NBA Draft and NCAA Basketball

[Kerrsed]

Ran tankathon ten time. I liked who they had us taking every time.

http://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft
Try it.

Colin Sexton....10 out of 10 times. Drafted 8th 8 times, 9th once, and 10th once.

What i noticed is that no matter how many times you "Simulate it" they have us getting Young at #8 ONLY when the Cav's jump up to a top 3 pick.

Only 3 teams ahead of us ever pick Young, and thats Cleveland (Via Brooklyn), Orlando (When drafting #5 or later), and the Sixers (Via Lakers but only when Orlando doesnt take him with the 5th/6th pick). Here are 3 examples of the current "Winning Formula"

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

I also noticed that when those circumstances are just right and we end up with Young @ #8 (Instead of Sexton), Sexton always slides all the way to the Pistons at #15 (Right before our #16 Pick from the Bucks). They also ALWAYS have us drafting Bruce Brown with our Miami pick.

[Desertfox]

Bamba doesn't get us anywhere we already have an equivalent player in Len on the roster. We need a C but an offensive minded one that can hit the 3 i.e. Ayton. As for Sexton didn't we just trade away a similar player in Bledsoe? How about drafting or trading for a PG that can hit the 3? Alexander would be perfect with the second pick. Bagley provides neither 3 point shooting nor defense, so pass. I also like Mikal Bridges alot in case we have a trade lined up that includes Warren or Jackson.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Listening to the stepien... they note that Jaren Jackson has the highest BPM in all of college basketball - which is particularly crazy when you consider how much younger he is than the rest of the prospects in his class. Looking at his film, you'd think he's already ahead of way Marquese is today. But I haven't watched any games to confirm.

Listed as a PF, of which we have 2. Could he bang with centers in time? If yes, he could be an option for us. If no, it's hard to see us making room for him without jettisoning Chriss, which wouldn't be easy to pull off. Certainly, using Chriss as a pawn to move up in the draft would feel like selling low. If there were a perfect vet available in trade, I guess it's fathomable, but I don't see Washington making John Wall available, and that's really the only player I could think of who would make sense from our perspective.

Then again, maybe he's the ideal C in a small ball world. He'll be bigger than Bell when he fills out. But on paper, he isn't any bigger than Marquese was when we drafted him.

[Walt_Uoob]

If we end up with one pick in the 5-10 range and one in the early 20s, I really like the sound of a Bamba and Gilgeous-Alexander combination. Those are our biggest needs and they both seem like good fits, plus we don't have to throw either of them straight into a high-usage role.

We'd be looking at an eventual lineup of Shai-Booker-Jackson-Bender-Bamba, with good backups of Ulis/Daniels/TJ/Chriss/Sauce (and of course depending on how things go, TJ and/or Chriss could start instead of Jackson/Bender). That starting 5 is light on shooting but would be alright if Shai and Jackson's jumpshots prove decent. It has very good size and defensive potential, and also a lot of versatility to go small or big depending on matchups.

And for next year we'd have something like this, which probably makes for another year of frustrating PG play but should be good for a modest improvement in our record:
Knight/Ulis/Shai
Booker/Daniels
Warren/Jackson
Bender/Chriss
Chandler/Sauce/Bamba

Edit: I guess it would be ideal to pair Bamba with more of a pass-first PG since he should be a great lob target, but having above-average passers at their positions in Booker, Jackson, and Bender (and maybe lots of offensive put-back opportunities due to said lack of shooting), it should still be a good fit.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Just ran the Tankathon Sim and Suns jumped to #3 and they have them taking Porter.... with Young on the board going 4. I think that would cause some anger from fans.

Personally I have no idea what to make of Porter. He was so highly regarded but man the back issue and just not seeing him play against any college competition makes him such a mystery.

[Midnight_Suns]

Although we probably pick 4th no matter what, I think it's absolutely in the realm of possibility that we finish bottom 3 in the league this season. From what I've read we have had one of the easiest schedules thus far (with an astounding .356 win% to show for it) and one of the hardest moving forward. I'm gonna placate myself the rest of the season by pretending that this is the year we pick #1.

Draft Young and trade every expendable asset to move up for Bamba.

[PackSuns]

Anybody have a good stream for the Wake Forest vs NC State game that is on right now? I know it's a long shot

[Wilber85]

Bamba doesn't get us anywhere we already have an equivalent player in Len on the roster. We need a C but an offensive minded one that can hit the 3 i.e. Ayton. As for Sexton didn't we just trade away a similar player in Bledsoe? How about drafting or trading for a PG that can hit the 3? Alexander would be perfect with the second pick. Bagley provides neither 3 point shooting nor defense, so pass. I also like Mikal Bridges alot in case we have a trade lined up that includes Warren or Jackson.

Hey with your theory.

Why not just put 5 three point shooters on the board! No Defense just 3 point shooting.

You are whats wrong with the NBA.

Ideal is put a Stretch 4, next to a defensive minded stud Center who can rebound, block, and finish. (BAMBA)

I would rather have 3 point shooters in my 1-4 than my 5.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bamba doesn't get us anywhere we already have an equivalent player in Len on the roster. We need a C but an offensive minded one that can hit the 3 i.e. Ayton. As for Sexton didn't we just trade away a similar player in Bledsoe? How about drafting or trading for a PG that can hit the 3? Alexander would be perfect with the second pick. Bagley provides neither 3 point shooting nor defense, so pass. I also like Mikal Bridges alot in case we have a trade lined up that includes Warren or Jackson.

Hey with your theory.

Why not just put 5 three point shooters on the board! No Defense just 3 point shooting.

You are whats wrong with the NBA.

Ideal is put a Stretch 4, next to a defensive minded stud Center who can rebound, block, and finish. (BAMBA)

I would rather have 3 point shooters in my 1-4 than my 5.

I would rather have the best players. Word on Bamba is that he doesn't particularly care for basketball. That's worrisome. Bagley's the safer pick for sure.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I've said it before but I think McDonough would love Jaren Jackson maybe only behind Doncic and Ayton.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I've said it before but I think McDonough would love Jaren Jackson maybe only behind Doncic and Ayton.

In 2016, I wasn't particularly fond of any of the prospects expected to be available. The good thing about this draft is that plenty of the top prospects are appealing.

[bwgood77]

I've said it before but I think McDonough would love Jaren Jackson maybe only behind Doncic and Ayton.

I think he would love Jaren too. Jaren really checks all the boxes for me. He is probably the one guy that doesn't really have anything I don't like (though it's hard to know about Porter). I'm not sure I'd put him higher than 5, but I might have him higher than Bamba. He averages almost as many blocks, is probably close to as good as defender..or better, but also isn't a liability offensively.

I've also mentioned before I like that he has received instruction from Tom Izzo and played for MSU (Draymond Green, Gary Harris)...I always feel good about Mich St players kind of like I do with Oregon players because I know they have been coached to play hard nosed defense.

Then I have also mentioned I like that his dad was in the NBA so he has been around the game, probably knows what it takes, and his dad played on a championship team with Robinson and Duncan. His dad wasn't a center, but he's probably watched a lot of his dad's games and watched a lot of Robinson and Duncan, both premier defenders and great fundamental players.

And 43.4% from 3 in college so far. Very impressive. With Bender and Chriss is was more theoretical. This guy is showing it already.

I'm guessing he'd be our best defending big on day 1.

As for cosmo's earlier question about C's, I imagine he will be fine at C in time....particularly with the way the NBA is going. He can protect the rim and defend which is the most important part there. Guys like Cousins, Jordan, Drummond would have just as tough time chasing him around the perimeter on D than he would playing D against them...plus those guys are 10 years or so older so they will be declining soon..except maybe Drummond...but SVG has said he can't play Drummond against the small ball Cavs.

We need our non center bigs to fill out and become better rebounders because we are probably one of the few teams that almost always has a true C on the floor all the time.

[bwgood77]

I've said it before but I think McDonough would love Jaren Jackson maybe only behind Doncic and Ayton.

In 2016, I wasn't particularly fond of any of the prospects expected to be available. The good thing about this draft is that plenty of the top prospects are appealing.

I agree. I liked Bender in 16 and liked Chriss as a potential pick at 13, but that was more default because of who was there and potential upside.

I'd be pretty happy with any of the top 7, and even the Bridges are intriguing (though we probably won't add another wing). Not sold on Sexton though.

I like the idea of getting a guy like Gilgeous Alexander with one of the other picks if we take a big, and maybe a guy like Daniel Gafford if we get a backcourt/wing early.

One thought is this if we land 8 or lower (or possibly higher the more I think about it).

If we think Doncic could play in the backcourt, why not Mikal Bridges? Think about him and Booker just being two interchangeable guards.

I mean this guy has ELITE shooting and ELITE defense and a good handle. The guy is 6'7 with a 7'2 wingspan who shoots 44.7% from 3, 56.8% from 2 (previous 2 years around 70% from 2) and has over a 64% TS%....all 3 college years.

Probably more immediately ready to contribute now than maybe anyone in the lottery.

Outstanding size, length (7-foot-2 wingspan) and dynamic speed and agility athleticism package for a wing.

Not an elite explosive leaper but finishes above the rim off one or two feet with ease aided by his length.

Knows who he is as a player and plays within his lane at Villanova as a 3&D slasher and cutter.

Ultra efficient slasher and finisher. Has underrated touch with either hand on the move and can finish off either Has always been a high-level finisher in college.

Long-strider as a slasher getting to the rim quickly and can finish off one foot without gathering with plus body control even showing the footwork to navigate around bodies.

Has enough handle to attack in straight line situations comfortably.

Shows awareness of time and space as a cutter.

Shot mechanics are a little rigid at the top of his release but looks capable off the catch and shows the preparatory footwork to catch on the hop in rhythm.

Shows some vision flashes as a passer and is an unselfish ball-mover.

Quick, light on his feet, and long defensively and really competes on-ball. Plays at the point of attack regularly for Villanova.

Has the speed to track faster players running off floppy sets and the length to contest on the perimeter and erase mistakes.

Aware team defender off-ball and is already well versed with switching communication in Villanova’s scheme.

https://www.thestepien.com/mikal-bridges/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mikal-bridges-1.html

[Desertfox]

Hey with your theory.

Why not just put 5 three point shooters on the board! No Defense just 3 point shooting.

You are whats wrong with the NBA.

Ideal is put a Stretch 4, next to a defensive minded stud Center who can rebound, block, and finish. (BAMBA)

I would rather have 3 point shooters in my 1-4 than my 5.

I do agree, in an ideal world the shooters would be 1-4, but neither of our 3s can shoot a 3 to save their life, and the PGs are not much better. Shouldn't be too hard to get a PG that can, but the only way Bamba would work is if we traded for a better 3 shooting SF, and if you want a center who can defend, rebound, and block, might as well try to resign Len. How much of an upgrade would Bamba be?

[Mulhollanddrive]

Only 1 player on the best 4 teams averages more than 8 rebounds.

GSW's best rebounds: 7, 6, 5, 4, 4
Houston's best rebounds: 11, 6, 5, 5, 5
Boston's best rebounders: 7, 5, 5, 5, 5
Torono's best rebounders: 8, 6, 6, 4, 4

When I hear James Jones say we want to be a perimeter team with versatility this seems to be an example.

So when his former team moves Kevin Love to Center and they're top 5 in offense but bottom 5 in defense imagine if he could get Jaren Jackson who can do what Kevin Love does as a perimeter Center (to a lesser extent) but also elite of the elite at defense.

McDonough seems very specific in what he looks for projecting for trends in 5-10 years time he doesn't necessarily care about production that much if you look at most of his picks.

[dremill24]

Spoiler:

I've said it before but I think McDonough would love Jaren Jackson maybe only behind Doncic and Ayton.

In 2016, I wasn't particularly fond of any of the prospects expected to be available. The good thing about this draft is that plenty of the top prospects are appealing.

I agree. I liked Bender in 16 and liked Chriss as a potential pick at 13, but that was more default because of who was there and potential upside.

I'd be pretty happy with any of the top 7, and even the Bridges are intriguing (though we probably won't add another wing). Not sold on Sexton though.

I like the idea of getting a guy like Gilgeous Alexander with one of the other picks if we take a big, and maybe a guy like Daniel Gafford if we get a backcourt/wing early.

One thought is this if we land 8 or lower (or possibly higher the more I think about it).

If we think Doncic could play in the backcourt, why not Mikal Bridges? Think about him and Booker just being two interchangeable guards.

I mean this guy has ELITE shooting and ELITE defense and a good handle. The guy is 6'7 with a 7'2 wingspan who shoots 44.7% from 3, 56.8% from 2 (previous 2 years around 70% from 2) and has over a 64% TS%....all 3 college years.

Probably more immediately ready to contribute now than maybe anyone in the lottery.

Outstanding size, length (7-foot-2 wingspan) and dynamic speed and agility athleticism package for a wing.

Not an elite explosive leaper but finishes above the rim off one or two feet with ease aided by his length.

Knows who he is as a player and plays within his lane at Villanova as a 3&D slasher and cutter.

Ultra efficient slasher and finisher. Has underrated touch with either hand on the move and can finish off either Has always been a high-level finisher in college.

Long-strider as a slasher getting to the rim quickly and can finish off one foot without gathering with plus body control even showing the footwork to navigate around bodies.

Has enough handle to attack in straight line situations comfortably.

Shows awareness of time and space as a cutter.

Shot mechanics are a little rigid at the top of his release but looks capable off the catch and shows the preparatory footwork to catch on the hop in rhythm.

Shows some vision flashes as a passer and is an unselfish ball-mover.

Quick, light on his feet, and long defensively and really competes on-ball. Plays at the point of attack regularly for Villanova.

Has the speed to track faster players running off floppy sets and the length to contest on the perimeter and erase mistakes.

Aware team defender off-ball and is already well versed with switching communication in Villanova’s scheme.

https://www.thestepien.com/mikal-bridges/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mikal-bridges-1.html

Dude is just tailor made for the new NBA

[Mulhollanddrive]

He is but he can't dribble or shot create maybe a Covington / Porter type.

[bwgood77]

Last week I wrote about how Luka Doncic is probably the best international prospect in draft history, with a skill package and basketball intellect as high as any 18-year-old we’ve seen in a long time. But I also noted that when you dig into the film, you find real questions surrounding certain aspects of his physical ability and athletic ceiling: his ability to separate from defenders and elevate to finish around the basket may limit his ability to become an NBA superstar.

Deandre Ayton, another player discussed as a potential #1 overall selection, is a great counterpoint to Doncic. While Doncic excels because of basketball intellect despite some athletic limitations, Ayton dominates with his body — but does not yet have the basketball mind to match.

Ayton checks basically every box from a physical standpoint: already, at the age of 19, he has the size and strength of an NBA center, with nimble feet, lateral quickness for his size, and easy lift off the floor. That combination, along with touch nice touch both around the rim and on midrange jumpers, gives him a ceiling as high as anyone. It’s not hard to imagine him as a dominant, two-way presence.

https://cleaningtheglass.com/midseason-draft-review-deandre-ayton/

[lilfishi22]

Last week I wrote about how Luka Doncic is probably the best international prospect in draft history, with a skill package and basketball intellect as high as any 18-year-old we’ve seen in a long time. But I also noted that when you dig into the film, you find real questions surrounding certain aspects of his physical ability and athletic ceiling: his ability to separate from defenders and elevate to finish around the basket may limit his ability to become an NBA superstar.

Deandre Ayton, another player discussed as a potential #1 overall selection, is a great counterpoint to Doncic. While Doncic excels because of basketball intellect despite some athletic limitations, Ayton dominates with his body — but does not yet have the basketball mind to match.

Ayton checks basically every box from a physical standpoint: already, at the age of 19, he has the size and strength of an NBA center, with nimble feet, lateral quickness for his size, and easy lift off the floor. That combination, along with touch nice touch both around the rim and on midrange jumpers, gives him a ceiling as high as anyone. It’s not hard to imagine him as a dominant, two-way presence.

https://cleaningtheglass.com/midseason-draft-review-deandre-ayton/

I love Ayton as a prospect. Could easily go #1 but this is scary to me.

It's funny that we have two players on our team that embodies this case study

Doncic = Bender : great basketball IQ but athletically average
Ayton = Chriss: poor basketball IQ but athletically elite

Difference obviously is that both Doncic and Ayton already have skills that are developed enough to be productive from day 1.

[bwgood77]

Last week I wrote about how Luka Doncic is probably the best international prospect in draft history, with a skill package and basketball intellect as high as any 18-year-old we’ve seen in a long time. But I also noted that when you dig into the film, you find real questions surrounding certain aspects of his physical ability and athletic ceiling: his ability to separate from defenders and elevate to finish around the basket may limit his ability to become an NBA superstar.

Deandre Ayton, another player discussed as a potential #1 overall selection, is a great counterpoint to Doncic. While Doncic excels because of basketball intellect despite some athletic limitations, Ayton dominates with his body — but does not yet have the basketball mind to match.

Ayton checks basically every box from a physical standpoint: already, at the age of 19, he has the size and strength of an NBA center, with nimble feet, lateral quickness for his size, and easy lift off the floor. That combination, along with touch nice touch both around the rim and on midrange jumpers, gives him a ceiling as high as anyone. It’s not hard to imagine him as a dominant, two-way presence.

https://cleaningtheglass.com/midseason-draft-review-deandre-ayton/

I love Ayton as a prospect. Could easily go #1 but this is scary to me.

It's funny that we have two players on our team that embodies this case study

Doncic = Bender : great basketball IQ but athletically average
Ayton = Chriss: poor basketball IQ but athletically elite

Difference obviously is that both Doncic and Ayton already have skills that are developed enough to be productive from day 1.

I read his write up on Doncic and Ayton and with Doncic there are certainly some questions but his IQ is so high that he also mentioned that his IQ might be so high that physical limitations don't matter like Steve Nash or Steph Curry (he mentioned them two).

Bender isn't a good comparison because Bender was not aggressive against grown men in euroleague...was VERY tentative...you think he is now, he rarely did much there except foul a lot.

This guy is dominating grown men at 17/18 in euroleague....best ever european at his age probably easily.

I mean, this is Doncic at 17 playing against Westbrook and the Thunder...look at him...he even guarded Westbrook some...

I think most of the prospects even at the top would have gotten demoralized right now (and especially at 17 playing against the Thunder). Think of how rough starts are for most rookies...most a couple years older.

When most arguments are made for really young guys, it's because they have the athleticism and have dominated their age groups in high school and have high upside.

This guy already is a pro with extreme high bbiq and he plays with intensity and is extremely confident.

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