2017-2018 College Basketball / '18 NBA Draft Thread

[Kobblehead]

Arizona plays SMU today (Shake Milton). It's a shame that it's an ESPN3 game and not on TV.

[phiphan]

I get the questions about Ayton's defense and passion, but he has such a high floor to go with very good upside. His post game is rudimentary, but he's a very good passer (both outlet and in the half court) and has outstanding shooting touch for a guy with his size and athleticism. It's a weird take to say he's not skilled offensively. I can't see him not going #1 at this point.

[Kobblehead]

Saying Ayton is not offensively skilled is just a poor take. And it's out of left field because that was never a concern of him.

[phiphan]

I'd go as far to say that Ayton's passing is excellent in the half court. He's the kind of center you want in a modern offense.

[Kobblehead]

He's an excellent talent, but if Ayton wants to exist in the Kanter/Vucevic lane, I'm not interested in him.

[Kobblehead]

Ayton can't protect the rim, Bamba never heard of protein, Bagley has t-rex arms. The board is set for Jaren Jackson to snatch that #1 pick status.

[phiphan]

Jackson is who I want. Shame we won't have a shot at him absent a lotto miracle.

[Kobblehead]

If Jackson stays under the radar of consensus big boards, there's a possibility he could be there at #6. Drafting off the consensus offers higher job security for front offices.

[Brauer]

If Jackson stays under the radar of consensus big boards, there's a possibility he could be there at #6. Drafting off the consensus offers higher job security for front offices.

It'd be great to have a really good back up for Embiid. I haven't really watched too much of him, but maybe we could even play both Jackson, Embiid and Simmons at the same time since Simmons has been effective at guarding guards and wings. We could have a really nice switch everything defensive group if we have those 3 plus Fultz and Covington. Our size and length would give us a huge advantage as long as we can defend them and these guys might be able to. Wendell Carter could potentially do the same. I think a 4/5 guy that can shoot the 3, and defend 3-5 is what caps us out as a team and makes us unstoppable.

If not, taking Miles Bridges, Mikal Bridges, Bruce Bowen Jr for some 3&D guys might work for us. Mitchell Robinson if we want a borderline starter to back up Embiid. We could also just trade the pick and Dario for something else if not to fill our needs more effectively.

[Kolkmania]

If Jackson stays under the radar of consensus big boards, there's a possibility he could be there at #6. Drafting off the consensus offers higher job security for front offices.

It'd be great to have a really good back up for Embiid. I haven't really watched too much of him, but maybe we could even play both Jackson, Embiid and Simmons at the same time since Simmons has been effective at guarding guards and wings. We could have a really nice switch everything defensive group if we have those 3 plus Fultz and Covington. Our size and length would give us a huge advantage as long as we can defend them and these guys might be able to. Wendell Carter could potentially do the same. I think a 4/5 guy that can shoot the 3, and defend 3-5 is what caps us out as a team and makes us unstoppable.

If not, taking Miles Bridges, Mikal Bridges, Bruce Bowen Jr for some 3&D guys might work for us. Mitchell Robinson if we want a borderline starter to back up Embiid. We could also just trade the pick and Dario for something else if not to fill our needs more effectively.

I've been thinking the same, but I'm thinking that Jaren Jackson and Wendell Carter aren't suitable for the Dario Saric role. I think you rather prefer a big wing who has far more mobility and ball handling skills than those two. Especially Carter is very capable with the ball in his hands, but he'll be better operating from the post than from the perimeter.

Jaren Jackson has hit a good percentage of his 3's thus far, but his mechanics are awkward and he shoots a knuckleball. I expect that his shooting percentage will drop and the transition to a NBA three will be hard. Let alone running off screens, that expectation seems unrealistic.

That last part is something we definitely want, a capable shooter who preferably is comfortable shooting off screens. That and the defense, that brings us to my mandatory boxscore posting of Mikal Bridges.

7/10 FG, 2/3 33PT, 5/6 FT for 21 points and 2 steals against Tennessee.

[Wilfried]

Next draft I would like to cover following positions:

Back-up for Embiid that could also play at the PF (Jackson, Williams, ...) - best to be obtained with LA pick, if it is ours

Shooting guard that can shoot and potential to be a good defender (Brown, Trier? ) - possible to get a player like Brown with our pick (20-22)?

[Negrodamus]

I know he's not a sexy pick, but is Jevon Carter a worthwhile 2nd rounder? He's been one of the best in the country at steals for the past two seasons and is putting together a good senior campaign so far for WVU. I believe if he's not asked to be the man on offense, like he is now for WVU, he can be an extremely quality PG/SG off the bench.

[JojoSlimbiid]

I wonder how functional Bol Bol is gonna be in the NBA if he makes it that far.

[Ericb5]

I wonder how functional Bol Bol is gonna be in the NBA if he makes it that far.

I wonder if he is still growing. He is 7’3 now. If he grows a couple more inches then he is going to succeed in the nba just based on sheer size.

I have no idea how good he is though. Oregon was a weird choice.


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[JojoSlimbiid]

I wonder how functional Bol Bol is gonna be in the NBA if he makes it that far.

I wonder if he is still growing. He is 7’3 now. If he grows a couple more inches then he is going to succeed in the nba just based on sheer size.

I have no idea how good he is though. Oregon was a weird choice.


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Eh I think once you get past 7'2/7'3 you run the risk of being over sized and unable to keep up with the pace of the NBA game. A lot of the freakishly tall 7'5 guys end up not accomplishing much due to being too tall and not having the lateral agility to use all that length.

[Kobblehead]

I know he's not a sexy pick, but is Jevon Carter a worthwhile 2nd rounder? He's been one of the best in the country at steals for the past two seasons and is putting together a good senior campaign so far for WVU. I believe if he's not asked to be the man on offense, like he is now for WVU, he can be an extremely quality PG/SG off the bench.

I'm a big fan of Carter as a college player. The man is literally a pitbull. He even snarls lol. It's so hard to project if these stopper specialists will make their mark in the league. I thought Alex Caruso, Aaron Craft, Briante Weber, and Gary Payton Jr. would establish themselves in an NBA rotation and none of those guys have done so. So who knows.

[Kobblehead]

Malik Pope has scored in double figures in 15 of his last 18 games. I think he's starting to establish himself with consistency.

- 6'10", 220 pounds with a 7'2" wingspan
- three point range
- athletic and agile
- possesses plus handle for a PF
- can switch out and defend on the perimeter with grace

[Kobblehead]

Arizona lost again. Ayton continue to be offensive impressive and defensively disappointing.

[Kobblehead]

Phew, Mikal Bridges might mess around and go top 10.

[Kobblehead]

Duke vs. Texas on ESPN at 5:30pm!