Pacers Draft Prep: Jordan Bell has an NBA motor
By Jacob Breece
The Indiana Pacers are in pre-draft workout mode, bringing in several prospects to see who fits with their organization. What follows is a look at one of those players: Oregon power forward Jordan Bell.
From Long Beach, CA, Jordan Bell was a four-star recruit and a west coast kid. Although a highly touted recruit, Jordan has never flashed much potential on the offensive end. But, that is just fine. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year has always made his name on the defensive end.
After averaging solid but mostly unspectacular statistics in the regular season, Bell became a force in the tournament. He owned the paint against the likes of both Kansas and eventual champion North Carolina. His scoring numbers were still not great but his impact in other areas stood out.
Strengths
Like always, Bell’s defense and energy were vastly underrated and extremely important to team success. He played on a very good offensive team at Oregon and excelled in his role as a defensive stopper. Bell has NBA size and athleticism to go with a high end motor. Jordan should provide instant impact because of his defensive ability as well as his energy and elite athleticism.
Weaknesses
Bell may never be a go-to scorer on the block or a new age stretch four. He only made 3 triples as a junior and did not venture outside the lane very much.
NBA comparison: Kenneth Faried
Although Bell is not undersized like the manimal their games are very similar. Solid finishing around the rim, good on the defensive end and high energy are what makes these two tick. Though neither has much of a jumper, if placed next to another skilled big they can act as a solid 4 in today’s NBA.
Look for Bell to provide instant impact, but No. 18 stills seems a bit high.
One of the highest risers so far in the pre-draft process Bell has came out of nowhere since the end of the college regular season. An incredibly impressive showing in both the NCAA tournament and the draft combine has moved Bell from undrafted to early second round.
Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Who will the Pacers select at No. 18?
This means there is virtually no chance of Bell being there for the pacers at No. 47. While this may be true, his very good role player ceiling is enough to count me out at No. 18. But, I could easily see Kevin Pritchard or another first round team fall in love with that same ceiling and take a chance in the late teens or early 20s.