Syracuse Basketball: Projecting Kris Joseph's Skills as an NBA Player

During his Syracuse Orange career, Kris Joseph established himself as one of the most lethal forwards in the Big East. How will his skills translate to the NBA, and how effective can he be?

The 6'7" swingman from Montreal has athleticism, a long wingspan and a polished jump shot.

But there's more to being a professional than just size and shooting. Does Joseph have the advanced talent to thrive as a small forward on both ends of the floor?

Here's a breakdown of Kris Joseph's skills as we project his NBA impact.

Pro: Athleticism

It was evident early in Kris Joseph's freshman year that he was a special athlete.

During his first couple years with the Orange, his primary role was coming off the bench and attacking the basket. His game has since expanded, but that was the trait that initially grabbed the attention of NBA scouts.

His agility and vertical skills are attractive to pro executives because teams are always looking for athletic wings who can come off the bench and get to the rim.

Joseph won't stand out athletically in the NBA, but there's enough spring in his step to keep defenses on their heels.

Con: Fighting Through Contact

Fighting through physical play has never been one of Kris Joseph's best attributes, as he's noticeably less effective against strong opponents.

He's not a complete pushover, nor is he afraid to take the ball into traffic. He just struggles to maintain control of the ball and finish effectively against contact.

Adding 15 pounds of muscle would help Joseph absorb the battering he'll get and make him more effective in the paint. It will also help him rebound and guard bigger forwards.

Pro: Spot-Up Shooting

The area that Kris Joseph improved the most during his Syracuse career was his outside shooting.

He's become a legitimate threat to score as a spot-up shooter. Joseph went from making a combined 16 three-pointers in his freshman and sophomore years to converting 96 threes over the next two years.

His shooting motion is fluid, his form is solid and he elevates over defenders to get the shot off.

Joseph's college shooting percentages aren't spectacular, but he showed the potential to be a reliable outside shooter in the NBA.

Con: Guarding Power Forwards

Joseph was a capable defender at Syracuse, but bigger forwards gave him some trouble.

At 6'7", he'll occasionally be asked to guard NBA power forwards. This could be a problem for him if he doesn't beef up this offseason.

The strength and explosiveness of today's power forwards are imposing, and Joseph will struggle to slow them down.

He will probably guard small forwards and shooting guards most of the time; his inability to check bigger forwards limits his versatility.

Pro: Driving from the Wing

Whenever he received the ball on the wing in a one-on-one matchup, Kris Joseph was one of the most dangerous players in the Big East.

A large portion of his 1,500 collegiate points came from him using his long strides to drive to the hoop.

His increased ability to shoot forced defenses to extend out to him, and that's when he used his quick first step to get by his opponent and get to the cup within one or two dribbles.

Joseph won't be an easy cover in the NBA when he gets room to operate.

Con: Advanced Ball-Handling

If Joseph wants to be a truly dynamic playmaker at the next level, he needs to improve his ball-handling skills.

Right now, his handle is good enough for one crossover or a hard dribble setting up a step-back jumper. But he's not proficient at combining several moves in a sequence, and his ball-handling also suffers when he's in traffic.

Joseph's needs to work on setting up his jump shot when driving to the right, and his spin move also needs improvement.

His ball-handling is sufficient for him to be a slasher off the bench in the NBA, but in order to see significant playing time, he needs to build his repertoire.

Pro: Fast Break Prowess

One of the most appealing aspects of Kris Joseph as a prospect is his mastery of finishing fast breaks. He'll be able to contribute immediately in the NBA as a transition scorer.

Joseph's mix of speed, elevation and body control helped him produce a truckload of highlight-reel plays with the Orange.

Next year he'll bring those same tools to work for an NBA squad.

Overall Outlook

Kris Joseph already possesses several of the tools necessary to be successful in the NBA. He can get to the rim, he has a smooth outside shot, and he'll be a weapon in transition.

Don't expect him to take over the league and and become an All-Star. But I wouldn't be surprised if he turns into a productive role player like Corey Brewer, Trevor Ariza or Kawhi Leonard.

Franchises looking for depth on the wing and a dependable small forward will consider picking Joseph in the late first or early second round of the draft. Teams like Golden State and Cleveland will show the most interest in him.