2025 NBA Draft (2)

[Negrodamus]

I think VJ has the highest star potential of the trio: himself, Tre, and Ace. He did all the things that All Stars did in college.

[stormi]

I wonder who Maxey would want after sitting down with both: the guy who clearly only wants to shoot difficult shots or the guy who is off ball that will play within the offense.

I've been saying VJs most ideal role, at least immediately is playing off the ball as a connector on offense, attacking closeouts, C&S 3s, primary perimeter defensive matchups

He's player that compliments both Maxey and McCain the best. It's never been each other.



The Ace workout getting announced after this. Morey, you're been caught already lmao.

So this is all about fit and not about upside? VJ has the least star potential amongst the three players. Organization, getting another small player who will clash with our three guards will only cause future issues where you have to trade a piece.

Personally I see more star upside with VJ than I do with Ace (or Tre) who I assume you're alluding to.

I can't think of a star wing that can't self create outside of spamming contested mid range jumpers and with anti passing chops.

The closest example would be someone like Kawhi, who was a generational defensive wing had freakish measurables and still rocked a 1.2 A:TO in college.

Kawhi has one of the worst evaluatory processes of any star I've seen. A complete anomaly. He lives off of tough shots, even goes up through double teams rather than passing and yet it works because of how ridiculous of a shotmaker he is.

He somehow avoids all of the lows that come with that shot diet as well, he's one of one.

[Jailblazers7]

Lots of claims being made about “star potential” purely based on vibes in this draft

[ProcessDoctor]

It is kinda funny how we all define "star potential" so differently. There are so many kinds of stars in this league...Jimmy Butler is not the same kind of star as Steph Curry or Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton or...

Any of these guys at their 99th percentile will become a star. It's just a matter of who you think has the best chance of getting there.

[eyeatoma]

I've been saying VJs most ideal role, at least immediately is playing off the ball as a connector on offense, attacking closeouts, C&S 3s, primary perimeter defensive matchups

He's player that compliments both Maxey and McCain the best. It's never been each other.



The Ace workout getting announced after this. Morey, you're been caught already lmao.

So this is all about fit and not about upside? VJ has the least star potential amongst the three players. Organization, getting another small player who will clash with our three guards will only cause future issues where you have to trade a piece.

Personally I see more star upside with VJ than I do with Ace (or Tre) who I assume you're alluding to.

I can't think of a star wing that can't self create outside of spamming contested mid range jumpers and with anti passing chops.

The closest example would be someone like Kawhi, who was a generational defensive wing had freakish measurables and still rocked a 1.2 A:TO in college.

Kawhi has one of the worst evaluatory processes of any star I've seen. A complete anomaly. He lives off of tough shots, even goes up through double teams rather than passing and yet it works because of how ridiculous of a shotmaker he is.

He somehow avoids all of the lows that come with that shot diet as well, he's one of one.

And what is your upside star potential comp for VJ? What is your best case scenario in that situation. Also what would his floor be like?

Finally, what would your solution be on this team with three players who are similarly sized, with an aging and injured front court. Isn't the prudent option to toe the line of upside, while also making team building less of a headache by getting someone who fits in well now and the future, and doesn't necessitate multiple trades?

[eyeatoma]

Double post

[eyeatoma]

I think VJ has the highest star potential of the trio: himself, Tre, and Ace. He did all the things that All Stars did in college.

And what is his star potential comp? Please dont' say Oladipo, he wasn't that good, and fizzled after a year.

[eyeatoma]

It is kinda funny how we all define "star potential" so differently. There are so many kinds of stars in this league...Jimmy Butler is not the same kind of star as Steph Curry or Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton or...

Any of these guys at their 99th percentile will become a star. It's just a matter of who you think has the best chance of getting there.

Best case scenario for Ace is what, Tatum, a better defending Melo with more athleticism and less heft?

Best case scenario for VJ? Westbrook?

[eyeatoma]

It is kinda funny how we all define "star potential" so differently. There are so many kinds of stars in this league...Jimmy Butler is not the same kind of star as Steph Curry or Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton or...

Any of these guys at their 99th percentile will become a star. It's just a matter of who you think has the best chance of getting there.

Agreed, I'd prefer the person who is better at shooting, and has a smoother jumper. Something this team has had problems with before. It's the one thing we have sucked at for the better part of Embiid's career. Players who are excellent shooters. Ace and Tre fit that, VJ would need a lot of work there, and still likely won't be a knock down shooter except for corners, which essentially means he has poor self-creation ability and is limited.

[stormi]

So this is all about fit and not about upside? VJ has the least star potential amongst the three players. Organization, getting another small player who will clash with our three guards will only cause future issues where you have to trade a piece.

Personally I see more star upside with VJ than I do with Ace (or Tre) who I assume you're alluding to.

I can't think of a star wing that can't self create outside of spamming contested mid range jumpers and with anti passing chops.

The closest example would be someone like Kawhi, who was a generational defensive wing had freakish measurables and still rocked a 1.2 A:TO in college.

Kawhi has one of the worst evaluatory processes of any star I've seen. A complete anomaly. He lives off of tough shots, even goes up through double teams rather than passing and yet it works because of how ridiculous of a shotmaker he is.

He somehow avoids all of the lows that come with that shot diet as well, he's one of one.

And what is your upside star potential comp for VJ? What is your best case scenario in that situation. Also what would his floor be like?

Finally, what would your solution be on this team with three players who are similarly sized, with an aging and injured front court. Isn't the prudent option to toe the line of upside, while also making team building less of a headache by getting someone who fits in well now and the future, and doesn't necessitate multiple trades?

VJ's 6'5 with a 6'8 wingspan, we don't really have this archetype.

Watch on YouTube

Take a good look at what he was doing against grown men as an 18 year old and come to your own conclusion.

16.5/5.5/4 with 2 steals on 57/38/81 splits. The athleticism is uncanny, the shooting mechanics are good, the defense and the passing is very promising.

If I saw a prospect with greater 'star upside' than this I'd be campaigning for them at #3, I promise you that.

[Negrodamus]

I think VJ has the highest star potential of the trio: himself, Tre, and Ace. He did all the things that All Stars did in college.

And what is his star potential comp? Please dont' say Oladipo, he wasn't that good, and fizzled after a year.

I'd say he had a comparable season to Anthony Edwards UGA season. Similar height. Ant had an inch and half longer wingspan. Both explosive athletes who generate turnovers. Both highly touted.

[Negrodamus]

It is kinda funny how we all define "star potential" so differently. There are so many kinds of stars in this league...Jimmy Butler is not the same kind of star as Steph Curry or Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton or...

Any of these guys at their 99th percentile will become a star. It's just a matter of who you think has the best chance of getting there.

Best case scenario for Ace is what, Tatum, a better defending Melo with more athleticism and less heft?

Best case scenario for VJ? Westbrook?

The irony here is only of these guys won an MVP.

[youngcrev]

Hmm... Can't decide...

The Book of Ace makes it immediate in terms of name recognition.

But The Book of Bailey has the alliteration.

I like Book of Ace more. In the end, we all are "Acelivers" or "Bailyvers" and when we draft him, all his haters (specially Negrodamus, 76ciology and stormi ) will have to bow dow and repent for their sins, as they didnt belive and accepted Ace as our true savior, the one destined to steer our team to true glory. When he´s shooting 40% from 3, with 2 blocks per game and playing great defense in his rookie season, while developing that killer mid range jumper and learning every day from PG, they will say the always belived in Ace, but we will remember of all their mockery of Ace! Although Ace is generous and forgiving, we, who follow the Book of Ace with fervor, are not, so there will be no repent for their sins,not on my watch!

Alright, you convinced me. Not on taking him, but it's definitely The Book of Bailey. Acelivers really drove it home with how bad it sounded.

[eyeatoma]

Personally I see more star upside with VJ than I do with Ace (or Tre) who I assume you're alluding to.

I can't think of a star wing that can't self create outside of spamming contested mid range jumpers and with anti passing chops.

The closest example would be someone like Kawhi, who was a generational defensive wing had freakish measurables and still rocked a 1.2 A:TO in college.

Kawhi has one of the worst evaluatory processes of any star I've seen. A complete anomaly. He lives off of tough shots, even goes up through double teams rather than passing and yet it works because of how ridiculous of a shotmaker he is.

He somehow avoids all of the lows that come with that shot diet as well, he's one of one.

And what is your upside star potential comp for VJ? What is your best case scenario in that situation. Also what would his floor be like?

Finally, what would your solution be on this team with three players who are similarly sized, with an aging and injured front court. Isn't the prudent option to toe the line of upside, while also making team building less of a headache by getting someone who fits in well now and the future, and doesn't necessitate multiple trades?

VJ's 6'5 with a 6'8 wingspan, we don't really have this archetype.

Watch on YouTube

Take a good look at what he was doing against grown men as an 18 year old and come to your own conclusion.

16.5/5.5/4 with 2 steals on 57/38/81 splits. The athleticism is uncanny, the shooting mechanics are good, the defense and the passing is very promising.

If I saw a prospect with greater 'star upside' than this I'd be campaigning for them at #3, I promise you that.

I want to be down with VJ, I know you say this is no comp, but can you give me a rough outline? Bigger version of or shorter verison of? Or a blend of a few players. I really don't like the Oladipo comparison, if that is his projection.

[eyeatoma]

I think VJ has the highest star potential of the trio: himself, Tre, and Ace. He did all the things that All Stars did in college.

And what is his star potential comp? Please dont' say Oladipo, he wasn't that good, and fizzled after a year.

I'd say he had a comparable season to Anthony Edwards UGA season. Similar height. Ant had an inch and half longer wingspan. Both explosive athletes who generate turnovers. Both highly touted.

Wasn't Edwards a better shooter, and self-creator?

[eyeatoma]

It is kinda funny how we all define "star potential" so differently. There are so many kinds of stars in this league...Jimmy Butler is not the same kind of star as Steph Curry or Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton or...

Any of these guys at their 99th percentile will become a star. It's just a matter of who you think has the best chance of getting there.

Best case scenario for Ace is what, Tatum, a better defending Melo with more athleticism and less heft?

Best case scenario for VJ? Westbrook?

The irony here is only of these guys won an MVP.

Sure MVP Russ was good, not sure how much he contributed to winning. He was more like an engineer of chaos, that was very pleasing to see visually and in the box scores. Dude literally had Steven Adams giving him rebounds, so he could average a triple double.

[zaz102]

Russ was awesome. Let's not get carried away now.

[Negrodamus]

And what is his star potential comp? Please dont' say Oladipo, he wasn't that good, and fizzled after a year.

I'd say he had a comparable season to Anthony Edwards UGA season. Similar height. Ant had an inch and half longer wingspan. Both explosive athletes who generate turnovers. Both highly touted.

Wasn't Edwards a better shooter, and self-creator?

Edgecombe had a slightly better FT%, much better 3FG%, Ant had a slightly better 2FG%. How that was broken down across 2FG% is something I'd have to do a deeper dive on. Not saying they're carbon copies of each other, and Ant is/was a bigger dude coming into the league, but that's the level of player you'd hope VJ could become if we needed a similar sized player with a similar game.

[eyeatoma]

Personally I see more star upside with VJ than I do with Ace (or Tre) who I assume you're alluding to.

I can't think of a star wing that can't self create outside of spamming contested mid range jumpers and with anti passing chops.

The closest example would be someone like Kawhi, who was a generational defensive wing had freakish measurables and still rocked a 1.2 A:TO in college.

Kawhi has one of the worst evaluatory processes of any star I've seen. A complete anomaly. He lives off of tough shots, even goes up through double teams rather than passing and yet it works because of how ridiculous of a shotmaker he is.

He somehow avoids all of the lows that come with that shot diet as well, he's one of one.

And what is your upside star potential comp for VJ? What is your best case scenario in that situation. Also what would his floor be like?

Finally, what would your solution be on this team with three players who are similarly sized, with an aging and injured front court. Isn't the prudent option to toe the line of upside, while also making team building less of a headache by getting someone who fits in well now and the future, and doesn't necessitate multiple trades?

VJ's 6'5 with a 6'8 wingspan, we don't really have this archetype.

Watch on YouTube

Take a good look at what he was doing against grown men as an 18 year old and come to your own conclusion.

16.5/5.5/4 with 2 steals on 57/38/81 splits. The athleticism is uncanny, the shooting mechanics are good, the defense and the passing is very promising.

If I saw a prospect with greater 'star upside' than this I'd be campaigning for them at #3, I promise you that.

Also, if you're so high on him, why isn't he going up over Harper? He's a better shooter from deep, more athletic, and a better defender. Harper has good finishing and playmaking, VJ seems to trump him in a few important categories.

[Arsenal]

Your draft god Sam Vecenie compares VJ to prime Gary Harris. Says he might have top 40 potential if all goes well.

With the #3 overall pick? Really?