2018 Draft Thread Lucky #7

[thebizkit]

I'm just not sold on Bamba as a top 10 pick. I mean, you can literally just sign a similar player via free agency in Nerlens Noel.

I'm not 100% on Bamba either, but he is a top 10 prospect. He is somewhat similar to Noel, but way more promising. He is, for example, already better with the ball and has better offensive game. Plus, Bamba is still developing.

Coming out of college both guys do almost the same thing, run, dunk and block. The difference is Bamba has more length, is at the very least willing to shoot a 3 and a probably a bit more coachable. I would be surprised if Bamba turns into anything more than a lob and block type of 4/5.

[qianlong]

I'm just not sold on Bamba as a top 10 pick. I mean, you can literally just sign a similar player via free agency in Nerlens Noel.

You may say they were similar as prospects (although i believe bamba to be better), but Noel even though he was good, didn’t progress much, and on the contrary after the injuries he fell off a cliff. In addition he is going to get paid somewhat.

Bamba, has the same kind of profile but still has develpoment upside and is on a rookie contract.

Ayton, Doncic, jjj are probably better prospects. Bagley too but doesn’t fit with markk. Aside from those, he looks better than all others and with great upside.

[Red Larrivee]

Bamba is a big body who lacks a lot of athletic ability.

Not true at all.

Yes it is. You can't seriously tell me that guy is an above average athlete by modern NBA center standards.

Subpar explosiveness, quickness and strength. Everything he does is reliant on his length. He isn't any more athletic than Asik.

Mind you, that length is spectacular. It's why he's probably guaranteed to be at least a decent defender in this league. But a truly great one? Ehhhhh…

I have no idea what games you're watching if you think Bamba is a comparable athlete to Asik.

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[thebizkit]

When I see what Gobert's presence means to the Utah Jazz, it's hard for me to argue against the idea of bringing Bamba over. He is the closest thing to Rudy Gobert we will find in years to come. He could be a generational player. We are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, so I am really down with that.

The measurable are similar, but there are big differences in Goberts game compared to Bamba. Gobert has a solid 25-30 pounds on Bamba, he has a better feel for the inside game, he uses his body to shield players out creating lanes for other players and he moves in and out of the post creating easy scoring opportunities. Not many people are going to physically move Gobert out of the way, Bamba will struggle to stand his ground if he ends up not adding more muscle and weight to his frame.

[RememberLu]

Not true at all.

Yes it is. You can't seriously tell me that guy is an above average athlete by modern NBA center standards.

Subpar explosiveness, quickness and strength. Everything he does is reliant on his length. He isn't any more athletic than Asik.

Mind you, that length is spectacular. It's why he's probably guaranteed to be at least a decent defender in this league. But a truly great one? Ehhhhh…

I have no idea what games you're watching if you think Bamba is a comparable athlete to Asik.

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I think the analogy isn't 100% dead on but similar in the sense that people fear Bamba will be a one way player in the NBA like Asik was. He may be a better athlete and have better measurables but he hasn't shown a whole lot of offensive upside

[Leslie Forman]

If you think Mo Bamba and Omer Asik move the same way, I simply cannot tell what you're watching. Bamba might not be an explosive leaper ala Tyson Chandler but if you literally watch him run, he runs exceptionally well for a big man, especially in space and especially well for a guy with a 9'6" reach.

Is he ever going to be the second half of the CP3/Tyson Chandler lob play? I highly doubt it but his agility and versatility on the perimeter when paired with his elite reach and decent vertical ability makes him an insanely different prospect than Omer.

Omer Asik just didn't have a 7'9" wingspan.

People really underrate the athleticism of an average young NBA center these days and overrate what some kids are doing against a bunch of other kids.

I see all these supposed highlights of Bamba and I see him good at using his extreme length. Nothing more. But like I said, hey, that's possibly going to be enough.

[DuckIII]

I'm just not sold on Bamba as a top 10 pick. I mean, you can literally just sign a similar player via free agency in Nerlens Noel.

Bamba isn’t some dime a dozen talent. He’s an extraordinarily rare physical specimen. If he slides to us it will be a no brainer pick even though he is a raw project.

[Leslie Forman]

I think the analogy isn't 100% dead on but similar in the sense that people fear Bamba will be a one way player in the NBA like Asik was. He may be a better athlete and have better measurables but he hasn't shown a whole lot of offensive upside

FWIW the comparison as players isn't really dead on because Asik was a flat out awful shooter. Bamba at least could be some homeless man's Okur at shooting.

He's not providing anything else on offense though. He's not athletic enough to be a great roll man and he's too weak to really be an inside presence. Of course he can gain weight but you can only do so much with that high center of gravity and toothpick legs.

[Peelboy]

It’s fine to not like Bamba, but seems silly to compare him as a teenager to a guy who is 6 years older w 4 years in NBA strength and conditioning programs. Simple biology would suggest Bamba will add weight. In fact if he doesn’t add weight/strength that would be highly surprising and indicative of a crap organization or a real lack of work ethic, neither of which seem like realistic issues.

IMO given what I’ve seen from Bamba (albeit limited), a lineup of him, Markannen, Nwaba, LaVine, Dunn would be a terror defensively and able to cover Zach. Offensively you’d have 2 pure scorers and then it would depend on Dunn/Nwaba improving outside shooting (Nwaba already seems to be doing that on the corner 3). That’s assuming Bamba doesn’t develop a true outside game but just has roll/layup skills. If he can legit stretch the floor it’ll be really good offensively.

I rate him behind Ayton (lower ceiling, higher floor), even w JJJ (higher defensive ceiling/floor, lower offensive ceiling), probably ahead of Bagley (some concerns of him as a C in a PF body at the nba level).

One of Ayton-JJJ-Bamba-Doncic-Porter(assuming back checks out and not by Luol’s doc) would be a real coup. Next tier is Bagley/Carter with Young as a potential given his combo of shooting and passing (but I have doubts about ability to maintain that at next level- big variance in potential outcomes).

[thebizkit]

I'm just not sold on Bamba as a top 10 pick. I mean, you can literally just sign a similar player via free agency in Nerlens Noel.

Bamba isn’t some dime a dozen talent. He’s an extraordinarily rare physical specimen. If he slides to us it will be a no brainer pick even though he is a raw project.

Which is why I compared him to Noel, who was also considered as an extraordinary physical specimen. Guy's who have lived off just their athleticism and length have a greater bust potential, which is why I don't consider him a no brainer pick and IF he does drop to us, that is also an indication that other teams feel the same way.

[RememberLu]

I do like how smart Bamba is, it would be very easy to root for a kid like that. Apparently the kid is like a borderline genius and very mature for his age

[DuckIII]

Noel was absolutely not considered to be the physical freak that Mo Bamba is.

Noel has a 7’3 wingspan and a 9’1 standing reach. Bamba’s are an insane 7’9 and 9’6.

[Chi town]

TP w the Asik comp:))) I do agree that Bambas length covers for his mediocre motor and athleticism. He has to add weight and strength to his legs without losing any quickness while also learning to shoot. I think he can but it will take 3-4 years... then you have to pay up for someone that isn’t proven yet... no thanks.

I take Carter over Bamba everyday. With Carter you are getting good defense and size with a potential high ceiling offensive profile due to his 3 ball and post moves.

[League Circles]

I do like how smart Bamba is, it would be very easy to root for a kid like that. Apparently the kid is like a borderline genius and very mature for his age

I like that too, didn't know it. It's so rare to be a physical anomaly, and so rare to be an intelligence anomaly, that when you have them in one, it's worth taking a very serious look at. From what I understand Wendell Carter is also like this (obviously not quite the physical freak Bamba is, but still a legit center sized player with great wingspan).

[Leslie Forman]

Noel was absolutely not considered to be the physical freak that Mo Bamba is.

The only thing freaky about Bamba is his length, and there is typically at least one guy every draft with almost as much height/length. Just last year Thomas Bryant measured in at 6'9.5" and 7'6" with a 9'4.5" reach.

This very draft has two much more impressive physical specimens in Ayton and Jackson.

[thebizkit]

Noel was absolutely not considered to be the physical freak that Mo Bamba is.

Noel has a 7’3 wingspan and a 9’1 standing reach. Bamba’s are an insane 7’9 and 9’6.

Not identical, but similar. You can't get too wrapped up in measurements is my point. Haseem Thabeet had a 7'6 wingspan, I would not say he was more of a physical freak than Noel.

[Red Larrivee]

Yes it is. You can't seriously tell me that guy is an above average athlete by modern NBA center standards.

Subpar explosiveness, quickness and strength. Everything he does is reliant on his length. He isn't any more athletic than Asik.

Mind you, that length is spectacular. It's why he's probably guaranteed to be at least a decent defender in this league. But a truly great one? Ehhhhh…

I have no idea what games you're watching if you think Bamba is a comparable athlete to Asik.

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I think the analogy isn't 100% dead on but similar in the sense that people fear Bamba will be a one way player in the NBA like Asik was. He may be a better athlete and have better measurables but he hasn't shown a whole lot of offensive upside

He could be a one-way player or he could develop decent offense. It's really a toss up. Bamba has at least shown respectable form on his jumper and the ability to come down with any ball thrown in his direction. He won't be a deadly shooter but it's reasonable to believe he can keep defenses honest. Asik didn't have that potential. He was just very awkward offensively.

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[MrSparkle]

It's laughable comparing Bamba to Noel or Asik. The only thing you worry about with a guy his size are injuries. But his frame is unreal, he actually possesses some skills and has instincts and is a smart kid.

Please show me a video of Asik doing this:

Watch on YouTube

His arms are ripped and he hasn't even hit an NBA gym or diet.

He's gonna be special. But again, so long his body holds up.

[Chicago-Bull-E]

Noel was absolutely not considered to be the physical freak that Mo Bamba is.

Noel has a 7’3 wingspan and a 9’1 standing reach. Bamba’s are an insane 7’9 and 9’6.

Holy smokes, I did not realize he was that long.

[AKfanatic]

Noel was absolutely not considered to be the physical freak that Mo Bamba is.

Noel has a 7’3 wingspan and a 9’1 standing reach. Bamba’s are an insane 7’9 and 9’6.

Holy smokes, I did not realize he was that long.

That’s what she......