2023 Draft Discussion Part III

[ItsDanger]

Siakam was player of the year in WAC that season. But it was a "risk"? He was projected maybe 10 spots later. Wow, that was a massive reach by Masai! And I'm trolling? Take a look in the mirror for once.

Ah yes, joining other NBA stars from the WAC who won POTY such as Martex Harrison, Daniel Mullings, Kyle Barone, Deonte Burton... need I continue?

Now these are troll comments. I posted a mock draft listing Siakam at #28. Bottom line, it wasn't a big risk. So stop arguing about it and derailing the entire thread in order push your agenda.

[Smalltown]

I say give this guy a partial guarantee next year and develop him. He has nice touch just needs more in-game reps in the G-League. I look at his frame and it looks like he can add muscle.

I don't think he's going to make it in any high level league. That said I think he's worth bringing under the umbrella during the summer and then maybe even a camp invite to get his G rights just to see if the team thinks they can push him in the right direction.

[YogurtProducer]

Siakam was player of the year in WAC that season. But it was a "risk"? He was projected maybe 10 spots later. Wow, that was a massive reach by Masai! And I'm trolling? Take a look in the mirror for once.

Ah yes, joining other NBA stars from the WAC who won POTY such as Martex Harrison, Daniel Mullings, Kyle Barone, Deonte Burton... need I continue?

Now these are troll comments. I posted a mock draft listing Siakam at #28. Bottom line, it wasn't a big risk. So stop arguing about it and derailing the entire thread in order push your agenda.

Can you explain to me how it is a troll comment for me to point out how being the WAC player of the year means absolutely nothing in how to evaluate prospects or determine their NBA worth?

[Reeko]

Siakam was player of the year in WAC that season. But it was a "risk"? He was projected maybe 10 spots later. Wow, that was a massive reach by Masai! And I'm trolling? Take a look in the mirror for once.

Ah yes, joining other NBA stars from the WAC who won POTY such as Martex Harrison, Daniel Mullings, Kyle Barone, Deonte Burton... need I continue?

Don't do that. Other notable WAC POTY include:
Danny Ainge
Tim Hardaway
Keith Van Horn
Andre Miller

And a few other decent pros.

[OakleyDokely]

We need to pull up the Siakam draft thread from 2016 to show how consensus he was...

[Reeko]

We need to pull up the Siakam draft thread from 2016 to show how consensus he was...

I would be surprised if 3 people knew who he was at the time that we drafted him.

[OakleyDokely]

Anyways, risk taking doesn't mean good or bad.

You can take risks and overachieve, you can take risks and underachieve. You can play it safe and overachieve, you can play it safe and underachieve.

Generally, Raps management isn't swayed by public opinion. They like who they like and they take who they like and they aren't worried about public backlash, as the recent Barnes pick and Poeltl trade suggest.

[BoyzNTheHood]

We need to pull up the Siakam draft thread from 2016 to show how consensus he was...

I would be surprised if 3 people knew who he was at the time that we drafted him.

I think we mentioned him but he definitely was not the favourite at our pick.

[HumbleRen]

Anyways, risk taking doesn't mean good or bad.

You can take risks and overachieve, you can take risks and underachieve. You can play it safe and overachieve, you can play it safe and underachieve.

Generally, Raps management isn't swayed by public opinion. They like who they like and they take who they like and they aren't worried about public backsplash, as the recent Barnes pick and Poeltl trade suggest.

Risk is the wrong word in this scenario too.

They clearly have a type that they like. That doesn’t mean it’s a safe or risky pick. Just a type.

[Dalek]

Keyonte George is going to be a great pro and fits a lot of needs for Toronto with self-creation and star upside.

Watch his film he has great shooting mechanics, nice elevation, and honestly just has real poise and confidence on court. When I first watched his film I thought he reminded me of Buddy Hield. I know Buddy was a prolific college scorer but in year one he was only shooting 24% from three. George had crazy volume at Baylor and was a volume shooter who I believe ranked 5th in unassisted threes (27):

77-228 34 3P%

The ability to self-create and his high freethrow percentage stand out:

36 FTR
4.5 freethrows per game
79 FT%

Key games to watch that show the star power: In Feb. Kansas (20 pts and 5/10 from three); Kansas St. (23 pts and 6/10 from three), best game in Jan. at West Virginia (32 pts and 5/9 from three), early season victory against Gonzaga (18 pts and stellar defense).

Playmaking is surprising and not just dump-offs in the paint like a combo-guard. He does play pick and roll, and can make difficult cross-court and interior passes. He does have some turnover concerns, but it might be more teaching that is needed than a glaring issue.

20 AST%
20 TO%

Defense is where I think he surprises. He is a strong body and has at least average wingspan but not outlier. His DBPM is only 0.3 but he had nice defensive numbers and from the film he competes:

2.3 STL%
0.7 BLK%
1.1 steals per game

He reminds me most of D'Angelo Russell and some of James Harden with his scoring outbursts and flashy passing.

Watch on YouTube

[BoyzNTheHood]

Smart choice. Potential lottery pick next season.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

[OakleyDokely]

Anyways, risk taking doesn't mean good or bad.

You can take risks and overachieve, you can take risks and underachieve. You can play it safe and overachieve, you can play it safe and underachieve.

Generally, Raps management isn't swayed by public opinion. They like who they like and they take who they like and they aren't worried about public backsplash, as the recent Barnes pick and Poeltl trade suggest.

Risk is the wrong word in this scenario too.

They clearly have a type that they like. That doesn’t mean it’s a safe or risky pick. Just a type.

Risk is probably the wrong word, I just mean, if you go against consensus, there could be a price to pay, at least initially.

If the Hornets get #1 and take Scoot, there's risk to that, even if the Hornets think Scoot is the best prospect. It would take a lot confidence to do that.

I think Zach Lowe mentioned on his podcast one time, an exec once told him that GM's are just trying to keep their job most of the time, and if you go with the popular, consensus pick, you can easily rationalize that to the people above you. But if you go against consensus and that move fails, you're in big trouble.

[Dalek]

I say give this guy a partial guarantee next year and develop him. He has nice touch just needs more in-game reps in the G-League. I look at his frame and it looks like he can add muscle.

I don't think he's going to make it in any high level league. That said I think he's worth bringing under the umbrella during the summer and then maybe even a camp invite to get his G rights just to see if the team thinks they can push him in the right direction.

You are probably right. Maybe he is worth only a camp invite, but the NBA and Raps especially are willing to take on projects with his size and athleticism. Kao started basketball really late and seems like he could have a Chris Boucher type of career. I just think he is a guy to track because he fits our prospect archetype because he looks like a C yet switchable on guards. He barely played at Memphis, but at UT he had impressive block numbers.

[720]

We need to pull up the Siakam draft thread from 2016 to show how consensus he was...

I would be surprised if 3 people knew who he was at the time that we drafted him.

I think we mentioned him but he definitely was not the favourite at our pick.

He wasn’t, lots of people wanted Deyonta Davis. But that still doesn’t mean it was a risk. We’re talking about the 27th pick here.

[720]

Keyonte George is going to be a great pro and fits a lot of needs for Toronto with self-creation and star upside.

Watch his film he has great shooting mechanics, nice elevation, and honestly just has real poise and confidence on court. When I first watched his film I thought he reminded me of Buddy Hield. I know Buddy was a prolific college scorer but in year one he was only shooting 24% from three. George had crazy volume at Baylor and was a volume shooter who I believe ranked 5th in unassisted threes (27):

77-228 34 3P%

The ability to self-create and his high freethrow percentage stand out:

36 FTR
4.5 freethrows per game
79 FT%

Key games to watch that show the star power: In Feb. Kansas (20 pts and 5/10 from three); Kansas St. (23 pts and 6/10 from three), best game in Jan. at West Virginia (32 pts and 5/9 from three), early season victory against Gonzaga (18 pts and stellar defense).

Playmaking is surprising and not just dump-offs in the paint like a combo-guard. He does play pick and roll, and can make difficult cross-court and interior passes. He does have some turnover concerns, but it might be more teaching that is needed than a glaring issue.

20 AST%
20 TO%

Defense is where I think he surprises. He is a strong body and has at least average wingspan but not outlier. His DBPM is only 0.3 but he had nice defensive numbers and from the film he competes:

2.3 STL%
0.7 BLK%
1.1 steals per game

He reminds me most of D'Angelo Russell and some of James Harden with his scoring outbursts and flashy passing.

Watch on YouTube

Thanks for the write up.

[OakleyDokely]

It's hard to get behind guys who shoot 37% in college. How many guys shot that poorly and become plus offensive players in the NBA?

[HumbleRen]

It's hard to get behind guys who shoot 37% in college. How many guys shot that poorly and become plus offensive players in the NBA?

Not College but Lamelo Ball lol.

36% from the field, 25% from the 3, 73% from the FT.

Still kinda inefficient from the floor but he's a clearly + offensive player.

[OakleyDokely]

It's hard to get behind guys who shoot 37% in college. How many guys shot that poorly and become plus offensive players in the NBA?

Not College but Lamelo Ball lol.

36% from the field, 25% from the 3, 73% from the FT.

Still kinda inefficient from the floor but he's a clearly + offensive player.

At least Lamelo was competing against men though.

Anthony Edwards is a recent one, but he's a freak of nature.

[HumbleRen]

It's hard to get behind guys who shoot 37% in college. How many guys shot that poorly and become plus offensive players in the NBA?

Not College but Lamelo Ball lol.

36% from the field, 25% from the 3, 73% from the FT.

Still kinda inefficient from the floor but he's a clearly + offensive player.

At least Lamelo was competing against men though.

Anthony Edwards is a recent one, but he's a freak of nature.

Yeah. Keyontae doesn't have that 1% athleticism like Ant does.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I'm not even that big on offensive efficiency in the NBA, but when you have poor efficiency in college and poor defensive BPM that seems like a rough combo.