2023 Draft Prospect discussion

[Kevin Willis]

Ricky council looks like Arkansas best player at times, being mocked in the 2nd. He's nice

Today Black was whack. Nick Smith played on a few games and was the obvious leader of that team. I expected more from Black today. George was nice, coming back from a bad showing but Ricky Council kept Arkansas in it. He's a true scorer plus he can defend a bit. He should get more attention but that team has good talent that's playing crappy in Conference play.

Please don't spread misinformation. Black was defending amazing well and he's a maestro running the offense. Just because the box score wasn't mind blowing doesn't mean he was "whack". As Raptors fans we should all know this having watched Kyle Lowry for years.

smooth as butter, Ant Black had issues guarding him.

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While Keyonte showed he's a STUD down the stretch, Anthony Black did not have issues guarding him. Arkansas was switching it up anyways. Ricky Council checked Keyonte for a bit too. But they held him to 8-20 shooting. That's FVV chucker game territory. But like I said, Keyonte was a BEAST in the last 3-4 minutes to close the game out.

Misinformation - WHAT? If he was so great then how did George get off? He ran the offense and had 3 assists?? He had less than Davonte and Jalen. He's supposed to be a top lottery pick and he didn't seperate himself from other players like George. George shot 40% from 2 and 3, he was bothered at most but he did well. He knew it was a big game and he stepped up which Black did not do. I watched the game's highlights and then the entire game to be sure. I expected more from him, what did you expect? So if it's not whack then what was it too you? Good? 6/3/7 in a big game? Unless I have higher expectations from him. Then yes I agree I was a bit harsh. He defended hard and he passed the ball as the team facilitator.

Don't compare him to Kyle Lowry ever again please. Games are not similar. Right now Black has played below his potential in big games against Baylor, Alabama and MIssouri. Even against Auburn he was just ok. In those games Council has played really, really well.

Council stepped up. Happy for him, he's a good scorer and he has some balls. Funny thing is, I am not even that high on Keyonte. His shooting percentages are low, he takes too many bad shots out of the flow of the offense and he could be a better defender. I was hoping Black could show his weakness but that didn't happen.

[Mark_83]

I personally think a team will take Edey in the late first round or early second. The guy is simply the most dominant player in college basketball. In the NBA, there's maybe 2 or 3 guys who would be able to guard him down low, and he's such a good free throw shooter for his size that I believe he'll be able to add a pick and pop 3 to his game like Jonas. He kind of reminds me of Yao Ming with the way he moves.

While I don't think he'll be great at switching on defense, I think a creative coach could make it work. I would use him in either zone sets, or in pure drop coverage on the pick and roll and have him use the "Kornet Contest" on the jump shooters without leaving the paint. It's an effective, albeit untested, tactic to block rim-visibility. Surprised more teams don't do it. The argument against is it puts you out of position for rebounds, but running at the guy beyond the arc or switching does that anyway. Kornet does it with a 7'0 with a 7'2 wingspan, now imagine 7'4 Zach Edey with his 7'7 wingspan just eclipsing the rim without even leaving the paint.

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[BoyzNTheHood]

Today Black was whack. Nick Smith played on a few games and was the obvious leader of that team. I expected more from Black today. George was nice, coming back from a bad showing but Ricky Council kept Arkansas in it. He's a true scorer plus he can defend a bit. He should get more attention but that team has good talent that's playing crappy in Conference play.

Please don't spread misinformation. Black was defending amazing well and he's a maestro running the offense. Just because the box score wasn't mind blowing doesn't mean he was "whack". As Raptors fans we should all know this having watched Kyle Lowry for years.

smooth as butter, Ant Black had issues guarding him.

Read on Twitter

While Keyonte showed he's a STUD down the stretch, Anthony Black did not have issues guarding him. Arkansas was switching it up anyways. Ricky Council checked Keyonte for a bit too. But they held him to 8-20 shooting. That's FVV chucker game territory. But like I said, Keyonte was a BEAST in the last 3-4 minutes to close the game out.

Misinformation - WHAT? If he was so great then how did George get off? He ran the offense and had 3 assists?? He had less than Davonte and Jalen. He's supposed to be a top lottery pick and he didn't seperate himself from other players like George. George shot 40% from 2 and 3, he was bothered at most but he did well. He knew it was a big game and he stepped up which Black did not do. I watched the game's highlights and then the entire game to be sure. I expected more from him, what did you expect? So if it's not whack then what was it too you? Good? 6/3/7 in a big game? Unless I have higher expectations from him. Then yes I agree I was a bit harsh. He defended hard and he passed the ball as the team facilitator.

Don't compare him to Kyle Lowry ever again please. Games are not similar. Right now Black has played below his potential in big games against Baylor, Alabama and MIssouri. Even against Auburn he was just ok. In those games Council has played really, really well.

Council stepped up. Happy for him, he's a good scorer and he has some balls. Funny thing is, I am not even that high on Keyonte. His shooting percentages are low, he takes too many bad shots out of the flow of the offense and he could be a better defender. I was hoping Black could show his weakness but that didn't happen.

How did George "get off"? He was defended by MULTIPLE guys on Arkansas. He scored on Walsh, Council, and Black. Walsh started the game on him, so maybe that's how he "got off" to that amazing 40% shooting game. Every time Black guarded Keyonte they screened him multiple times. I'm not sure which game you were watching, but if you actually paid attention you'd know that. Getting screened 2-3 times every possession will affect how you can defend a guy. And even with all that Black only gave up 8 points to Keyonte, but if you want to say he allowed him to "get off" do your thing.

I can tell you're a guy who only reads box scores and watch highlights. Keyonte definitely had a nice scoring game, especially down the stretch, but to say Black isn't separating himself as a lottery pick shows a severe lack of basketball knowledge. That kid is a maestro like I said. But of course, the box score says he only had 3 assists so he didn't do anything in your books.

And relax with the deception you keep trying to push. No where did I say he's Kyle Lowry, but maybe you read my post like you watched the game. I said he's not a box score guy, just like Lowry wasn't. They impact the game on a deeper level than just box score statistics.

[BoyzNTheHood]

He's giving me Boucher vibes with those 3's! Either a splash or an airball

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[Ell Curry]

Re: Scoot,

If Detroit gets the 2nd pick and we're say 7th, they might be interested in something like #2 + ___ for Siakam and #7, as they'd have a lineup of Ivey-Cade-Bogdanovic-Siakam-Duren with their draft pick (let's say Cason Wallace since he fits nicely), Bey and Beef Stew as the bench, which is a decent young team and their best hope of winning at least 30 games next year.

This will be their 4th straight year winning under 25 games, and they haven't won 45 games or a single playoff game (!) since George Bush was president (does that sound worse than "the Iphone was released?"). We might catch them desperate.

I feel like organizations are much smarter than before but a move like this would for sure have worked in like the 2000’s and 2010’s. I proposed something similar if Portland wins the 2nd pick of the lottery. It’s a small chance but you never know. If you offer a team a 25 point 8 rebound, 6 assist guy like Siakam they would have to at least think about it right?

Yeah if Portland gets #2 and Dame freaks out and demands to stay and that the #2 be used to trade for Siakam that's genuinely interesting. As is them keeping Scoot and trading Simons for Precious and whatever we get for Trent (if it's say Fournier and a protected first rounder). They'd have Scoot-Lillard-Sharpe-Fournier-Hart-Grant-Siakam-Precious-Nurkic as a really exciting 9 man rotation (and the MLE to use on someone to then try to turn Fournier's expiring, the MLE and a first rounder into another quality 25M type player to push them ovver the top, or a 35M guy with Hart thrown in) and we'd have VanVleet-Simons-#11-OG-Barnes-Siakam-Koloko and probably have to do something like Boucher, Thad and a protected first for a signed and traded Poeltl or maybe just Boucher and Otto/Thad and a couple of 2nds for a signed and traded Vucevic, or for Capela or John Collins or something to survive at center if we get lucky, or maybe a protected first from us and a couple 2nds in return if we don't.

[ItsDanger]

I personally think a team will take Edey in the late first round or early second. The guy is simply the most dominant player in college basketball. In the NBA, there's maybe 2 or 3 guys who would be able to guard him down low, and he's such a good free throw shooter for his size that I believe he'll be able to add a pick and pop 3 to his game like Jonas. He kind of reminds me of Yao Ming with the way he moves.

While I don't think he'll be great at switching on defense, I think a creative coach could make it work. I would use him in either zone sets, or in pure drop coverage on the pick and roll and have him use the "Kornet Contest" on the jump shooters without leaving the paint. It's an effective, albeit untested, tactic to block rim-visibility. Surprised more teams don't do it. The argument against is it puts you out of position for rebounds, but running at the guy beyond the arc or switching does that anyway. Kornet does it with a 7'0 with a 7'2 wingspan, now imagine 7'4 Zach Edey with his 7'7 wingspan just eclipsing the rim without even leaving the paint.

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Somebody's going to reach probably due to uniqueness. My guess is when the high offensive upside players are gone. I read a stat that Purdue offensive rebounds 40% of their misses. On defensive end, they want opposition to take mid range shots when attacking Edey due to his rebounding advantage. 3 point misses are long rebounds.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Gradey Dick is probably a perfect fit for this roster...

• Between 6'7"-6'9"
• ELITE shooter
• ELITE off ball movement
• Solid defender
• Plus athlete
• Wingspan (unknown)

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[grant101]

Gradey Dick is probably a perfect fit for this roster...

• Between 6'7"-6'9"
• ELITE shooter
• ELITE off ball movement
• Solid defender
• Plus athlete
• Wingspan (unknown)

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I agree with all this (though I think he struggles defensively his first few years in the league, until he add strength), but this just continues the trend of adding players to this roster that can't create their own offense. He's a floor raiser or sure, but I think this team really needs someone that can raise its ceiling.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[JShuttlesworth]

Gradey Dick's athleticism is over stated in my opinion

[OakleyDokely]

This draft doesn't impress me much after the top 2, at least when it comes to impact guys.

There will always be some gems found in every draft, but this feels like a draft where the 13th pick could end being better than #3 or 4.

The best drafting teams will probably make out like bandits with mid-late picks in this draft.

[Rapsfan07]

This draft doesn't impress me much after the top 2, at least when it comes to impact guys.

There will always be some gems found in every draft, but this feels like a draft where the 13th pick could end being better than #3 or 4.

The best drafting teams will probably make out like bandits with mid-late picks in this draft.

I more or less agree as well.

Outside of the first two guys, everyone else hasn't quite separated themselves. But thats not a bad thing, IMO.

[JShuttlesworth]

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[BoyzNTheHood]

Gradey Dick is probably a perfect fit for this roster...

• Between 6'7"-6'9"
• ELITE shooter
• ELITE off ball movement
• Solid defender
• Plus athlete
• Wingspan (unknown)

Watch on YouTube

I agree with all this (though I think he struggles defensively his first few years in the league, until he add strength), but this just continues the trend of adding players to this roster that can't create their own offense. He's a floor raiser or sure, but I think this team really needs someone that can raise its ceiling.

I would agree with that. If we're looking for a guy to create his own shot I'd look towards George, Sensabaugh, or Whitmore.

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[Mark_83]

My current non-orthodox top 10 based on my future performance projection.

1) Victor Wembanyama
2) Jarace Walker
3) Brandon Miller
4) Cam Whitmore
5) Scoot Henderson
6) Amen Thompson
7) Anthony Black
8) Taylor Hendricks
9) Cason Wallace
10) Brice Sensabaugh

[NotMyKawhi]

Gradey Dick's athleticism is over stated in my opinion

white guys always get overrated IMO

He's nice and will play in this league but that's not an All-star.

[JShuttlesworth]

My current non-orthodox top 10 based on my future performance projection.

1) Victor Wembanyama
2) Jarace Walker
3) Brandon Miller
4) Cam Whitmore
5) Scoot Henderson
6) Amen Thompson
7) Anthony Black
8) Taylor Hendricks
9) Cason Wallace
10) Brice Sensabaugh

I respect this a lot, everyone always seems to just agree with the consensus

Not a fan of Keyonte George?

[Rapsfan07]

My current non-orthodox top 10 based on my future performance projection.

1) Victor Wembanyama
2) Jarace Walker
3) Brandon Miller
4) Cam Whitmore
5) Scoot Henderson
6) Amen Thompson
7) Anthony Black
8) Taylor Hendricks
9) Cason Wallace
10) Brice Sensabaugh

I respect this a lot, everyone always seems to just agree with the consensus

Not a fan of Keyonte George?

I respect this a lot as well. Mine is quite similar as I'm pretty high on Walker but I do think Scoot is far and away the second best prospect in the class and I don't see anything in his game that should have problems translating.

I would personally replace Hendricks with Howard and Sensabaugh with George. Sensabaugh is talented but I'm just not sure who he's guarding at the NBA level. George has a Norman Powell-ish floor so I kinda like that as a safe bet.

Also I don't think Colby Jones gets enough love. He is going to be a steal late in the first round.

[AbC?]

I liked Jalen Williams as a prospect going into the 2022 draft more than anyone outside of Wemby/Scoot this year. OKC won't do it, but if we don't jump into the the top 2 I'd trade the pick for him in a heartbeat.

[Mark_83]

My current non-orthodox top 10 based on my future performance projection.

1) Victor Wembanyama
2) Jarace Walker
3) Brandon Miller
4) Cam Whitmore
5) Scoot Henderson
6) Amen Thompson
7) Anthony Black
8) Taylor Hendricks
9) Cason Wallace
10) Brice Sensabaugh

I respect this a lot, everyone always seems to just agree with the consensus

Not a fan of Keyonte George?

Thanks. I thought I would get flamed for my "hot take."

I'm not trying to be a contrarian, this is just based on what I genuinely think. I like Scoot but I have some concerns about the general archetype of PG, his long distance shot on volume, and his defensive focus/intensity. I'm lower on the Thompsons than most here, in fact I considered putting Ausar above Amen because he has some semblance of a shot, but Amen has the possibility of playing point which could change how you project him. I don't like him as a wing or SG if he can't shoot.

I have concerns about George. His efficiency and proclivity for chucking concerns me. His lack of size and physicality also worries me if he's going to be playing SG, unless you have a big PG.

I liked Walker a lot already as a skilled PF or small-ball 5, but the more I started to watch him the more I wondered if there was a bit of Kawhi potential there as a power-wing. The offensive game is raw but you can see bits and pieces of distance shooting, ball handling, post up game, touch, athleticism, etc. Add that to what looks like elite defense and switchability and he could be a force.

Miller I've been high on from the start of the season and I think he's a pure scorer and not just a shooter. He's got excellent footwork and change of pace, and a quick, albeit low/funky-ish release. He's like George in that he has a lot of confidence and swagger in his ability to score, but he couples that with efficiency. Needs to tighten his handles and add about 15 pounds of muscle to his lower body to be able to get to the rim and finish better through contact. His athleticism isn't elite but it's definitely underrated imo.

Whitmore is just a beast in every respect. He reminds me of Corey Magette physically with his body and athleticism to go with his shot. The shot could get smoother and the handles could improve but his numbers are comparable to Sophomore Vince at UNC, and he's just a freshman.

Sensabaugh for me is the biggest gamble/wildcard on my list. There's no one in the league really like him and he would have to fall into the right situation to maximize his potential. Does his defence get better with some weight loss and conditioning? Who does he guard? What is his wingspan? If he's long enough I play him as a small ball 4 or 5 and let him cook whatever big is guarding him, because this dude was built to score. He's strong enough to hold his own in the post as long as he has enough length.