2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[Norseman79]

That's fair. I never said that I was upset about that upside, but it's worth assessing what it is, wherever it is.

If Sorber=Miles Turner I'll be thrilled to have him.

Well of course, but I'm just saying that's the highest I see his upside going. Realistically, I see more of a cross between Wendell Carter Jr and Gorgui Dieng.

Which isn't a horrible player, and would be a great depth piece. If that's what people are suggesting he is, that's cool.
It really all just depends who is on the board.

[Nick K]

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It is happening!

Sorber is the guy I want! Maluach or Queen too.

[Nick K]

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It is happening!

So, I was wondering who TC would prefer if they were both there: Sorber or Beringer. Sorber, despite his wingspan, still has a fairly short standing reach by NBA center standards (9’1”). Is not a quick or explosive athlete. Will not be a rim running lob threat and, at least at Georgetown, was a drop only big. But, he’s a very high IQ guy on both ends, had very good block and steal numbers and Georgetown’s defense was infinitely better with him on the floor. I see him as a Hartenstein type guy. Not as vertical as Hartenstein but smart player, good passer, can be part of very good offenses and defenses even if never a focal point of either. And we have to factor in the foot injury.

Beringer is longer, younger, better athlete. Best shot blocker in his league at age 18. Easily defended on the perimeter. Lob threat. And I’ve read has great hands. He, however, has only been playing basketball for three years and in a lot of ways doesn’t know what he’s doing.

My guess is at least one is gone by 17, probably Beringer, but it’d be interesting to see who TC would choose. Rudy and Kessler, both acquired by TC, both more the Beringer rim runner type.

Beringer was the guy I saw first and loved him. But he's super raw and has very little offensive game. Such a risky pick. He's at least 3 years away. His potential could be amazing. I think we need a much more solid big. I like Sorber, Queen or Maluach. One of those guys could be available. You never know. I'd even trade our #31 to go up a few spots to get the guy we want.

[Nick K]

I'm not a sober fan. Wingspan nice, height, standing reach, vertical and mobility are not.

I'm not a fan of being sober either. Just kidding.

[Nick K]

Yep, 6'11 Sorber would be in top-5. I also see some questions with how he was used in defense mainly as drop defender. I mean with such measurements he should be more willing to switch. Either way I think hands-eye coordination, positional awareness and IQ might be big swing skills for him. He also should continue to work on his body, I feel like losing 10-15 lbs and improving his stamina and strength would be beneficial

If the extra 2 inches came with more wingspan and reach, then sure, but why does where the top of his head is at matter for basketball? Some guys just have a shorter neck and I could care less. Sorber has the wingspan and reach of a center to go along with wide shoulders and overall massive frame.

You are correct that height based on the top of your head is irrelevant. Eye level matters for looking over opponents. Standing reach and vertical come into play for Shooting over opponents, blocking shots and getting rebounds. You all remember Minnesota basketball legend Randy Breuer. The top of his head was about 7'4" but he had about the longest forehead of any human I've ever seen. Eye level may have been 6"6"[/quote]

Yes he did! The poor guy looked dumb as a stump too. Not saying he actually was....

[minimus]

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Watching Finals I am wondering who from current drat can be such player who plays hard and smart.

Hugo Gonzalez?

Watch on YouTube

Thomas Sorber?

Watch on YouTube

[shangrila]

I'm not saying they're the same player, I just get Jahlil Okafor vibes

From who? Sorber?

[Domejandro]

Offensively, Thomas Sorber has a lot of similarities to a better passing Marreese Speights.

[KGdaBom]

That's fair. I never said that I was upset about that upside, but it's worth assessing what it is, wherever it is.

If Sorber=Miles Turner I'll be thrilled to have him.

Well of course, but I'm just saying that's the highest I see his upside going. Realistically, I see more of a cross between Wendell Carter Jr and Gorgui Dieng.

I'm thinking about if he's WCJ or Gorgui and I'd be OK with that.

[Norseman79]

Okay, so I went back and watched a ton more of sorber highlights and breakdowns. I can't be a hypocrite, I don't see a home run, but there's definitely a very high floor. I'm not sold on him as a starting center, but a very high quality backup from day one seems realistic. There are other center prospects I would prefer over him, but that's personal preference. Obviously if they draft him, I'm going to cheer for his success and be happy.

[KGdaBom]

Okay, so I went back and watched a ton more of sorber highlights and breakdowns. I can't be a hypocrite, I don't see a home run, but there's definitely a very high floor. I'm not sold on him as a starting center, but a very high quality backup from day one seems realistic. There are other center prospects I would prefer over him, but that's personal preference. Obviously if they draft him, I'm going to cheer for his success and be happy.

I'm coming around to him, but with the foot injury if push came to shove I would pick somebody else if the talent were close. The talent might not be close.

[Norseman79]

Okay, so I went back and watched a ton more of sorber highlights and breakdowns. I can't be a hypocrite, I don't see a home run, but there's definitely a very high floor. I'm not sold on him as a starting center, but a very high quality backup from day one seems realistic. There are other center prospects I would prefer over him, but that's personal preference. Obviously if they draft him, I'm going to cheer for his success and be happy.

I'm coming around to him, but with the foot injury if push came to shove I would pick somebody else if the talent were close. The talent might not be close.

Again, if the plan is he is the backup big man and if he develops into more great, I get it. Aside from age, I guess I would just ask why him over Kalkbrenner?

[BlacJacMac]

Okay, so I went back and watched a ton more of sorber highlights and breakdowns. I can't be a hypocrite, I don't see a home run, but there's definitely a very high floor. I'm not sold on him as a starting center, but a very high quality backup from day one seems realistic. There are other center prospects I would prefer over him, but that's personal preference. Obviously if they draft him, I'm going to cheer for his success and be happy.

I'm coming around to him, but with the foot injury if push came to shove I would pick somebody else if the talent were close. The talent might not be close.

Again, if the plan is he is the backup big man and if he develops into more great, I get it. Aside from age, I guess I would just ask why him over Kalkbrenner?

I worry that Kalkbrenner is so slow, he'll never be more than a spot minute back-up.

[Norseman79]

I'm coming around to him, but with the foot injury if push came to shove I would pick somebody else if the talent were close. The talent might not be close.

Again, if the plan is he is the backup big man and if he develops into more great, I get it. Aside from age, I guess I would just ask why him over Kalkbrenner?

I worry that Kalkbrenner is so slow, he'll never be more than a spot minute back-up.

By all accounts, and I haven't seen any of their agility scores, people worry about sorbers mobility as well.

[Danimals]

I’d like Behringer and let him develop 2 years behind Gobert.

[Nick K]

I'm coming around to him, but with the foot injury if push came to shove I would pick somebody else if the talent were close. The talent might not be close.

Again, if the plan is he is the backup big man and if he develops into more great, I get it. Aside from age, I guess I would just ask why him over Kalkbrenner?

I worry that Kalkbrenner is so slow, he'll never be more than a spot minute back-up.

That's right. We have a Kalkbrenner in Luca Garza. I love Luca. I just wish Luka had more lateral quickness. But that could be said for many NBA players.

[Worm Guts]

Again, if the plan is he is the backup big man and if he develops into more great, I get it. Aside from age, I guess I would just ask why him over Kalkbrenner?

I worry that Kalkbrenner is so slow, he'll never be more than a spot minute back-up.

That's right. We have a Kalkbrenner in Luca Garza. I love Luca. I just wish Luka had more lateral quickness. But that could be said for many NBA players.

Maybe they’re comparable physically, but Kalkbrenner is definitely a better defensive player than Garza, while Garza is more skilled offensively. I think Kalkbrenner is springier as well.

[BlacJacMac]

Again, if the plan is he is the backup big man and if he develops into more great, I get it. Aside from age, I guess I would just ask why him over Kalkbrenner?

I worry that Kalkbrenner is so slow, he'll never be more than a spot minute back-up.

That's right. We have a Kalkbrenner in Luca Garza. I love Luca. I just wish Luka had more lateral quickness. But that could be said for many NBA players.

Kalkbrenner is a way better prospect than Garza. But I still think he's likely going to top out as a bit rotation player on a good team. I think he'll be able to function some in a drop scheme, but he has no chance at switching or defending off his man.

Its the Ringer, so YMMV, but I enjoyed this comment:

Before anyone points to Zach Edey as a success story for gigantic players who primarily play drop defense and have a heavy dependence on post play on offense, be aware that Kalkbrenner, while similarly skilled and balanced, moves at a more glacial pace than even Edey. Luke Kornet might be a better comp: less quick twitch, more quicksand twitch.

[moss_is_1]

I worry that Kalkbrenner is so slow, he'll never be more than a spot minute back-up.

That's right. We have a Kalkbrenner in Luca Garza. I love Luca. I just wish Luka had more lateral quickness. But that could be said for many NBA players.

Kalkbrenner is a way better prospect than Garza. But I still think he's likely going to top out as a bit rotation player on a good team. I think he'll be able to function some in a drop scheme, but he has no chance at switching or defending off his man.

Its the Ringer, so YMMV, but I enjoyed this comment:

Before anyone points to Zach Edey as a success story for gigantic players who primarily play drop defense and have a heavy dependence on post play on offense, be aware that Kalkbrenner, while similarly skilled and balanced, moves at a more glacial pace than even Edey. Luke Kornet might be a better comp: less quick twitch, more quicksand twitch.

Kalkbrenner also plays a bit soft, not doing well playing against physical defense. Not sure how well that will bode for his future.

[younggunsmn]

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Watching Finals I am wondering who from current drat can be such player who plays hard and smart.

Hugo Gonzalez?

Watch on YouTube

Thomas Sorber?

Watch on YouTube

Sorber makes Luka Garza look like he has quick feet and looks like he can jump over a stack of maybe 3 or 4 library books.
He's going to be a very mediocre to bad player for whoever drafts him and be a complete waste of minutes.
I would pass even at 31.