Is Tyler Bey the second-coming of Andre Roberson, or is he something more?

The Nuggets currently hold the No. 22 pick in the NBA Draft. Over the next month, the DNVR Nuggets crew will examine who Denver may pick with that selection. Make sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 18, the night of the draft and DNVR Nuggets Draft Day LIVE streaming on Periscope and YouTube.

Who is Tyler Bey?

Seven years after Andre Roberson left the University of Colorado and declared for the NBA Draft, another undersized power forward is set to follow in his footsteps. The similarities between Roberson and Tyler Bey are striking. They’re both 6-foot-7. They both played mostly power forward at Colorado despite being undersized for the position. They were both tremendous defenders and gifted rebounders at the college level. Like Roberson, Bey is also destined for an NBA career on the wing.

Bey, a 6-foot-7 218-pound junior was a part-time starter during his freshman season but over the last two years was clearly one of Colorado’s top-2 players alongside point guard McKinley Wright. The 22-year-old is spring-loaded around the rim and quick enough on the perimeter to be able to guard three or four positions at the NBA level.

Bey averaged 29 minutes per game last season, which was up from the 26 per game he played during his sophomore year, but his stats somewhat flatlined aside from his three-point percentage. That was one of the disappointing aspects of his junior season, one NBA scout told DNVR. Some didn’t feel as if Bey improved as much as he should have throughout his college career. He’s currently being mocked as a late-first round selection.

Strengths

• Defense and defensive versatility: Bey projects as someone who can guard multiple positions at the next level.
• Has the foot speed and smooth hips to defend guards and wings. He’s a high-level team defender too.
• Athleticism: Plays bigger than 6-foot-7 and is a presence on the offensive and defensive glass. He’s a serious lob threat in the half-court and transition where he flies up and down the floor.
• Rebounding: Averaged 9.0 rebounds per game last season which led the Pac-12, a conference that included projected top-10 pick Onyeka Okongwu. You really see his athleticism show up on the offensive and defensive glass.

Weaknesses

• Offensive skill-set: How is he going to be a threat at the next level?
• Bey doesn’t really have any reliable go-to dribble moves. His handle needs work, he needs to become a better passer and he doesn’t possess a lot of guard/wing skills offensively.
• Interior defense: Needs to get stronger and improve his fundamentals and positioning defending the post.
• Can he finish against more length in the NBA?

NBA Comparison: Andre Roberson, with a better offensive game at this stage in his development.

How does Bey fit on the Nuggets?

Offense

The best case scenario for Bey at the next level is that he’s an elite 3-and-D wing who has the ability at times to attack the defense off of the bounce. But to acquire that 3-and-D label, Bey will have to prove he can be a reliable threat from beyond the arc. Whether or not he can shoot the three consistently could determine his NBA fate.

Bey shot 42% (13-31) from three-point range last year although he shot only 59 threes total over three college seasons. He showed some promise from the line, knocking in 78% of his free-throws during his sophomore season and 74% as a junior. Roberson never showed signs of being a capable three-point shooter in college and was a 58% free-throw shooter at Colorado.

Bey has flashed a capable face-up jumper too but I doubt it’s something he relies on or goes to often at the next level. Offensively, he’s clearly a play finisher, not a play starter, but not a primary offensive option either. Most of his NBA offense will likely come from three areas: beyond the three-point line, cuts to the basket/transition and the offensive glass.

Defense

Where Bey will make an NBA living will be on defense. Bey could be Denver’s Torrey Craig replacement (with more offensive upside) if the Nuggets lose their trusted wing in free agency this offseason. He obviously won’t enter the NBA with the strength Craig currently has to defend bigger forwards, but Bey’s body looks like it has room to put on muscle without him having to sacrifice athleticism. Bey will need to in order to defend better on the interior. His post defense and positioning needs work too.

Bey is an extremely aggressive and active defender, especially in 1-on-1 situations. If a quicker guard gets a step on Bey he can swallow them at the rim with his 7-1 wingspan, similar in fact to Craig who’s defended Russell Westbrook exceptionally well over the course of his career. Over time Bey could develop into a wing who if he he reaches his ceiling could bring the type of defensive versatility that someone like Andre Iguodala does with the ability to guard multiple positions and the intangibles to be a really strong team defender. That will be valuable on a team that’s building around Jokic, Murray and Porter.

He has shown really strong instincts rotating over from the weak side of the defense for possession-saving blocks. Bey can tag and recover in the half-court smoothly. He also covers ground quickly and is able to react in time to what’s going on around him.