New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: This Israeli Sleeper Could Be Perfect
By Nick Alvarez
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Yam Madar has intriguing two-way potential
Yam Madar’s Strengths
It’s always hard to grasp what prospects playing overseas do well but for the Yam Madar, his strengths jump off the tape. It all starts with his defense.
Being so young and playing overseas in a league filled with grown men, Madar comes off the bench in Israel. When he gets on the court he instantly becomes a sparkplug for the team’s defense.
In some of Madar’s tape, you’ll see him pick up opposing ball-handlers in a full-court press as if he’s playing for a vintage Rick Pitino Kentucky team. He’ll get in his opponent jersey and he’ll force them to make uncomfortable passes or commit turnovers.
When opponents try to stop him with screens, he’s none stop and quick enough to run off of them and track his man down to force bad shots. Add in his high motor, and Yam Madar is a prospect with serious defensive potential in the NBA.
On the other side of the ball, Madar is a work in progress but he clearly brings some strong attributes that NBA teams can key in on. Mainly his driving abilities.
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In a pick-and-roll heavy Israeli league, Madar is great at coming off screens, driving to the basket, and letting off easy floaters for instant points. It’s a skill akin to NBA great Tony Parker and current point guard Mike Conley.
These skills get amplified when Madar gets the chance to run the court in transition. I did mention work in progress though, and there’s a lot of traits that Madar needs coaching for at the next level.