Way too early NBA draft thread 2021

[MrSparkle]

Rough week for Cade but imo he’s still hands-down the best prospect in draft... I can see SAC skipping him for Mobley, though.

[Rose2Boozer]

Who will win the 2021 NCAA Tournament draft stock bump award?

Legit Candidate?

Watch on YouTube

[Michael Jackson]

Cade is in my big board at spot number 3. He cannot move up on my list. He's a great perimeter defender (as long as he guards SFs) and I love that part of his game. However, he's probably not a prime time performer.

- His first March Madness game was horrific against Liberty, who I considered weak competition. 3-14 from the field, 2-8 from 3pt, 1 assists, 2 steals, 15 points. Inefficient.
- His 2nd game was eh so so. The 2nd game was supposed to be Cade's bounce back and he didn't do it. His 6-20 from the field and 3 assists are disastrous. I love his 5 steals. I do not like his 11 3pt attempts. The hell? Wasted possessions. I like his 24 points, but he had to take 20 shots to get there. Inefficient.

Who are 1 and 2?

[WindyCityBorn]

Give me Suggs over Cade all day. Cade doesn’t look like real lead facilitator to me. I guess he might be a great scorer though.

[Wingy]

First time seeing Cade live on TV. Oof.

Same here, outside of his highlights.

I can see him being a good player, but not even close to being a franchise savior like he’s bring hyped up to be.

In his highlights, he looks like a guy shooting over the top of smaller, lesser athletes. That won’t be so easy vs NBA wings. Then it has been noted that he can struggle getting by his man, and he showed that late tonight. Getting contained, then stuffed by a guy who won’t even sniff the league. Then getting defended well by a different defender, traveling, but getting bailed out by refs missing that, and the defender biting hard on a pump fake. That’s in college.

Edit: Like...why is he not on this poll? To think he’s head and shoulders above the other top 3 prospects is a joke.

You can’t look at one game and write people off. People were saying the same thing about Jalen Green after his first G League game. Cade didn’t have a good game. That happens to every player. What I do know is he put up 40 against Oklahoma not too long ago and single handily beat Baylor last week which may be one of the most complete and best teams in college this year.

Saying someone doesn't appear to match the hype, and saying they don't appear to be a franchise savior isn't the same as writing them off. Writing "a good player" undersells what I see in him. I do see the path where he could become that solid all star (i.e. - a bonafide Zach Lavine-type all star, and not the borderline Luol Deng-type, team-success all star). He's getting insane hype though, and he just doesn't pop to me like real superstars did (e.g. - Lebron, Kobe, Durant).

The eye test means a lot to me, and it's wrong plenty of times, but like I said - at quick glance, a lot of his shining moments look like a guy shooting over the top of guys that are physically overmatched, and barely exist in the NBA.

[CaPiTanAK]

Cade has a michael Porter game at pg/sg, aka future superstar. That jumpsuit is so pure and wet. #1 easily

[No-Man]

Cade is basically Paul Pierce, now you can get cute and try to aim better with a nº1 pick than that and go for pie on the sky type of scenarios, project ceilings that aren't obvious on guys, or do whatever you want to do

But Paul Pierce as a nº1 pick is a no-brainer

[Michael Jackson]

Cade is basically Paul Pierce, now you can get cute and try to aim better with a nº1 pick than that and go for pie on the sky type of scenarios, project ceilings that aren't obvious on guys, or do whatever you want to do

But Paul Pierce as a nº1 pick is a no-brainer

I think if I know a guy is Paul Pierce, I take him almost every time unless their is a LeBron or Zion, but I am ultra conservative as an investor IRL, that is also the reason why I may not be a GM. The other reason is, I might read these boards, kidnap posters on these boards and make them do the job to see it isn't as simple as it looks. I would then further harm the franchise reputation and I would spend a minimum of 20 years in jail, with my kids wondering why I acted in such a way over basketball. After my bones had been shattered from resisting my cell mates advances (I mean cmon a guy like me has no connections inside I'm going to lose) I would eventually fall in love with my cellie and we would have a strange relationship until he got paroled, then I would be old cold and empty again, wondering why I thought I could do the job and I would curse GarPax everyday.

Don't worry folks I have a therapist session at 2pm today

[The Box Office]

Cade is in my big board at spot number 3. He cannot move up on my list. He's a great perimeter defender (as long as he guards SFs) and I love that part of his game. However, he's probably not a prime time performer.

- His first March Madness game was horrific against Liberty, who I considered weak competition. 3-14 from the field, 2-8 from 3pt, 1 assists, 2 steals, 15 points. Inefficient.
- His 2nd game was eh so so. The 2nd game was supposed to be Cade's bounce back and he didn't do it. His 6-20 from the field and 3 assists are disastrous. I love his 5 steals. I do not like his 11 3pt attempts. The hell? Wasted possessions. I like his 24 points, but he had to take 20 shots to get there. Inefficient.

Who are 1 and 2?

For me, Suggs is number two. Jalen Green is number one.

I disagree with Paul Pierce comparison to Cade. It's ridiculous. They play nothing alike. I wish comparisons stop from every single scout and online couch surfing QB. People can yell, "Cade is number one" until their face turns blue, but I do not see unique elite skills and physical attributes to make Cade number one. I thought I was supposed to see Cade's hype in his 2 March Madness games and I didn't see it.

[DuckIII]

I think I’ve seen the wrong Cade games. He’s obviously a talent, but nothing really jumps out at me when I’ve seen him play.

But again, I’ve only seen him play 3-4 times.

When I watch Mobley, for example, it’s like he’s playing with a spotlight on him the whole time, he stands out so much. I have Mobley at #1 if you don’t consider team needs. I think he’s the best prospect.

Then I have Suggs. I guess after that I’d have Cade based on reputation and faith in conventional wisdom because all I’ve seen of the NBDL guys are highlight clips (though Green looks pretty incredible in those clips).

[JockItch43]

Same here, outside of his highlights.

I can see him being a good player, but not even close to being a franchise savior like he’s bring hyped up to be.

In his highlights, he looks like a guy shooting over the top of smaller, lesser athletes. That won’t be so easy vs NBA wings. Then it has been noted that he can struggle getting by his man, and he showed that late tonight. Getting contained, then stuffed by a guy who won’t even sniff the league. Then getting defended well by a different defender, traveling, but getting bailed out by refs missing that, and the defender biting hard on a pump fake. That’s in college.

Edit: Like...why is he not on this poll? To think he’s head and shoulders above the other top 3 prospects is a joke.

You can’t look at one game and write people off. People were saying the same thing about Jalen Green after his first G League game. Cade didn’t have a good game. That happens to every player. What I do know is he put up 40 against Oklahoma not too long ago and single handily beat Baylor last week which may be one of the most complete and best teams in college this year.

Saying someone doesn't appear to match the hype, and saying they don't appear to be a franchise savior isn't the same as writing them off. Writing "a good player" undersells what I see in him. I do see the path where he could become that solid all star (i.e. - a bonafide Zach Lavine-type all star, and not the borderline Luol Deng-type, team-success all star). He's getting insane hype though, and he just doesn't pop to me like real superstars did (e.g. - Lebron, Kobe, Durant).

The eye test means a lot to me, and it's wrong plenty of times, but like I said - at quick glance, a lot of his shining moments look like a guy shooting over the top of guys that are physically overmatched, and barely exist in the NBA.

Exactly... I’m not talking a bad game, I literally just don’t see it. No way I’m spending a number one overall pick on him, especially if it’s based on reputation.

[Michael Jackson]

I think I’ve seen the wrong Cade games. He’s obviously a talent, but nothing really jumps out at me when I’ve seen him play.

But again, I’ve only seen him play 3-4 times.

When I watch Mobley, for example, it’s like he’s playing with a spotlight on him the whole time, he stands out so much. I have Mobley at #1 if you don’t consider team needs. I think he’s the best prospect.

Then I have Suggs. I guess after that I’d have Cade based on reputation and faith in conventional wisdom because all I’ve seen of the NBDL guys are highlight clips (though Green looks pretty incredible in those clips).

I like how Suggs moves and changes direction. i personally have liked him more than Cade since the beginning of the season and nothing has changed.

[Almost Retired]

Damn the Mobley brothers looked awesome last night. If they keep that up they could be one of the Final Four.

[Kukoc-Lauri]

My comparisons for top 5 picks
Cade - Luka meets Brandon Roy
Green- Mamba at best, Lavine at worst
Kumminga- Og or Matrix
Mobley- Bosh or Kg in high school
Suggs- less athlethic DRose or taller Chauncey

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

I think I’ve seen the wrong Cade games. He’s obviously a talent, but nothing really jumps out at me when I’ve seen him play.

But again, I’ve only seen him play 3-4 times.

When I watch Mobley, for example, it’s like he’s playing with a spotlight on him the whole time, he stands out so much. I have Mobley at #1 if you don’t consider team needs. I think he’s the best prospect.

Then I have Suggs. I guess after that I’d have Cade based on reputation and faith in conventional wisdom because all I’ve seen of the NBDL guys are highlight clips (though Green looks pretty incredible in those clips).

I've seen Cade 8 or 9 times. He's big, strong, fearless and a fast processor, he can legitimately play 1-4 in college (I suspect 2-4 in the NBA), has great shooting indicators and is a very defensible #1 pick for those reasons. But, like you, I just can't get all the way there with him. Absent special athleticism or vision or a top 5% handle, it's way easier for me to see his floor than his ceiling.

I'm with you on Mobley. I'm guessing he's a few years away from becoming "the guy" and will take his reputational lumps until then. But once it clicks, I don't see anything skill-wise or athletically holding him back. To me, a #1 pick has to pop in college, and Mobley pops immediately and unmistakably.

[TheSuzerain]

Mobley wasn't that impressive last night.

He's going to be able to be defended by NBA 3's and 4's unless/until he develops a lot physically.

He still looks like a very talented big, but he didn't jump off the screen to me.

[madvillian]

My comparisons for top 5 picks
Cade - Luka meets Brandon Roy
Green- Mamba at best, Lavine at worst
Kumminga- Og or Matrix
Mobley- Bosh or Kg in high school
Suggs- less athlethic DRose or taller Chauncey

So you're saying this draft will have 3-4 inner circle HOFers? I doubt that. I see a lot of flaws in all those guys' games and you are comparing them in some cases to once a generation types like KG.

I wouldn't want the #1 pick in this draft, I'd probably try and trade it if a team was willing to give up any asset to move up from 2-5.

_____________

Franz Wagner played pretty bad last night until the last 5 minutes, but to his credit he stepped up. I don't know. I'm starting to see him more as a late 1st rounder. He has some issues as an offensive tweener. Defensively he's NBA ready but offensively I'm not sure what his role is at the next level. He really needs to work all summer on catch and shoot.

[Kukoc-Lauri]

My comparisons for top 5 picks
Cade - Luka meets Brandon Roy
Green- Mamba at best, Lavine at worst
Kumminga- Og or Matrix
Mobley- Bosh or Kg in high school
Suggs- less athlethic DRose or taller Chauncey

So you're saying this draft will have 3-4 inner circle HOFers? I doubt that. I see a lot of flaws in all those guys' games and you are comparing them in some cases to once a generation types like KG.

I wouldn't want the #1 pick in this draft, I'd probably try and trade it if a team was willing to give up any asset to move up from 2-5.

_____________

Franz Wagner played pretty bad last night until the last 5 minutes, but to his credit he stepped up. I don't know. I'm starting to see him more as a late 1st rounder. He has some issues as an offensive tweener. Defensively he's NBA ready but offensively I'm not sure what his role is at the next level. He really needs to work all summer on catch and shoot.

you never know, they for sure dont lack talent. Worst case scenerio albeit i am not seeing it goes that south
Cade-Fultz,MCW
Green-Larry Hughes, Ricky Davis
Mobley-C.Frey, Bagley
Kumminga-Snell Doumboya (as for now)
Suggs-Antonio Daniels, Culver

[No-Man]

Jesus man, those comps are so bad

[Chicago-Bull-E]

I think I’ve seen the wrong Cade games. He’s obviously a talent, but nothing really jumps out at me when I’ve seen him play.

But again, I’ve only seen him play 3-4 times.

When I watch Mobley, for example, it’s like he’s playing with a spotlight on him the whole time, he stands out so much. I have Mobley at #1 if you don’t consider team needs. I think he’s the best prospect.

Then I have Suggs. I guess after that I’d have Cade based on reputation and faith in conventional wisdom because all I’ve seen of the NBDL guys are highlight clips (though Green looks pretty incredible in those clips).

People forget Cade is 6-8” and closer to size to Ben Simmons than Ja Morant. So when he doesn’t have the quickness of a point guard, I think it’s challenging to get over that. People had this same problem with Luka, a guy I was begging should have been 1 the entire year over Ayton. Because Luka was big, did the things a point guard did, so it didn’t matter that he didn’t have elite quickness.

A point guard version of Brandon Roy is a good comp. Roy did whatever he wanted in the NBA, because for his size, he was faster and had better ball handling skills than anyone else. And has an elite basketball IQ, something no one on this current team has.

I mean, he did put up 20, 6, and 4 as a freshman on elite percentages (40% from 3).

He would instantly take over this team like he did OK State, and the team collectively would be better from day 1.