NBA Draft 2018 6.0: Lucky #7 and 22.

[JohnnyTapwater]

Knox is only 18 years old. He will keep on improving. He will be better than Smith. I believe he is the youngest player in the draft.

Buddy just called Klay Thompson mediocre

I said aside from his historic shooting, he's mediocre.

Klay averages less than 4 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists. He's worse than mediocre in that regard.

His Career Playoff PER is 14 with a usage of 22.

This is where numbers get you in trouble.

[BigUps]

The problem with Bridges is not his age, is his ceiling. You don't tank to draft role players. You tank for the chance to draft a potential star. What good is a role player without a star to build around?

You could always draft a "potential" star and have the pick backfire, while a lower ceiling player lives up to potential. At this point, what you thought the Bulls were tanking for to start this doesn't matter anymore. You just want a good player who adds long-term value to this rebuild.

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Age is also a problem. It is a big deal...

Not really. People act like 2 years is a big deal in the NBA Draft, its not. You get a more mature player who could reach their potential much quicker than a teenager who is still maturing. His age doesn't move the needle negatively at all when evaluating him. In many ways, I prefer it.

[Indomitable]

Knox is only 18 years old. He will keep on improving. He will be better than Smith. I believe he is the youngest player in the draft.

Knox is 2 months younger than Smith. And was far worse at the college level.

Smith is an athletic freak with very good defense he reminds me of Gerald Green. While Knox to me has the potential to be a Paul George type of player.

You mention Green and defense together. Knox is not PG

[Bulls23Nation]

I am starting to think the Bulls have a real shot at Bamba or JJJ falling to 7. If the Kings are sold on doncic at #2, and if there is any smoke to one of the Mavs, or Grizz taking Porter I don't think the bulls can lose. If Mavs/Grizz are bluffing it's a pretty weak attempt because I don't see how they hold any leverage on the Bulls if the above is true. Seems like it would go like this:

1. Ayton
2. Doncic
3. Bagley
4. MPJ
5. JJJ or Bamba
6. Young
7. JJJ or Bamba

The wildcard is Orlando at 6.Trae Young just appears to be the perfect prospect for what they need.

[Darius Miles Davis]

Mikal doesn't have the size/weight to guard 4's or even star 3's. His closest physical doppelganger in the league honestly might be Justin Holiday.

You want guys like Mikal Bridges on your team. You don't want to use a top 10 pick to draft them.

Unfortunately, I agree. This week, anyway, I prefer Miles of the Bridges.


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[Jory04]

I am less concerned about Mikal Bridges age than I am about his development arc. He just spent four years with one of the greatest coaches in college basketball, a guy that is a sure fire hall of famer. My biggest fear is that Jay Wright has Bridges far closer to his ceiling than other prospects in his draft range, and he is right in line with them skill wise right now. I am in the Wendell Carter camp still, excellent pairing for Lauri, rock solid prospect that has spent the last year getting acclimated to playing with another star big man. And for all the people that rave about JJJ's age and his untapped potential, he is only five months older than Jackson.

[Dresden]

Knox is only 18 years old. He will keep on improving. He will be better than Smith. I believe he is the youngest player in the draft.

Buddy just called Klay Thompson mediocre

I said aside from his historic shooting, he's mediocre.

Klay averages less than 4 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists. He's worse than mediocre in that regard.

His Career Playoff PER is 14 with a usage of 22.

Not everything a player does shows up in the box score. I live in SF, have heard plenty of talk about Klay's game from the Warrior's coaching staff over the years, and they absolutely love him. Steve Kerr constantly talks about him as one of their most important players. He is a very good defender, and a great team player. Former nba players like Jim Barnett that are connected to the Warriors have nothing but praise about his overall game. To call him mediocre is just way off the mark.

[TheSuzerain]

Buddy just called Klay Thompson mediocre

I said aside from his historic shooting, he's mediocre.

Klay averages less than 4 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists. He's worse than mediocre in that regard.

His Career Playoff PER is 14 with a usage of 22.

This is where numbers get you in trouble.

They eye test shows the same. Klay is limited off the bounce, is not physical, and does not have much in the way of playmaking chops.

He also can struggle at times in off-ball defense. More of a solid defender than an elite one.

[TheSuzerain]

Buddy just called Klay Thompson mediocre

I said aside from his historic shooting, he's mediocre.

Klay averages less than 4 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists. He's worse than mediocre in that regard.

His Career Playoff PER is 14 with a usage of 22.

Not everything a player does shows up in the box score. I live in SF, have heard plenty of talk about Klay's game from the Warrior's coaching staff over the years, and they absolutely love him. Steve Kerr constantly talks about him as one of their most important players. He is a very good defender, and a great team player. Former nba players like Jim Barnett that are connected to the Warriors have nothing but praise about his overall game. To call him mediocre is just way off the mark.

I don't care. And I didn't call him mediocre. I said he's mediocre aside from the elite shooting which is obviously no small thing.

[Dresden]

Not to get off topic, but one other point about Klay- when Jerry West was advising them, he was the loudest voice in the decision not to swap Klay for Kevin Love, who at the time was with MN and putting up fantastic numbers. That speaks volumes about highly they value him.

[DanTown8587]

Mikal doesn't have the size/weight to guard 4's or even star 3's. His closest physical doppelganger in the league honestly might be Justin Holiday.

You want guys like Mikal Bridges on your team. You don't want to use a top 10 pick to draft them.

Kind of hard for me to take the criticism of Mikal's size and ability to defend seriously when you are an a unabashed Trae Young homer so really, I think this argument isn't intellectually honest.

[Kurt Heimlich]

If anyone is good with querying on bref or any other NBA sites, I'd be curious to know how many rookies in the last 5-7 years were drafted and turned 22 before their first season and how those guys turned out.

If I recall Damien Lilard was a 22 year old rookie. Our own Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine were 22 year old rookies (Denzel was a few months shy of 23). Kuzma was a 22 year old rookie. I'm just wondering how often they turn out to meet or exceed draft position expectations and if judging Bridges on age is worthwhile.

[Indomitable]

We forget. Mikal Bridges is such a Pax pick. A winner from a good program. Dripping with jib when you think about it.

Yup.

Hey my first choice would be right.

[TheSuzerain]

Mikal doesn't have the size/weight to guard 4's or even star 3's. His closest physical doppelganger in the league honestly might be Justin Holiday.

You want guys like Mikal Bridges on your team. You don't want to use a top 10 pick to draft them.

Kind of hard for me to take the criticism of Mikal's size and ability to defend seriously when you are an a unabashed Trae Young homer so really, I think this argument isn't intellectually honest.

If Mikal could do what Trae can on offense, I wouldn't give a **** about his defense.

Surely you recognize that the standards are not the same for a role player and a top scoring option?

[Ctownbulls]

You could always draft a "potential" star and have the pick backfire, while a lower ceiling player lives up to potential. At this point, what you thought the Bulls were tanking for to start this doesn't matter anymore. You just want a good player who adds long-term value to this rebuild.

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Age is also a problem. It is a big deal...

Not really. People act like 2 years is a big deal in the NBA Draft, its not. You get a more mature player who could reach their potential much quicker than a teenager who is still maturing. His age doesn't move the needle negatively at all when evaluating him. In many ways, I prefer it.

It matters a lot from a talent evaluation stand point. I don't disagree that they may be able to contribute quicker and reach their ceiling faster but they also probably have less room to improve than a younger player and also their first real contract is at 25/26 instead of 23. I think age is a real big deal to the teams. It may not get discussed by the media as much but I bet internally it is very important.

[DanTown8587]

Mikal doesn't have the size/weight to guard 4's or even star 3's. His closest physical doppelganger in the league honestly might be Justin Holiday.

You want guys like Mikal Bridges on your team. You don't want to use a top 10 pick to draft them.

Kind of hard for me to take the criticism of Mikal's size and ability to defend seriously when you are an a unabashed Trae Young homer so really, I think this argument isn't intellectually honest.

If Mikal could do what Trae can on offense, I wouldn't give a **** about his defense.

Surely you recognize that the standards are not the same for a role player and a top scoring option?

Surely you recognize Mikal Bridges is perfectly fine size wise at the 3 where as Young will be an undersized PG. I don't know when weight started being the main issue with wings but it's not like Bridges is a feather.

[Dan Z]

Mikal doesn't have the size/weight to guard 4's or even star 3's. His closest physical doppelganger in the league honestly might be Justin Holiday.

You want guys like Mikal Bridges on your team. You don't want to use a top 10 pick to draft them.

According to Wikipedia Mikal Bridges is 6'7" 209 lbs. How is that not big enough to guard 3's? He also has a 7 foot wingspan.

Justin Holiday is 6'6" 185 lbs. without the wingspan.

For more comparison Paul George is 6'9" 220 lbs. Bigger...yes...but not that much bigger.

However if you prefer Miles I get it.

[Truebiscuit]

Bridges checks off all the boxes, he isn't Bamba(bigger name) but he has the tools to be an All NBA defender with the abilty to knock down 3 pointers at a 40% clip.

He has been by guy since the college season. Would be extremely happy with him at #7.

People want to bag on his age, too, but again if you compare him to Klay Thompson you'll see that Bridges is 5 months older than Thompson was when he was drafted. Big-freaking-whoop.

His age use to be the norm in the NBA. Talent is talent. The league would probably be deeper in terms of good players if more stayed in school to develop like Mikal did.

Speaking of Golden State, Steph Curry was also a 3+ year player at college, came in the league at 21 years of age then turned 22 a little after the new year. The age thing is over blown.

I'm kind of thinking Pax wants to take a homerun swing on MPJ or Young. If neither of those dudes are there, I think Bridges is the pick.

[holv03]

Knox is 2 months younger than Smith. And was far worse at the college level.

Smith is an athletic freak with very good defense he reminds me of Gerald Green. While Knox to me has the potential to be a Paul George type of player.

You mention Green and defense together. Knox is not PG

I am not saying Green has good defense because he doesn't but Smith's skill set at the same age reminds me of Gerald Green the prospect. Also Knox has the (potential) to be a Paul George type of player not that he will be but the potential is there.

[Chi town]

I'll take Bridges over Carter every day. Over MPJ too as I think he won't be able to guard a chair and I don't believe in his offense translating.

Bridges makes Lavine, Val, Portis, and Lauri better. I think significantly better too. His D and versatility will open up lots of lineup options. His 3 ball will keep the floor spaced well too.

Wing is the most IMPORTANT position in the NBA right now. I believe Mikal has Deng like potential with a 3 ball. In this NBA that's an all star that impacts winning in a big way.

I think long term he will be able to play small ball PF too just like Otto Porter has. He will be defending the same wings that move down to play the 4 like Tatum Brown etc.