2022 NBA Draft Talk: Never too soon

[GopherIt!]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

Nice comp.

You could make an argument that he will be the highest upside prospect available when we pick.

[Neeva]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

One of the top players in his class..I think G league didn't do him any favors, which is weird to say since Green & Kuminga went top 10 last year and Hardy's teammate Dyson Daniels is going top 10 as well.

I'd go crazy if we picked him up at 19

Hardy seems like the kind of pick Connelly makes.

[Mattya]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

I like his shot and handle. I just don’t know if he has the ability to distribute or if that is even important in this system? I wish he attacked the paint more as a fit next to our stars. I do think he is a low risk player, but could have high upside. He is at least going to be a bench scorer.

[Mattya]

I’m trying to get in the Liddel bandwagon, but that’s usually a bad sign when I have to talk myself into prospects. I don’t know if I buy his floor spacing ability or if he will be able to scoring in the paint against close outs. He scores a lot in post ups based off of what I see which is almost surely not going to be run for him on this team. I like his switch ability potential on defense, I just don’t know if his shot or ability to attack close outs against bigs will translate.

[minimus]

Caleb Houstan as #40 pick? If he can be an average defender and a movement shooter with average NBA 3pt accuracy he will be a steal.

[Norseman79]

I am really curious, I did this earlier, but who are your top three at each position that are likely to/could be available at pick 19 and later? No explanation needed.

Example, if Jalen Duren drops to 19, he would obviously jump to my number 1 C, but he isn't going to realistically be there.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I’m trying to get in the Liddel bandwagon, but that’s usually a bad sign when I have to talk myself into prospects. I don’t know if I buy his floor spacing ability or if he will be able to scoring in the paint against close outs. He scores a lot in post ups based off of what I see which is almost surely not going to be run for him on this team. I like his switch ability potential on defense, I just don’t know if his shot or ability to attack close outs against bigs will translate.

I've been having a hard time convincing myself of his upside. If you're 6'7 245+, I want to see insane footspeed. Great lateral quickness defensively so you're a brick wall and can guard smalls on the perimeter, and great off-the-dribble quickness offensively, o/w teams can guard you with a big that can take away all your physical attributes, and you can't counter them with speed.

I saw a tiny bit of him putting the ball on the floor offensively, though I wouldn't really call it explosive. And defensively a lot of guys getting the angle on him from the perimeter, and then him waiting for the shot block attempt rather than walling off. So I'm worried he's reliant on size/strength advantages that won't be there in the NBA, because he had much more of a big-man game to him than when I go back and watch Draymond Michigan State highlights or even Grant Williams Tennessee highlights for example, but maybe that's just based on the personnel Ohio St had.

And even if they think he can be the next Grant Williams, I don't want is to go into it explicitly with a "oooh, the next Grant Williams!" mindset. Even at pick 20, I don't like drafting for role players. For all his "NBA ready" skills, it took him 3 seasons to start being relevant in the NBA, and he's still a bench player that was mostly irrelevant in the finals.

But I mean, I don't really know. I'm a youtube highlight watcher. If they think he can do the perimeter work to be more than a spot up shooter offensively and just a passable perimeter defender and/or will be able to create some mismatches offensively to be able to use his power game, then go for it. I just want to be the team that finds the Jimmy Butler/Siakam/Gobert etc for once.

[SO_MONEY]

I’m trying to get in the Liddel bandwagon, but that’s usually a bad sign when I have to talk myself into prospects. I don’t know if I buy his floor spacing ability or if he will be able to scoring in the paint against close outs. He scores a lot in post ups based off of what I see which is almost surely not going to be run for him on this team. I like his switch ability potential on defense, I just don’t know if his shot or ability to attack close outs against bigs will translate.

I've been having a hard time convincing myself of his upside. If you're 6'7 245+, I want to see insane footspeed. Great lateral quickness defensively so you're a brick wall and can guard smalls on the perimeter, and great off-the-dribble quickness offensively, o/w teams can guard you with a big that can take away all your physical attributes, and you can't counter them with speed.

I saw a tiny bit of him putting the ball on the floor offensively, though I wouldn't really call it explosive. And defensively a lot of guys getting the angle on him from the perimeter, and then him waiting for the shot block attempt rather than walling off. So I'm worried he's reliant on size/strength advantages that won't be there in the NBA, because he had much more of a big-man game to him than when I go back and watch Draymond Michigan State highlights or even Grant Williams Tennessee highlights for example, but maybe that's just based on the personnel Ohio St had.

And even if they think he can be the next Grant Williams, I don't want is to go into it explicitly with a "oooh, the next Grant Williams!" mindset. Even at pick 20, I don't like drafting for role players. For all his "NBA ready" skills, it took him 3 seasons to start being relevant in the NBA, and he's still a bench player that was mostly irrelevant in the finals.

But I mean, I don't really know. I'm a youtube highlight watcher. If they think he can do the perimeter work to be more than a spot up shooter offensively and just a passable perimeter defender and/or will be able to create some mismatches offensively to be able to use his power game, then go for it. I just want to be the team that finds the Jimmy Butler/Siakam/Gobert etc for once.

Baring something surprising happening I think the only guy at #19 we have a chance at before the changing of tiers is Jalen Williams. If he doesn't fall to us or we can't land him in a small trade I look to trade down. Why does this seem to happen every year with a few exceptions? Always seem to drop and be out of guys by a pick or two... unless we get the #1 overall.

[Devilzsidewalk]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

Nice comp.

You could make an argument that he will be the highest upside prospect available when we pick.

Yeah I just think back to that Boston and Toronto games, and D'Lo struggled so much to create shots with that kind of intense defense. I think you have to have an S tier handle against some of these teams, and Hardy seems like somebody who has the potential to use his handle to create offense when a defender has taken away his airspace.

Now if they think he doesn't have lead guard potential, that probably changes things. It's kind of the same situation as with nowell then, where if you're playing PG, the size becomes a weapon, but at the 2, you're overmatched defensively.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I’m trying to get in the Liddel bandwagon, but that’s usually a bad sign when I have to talk myself into prospects. I don’t know if I buy his floor spacing ability or if he will be able to scoring in the paint against close outs. He scores a lot in post ups based off of what I see which is almost surely not going to be run for him on this team. I like his switch ability potential on defense, I just don’t know if his shot or ability to attack close outs against bigs will translate.

I've been having a hard time convincing myself of his upside. If you're 6'7 245+, I want to see insane footspeed. Great lateral quickness defensively so you're a brick wall and can guard smalls on the perimeter, and great off-the-dribble quickness offensively, o/w teams can guard you with a big that can take away all your physical attributes, and you can't counter them with speed.

I saw a tiny bit of him putting the ball on the floor offensively, though I wouldn't really call it explosive. And defensively a lot of guys getting the angle on him from the perimeter, and then him waiting for the shot block attempt rather than walling off. So I'm worried he's reliant on size/strength advantages that won't be there in the NBA, because he had much more of a big-man game to him than when I go back and watch Draymond Michigan State highlights or even Grant Williams Tennessee highlights for example, but maybe that's just based on the personnel Ohio St had.

And even if they think he can be the next Grant Williams, I don't want is to go into it explicitly with a "oooh, the next Grant Williams!" mindset. Even at pick 20, I don't like drafting for role players. For all his "NBA ready" skills, it took him 3 seasons to start being relevant in the NBA, and he's still a bench player that was mostly irrelevant in the finals.

But I mean, I don't really know. I'm a youtube highlight watcher. If they think he can do the perimeter work to be more than a spot up shooter offensively and just a passable perimeter defender and/or will be able to create some mismatches offensively to be able to use his power game, then go for it. I just want to be the team that finds the Jimmy Butler/Siakam/Gobert etc for once.

Baring something surprising happening I think the only guy at #19 we have a chance at before the changing of tiers is Jalen Williams. If he doesn't fall to us or we can't land him in a small trade I look to trade down. Why does this seem to happen every year with a few exceptions? Always seem to drop and be out of guys by a pick or two... unless we get the #1 overall.

I've been wondering if Memphis would do 22/29 for 19/40 if our guys we like are off the board and there's somebody they really like at 19. I like the extra control with the late first, and I also expect the draft board to take some heavy hits in the 10-12 picks before pick 40.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I'll need to check out the Wesley stuff again, a couple big boards have moved him really high, and supposedly he has lead guard potential /shrug

[KGdaBom]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

One of the top players in his class..I think G league didn't do him any favors, which is weird to say since Green & Kuminga went top 10 last year and Hardy's teammate Dyson Daniels is going top 10 as well.

I'd go crazy if we picked him up at 19

Crazy happy or crazy mad?

[KGdaBom]

I'll need to check out the Wesley stuff again, a couple big boards have moved him really high, and supposedly he has lead guard potential /shrug

I'll have to check him out based on what you posted. Tankathon here I come.

[moss_is_1]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

I wondered why he's so low also, especially since this PG class is pretty underwelming. The shooting %'s are bad, but his FT% is elite(88% on 3 attempts)

[jpatrick]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

One of the top players in his class..I think G league didn't do him any favors, which is weird to say since Green & Kuminga went top 10 last year and Hardy's teammate Dyson Daniels is going top 10 as well.

I'd go crazy if we picked him up at 19

Crazy happy or crazy mad?

I see him much more as a bench scorer than a starter. Not a crazy athlete. Not a passer. Definitely not an efficient scorer right now. Not a defender. Probably can only guards 1s and 2s.

His ceiling to me is Tyler Herro. Tight handle can create space for shots off the bench. Floor is that he doesn’t do anything to help towards winning (inefficient chucker that doesn’t play defense or pass).

[minimus]

I’m trying to get in the Liddel bandwagon, but that’s usually a bad sign when I have to talk myself into prospects. I don’t know if I buy his floor spacing ability or if he will be able to scoring in the paint against close outs. He scores a lot in post ups based off of what I see which is almost surely not going to be run for him on this team. I like his switch ability potential on defense, I just don’t know if his shot or ability to attack close outs against bigs will translate.

I've been having a hard time convincing myself of his upside. If you're 6'7 245+, I want to see insane footspeed. Great lateral quickness defensively so you're a brick wall and can guard smalls on the perimeter, and great off-the-dribble quickness offensively, o/w teams can guard you with a big that can take away all your physical attributes, and you can't counter them with speed.

I saw a tiny bit of him putting the ball on the floor offensively, though I wouldn't really call it explosive. And defensively a lot of guys getting the angle on him from the perimeter, and then him waiting for the shot block attempt rather than walling off. So I'm worried he's reliant on size/strength advantages that won't be there in the NBA, because he had much more of a big-man game to him than when I go back and watch Draymond Michigan State highlights or even Grant Williams Tennessee highlights for example, but maybe that's just based on the personnel Ohio St had.

And even if they think he can be the next Grant Williams, I don't want is to go into it explicitly with a "oooh, the next Grant Williams!" mindset. Even at pick 20, I don't like drafting for role players. For all his "NBA ready" skills, it took him 3 seasons to start being relevant in the NBA, and he's still a bench player that was mostly irrelevant in the finals.

But I mean, I don't really know. I'm a youtube highlight watcher. If they think he can do the perimeter work to be more than a spot up shooter offensively and just a passable perimeter defender and/or will be able to create some mismatches offensively to be able to use his power game, then go for it. I just want to be the team that finds the Jimmy Butler/Siakam/Gobert etc for once.

Yes, I am also looking for amazing foot speed (Aaron Gordon was one of the fastest players among ALL positions during NB draft combine) or leaping ability (same Gordon) or huge hands (Tillman) or wingspan (Millsap). But... Last time I was so excited about Culver who had 43 inches vertical during LAL workout and perfect body for SG, so I would rather have Liddell who is a bit undersized, but has high IQ and motor, 240 lbs, 6'7" and 7'0" wingspan.

[KGdaBom]

I'll need to check out the Wesley stuff again, a couple big boards have moved him really high, and supposedly he has lead guard potential /shrug

Tankathon has changed to Liddell as our pick over TyTy. Eason goes at 18. Wesley at 22.

[jpatrick]

As a guy that’s loves Dyson Daniels, I’m coming around on the guy that’s is Daniel’s-lite, Dalen Terry.

6’7” combo guard. Good passer. Great defender. Can probably play PG in our system eventually because ANT/KAT will be the primary initiators. Can shoot some. Still a hitch. Doesn’t have Daniels upside ad a shot creator but has most everything else. Eventually Pat Bev replacement as a defensive guard and irritator of the other team.

I really think we need to look at defensive guys with high BBIQ: Daniels, Sochan, Henry, etc.

[Krapinsky]

Dalen Terry took 6 shots a game in 28 minutes. What gives? What's the high end comp for a guy averaging 8 points in 28 minutes on 6 shots per game?

[Mattya]

How come people are so down on Hardy, i see the strong Poole vibes. Insane handles and off the dribble shooting is the foundation of every great scoring point guard. I know the finishing and defense look questionable, but those would be the two things I would expect to be behind in starting in the g league ignite vs playing for Kentucky.

I remain intrigued.

I wondered why he's so low also, especially since this PG class is pretty underwelming. The shooting %'s are bad, but his FT% is elite(88% on 3 attempts)

Because he isn’t a distributor. I think the question is if you need him to be that.