2017-2018 College Basketball / '18 NBA Draft Thread

Kobblehead · Post #1821 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 6:35 pm

Nice possession from Bridges. Isolated on Smith and hit the pull up jumper, getting him to commit a foul in the process.

Kobblehead · Post #1822 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 6:46 pm

Keenan Evans and Jalen Brunson are two of my favorite back-up PG options for us next year.

Kobblehead · Post #1823 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:09 pm

This game is weird. Nobody is really playing great.

Kobblehead · Post #1824 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:13 pm

DONTTEEEEEEEEE

Negrodamus · Post #1825 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:20 pm

I feel like they are swallowing the whistle on Tech's end. A lot of fouls that they let play on.

Negrodamus · Post #1826 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:48 pm

Coach K has been pretty bad at getting his freshmen to play like a team ever since he won it with Okafor and Co. Taking shots that are pretty unnecessary.

Negrodamus · Post #1827 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:04 pm

Azuibuke is so massive. Actually had quick hands a few times today. Looked completely lost on PnR defense.

Negrodamus · Post #1828 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:16 pm

Great play by Carter, terrible call by the ref. That was an offensive foul.

Kobblehead · Post #1829 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:21 pm

Malik Newman is such a boss.

Negrodamus · Post #1830 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:21 pm

Malik Newman is going nuts right now. Always known he was a talented scorer. It was always a wingspan/defense thing that spooked me with him.

Mik317 · Post #1831 » by **Mik317** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:27 pm

how does Bagley only have 9 shots.....

Negrodamus · Post #1832 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:28 pm

Mik317 wrote:how does Bagley only have 9 shots.....

Negrodamus wrote:Coach K has been pretty bad at getting his freshmen to play like a team ever since he won it with Okafor and Co. Taking shots that are pretty unnecessary.

Negrodamus · Post #1833 » by **Negrodamus** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:32 pm

But in all seriousness, you have have a bunch of gunners in Trent and Allen, then I'm sure they were willing to let Duvel have a good game to not let Bagley win.

It was a tough game, but for the talent Duke has, it's a pretty bad loss.

Kobblehead · Post #1834 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:42 pm

Watching Gary Trent Jr. makes me appreciate Luke Kennard more in hindsight. Luke was just a better player.

76ciology · Post #1835 » by **76ciology** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:03 am

76ciology wrote:
Kobblehead wrote:The only problem that I have with Ayton is that I don't think he can be a defensive anchor. Which is what I need from my big.

That won't stop his ascension into stardom, though. There are quite a few young, budding star bigs that aren't defensive anchors coming up in the league.

The problem I think Kobble is that, “that only problem”, probably holds 70% of value for bigs.

Ayton’s blk% doesnt project him to be a defensive anchor or a great rim protector. I’d say he’s more of a DMC type player who can get you big scoring with numbers (20+ppg at good %s) but little impact (2-3OBPM) and not great rim protection.

Hmm.. have you seen Ayton’s STL%? It’s ridiculously low at 1%. DMC has around 2-2.5% at UK. Another red flag. I project his defense to be a slightly better Kanter.

76ciology · Post #1836 » by **76ciology** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:24 am

I see upside with Doncic’s IQ and skillset. He should improve his shooting with his FT% as precedent. He might end up to be a slightly negative defender at G position but his offense should more than compensate for his D.

Between Doncic and Fultz, I think both are close. But I’d prefer Doncic with his upside as a shooter. But then I dont know how much worse or improved Fultz’ shooting is. Yeah, I just look at shooting because it carries the most weight and others may just be noise to my evaluation.

Jaren Jackson, Mamba and Bagley should all be the next tier. All got high upside with little risk.

Jackson and Mamba can play that Whiteside-Capela role at conservative best.

Then Bagley should be a two way impact wing or a PF if his shooting doesnt improve.

I have Ayton, Porter and Trae Young all at the next tier. These three are more of style than substance.

If I have to pick for the team among these three, I’d take my chance on Porter then I’d red shirt him to rehab his back. I’d seriously explore trading up for him, he could be a good bargain for us considering our situation.

Trae Young should be brutal on his rookie year adjusting to NBA caliber defense like what Hield or Monk has encountered. But he has a good chance to be a Jamal Murray, Garry Harris or CJ McCullom mold.

Ayton’s shortcoming on D should be a dark cloud over his offense for the long term.

Overall, im just happy we’re finished tanking and I wouldnt want to be part of the top 5.

Kolkmania · Post #1837 » by **Kolkmania** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:18 am

Watched the Texas Tech - Villanova game, rough offensive game for both teams, but plenty of NBA talent imo. Potential of Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver is legit, however I'm not sure if they should commit. On one hand they would really benefit of NBA training programs, but their skill level (especially for Smith as a 6'5'' guard) is so low at the moment that they're basically projects for their first or two years. Could hurt the amount of their second contracts in the league if they never surpass rotation/role player status.

Villanova has so many serviceable players who could contribute on a NBA team, besides Mikal Bridges I'm quite confident that Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVicenzo and maybe even Omari Spellman will have a NBA career.

Kobblehead · Post #1838 » by **Kobblehead** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:31 pm

I think Shai and Jaren Jackson are the two biggest upside plays in the lottery.

Both are surefire stud defenders with freaky measurables. Both have offensive upside that could vault them into stardom.

Negrodamus · Post #1839 » by **Negrodamus** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:45 pm

I think the benefit of Shai is that he has a similar reactionary style that Ben and Fultz have. None of them are linear in their offensive decisions, like Cov and sometimes Embiid. That moves the ball around and put scorers in advantageous positions. I also believe that lineup will one day become unstoppable:

Fultz
SGA
Covington
Simmons
Embiid

That grouping maximizes total possessions each game with stellar length (deflections, blocks, steals) while also giving us 3 capable ball handlers. I'll be stoked if we leave this draft with Gilgeous-Alexander.

Kobblehead · Post #1840 » by **Kobblehead** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:56 pm

I'm fully expecting Ayton to just be a scorer/rebounder that doesn't offer defensive play.

That said, there's a lack of the usual impediments with him that have plagued other poor defensive bigs (other than defensive instincts).

Boogie was unathletic and had poor conditioning.
Kanter has a garbage wingspan.
Jahlil was unathletic and had poor conditioning.
Towns was unathletic.

With Ayton, his conditioning is top notch, he's got elite length, and he's an athletic specimen. The only thing holding him back defensively are his instincts.

I'm not saying it's likely, just that it's not out of the realm of possibility that a great coach can make him serviceable on the defensive end.

Even if he doesn't, Ayton will still dominate the glass and score 20+ on 60% true shooting and be a force to be reckoned with.