Snapbacks and Handshakes: The 2017 Draft (Raps pick #23)

[Anatomize]

For the people saying "it's better to draft players who could have room to improve their jump shooting but are already solid everywhere else" - again this is a general statement I see get thrown around all the time without solid evidence to support it.

Middleton, Booker, Thompson, Kemba Walker beg to differ. Who the hell in their right mind would pick MKG over Thompson let alone Middleton? I watched both of their college highlights and during the draft thread I was telling everyone here MKG is crap - one guy was picked 2nd and the other 11th.. MKG has been a complete injury-prone bust defensive specialist up to this point.

That jumper CANNOT be fixed and molded - it looks like his arm is breaking when he shoots - it's an impossible life long hitch that should've been fixed when he was a child, not now.

For every Kawhi Leonard there is a dozen players who never developed a jumper despite having all-world tools (Terrence Williams for example).

On the other hand you have guys like Marvin Williams - who could shoot and stretch the floor, post up a little bit, but has no ball handling or creating skills of his own - so he plateaued. At least he's still in the league and contributing as a 3 + D small ball 4.

Each case is unique. We can't make sweeping generalizations such as - "Masai chose a bunch of guys who didn't have a jumper but could develop it like Wright or Powell or Siakam" as someone said above. If they look like they have room to fix or improve their form, I can understand drafting them, but some forms are broken beyond repair - some work ethic not up to par..but we shouldn't just avoid shooters ala Peter Jok.

One thing is for sure, pure shooters have a role long into their NBA career even as role players even if they don't have as high a ceiling, and those safe picks don't hurt as opposed to trying to hit homeruns and the guy never even enters the league. Guys like Anthony Morrow are still serviceable today - and could step into a larger role and score in the teens if needed (as he did for the Warriors early on in his career).

[vanhill]

If Lowry Bolts to Philly i would explore a Trade involving DD for that 3rd pick to get Josh Jackson....Gives Philly a great Backcourt to go along with there FrontCourt of Simmons/Saric/Embiid....If Lowry does leave i feel keeping DD is pointless.

Only way Lowry bolts to Philly is because Raps won't outbid. BC would be all over KL and Demar but doubt he gives up pick number three for Derozan. If he did ka-ching. I agree with other posters who have said we would have to take DSJ.

I like the iDea. if they can package the deal with okafor or stauskas or luwawu,it will be fantastic.

[Psubs]

I'm trying to warm up to Semi because I figure he's got as much a chance to be the pick as anyone. I'm not expecting him to be the great defender some seem to think though. I feel like those low steal and block numbers, along with mediocre rebounding are significant. That said if he's the hard worker his rep suggest, he'll probably be a passable defender. At least he can shoot and you can never have too much athleticism. Don't ask me if he fits this roster. I have no idea if he'd get minutes here, but that's not really important to me. I don't even like this core, so I have no issue drafting guys to contribute when this thing breaks down in a few years.

If he is a hard worker, maybe he becomes a bigger Derozan that can shoot 3's.

[HeadtopChunes]

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[HeadtopChunes]

I'm watching a couple SMU games I'll write back on my unprofessional opinion of Ojeleye tomorrow

[BoyzNTheHood]

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We've been working out a lot of bigs who can shoot. The writing is on the wall people!

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[S.W.A.N]

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He's more interesting now...

[S ID]

1. TJ Leaf
2. Harry Giles
3. Semi Ojeleye
4. Rodions Kurucs
5. Terrance Ferguson

[raptor jesus]

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He's more interesting now...

He's lost a grand total of 1 pound over the past year, in between the '16 and '17 combines. Can't find a body fat % from this year, so not sure if he's redistributed some fat for muscle.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Yo, Swanigan's working out with the Raps tomorrow? That's dope. I'm telling y'all, the team needs a player of his skill as a big.

[vanhill]

I would be very happy to have him play for the raps. Excellent player that fills a lot of our holes.
Rebound ,low post scoring ,asts , 3point....
1. Swanigan
2. Jonah Bolden=Bam=Ferguson
3. Harry Giles = Tj Leaf

[vanhill]

Who is the best rebounder behind swanigan in the draft ?

[C_Money]

Looks like we're definetly taking a PF this draft.

[OAKLEY_2]

1. TJ Leaf
2. Harry Giles
3. Semi Ojeleye
4. Rodions Kurucs
5. Terrance Ferguson

Giles with all the knee surgeries plural would be a huge red flag. Semi seems just OK to me and I like the other picks.

[OAKLEY_2]

Looks like we're definetly taking a PF this draft.

Except for the fact that are a ton of bigs in our range it doesn't make sense to choose a position like this as we likely will be a veteran line-up. Longer term an upside big makes sense like Hartenstein if he anything to talk about on his resume.

[OAKLEY_2]

Yo, Swanigan's working out with the Raps tomorrow? That's dope. I'm telling y'all, the team needs a player of his skill as a big.

Another average skills player with a history of carrying so much weight so young. Sully II. Pass.

[Volcano]

These are probably the concerns around Jok: age, strength, defense, ability to get to/finish at the rim. The lack of inside play is the biggest thing GM's would be hesitant about imo, but he definitely has 2nd round sleeper potential.

For the people saying "it's better to draft players who could have room to improve their jump shooting but are already solid everywhere else" - again this is a general statement I see get thrown around all the time without solid evidence to support it.

Middleton, Booker, Thompson, Kemba Walker beg to differ. Who the hell in their right mind would pick MKG over Thompson let alone Middleton? I watched both of their college highlights and during the draft thread I was telling everyone here MKG is crap - one guy was picked 2nd and the other 11th.. MKG has been a complete injury-prone bust defensive specialist up to this point.

That jumper CANNOT be fixed and molded - it looks like his arm is breaking when he shoots - it's an impossible life long hitch that should've been fixed when he was a child, not now.

For every Kawhi Leonard there is a dozen players who never developed a jumper despite having all-world tools (Terrence Williams for example).

On the other hand you have guys like Marvin Williams - who could shoot and stretch the floor, post up a little bit, but has no ball handling or creating skills of his own - so he plateaued. At least he's still in the league and contributing as a 3 + D small ball 4.

Each case is unique. We can't make sweeping generalizations such as - "Masai chose a bunch of guys who didn't have a jumper but could develop it like Wright or Powell or Siakam" as someone said above. If they look like they have room to fix or improve their form, I can understand drafting them, but some forms are broken beyond repair - some work ethic not up to par..but we shouldn't just avoid shooters ala Peter Jok.

One thing is for sure, pure shooters have a role long into their NBA career even as role players even if they don't have as high a ceiling, and those safe picks don't hurt as opposed to trying to hit homeruns and the guy never even enters the league. Guys like Anthony Morrow are still serviceable today - and could step into a larger role and score in the teens if needed (as he did for the Warriors early on in his career).

Right, every case should be treated differently, in which case, you shouldn't bring up MKG who probably has the biggest hitch and worse shooting form in NBA history. Worse than Chuck Haye's FT's and Barkley's golf swing. You can find tons of shooters who didn't pan out or tons of all-round players with poor shooting who didn't work out.

I think the bigger question is do you go safe in the draft or do you go for higher potential? How easy is it to sign or trade for your Anthony Morrows, Alan Andersons, Terrence Ross's, etc. of the league? Those players aren't that hard to obtain compared to solid starters, borderline stars, etc.

Do you go for a player who has 90% chance of being a 7-8th man or a player with a 50% chance of being a 5-6th man or 25% chance of being a #3 guy..etc.

[ill-Will03]

No thanks to swanigan. We already have jv and look how many post up opportunities he gets. We wouldn't be utilizing his strengths.

[vanhill]

No thanks to swanigan. We already have jv and look how many post up opportunities he gets. We wouldn't be utilizing his strengths.

He can also rebound and shoot 3s
With Lowry leaving the team , our front court players to have more touches.