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

[CoachJReturns]

I think some of that "shock" often comes from Masai not picking the two or three prospects available at our pick that had gathered a bit of consensus appeal. Like, how we passed on Skal twice. Or passed on Portis, Hood and Capela. Once you get past a certain point in the draft things really open up and it becomes much harder to predict.

For sure. I only managed to call the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th picks last year. I think everyone managed to get those right. After that, I didn't know what the hell was happening. I had Korkmaz and Luwawu in the running for our pick and they got taken just before we grabbed Siakam. Guys get taken 10 picks away from where we think all the time.

I "called" Wright and Poetl but only because I thought they were no brainers. Totally surprised me that Masai went that route. Going to be way off this year guaranteed.

I like Diallo and Giles for star/upside potential.

I like Evans speed and agility game especially if we know-conclude KL is a deathstar overpay.

I like TJ Leaf as shooting offence off the bench. Don't like the Troy Murphy comparison at all.

I like Sindarius Thornwell with a second acquired pick.

I like the active hands and motor of Wilson.

I think Leaf is this year's David Lee. A guy who could seriously play offense and rebound, but his defense made him expendable. For those who remember David Lee in his first couple years he was terrific offensively. He would always struggle on the other side of the ball though.

[HeadtopChunes]

Read on Twitter

If Casey is present, likely means he's not getting fired. Sigh

I like to think we're just waiting until the Spurs are done so we can poach one of their assistant coaches

[OAKLEY_2]

For sure. I only managed to call the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th picks last year. I think everyone managed to get those right. After that, I didn't know what the hell was happening. I had Korkmaz and Luwawu in the running for our pick and they got taken just before we grabbed Siakam. Guys get taken 10 picks away from where we think all the time.

I "called" Wright and Poetl but only because I thought they were no brainers. Totally surprised me that Masai went that route. Going to be way off this year guaranteed.

I like Diallo and Giles for star/upside potential.

I like Evans speed and agility game especially if we know-conclude KL is a deathstar overpay.

I like TJ Leaf as shooting offence off the bench. Don't like the Troy Murphy comparison at all.

I like Sindarius Thornwell with a second acquired pick.

I like the active hands and motor of Wilson.

I think Leaf is this year's David Lee. A guy who could seriously play offense and rebound, but his defense made him expendable. For those who remember David Lee in his first couple years he was terrific offensively. He would always struggle on the other side of the ball though.

Wasn't Lee a hail mary pick by Miami in the second round?

[HeadtopChunes]

I really like Jordan Bell, he has elite defender potential. If he can fix his shot (looks fixable). He'd be a solid starter. Ability to gaurd 1-5 and hit the 3. He might be undersized but he has the Same standing reach as Millsap who is also an elite defender. He needs to get stronger and gets lazy sometimes but when he's locked in he's a rebounding and shot blocking monster.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I really like Jordan Bell, he has elite defender potential. If he can fix his shot (looks fixable). He'd be a solid starter. Ability to gaurd 1-5 and hit the 3. He might be undersized but he has the Same standing reach as Millsap who is also an elite defender. He needs to get stronger and gets lazy sometimes but when he's locked in he's a rebounding and shot blocking monster.

He'll be another value pick in this draft based on where he's currently projected to go in mock drafts.

[OAKLEY_2]

Read on Twitter

If Casey is present, likely means he's not getting fired. Sigh

I like to think we're just waiting until the Spurs are done so we can poach one of their assistant coaches

Casey is probably the Golden Boy of MLSE. BC wanted to scape goat fire him and they stopped BC. Casey knows what he is saying when he says he's an organization guy. Casey will replace Embry and be at Vegas Summer league when he's 90.

[Patman]

I really like Jordan Bell, he has elite defender potential. If he can fix his shot (looks fixable). He'd be a solid starter. Ability to gaurd 1-5 and hit the 3. He might be undersized but he has the Same standing reach as Millsap who is also an elite defender. He needs to get stronger and gets lazy sometimes but when he's locked in he's a rebounding and shot blocking monster.

Never seen him play, but by this description alone, he sounds Michael Beasley-ish.

[OAKLEY_2]

Lets draft Hamiduo Diallo if we can land a second pick between 20-40.
Also looking at #23 on the ringer, they chose that solely because of Masai's tendency to swing for the fences. Made me laugh when I saw it.

Frankly, I'd trade Cojo for a pick to take a flyer on Diallo. That may seem like selling low, but we need cap space since Masai will be spending a lot to keep our free agents next year. We have Delon and FVV for the 2nd and 3rd point guard spots anyway.

I'd love to trade Joseph for another pick
I want us to take Diallo but at the same time I expect a ready now player in the mold of guys like Powell and Delon so it would be good to have 2. But its very unlikely.

I really wish the draft happened after free agency cause I don't see Masai trading Joseph because he needs him as insurance in case Lowry leaves

If Lowry leaves Joseph is insurance against loss of depth but no way is that a policy on a starter. Better to clear the deck of KL and Joseph if KL bolts and add someone like Evans and give everyone the shot at starting or second or third string.

[OAKLEY_2]

For sure. I only managed to call the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th picks last year. I think everyone managed to get those right. After that, I didn't know what the hell was happening. I had Korkmaz and Luwawu in the running for our pick and they got taken just before we grabbed Siakam. Guys get taken 10 picks away from where we think all the time.

I "called" Wright and Poetl but only because I thought they were no brainers. Totally surprised me that Masai went that route. Going to be way off this year guaranteed.

I like Diallo and Giles for star/upside potential.

I like Evans speed and agility game especially if we know-conclude KL is a deathstar overpay.

I like TJ Leaf as shooting offence off the bench. Don't like the Troy Murphy comparison at all.

I like Sindarius Thornwell with a second acquired pick.

I like the active hands and motor of Wilson.

I think Leaf is this year's David Lee. A guy who could seriously play offense and rebound, but his defense made him expendable. For those who remember David Lee in his first couple years he was terrific offensively. He would always struggle on the other side of the ball though.

Leaf moves way better than Lee. Leaf looks like a small forward.

[HeadtopChunes]

I really like Jordan Bell, he has elite defender potential. If he can fix his shot (looks fixable). He'd be a solid starter. Ability to gaurd 1-5 and hit the 3. He might be undersized but he has the Same standing reach as Millsap who is also an elite defender. He needs to get stronger and gets lazy sometimes but when he's locked in he's a rebounding and shot blocking monster.

Never seen him play, but by this description alone, he sounds Michael Beasley-ish.

I get more of a Udonis Haslem vibe from him. Maybe he can be a better 2pat eventually. He kidna does the same stuff as Siakam tho. So that might be a reason to pass

[HeadtopChunes]

Read on Twitter

If Casey is present, likely means he's not getting fired. Sigh

I like to think we're just waiting until the Spurs are done so we can poach one of their assistant coaches

Casey is probably the Golden Boy of MLSE. BC wanted to scape goat fire him and they stopped BC. Casey knows what he is saying when he says he's an organization guy. Casey will replace Embry and be at Vegas Summer league when he's 90.

I just don't see how you can have a supposed culture change without changing anything.

[OAKLEY_2]

I like to think we're just waiting until the Spurs are done so we can poach one of their assistant coaches

Casey is probably the Golden Boy of MLSE. BC wanted to scape goat fire him and they stopped BC. Casey knows what he is saying when he says he's an organization guy. Casey will replace Embry and be at Vegas Summer league when he's 90.

I just don't see how you can have a supposed culture change without changing anything.

Behold. Poof!

[PhilBlackson]

Preparing myself for the Lakers to "conveniently" win the lottery.

Here's hoping they lose their pick, so sick of the most spoiled franchise of all time.

[HeadtopChunes]

Preparing myself for the Lakers to "conveniently" win the lottery.

Here's hoping they lose their pick, so sick of the most spoiled franchise of all time.

Knicks would get a top 3 pick too if it was rigged

[BoyzNTheHood]

I really like Jordan Bell, he has elite defender potential. If he can fix his shot (looks fixable). He'd be a solid starter. Ability to gaurd 1-5 and hit the 3. He might be undersized but he has the Same standing reach as Millsap who is also an elite defender. He needs to get stronger and gets lazy sometimes but when he's locked in he's a rebounding and shot blocking monster.

Never seen him play, but by this description alone, he sounds Michael Beasley-ish.

I get more of a Udonis Haslem vibe from him. Maybe he can be a better 2pat eventually. He kidna does the same stuff as Siakam tho. So that might be a reason to pass

Neither Beasley nor Haslem are good comparisons. Which 1's, 2's, or 3's can they guard? There is no comparison for Jordan Bell in the NBA, he's a unique talent. You can compare him to a couple of guys put together though. Draymond Green on defense, but Taj Gibson on offense with a chance to be a smaller version of Serge Ibaka if he puts the work in.

[CoachJReturns]

I like to think we're just waiting until the Spurs are done so we can poach one of their assistant coaches

Casey is probably the Golden Boy of MLSE. BC wanted to scape goat fire him and they stopped BC. Casey knows what he is saying when he says he's an organization guy. Casey will replace Embry and be at Vegas Summer league when he's 90.

I just don't see how you can have a supposed culture change without changing anything.

I think the culture reset line was just bull. Masai isn't changing a damn thing here. Not anything significant.

[HeadtopChunes]

Casey is probably the Golden Boy of MLSE. BC wanted to scape goat fire him and they stopped BC. Casey knows what he is saying when he says he's an organization guy. Casey will replace Embry and be at Vegas Summer league when he's 90.

I just don't see how you can have a supposed culture change without changing anything.

I think the culture reset line was just bull. Masai isn't changing a damn thing here. Not anything significant.

Might be or he might be waiting if he does do anything it should be before the draft. Might be too soon to tell.

[HeadtopChunes]

Never seen him play, but by this description alone, he sounds Michael Beasley-ish.

I get more of a Udonis Haslem vibe from him. Maybe he can be a better 2pat eventually. He kidna does the same stuff as Siakam tho. So that might be a reason to pass

Neither Beasley nor Haslem are good comparisons. Which 1's, 2's, or 3's can they guard? There is no comparison for Jordan Bell in the NBA, he's a unique talent. You can compare him to a couple of guys put together though. Draymond Green on defense, but Taj Gibson on offense with a chance to be a smaller version of Serge Ibaka if he puts the work in.

Yeah looks good the only drawback seems to be his relatively short wingspan. Draymond and Milsap both have longer arms. Whether this makes too much of a difference remains to be seen.

That and he has a Centers skillset in a PFs body so learning to stretch the floor and pass well are gonna be very important to how good he can be.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I get more of a Udonis Haslem vibe from him. Maybe he can be a better 2pat eventually. He kidna does the same stuff as Siakam tho. So that might be a reason to pass

Neither Beasley nor Haslem are good comparisons. Which 1's, 2's, or 3's can they guard? There is no comparison for Jordan Bell in the NBA, he's a unique talent. You can compare him to a couple of guys put together though. Draymond Green on defense, but Taj Gibson on offense with a chance to be a smaller version of Serge Ibaka if he puts the work in.

Yeah looks good the only drawback seems to be his relatively short wingspan. Draymond and Milsap both have longer arms. Whether this makes too much of a difference remains to be seen.

That and he has a Centers skillset in a PFs body so learning to stretch the floor and pass well are gonna be very important to how good he can be.

I thought of a comparison; Shawn Marion. Early on Marion couldn't shoot either. They're basically the same height and weight, with that pogo stick style of play. Not a bruiser, but just a super hustle big man with elite defensive ability.

[iqbalpanchod]

Wingspan is important in the new NBA. Especially with this historically great and abundance of three point shooting. In terms of prospects we should go to the ones with great wingspans, high volume 3 point shooting, elite 3P%, and athleticism ahead of anything else. Next I look for handles, quickness, program, and personal upbringing. From that criterion I see Semi Ojeleye, Devin Robinson, and Jonah Bolden as guys we should trade down for with Philly. Giving great length, shooting, youth, and immediate impact.

In terms of potential I'm talking of lateral quickness, finishing at the rim, mobility, and explosiveness. Added for clarity.