Official 2021 NBA Draft Thread Part 2

[tiderulz]

just from what ive seen. a big man will get you to the playoffs, but winning is being done by wing players.

Positions as stated by basketball reference

2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers, best players PG and PF (James and Davis)
2018–19 Toronto Raptors, best players SF and PF (Leonard and Siakam)
2017-18 Golden State Warriors, best players PG and SF (Curry and Durant)
2016-17 Golden State Warriors, best players PG and PF (Curry and Durant)
2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers, best players PG, SF, and PF (Irving, James, and Love)
2014–15 Golden State Warriors, best players PG and SG (Curry and Thompson)
2013-14 San Antonio Spurs, best players SG, SF, and C (Ginóbili, Leonard, and Duncan)
2012–13 Miami Heat, best players SG, PF, and C (Wade, James, and Bosh)
2011–12 Miami Heat, best players SG, SF, and PF (Wade, James, and Bosh)
2010–11 Dallas Mavericks, SG and PF (Terry and Nowitzki)

We can argue what positions James and Durant played, and other features above, but in 9 of 10 Champions of the last ten year, a best-player included a Big. In that sense, the 2014–15 Golden State Warriors is the exception and not the rule.

I guess my point is that it is common for Championship teams to have two excellent player with one in the backcourt and one in the forecourt, and it doesn't hurt to have a third. For me this is why rosters like Portlands are failed in design, and why I really, really like Utah and Denver as constructed.

..

how is Curry/Durant PG/SF one year and then PG/PF the very next year?

i guess i should say Center more than "big man".

[drsd]

Yeah, if Orlando theoretically selected Mobley he would be walking in day 1 as their best asset next to Isaac.

The question the becomes; how does Orlando land elite talent at wing positions? Currently they have Ennis, Bacon, and Porter as potentially walking should they not resign them.

I see no other alternative in which selecting Mobley doesn’t result in a potential Isaac-Mobley-WCJr lineup, where they are back to playing a plodding half court offense with a limited back court.

That’s even the best case scenario. If he becomes a straight up C, then Orlando has just replaced Vuc for a backup Center and another Center.

If the Magic draft Mobley, I hope the trade this rights for Green. I actually see that as a better outcome than outright drafting Green.

..

[drsd]

how is Curry/Durant PG/SF one year and then PG/PF the very next year?

i guess i should say Center more than "big man".

Hoe is James a PG last year?

Ask Mr. Basketball reference.

..

[VFX]

I also do not like Mobley for this team, but I do not agree that the league is going away from bigmen. Looking at all the elite teams, many have ace PFs or ace Cs. And the Lakers has both.

..

Yeah, if Orlando theoretically selected Mobley he would be walking in day 1 as their best asset next to Isaac.

The question the becomes; how does Orlando land elite talent at wing positions? Currently they have Ennis, Bacon, and Porter as potentially walking should they not resign them.

I see no other alternative in which selecting Mobley doesn’t result in a potential Isaac-Mobley-WCJr lineup, where they are back to playing a plodding half court offense with a limited back court.

and where do you play Isaac? Isaac isnt a better SF than Otto. both have health issue. Does Isaac stay healthier at PF? Does Mobley pay PF or move to center? then what do you do with WCF, who looks like he could at least be a starting level center.

That’s kinda my argument here. The talent Orlando has again becomes front court dominate and the FO would (yet again) attempt to build around a big man with other bigs in a log jam. It would be back to square one with where they were prior to the trades. Okeke would also be another question.

Sure, you take Mobley if Orlando is drafting #4-5, but I could also see a world where they take him #2-3. I wouldn’t put it past them. Even posters here believe Orlando is “thin” in the front court, which isn’t the case at all compared to how much talent they lack on the wing.

In summary.. Orlando needs a top 3 pick that results in Cade, Suggs, or Green.

[Skin]

Yeah, if Orlando theoretically selected Mobley he would be walking in day 1 as their best asset next to Isaac.

The question the becomes; how does Orlando land elite talent at wing positions? Currently they have Ennis, Bacon, and Porter as potentially walking should they not resign them.

I see no other alternative in which selecting Mobley doesn’t result in a potential Isaac-Mobley-WCJr lineup, where they are back to playing a plodding half court offense with a limited back court.

and where do you play Isaac? Isaac isnt a better SF than Otto. both have health issue. Does Isaac stay healthier at PF? Does Mobley pay PF or move to center? then what do you do with WCF, who looks like he could at least be a starting level center.

That’s kinda my argument here. The talent Orlando has again becomes front court dominate and the FO would (yet again) attempt to build around a big man with other bigs in a log jam. It would be back to square one with where they were prior to the trades. Okeke would also be another question.

Sure, you take Mobley if Orlando is drafting #4-5, but I could also see a world where they take him #2-3. I wouldn’t put it past them. Even posters here believe Orlando is “thin” in the front court, which isn’t the case at all compared to how much talent they lack on the wing.

In summary.. Orlando needs a top 3 pick that results in Cade, Suggs, or Green.

Yes, Mobley is the 5th or 6th best option for us. Unless, does anyone think he can play the 3? I have my doubts there... but always willing to look outside the box.

I would take Kuminga over Mobley. There's still a chance he turns into a star wing. His shooting will eventually come around. He's got a natural basketball game. Similar flow to Anthony Edwards (who is also still learning to shoot), but is already starting to become a force in this league (at least individually).

[drsd]

Yes, Mobley is the 5th or 6th best option for us. Unless, does anyone think he can play the 3? I have my doubts there... but always willing to look outside the box.

I would take Kuminga over Mobley. There's still a chance he turns into a star wing. His shooting will eventually come around. He's got a natural basketball game. Similar flow to Anthony Edwards (who is also still learning to shoot), but is already starting to become a force in this league (at least individually).

I am getting ill thinking about the Magic darting a forward.


..

[Furinkazan]

Green or bust

[RookieStar]

Just to throw oil into the fire here..

Didn't we all ( or almost all ) agree that we should draft BPA? Not for fit, not for need? What if our FO.. in the course of the interviews, workouts, MEDICAL, etc conclude that Mobley is clearly BPA over..say Cade or whoever we are supposed to pick? I mean, we posters, unless one of you secretly works for the Magic, don't have access to the same info as they have.

So do we still support drafting BPA? Or since we are so tired of building around bigs we say screw it and roll with the "lesser" talent in wings.

[The Effect]

Just to throw oil into the fire here..

Didn't we all ( or almost all ) agree that we should draft BPA? Not for fit, not for need? What if our FO.. in the course of the interviews, workouts, MEDICAL, etc conclude that Mobley is clearly BPA over..say Cade or whoever we are supposed to pick? I mean, we posters, unless one of you secretly works for the Magic, don't have access to the same info as they have.

So do we still support drafting BPA? Or since we are so tired of building around bigs we say screw it and roll with the "lesser" talent in wings.

If that was the case, id fire them and hire a more inept FO

[VFX]

Just to throw oil into the fire here..

Didn't we all ( or almost all ) agree that we should draft BPA? Not for fit, not for need? What if our FO.. in the course of the interviews, workouts, MEDICAL, etc conclude that Mobley is clearly BPA over..say Cade or whoever we are supposed to pick? I mean, we posters, unless one of you secretly works for the Magic, don't have access to the same info as they have.

So do we still support drafting BPA? Or since we are so tired of building around bigs we say screw it and roll with the "lesser" talent in wings.

By all measures, according to a majority of big boards, Bamba was considered and selected “BPA regardless of fit”.... So I don’t believe it’s always the answer. I don’t need to be in the workouts to tell you it was a bad decision then and now.

What leads me into the argument about not wanting to draft Mobley (other than my obvious bias) is because Clifford is an X-factor in terms of that decision. He’d love nothing more than to run the slowest half court offense possible.

This comes down to how Orlando will play in the foreseeable future, and not so much an indictment of Mobley as a prospect.

[RookieStar]

Just to throw oil into the fire here..

Didn't we all ( or almost all ) agree that we should draft BPA? Not for fit, not for need? What if our FO.. in the course of the interviews, workouts, MEDICAL, etc conclude that Mobley is clearly BPA over..say Cade or whoever we are supposed to pick? I mean, we posters, unless one of you secretly works for the Magic, don't have access to the same info as they have.

So do we still support drafting BPA? Or since we are so tired of building around bigs we say screw it and roll with the "lesser" talent in wings.

If that was the case, id fire them and hire a more inept FO

LOL so which is which? No more BPA as long as we go for a wing? Im starting to come around to that idea myself..

[The Effect]

Just to throw oil into the fire here..

Didn't we all ( or almost all ) agree that we should draft BPA? Not for fit, not for need? What if our FO.. in the course of the interviews, workouts, MEDICAL, etc conclude that Mobley is clearly BPA over..say Cade or whoever we are supposed to pick? I mean, we posters, unless one of you secretly works for the Magic, don't have access to the same info as they have.

So do we still support drafting BPA? Or since we are so tired of building around bigs we say screw it and roll with the "lesser" talent in wings.

If that was the case, id fire them and hire a more inept FO

LOL so which is which? No more BPA as long as we go for a wing? Im starting to come around to that idea myself..

It shoudl always be BPA, but if a GM tells me that he thinks Mobley is the BPA, then id fire him for being incompetent.
I dont see how any scout can look watch mobley and think hes more of a different maker than Cade, Green or Suggs unless they are someone who is completely enamored with size over skill, which happens alot, but hopefully with how much the NBA has moved away from centers, that doesnt happen now

Im not saying it would be on the level of drafting Wiseman over Lamelo, Ayton\bagley over Luka,Thabeet over Harden, or for us magic fans, Shawn Bradley over Penny (we'll leave out the most obvious choice), but it would be bad and it would be a mistake we would regret

BTW not saying its impossible for a center to be the best player in the draft. AD was head and shoulders over MKG, KAT was clearly the best player in the draft, Embiid was the best player in his draft and if not for his injury could of gone ahead of Wiggins and Jabari even with their hype, but sorry this year i just dont see it with Mobley vs Cade\Green

[basketballRob]

If that was the case, id fire them and hire a more inept FO

LOL so which is which? No more BPA as long as we go for a wing? Im starting to come around to that idea myself..

It shoudl always be BPA, but if a GM tells me that he thinks Mobley is the BPA, then id fire him for being incompetent.
I dont see how any scout can look watch mobley and think hes more of a different maker than Cade, Green or Suggs unless they are someone who is completely enamored with size over skill, which happens alot, but hopefully with how much the NBA has moved away from centers, that doesnt happen now

Im not saying it would be on the level of drafting Wiseman over Lamelo, Ayton\bagley over Luka,Thabeet over Harden, or for us magic fans, Shawn Bradley over Penny (we'll leave out the most obvious choice), but it would be bad and it would be a mistake we would regret

BTW not saying its impossible for a center to be the best player in the draft. AD was head and shoulders over MKG, KAT was clearly the best player in the draft, Embiid was the best player in his draft and if not for his injury could of gone ahead of Wiggins and Jabari even with their hype, but sorry this year i just dont see it with Mobley vs Cade\Green

Mobley is a power forward. That's might be the position of most need. Sure JI is coming back, but we just lost 3 power forwards. They just signed Wagner to help at power forward. We're also getting badly beat on the boards, because of lack of depth at PF.

If we don't draft a PF, we'll have to address that it free agency.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[RookieStar]

If that was the case, id fire them and hire a more inept FO

LOL so which is which? No more BPA as long as we go for a wing? Im starting to come around to that idea myself..

It shoudl always be BPA, but if a GM tells me that he thinks Mobley is the BPA, then id fire him for being incompetent.
I dont see how any scout can look watch mobley and think hes more of a different maker than Cade, Green or Suggs unless they are someone who is completely enamored with size over skill, which happens alot, but hopefully with how much the NBA has moved away from centers, that doesnt happen now

Im not saying it would be on the level of drafting Wiseman over Lamelo, Ayton\bagley over Luka,Thabeet over Harden, or for us magic fans, Shawn Bradley over Penny (we'll leave out the most obvious choice), but it would be bad and it would be a mistake we would regret

BTW not saying its impossible for a center to be the best player in the draft. AD was head and shoulders over MKG, KAT was clearly the best player in the draft, Embiid was the best player in his draft and if not for his injury could of gone ahead of Wiggins and Jabari even with their hype, but sorry this year i just dont see it with Mobley vs Cade\Green

That's just it though. Im not saying that MAYBE we are too jaded/skeptical with big men already BUT a lot of experts, those with no bias or agenda, has Mobley higher than some of the players we like. Taken all in when our FO finished their "homework" and say we are on the clock at #2 and all data points to Mobley as being the BPA now and in the future, do we still pick the "lesser" player in (whoever) because fit-wise he is better for us or stick with Mobley, the best player?

I get that you don't see Mobley as being better than Cade/Green. I too don't see Mobley as better ON OUR TEAM than those 3 wings available. But I also acknowledge the fact that I am considered an amateur ( and I think you are too unless you secretly work for a NBA team?? ) all my infos come from report, game videos and the like. WeHam and other FO probably talked/interviewed those players, saw them in the gym/court during workouts, saw their lane agility, vertical, quick-twitch muscles,etc. and more importantly, saw the medical reports and had professional doctors evaluate everything.

[RookieStar]

LOL so which is which? No more BPA as long as we go for a wing? Im starting to come around to that idea myself..

It shoudl always be BPA, but if a GM tells me that he thinks Mobley is the BPA, then id fire him for being incompetent.
I dont see how any scout can look watch mobley and think hes more of a different maker than Cade, Green or Suggs unless they are someone who is completely enamored with size over skill, which happens alot, but hopefully with how much the NBA has moved away from centers, that doesnt happen now

Im not saying it would be on the level of drafting Wiseman over Lamelo, Ayton\bagley over Luka,Thabeet over Harden, or for us magic fans, Shawn Bradley over Penny (we'll leave out the most obvious choice), but it would be bad and it would be a mistake we would regret

BTW not saying its impossible for a center to be the best player in the draft. AD was head and shoulders over MKG, KAT was clearly the best player in the draft, Embiid was the best player in his draft and if not for his injury could of gone ahead of Wiggins and Jabari even with their hype, but sorry this year i just dont see it with Mobley vs Cade\Green

Mobley is a power forward. That's might be the position of most need. Sure JI is coming back, but we just lost 3 power forwards. They just signed Wagner to help at power forward. We're also getting badly beat on the boards, because of lack of depth at PF.

If we don't draft a PF, we'll have to address that it free agency.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

As long as we don't get the Gary Clark-level of PFs in FA then it's good. However, it is slim-pickings there right?

For what's it worth, there are a lot of good PF/C in the 2nd round that in any other draft might be considered late 1st rounders.

[basketballRob]

It shoudl always be BPA, but if a GM tells me that he thinks Mobley is the BPA, then id fire him for being incompetent.
I dont see how any scout can look watch mobley and think hes more of a different maker than Cade, Green or Suggs unless they are someone who is completely enamored with size over skill, which happens alot, but hopefully with how much the NBA has moved away from centers, that doesnt happen now

Im not saying it would be on the level of drafting Wiseman over Lamelo, Ayton\bagley over Luka,Thabeet over Harden, or for us magic fans, Shawn Bradley over Penny (we'll leave out the most obvious choice), but it would be bad and it would be a mistake we would regret

BTW not saying its impossible for a center to be the best player in the draft. AD was head and shoulders over MKG, KAT was clearly the best player in the draft, Embiid was the best player in his draft and if not for his injury could of gone ahead of Wiggins and Jabari even with their hype, but sorry this year i just dont see it with Mobley vs Cade\Green

Mobley is a power forward. That's might be the position of most need. Sure JI is coming back, but we just lost 3 power forwards. They just signed Wagner to help at power forward. We're also getting badly beat on the boards, because of lack of depth at PF.

If we don't draft a PF, we'll have to address that it free agency.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

As long as we don't get the Gary Clark-level of PFs in FA then it's good. However, it is slim-pickings there right?

For what's it worth, there are a lot of good PF/C in the 2nd round that in any other draft might be considered late 1st rounders.

I wouldn't mind Mobley's brother in the second round. In free agency I'd really like Olynyk, but a bunch of teams would like to add him.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[RookieStar]

Mobley is a power forward. That's might be the position of most need. Sure JI is coming back, but we just lost 3 power forwards. They just signed Wagner to help at power forward. We're also getting badly beat on the boards, because of lack of depth at PF.

If we don't draft a PF, we'll have to address that it free agency.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

As long as we don't get the Gary Clark-level of PFs in FA then it's good. However, it is slim-pickings there right?

For what's it worth, there are a lot of good PF/C in the 2nd round that in any other draft might be considered late 1st rounders.

I wouldn't mind Mobley's brother in the second round. In free agency I'd really like Olynyk, but a bunch of teams would like to add him.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

Did I. Mobley even declare for the draft yet? For the back-up PF give me Huff/Hurt.. 6'9 and 7'1 respectively and 3pt bombers.

I don't think we can afford Olynyk though... besides we shouldn't use so much CAP for a back-up PF

[Skin]

Just to throw oil into the fire here..

Didn't we all ( or almost all ) agree that we should draft BPA? Not for fit, not for need? What if our FO.. in the course of the interviews, workouts, MEDICAL, etc conclude that Mobley is clearly BPA over..say Cade or whoever we are supposed to pick? I mean, we posters, unless one of you secretly works for the Magic, don't have access to the same info as they have.

So do we still support drafting BPA? Or since we are so tired of building around bigs we say screw it and roll with the "lesser" talent in wings.

No, I NEVER thought that or think that. BPA is an opinion. In some rare cases where there are unquestioned elite talents, sure that choice is easy, but that situation is rare and is pretty much done after the Top 3 picks.

You can self-destruct your own build if you try to get cute and draft BPA at positions where you already have legit investments. A rebuild is just as much about chemistry and fit as it is about talent. Championship teams like San Antonio, Dallas, Detroit... showed chemistry and fit was more important than talent alone.

[VFX]

LOL so which is which? No more BPA as long as we go for a wing? Im starting to come around to that idea myself..

It shoudl always be BPA, but if a GM tells me that he thinks Mobley is the BPA, then id fire him for being incompetent.
I dont see how any scout can look watch mobley and think hes more of a different maker than Cade, Green or Suggs unless they are someone who is completely enamored with size over skill, which happens alot, but hopefully with how much the NBA has moved away from centers, that doesnt happen now

Im not saying it would be on the level of drafting Wiseman over Lamelo, Ayton\bagley over Luka,Thabeet over Harden, or for us magic fans, Shawn Bradley over Penny (we'll leave out the most obvious choice), but it would be bad and it would be a mistake we would regret

BTW not saying its impossible for a center to be the best player in the draft. AD was head and shoulders over MKG, KAT was clearly the best player in the draft, Embiid was the best player in his draft and if not for his injury could of gone ahead of Wiggins and Jabari even with their hype, but sorry this year i just dont see it with Mobley vs Cade\Green

Mobley is a power forward. That's might be the position of most need. Sure JI is coming back, but we just lost 3 power forwards. They just signed Wagner to help at power forward. We're also getting badly beat on the boards, because of lack of depth at PF.

If we don't draft a PF, we'll have to address that it free agency.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

JI can guard F’s and Okeke is likely more suited to PF’s. However, there is no true F on this roster that can distribute and stretch the floor that isn’t a stopgap.

Bacon, Ennis, and maybe Porter shouldn’t be on the roster next year. PF isn’t a thin position for Orlando. They can just sign someone to fill in or use their 2nd round pick.

[Bensational]

As April wraps up, my current Big Board top 5 is looking like:

Cade
Suggs
Green
Keon/Springer


Springer is growing on me as a lottery sleeper of this draft, and I like our odds of adding him with our 2nd pick (if it conveys). He took over his team during the season with his continuously improving play, and the kid has some real fire to prove something. I'm getting Lillard vibes in that respect.