2023 NBA Draft Thread 4

[SOUL]

Continue!

[eyriq]

Are we really sure this LNB Pro A league is all that? G-League looks comparable after a quick look at Tremont Waters, a Wemby teammate that was drafted by the Celtics in the 2nd round. In fact, I'm not really sure the LNB Pro A league is all that compared to the NCAA either.

Man, I really hope these Thompson twins hit so that the OTE gets some legitimacy, my gut says it isn't that bad of a pipeline.

Are you serious?
The LNB Pro A league is a professional grown men league!!!
The NCAA not

Isn't there more depth to this argument? Consider this: how might the Metropolitans 92 fare in the NCAA? They boast a roster of former NCAA athletes, international talent, and Wemby, the sensation. Though a hypothetical scenario, it's not far-fetched to think they might suffer a few losses.

What if we place them in the G-League? They were defeated by Ignite, a team with a less than stellar G-League record, weren't they?

How would a team led by Amen and Ausar measure up?

The label of "professional grown men" is often thrown around, but it could be a bit of a misnomer. NCAA players can earn a professional living now, and star players could potentially earn more than what the LNB Pro A league offers, right? Overtime Elite pays. The G-League pays.

I'm not trying to belittle the Metropolitans' league, but let's be real, it's not exactly pumping out NBA stars. What I'm saying is, shouldn't we all take a moment to think about what would happen if all the different basketball leagues, like the NCAA, G-League and others, played by the same rules? I know this isn't a new idea, but I still find it super interesting. Plus, it's not like there's a simple, black-and-white answer here. It's a complex issue with room for a ton of different viewpoints.

[SOUL]

A little less specific but still addressing that topic:

Giannis played against meh competition and turned out great.

LaMelo had similar concerns about competition and turned out more than fine.

Anybody drafted from HS that turned out to be great was playing against kids.

I think arguments that dismiss players entirely because of who they played against are just as bad as anyone taking their stats as gospel. It's one thing if someone looked completely ass there and then was projected to be good at the next level, but as long as they played good and showed some nice things, no matter the competition, people are going to take a chance on them.

Guys like Drew Timme dominated grown men for years in the NCAA and isn't even mocked on half of the mocks. Luke Garza and all of these other guys that score so well in the NCAA usually don't do much at the next level. Scouts, even though they miss, usually know what will project well at the next level if the player works on/are able to develop those skills further. That's the hard part when drafting is knowing who will be able to navigate those issues.

[Bensational]

I’m really coming around to Gradey Dick at #11. Amongst the shooters like Hawkins, Whitehead, Sensabaugh, etc Gradey is the most complete player amongst them. He’s got a competent baseline across the board even on defense. But he’s shown glimpses as a passer as someone who could really be a part of a hood offense.

#6 Black
#11 Dick

WCJ/Goga
Paolo/MoW/Bol
Franz/Chuma/Houstan
Suggs/Black/Dick
Fultz/Cole

Probably push Black or Gradey into the 3 over Chuma. Maybe move Cole if he’s looking to move on in FA anyway.

[thelead]

Latest Mock from Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports

2. Charlotte Hornets: G Scoot Henderson
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 196 pounds | G League Ignite

3. Portland Trail Blazers: G/F Brandon Miller
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Alabama

4. Houston Rockets: G Amen Thompson
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 202 pounds | Overtime Elite

5. Detroit Pistons: G Cam Whitmore
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 235 pounds | Class: Freshman | Villanova

6. Orlando Magic: G Anthony Black
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 196 pounds | Class: Freshman | Arkansas

7. Indiana Pacers: F Jarace Walker
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 248 pounds | Class: Freshman | Houston

8. Washington Wizards: G Ausar Thompson
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 209 pounds | Overtime Elite

9. Utah Jazz: G Nick Smith Jr.
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Arkansas

10. Dallas Mavericks: G/F Taylor Hendricks
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | UCF

11. Orlando Magic: G Gradey Dick
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kansas

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: G/F Bilal Coulibaly
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 220 pounds | Metropolitans 92 (France)

13. Toronto Raptors: G Jordan Hawkins
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Connecticut

14. New Orleans Pelicans: G Keyonte George
Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor

https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-9-latest-projections-after-ncaa-withdrawal-deadline-and-first-round-risers-201711142.html

AB at 6 and Gradey at 11 makes so much sense for us. Gives us so much flexibility to make moves. If JI is finally healthy, and the team stays healthy, playoffs (not play-in) is not out of the question IMO.

[VFX]

I’m really coming around to Gradey Dick at #11. Amongst the shooters like Hawkins, Whitehead, Sensabaugh, etc Gradey is the most complete player amongst them. He’s got a competent baseline across the board even on defense. But he’s shown glimpses as a passer as someone who could really be a part of a hood offense.

#6 Black
#11 Dick

WCJ/Goga
Paolo/MoW/Bol
Franz/Chuma/Houstan
Suggs/Black/Dick
Fultz/Cole

Probably push Black or Gradey into the 3 over Chuma. Maybe move Cole if he’s looking to move on in FA anyway.

I'm actually ok with this outcome.

[Nyce_1]

Black is EVERYTHING this FO loves in a player, but his shooting. He's a gym rat, so taking him that high, you'd bet on that improving. Does anyone know his FT%?

I really like him as a player; but, like stated by others, ideally, there's a trade of one of the other PGs. At 6'7", he can start next to anyone down the road. And if Scoot end up with Melo in Char, need some defensive guards to handle that for a decade.

Black + Hendricks/Gradey/Lively would be super boring, but an effective draft.

[Nyce_1]

I’m really coming around to Gradey Dick at #11. Amongst the shooters like Hawkins, Whitehead, Sensabaugh, etc Gradey is the most complete player amongst them. He’s got a competent baseline across the board even on defense. But he’s shown glimpses as a passer as someone who could really be a part of a hood offense.

#6 Black
#11 Dick

WCJ/Goga
Paolo/MoW/Bol
Franz/Chuma/Houstan
Suggs/Black/Dick
Fultz/Cole

Probably push Black or Gradey into the 3 over Chuma. Maybe move Cole if he’s looking to move on in FA anyway.

I see what you did, lol.

[locomagicfan]

I pray we draft Bilal Coulibaly with either #6 or #11.
Does anybody watch his film and see a young T-mac with 7'3ft wingspan? This fits the WeHam pick philosophy and I'm all for it.

[Max Power]

For me at this point I’m hoping for Ausar Thompson and Gradey Dick, we get two quality wings, one an athlete with potential everywhere and the shooter and cerebral type wing. I’d stay away from Anthony Black, he deferred way too much to Nick Smith to be this high and all I see in him is Elfrid Payton 2.0. Hendricks from UCF is intriguing also.

[Petre1978]

Latest Mock from Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports

2. Charlotte Hornets: G Scoot Henderson
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 196 pounds | G League Ignite

3. Portland Trail Blazers: G/F Brandon Miller
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Alabama

4. Houston Rockets: G Amen Thompson
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 202 pounds | Overtime Elite

5. Detroit Pistons: G Cam Whitmore
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 235 pounds | Class: Freshman | Villanova

6. Orlando Magic: G Anthony Black
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 196 pounds | Class: Freshman | Arkansas

7. Indiana Pacers: F Jarace Walker
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 248 pounds | Class: Freshman | Houston

8. Washington Wizards: G Ausar Thompson
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 209 pounds | Overtime Elite

9. Utah Jazz: G Nick Smith Jr.
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Arkansas

10. Dallas Mavericks: G/F Taylor Hendricks
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | UCF

11. Orlando Magic: G Gradey Dick
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kansas

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: G/F Bilal Coulibaly
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 220 pounds | Metropolitans 92 (France)

13. Toronto Raptors: G Jordan Hawkins
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Connecticut

14. New Orleans Pelicans: G Keyonte George
Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor

https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-9-latest-projections-after-ncaa-withdrawal-deadline-and-first-round-risers-201711142.html

AB at 6 and Gradey at 11 makes so much sense for us. Gives us so much flexibility to make moves. If JI is finally healthy, and the team stays healthy, playoffs (not play-in) is not out of the question IMO.

I agree with you

[eyriq]

I’m really coming around to Gradey Dick at #11. Amongst the shooters like Hawkins, Whitehead, Sensabaugh, etc Gradey is the most complete player amongst them. He’s got a competent baseline across the board even on defense. But he’s shown glimpses as a passer as someone who could really be a part of a hood offense.

#6 Black
#11 Dick

WCJ/Goga
Paolo/MoW/Bol
Franz/Chuma/Houstan
Suggs/Black/Dick
Fultz/Cole

Probably push Black or Gradey into the 3 over Chuma. Maybe move Cole if he’s looking to move on in FA anyway.

I wouldn't mind Black at all. His versatility on defense alone means he'll likely be a quality NBA player, and his FTr feels like a tell that he's got top 3 offensive option upside.

Gradey is interesting, I like him best amongst the "shooters".

[basketballRob]

OG Anunoby seems like the perfect comparison for Bilal Coulibaly. OG was near the same size and raw when he was drafted. The only difference is Coulibaly hasn't had an ACL injury to stunt his growth.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[VFX]

I'm less concerned with Anthony Black as opposed to the Thompsons shooting.

He has a high FT rate and % as opposed to them. He's also a full year younger.

[bigdogdylan5]

I don’t understand how people want to take another guard with one of the worst jumpers in the draft. If we are going to take another guard can we at least get one who doesn’t have to change his whole shot??

[RookieStar]

Taking Black means there is a deal to get rid one or two of Fultz Cole Suggs right? I mean... using a high lotto pick for a quality bench might sound iffy but ultimately why not. But taking a high lotto on Black while those 3 are expected to have lota of mins means Black would be regulated to garbage minutes... aka 10-12 mins at average.

[VFX]

Taking Black means there is a deal to get rid one or two of Fultz Cole Suggs right? I mean... using a high lotto pick for a quality bench might sound iffy but ultimately why not. But taking a high lotto on Black while those 3 are expected to have lota of mins means Black would be regulated to garbage minutes... aka 10-12 mins at average.

Kinda.

He's 6'7 so he can probably play PG/SG and maybe some SF depending on the matchup.

[djguevara114]

Gradey Dick is Corey Kispert - NO!

Coulibaly should be our guy at 6 at this point… Please watch these games his playing in a title run… He has a motor, has great basketball IQ/intuition, had the size and wingspan to go along with incredible athleticism…

Coulibaly at 6
Hendricks if he falls, JHS, or Lively at 11

[Petre1978]

Gradey Dick is Corey Kispert - NO!

Coulibaly should be our guy at 6 at this point… Please watch these games his playing in a title run… He has a motor, has great basketball IQ/intuition, had the size and wingspan to go along with incredible athleticism…

Coulibaly at 6
Hendricks if he falls, JHS, or Lively at 11

Coulibaly at 6.
The board here would riot.
Hendricks at 6, Coulibaly at 11.

[VFX]

Gradey Dick is Corey Kispert - NO!

Coulibaly should be our guy at 6 at this point… Please watch these games his playing in a title run… He has a motor, has great basketball IQ/intuition, had the size and wingspan to go along with incredible athleticism…

Coulibaly at 6
Hendricks if he falls, JHS, or Lively at 11

AT 6???