2024 NBA Draft Thread

[The-Power]

What are your takes on Kel'el Ware now that he had some time to show his game in Indiana?

I really like his offensive skill and see him as a very useful offensive Center in the NBA provided that he is willing to play within his team's system. The question to me is what he ends up being on defense and part of that will depend on his general attitude.

He strikes me as someone who'll be similar in archetype to someone like Christian Wood. But will Ware instead be able to figure out what he needs to do for teams to want to keep and play him? That's where I'm at. But he sure seems worth a relatively early gamble.

[Hal14]

If Sheppard is 6'3" that means Wagner is 6'3" because they're the exact same height, it would also mean Bronny is 6'4" and Collier is 6'5" because both of them are taller by a 1-2 inches. But none of that is correct since Sheppard 6'2". It makes a huge difference.

This is just you rambling and guessing heights. And 1 inch doesn't make that much of a difference.

Sheppard is about 6'2"/6'3". Either way, he's perhaps a little bit undersized for a combo-guard but it's certainly not gonna keep him from being drafted..

It's great he's shooting so well but he's afforded wide open shots due to how much talent is on the floor and their opponents up until now. We'll see how things play out once things really get rolling.

He also shot well in HS when he was THE man on every team he was on. And he's shooting 92% FT.

Look at his form/mechanics. They're basically flawless. High release point too, to shoot over bigger defenders. And can put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts pretty well to keep defenses honest so they can't just defend way up on him.

Uses the same fluid motion on every shot.

The shooting won't matter in the NBA if he can't get on the floor since he's not a PG and can't guard the 2. He'll likely end up being a combo guard, a poor man's version of Derrick White at best, off the bench.

He's played the point quite a bit for Kentucky and played point in HS and AAU. But like you said, in the NBA he's more of a combo-guard / secondary ball handler on offense like a Derrick White or a Patty Mills type...or how the Knicks use Quickley on offense when he's on the floor with Brunson..how the Pacers use Nembhard on offense when he's on the floor with Haliburton, how the Kings use Davion when he's on the floor with Fox, how the Sixers used Maxey when they had Harden, etc. How the Celtics have used Pritchard. These guys would all slide the 2 and be secondary ball handler when the star PG was on the floor but also had the ability to run the point here and there when the star PG was resting on the bench.

His defense in college won't translate to the NBA.

I don't see why not. I mean, it's not a sure thing (nothing is with pre-draft prospects). But there's been plenty of players under 6'4" who were decent enough defenders and were able to defend multiple positions.

Jeff Teague
Kris Dunn
Monte Morris
Marcus Smart
Dennis Smith Jr
Davion Mitchell
Mario Chalmers
Jose Alvarado
Gabe Vincent
Jevon Carter
Chris Paul
Kyle Lowry
Fred Vanvleet
TJ McConnell
Marcus Sasser
Tyus Jones
Tre Jones
Cason Wallace
Mike Conley
Gary Payton II
Reggie Jackson
Steph Curry
Seth Curry
Patty Mills
Pat Beverley
There's more,. but not gonna bother looking the, up and listing them. You get the point

He likely won't be a DPOY like Marcus Smart. But is there a pretty good chance that defensively he can hold his own and be fairly disruptive, like we've seen from guys like Jevon Carter, Gabe Vincent, Gary Payton II, Marcus Sasser, Mario Chalmers and Monte Morris? Absolutely.

He might have below average size and average at best athleticism. But the list of players above are all under 6'3" and they aren't exactly a list of the freakiest athletes of all-time. Yet they (and Sheppard) are good defenders with their IQ, positioning, tenacity, grit, toughness, hustle, desire, quick hands, instincts, timing on steals/blocks, knowing when to help vs when to stay home. Reading your man when he has the ball to figure out what he's gonna do or where he's gonna go with the ball, etc.

He's just average at best. He's gotten some steals based on gambling and weak opponents.

Um, I think you're really underselling his defense here. Kentucky has played against Miami (top 10 ranked team in preseason), Kansas (no. 1 ranked in the country preseason) and a Wilmington team that must be pretty good since they beat Kentucky. St Joe's is pretty good, they're from a pretty good conference and have an 8-2 record. They gave Kentucky a good battle.

Also, "he's gotten some steals" is really underselling it. The amount of steals and blocks he's gotten are historic numbers.

Here's all the high major freshmen to have a steal % of 5+ and a blocks % of 3+ in the Bartorrvik database which goes back like 17 years:

Reed Sheppard

That's the list. And he's at 6.1% steals and 3.9% blocks, so he's even higher than those thresholds I listed above.

You say he's "average at best" yet he's the only high major freshman in the past 17 years to have steals and blocks % this high. It doesn't make sense!

[Catchall]

Nikola Topic gives me such mixed feelings.

On one hand, I really enjoy watching his unusual/quirky style of movement and dribbbling. And he's clearly a great playmaker with some crafty finishing near the rim. He's putting up great stats against grown men (including some former NCAA star players or NBA role players). But on the other hand, I am very skeptical about his game translating against truly long and elite defensive players in the NBA. I didn't have this worry with Doncic back in the day - I was very sure Doncic would become an NBA star. But I'm just not getting the same vibe from Topic. I think he's more likely to become a star in the Euroleague, like Vasilje Micic.

The way Topic flips his hips and drives by defenders with a low, tight dribble reminds me of James Harden's drives. Topic is also able to use his length and finish with either hand. I think he'll be able to get a step on defenders and find space to make plays, especially with NBA spacing and with the help of a screener.

The one concern I have with him is how well he'll be able to shoot off the dribble. That will force defenders to guard up on him and make it easier for him to get his shoulder past his defender on drives.

[Catchall]

Topic, Sarr and Holland make a reasonable top-3 in the draft, imo. It's not a deep draft, but it's not terrible, imo.

[tester551]

Nikola Topic gives me such mixed feelings.

On one hand, I really enjoy watching his unusual/quirky style of movement and dribbbling. And he's clearly a great playmaker with some crafty finishing near the rim. He's putting up great stats against grown men (including some former NCAA star players or NBA role players). But on the other hand, I am very skeptical about his game translating against truly long and elite defensive players in the NBA. I didn't have this worry with Doncic back in the day - I was very sure Doncic would become an NBA star. But I'm just not getting the same vibe from Topic. I think he's more likely to become a star in the Euroleague, like Vasilje Micic.

The way Topic flips his hips and drives by defenders with a low, tight dribble reminds me of James Harden's drives. Topic is also able to use his length and finish with either hand. I think he'll be able to get a step on defenders and find space to make plays, especially with NBA spacing and with the help of a screener.

The one concern I have with him is how well he'll be able to shoot off the dribble. That will force defenders to guard up on him and make it easier for him to get his shoulder past his defender on drives.

Do you have some good game film video of Topic?

I went to Youtube and watched 3-4 videos of more game film (not highlight packages). I came away very unimpressed with what I saw of him (admittedly which was very limited).

He appeared to me to be a bit unathletic and pudgy. Maybe in the Andre Miller type... I loved Miller as a player, but I just didn't see it with Topic.

[elias808]

In a draft where there is no clear #1 Cody Williams deserves some respect. I’ll plan my flag on him being a top 3 talent in this class.

[CP War Hawks]

What are your takes on Kel'el Ware now that he had some time to show his game in Indiana?

I really like his offensive skill and see him as a very useful offensive Center in the NBA provided that he is willing to play within his team's system. The question to me is what he ends up being on defense and part of that will depend on his general attitude.

He strikes me as someone who'll be similar in archetype to someone like Christian Wood. But will Ware instead be able to figure out what he needs to do for teams to want to keep and play him? That's where I'm at. But he sure seems worth a relatively early gamble.

For me I'm looking for skilled bigs to pair with Trae. I don't think he'll be as skilled scoring like Wood, but his defense should be more of an anchor. I just need to see the measurables.

[clyde21]

Topic, Sarr and Holland make a reasonable top-3 in the draft, imo. It's not a deep draft, but it's not terrible, imo.

Sarr is averaging 10/5 a pop right now in the NBL, wouldn't call him or anyone of those three the 'top 3' by any stretch at this point.

[Catchall]

In a draft where there is no clear #1 Cody Williams deserves some respect. I’ll plan my flag on him being a top 3 talent in this class.

I love his toughness and versatility on the offensive end. He reminds me of a slightly bigger version of Latrell Sprewell.

[elias808]

In a draft where there is no clear #1 Cody Williams deserves some respect. I’ll plan my flag on him being a top 3 talent in this class.

I love his toughness and versatility on the offensive end. He reminds me of a slightly bigger version of Latrell Sprewell.

I see shades of college Siakam to his game. Far from a perfect comp, but Siakam was great at finishing around the rim with either hand. Both players, even tho it looks funny on tape, just find a way to get the ball in the basket.

[MemphisX]

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[clyde21]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

[Jstock12]

Buzelis has been looking very comfortable the last few games. And surprisingly, his defense impressed me even more than his offense.

[CptCrunch]

Matas is the clear #1 for me until some college kids explode post January.

[BlazersBroncos]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

Yep - never took him from #1 on my board. A guy with that size, that skillset, coachable. Its not really close to me.

[Chi town]

What are your takes on Kel'el Ware now that he had some time to show his game in Indiana?

I really like his offensive skill and see him as a very useful offensive Center in the NBA provided that he is willing to play within his team's system. The question to me is what he ends up being on defense and part of that will depend on his general attitude.

He strikes me as someone who'll be similar in archetype to someone like Christian Wood. But will Ware instead be able to figure out what he needs to do for teams to want to keep and play him? That's where I'm at. But he sure seems worth a relatively early gamble.

For me I'm looking for skilled bigs to pair with Trae. I don't think he'll be as skilled scoring like Wood, but his defense should be more of an anchor. I just need to see the measurables.

As a Hoosier alum I’ve watched all of Ware’s mins and he has a solid backup C floor and a good ceiling due to his length, shot, and how well he moves his feet in PNR.

I see him as a Jarret Allen with a 3 ball. If he’s paired up with a good PG I think he could be really good. IU’s PGs suck so no lobs etc.

His motor is a concern. Think he needs a strong environment with good vets. He’d be a beast for a team like Miami.

[Hal14]

In a draft where there is no clear #1 Cody Williams deserves some respect. I’ll plan my flag on him being a top 3 talent in this class.

Why?

What does he do well enough to justify going top 3?

He's good good but not great size (6'8" and skinny with 7'0" wingspan). Good but not great at handle, playmaking, pressuring the rim..ok shooter. Decent defender. Athleticism is decent but not great..

I have him 7 right now..

[Hal14]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

Yep - never took him from #1 on my board. A guy with that size, that skillset, coachable. Its not really close to me.

Playing Devil's advocate..he's a younger and strong Drew Peterson. He's Nikola Jovic with a little bit better defense and shot creation..a guy who *might* go in the lottery but perhaps goes in the 14-20 range.

Again, that's devils' advocate...I have him no. 3 right now..

[FarBeyondDriven]

Buzelis is definitely in that top 5-7 range. Not bad for a weak draft class

[FarBeyondDriven]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

more gems from Clyde. And look who upvoted it. Shocker