Pemsl is probably a better golfer than Hayes.
I don't know about this "athletic" stuff. I struggle to define what people mean when they say it. Leaps out of the gym? Can dribble all day? Lateral Quickness? Quick first step?
Do what is skilled? Shooting? Passing? Moves around the basket?
What is Basketball IQ? Good communicator? Keeps the offense moving? Cuts off passing lanes without letting his guy get free?
It's like shot blockers. If they can play defense and it includes blocking shots they are special. But there are guys that hunt for blocks and will leave their guy free to take a step and help. And I've said before, space eaters who can deny entry passes and alter shots don't get a single mark on the Box Score, but are often better defenders.
This all confuses me and probably because Hayes and Pemsl aren't a good comparison in my opinion. Hayes is more of an inside/outside power forward type that runs hot and cold with his shots. He's very physical under the basket, or moving towards it. He is, to me, the modern Big Ten power forward. A shooter and a Hockey player.
I see Pemsl's game as going back to old school guys something like Horton, Special K, further back Dan Frost. Guys that can bang, got a big rear to back people down with, and can pump fake, take a step and mess up a defender. They would be awesome Centers if they were 7', but still very serviceable at 6'8"-6"10".
Furthermore, I don't know if Pemsl will ever get the minutes to have stats to compare to Hayes. But I could see him battling for the sixth man title with Baer. And that's where I think the value is going to be. Quality offense and skill (better passer than Hayes) coming off the bench.
