2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[Jcool0]

OK, gentlemen's bet that this issue isn't resolved before the draft. To clarify, I'm sure Smith will say a lot about it...it helps his brand. My point is that Trump didn't seem to care that he just upended the world economic order, but somehow he'd worry about what Smith had to say about some basketball player impacted by new US visa policy.

95% of the time these kind of things get worked out because no one wants to deal with the fall out. The government will say nice things to Trump and give in on a few things he wants and he will lift the ban.

Well that’s not going to happen either. The current “government” effectively is Trump. What will happen is the administration will easily find - because they exist - a legal justification for him to stay. I

Maluach’s legal status is about as important to this discussion as his favorite color.

Why would i be talking about the US government? South Sudan will be giving in on things. Such as: "South Sudan has said it will now allow the entry of a man deported from the US, in a dramatic climb down aimed at defusing a visa row between the two countries."

[DuckIII]

95% of the time these kind of things get worked out because no one wants to deal with the fall out. The government will say nice things to Trump and give in on a few things he wants and he will lift the ban.

Well that’s not going to happen either. The current “government” effectively is Trump. What will happen is the administration will easily find - because they exist - a legal justification for him to stay. I

Maluach’s legal status is about as important to this discussion as his favorite color.

Why would i be talking about the US government? South Sudan will be giving in on things. Such as: "South Sudan has said it will now allow the entry of a man deported from the US, in a dramatic climb down aimed at defusing a visa row between the two countries."

I was confused by your post. I get it now.

[nomorezorro]

Come on man. No way in hell the Trump administration sends someone like him back abroad. Those who project wealth and status will always be allowed to stay and he would make for a high visibility story. That’s just how America is and has been for a long time.

yeah the last thing this administration would do is invite the possibility of a high visibility negative story

You mean like the innocent but poor, tatted Hispanic family man that 55% of America doesn’t give a **** about? High profile athletes who went to Duke and project to be rich and famous will be treated much differently.

i mean like, the entire economy

[nomorezorro]

(i do think what you said is probably still the most likely scenario and generally a very safe perspective to view things through. just not sure you can apply conventional wisdom to this particular government, even compared to trump's first term!)

[Jcool0]

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[DuckIII]

yeah the last thing this administration would do is invite the possibility of a high visibility negative story

You mean like the innocent but poor, tatted Hispanic family man that 55% of America doesn’t give a **** about? High profile athletes who went to Duke and project to be rich and famous will be treated much differently.

i mean like, the entire economy

I don’t want to transform this into a political thread because I won’t be able stay civil with my remarks about what is happening to America, which in my view is now a global disgrace and we deserve it all for being the collection of selfish ignorant douchey fukwits we are. We’re basically cavemen with money and guns.

But my point is he will favor wealth and status and won’t send Maluach packing. This is being done selectively.

[MGB8]

The issue with Maluach may be similar to the issue with Wiseman… how much does he love the game? There are red flags with Maluach given his relatively small (at many times) impact as compared to his talent level.

What red flags? Sure he is pretty raw as a player given his little experience. But Duke limited him to a specific role and he played well in his role all year. He struggled against Houston. The numbers say they were the #2 team right behind Duke and the best defensive team in the county. He was also told about his visa issue before the game. I haven't watched every Duke game but i was pretty consistent in the last part of the year and to me the Houston game was a pretty big outlier compared to the other games. Wiseman played what 3 games at Memphis before being suspended for the year. We have no idea how he would of done over a full college season. So its not a great comparison. All you had to go off of with Wiseman was high school tape. We saw Eddie Curry who was supposed to be the next Shaq not live up to expectations.

He was tied for 223rd in rebounding among NCAA men’s players, at 6.6 rb / game, despite both his size and decent minutes per game at 21.3. Tied for 131st in blocks at 1.3/g (tied or below with other tall guys, who are skinnier with similar minutes per game and are not NBA prospects). He had plenty of games where he simply did not appear to impact the game that much. The level of inconsistency, without a clear trend, is concerning - a red flag. That doesn’t mean that he will be a bust, but it is different than someone with a clear trend line, or someone who doesn’t come in with such a physical advantage.

Anyway, wouldn’t be opposed to drafting I’m, but hopefully the teams scouts and such have gotten some good basis to be able to predict work ethic and drive and commitment to improving, dominating. So much of what happens with these highly talented players comes down to that.

[Jcool0]

The issue with Maluach may be similar to the issue with Wiseman… how much does he love the game? There are red flags with Maluach given his relatively small (at many times) impact as compared to his talent level.

What red flags? Sure he is pretty raw as a player given his little experience. But Duke limited him to a specific role and he played well in his role all year. He struggled against Houston. The numbers say they were the #2 team right behind Duke and the best defensive team in the county. He was also told about his visa issue before the game. I haven't watched every Duke game but i was pretty consistent in the last part of the year and to me the Houston game was a pretty big outlier compared to the other games. Wiseman played what 3 games at Memphis before being suspended for the year. We have no idea how he would of done over a full college season. So its not a great comparison. All you had to go off of with Wiseman was high school tape. We saw Eddie Curry who was supposed to be the next Shaq not live up to expectations.

He was tied for 223rd in rebounding among NCAA men’s players, at 6.6 rb / game, despite both his size and decent minutes per game at 21.3. Tied for 131st in blocks at 1.3/g (tied or below with other tall guys, who are skinnier with similar minutes per game and are not NBA prospects). He had plenty of games where he simply did not appear to impact the game that much. The level of inconsistency, without a clear trend, is concerning - a red flag. That doesn’t mean that he will be a bust, but it is different than someone with a clear trend line, or someone who doesn’t come in with such a physical advantage.

Anyway, wouldn’t be opposed to drafting I’m, but hopefully the teams scouts and such have gotten some good basis to be able to predict work ethic and drive and commitment to improving, dominating. So much of what happens with these highly talented players comes down to that.

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[MGB8]

What red flags? Sure he is pretty raw as a player given his little experience. But Duke limited him to a specific role and he played well in his role all year. He struggled against Houston. The numbers say they were the #2 team right behind Duke and the best defensive team in the county. He was also told about his visa issue before the game. I haven't watched every Duke game but i was pretty consistent in the last part of the year and to me the Houston game was a pretty big outlier compared to the other games. Wiseman played what 3 games at Memphis before being suspended for the year. We have no idea how he would of done over a full college season. So its not a great comparison. All you had to go off of with Wiseman was high school tape. We saw Eddie Curry who was supposed to be the next Shaq not live up to expectations.

He was tied for 223rd in rebounding among NCAA men’s players, at 6.6 rb / game, despite both his size and decent minutes per game at 21.3. Tied for 131st in blocks at 1.3/g (tied or below with other tall guys, who are skinnier with similar minutes per game and are not NBA prospects). He had plenty of games where he simply did not appear to impact the game that much. The level of inconsistency, without a clear trend, is concerning - a red flag. That doesn’t mean that he will be a bust, but it is different than someone with a clear trend line, or someone who doesn’t come in with such a physical advantage.

Anyway, wouldn’t be opposed to drafting I’m, but hopefully the teams scouts and such have gotten some good basis to be able to predict work ethic and drive and commitment to improving, dominating. So much of what happens with these highly talented players comes down to that.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

He had a high offensive rebound percentage during the season - top 10 in the NCAAs… but the 2nd post about some guy’s website and stats is meaningless. Especially when considering that he averaged 1.2 ORB per game over 5 games in the tourney, or 1.5 per game over the first 4 … yet that is somehow translated into 99th percentile or video game score or whatever that number is supposed to mean. Even worse on defensive rebounds, where he averaged just over 6 per game over the first 4, or 5 per game over all 4 in the tourney … compared to a guy like Toppin who had 10 rpg, over 3 of which would be Orb. And can look at plenty of other guys in tourney that were similar.

The stats don’t tell you much. It’s the potential.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

I do like the idea of Noa Essengue and Asa Newell as rangy forwards that can play next to Matas get after it defensively and still some upside on offense for both of those guys.

Newell can play C until his game expands and he can do more on the perimeter. Defensively he’s a stud. Exactly what we need. He’s only a jumper away.

Essengue looks nice plays downhill and has great size length and athleticism. Hes also just a jumper away. Defensively he’s has all the tools you’d want.

While we wait for their offense to come around playing with ball movers like Lonzo and Giddey will get them easy looks until they’re acclimated to the nba.

I want taller athletes out there Matas needs some company.

[VolumePoster]

I do like the idea of Noa Essengue and Asa Newell as rangy forwards that can play next to Matas get after it defensively and still some upside on offense for both of those guys.

Newell can play C until his game expands and he can do more on the perimeter. Defensively he’s a stud. Exactly what we need. He’s only a jumper away.

Essengue looks nice plays downhill and has great size length and athleticism. Hes also just a jumper away. Defensively he’s has all the tools you’d want.

While we wait for their offense to come around playing with ball movers like Lonzo and Giddey will get them easy looks until they’re acclimated to the nba.

I want taller athletes out there Matas needs some company.

Honestly, I like Noa best of all the non-lottery players. Short of another 1.7% miracle, I’m team Essengue…though I haven’t yet done any deep dives yet.

[Chi town]

I do like the idea of Noa Essengue and Asa Newell as rangy forwards that can play next to Matas get after it defensively and still some upside on offense for both of those guys.

Newell can play C until his game expands and he can do more on the perimeter. Defensively he’s a stud. Exactly what we need. He’s only a jumper away.

Essengue looks nice plays downhill and has great size length and athleticism. Hes also just a jumper away. Defensively he’s has all the tools you’d want.

While we wait for their offense to come around playing with ball movers like Lonzo and Giddey will get them easy looks until they’re acclimated to the nba.

I want taller athletes out there Matas needs some company.

Length is a big help on the defensive end and rebounding. Buz’s length makes a big difference.

I think Noa’s length would play very similar to Buz but more as a 3 than 4.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

I do like the idea of Noa Essengue and Asa Newell as rangy forwards that can play next to Matas get after it defensively and still some upside on offense for both of those guys.

Newell can play C until his game expands and he can do more on the perimeter. Defensively he’s a stud. Exactly what we need. He’s only a jumper away.

Essengue looks nice plays downhill and has great size length and athleticism. Hes also just a jumper away. Defensively he’s has all the tools you’d want.

While we wait for their offense to come around playing with ball movers like Lonzo and Giddey will get them easy looks until they’re acclimated to the nba.

I want taller athletes out there Matas needs some company.

Honestly, I like Noa best of all the non-lottery players. Short of another 1.7% miracle, I’m team Essengue…though I haven’t yet done any deep dives yet.

There’s a lot of guards and size deficient forwards in this draft. I want guys at least 6-9 and athletic. If we’re committed to running the ball we need more size that can play that way.

Noa would be a perfect fit here I also would like a scenario where him and Matas are interchangeable forwards able to guard 3s and 4s.

[2weekswithpay]

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Essengue. 6'9 w/o shoes, 6'11 wingspan, and 9'3 standing reach.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

I do like the idea of Noa Essengue and Asa Newell as rangy forwards that can play next to Matas get after it defensively and still some upside on offense for both of those guys.

Newell can play C until his game expands and he can do more on the perimeter. Defensively he’s a stud. Exactly what we need. He’s only a jumper away.

Essengue looks nice plays downhill and has great size length and athleticism. Hes also just a jumper away. Defensively he’s has all the tools you’d want.

While we wait for their offense to come around playing with ball movers like Lonzo and Giddey will get them easy looks until they’re acclimated to the nba.

I want taller athletes out there Matas needs some company.

Length is a big help on the defensive end and rebounding. Buz’s length makes a big difference.

I think Noa’s length would play very similar to Buz but more as a 3 than 4.

I want interchangeable forwards. I think Noa can definitely have ball handling upside to break defenses down from the perimeter like Matas has shown. 2 guys that can play downhill would be nice. He looks aggressive off the dribble like Matas

I don’t think Newell projects as that kind of player but a turbo 5 would be nice too a little undersized but he’s just a kid he’ll get big enough. Very interested to see how he measures up at he combine

[ThisGuyFawkes]

I've said it a few times before, but I think in our range, Essengue is my guy as well. Also, I think he's the likely AKME pick as he's the prototypical AKME project. Long wing with ball skills and switchable on defense. Just needs work on the shot.

He could be exciting with Matas on the wings, along with Coby and Giddey. We'd still need a big body down low and I think Vuc could fill that need for another year until we can upgrade. Noa and Matas would get pushed around quite a bit in the post, although both possess good help-side shot-blocking potential.

[Jcool0]

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[Jcool0]

He was tied for 223rd in rebounding among NCAA men’s players, at 6.6 rb / game, despite both his size and decent minutes per game at 21.3. Tied for 131st in blocks at 1.3/g (tied or below with other tall guys, who are skinnier with similar minutes per game and are not NBA prospects). He had plenty of games where he simply did not appear to impact the game that much. The level of inconsistency, without a clear trend, is concerning - a red flag. That doesn’t mean that he will be a bust, but it is different than someone with a clear trend line, or someone who doesn’t come in with such a physical advantage.

Anyway, wouldn’t be opposed to drafting I’m, but hopefully the teams scouts and such have gotten some good basis to be able to predict work ethic and drive and commitment to improving, dominating. So much of what happens with these highly talented players comes down to that.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

He had a high offensive rebound percentage during the season - top 10 in the NCAAs… but the 2nd post about some guy’s website and stats is meaningless. Especially when considering that he averaged 1.2 ORB per game over 5 games in the tourney, or 1.5 per game over the first 4 … yet that is somehow translated into 99th percentile or video game score or whatever that number is supposed to mean. Even worse on defensive rebounds, where he averaged just over 6 per game over the first 4, or 5 per game over all 4 in the tourney … compared to a guy like Toppin who had 10 rpg, over 3 of which would be Orb. And can look at plenty of other guys in tourney that were similar.

The stats don’t tell you much. It’s the potential.

Why are you posting stats then??????? do better.

[NecessaryEvil]

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Adding Egor and getting value for Zo mid season would be perfect

[DuckIII]

Can someone who supports Newell explain to me why he’s not JAG? I see an NBA player there. A role player. Perhaps even a solid one with consistent role. But the type that can be acquired through free agency and moderate trades.

Are people advocating him based on on fit? Is that the idea? He does fit. Or is it based on the belief in a legitimately star level upside? Just trying to understand the perspective and strategy people are coming from on him.