Who do you want us to take at #1?

[VFX]

I got Chet, Paolo, Ivey, then Jabari but pretty certain the magic will chose Jabari based off the hype. Don't think that is what the magic need as their biggest need is a scorer. Not to say that Jabari will be a terrible pick or he won't be a productive player but he is just not a player I would pick number 1. But I think drafting Jabari will continue the trend for the magic of drafting players who are good defensively but are lacking offensively (AG, Mo, Issac). Anyway, the scouts have their work cut out for them of finding the gem in this poor draft.

Just curious. What makes you say Jabari is lacking offensively?

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He is a spot up shooter or a guy that shoots off the jab step. If he can do this at a high level, great. However, he lacks so much offensive creativity that you typically get from a number one pick. He is poor playmaker, poor dribbler, poor one on one player, poor shot creater. His biggest asset in college was that he can just shoot over everybody, don't know if that will be the case in the NBA. Not to mention a lot of those shots were just terrible. When you have the number one pick you want so much more. Most realistic comparisons are JJJ or a defensive Rashad Lewis or R. Anderson. I would not say those are number one draft picks. But this is a poor draft class so you can only get what you can get.

This is why as much as I dislike Paolo I’m warming up to him as the pick. Why? Because he is actually capable of doing things primary options do on well built contenders. Orlando has the pieces defensively to make up for his shortcomings. Orlando needs offense, badly. Unfortunately, I think he’s more of a second option as well.

I also like Jabari, but I never saw him really running the offense. I also don’t think that will be his calling card in the nba despite having an elite skill set. Jabari is the 2nd piece to a team with a Tatum, Luka, Morant alpha scorer type to take the pressure off.

Paolo thinks he’s that guy, but his archetype usually pans out to be a wanna-be overpaid version of the aforementioned players above. (Randle, Harris, Griffin, Boozer, West etc.) Guys that never win anything, make a ton of money, and put up numbers as second or third options on legitimate teams.

This draft is tough. There are so many directions and none of them really make sense for Orlando after finally landing the #1 pick. They are going to get a great player, but the FO has a ton of work to do still with making sense of the roster, which is something they haven’t really figured out since taking the job.

[PrimeThyme]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

[VFX]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

[axl_c_cool]

Are we not out of the era where there was a possibility someone who couldn't shoot can learn? I thought that came and went a decade ago when the 3 wasn't prominent. These kids came up in an era where 3pt shooting was all the rage. If they can't shoot yet, they're not going to get much better, are they?

Could Marcus Smart shoot when he entered. Banchero shot 33% in college, it's not a massive jump to get to 36-38%

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[Rainwater]

Just curious. What makes you say Jabari is lacking offensively?

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He is a spot up shooter or a guy that shoots off the jab step. If he can do this at a high level, great. However, he lacks so much offensive creativity that you typically get from a number one pick. He is poor playmaker, poor dribbler, poor one on one player, poor shot creater. His biggest asset in college was that he can just shoot over everybody, don't know if that will be the case in the NBA. Not to mention a lot of those shots were just terrible. When you have the number one pick you want so much more. Most realistic comparisons are JJJ or a defensive Rashad Lewis or R. Anderson. I would not say those are number one draft picks. But this is a poor draft class so you can only get what you can get.

This is why as much as I dislike Paolo I’m warming up to him as the pick. Why? Because he is actually capable of doing things primary options do on well built contenders. Orlando has the pieces defensively to make up for his shortcomings. Orlando needs offense, badly. Unfortunately, I think he’s more of a second option as well.

I also like Jabari, but I never saw him really running the offense. I also don’t think that will be his calling card in the nba despite having an elite skill set. Jabari is the 2nd piece to a team with a Tatum, Luka, Morant alpha scorer type to take the pressure off.

Paolo thinks he’s that guy, but his archetype usually pans out to be a wanna-be overpaid version of the aforementioned players above. (Randle, Harris, Griffin, Boozer, West etc.) Guys that never win anything, make a ton of money, and put up numbers as second or third options on legitimate teams.

This draft is tough. There are so many directions and none of them really make sense for Orlando after finally landing the #1 pick. They are going to get a great player, but the FO has a ton of work to do still with making sense of the roster, which is something they haven’t really figured out since taking the job.

I agree with everything you said here.

[Rainwater]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

I agree with most of the post as well. The reason I consider this a weak draft is because there is no clear generational type player compared to last years draft where there was projected to have 4 or 5. This is the kind of draft were the best player could be found outside the top 5. Anyway all this is projection but this is what a fourm is.

[PrimeThyme]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

Jabari and Trae are the same level of prospect to me. Trae was never considered a can’t miss generational player.

There were many questions regarding his stature, shooting percentages, and lack of athleticism. People just nit-picked and over thought him like they often do. For instance how their doing with Jabari now.

[Blue_and_Whte]

While we agree on Banchero A better shooting Marcus Camby is an awful comp for Chet. Come on man. Camby didn’t possess a fraction of the skills Chet has right now.

I think Orlando needs a primary scorer. When I think of Smith I see him as a high level complimentary player. Potentially making some All Star teams but not a guy you necessarily feature as your primary player.

For years I said that this last iteration of the Magic with Vooch and Fournier was built backwards. We had good complimentary piece s that you put around a star. I don’t want the team to paint themselves into a corner like that again. Being too good to get a high pick but not good enough to be a real threat in the PO’s.

What puts Banchero ahead of Chet is his polished scoring game. You can give him the ball and IMO he’ll get you buckets.

This is my main argument for Banchero, we need a primary offensive player, we haven't had one since Tmac, if he underwhelms he's DeRozen, which isn't a bad thing (not in style, impact).

Fultz
Suggs
Wagner
Banchero
Isaac

That's a pretty nice balanced 5

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It's balanced if you don't care about spacing.

It doesn’t mean people don’t care about spacing. Personally I just think you worry about it AFTER you get the guy who can create the gravity to get your shooters open. Not get the shooters then pray you get a top pick again to land the primary player.
That’s EXACTLY what had us on a treadmill these past few years.

Jabari and Trae are the same level of prospect to me. Trae was never considered a can’t miss generational player.

There were many questions regarding his stature, shooting percentages, and lack of athleticism. People just nit-picked and over thought him like they often do. For instance how their doing with Jabari now.

Except Trae has handles passing and overall scoring. Jabari right now is mainly a shooter and I think his handles/post up game is deficient enough that he’ll never be elite at any of those things. All the prospect are getting nit picked, bottom line is we need talent so I’m honestly good with either of the 3, I just think Banchero is the most probable to become a 3 level scorer which is a massive piece to teams wanting to contend for a title.

[VFX]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

Jabari and Trae are the same level of prospect to me. Trae was never considered a can’t miss generational player.

There were many questions regarding his stature, shooting percentages, and lack of athleticism. People just nit-picked and over thought him like they often do. For instance how their doing with Jabari now.

I don’t doubt anything at all physically with Jabari. I think he has the best chance of being a weapon on offense compared to Paolo or Chet.

The only difference is just that he hasn’t shown yet that he’s a 3-level scorer like Paolo even though he’s absolutely a better shooter with an elite skill. That’s why people nitpick him as a #1 pick. You would have to believe he can become that well-rounded player despite not showing it much in college. At this point I’m between Jabari and Paolo but you could talk me into either player based on what you feel their potential could be.

[IllMagic04]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

Trae Young was not a consensus generational player. In fact it was pretty split down the middle. Alot of people did not like him at all. Luka was looked at as a future all star but not generational. If he was then he woulda been the number 1 pick. Even if you take away Sacramentos stupidity, most had Ayton ahead of him. Its honestly very rare that everyone agrees on a prospect being generational cant miss talent. Zion was the last one. Before that probably Anthony Davis

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[rcklsscognition]

Are we not out of the era where there was a possibility someone who couldn't shoot can learn? I thought that came and went a decade ago when the 3 wasn't prominent. These kids came up in an era where 3pt shooting was all the rage. If they can't shoot yet, they're not going to get much better, are they?

Could Marcus Smart shoot when he entered. Banchero shot 33% in college, it's not a massive jump to get to 36-38%

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Looks like 29% in college and 32% in the NBA for Smart. 33-37 isn't a huge jump, no. It's doable. I think it's more does the guy have the propensity to be a scorer or not. I don't watch college ball, so I have no idea.

[Xatticus]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

Trae Young was not a consensus generational player. In fact it was pretty split down the middle. Alot of people did not like him at all. Luka was looked at as a future all star but not generational. If he was then he woulda been the number 1 pick. Even if you take away Sacramentos stupidity, most had Ayton ahead of him. Its honestly very rare that everyone agrees on a prospect being generational cant miss talent. Zion was the last one. Before that probably Anthony Davis

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I think it would be interesting to dig into this. I thought Doncic was obviously the best player in that draft, but you are correct in that a lot of people were skeptical about how his body would translate. What he did in Europe was unprecedented. His understanding of the game is innate. If you parse his skill set and try to identify translatable skills, I can see how you come out of it seeing someone else's collection of tools as more impressive.

For me, this is the folly that leads to bad decisions. It's not a case of overthinking. It's the inability to see the forest from the trees. Great basketball players are great because they are great at basketball. It sounds dumb, but when we scrutinize prospects, we get so involved in minutiae that we forget that knowing how to play is what really matters. It's not Doncic's tools that make him generational. It's his understanding of the game that does. Basketball players aren't crafted in labs. You can accentuate what someone is by developing the body and the tools, but what makes someone generational is their understanding of the game.

Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars.
-Army General John J. Pershing

Basketball is five guys working together to outscore the other team. You can't evaluate a player independently from that context. You can have all the tools in the world, but if you don't know how to apply them, then you aren't going to be great.

[tiderulz]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

3 years later, it could just as well be Chet recovering him another injury and Jabari never developing an NBA dribble/handle. you just never know

[basketballRob]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

3 years later, it could just as well be Chet recovering him another injury and Jabari never developing an NBA dribble/handle. you just never know

If Jabari just became one of the top shooters and top defenders, I'd be happy.

Tired of drafting players that need to work on shooting, need to gain weight, or aren't two-way players.

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[VFX]

When Jabari/Chet both become All-NBA level players it’s going to be funny to look back on this draft and see all the hysterics regarding how “weak” it was.

I wouldn’t call this draft “weak” at all. It’s a very very deep draft. Deeper than last years even. Someone is going to walk away with a great player in the 8-15 range for sure. There is just no consensus “generational” player like 2018 with Trae and Luka. The top 3 guys will be good depending on where they go, their situation, and how they are utilized

Trae Young was not a consensus generational player. In fact it was pretty split down the middle. Alot of people did not like him at all. Luka was looked at as a future all star but not generational. If he was then he woulda been the number 1 pick. Even if you take away Sacramentos stupidity, most had Ayton ahead of him. Its honestly very rare that everyone agrees on a prospect being generational cant miss talent. Zion was the last one. Before that probably Anthony Davis

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Oh I agree. Trae to me wasnt and isnt “generational” like Luka. I was against drafting him for reasons. Some people feel he is for his ability to score.

Luka is generational. He’s the best international prospect ever drafted based on resume and age.

[swarlesbarkley]

I'm still team Paolo. Just would rather take a guy who can create offense on his own instead of Chet or Jabari who will need an offense designed for them to score.

Paolo seems like the most likely to succeed regardless of talent and coaches around him while Chet and Jabari need specific players and systems to be successful.

I don't want our #1 pick to be dependent on the rest of the team and the coaching staff - we haven't had much success with either of those the past 10 years.

[MasterGMer]

I'm still team Paolo. Just would rather take a guy who can create offense on his own instead of Chet or Jabari who will need an offense designed for them to score.

Paolo seems like the most likely to succeed regardless of talent and coaches around him while Chet and Jabari need specific players and systems to be successful.

I don't want our #1 pick to be dependent on the rest of the team and the coaching staff - we haven't had much success with either of those the past 10 years.

But the question is can Paolo become the NO.1 option or if he is not the NO.1 option, can he play with other guys?

[basketballRob]

My biggest questions with Banchero is does he have the length to be an effective PF. He's listed at 6'10" but he doesn't look that long. How's his lateral movement on defense? How's his focus on defense?

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[tiderulz]

My biggest questions with Banchero is does he have the length to be an effective PF. He's listed at 6'10" but he doesn't look that long. How's his lateral movement on defense? How's his focus on defense?

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7'+ wingspan measured over a year ago.

[swarlesbarkley]

I'm still team Paolo. Just would rather take a guy who can create offense on his own instead of Chet or Jabari who will need an offense designed for them to score.

Paolo seems like the most likely to succeed regardless of talent and coaches around him while Chet and Jabari need specific players and systems to be successful.

I don't want our #1 pick to be dependent on the rest of the team and the coaching staff - we haven't had much success with either of those the past 10 years.

But the question is can Paolo become the NO.1 option or if he is not the NO.1 option, can he play with other guys?

That's fair. But then the question for Chet and Jabari is what if they don't have a #1 alpha on the team? Will they be productive on offense at all?

With the #1 pick I think we should shoot for a guy who has the potential to be a #1 scorer and playmaker. If we were 2/3, Jabari or Chet would be fine picks.