Draft Thread Part 4

[OakleyDokely]

Simulated the positions and did a mock:

1. OKC - Cunningham
2. HOU - Suggs
3. SAC - Mobley
4. TOR - Green
5. DET - Kuminga
6. ORL - Keon Johnson
7. CLE - Barnes
8. GS - Moody
9. ORL - Sengun
10. NO - Davion Mitchell

[DreamTeam09]

Can't teach Moody's length or perfect shooting form. Yeah he lacks in creativity and explosiveness but like you said he has that jab step, and once he fills out his wide frame and figures out where his spots on the floor are, won't need a series of dribbles to get his shot off.

Meant to mention it earlier, but with his bounce and hesis ain't hard to tell Bouknight is NY city baller lol.

I thought that was just a Uconn thing, Kemba, lamb, ben gordon, even going back a little later with Rip and Ray. Herky jerky stop n go avg size guards lol. I've always been a Uconn fan tho. I went to highschool with Denham Brown and he went to Uconn.

Could be UConn thing, forogt about Rip and his hang dribbles. Funny enough Ben Gordon and Kemba both played their high school ball in New York.

Wow Denham Brown, that's a name haven't heard in a long time.... Was he a dominant high school player?

I watched the game where he scored 111 pts against R.H. King academy. I think he had like 20 3s from just inside half-court. He had an NBA body while in HS. That summer he went back and forth with Carmelo in an AAU game. He was the real deal, just never had his head in it, thought he was star before he even made it to the NBA.

He got cut from the supersonics after he brushed off Ray Allen for a dinner invite. Ray allen, vouched for him and got him drafted in the 2nd with the Uconn connection, and Ray allen invited him for dinner in the offseason and he said to paraphrase "Why are we going to dinner, that's G**"

I don't even think he made it to training camp.

[Psubs]

I don't really get the Bouknight hype. People talk about him like he's some great scorer, yet his numbers don't reflect that. He also has a negative ast/to rate, so I just don't see a guy who's capable of handling a decent chunk of usage at the next level. He does have some tools tho, so if he's a total gym rat maybe I'll be wrong.

None of the prospects outside of the top 5 have the #s to separate themselves. It is the tools that gets me hype about him. His speed, athletic abilities, finishing abilities, good form, crafty/hesi dribble, pull ups. He talks like he's a gym rats and he's aware of the things he needs to get better at.

This exactly. This is why he's not ahead of Suggs not Kuminga.

I though Donovan Mitchell was a reach and going to be a bust because of the numbers. He has elite finishes at the rim.

He shot a decent 77.8% FT's on 5.4 attempts / game. I feel that he should be able to work on his outside shooting over the next few years.

Watch on YouTube

@0:14 two feet takeoff, what is his vert?!?!?! I think he could probably dunk from standstill with his wingspan.

@0:26 looks like his knees go outwards like Powell's used to. Not sure if that's affecting accuracy.

Watch on YouTube

[StringerBell]

I thought that was just a Uconn thing, Kemba, lamb, ben gordon, even going back a little later with Rip and Ray. Herky jerky stop n go avg size guards lol. I've always been a Uconn fan tho. I went to highschool with Denham Brown and he went to Uconn.

Could be UConn thing, forogt about Rip and his hang dribbles. Funny enough Ben Gordon and Kemba both played their high school ball in New York.

Wow Denham Brown, that's a name haven't heard in a long time.... Was he a dominant high school player?

I watched the game where he scored 111 pts against R.H. King academy. I think he had like 20 3s from just inside half-court. He had an NBA body while in HS. That summer he went back and forth with Carmelo in an AAU game. He was the real deal, just never had his head in it, thought he was star before he even made it to the NBA.

He got cut from the supersonics after he brushed off Ray Allen for a dinner invite. Ray allen, vouched for him and got him drafted in the 2nd with the Uconn connection, and Ray allen invited him for dinner in the offseason and he said to paraphrase "Why are we going to dinner, that's G**"

I don't even think he made it to training camp.

what an idiot

[DreamTeam09]

Bouknight injuries: elbow bone chips (unless you're a pitcher, this no big deal) & meniscus in high school (not uncommon). Our medical staff will check these out to alleviate any concerns. Obviously our opinions are predicated on a clean bill of health.

Whoever said those injuries are scary is overreacting. Bone chips in the elbow is light. and a meniscus in highschool doesn't concern me. He was still flying around in college..

Man I really hope we take this guy, only time will tell tho.

[StringerBell]

Simulated the positions and did a mock:

1. OKC - Cunningham
2. HOU - Suggs
3. SAC - Mobley
4. TOR - Green
5. DET - Kuminga
6. ORL - Keon Johnson
7. CLE - Barnes
8. GS - Moody
9. ORL - Sengun
10. NO - Davion Mitchell

Yes please

[Indeed]

This is definitely will be a big test for the scouting team.

Hoping we get in the lottery, but as I've said before, it will be intriguing to see what qualities (upside, length, maturity, offence, defence, playmaking along with fit and BPA) Masai, Dan and the team prioritize.

A 6' 5" shooting guard who can make his own shot is a perfect fit. The sorry-ass half-court offence needs to be fixed. Bouknight's injury history referred to above is scary. If Keon comes into the try-outs flashing a legit outside shot, then that's our man.

A decent C would also be a good fit for a not-too-ambitious development year. The rook can develop while Birch gets 30 minutes per game, and Freddie G. will be a phone call away with the 905. Meanwhile, Trent and Harris can develop their games at the 2.

If Raps are going for it next season - bringing in an MLE C with a 3 point shot - then Moody, Kispert or Wagner would be a fit, backing up at the 2 and 3 spot, and playing the 3 in small ball lineups with OG at the 4 or 5.

It depends, Powell didn't make us a better team who can kind of create his own shot.
I assume we need a playmaker, but maybe the coaching staffs have another idea.

[tdotrep2]

Bouknight was is a pretty bad situation, the man had no spacing even for college ball. College is more compact so couple that with the team he was on where he had no shooters and 2 bigs on the floor and its pretty impressive what he did. Dont be surprised if he goes on a team in the NBA and people see him and think wow how was he not drafted higher. He has everything you want.

[Dalek]

Some small bit of proof that I am not nuts. Mike Schmitz from ESPN just wrote about Trae Young and Ja Morant's playoff impact. I literally mentioned this a while back, but this is great to see in print from an expert that sees Cooper as having some great potential:

But, with the way the NBA is refereed now, there's a place for 6-foot-1 guards like Abmas and Cooper, even if that's ultimately off the bench. Cooper was able to get wherever he wanted in the SEC to the tune of 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game, changing speeds effortlessly and playing with the type of pace you often see from Young. Firing laser beams all over the floor with either hand, he's arguably the draft's best passer, as we broke down in our ESPN film session. Like Young and even Morant, he can throw off-the-dribble lobs to the roll man with perfect timing and accuracy, delivering passes with conviction you rarely see from a player his age.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31543478/how-playoff-performances-trae-young-ja-morant-impact-2021-nba-draft

[B-Ball Freak]

Simulated the positions and did a mock:

1. OKC - Cunningham
2. HOU - Suggs
3. SAC - Mobley
4. TOR - Green
5. DET - Kuminga
6. ORL - Keon Johnson
7. CLE - Barnes
8. GS - Moody
9. ORL - Sengun
10. NO - Davion Mitchell

If we come away with Jalen Green after this wretched season

[Psubs]

Watch on YouTube

Chris Gratton
Chris Gratton
4 days ago
He's better than the stats say for sure in terms of an efficiency standpoint. As a UConn fan it was pitiful the spacing we gave him and our coach never really tried anything creative to mitigate that problem. He'd have games when he'd have to take on 3 guys just to get a look so when you see his fg% don't think he's as bad as he is.

It does often he's able to get by multiple players to get to the rim. Sweet hesi's, 1 hand crossover, head fakes, etc.

[Indeed]

Some small bit of proof that I am not nuts. Mike Schmitz from ESPN just wrote about Trae Young and Ja Morant's playoff impact. I literally mentioned this a while back, but this is great to see in print from an expert that sees Cooper as having some great potential:

But, with the way the NBA is refereed now, there's a place for 6-foot-1 guards like Abmas and Cooper, even if that's ultimately off the bench. Cooper was able to get wherever he wanted in the SEC to the tune of 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game, changing speeds effortlessly and playing with the type of pace you often see from Young. Firing laser beams all over the floor with either hand, he's arguably the draft's best passer, as we broke down in our ESPN film session. Like Young and even Morant, he can throw off-the-dribble lobs to the roll man with perfect timing and accuracy, delivering passes with conviction you rarely see from a player his age.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31543478/how-playoff-performances-trae-young-ja-morant-impact-2021-nba-draft

The problem is not the player, but teams may interest in bigger size player or already have someone play at that position. We also drafted Flynn last year, you may wonder how much of an upgrade it is when some other positions may also need an upgrade.

[DreamTeam09]

I don't really get the Bouknight hype. People talk about him like he's some great scorer, yet his numbers don't reflect that. He also has a negative ast/to rate, so I just don't see a guy who's capable of handling a decent chunk of usage at the next level. He does have some tools tho, so if he's a total gym rat maybe I'll be wrong.

None of the prospects outside of the top 5 have the #s to separate themselves. It is the tools that gets me hype about him. His speed, athletic abilities, finishing abilities, good form, crafty/hesi dribble, pull ups. He talks like he's a gym rats and he's aware of the things he needs to get better at.

This exactly. This is why he's not ahead of Suggs not Kuminga.

I though Donovan Mitchell was a reach and going to be a bust because of the numbers. He has elite finishes at the rim.

He shot a decent 77.8% FT's on 5.4 attempts / game. I feel that he should be able to work on his outside shooting over the next few years.

Watch on YouTube

@0:14 two feet takeoff, what is his vert?!?!?! I think he could probably dunk from standstill with his wingspan.

@0:26 looks like his knees go outwards like Powell's used to. Not sure if that's affecting accuracy.

Watch on YouTube

I think Norm has actually turned himself into the baseline for a lot of these comps. A lot of these 6'4-6'5 type wing guards. 3+D while using his athletic ability. What separates Bradley beal & CJ mccolum would be their craftiness with the ball which opens up their playmaking ability for others or their FT rates.

I think that would be Keon Johnson ceiling, a norman powell, unless I am selling his playmaking for others short. Bouknight seems to be to be the one who could be closer to beal/Cj

[tecumseh18]

This is definitely will be a big test for the scouting team.

A 6' 5" shooting guard who can make his own shot is a perfect fit. The sorry-ass half-court offence needs to be fixed.

It depends, Powell didn't make us a better team who can kind of create his own shot.
I assume we need a playmaker, but maybe the coaching staffs have another idea.

Raps had the second best record in the league the previous season, with Norm playing a lot at the starting 2while either Fred or Kyle injured. Recall he was the Eastern Conference player of the week, before the shutdown.

Norm's not big enough to finish at the rim without a lot a finesse, which he's developed over the years. A bigger, better version of Norm, who can actually make plays for others (Keon Johnson has 3.5 apg per 36 minutes), would make a world of difference for this team. If GTJ isn't that guy, then we better draft him.

I personally think FVV is an acceptable playmaker, when he's not playing with Kyle. He certainly helps the team win. And Flynn is showing talent at that, as well. My preference would be to see those two get a chance to develop.

[PhilBlackson]

Simulated the positions and did a mock:

1. OKC - Cunningham
2. HOU - Suggs
3. SAC - Mobley
4. TOR - Green
5. DET - Kuminga
6. ORL - Keon Johnson
7. CLE - Barnes
8. GS - Moody
9. ORL - Sengun
10. NO - Davion Mitchell

If we come away with Jalen Green after this wretched season

Legit dream come true scenario even though I don't see Suggs going before Green especially post combine.

I could POSSIBLY see Mobley going ahead depending on the team but I really think the buzz will grow when Green starts working out for teams I think buzz about potentially going 1st will even start to grow. He has as much upside as anyone and I think GMs will recognize his box office appeal that makes ownership very happy for years to come...

#PRAYN4JALEN

[Syd-TK3]

Some small bit of proof that I am not nuts. Mike Schmitz from ESPN just wrote about Trae Young and Ja Morant's playoff impact. I literally mentioned this a while back, but this is great to see in print from an expert that sees Cooper as having some great potential:

But, with the way the NBA is refereed now, there's a place for 6-foot-1 guards like Abmas and Cooper, even if that's ultimately off the bench. Cooper was able to get wherever he wanted in the SEC to the tune of 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game, changing speeds effortlessly and playing with the type of pace you often see from Young. Firing laser beams all over the floor with either hand, he's arguably the draft's best passer, as we broke down in our ESPN film session. Like Young and even Morant, he can throw off-the-dribble lobs to the roll man with perfect timing and accuracy, delivering passes with conviction you rarely see from a player his age.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31543478/how-playoff-performances-trae-young-ja-morant-impact-2021-nba-draft

The problem is not the player, but teams may interest in bigger size player or already have someone play at that position. We also drafted Flynn last year, you may wonder how much of an upgrade it is when some other positions may also need an upgrade.

I like sharife he's probably the best passer in the draft.
But there's no way he is 6'1 or even 6feet. He's tiny. Unless his shooting can significantly improve he won't be more then a backup pg.
With the guard depth we have there's really no way you can justify taking the risks on him.
A team like the Knicks should be all over that tho

[Dalek]

A 6' 5" shooting guard who can make his own shot is a perfect fit. The sorry-ass half-court offence needs to be fixed.

It depends, Powell didn't make us a better team who can kind of create his own shot.
I assume we need a playmaker, but maybe the coaching staffs have another idea.

Raps had the second best record in the league the previous season, with Norm playing a lot at the starting 2while either Fred or Kyle injured. Recall he was the Eastern Conference player of the week, before the shutdown.

Norm's not big enough to finish at the rim without a lot a finesse, which he's developed over the years. A bigger, better version of Norm, who can actually make plays for others (Keon Johnson has 3.5 apg per 36 minutes), would make a world of difference for this team. If GTJ isn't that guy, then we better draft him.

I personally think FVV is an acceptable playmaker, when he's not playing with Kyle. He certainly helps the team win. And Flynn is showing talent at that, as well. My preference would be to see those two get a chance to develop.

Keon averaged more turnovers than assists. Not saying he can't improve, but Norm and Derozan all took years to get good at playmaking. Even then, they are both too small when it matters in the playoffs. If we have to draft a SG, I'd be more open to drafting
Ziaire Williams over all these guys that are like 185 lbs and 6'5ish non-lead guards.

[Dalek]

Some small bit of proof that I am not nuts. Mike Schmitz from ESPN just wrote about Trae Young and Ja Morant's playoff impact. I literally mentioned this a while back, but this is great to see in print from an expert that sees Cooper as having some great potential:



https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31543478/how-playoff-performances-trae-young-ja-morant-impact-2021-nba-draft

The problem is not the player, but teams may interest in bigger size player or already have someone play at that position. We also drafted Flynn last year, you may wonder how much of an upgrade it is when some other positions may also need an upgrade.

I like sharife he's probably the best passer in the draft.
But there's no way he is 6'1 or even 6feet. He's tiny. Unless his shooting can significantly improve he won't be more then a backup pg.
With the guard depth we have there's really no way you can justify taking the risks on him.
A team like the Knicks should be all over that tho

It is a fair comment, because you are right we do have a lot of guard depth. I think if we operate on BPA you still draft him because what he does do we do not have any similar skillset. FVV nor Flynn are passers on his level. Also, Cooper is faster and has a better handle than both. That would be my argument on the draft in general. If you can get players who compliment the system and add something that doesn't duplicate skillsets, then you have to look at the player.

I am not set on FVV leading this team anywhere in the future because he struggles to create and is better as an offball shooter. Flynn is a nice player, but looks like a back-up. Sharife struggles with finishing and needs to fix the shot, so that might be the turn-off, but all the prospects have some big hole in the game. That's the reality of the draft. I just think Cooper's high end outcome is more likely to happen to others in the draft and that's being a lead guard on a playoff team. Small guards always fix their shot, even Rondo now hits threes.

NY is a great landing spot and half of Twitter wants it to happen. That would be slightly annoying to watching Cooper carve Toronto up because we passed on him, but I think it is likely the case.

[WuTang_CMB]

Whats good is that this is a stacked draft not like in 2016 when we were here.

yeah some mocks say 7-20 is really fluid

I'm curious who is locked at 6th spot, Barnes?

If GS gets it, likely but see what happens after measurements / pre combine .. always flux

[OAKLEY_2]

It depends, Powell didn't make us a better team who can kind of create his own shot.
I assume we need a playmaker, but maybe the coaching staffs have another idea.

Raps had the second best record in the league the previous season, with Norm playing a lot at the starting 2while either Fred or Kyle injured. Recall he was the Eastern Conference player of the week, before the shutdown.

Norm's not big enough to finish at the rim without a lot a finesse, which he's developed over the years. A bigger, better version of Norm, who can actually make plays for others (Keon Johnson has 3.5 apg per 36 minutes), would make a world of difference for this team. If GTJ isn't that guy, then we better draft him.

I personally think FVV is an acceptable playmaker, when he's not playing with Kyle. He certainly helps the team win. And Flynn is showing talent at that, as well. My preference would be to see those two get a chance to develop.

Keon averaged more turnovers than assists. Not saying he can't improve, but Norm and Derozan all took years to get good at playmaking. Even then, they are both too small when it matters in the playoffs. If we have to draft a SG, I'd be more open to drafting
Ziaire Williams over all these guys that are like 185 lbs and 6'5ish non-lead guards.

From the eye test Zaire at 6'8 drops bombs from deep over everyone and you know Nurse is going to like that. A lot. His shot looks well developed already. Probably the best of the projects going top 15.