2018 Draft (Merged). New poll

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

As of right now, I have Bamba as my far and away #1 target in this draft, and I would be pretty upset if he was there and the Bulls passed on him for somebody else (assuming, of course, no Ayton, Bagley, Doncic).

1- Bamba
2- MPJ
3- Bridges
4- Carter
5- Young

I really like him too. I’m interchangeable between him and MPJ with a slight preference to MPJ but would be thrilled with either.

Bamba seems like someone who can change the dynamic of our defense by himself. And he actually has a handful of tools on the offensive side too. He also has a solid frame that looks like you can build on. He could be someone that can end up filling out like Dwight or Embiid

[bledredwine]

MPJ. You can never have enough shooters on a rebuilding team. The roster can be rounded out with defensive role players afterwards.

FWIW Mikal Bridges is an elite shooter and an elite defender. If you want Porter just for shooting, Bridges is a substantially better option.

If you think Porter can create, then that’s a whole other story.

Meaning Porter creates easily, yes? I just watched some clips and it looks like he’s just chilling when he creates shots. On one hand, he makes it look effortless. On the other, I can’t tell if he’s slow or if it’s just that easy for him to create shots.

[MrSparkle]

Any of the scathing scouting reports on MPJ do need to be taken with a grain of salt. The guy logged a grand total of 53 minutes for the year, with a total of 30 FGAs. I give him kudos for coming in that late and atleast giving it a shot, instead of sitting out D-Rose/K-Leonard style.

Things I notice:

- Didn't have his lift back. Could barely dunk on the break away. That probably relates to his quickness. I expect it to return with training and more rehab.

- Very good coordination. Soft touch.

- Very solid offensive IQ. Looks for offensive boards, moves off-the-ball, knows how to run a good give-and-go, gets himself open for alley-oops and cuts, moves the ball.

- I like his on-court demeanor. Fist pumps, smiles, cheers on teammates. Seems like a positive personality and could be a good leader.

- Kind of a weird shot but the release is definitely high as hell and controlled. Only thing that scares me is that he plays a bit like Melo and likes shooting the deep 2P with a hand in his face. The leg stance is a little funny - not sure why he kicks them back. Looks like NBA Jam, doubt it helps his percentage.

- Who cares about his wing-span? He's 6'10 but he runs and dribbles like a SF. Looks much more coordinated than Ingram, if you ask me. Great finesse and control when he creates a shot for himself.

- Bulls just need to do their homework on the injury.

Biggest concerns: the injury, ball-handling skills and NBA 3P range.

[GimmeDat]

I'll wait til the end of my day today to look at the linked polls and post the results here.

[DuckIII]

MPJ. You can never have enough shooters on a rebuilding team. The roster can be rounded out with defensive role players afterwards.

FWIW Mikal Bridges is an elite shooter and an elite defender. If you want Porter just for shooting, Bridges is a substantially better option.

If you think Porter can create, then that’s a whole other story.

Meaning Porter creates easily, yes? I just watched some clips and it looks like he’s just chilling when he creates shots. On one hand, he makes it look effortless. On the other, I can’t tell if he’s slow or if it’s just that easy for him to create shots.

No, absolutely not. But if anyone does see that in him, then sure. I was saying if you want Porter simply because you believe he’s “a shooter” then take Bridges instead.

[OldSchoolNoBull]

1. Michael Porter Jr.

If he pans out, I see him as having the highest upside of the five. Size, good scorer, athletic, good pedigree, very highly mocked pre-injury, etc etc. Perhaps not a great creator, but better than Bridges in that regard.

2. Mo Bamba

I honestly was looking for a reason to move him down further. I really am not a fan of the "take the freak athlete and keep your fingers crossed that he can learn how to be a good basketball player" philosophy of drafting. But Bamba looks tantalizing with his size and athleticism and defensive prowess. I just wish his highlights vids show less lobs. You can't tell anything from a bunch of 'guy just throws the ball a few feet above Bamba' lobs other than that he's uber-athletic. I hope that he gets more polished. He scares me, because he could easily be another Thabeet.

3. Mikal Bridges

NBA ready. Guy looks like he can shoot and finish and defend at a high level. I don't watch college basketball, but from the highlight vids I've looked at, and from what other people are saying, he's not a creator. Somebody was suggesting that MPJ was likely to be a Glen Rice type. I see that more in Bridges. Rice or maybe Deng. Good scorer who needs to be set up all the time. I think he'll be a good player, but not sure he's what we need.

4. Wendell Carter

Watching his highlights, I got a pretty strong Chris Webber vibe. Looks like a pretty safe, nba-ready PF. If we didn't already have Lauri, he might be higher on the list. I don't feel like he's a center.

5. Trae Young

Much too positionally redundant with Dunn and Zach here. Unless there is compelling reason by the draft to think that he is head and shoulders a better prospect than anyone else at our slot, there's no way you take him and create the logjam.

[GimmeDat]

RESULTS: (will add to OP). This is of the ranking polls.

Treating #1 spot as 5 points, and #5 spot as 1 point, I've tallied up the votes.

BULLS PICK (33 votes).

1. Michael Porter Jr. - 123 points
2. Mo Bamba - 116 points
3. Mikal Bridges - 79 points
4. Trae Young - 69 points
5. Wendell Carter - 50 points

There were also a couple of people that just put in 1 vote, I ommited them from the above rankings but I'll note them here. One person voted for MPJ, one Mikal, and one Bamba.

MPJ the favourite, which is even more clear in the RGM poll, but Bamba's very close and generally the 2nd favourite of those that did vote MPJ.

PELICANS PICK (11 votes).

This is using the same formula. There were 4 standouts -

1. Lonnie Walker Jr. - 42 points
2. Mitchell Robinson - 39 points
3. Dzanan Musa - 18 points
4. Anfernee Simons - 9 points

Honourable mentions for Gary Trent Jr, Keita Bates-Diop and Troy Brown, among others.

Understandably not many votes for the Pels pick at this stage, closer to the draft we'll get a better idea of both who will be available and who the board likes.

[bledredwine]

Meaning Porter creates easily, yes? I just watched some clips and it looks like he’s just chilling when he creates shots. On one hand, he makes it look effortless. On the other, I can’t tell if he’s slow or if it’s just that easy for him to create shots.

No, absolutely not. But if anyone does see that in him, then sure. I was saying if you want Porter simply because you believe he’s “a shooter” then take Bridges instead.

Yeah, I'm honestly not wowed by Porter at all. But I have no idea... he's hard to read in terms of NBA potential.

[DanTown8587]

4. Wendell Carter

Watching his highlights, I got a pretty strong Chris Webber vibe. Looks like a pretty safe, nba-ready PF. If we didn't already have Lauri, he might be higher on the list. I don't feel like he's a center.

[OldSchoolNoBull]

4. Wendell Carter

Watching his highlights, I got a pretty strong Chris Webber vibe. Looks like a pretty safe, nba-ready PF. If we didn't already have Lauri, he might be higher on the list. I don't feel like he's a center.

Just my first impressions. Admittedly I haven't watched a lot of film on him, I don't watch NCAA.

[RedBulls23]

The more I think of MPJ, I think a comparison to Rashard Lewis is a good one. A tweener.

The thing that really will hold him back is his ball skills. For this level, they just aren't good enough. Can he improve them enough is the real question.

All in all, I won't be upset if the Bulls take him at 6, and certainly would keep an open mind. Obviously assuming his back checks out.

[RedBulls23]

I can see Bamba being a Marcus Camby type player. The key with him is developing that jumper.

He's my 1st option at 6 of the guys that will be available.

[RastaBull]

I'll put my ranking of Bulls pick, and underneath each option rank my Pels picks based on that pick

1. MJP
- M. Robinson (high upside, really exciting measurables)
- R. Williams (probably off the board? exception hustle, above the rim, proven shotblocker, cocompliments Lauri's finesse game)
- Jontay Porter (18 at start of season, project needs to develop body/muscle, stretch 5, smart defensive player, good shotblocking ... feel like he would get the most out of playing behind Lopez for a year or half)

2. Bamba
-S. Melton (rounded, would fill 2-guard role first and foremost but could very well play PG in NBA, great 3P shooting)
-J. Okogie (physical perimeter player/athlete, 3P shot + FT rate, develop defensively, fit with Denzel in 2nd unit)
-Zhaire Smith (still 18, strong athlete, good drive game, good shot mechanics ... raw, but everything there for development)
- C. MArtin (scorer, leader, 3P shooter, defensive hustle, rookie that would really fight for playing time and earn it)

3. Young
- Robinson
- Williams
- Jacob Evans/Keita Bates-Diop (size, defense, scoring but sort of volume based in college?...thinking if we'd focus on C free agent like Capela/Harrell to pair with Young's court vision

[SHO'NUFF]

1. MPJ
2. Young
3. Tyrus Bamba Thomas
4. Carter
5. Bridges

[realEAST]

At the moment, I'd prefer Bamba with our pick - good fit and quite likely very high impact player just due to his defensive qualities, and if he ever develops more advanced offense beyond around the rim game - and I think he has potential as passer due to crazy long arms and his overall IQ, and has showed some promise with a jumper - we are talking about a unique talent.
Imo offerd good combination of floor and potential, although it will take some time to reach either. But def. worth waiting for.

As for Pelicans pick I am between Troy Brown and Okogie. Brown could develop in pretty good player overall, ranging from good sub to good startet, with his shot being biggest questionmark imo.

Okogie is really interesting prospect and is probably being held back by his 6'4 height from being a lotto pick. Nevertheless, I think he could guard guys up to 6'7 because of his huge wingspan, strong build and athleticism. Very good shooter, does not have developed handles, but is still pretty young too.

Think both guys are pretty good fit.

[Rose2Boozer]

1. Bamba
2. Michael Porter Jr.
3. Trae Young
4. Colin Sexton
5. Wendell Carter

1. Jontay Porter
2. Gary Trent Jr.
3. Jacob Evans
4. Caleb Martin
5. Brandon McCoy

[Clint Eastwood]

Watch on YouTube

I know its a highlight real, but watching this, I just don’t understand why we would pass on him for Porter. Porter is an unknown with upside and risk. Mikal is a proven commodity and I think this highlight real shows us he is very athletic and fits a need. He looks like clay Thompson with already elite defense and more explosive dunking. Why is this guy not in the conversation in the top few picks? I think by the time its all said and done, he goes top 5. The only guy I would consider over him that might be available at 6 is Bamba, who is unique and can’t be compared to Bridges. They are just so different. But Porter? Give me Bridges over him every time. I think Bridges lack of superstar “upside” is unfounded.

[DuckIII]

Watch on YouTube

I know its a highlight real, but watching this, I just don’t understand why we would pass on him for Porter. Porter is an unknown with upside and risk. Mikal is a proven commodity and I think this highlight real shows us he is very athletic and fits a need. He looks like clay Thompson with already elite defense and more explosive dunking. Why is this guy not in the conversation in the top few picks? I think by the time its all said and done, he goes top 5. The only guy I would consider over him that might be available at 6 is Bamba, who is unique and can’t be compared to Bridges. They are just so different. But Porter? Give me Bridges over him every time. I think Bridges lack of superstar “upside” is unfounded.

I completely agree with you. The reasons for the Porter preference are:

1. People told other people a year ago that Porter was the #1 American prospect in this class.

2. Bridges is a junior in college and therefore "old and completely developed."

I myself have put Porter over Bridges based strictly on my faith that professional scouts who touted him so highly were seeing things in their more extensive scouting that I can't see in the very, very unimpressive videos that exist online. And I do that simply because of his physical profile.

But if were basing my pick strictly on what I have seen myself, Bridges isn't just the better prospect, but a substantially better one. It would be a huge risk to take Porter over Bridges. Despite my current "rankings" if the Bulls do in fact choose Porter over Bridges I will be very concerned.

As for why Bridges isn't considered top 5 caliber and above Porter, if you take a look around the web you'll find more and more big boards and rankings doing just that. Porter is continuing to fall and Bridges is continuing to rise. That may change with individual workouts though.

[johnnyvann840]

Watch on YouTube

I know its a highlight real, but watching this, I just don’t understand why we would pass on him for Porter. Porter is an unknown with upside and risk. Mikal is a proven commodity and I think this highlight real shows us he is very athletic and fits a need. He looks like clay Thompson with already elite defense and more explosive dunking. Why is this guy not in the conversation in the top few picks? I think by the time its all said and done, he goes top 5. The only guy I would consider over him that might be available at 6 is Bamba, who is unique and can’t be compared to Bridges. They are just so different. But Porter? Give me Bridges over him every time. I think Bridges lack of superstar “upside” is unfounded.

Only reason is because he is a 21 yr old and a Junior and not a 19 year old frosh or high schooler. I take him 8 days a week over MPJ and not even look back.

[johnnyvann840]

Also, I put some stock in the "professional scouts" if we had any of their actual notes and opinions on these players. But we don't. Who are these scouts and where are their actual quotes and notes? I'll tell you where. Hidden from us and everyone else.

Let's not conflate writers and bloggers with "professional scouts". No REAL team scouts information is out there. I love when I see somebody say, "A scout told me this" or "I've heard that a scout said that MPJ would be the first pick in this draft, the last draft and the draft after this, if not for his back injury". NO, sorry. A a scout didn't tell you that because if they did they would be fired immediately. It's a bunch of nonsense drummed up by posters. We'll see what actual professional scouts really think of him when the draft rolls around.

And as far as basketball writers and TV personalities go. pfffft. I put ZERO stock in what they say because I honestly trust my own opinion more than theirs as long as I have actual footage of the players playing the game against real competition and not just watching highlights.