NBA Draft Discussion Part 10

[TheFutureMM]

Just watched some Essengue tape in advance of tomorrow night (I feel like it's him or Maluach).

Everyone here seems to think of him as 4 (or maybe even a 3) and with his measurements I'm kind of shocked we're not looking at him as a potential 5. 6'10 barefoot, 7'1 wingspan - these are solid 5 measurements. Combine that with his decent lateral quickness and he seems like a prototypical modern 5. Shooting the 3 at 28% isn't great but if you could bump that up to like 30%+ on set 3s and he's fine.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[grant101]

Essengue remids me of a slightly bigger but way less skilled Batum, so I guess the old man version of Batum. I watched his long form scouting vid: Pro: mostly played within himself, doesn't look as out of place as a guy like Bruno. Con: I didn't see a lot of ceiling plays or even flashes, he's very limited. I think I would pass in the top 10.

I see Obi Toppin. Essengue and Beringer remind me of Obi Toppin at the time he was drafted. Obvious Obi has since started shooting 3s and he's been extremely useful off the bench for Indy (especially these playoffs). I don't hate the possibility that he's the pick. Maluach is still my preferred guy though.

Toppin is not a bad comp. Both stiff with little bend, but athletic (though Toppin is the far better athlete). Both primarily play finishers. The difference is Toppin was a good shooter. He shot .390 from three his last year at Dayton.

[TimeForChange]

Guys, you're falling for the smoke.

A secret workout being leaked the night before the draft? If it was meant to be a secret, it would not be on ESPN.

The information was fed to ESPN for a reason.

[CazOnReal]

Just watched some Essengue tape in advance of tomorrow night (I feel like it's him or Maluach).

Everyone here seems to think of him as 4 (or maybe even a 3) and with his measurements I'm kind of shocked we're not looking at him as a potential 5. 6'10 barefoot, 7'1 wingspan - these are solid 5 measurements. Combine that with his decent lateral quickness and he seems like a prototypical modern 5. Shooting the 3 at 28% isn't great but if you could bump that up to like 30%+ on set 3s and he's fine.

He will die if he's used at the 5 for anything more than occasional small ball. He's way too small for that.

[TimeForChange]

I am hoping Maluach falls to 9 and ATL offers 13 + a future first to move up.

Raps can then take Noa or whomever at 13.

[Tha Cynic]

Noa reminds me of Tayshaun Prince, especially if defense is his calling. He doesn't move as fluid, but maybe some strength helps that

[grant101]

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Agreed. Of all the things to criticize him for, this is not one of them. He hadn't been playing well and wasn't getting minutes

[mtcan]

Essengue remids me of a slightly bigger but way less skilled Batum, so I guess the old man version of Batum. I watched his long form scouting vid: Pro: mostly played within himself, doesn't look as out of place as a guy like Bruno. Con: I didn't see a lot of ceiling plays or even flashes, he's very limited. I think I would pass in the top 10.

I see Obi Toppin. Essengue and Beringer remind me of Obi Toppin at the time he was drafted. Obvious Obi has since started shooting 3s and he's been extremely useful off the bench for Indy (especially these playoffs). I don't hate the possibility that he's the pick. Maluach is still my preferred guy though.

Toppin is not a bad comp. Both stiff with little bend, but athletic (though Toppin is the far better athlete). Both primarily play finishers. The difference is Toppin was a good shooter. He shot .390 from three his last year at Dayton.

The shooting can improve so I'll cut Noa some slack considering he is just 18 years old. But ya...the shoulders, the way he runs the floor...that reminds me of Obi.

[djsunyc]

Essengue remids me of a slightly bigger but way less skilled Batum, so I guess the old man version of Batum. I watched his long form scouting vid: Pro: mostly played within himself, doesn't look as out of place as a guy like Bruno. Con: I didn't see a lot of ceiling plays or even flashes, he's very limited. I think I would pass in the top 10.

I see Obi Toppin. Essengue and Beringer remind me of Obi Toppin at the time he was drafted. Obvious Obi has since started shooting 3s and he's been extremely useful off the bench for Indy (especially these playoffs). I don't hate the possibility that he's the pick. Maluach is still my preferred guy though.

Toppin is not a bad comp. Both stiff with little bend, but athletic (though Toppin is the far better athlete). Both primarily play finishers. The difference is Toppin was a good shooter. He shot .390 from three his last year at Dayton.

obi was also 23 his rookie seqson

[WuTang_CMB]

Just watched some Essengue tape in advance of tomorrow night (I feel like it's him or Maluach).

Everyone here seems to think of him as 4 (or maybe even a 3) and with his measurements I'm kind of shocked we're not looking at him as a potential 5. 6'10 barefoot, 7'1 wingspan - these are solid 5 measurements. Combine that with his decent lateral quickness and he seems like a prototypical modern 5. Shooting the 3 at 28% isn't great but if you could bump that up to like 30%+ on set 3s and he's fine.

I think you develop his game as a big toolsy wing - his handle and shot need work

but once you get that going, you can probably play him with scottie in the front court for stretches depending on matchups

they would switch on everything and cause havoc

[bon]

Still praying for Queen or Kasp over a project but regardless I'm happy we're adding a lottery level talent to this core

[RaptorPride]

But he has no on-ball game and can't shoot!

I know throw him in the g league as the number one. Focus on handles number one which will help him open up his offensive game and slowly work on shooting. It's a longterm project player, I won't expect anything crazy from him until year three.

This is something you do with a late first or second round pick, not in the lottery! He's shown nothing to indicate he has any kind of future as an on-ball player. His best bet is to study Shawn Marion, pick up a consistent corner three, stop with the gambling for steals, learn to play with more bend to stay in front of smaller players, and commit to using his length more on defence (for all the talk about wingspan and standing reach, he does a poor job helping his team defend the basket). The juice is not worth the squeeze, especially not at 9 IMO.

I understand what your saying but if that's the type of player you see we are better off drafting Bryant. And for sure I would prefer if we could trade down and get him but I think his length is gonna cause hype and push him up the boards. Personally I think we can take the risk to try and turn him into that KD/B.I mold again he won't be like those guys but try and get him those skills they have. But its super understandable to not like this cause it could also go super wrong.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[XTC]

Noa reminds me of Tayshaun Prince, especially if defense is his calling. He doesn't move as fluid, but maybe some strength helps that

Tayshaun has been my comparision since day 1.

A jack of all trades, 3+D wing who can play a multitude of positions. Thats a steal at #9

I think he has tons of hidden upside. Noa is super fluid, lanky, and hes already showing the ability to get to the FT line.

[Tor_Raps]

Guys, you're falling for the smoke.

A secret workout being leaked the night before the draft? If it was meant to be a secret, it would not be on ESPN.

The information was fed to ESPN for a reason.

Or things can leak? Why do people pretend this front office is leak proof when we've heard more than enough rumors come to fruition lol

[DreamTeam09]

Just heard what Coward said, he's firmly on my DND list & now is on my **** list lol foh

link? Can’t find the quote

what did he say?

who mentions what he said and doesnt say it?

He was asked to rank the last 7 championship teams, had the Lakers first, OKC n Raps 6&7 I saw it on IG / Vivek mentioned it today on locked on Raps

Vivek is the only Toronto guy I don't mind, along with Samson

[RaptorPride]

Noa reminds me of Tayshaun Prince, especially if defense is his calling. He doesn't move as fluid, but maybe some strength helps that

ohh thats a good one

[bboyskinnylegs]

.

[Tha Cynic]

Guys, you're falling for the smoke.

A secret workout being leaked the night before the draft? If it was meant to be a secret, it would not be on ESPN.

The information was fed to ESPN for a reason.

Or things can leak? Why do people pretend this front office is leak proof when we've heard more than enough rumors come to fruition lol

Unless we're messing with a kid to create smokescreen, I think we have genuine interest in him at 9 or with another pick that they have lined up. He isn't making a stop in Toronto after skipping the finals game to help create smokescreen, and the Raptors aren't making him do that.