER, 0.99 points per possession

29 MPG — 12 PPG, 8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.8 BPG, 1.5 TO
49% FG, 53% 2-pointers, 13-47 three-pointers
3.9 free throw attempts (71%)

As an NBA prospect, Kirk is a 7-foot, 250-pound center, with the potential to become a floor spacing stretch-5. He’s fairly mobile for his size, can finish in the lane with simple moves and hook shots, and has potential as a pick-and-pop center.

After “flashing potential” last season, shooting 30% on jump shots and looking comfortable shooting 3′s, Kirk was supposed to take the next step this season, namely, tightening his jump shot. He didn’t.

Offensively, Kirk’s shot attempt distribution was 68% in the paint (posting up and around the basket), and 32% jump shots. Because Kirk isn’t an isolation player (only 2.5% of possessions), meaning he doesn’t create off the dribble (he’s 7-foot), and doesn’t have NBA strength down low, his calling card is shooting and floor spacing.

In a perfect world, Kirk would be a reliable pick-and-pop threat, automatic from mid-range and capable from 3. He’d be able to use simple-but-effective moves in the paint, namely hook shots with either hand, to keep the defense honest. He’d probably never have a great post game due to below-average strength, athleticism and footwork, but it wouldn’t matter—Kirk could score on cuts and drop-offs, rebound at a decent rate, and contribute as a 7-footer who could shoot.

But we don’t live in a perfect world.

Instead, we have this:

If Kirk is going to make it in the NBA, he’ll be a pick-and-pop threat. He’ll space the floor and occasionally finish with a back to the basket move. But until this point, he’s been an inconsistent shooter. He converted a putrid 28% of ump shots this season; 28% from mid-range, and 21% from 3-point range (1.8 attempts). He was 10-36 from mid-range, and 12-56 from 3-point range.

He’s certainly a capable shooter—which is a coveted skill for a 7-footer—but Kirk wasn’t consistent or reliable this season. He needs to continue improving his jump shot.

32% of his scoring came in “post-up” situations, where nearly all his attempts involved one or zero dribbles. 14% of his offense came as a “cutter”; ditto on the lack of dribbling. 13% of his offense came on put-backs/offensive rebounds, and 10% from pick-and-pop… simply put, there’s not much dribbling involved in his game. When he did try to create off the dribble, he very frequently committed a turnover.

In the paint, Kirk mostly plays with his back to the basket, scoring with simple hook shots or turnaround layups. He scored a solid .84 points per post-up attempt this season, ranking in the 57th percentile nationally. Kirk isn’t a great athlete overall, lacking in terms of explosiveness or quickness, but he can seal his defender, and can finish in the paint. His post-up game is predicated upon size and effort, rather than skill. Kirk always plays hard in the paint, which pays dividends over the course of a game.

In addition to scoring in the post, 14% of Kirk’s offense came as a “cutter”, where he astutely positioned himself under the basket to receive drop-off passes for easy dunks. The New Mexico coaching staff put Kirk in positions to catch-and-simultaneously-go-up, and he converted 63% of his cutting attempts.

Although Kirk plays hard, he averages only 3.8 free throws per game. He lacks strength in the paint, and doesn’t have a good enough handle to break down defenders and get to the foul line. In other words, wherever Kirk catches the ball is where he’s going to shoot from. Not crafty or coordinated enough to make offensive moves.

So, offensively, Kirk is effective with simple low-post moves, and is a semi-capable shooter. Not a polished shooter right now, but the potential to become a reliable shooter (mid-range and 3-point) is certainly apparent.

Another area of Kirk’s game that he must improve is rebounding. Rebounding is not a “weakness” (8.7 RPG, 10.8 rebounds per 40 minutes), but he would help himself by maximizing this ability. At 7-feet, he must do a better job of boxing out for rebounds, rather than reaching.

Defensively, Kirk has good size and length, but he’s neither strong nor disciplined enough down low. He has problems holding position against stronger players.

He’s rarely tested on the perimeter, but his foot speed doesn’t appear to be effective at the NBA level. He tries hard, but doesn’t get leverage on the low block, and is not a plus defender right now. He gets outmuscled too often.

Kirk lacks elite athleticism, and doesn’t have an NBA frame—his upper body could use a lot of added muscle, and he’s cumbersome in his movements.

But he’s mobile, and at 7-feet tall, has shown he can make shots from anywhere. His health notwithstanding (his herniated disc is certainly something to explore deeply), Kirk is worth looking at because there aren’t many true 7-footers, let alone 7-footers with a nearly polished jump shot.

–

Video Breakdown: Alex Kirk

*If the videos do not appear, please “refresh” the webpage once

Physical Profile

7-0, 250-pound center. Good length and mobility.

Lacks elite athleticism and isn’t very strong.

Underwent surgery for a herniated disc in August 2011. Missed the entire 2011-12 season, returned in ’12-’13. One of the older players in the junior class (22 years old).

Offense

Capable Shooter, But Inconsistent

Kirk needs to be more consistent if he’s going to fit the “stretch-5″ profile. Shooting will be his calling card should he make the NBA.

3-Pointers

— 32% of all attempts are jump shots, and 54% of his jump shots attempts are 3-pointers. But he’s only made 21% of his 3-pointers this season (12-56). He was better last season (13-47). Almost all jump shots are catch-and-shoot. Only 2.3% came off the dribble.

Misses

Makes

Pick-and-Pop (this season)

“Pops” on 83% of pick-and-roll attempts. Shot 7-35 (20%) on pick-and-pop jumpers this season.

Misses

Makes

Pick-and-Pop (last season)

Last year, though, Kirk shot 16-48 (33%) on pick-and-pop attempts. He proved to be capable last year; was it a fluke, or did he just struggle this season?

Mid-Range

— Kirk was 15-38 (40%) from mid-range this season. Mid-range jumper is within his skill set.

Simple Post-Up Moves

Kirk converted 46% in the post this season, and posted a solid .96 points per attempt (60th percentile).

Simple but effective with most of his moves. Namely, hook shots with either hand, and simple turnaround lay-ups. He struggles with his accuracy when outside of five feet, and especially when taking more than two dribbles. He has a catch-and-go-up mentality.

He can also score over either shoulder, which is an advantage.

Hardly any free throws, though. Only 3.8 FTA per game, and 4.8 per 40 minutes.

Posting Up (Left Shoulder)

Posting Up (Right Shoulder)

Cutting

Carves out space. Good seal under the basket, catches and goes up for a dunk right away.

Running The Floor (transition)

Kirk is not the fastest player, but he runs hard on the break. Mobile, and pretty athletic.

But …

Poor Handle / Off the Dribble Struggles

As mentioned, Kirk isn’t creative off the dribble, neither in the high post nor low post. He comes to a pause after one-or-two dribbles.

Turnovers / Decision Making

Of 130 players with a minimum of 130 post-up possessions, Kirk’s 15.3% turnover rate in post-up situations ranked 78 of 130.

Careless Passes
—Kirk gets flustered in double teams, and also forces entry passes into the post.

Traveling
— Result of no handle / losing control.
— He struggles to compose himself, and often drives for the sake of driving.

Adequate Rebounder

5th in Mountain West Conference in total rebounds.

2.3 offensive rebounds per game, 6.4 defensive rebounds per game.

Offensive Rebounding
— A lot of tip-ins; should do a better job corralling the ball.

Defensive Rebounding
— Strong hands.

Defense

Defensively, Kirk has good size and length, but he’s neither strong nor disciplined enough down low. He has problems holding position against stronger players.

He’s rarely tested on the perimeter, but his foot speed doesn’t appear to be effective at the NBA level. He tries hard, but doesn’t get leverage on the low block, and is not a plus defender right now. He gets outmuscled too often.

Blocks (2.8 per game)

But …

Post Defense (gets outmuscled, poor vertical athleticism)

Off the Dribble Defense (poor lateral quickness)

Fouling
— Gambles for blocks, instead of boxing out.
— Capable shot blocker, but gambling for blocks is not conducive to long-term success, especially considering he’s a minus athlete.

Free Throws

2.6 FTM – 3.8 FTA (67%)

Free Throws Made

Free Throw Misses