The 2022 NBA Draft Thread

[BCS]

I think that one of the smarter things that Mosely figured out this year was that he could get the most out of WCj by playing him at PF. It allows the Magic to use Bamba on the perimeter to stretch the floor while WCj operates inside, but still allows WCj the freedom to score from anywhere. It also masks WCj defensive weaknesses.

When Isaac returns, I would assume that the best move would be for him to play the role that Bamba has played this year. Isaac can stretch the floor like Bamba, but has the superior defense. So the Magic would have that formidable defensive presence in the paint that is lacking from both WCj and Bamba.

It also keeps Isaac safer from injury since playing Center doesn't require him to make as many sudden cuts that put pressure on his knees. The more we can keep him going North-South and jumping vertical instead of running East-West, and jumping horizontal, the better it will be for his longevity.

This is why I'm not as hyped for Jabari/Chet as others. I still believe in Isaac and how the new Magic line up could look like. Meanwhile, our guards can't shoot.

PG Markelle Fultz
SG ???
SF Franz Wagner
PF Wendell Carter
C Jonathan Isaac

6th Suggs - Suggs shooting has left everyone disappointed. We can't rush him to get better. The best way to utilize him is as a 6th man until he raises his game which may take 3-4 years. Luckily he has the ability to play both guard spots and could be a spot starter at any time.

Every other bench player has to be able to shoot from 3 or they should be shipped off. Cole and RJ lead that pack.

I would just play a 3 man rotation with the bigs. Jabari, Isaac and WCj.

I wonder what it would take to get another pick. If there is a team with some interest in Cole, let's just say the Knicks, just because it is something they would do. I wonder if Cole and a future protected 1st rd pick would do it. We can throw in one of our seconds as well. We grab Mathurin with the pick and we have a possible solid 8 man rotation that can switch everything and are/should be above average on both ends of the floor.

Fultz/Suggs
Mathurin/Suggs
Franz/Chuma
Jabari/Isaac
Wcj/Isaac

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[MMFla]

I'm starting to see Mathurin, him and Griffin are in the top 5 for me. Jabari is still at the top, the one thing I don't like and I've heard it mentioned before but he does seem to shoot every time he touches it. Chet to me is the one guy who is a perfect fit for us, still concerned about his body holding up.

[KillMonger]

I'm starting to see Mathurin, him and Griffin are in the top 5 for me. Jabari is still at the top, the one thing I don't like and I've heard it mentioned before but he does seem to shoot every time he touches it. Chet to me is the one guy who is a perfect fit for us, still concerned about his body holding up.

why? he's never had any injury history in his years of playing up until this point....his weight isn't hurting him on the college level whatsoever

[RookieStar]

I'm starting to see Mathurin, him and Griffin are in the top 5 for me. Jabari is still at the top, the one thing I don't like and I've heard it mentioned before but he does seem to shoot every time he touches it. Chet to me is the one guy who is a perfect fit for us, still concerned about his body holding up.

why? he's never had any injury history in his years of playing up until this point....his weight isn't hurting him on the college level whatsoever

Exactly! Put him with nba-level trainers and nutrisionist... ( or whoever we got to bulk d12 before ) and that skinny frame is yesterdays news.

[Knightro]

GAMES TO WATCH 3/5/2022

Alabama at LSU, Noon ET on ESPN
-Tari Eason, No. 10 on Tankathon

South Carolina at Auburn, 1pm ET on SEC Network
-Jabari Smith, No. 2 on Tankathon

Kentucky at Florida, 2pm ET on CBS
-TyTy Washington, No. 8 on Tankathon

Indiana at Purdue, 2pm ET on ESPN
-Jaden Ivey, No. 4 on Tankathon

California at Arizona, 5pm ET on Pac-12 Network/fuboTV
-Bennedict Mathurin, No. 11 on Tankathon

Iowa State at Baylor, 6pm ET on ESPN2
-Kendall Brown, No. 13 on Tankathon

North Carolina at Duke, 6pm ET on ESPN
-Paolo Banchero, No. 3 on Tankathon
-AJ Griffin, No. 5 on Tankathon

Jalen Duren, Johnny Davis and Keegan Murray next play on Sunday. Chet Holmgren next plays on Monday.

[Skin]

I think that one of the smarter things that Mosely figured out this year was that he could get the most out of WCj by playing him at PF. It allows the Magic to use Bamba on the perimeter to stretch the floor while WCj operates inside, but still allows WCj the freedom to score from anywhere. It also masks WCj defensive weaknesses.

It's semantics, but Bamba plays PF and Carter plays C despite them being listed as the opposite.

And also those two as a combo are actually really bad together and the Magic are wildly better when Carter is on the floor playing center without Bamba.

Not really semantics since there appears to be some truth to it. With WCj playing PF on defense, C on offense. Bamba PF on offense, C on defense...similar to a stretch 4. Which in all, I think is what you're saying in a way.

I also don't agree on evaluating their pairing in a vacuum. How they perform depends a lot on who the other 3 guys on the floor are.
Since they are not primary ball handlers, they have to rely on others to get their touches. Simple example, playing next to Cole is going to be a lot different for them than playing next to Fultz.

As exciting as his development continues, we know WCj is still not a great rim protector and really doesn't have the upside to become one. Playing him the same way he is now with Bamba, but substituting Bamba for Isaac is an upgrade. Isaac can play the 4 on offense and 5 on defense. WCj the 5 on offense and 4 on defense.

Could probably do the same with Chet.

[Skin]

I'm starting to see Mathurin, him and Griffin are in the top 5 for me. Jabari is still at the top, the one thing I don't like and I've heard it mentioned before but he does seem to shoot every time he touches it. Chet to me is the one guy who is a perfect fit for us, still concerned about his body holding up.

why? he's never had any injury history in his years of playing up until this point....his weight isn't hurting him on the college level whatsoever

Not exactly the same level of competition.

[Skin]

I think that one of the smarter things that Mosely figured out this year was that he could get the most out of WCj by playing him at PF. It allows the Magic to use Bamba on the perimeter to stretch the floor while WCj operates inside, but still allows WCj the freedom to score from anywhere. It also masks WCj defensive weaknesses.

When Isaac returns, I would assume that the best move would be for him to play the role that Bamba has played this year. Isaac can stretch the floor like Bamba, but has the superior defense. So the Magic would have that formidable defensive presence in the paint that is lacking from both WCj and Bamba.

It also keeps Isaac safer from injury since playing Center doesn't require him to make as many sudden cuts that put pressure on his knees. The more we can keep him going North-South and jumping vertical instead of running East-West, and jumping horizontal, the better it will be for his longevity.

This is why I'm not as hyped for Jabari/Chet as others. I still believe in Isaac and how the new Magic line up could look like. Meanwhile, our guards can't shoot.

PG Markelle Fultz
SG ???
SF Franz Wagner
PF Wendell Carter
C Jonathan Isaac

6th Suggs - Suggs shooting has left everyone disappointed. We can't rush him to get better. The best way to utilize him is as a 6th man until he raises his game which may take 3-4 years. Luckily he has the ability to play both guard spots and could be a spot starter at any time.

Every other bench player has to be able to shoot from 3 or they should be shipped off. Cole and RJ lead that pack.

I would just play a 3 man rotation with the bigs. Jabari, Isaac and WCj.

I wonder what it would take to get another pick. If there is a team with some interest in Cole, let's just say the Knicks, just because it is something they would do. I wonder if Cole and a future protected 1st rd pick would do it. We can throw in one of our seconds as well. We grab Mathurin with the pick and we have a possible solid 8 man rotation that can switch everything and are/should be above average on both ends of the floor.

Fultz/Suggs
Mathurin/Suggs
Franz/Chuma
Jabari/Isaac
Wcj/Isaac

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Sounds wishful thinking to get Jabari and Mathurin, but I like your dream!

[KillMonger]

I'm starting to see Mathurin, him and Griffin are in the top 5 for me. Jabari is still at the top, the one thing I don't like and I've heard it mentioned before but he does seem to shoot every time he touches it. Chet to me is the one guy who is a perfect fit for us, still concerned about his body holding up.

why? he's never had any injury history in his years of playing up until this point....his weight isn't hurting him on the college level whatsoever

Not exactly the same level of competition.

what's the correlation between level of comp and the propensity of getting hurt from person to person? i think i read somewhere the average size of nba PF's are 6'9 230....thats more or less the same size of players he's facing now in college and he's holding his own....i think people worrying about him holding up may be warranted just by the looks of it....but when you watch him play i think it's a bit overblown

[Skin]

why? he's never had any injury history in his years of playing up until this point....his weight isn't hurting him on the college level whatsoever

Not exactly the same level of competition.

what's the correlation between level of comp and the propensity of getting hurt from person to person? i think i read somewhere the average size of nba PF's are 6'9 230....thats more or less the same size of players he's facing now in college and he's holding his own....i think people worrying about him holding up may be warranted just by the looks of it....but when you watch him play i think it's a bit overblown

I don't know if there's an even level we can meet on if you don't recognize the difference between NBA men vs college boys.

Besides an injury history only becomes relevant once it is problematic. A clean history is not an indicator that something won't happen in the future.

[KillMonger]

Not exactly the same level of competition.

what's the correlation between level of comp and the propensity of getting hurt from person to person? i think i read somewhere the average size of nba PF's are 6'9 230....thats more or less the same size of players he's facing now in college and he's holding his own....i think people worrying about him holding up may be warranted just by the looks of it....but when you watch him play i think it's a bit overblown

I don't know if there's an even level we can meet on if you don't recognize the difference between NBA men vs college boys.

Besides an injury history only becomes relevant once it is problematic. A clean history is not an indicator that something won't happen in the future.

that's a street that goes both ways....what's the saying? Don't borrow trouble.....obviously there is a difference but is that on the assumption that chet will NOT get stronger as well? to me it's overblown and there isn't anything i can see to convince me otherwise...i think it's far easier to cross that bridge when we get there....to me the figures becomes skewed when theres history....like for example for as much as a unit AJ Griffin seems to be, i mean he has an NBA ready body....i'm far more concerned about him holding up than Chet

[Skin]

what's the correlation between level of comp and the propensity of getting hurt from person to person? i think i read somewhere the average size of nba PF's are 6'9 230....thats more or less the same size of players he's facing now in college and he's holding his own....i think people worrying about him holding up may be warranted just by the looks of it....but when you watch him play i think it's a bit overblown

I don't know if there's an even level we can meet on if you don't recognize the difference between NBA men vs college boys.

Besides an injury history only becomes relevant once it is problematic. A clean history is not an indicator that something won't happen in the future.

that's a street that goes both ways....what's the saying? Don't borrow trouble.....obviously there is a difference but is that on the assumption that chet will NOT get stronger as well? to me it's overblown and there isn't anything i can see to convince me otherwise...i think it's far easier to cross that bridge when we get there....to me the figures becomes skewed when theres history....like for example for as much as a unit AJ Griffin seems to be, i mean he has an NBA ready body....i'm far more concerned about him holding up than Chet

If only we had a crystal ball.

[KillMonger]

Watch on YouTube

[RookieStar]

GAMES TO WATCH 3/5/2022

Alabama at LSU, Noon ET on ESPN
-Tari Eason, No. 10 on Tankathon

South Carolina at Auburn, 1pm ET on SEC Network
-Jabari Smith, No. 2 on Tankathon

Kentucky at Florida, 2pm ET on CBS
-TyTy Washington, No. 8 on Tankathon

Indiana at Purdue, 2pm ET on ESPN
-Jaden Ivey, No. 4 on Tankathon

California at Arizona, 5pm ET on Pac-12 Network/fuboTV
-Bennedict Mathurin, No. 11 on Tankathon

Iowa State at Baylor, 6pm ET on ESPN2
-Kendall Brown, No. 13 on Tankathon

North Carolina at Duke, 6pm ET on ESPN
-Paolo Banchero, No. 3 on Tankathon
-AJ Griffin, No. 5 on Tankathon

Jalen Duren, Johnny Davis and Keegan Murray next play on Sunday. Chet Holmgren next plays on Monday.

The duke vs unc game is THE game where anyone who is who in the ncaa/dradt will watch due to this being coach K's last game in Cameron. AND its against UNC so you know its gonna be a alugfest. IF Paolo doesnt bring his AAA game here where so many celebs/alumni/players will watch... then people will question if he can play during the big lights.

[Xatticus]

I'm starting to see Mathurin, him and Griffin are in the top 5 for me. Jabari is still at the top, the one thing I don't like and I've heard it mentioned before but he does seem to shoot every time he touches it. Chet to me is the one guy who is a perfect fit for us, still concerned about his body holding up.

why? he's never had any injury history in his years of playing up until this point....his weight isn't hurting him on the college level whatsoever

Exactly! Put him with nba-level trainers and nutrisionist... ( or whoever we got to bulk d12 before ) and that skinny frame is yesterdays news.

We know for certain that the guy knows how to fall. I'm just not concerned about his frame as it relates to injury potential.

I can sort of buy the arguments for how his weight will be a disadvantage in certain scenarios in the NBA, but that's just a part of what he is and right now he is a hell of a player despite that frame, so I'm just not bothered by it.

[Knightro]

Jabari is just a machine. Another 15 point half on a 73.5 TS%.

[Knightro]

Big game for Tari Eason who was one of my favorite sleepers, but is now all the way up to 10th on Tankathon.

20 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 5-10 FG, 1-1 3PT, 9-13 FT.

[IllMagic04]

Big game for Tari Eason who was one of my favorite sleepers, but is now all the way up to 10th on Tankathon.

20 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 5-10 FG, 1-1 3PT, 9-13 FT.

That was my first time watching him. He was impressive for sure. Good game too.

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[Knightro]

Jabari Smith Jr: 21 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 5-12 FG, 3-3 3PT, 8-8 FT.

His 3PT% is now .436 and his FT% is now .822 for the season.

[MMFla]

To be fair I did also say Chet is the perfect fit for us and right now him and Jabari are 1-2 for me so I'll be happy if we draft either. I have concerns about all the top pics his only one for me was his weight, which can be worked on as Rookie said.

Also thanks for the updates Knightro.