2021 NBA Draft, Part 2

[Big J]

You guys can’t deny the Donovan Mitchell name/number connection with him. It definitely adds to his intrigue.

[Onus]

The more videos I see about McBride and the more I read about him, the more I cannot understand why Davion Mitchell is mocked ahead of him. Can someone explain that to me?

Mitchell to me looks like someone who has gotten a ton of hype due to playing a big role for a team that won the NCAA title and due to a very significant senior jump. Winning an NCAA title is significant, no doubt, and I can totally get behind the argument that he's ready to help a team right now and that he's a winning player and all that. I just don't think that this is enough to become a lotto pick.

I can only tell you why I like Mitchell, but it's the fact he has elite burst, first step, lateral mobility. In an NBA with more space it's going to be very hard to stay in front of him without help. Mitchell will be aided playing in a 4 or 5 out system. Add in the fact if his shooting is for real (45% 3 point shooter), like if he can take 5+ 3pta and shoot 40% while taking them off the dribble and self created that's the beginnings of an all star. And if you see how he's getting to his step back and side step game, he creates a ton of separation for his jumper. He's not taking jumpshots with guys hanging onto him with guys in his face, he's getting clean and clear separation for his jumper. Add in the fact that he's also the best point of attack defender in the draft there's a lot more potential there than Deuce who is a back up pg. Worst case scenario Mitchell's shot doesn't translate he's a back up pg who can play defense like Deuce, but Deuce will never have the first step that Mitchell has, so he's going to struggle to get by people.

I don't think he's a no 1 option type player, don't think his handle or vision are good enough to be a primary championship level type player. And I get the downsides being 6' in the NBA and his shot may not translate at all with this year being a complete outlier it's more likely he bust than he succeeds.

[Nuntius]

The more videos I see about McBride and the more I read about him, the more I cannot understand why Davion Mitchell is mocked ahead of him. Can someone explain that to me?

Mitchell to me looks like someone who has gotten a ton of hype due to playing a big role for a team that won the NCAA title and due to a very significant senior jump. Winning an NCAA title is significant, no doubt, and I can totally get behind the argument that he's ready to help a team right now and that he's a winning player and all that. I just don't think that this is enough to become a lotto pick.

I can only tell you why I like Mitchell, but it's the fact he has elite burst, first step, lateral mobility. In an NBA with more space it's going to be very hard to stay in front of him without help. Mitchell will be aided playing in a 4 or 5 out system. Add in the fact if his shooting is for real (45% 3 point shooter), like if he can take 5+ 3pta and shoot 40% while taking them off the dribble and self created that's the beginnings of an all star. And if you see how he's getting to his step back and side step game, he creates a ton of separation for his jumper. He's not taking jumpshots with guys hanging onto him with guys in his face, he's getting clean and clear separation for his jumper. Add in the fact that he's also the best point of attack defender in the draft there's a lot more potential there than Deuce who is a back up pg. Worst case scenario Mitchell's shot doesn't translate he's a back up pg who can play defense like Deuce, but Deuce will never have the first step that Mitchell has, so he's going to struggle to get by people.

I don't think he's a no 1 option type player, don't think his handle or vision are good enough to be a primary championship level type player. And I get the downsides being 6' in the NBA and his shot may not translate at all with this year being a complete outlier it's more likely he bust than he succeeds.

Fair enough. I do not share that view but I do thank you for explaining why you like him. That's what I was asking, after all

[Onus]

The more videos I see about McBride and the more I read about him, the more I cannot understand why Davion Mitchell is mocked ahead of him. Can someone explain that to me?

Mitchell to me looks like someone who has gotten a ton of hype due to playing a big role for a team that won the NCAA title and due to a very significant senior jump. Winning an NCAA title is significant, no doubt, and I can totally get behind the argument that he's ready to help a team right now and that he's a winning player and all that. I just don't think that this is enough to become a lotto pick.

I can only tell you why I like Mitchell, but it's the fact he has elite burst, first step, lateral mobility. In an NBA with more space it's going to be very hard to stay in front of him without help. Mitchell will be aided playing in a 4 or 5 out system. Add in the fact if his shooting is for real (45% 3 point shooter), like if he can take 5+ 3pta and shoot 40% while taking them off the dribble and self created that's the beginnings of an all star. And if you see how he's getting to his step back and side step game, he creates a ton of separation for his jumper. He's not taking jumpshots with guys hanging onto him with guys in his face, he's getting clean and clear separation for his jumper. Add in the fact that he's also the best point of attack defender in the draft there's a lot more potential there than Deuce who is a back up pg. Worst case scenario Mitchell's shot doesn't translate he's a back up pg who can play defense like Deuce, but Deuce will never have the first step that Mitchell has, so he's going to struggle to get by people.

I don't think he's a no 1 option type player, don't think his handle or vision are good enough to be a primary championship level type player. And I get the downsides being 6' in the NBA and his shot may not translate at all with this year being a complete outlier it's more likely he bust than he succeeds.

Fair enough. I do not share that view but I do thank you for explaining why you like him. That's what I was asking, after all

No problem. Upside to me is a better FVV. I've heard Lowry, but I think Lowry is much more cerebral as a player. I've heard Donovan, I think Donovan has more vertical explosion and probably a bit more wiggle but if his shot is for real, who knows maybe. Davion has got to be much more aggressive with his shot if he wants to get there and he'll have to attack relentlessly, which means his defense will most likely suffer. Plus he's only a year younger than Donovan so he's got a long way to go.

[GatorbaitDD]

The more videos I see about McBride and the more I read about him, the more I cannot understand why Davion Mitchell is mocked ahead of him. Can someone explain that to me?

Mitchell to me looks like someone who has gotten a ton of hype due to playing a big role for a team that won the NCAA title and due to a very significant senior jump. Winning an NCAA title is significant, no doubt, and I can totally get behind the argument that he's ready to help a team right now and that he's a winning player and all that. I just don't think that this is enough to become a lotto pick.

It's completely unexplainable. I wouldn't draft Mitchell anywhere before 20 in this draft and even then I'm not sure.

[BostonCouchGM]

The more videos I see about McBride and the more I read about him, the more I cannot understand why Davion Mitchell is mocked ahead of him. Can someone explain that to me?

Mitchell to me looks like someone who has gotten a ton of hype due to playing a big role for a team that won the NCAA title and due to a very significant senior jump. Winning an NCAA title is significant, no doubt, and I can totally get behind the argument that he's ready to help a team right now and that he's a winning player and all that. I just don't think that this is enough to become a lotto pick.

I can only tell you why I like Mitchell, but it's the fact he has elite burst, first step, lateral mobility. In an NBA with more space it's going to be very hard to stay in front of him without help. Mitchell will be aided playing in a 4 or 5 out system. Add in the fact if his shooting is for real (45% 3 point shooter), like if he can take 5+ 3pta and shoot 40% while taking them off the dribble and self created that's the beginnings of an all star. And if you see how he's getting to his step back and side step game, he creates a ton of separation for his jumper. He's not taking jumpshots with guys hanging onto him with guys in his face, he's getting clean and clear separation for his jumper. Add in the fact that he's also the best point of attack defender in the draft there's a lot more potential there than Deuce who is a back up pg. Worst case scenario Mitchell's shot doesn't translate he's a back up pg who can play defense like Deuce, but Deuce will never have the first step that Mitchell has, so he's going to struggle to get by people.

I don't think he's a no 1 option type player, don't think his handle or vision are good enough to be a primary championship level type player. And I get the downsides being 6' in the NBA and his shot may not translate at all with this year being a complete outlier it's more likely he bust than he succeeds.

you took the words right out of my mouth. A more athletic FVV is his floor and Mitchell/Fox is his ceiling. Spacing in the NBA is going to greatly enhance his skillset. He's got next level short area burst and quickness and will be a pest on defense.

[stormi]

Big Bones Hyland fan. His range is silly, really good on ball defender that racks up steals and has an inspector gadget type wingspan. He needs to tighten his handle a bit and needs NBA weight room time, but I'd be really happy to get him at 28.

[Big J]

What do you guys think about Nate Robinson as a comp for Davion?

[clyde21]

im doing a a full 2 round mock right now and there are really gonna be some players available at the top of the 2nd that would be 1st rounders in most years, maybe even top20 guys. just a stupid strong class throughout.

it's tough to leave some guys off the first round but I don't think it matters in today's NBA, some players prefer to go to a bad team in the 30s so they can get minutes right away instead of a deep PO team in the 20s. that's why we might see some FS drop a bit into the 2nd round, which is fine.

[The Moose]

Glad the draft is in person instead of virtual this year

[Colbinii]

The more videos I see about McBride and the more I read about him, the more I cannot understand why Davion Mitchell is mocked ahead of him. Can someone explain that to me?

Mitchell to me looks like someone who has gotten a ton of hype due to playing a big role for a team that won the NCAA title and due to a very significant senior jump. Winning an NCAA title is significant, no doubt, and I can totally get behind the argument that he's ready to help a team right now and that he's a winning player and all that. I just don't think that this is enough to become a lotto pick.

I can only tell you why I like Mitchell, but it's the fact he has elite burst, first step, lateral mobility. In an NBA with more space it's going to be very hard to stay in front of him without help. Mitchell will be aided playing in a 4 or 5 out system. Add in the fact if his shooting is for real (45% 3 point shooter), like if he can take 5+ 3pta and shoot 40% while taking them off the dribble and self created that's the beginnings of an all star. And if you see how he's getting to his step back and side step game, he creates a ton of separation for his jumper. He's not taking jumpshots with guys hanging onto him with guys in his face, he's getting clean and clear separation for his jumper. Add in the fact that he's also the best point of attack defender in the draft there's a lot more potential there than Deuce who is a back up pg. Worst case scenario Mitchell's shot doesn't translate he's a back up pg who can play defense like Deuce, but Deuce will never have the first step that Mitchell has, so he's going to struggle to get by people.

I don't think he's a no 1 option type player, don't think his handle or vision are good enough to be a primary championship level type player. And I get the downsides being 6' in the NBA and his shot may not translate at all with this year being a complete outlier it's more likely he bust than he succeeds.

you took the words right out of my mouth. A more athletic FVV is his floor and Mitchell/Fox is his ceiling. Spacing in the NBA is going to greatly enhance his skillset. He's got next level short area burst and quickness and will be a pest on defense.

No offense, but Mitchell's Floor is not FVV and his ceiling is not Donovan/Fox.

[babyjax13]

I see Davion as a poor man's Kemba on offense (e.g. rookie contract Kemba) and something between Beverley/Bledsoe on defense. He's more horizontally explosive on defense than Bev, but less vertically explosive than Bledsoe.

[Charm]

I see Davion as a poor man's Kemba on offense (e.g. rookie contract Kemba) and something between Beverley/Bledsoe on defense. He's more horizontally explosive on defense than Bev, but less vertically explosive than Bledsoe.

The Kemba comp doesn't make any sense to me. Kemba led all major-conference players in scoring with 23.5 ppg...going by total points, it was actually the highest-scoring season by a major conference player in the last 20 years.

Davion, in contrast, had just five 20-point games in his college career. Compared to past upperclassman draft picks, he's not an outstanding scorer at all...he's probably even a bit below average. That doesn't mean he can't be a good player, but I'd be shocked if he's an impact scorer in the NBA.

[babyjax13]

I see Davion as a poor man's Kemba on offense (e.g. rookie contract Kemba) and something between Beverley/Bledsoe on defense. He's more horizontally explosive on defense than Bev, but less vertically explosive than Bledsoe.

The Kemba comp doesn't make any sense to me. Kemba led all major-conference players in scoring with 23.5 ppg...going by total points, it was actually the highest-scoring season by a major conference player in the last 20 years.

Davion, in contrast, had just five 20-point games in his college career. Compared to past upperclassman draft picks, he's not an outstanding scorer at all...he's probably even a bit below average. That doesn't mean he can't be a good player, but I'd be shocked if he's an impact scorer in the NBA.

Well there is a difference between what they did in college and what kind of player they'll be in the pros, but I think people are maybe misremembering who Kemba was during his rookie contract? When Kemba came into the league he was scoring 12ppg on 36/39/78 shooting. He had one season in his first contract where he shot over 40 percent. But, he had a ton of lateral explosiveness and showed some flashes of becoming a legitimate second or third option in the future. I'm saying Davion has that lateral explosiveness Kemba had, but I also don't think he will be a particularly efficient scorer. I do think he will score in higher volume in the NBA if given the opportunity than he does in college. If I told you Davion Mitchell's best seasons looked statistically like Kemba's second season on offense would you find it outlandish?

17.7ppg
5.7apg
42/32/79 shooting

I think Davion can do that as a starting point guard, probably slightly higher 3-PT% and slightly lower FT%, assists are also lower across the NBA now for point guards since playmaking is spread across positions - but this seems not unreasonable to me, someone who can score at medium volume with slightly below-average efficiency, but can at least create opportunities on ball with his wiggle, speed, and lateral explosiveness...

[Charm]

I see Davion as a poor man's Kemba on offense (e.g. rookie contract Kemba) and something between Beverley/Bledsoe on defense. He's more horizontally explosive on defense than Bev, but less vertically explosive than Bledsoe.

The Kemba comp doesn't make any sense to me. Kemba led all major-conference players in scoring with 23.5 ppg...going by total points, it was actually the highest-scoring season by a major conference player in the last 20 years.

Davion, in contrast, had just five 20-point games in his college career. Compared to past upperclassman draft picks, he's not an outstanding scorer at all...he's probably even a bit below average. That doesn't mean he can't be a good player, but I'd be shocked if he's an impact scorer in the NBA.

Well there is a difference between what they did in college and what kind of player they'll be in the pros, but I think people are maybe misremembering who Kemba was during his rookie contract? When Kemba came into the league he was scoring 12ppg on 36/39/78 shooting. He had one season in his first contract where he shot over 40 percent. But, he had a ton of lateral explosiveness and showed some flashes of becoming a legitimate second or third option in the future. I'm saying Davion has that lateral explosiveness Kemba had, but I also don't think he will be a particularly efficient scorer. I do think he will score in higher volume in the NBA if given the opportunity than he does in college. If I told you Davion Mitchell's best seasons looked statistically like Kemba's second season on offense would you find it outlandish?

17.7ppg
5.7apg
42/32/79 shooting

I think Davion can do that as a starting point guard, probably slightly higher 3-PT% and slightly lower FT%, assists are also lower across the NBA now for point guards since playmaking is spread across positions - but this seems not unreasonable to me, someone who can score at medium volume with slightly below-average efficiency, but can at least create opportunities on ball with his wiggle, speed, and lateral explosiveness...

I do think that's a bit outlandish, at least in terms of scoring volume. Davion has never been a real bucket-getter...his scoring numbers last season were buoyed by 45% 3-point shooting, which almost certainly isn't sustainable given his poor free throw percentage and track record as a shooter, and even then he was just the 3rd-leading scorer on his team.

Honestly, I think something like 10 ppg and 8 apg is more likely than 18 ppg and 6 apg. He's never going to be the most talented scorer on the court in the NBA, or even close, but he's a smart team-first PG who knows how to make an offense click.

[babyjax13]

The Kemba comp doesn't make any sense to me. Kemba led all major-conference players in scoring with 23.5 ppg...going by total points, it was actually the highest-scoring season by a major conference player in the last 20 years.

Davion, in contrast, had just five 20-point games in his college career. Compared to past upperclassman draft picks, he's not an outstanding scorer at all...he's probably even a bit below average. That doesn't mean he can't be a good player, but I'd be shocked if he's an impact scorer in the NBA.

Well there is a difference between what they did in college and what kind of player they'll be in the pros, but I think people are maybe misremembering who Kemba was during his rookie contract? When Kemba came into the league he was scoring 12ppg on 36/39/78 shooting. He had one season in his first contract where he shot over 40 percent. But, he had a ton of lateral explosiveness and showed some flashes of becoming a legitimate second or third option in the future. I'm saying Davion has that lateral explosiveness Kemba had, but I also don't think he will be a particularly efficient scorer. I do think he will score in higher volume in the NBA if given the opportunity than he does in college. If I told you Davion Mitchell's best seasons looked statistically like Kemba's second season on offense would you find it outlandish?

17.7ppg
5.7apg
42/32/79 shooting

I think Davion can do that as a starting point guard, probably slightly higher 3-PT% and slightly lower FT%, assists are also lower across the NBA now for point guards since playmaking is spread across positions - but this seems not unreasonable to me, someone who can score at medium volume with slightly below-average efficiency, but can at least create opportunities on ball with his wiggle, speed, and lateral explosiveness...

I do think that's a bit outlandish, at least in terms of scoring volume. Davion has never been a real bucket-getter...his scoring numbers last season were buoyed by 45% 3-point shooting, which almost certainly isn't sustainable given his poor free throw percentage and track record as a shooter, and even then he was just the 3rd-leading scorer on his team.

Honestly, I think something like 10 ppg and 8 apg is more likely than 18 ppg and 6 apg. He's never going to be the most talented scorer on the court in the NBA, or even close, but he's a smart team-first PG who knows how to make an offense click.

Fair enough. This is probably where big differences in opinion on him come from. I see him as a guy with pretty elite physical tools that is going to have a nice transition to the NBA with the wider court, more space, and more ball-movement. I think that's going to help his scoring volume IF his physical tools and BBIQ actually translate to being above average for his position (which, I think they can). I don't envision him as one of the 10 best point guards in the league, but I think he can be a pretty solid starter.

[Charm]

Well there is a difference between what they did in college and what kind of player they'll be in the pros, but I think people are maybe misremembering who Kemba was during his rookie contract? When Kemba came into the league he was scoring 12ppg on 36/39/78 shooting. He had one season in his first contract where he shot over 40 percent. But, he had a ton of lateral explosiveness and showed some flashes of becoming a legitimate second or third option in the future. I'm saying Davion has that lateral explosiveness Kemba had, but I also don't think he will be a particularly efficient scorer. I do think he will score in higher volume in the NBA if given the opportunity than he does in college. If I told you Davion Mitchell's best seasons looked statistically like Kemba's second season on offense would you find it outlandish?

17.7ppg
5.7apg
42/32/79 shooting

I think Davion can do that as a starting point guard, probably slightly higher 3-PT% and slightly lower FT%, assists are also lower across the NBA now for point guards since playmaking is spread across positions - but this seems not unreasonable to me, someone who can score at medium volume with slightly below-average efficiency, but can at least create opportunities on ball with his wiggle, speed, and lateral explosiveness...

I do think that's a bit outlandish, at least in terms of scoring volume. Davion has never been a real bucket-getter...his scoring numbers last season were buoyed by 45% 3-point shooting, which almost certainly isn't sustainable given his poor free throw percentage and track record as a shooter, and even then he was just the 3rd-leading scorer on his team.

Honestly, I think something like 10 ppg and 8 apg is more likely than 18 ppg and 6 apg. He's never going to be the most talented scorer on the court in the NBA, or even close, but he's a smart team-first PG who knows how to make an offense click.

Fair enough. This is probably where big differences in opinion on him come from. I see him as a guy with pretty elite physical tools that is going to have a nice transition to the NBA with the wider court, more space, and more ball-movement. I think that's going to help his scoring volume IF his physical tools and BBIQ actually translate to being above average for his position (which, I think they can). I don't envision him as one of the 10 best point guards in the league, but I think he can be a pretty solid starter.

There are tons of guys with elite physical tools and high BBIQ who aren't necessarily big-time scorers. Which again, isn't to say they're not good players...I'm totally down to draft a guy who's just a 3rd or 4th option scorer but is a great athlete, high-IQ, makes winning plays, hustles, etc. You need guys like that on any championship team. I might not spend a top-10 pick to get one, because if I'm drafting top-10 I probably have bigger issues than finding the missing piece for my championship team, but I definitely see the value later in the first round.

[Catchall]

I guess that this is the effect of winning the NCAA title. Players who have impressive performances in March Madness do tend to get overhyped. But then again, why isn't Jared Butler overhyped? He was also huge for Baylor's title and he didn't receive nearly the hype that Mitchell received for it, even before his health issues surfaced.

Is it perhaps due to Mitchell's elite burst?

no clue, I thought Butler was better than Mitchell in the tourney and is a better prospect overall (If the health issues check out)...I've been lost on that one.

I didn't watch the tournament but based on the videos I've seen of both guys, I'd easily take Butler over Mitchell. Frankly, I'd take a lot of guards over Mitchell.

Mitchell basically projects as a Pat Beverley type with less length which is just not terribly exciting. It's not bad and I do expect him to have a decent NBA career but it's just hard to get excited about it, especially early in the draft.

Mitchell is a much better shooter than Beverly. His floor ought to be similar to Terry Rozier, imo. I don't see him as a lead guard though.

[clyde21]

no clue, I thought Butler was better than Mitchell in the tourney and is a better prospect overall (If the health issues check out)...I've been lost on that one.

I didn't watch the tournament but based on the videos I've seen of both guys, I'd easily take Butler over Mitchell. Frankly, I'd take a lot of guards over Mitchell.

Mitchell basically projects as a Pat Beverley type with less length which is just not terribly exciting. It's not bad and I do expect him to have a decent NBA career but it's just hard to get excited about it, especially early in the draft.

Mitchell is a much better shooter than Beverly. His floor ought to be similar to Terry Rozier, imo. I don't see him as a lead guard though.

Pat Bev is a career 38% shooter from 3 on 4 attempts per, two different seasons where he shot 40% from 3 on 4 and 5 attempts per, also a career 76% shooter from the stripe

it's not a perfect comp, but Pat Bev is probably the closest analog we got for Davion in the NBA right now.

should be noted that Davion prior to this last year was shooting 31% from 3, career FT% of 66% for a guard is also pretty terrible and doesn't indicate that he'll be a great shooter in the NBA...really based on evidence we have Davion's 44% from 3 this yr is more of an outlier than anything else.

[Nuntius]

no clue, I thought Butler was better than Mitchell in the tourney and is a better prospect overall (If the health issues check out)...I've been lost on that one.

I didn't watch the tournament but based on the videos I've seen of both guys, I'd easily take Butler over Mitchell. Frankly, I'd take a lot of guards over Mitchell.

Mitchell basically projects as a Pat Beverley type with less length which is just not terribly exciting. It's not bad and I do expect him to have a decent NBA career but it's just hard to get excited about it, especially early in the draft.

Mitchell is a much better shooter than Beverly. His floor ought to be similar to Terry Rozier, imo. I don't see him as a lead guard though.

Is he, though? Pat Beverley shot 38.2% in his two years in Arkansas. That's the exact number that Beverley is averaging in his NBA career as well so far. 38.2%.

Davion Mitchel shot 37.6% in his NCAA career and that number is largely the result of this season where he shot 44.7%. He shot 32.4% i his junior season and 28.8% as a freshman.

If the way he shot as a senior is what he is as a shooter then, sure, he's a better shooter than Beverley. But I don't buy that this is the case. His FT shooting indicates that he isn't a great shooter. 65.7% from the FT line in his college career and the numbers are actually trending down and not up.

Pat Beverley, on the other hand, shot 73% from the FT line in his college career (granted, there is a difference between freshman and sophomore season, he shot 81.2% as a freshman and 64.4% as a sophomore) and is currently averaging 76.4% in his NBA career (with some bad seasons such as when he shot 68.2% from the stripe for Houston and some good seasons such as when he shot 82.4% from the line in his first year as a Clipper).

In general, the thing with Mitchell is that he had a relatively sudden offensive bump as a senior. Some people believe that it was sustainable, others do not believe that it can sustained in the next level. And a big reason for his offensive bump was the night and day difference between his 3-point shooting.

If you believe in his 3-point shooting, you believe in his offense. If you don't believe in his 3-point shooting, you do not believe in his offense either.