And Then There Was One: Thank Nation 2. Raps pick 23rd

[LJKO]

Would you people be upset if Masai draft some unknown or prospect that's suppose go 2nd round with the 1st pick? I don't think I'll ever doubt him ever since he got us Pow with 46th pick whom we draft in 2nd round; Vanvleet looking like a steal too and he was undafted lolz

[DreamTeam09]

Senior Year:

Thornwell (SEC): 33.9 minutes, 21.4 points (on 14.2 shots), 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, .444 FG%, .392 3PT%, .830 FT%
Powell (Pac12): 34.6 minutes, 16.4 points (on 13.0 shots), 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, .456 FG%, .319 3PT%, .751 FT%

Powell is 6'4 with a 6'10 wingspan. Thornwell is 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan.

Norm is the more explosive player, which translates better at the NBA level, but Thornwell is crafty and he got to the line a lot (averaged over 8 FT attempts per game)

What on earth are we going to do with another 6'5 sg?

Gimmie a 6'8-6'10 SF Shooter plz

Picking late 1st round, you take best player available.

I disagree in that sense. When drafting a player, you should hope that somehow someway, he could crack the rotation and help your team. Now if your team already has 2 sg who they seem highly invested in, I don't see how adding another SG drafted in the mid 20s helps that cause. He has no avenue to big club, unless drastic moves are made.

Classifying BPA in the later rounds is even more a crap-shoot.

When drafting late in the drafts, I'd look for the BPA that fills a team need. It's not like the Boston situation where they have IT and the number 1 pick, who projects to be a PG. In that situation I would still draft a pg.

Masai has drafted for need / bpa when he's been drafting late for us. We drafted Bruno when we needed a wing player, we took Delon when we had no PG behind lowry, we took Pascal when we were thin at the 4spot.

[OakleyDokely]

What on earth are we going to do with another 6'5 sg?

Gimmie a 6'8-6'10 SF Shooter plz

Picking late 1st round, you take best player available.

I disagree in that sense. When drafting a player, you should hope that somehow someway, he could crack the rotation and help your team. Now if your team already has 2 sg who they seem highly invested in, I don't see how adding another SG drafted in the mid 20s helps that cause. He has no avenue to big club, unless drastic moves are made.

Classifying BPA in the later rounds is even more a crap-shoot.

When drafting late in the drafts, I'd look for the BPA that fills a team need. It's not like the Boston situation where they have IT and the number 1 pick, who projects to be a PG. In that situation I would still draft a pg.

Masai has drafted for need / bpa when he's been drafting late for us. We drafted Bruno when we needed a wing player, we took Delon when we had no PG behind lowry, we took Pascal when we were thin at the 4spot.

Powell can play multiple positions as can Thornwell. They aren't limited to the 2 position. If you start Powell at the 3, all of a sudden DD needs a backup again.

[CoachJReturns]

Would you people be upset if Masai draft some unknown or prospect that's suppose go 2nd round with the 1st pick? I don't think I'll ever doubt him ever since he got us Pow with 46th pick whom we draft in 2nd round; Vanvleet looking like a steal too and he was undafted lolz

I'd have my doubts if it was some guy I'd NEVER heard of like Bruno. Frankly, after Bruno Masai hasn't reached at all. The Siakam pick has been the biggest reach in the last 2 years and he was projected to go only 5-7 picks later than we took him. Masai's other picks of Delon at 20 and Poeltl at 9 were projected to go exactly where they were drafted. Norm was underrated, but I think he was mocked in the mid second round.
None of these guys were left field picks for their draft position. I expect another similarly predictable pick, likely made by Watson, again this year.

[CoachJReturns]

Picking late 1st round, you take best player available.

I disagree in that sense. When drafting a player, you should hope that somehow someway, he could crack the rotation and help your team. Now if your team already has 2 sg who they seem highly invested in, I don't see how adding another SG drafted in the mid 20s helps that cause. He has no avenue to big club, unless drastic moves are made.

Classifying BPA in the later rounds is even more a crap-shoot.

When drafting late in the drafts, I'd look for the BPA that fills a team need. It's not like the Boston situation where they have IT and the number 1 pick, who projects to be a PG. In that situation I would still draft a pg.

Masai has drafted for need / bpa when he's been drafting late for us. We drafted Bruno when we needed a wing player, we took Delon when we had no PG behind lowry, we took Pascal when we were thin at the 4spot.

Powell can play multiple positions as can Thornwell. They aren't limited to the 2 position. If you start Powell at the 3, all of a sudden DD needs a backup again.

Meh. I'll take a little more length and athleticism if we're discussing similar level prospects. And I think your choice of Thornwell and mine of Robinson are of the same caliber.

[LJKO]

Would you people be upset if Masai draft some unknown or prospect that's suppose go 2nd round with the 1st pick? I don't think I'll ever doubt him ever since he got us Pow with 46th pick whom we draft in 2nd round; Vanvleet looking like a steal too and he was undafted lolz

I'd have my doubts if it was some guy I'd NEVER heard of like Bruno. Frankly, after Bruno Masai hasn't reached at all. The Siakam pick has been the biggest reach in the last 2 years and he was projected to go only 5-7 picks later than we took him. Masai's other picks of Delon at 20 and Poeltl at 9 were projected to go exactly where they were drafted. Norm was underrated, but I think he was mocked in the mid second round.
None of these guys were left field picks for their draft position. I expect another similarly predictable pick, likely made by Watson, again this year.

I wouldn't write off Delon and Poetl just yet; wait until we get a coach who has the ability to coach our prospect

[BoyzNTheHood]

Senior Year:

Thornwell (SEC): 33.9 minutes, 21.4 points (on 14.2 shots), 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, .444 FG%, .392 3PT%, .830 FT%
Powell (Pac12): 34.6 minutes, 16.4 points (on 13.0 shots), 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, .456 FG%, .319 3PT%, .751 FT%
Iwundu (Big 12): 31.4 minutes, 13.0 points (on 8.9 shots), 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, .481 FG%, .376 3PT%, .767 FT%

Powell is 6'4 with a 6'10 wingspan. Thornwell is 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan. Iwundu is 6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan.

Norm is the more explosive player, which translates better at the NBA level, but Thornwell is crafty and he got to the line a lot (averaged over 8 FT attempts per game). That 7 foot wingspan was measured when Wesley was a 6'4" 17 year old kid, and hasn't been updated in 5 years since he's grown around 3 inches! His tools are better than Norm's which is really impressive. He's really being slept on because he's already 22. The kid led K-State to the tourney and won two rounds. He passes, he defends, he rebounds, his jumper is constantly improving.

I'm telling you guys, don't sleep! Of course he has some holes to fill like a jumpshot (much like Norm), but if you were getting a perfect player we wouldn't have a shot at him. All of his shortcomings are fixable.

Watch on YouTube

[Psubs]

Senior Year:

Thornwell (SEC): 33.9 minutes, 21.4 points (on 14.2 shots), 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, .444 FG%, .392 3PT%, .830 FT%
Powell (Pac12): 34.6 minutes, 16.4 points (on 13.0 shots), 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, .456 FG%, .319 3PT%, .751 FT%
Iwundu (Big 12): 31.4 minutes, 13.0 points (on 8.9 shots), 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, .481 FG%, .376 3PT%, .767 FT%

Powell is 6'4 with a 6'10 wingspan. Thornwell is 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan. Iwundu is 6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan.

Norm is the more explosive player, which translates better at the NBA level, but Thornwell is crafty and he got to the line a lot (averaged over 8 FT attempts per game). That 7 foot wingspan was measured when Wesley was a 6'4" 17 year old kid, and hasn't been updated in 5 years since he's grown around 3 inches! His tools are better than Norm's which is really impressive. He's really being slept on because he's already 22. The kid led K-State to the tourney and won two rounds. He passes, he defends, he rebounds, his jumper is constantly improving.

I'm telling you guys, don't sleep! Of course he has some holes to fill like a jumpshot (much like Norm), but if you were getting a perfect player we wouldn't have a shot at him. All of his shortcomings are fixable.

Watch on YouTube

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

[CoachJReturns]

Would you people be upset if Masai draft some unknown or prospect that's suppose go 2nd round with the 1st pick? I don't think I'll ever doubt him ever since he got us Pow with 46th pick whom we draft in 2nd round; Vanvleet looking like a steal too and he was undafted lolz

I'd have my doubts if it was some guy I'd NEVER heard of like Bruno. Frankly, after Bruno Masai hasn't reached at all. The Siakam pick has been the biggest reach in the last 2 years and he was projected to go only 5-7 picks later than we took him. Masai's other picks of Delon at 20 and Poeltl at 9 were projected to go exactly where they were drafted. Norm was underrated, but I think he was mocked in the mid second round.
None of these guys were left field picks for their draft position. I expect another similarly predictable pick, likely made by Watson, again this year.

I wouldn't write off Delon and Poetl just yet; wait until we get a coach who has the ability to coach our prospect

When did I write them off? That was random.
Poeltl will be a starting center in the league in 2 years and Delon will be a capable backup(He already is.)Delon was also my personal draft pick for us that year from very early in the season.

[MavCarter]

Bolden looks intriguing

[S ID]

More highlights of Bolden. He shoots NBA range 3s at the end.

Watch on YouTube

[Kevin Willis]

Senior Year:

Thornwell (SEC): 33.9 minutes, 21.4 points (on 14.2 shots), 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, .444 FG%, .392 3PT%, .830 FT%
Powell (Pac12): 34.6 minutes, 16.4 points (on 13.0 shots), 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, .456 FG%, .319 3PT%, .751 FT%
Iwundu (Big 12): 31.4 minutes, 13.0 points (on 8.9 shots), 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, .481 FG%, .376 3PT%, .767 FT%

Powell is 6'4 with a 6'10 wingspan. Thornwell is 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan. Iwundu is 6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan.

Norm is the more explosive player, which translates better at the NBA level, but Thornwell is crafty and he got to the line a lot (averaged over 8 FT attempts per game). That 7 foot wingspan was measured when Wesley was a 6'4" 17 year old kid, and hasn't been updated in 5 years since he's grown around 3 inches! His tools are better than Norm's which is really impressive. He's really being slept on because he's already 22. The kid led K-State to the tourney and won two rounds. He passes, he defends, he rebounds, his jumper is constantly improving.

I'm telling you guys, don't sleep! Of course he has some holes to fill like a jumpshot (much like Norm), but if you were getting a perfect player we wouldn't have a shot at him. All of his shortcomings are fixable.

Watch on YouTube

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

He reminds me of less explosive Andre Roberson. Defensive expert with length that can rebound and a wonky shot. Roberson is a better rebounder and Wes is a better passer. Of course he's older and someone might take him early to copy Masai's success with older players. It is a copy cat league.

[MavCarter]

Holy crap am i reading this right? Thornwell had a 44 pts 21 reb game?? This dude looks like an elite rebounder for a SG

[Psubs]

I'm telling you guys, don't sleep! Of course he has some holes to fill like a jumpshot (much like Norm), but if you were getting a perfect player we wouldn't have a shot at him. All of his shortcomings are fixable.

Watch on YouTube

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

He reminds me of less explosive Andre Roberson. Defensive expert with length that can rebound and a wonky shot. Roberson is a better rebounder and Wes is a better passer. Of course he's older and someone might take him early to copy Masai's success with older players. It is a copy cat league.

Or with Brogdon but Malcolm shot well from deep all 4 years while Iwundu was terrible before his senior year.

[S ID]

Holy crap am i reading this right? Thornwell had a 44 pts 21 reb game?? This dude looks like an elite rebounder for a SG

That game went to 3OT and he had like 32 FTA.

Thornwell plays alot of smallball 4 so he can get away with his slow first step, but that's not happening in the NBA... regardless I see him being a solid 3 and D guy.

[S ID]

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

He reminds me of less explosive Andre Roberson. Defensive expert with length that can rebound and a wonky shot. Roberson is a better rebounder and Wes is a better passer. Of course he's older and someone might take him early to copy Masai's success with older players. It is a copy cat league.

Or with Brogdon but Malcolm shot well from deep all 4 years while Iwundu was terrible before his senior year.

It's because he had a broken jumpshot.

Watch on YouTube

[BoyzNTheHood]

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

He reminds me of less explosive Andre Roberson. Defensive expert with length that can rebound and a wonky shot. Roberson is a better rebounder and Wes is a better passer. Of course he's older and someone might take him early to copy Masai's success with older players. It is a copy cat league.

Or with Brogdon but Malcolm shot well from deep all 4 years while Iwundu was terrible before his senior year.

I wouldn't look past Norm for a fairly good comparison. He's a bit longer than Norm but they're very similar. Both 2/3's with a 2 way style.

[JShuttlesworth]

I disagree in that sense. When drafting a player, you should hope that somehow someway, he could crack the rotation and help your team. Now if your team already has 2 sg who they seem highly invested in, I don't see how adding another SG drafted in the mid 20s helps that cause. He has no avenue to big club, unless drastic moves are made.

Classifying BPA in the later rounds is even more a crap-shoot.

When drafting late in the drafts, I'd look for the BPA that fills a team need. It's not like the Boston situation where they have IT and the number 1 pick, who projects to be a PG. In that situation I would still draft a pg.

Masai has drafted for need / bpa when he's been drafting late for us. We drafted Bruno when we needed a wing player, we took Delon when we had no PG behind lowry, we took Pascal when we were thin at the 4spot.

I couldn't agree more. You have to pick the player that you think will be able to develop his talents most effectively within your system. You can draft the BPA, but if he's too far back in the depth charts, he's never going to get a chance to develop his skills and reach his potential. Drafting like that does a disservice to the player and to the team -- This is also why having the 905 is so important.

For this reason I think that we are drafting either a SF/PF, but I'm leaning towards us taking another PF.

Joseph / Delon / VanVleet
DeMar / Norman
Carroll / Bruno
Siakam
Jonas / Poeltl / Bebe

Free Agents: Lowry / Ibaka / Patterson / Tucker - I think re-signing Ibaka is crucial.

[WeTheNorth123]

Senior Year:

Thornwell (SEC): 33.9 minutes, 21.4 points (on 14.2 shots), 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, .444 FG%, .392 3PT%, .830 FT%
Powell (Pac12): 34.6 minutes, 16.4 points (on 13.0 shots), 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, .456 FG%, .319 3PT%, .751 FT%
Iwundu (Big 12): 31.4 minutes, 13.0 points (on 8.9 shots), 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, .481 FG%, .376 3PT%, .767 FT%

Powell is 6'4 with a 6'10 wingspan. Thornwell is 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan. Iwundu is 6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan.

Norm is the more explosive player, which translates better at the NBA level, but Thornwell is crafty and he got to the line a lot (averaged over 8 FT attempts per game). That 7 foot wingspan was measured when Wesley was a 6'4" 17 year old kid, and hasn't been updated in 5 years since he's grown around 3 inches! His tools are better than Norm's which is really impressive. He's really being slept on because he's already 22. The kid led K-State to the tourney and won two rounds. He passes, he defends, he rebounds, his jumper is constantly improving.

I'm telling you guys, don't sleep! Of course he has some holes to fill like a jumpshot (much like Norm), but if you were getting a perfect player we wouldn't have a shot at him. All of his shortcomings are fixable.

Watch on YouTube

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

I think this guy is better....people are sleeping on him

26.4 minutes, 11.1 PPG, 6.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.9 steals, .475 FG%, .391 3PT%, .72.3 FT%

Key things to keep in mind is he produces almost what Iwundu produces in less minutes while playing for a better team

HIs defense and 3 point shooting is better then Iwundu....Iwundu only has the edge in play making abilities


check out the insane length

[youtube]

Watch on YouTube

;t=209s
[/youtube]

[BoyzNTheHood]

I'm telling you guys, don't sleep! Of course he has some holes to fill like a jumpshot (much like Norm), but if you were getting a perfect player we wouldn't have a shot at him. All of his shortcomings are fixable.

Watch on YouTube

Reminds me of post-injury Shaun Livingston. Maybe like Caris LeVert with a worse jumper (always could shoot vs just developing).

I think this guy is better....people are sleeping on him

26.4 minutes, 11.1 PPG, 6.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.9 steals, .475 FG%, .391 3PT%, .72.3 FT%

Key things to keep in mind is he produces almost what Iwundu produces in less minutes while playing for a better team

HIs defense and 3 point shooting is better then Iwundu....Iwundu only has the edge in play making abilities


check out the insane length

[youtube]

Watch on YouTube

;t=209s
[/youtube]

They're basically the same weight and height, but Iwundu is longer.

I think we're talking about two much different players. Robinson looks to be more of a hustle, spot up, 3+D tweener that can bring excellent value to a team looking for a role player. We could definitely use a guy like that.

However, I think we lack another playmaker. Our offense is way too centred around Kyle/Demar isos. That extra skill that Iwundu adds is vital to me. When you have another guy that understands the offense inside and out you become very dangerous, especially if he's not undersized. We LOVE to go with a 2 point guard lineup which only works so well because both guys are creators. Now imagine that with a guy big enough to defend opposing wings. Instead of having a guy like Robinson who would only spot up or look for the putback, you have a guy who can make those around him better. I agree that Robinson is a better shooter at the moment, but Iwundu has made excellent strides in that area and I don't see why he won't improve further when it becomes his full time job.