2018 NBA Draft

[The-Power]

Bamba projects as an elite defender sure but what's his upside then? Seems closer to Gobert than AD or something. Which is great but not really a franchise piece.

Gobert absolutely is a franchise-level player. If Bamba can be a more mobile version of Gobert with some range and better free throw shooting then that would be a top five player in the league in most years.

Bamba is a game-changing defender. I'd take him #1 right now.

This. Although I have to admit that I haven't watched Doncic enough besides highlights to really rank him in comparison. Compared to Porter, however, I'm more comfortable betting on Bamba's defensive impact over Porter's offensive impact than the other way, while I'm also more comfortable betting that Bamba will be a plus on offense than Porter on defense. So currently I have Bamba solidly ahead of Porter who must considerably improve his off-the-dribble game (both as a scorer and playmaker) in order to match the impact of Bamba's defense. A poor man's version of Durant, even if that's still a great and versatile scorer, isn't going to cut it.

Also, don't sleep on Jackson. He's the second best defender in his class who fits the modern NBA perfectly. On defense he's a 4/5 hybrid who should be able play both positions down the road with his length, rim protection, mobility and rebounding. On offense he has 3pt-range, a rudimentary post-game with a solid touch around the rim, potential to play above the rim and rebounding instincts. He's close to Porter as a prospect in my eyes (of course he's less flashy / will post less eye-popping scoring games, so he'll naturally won't get as much attention before they both get into the league).

[No-Man]

Bamba can be a game changing defender in the NBA, he is that in HS now, but he needs to improve a ton to get there, like his consistency isnt there, esp on the boards, he isnt as physical in general as you'd want and he isnt alert at all times, he can be great at that if he polish his game, but nothing guaranteed.
Also he aint all that athletic, he is mobile and ultralong so it might not matter, but vertically he is very very avg, I dont think his jump is quick.

The shooting looks like a non factor to me, he tries them and all that but the mechanics are ultra slow and the shot is flat as hell, it might become a weapon, who knows, but I'd not count on that.

Gobert is his ceiling, and I don't think he reaches it.

I'd have him below Bridges probably, and I gotta think about the rest of the wings a bit more.

[BillyKingGM]

Doncic and Porter are the clear top two prospects in this draft in my opinion.

Sexton is a distant 3rd, but it's possible he just goes nuts during the college season and proves himself better than a faltering Doncic or Porter.

Ayton and Bamba are both interesting big men for a set of Front Offices that have been starved of center talent from the past draft.

I think at this point, if I had to pick between Doncic and Porter I would pick Doncic because I feel he is a more sure thing, based on what has been seen so far. Porter has a higher ceiling due to his extremely advanced post scoring and athleticism. Though I would take Doncic now I can easily envision a 2017-2018 season that leads me to select Porter first overall.

[The-Power]

Bamba can be a game changing defender in the NBA, he is that in HS now, but he needs to improve a ton to get there, like his consistency isnt there, esp on the boards, he isnt as physical in general as you'd want and he isnt alert at all times, he can be great at that if he polish his game, but nothing guaranteed.

Obviously nothing is guaranteed but Bamba is as safe a bet as there is in college basketball next year and it only makes sense to compare him to his peers at this point.

As I've written multiple times before: his rebounding in particular bothers me. But there's a good chance he'll sort that out in college and in the NBA. He's smart and coachable, he wants to be great, he understands that everything is about defense with him and he has a nice frame to fill out. That's promising enough for me to not expect him to be a below average rebounder in the future.

Also he aint all that athletic, he is mobile and ultralong so it might not matter, but vertically he is very very avg, I dont think his jump is quick.

I'm probably one of those who don't really care that much about leaping ability in a vacuum. As long as he's good enough vertically to finish above the rim and alter shots at the rim - both of which he can and will do at the next level - it doesn't matter to me whether his vertical is average or not.

The shooting looks like a non factor to me, he tries them and all that but the mechanics are ultra slow and the shot is flat as hell, it might become a weapon, who knows, but I'd not count on that.

Be sure, I don't see it as a weapon either. It's just something that might come in handy a couple times per game when he's left open at the elbows, a minor positive trait if you want. His free throw shooting, on the other hand, is something genuinely valuable.

Gobert is his ceiling, and I don't think he reaches it.

Well, if he does then that could very well be worth the first pick in this draft considering that Gobert is a top 10-15 player in the league in my eyes. And are other players more likely to reach their ceiling compared to Bamba?

Anyhow, as I wrote above I see him as a more mobile version of Gobert which makes him more comfortable defending at the perimeter and stepping out to contest Guards. Perhaps not quite the rebounder Gobert is but overall their defensive impact could be similar. On offense, he's basically Gobert with a better touch (around the rim, on shots and on FTs) - maybe a bit more contact-averse. A high-level DPOY candidate with a positive slightly positive impact on offense is absolutely exciting and worth the first pick.

I'd have him below Bridges probably, and I gotta think about the rest of the wings a bit more.

Where do you rank him overall?

Hard for me to see any scenario in which Bridges advantage on offense makes up for the huge discrepancy on defense. Bridges would have to become a top 10 offensive player or a really good offensive player with defense in the highest quintile for his position to match that type of impact. Obviously if you don't see a DPOY caliber player in Bamba that's different - but very few players were as likely to get there as Bamba is.

[No-Man]

I think I probably would have Bamba 5th or so, but I need to watch the wing guys a ton more.

[reanimator]

DX rightfully dropped Doncic. Generational talent? lol. Bamba and potentially Ayton should be above him, too.

[robbie84]

I'm watching Doncic and he looks really good, but top 3 pick in 2018? Dunno guys.
Very, very slow.
Guess I'll follow him with an open mind. Seems like he'll gdt destroyed vs NBA athletes.

[Brauer]

Can someone explain to me why everyone in this class is so old

[raptor jesus]

I'm watching Doncic and he looks really good, but top 3 pick in 2018? Dunno guys.
Very, very slow.
Guess I'll follow him with an open mind. Seems like he'll gdt destroyed vs NBA athletes.

Some highlights of him playing vs. OKC - keep in my mind that he was 17 at the time.

Watch on YouTube

[The-Power]

Can someone explain to me why everyone in this class is so old

Jaren Jackson, Troy Brown and Isaac Bonga are three players with a lot of potential who are still 17 years old and Doncic is also quite young.

[clyde21]

I'm watching Doncic and he looks really good, but top 3 pick in 2018? Dunno guys.
Very, very slow.
Guess I'll follow him with an open mind. Seems like he'll gdt destroyed vs NBA athletes.

Some highlights of him playing vs. OKC - keep in my mind that he was 17 at the time.

Watch on YouTube

Anthony Randolph sighting.

[UcanUwill]

I'm watching Doncic and he looks really good, but top 3 pick in 2018? Dunno guys.
Very, very slow.
Guess I'll follow him with an open mind. Seems like he'll gdt destroyed vs NBA athletes.

Some highlights of him playing vs. OKC - keep in my mind that he was 17 at the time.

Watch on YouTube

Anthony Randolph sighting.

Will play for Slovenia along side Doncic and Dragic

[Johnny Firpo]

DX rightfully dropped Doncic. Generational talent? lol. Bamba and potentially Ayton should be above him, too.

See you are still butthurt. It's okay, eventually you'll get over this thing, and select the next white European prospect you can hate on.

[robbie84]

I'm watching Doncic and he looks really good, but top 3 pick in 2018? Dunno guys.
Very, very slow.
Guess I'll follow him with an open mind. Seems like he'll gdt destroyed vs NBA athletes.

Some highlights of him playing vs. OKC - keep in my mind that he was 17 at the time.

Watch on YouTube

Yeah I've seen the highlights. He's amazing for a 17 year old vs NBA players but doesn't stand out as a superstar potential guy. Repeatedly gets cut off and has to dish out. Can't finish vs length etc...

I'm saying i dont see a consensus top 3 pick in this guy so far....not an unreasonable statement right?

I will say he does have terrific feel for the game/instincts and a beautiful jumpshot form.

[nolang1]

Can someone explain to me why everyone in this class is so old

Because everyone these days gets held back a year in school to help them athletically.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Bamba is older than Fultz.

Jaren Jackson is bottom age think he's 17 going to be 18 when drafted.

[doordoor123]

Anyone think Malik Newman can have a come back year next year? He missed the last year with Kansas and has only been allowed to practice. He must have gotten better in the last year with the information he got at the combine, all the practicing, better coaching and better team around him. I'm interested to see how much he has improved.

[GimmeDat]

I think Doncic will end up the 2nd or 3rd pick in this class - he has an incredibly high floor which will make him a sure top 5 pick, but if one of Porter, Bamba or Ayton have a really promising college season they'll probably jump him to the top spot based on ceiling.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Who has the most upside outside the top 4 players?

There's usually someone that jumps from the pack.

[bennjuiced34]

I'm watching Doncic and he looks really good, but top 3 pick in 2018? Dunno guys.
Very, very slow.
Guess I'll follow him with an open mind. Seems like he'll gdt destroyed vs NBA athletes.

Some highlights of him playing vs. OKC - keep in my mind that he was 17 at the time.

Watch on YouTube

Yeah I've seen the highlights. He's amazing for a 17 year old vs NBA players but doesn't stand out as a superstar potential guy. Repeatedly gets cut off and has to dish out. Can't finish vs length etc...

I'm saying i dont see a consensus top 3 pick in this guy so far....not an unreasonable statement right?

I will say he does have terrific feel for the game/instincts and a beautiful jumpshot form.

He's a 17 year old going against NBA players. That he was even able to make an impact in that game and keep his team close is pretty amazing.

He'll learn how to get around his lack of athleticism. Kid shows natural ability as a scorer (inside/outside), get separation on the perimeter, etc.

The polish in his game is insane for his age.

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