Wizop wrote:how do you feel about Grant Williams? is he a tweener or a legitimate 3/4 combo?
Hachimura or Clarke from Gonzago? Washingto from KY. Thybulle from Washington. Euros? lots of 4's seem to be mocked below the 3's.
My take on the draftees:
Grant Williams: I am high on this guy when we are at the 20th. Not saying I don't like him at 18. I just think we now have a shot at players who seem to be on a higher tier than him in Bol Bol, Jaxson Hayes, Romeo Langford, maybe even Nassir Little, whoever slips that far.
I've been intrigued by his old school style of play and I really can't think of any close NBA comparison for him. He could be a lite version of Draymond Green at best, slower but bigger PJ Tucker, Corliss Williamson with court vision, more physical Boris Diaw. My fear is that he becomes Georges Niang 2.0 as a worst case scenario but I think his physicality and work ethic are what separates him from Niang. I think he's a tweener but I am hoping he'd prove he can play the same positions Draymond Green are playing. Being a tweener is not as bad as it used to be anyways. He's closer to a 4/5 than a 3/4, IMO. His basketball IQ would fit very well with the Pacers.
Hachimura or Clarke? Hachimura by a mile. The glaring difference I see is potential. Clarke is the more established player but Hachimura's potential is hard to ignore. I think the expectation with Hachimura is that he could turn out to be a Giannis 2.0. Brandon Clarke would probably be serviceable but nobody knows how his game would translate to the pros, notably his offense. Good stats and all for Clarke but he is lacking the X-factor. Clarke plays big but the NBA is way bigger. Unless he develops a reliable outside shot, his floor stays low. I wouldn't be surprised to see Clarke slip into the mid-20's. Also, I think marketing would affect Hachimura's actual draft stock.
PJ Washington - Plays a lot like a pro. I don't know if it's just me but with a little bulk, this guy could play like David West. Recent bigs from Kentucky almost, always turn out good in the pros. Not an exciting pick, but is not too raw as compared to others. Probably a gentle reach at 18, even at 20.
Matisse Thybulle - One of the players I expect/hope to climb up the draft boards dramatically once the workouts begin. Best asset is that he can be a game-changer defensively. One of the guys all other teams from pick 19 and beyond (playoff teams; except for Cleveland maybe) would want in their roster. I am seeing the comparisons to Danny Green a lot but I think his game is / will be closer to Thabo Sefolosha. If he can prove in the workouts that he can hit threes consistently, I'd want the Pacers to gamble on this guy. Him over Keldon Johnson and Nickeil Alexander - Walker, IMO.
Euros - I think this year's a weak one for the Euros. Aside from Doumbouya and Bitazde, there are no other legit 1st to mid-2nd rounder international prospects this year. I have been seeing Samanic getting mentioned a lot as a possible early second rounder but the kid is still quite raw to me. He's got potential but he'd be a long project, it seems. Yovel Zoosman and Servydis are not getting much attention and I personally think they're way better prospects than Samanic at this point.
Bruno Fernando, Kabengele, and Garland are on the rise. Brandon Clarke, Keldon Johnson, Gafford, Alexander - Walker seems to be slipping.
