2020 NBA Draft Prospects: Thread II

[Mattya]

So here's the other option instead of trading for Gordon. But how can MN draft him #1 or in the top ten if RealGM consensus has him outside top 10? Does not compute.

Because the guy looks like one of the worst perimeter defenders in the draft. Is that what you want when Towns already struggles in that area defensively.

idk. ask Klomp

All he said was that he liked the video?

[Jedzz]

Because the guy looks like one of the worst perimeter defenders in the draft. Is that what you want when Towns already struggles in that area defensively.

idk. ask Klomp

All he said was that he liked the video?

He also voted for Obi at number 10 in the consensus thread. All I did is suggest he's an altenative option to the Gordon trade people because he can shoot 3's and be the large jackrabbit type they wanted, and can be effective in defense. I also don't think his perimeter defense is anymore locked in stone from what we saw in college than someone like Town's was expexted to be a defensive stud coming out of college. These are things that can be improved on or left not worked on depending on how they are coached or care to.

I've got a number of other players in mind for our picks. But I wouldn't exactly fault them for choosing him at one of them.

[Mattya]

idk. ask Klomp

All he said was that he liked the video?

He also voted for Obi at number 10 in the consensus thread. All I did is suggest he's an altenative option to the Gordon trade people because he can shoot 3's and be the large jackrabbit type they wanted, and can be effective in defense. I also don't think his perimeter defense is anymore locked in stone from what we saw in college than someone like Town's was expexted to be a defensive stud coming out of college. These are things that can be improved on or left not worked on depending on how they are coached or care to.

I've got a number of other players in mind for our picks. But I wouldn't exactly fault them for choosing him at one of them.

Did you watch the video? He looks awful defensively. Poor lateral mobility, high center of gravity, and not a great shot blocker even with his jumping ability. Those aren’t just question marks. Those are glaring red flags. Those are about the least fixable things you can find along with ability to dribble.

Towns has been pretty good defending the rim it’s his ability to guard the perimeter that is suspect right now.

[Nick K]

I'm really coming around to Avdija. He's so talented in virtually every way and he can play both SF and PF which are our two positions of greatest need. He has the handle and vision to be a great shot creator and at least a secondary ball handler. He has enough size that nobody is going to shoot over him when he's on defense. He's a good shot blocker and decent rebounder. He's aggressive and can slash to the rim and dunk. His shooting from the field and line needs to be better, but he has all the same reasons to expect his shooting from the field to improve that Edwards does. Why can't he make FTs?????????

I'm coming around to Avdija too. You know I like Edwards because he has the highest upside imo. I'd trade down though if the value was right and Avdija or OO would be the guy.

[Mattya]

Toppin should only be considered for this team at 17. Then it is just a value pick. I don’t want to trade for Gordon either but I would much prefer Gordon to Toppin on this team. Give me Derrick Jones Jr for the MLE over both.

[KGdaBom]

Toppin should only be considered for this team at 17. Then it is just a value pick. I don’t want to trade for Gordon either but I would much prefer Gordon to Toppin on this team. Give me Derrick Jones Jr for the MLE over both.

I know it's cool to hate on Toppin, but IMO that's BS. He was the best player in college ball this year. He will be incredible offensively and a bit challenged on D. Definitely a top 10 draft prospect and debatable he's top 5.
Klomp and I have been his supporters on the big board at least since pick 8. Maybe earlier. I'm not sure.

[Mattya]

Toppin should only be considered for this team at 17. Then it is just a value pick. I don’t want to trade for Gordon either but I would much prefer Gordon to Toppin on this team. Give me Derrick Jones Jr for the MLE over both.

I know it's cool to hate on Toppin, but IMO that's BS. He was the best player in college ball this year. He will be incredible offensively and a bit challenged on D. Definitely a top 10 draft prospect and debatable he's top 5.

It’s BS to point out how awful on defense he was in college? Got it.

[KGdaBom]

Toppin should only be considered for this team at 17. Then it is just a value pick. I don’t want to trade for Gordon either but I would much prefer Gordon to Toppin on this team. Give me Derrick Jones Jr for the MLE over both.

I know it's cool to hate on Toppin, but IMO that's BS. He was the best player in college ball this year. He will be incredible offensively and a bit challenged on D. Definitely a top 10 draft prospect and debatable he's top 5.

It’s BS to point out how awful on defense he was in college? Got it.

IMO it's BS to act like he isn't a top 10 prospect in this years draft. He wasn't that awful on D.

[Mattya]

I know it's cool to hate on Toppin, but IMO that's BS. He was the best player in college ball this year. He will be incredible offensively and a bit challenged on D. Definitely a top 10 draft prospect and debatable he's top 5.

It’s BS to point out how awful on defense he was in college? Got it.

IMO it's BS to act like he isn't a top 10 prospect in this years draft. He wasn't that awful on D.

You’ve convinced me. I’ll forget all the video evidence of teams targeting him in pick and roll or on switches or on post ups.

[Nick K]

Someone explain Edwards game IQ to me. I think he might be totally lost if ever playing off ball.

Second possesion of this clip: 19 seconds in. Second pass already as they walk up midcourt and his teammate is surveying the court. Edwards just stands there next to him demanding the ball. He teamate doesn't immediately give it to him, keeps surveying, but Edwards just stands there longer until he does. Edwrds finally gets his way and the ball and waits long enough for the original teammate that had the ball to reach the far corner and then passes across court to him in the corner. That dude sends it back across court to Edwards. Edwards jacks a brick from 3. This could be the story of the next three years.

Watch on YouTube

Jedzz, I like your posts and agree with you often but I think you are missing it here with Edwards. That video showed me he's bad at making 35 foot 3 pointers. So is most everyone else.

The guy played on a very young, bad team where he was the star player who was asked to do it all because no one else could. He played like any 18 year old guy would with an inflated ego. Just remember that yesterday doesn't equal tomorrow. He won't do that if he comes to MN. Good coaching will harness his talent and his team mates will keep his ego in check. He won't be the best player on the Wolves so he'll have to grow up fast. That will be good for him.

The other thing is I do not see a Wiggins comp. No way. He blew hot and cold but played with passion often enough. Wiggins never played with passion.
If we pass on him and he blows up into a big time player, I couldn't live with that.

[Nick K]

He’s 19 with a good stroke. No reason he’s not going to be 70-75% soon. Brandon Clarke was 56% from the line when he was 19. They both seem to have similar drives to succeed.

That right there is called knowing your audience and tailoring your argument to it! Are you a politician?

It was a nice try, but I wasn't buying it. I'm hopeful of large improvement in his shooting from all places one can shoot from. I'm not counting on it. If we draft Deni #1 there will be no bridge jumping even considered as I really like everything about his game except for his shooting and I'm hopeful of shooting improvement. I think Deni compares favorably to Edwards in pretty much every skill except for FT shooting.

Deni doesn't create nearly as well as Edwards and his athleticism is way below as well. He is a smart player though. He does a lot well.
I just don't see "star" potential. I am warming up to him if we trade down though.

[KGdaBom]

It’s BS to point out how awful on defense he was in college? Got it.

IMO it's BS to act like he isn't a top 10 prospect in this years draft. He wasn't that awful on D.

You’ve convinced me. I’ll forget all the video evidence of teams targeting him in pick and roll or on switches or on post ups.

It's sure lucky for him that the rest of the Dayton team carried his sorry A$$ to a top 5 rating in the nation. I mean Dayton is a National College Basketball power.

[KGdaBom]

That right there is called knowing your audience and tailoring your argument to it! Are you a politician?

It was a nice try, but I wasn't buying it. I'm hopeful of large improvement in his shooting from all places one can shoot from. I'm not counting on it. If we draft Deni #1 there will be no bridge jumping even considered as I really like everything about his game except for his shooting and I'm hopeful of shooting improvement. I think Deni compares favorably to Edwards in pretty much every skill except for FT shooting.

Deni doesn't create nearly as well as Edwards and his athleticism is way below as well. He is a smart player though. He does a lot well.
I just don't see "star" potential. I am warming up to him if we trade down though.

Deni actually creates much better than Edwards from what I've seen unless you just mean creating for himself. Edwards is more athletically gifted, but Deni is a lot bigger and a better all around ball handler and as you said he plays so much smarter than Edwards. I know you're banging the drum for Edwards and I won't do any bridge jumping if he's the pick either, but I still pretty easily prefer Deni.

[Nick K]

I've been looking at Paul Reed the PF from DePaul and I like what I see. I might take a guy like that at 17. What do you all think of Reed?

[KGdaBom]

I've been looking at Paul Reed the PF from DePaul and I like what I see. I might take a guy like that at 17. What do you all think of Reed?

I've heard a lot of good things about him from people I respect. The draft is still two months away so I'll make sure I've looked at him myself before then.

[Mattya]

IMO it's BS to act like he isn't a top 10 prospect in this years draft. He wasn't that awful on D.

You’ve convinced me. I’ll forget all the video evidence of teams targeting him in pick and roll or on switches or on post ups.

It's sure lucky for him that the rest of the Dayton team carried his sorry A$$ to a top 5 rating in the nation. I mean Dayton is a National College Basketball power.

Congrats you just posted a whole lotta irrelevant words that don’t disprove he is an awful defender.

[minimus]

I've been looking at Paul Reed the PF from DePaul and I like what I see. I might take a guy like that at 17. What do you all think of Reed?

I rank him second in 2020 draft PFs. Only behind Xavier Tillman. Both are exceptional defenders.

[KGdaBom]

You’ve convinced me. I’ll forget all the video evidence of teams targeting him in pick and roll or on switches or on post ups.

It's sure lucky for him that the rest of the Dayton team carried his sorry A$$ to a top 5 rating in the nation. I mean Dayton is a National College Basketball power.

Congrats you just posted a whole lotta irrelevant words that don’t disprove he is an awful defender.

I'm talking about Net +/-. He's a huge plus in college. Probably not quite as much in the pros, but what he would bring to the Wolves would be beneficial IMO.

[KGdaBom]

I've been looking at Paul Reed the PF from DePaul and I like what I see. I might take a guy like that at 17. What do you all think of Reed?

I rank him second in 2020 draft PFs. Only behind Xavier Tillman. Both are exceptional defenders.

So Tillman and Reed are in your opinion better than Okongwu and Deni. Or do you consider these 6'9" players to be Center and SF only?

[Mattya]

It's sure lucky for him that the rest of the Dayton team carried his sorry A$$ to a top 5 rating in the nation. I mean Dayton is a National College Basketball power.

Congrats you just posted a whole lotta irrelevant words that don’t disprove he is an awful defender.

I'm talking about Net +/-. He's a huge plus in college. Probably not quite as much in the pros, but what he would bring to the Wolves would be beneficial IMO.

So this is just a waste of time if you aren’t going to stay on the topic of his defense.