2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft - Volume III

[Kobblehead]

Let's keep it going!

[Negrodamus]

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[Negrodamus]

Also, was an animal in FIBA, often playing PG for them:

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[Negrodamus]

For the people who are still scarred by Fultz, listening to the PHLY podcast with Scott Drew, he mentioned that VJ had tinkered with his shot (along with adding weight) which contributed to his horrific shooting at the beginning of the year. Drew said he sat down with him, looked at tape, commented on what was wrong, and VJ went immediately to work to get his shot back.

If you look at November, his shooting splits were 37% FG (27% 3FG, 44% 2FG) 68% FT. 11ppg

If you remove November, his splits on the rest of the season go to 45% FG (36% 3FG, 52% 2FG) 80% FT. 16.1 ppg

Feel free to do that with any other prospect, I'm just doing that in the context of knowing he screwed up his shot and immediately brought it back to a fairly elite level at FT and a decent level at 3FG.

[MVP1992]

For the people who are still scarred by Fultz, listening to the PHLY podcast with Scott Drew, he mentioned that VJ had tinkered with his shot (along with adding weight) which contributed to his horrific shooting at the beginning of the year. Drew said he sat down with him, looked at tape, commented on what was wrong, and VJ went immediately to work to get his shot back.

If you look at November, his shooting splits were 37% FG (27% 3FG, 44% 2FG) 68% FT. 11ppg

If you remove November, his splits on the rest of the season go to 45% FG (36% 3FG, 52% 2FG) 80% FT. 16.1 ppg

Feel free to do that with any other prospect, I'm just doing that in the context of knowing he screwed up his shot and immediately brought it back to a fairly elite level at FT and a decent level at 3FG.

Thanks.

I wondered if that happened to Maxey this season. He had visibly bulked up. Supposedly also had the lingering thumb injury.

Had good days but some were horrendous in the last half of the season. Worst being 0-10 3pt.

[76ciology]

The Spurs already have a crowded backcourt and are expected to take Harper at #2, but they may not value that pick as highly given their depth. Meanwhile, the Sixers are sitting at #3 with no obvious choice, which suggests they don’t see significant value in that spot either. Both teams are not that thirsty to take a gamble for a high risk high upside player and give a long leash for player development, unlike the typical teams that lands a top 3 pick (a team like a wizards landing a top 3 pick wouldn’t mind Bailey or VJ). In short, both teams might be more open to trading down than people realize.

The Spurs have a clear franchise cornerstone in Wemby, and a proven No. 2 option in De’Aaron Fox, who has already led a team to the playoffs. In contrast, the Sixers don’t have a true franchise player right now, Embiid’s health remains a major concern, and Maxey, while promising, hasn’t yet shown he can reach that top-tier superstar level. That’s why I think the Spurs are more likely to draft someone like VJ or Kneuppel, who can complement their core, while the Sixers are more inclined to take a swing on someone like Harper, a potential lead guard who can hedge against Embiid’s durability issues and the possibility that Maxey doesn’t fully become a franchise player.

[M2J]

In regards to Dylan he actually hit 37% of his catch and shoot 3pters.

I just don't think we've seen his final shooting form. Which isn't ideal. It's so low and so slow, may be hard get off with the length in the league. But, ultimately I do care more about catch and shoot than pull up. Pull up makes you a star and that's important, catch and shoot helps the team... Especially when he's a good driver and passer of the ball.

[Arsenal]

For the people who are still scarred by Fultz, listening to the PHLY podcast with Scott Drew, he mentioned that VJ had tinkered with his shot (along with adding weight) which contributed to his horrific shooting at the beginning of the year. Drew said he sat down with him, looked at tape, commented on what was wrong, and VJ went immediately to work to get his shot back.

If you look at November, his shooting splits were 37% FG (27% 3FG, 44% 2FG) 68% FT. 11ppg

If you remove November, his splits on the rest of the season go to 45% FG (36% 3FG, 52% 2FG) 80% FT. 16.1 ppg

Feel free to do that with any other prospect, I'm just doing that in the context of knowing he screwed up his shot and immediately brought it back to a fairly elite level at FT and a decent level at 3FG.

Thanks.

I wondered if that happened to Maxey this season. He had visibly bulked up. Supposedly also had the lingering thumb injury.

Had good days but some were horrendous in the last half of the season. Worst being 0-10 3pt.

What happened to Maxey is we had pure trash surrounding him. No one with gravity to open up easier looks.

Get him talented teammates and his efficiency will rise again.

[Black Mage]

For the people who are still scarred by Fultz, listening to the PHLY podcast with Scott Drew, he mentioned that VJ had tinkered with his shot (along with adding weight) which contributed to his horrific shooting at the beginning of the year. Drew said he sat down with him, looked at tape, commented on what was wrong, and VJ went immediately to work to get his shot back.

If you look at November, his shooting splits were 37% FG (27% 3FG, 44% 2FG) 68% FT. 11ppg

If you remove November, his splits on the rest of the season go to 45% FG (36% 3FG, 52% 2FG) 80% FT. 16.1 ppg

Feel free to do that with any other prospect, I'm just doing that in the context of knowing he screwed up his shot and immediately brought it back to a fairly elite level at FT and a decent level at 3FG.

I remember when Kobe came back jacked up and it messed with his shot b/c he didn't have the same muscle tone/memory.

[Black Mage]

For the people who are still scarred by Fultz, listening to the PHLY podcast with Scott Drew, he mentioned that VJ had tinkered with his shot (along with adding weight) which contributed to his horrific shooting at the beginning of the year. Drew said he sat down with him, looked at tape, commented on what was wrong, and VJ went immediately to work to get his shot back.

If you look at November, his shooting splits were 37% FG (27% 3FG, 44% 2FG) 68% FT. 11ppg

If you remove November, his splits on the rest of the season go to 45% FG (36% 3FG, 52% 2FG) 80% FT. 16.1 ppg

Feel free to do that with any other prospect, I'm just doing that in the context of knowing he screwed up his shot and immediately brought it back to a fairly elite level at FT and a decent level at 3FG.

Thanks.

I wondered if that happened to Maxey this season. He had visibly bulked up. Supposedly also had the lingering thumb injury.

Had good days but some were horrendous in the last half of the season. Worst being 0-10 3pt.

What happened to Maxey is we had pure trash surrounding him. No one with gravity to open up easier looks.

Get him talented teammates and his efficiency will rise again.

Nurse also did what Nurse always does and ground his smaller guards into paste with heavy minutes. That has to change and if it doesn't, Nurse needs to be fired midseason. Risking Maxey or McCain's long-term future b/c you have an idiotic coach that refuses to give rest to his stars is GM malpractice.

[Arsenal]

Excellent deep dive from No Ceilings into V.J. Edgecombe:

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/outsiders-edge-projecting-vj-edgecombes

How do we feel after digesting this? To be honest, I came away from another dedicated dive on V.J. a little underwhelmed. Now, hang on a second. I did not say I’m out on Edgecombe holistically, but I am slightly more concerned as to V.J.’s high-end upside. Yes, he has ridiculous athleticism. Yes, he is a great positional rebounder. Yes, he is a very good defensive prospect. However, I don’t know if we’re going to see a Thompson twin outcome for V.J.

Even if V.J. improves as a shooter, teams will have to be confident that his frequency of attempts will be worth the defense’s commitment to the shot—particularly when/if he is in the playoffs. Even if V.J. improves as a finisher, he’ll have to improve his shot to force teams to have different screen coverages against him. Even if V.J. does round out as a shooter and finisher with the ball, he’ll need to improve his playmaking chops beyond the simple “next pass”, or kickout, to achieve what teams normally look for in a potential Top 3 pick. This is where the concerns regarding his ceiling lie.

But let’s say he’s just an okay, secondary or tertiary handler and a decent shooter. V.J. still offers top-shelf athleticism, tremendous effort on the glass and boards, and high character; that being his floor is what makes him appealing. Some of the names that he compared to in terms of impact earlier in this piece—DeMarre Carroll, Jake LaRavia, Jae Crowder, and Kyle Anderson—have played pivotal roles on their teams and have been desirable players. That gives V.J. a certain amount of safety, with the potential that some of his concerns will take positive steps in the right direction.

V.J. will likely be a Top 5 pick because of that potential/floor combination, but should probably go toward the back part of that range within the 2025 NBA Draft.

TL;DR - his offensive upside is concerning.

[Arsenal]

Nets hoping to move up to #3. If we do this it should be to fleece them of picks, not just dump PG. #3 for #8, #19, #26 & #27?

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[Stanford]

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Love this kid. He's going to be a beast.

[Sixersftw]

I don't know how to square that I come away much more impressed when I'm watching anything VJ does in national play versus feeling underwhelmed by a lot the Baylor tape.

Good context on the shot above Negrodamus.

[mjkvol]

Nets hoping to move up to #3. If we do this it should be to fleece them of picks, not just dump PG. #3 for #8, #19, #26 & #27?

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Four 2025 picks is ridiculous. If they give us #8 and #19 as well as maybe a future pick, and take George, I'm in.

[Negrodamus]

I don't know how to square that I come away much more impressed when I'm watching anything VJ does in national play versus feeling underwhelmed by a lot the Baylor tape.

Good context on the shot above Negrodamus.

I think him playing with shooters like Gordon and Hield along with a big man who has a midrange game in Ayton gives him more room to operate than at Baylor (and just the college game in general). It's definitely interesting going through the entire game and watching specifically Edgecombe. He looks much more comfortable than at Baylor (where he still played well anyway).

[Jailblazers7]

VJ also ranks top of the draft for “got that dawg in him”

Maxey/McCain
VJ
Edwards
Paul George
Ghost of Joel Embiid

Not too bad - I’d be excited to watch that team.

[Sixersftw]

I don't know how to square that I come away much more impressed when I'm watching anything VJ does in national play versus feeling underwhelmed by a lot the Baylor tape.

Good context on the shot above Negrodamus.

I think him playing with shooters like Gordon and Hield along with a big man who has a midrange game in Ayton gives him more room to operate than at Baylor (and just the college game in general). It's definitely interesting going through the entire game and watching specifically Edgecombe. He looks much more comfortable than at Baylor (where he still played well anyway).

Yeah, I'm not trying to imply he sucked in college, he didn't. He just, at times, looked as if he was trying to force it at the rim by "out athletic'ing" the competition. Are there any numbers for him @ the rim for international play?

[76ciology]

Edgecombe has a natural ability to get to that in-between area around the free-throw line, whether it’s in FIBA or at Baylor. His halfcourt unassisted scoring numbers back that up.. 82 field goals made, with only 19% assisted. Edgecombe is just not refined yet in his footwork or scoring touch in that zone.

He’s the archetype ex-Magic GM Rob Hennigan (Sam Presti GM tree) would like to bet. He believe this archetype is just one leap in development away from becoming the next Westbrook, who didn’t flash much offense in college, or Oladipo, who was below average for a #1 his first four years. The idea is.. if you’ve got the motor, play bigger than your size, have functional explosive athleticism, and just enough guard skills, then all it takes is the right situation and a development leap to unlock star potential. And even if that leap doesn’t come, you still end up with a highly valuable impact player in the Derrick White, Marcus Smart, or Jrue Holiday mold.

How hard can it be? You got a big playing drop when you run a 2 man game and all you have to do is to take a lightly contested middy or pivot your way with upfakes into a decent shot or use your explosiveness to finish at the rim. Sure, non-guards can do it too, but guards have a natural quickness advantage. And if you don’t play drop, those explosive guards can just blow right by you.

Spoiler:

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Watch on YouTube

[zaz102]

I would trade an asset in a heartbeat or two for Harper if that ends up on the table.

1) It's a unique situation where Sixers might have access to a high level prospect since Harper is a bad fit on SAS and Sixers can offer them another high level prospect in the draft. If there's any possibility that SAS is seriously considering Ace, VJ, or Tre, they can only trade down with one of three teams and Sixers are the least riskiest of they are targeting one of them.

2) Harper is a great fit for the team. A big PG to pair up with our small SGs. Also, young enough to be a core piece for the future while being a rotation player for next year.

3) I would only be willing to trade picks (LAC pick and maybe one more). These picks are questionable enough to me to make them worth it to trade. I would also be OK with saving them for a disgruntled star in the future, but that's also a risk. The pick we traded for Fultz, besides the Tatum pick, ended up turning into Romeo Langford. I am not sure Harper will be better than Ace, VJ, and Tre, but I feel good that he has a high chance to be a very good player and be one of the best two players in that group (I feel more likely than not the best).

That being said, I feel like SAS will probably still take Harper and the figure out where to go with the roster in the future.