A recent thread on r/NBA_Draft is pushing back against the belief that Kasparas Jakucionis lacks athleticism. The discussion has drawn attention for its use of NBA Combine numbers, in-game metrics, and film breakdowns to argue the point.
While Jakucionis is not known for elite vertical ability or top-end speed, the post contends that his blend of size, skill, and efficient movement makes him a solid athlete for his position.
The narrative labeling him as a “bad athlete” is described as exaggerated and not entirely.
Kasparas Jakucionis Misjudged? Reddit Thread Argues He’s More Athletic Than People Think
The post on the NBA Draft subreddit is challenging the popular narrative that Jakucionis lacks NBA-level athleticism. User salamanderman10 broke down the Lithuanian guard’s NBA Draft Combine numbers, on-court impact, and size-adjusted metrics to argue that Jakucionis is a better athlete than he’s often portrayed.
Jakucionis recorded a lane agility time of 10.99 seconds, which ranks above average and matches closely with top prospects like Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper. His shuttle run was clocked at 2.82 seconds, placing him among the top 10 in his class.
Are people overstating the lack of athleticism from Kasparas Jakucionis
byu/salamanderman10 inNBA_Draft
His three-quarter sprint also came in at 2.82 seconds, better than the 3.2-second average. Although his vertical leap (28.5 inches) and max vertical (35 inches) came in slightly below the positional averages of 30 and 36, the Reddit post emphasizes that jumping ability alone shouldn’t define athleticism.
“He’s more of an average-to-slightly above average athlete,” salamanderman10 wrote, pointing out that Jakucionis won’t blow past defenders or posterize rim protectors. His court movement, the user added, “is very adapt,” especially in terms of stepbacks and shot creation.
Supporting this take, Redditor HollywoodBags noted that Jakucionis posted a 50.4 on the Combine Performance Index (CPI) for players under 6’5″, which rates as “good.” This placed him just above the positional average of 50.1 in a sample of 26 guards and wings.
Jakucionis’ production also reflects solid functional athleticism. His half-court rim field goal percentage sits at 63%, significantly higher than fellow guard Fears at 46%.
He also ranks near the top among guards in free throw rate at the rim (47.8%) and finishes 72% of those attempts.
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“This suggests that he is a very good finisher at the rim, which is not necessarily common for ‘bad athletes,'” according to user salamanderman10.
Although some scouts cite concerns about his burst or lateral defense, Jakucionis’ mix of size, control, and feel makes him a strong athlete for his position. As the Reddit thread suggests, the perception that he lacks athleticism may be more myth than reality.
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