Thank Nation! Pre-Lottery: Denver 9th, NY pick 7th (PART 4)

[0 - 100]

I swear if Denver pulls out a win I'll snap

[Clutch0z24]

If Pelicans win 2 games in a row to finish the season and Bucks + Kings win 2 in a row ...That Win Denver got against the Spurs would make me salty. NYK would be at 6 and Den Would be at 7...

But maybe im overthinking it ...Sucks that we lost twice to the Nuggets and the NYK this season as well ...Them 4 losses were the difference between having a top 6 pick.

[CoachJReturns]

If Pelicans win 2 games in a row to finish the season and Bucks + Kings win 2 in a row ...That Win Denver got against the Spurs would make me salty. NYK would be at 6 and Den Would be at 7...

But maybe im overthinking it ...Sucks that we lost twice to the Nuggets and the NYK this season as well ...Them 4 losses were the difference between having a top 6 pick.

I don't think there are even words for how pissed off Masai must have been about those losses to New York and Denver. Add the fact that we finished so close to 1st place overall and they become even more significant.
Oh well.

[ruckus]

We're currently sitting in the 9th spot and I'm hoping we don't fall further again. So here are all 9th overall picks over the past 20 years.

95 – Ed O’Bannon
96 – Samaki Walker (Kobe and Nash were both drafted in the teens.)
97 – Tracy McGrady
98 - Dirk Nowitzki
99 - Shawn Marion
00 – Joel Przybilla (This was one of the weakest drafts in history.)
01 – Rodney White
02 – Amar’e Stoudamire
03 – Mike Sweetney
04 – Andre Iguodala
05 – Ike Diogu
06 – Patrick O’Bryant
07 – Joakim Noah
08 – D.J. Augustin
09 – DeMar DeRozan
10 – Gordan Haywood
11 – Kemba Walker
12 – Andre Drummond
13 – Trey Burke
14 – Noah Vonleh
15 – Justise Winslow

9's a good spot.

[Kevin Willis]

We're currently sitting in the 9th spot and I'm hoping we don't fall further again. So here are all 9th overall picks over the past 20 years.

95 – Ed O’Bannon
96 – Samaki Walker (Kobe and Nash were both drafted in the teens.)
97 – Tracy McGrady
98 - Dirk Nowitzki
99 - Shawn Marion
00 – Joel Przybilla (This was one of the weakest drafts in history.)
01 – Rodney White
02 – Amar’e Stoudamire
03 – Mike Sweetney
04 – Andre Iguodala
05 – Ike Diogu
06 – Patrick O’Bryant
07 – Joakim Noah
08 – D.J. Augustin
09 – DeMar DeRozan
10 – Gordan Haywood
11 – Kemba Walker
12 – Andre Drummond
13 – Trey Burke
14 – Noah Vonleh
15 – Justise Winslow

Half of them are all-star level players. That's a really good spot to draft.

[Risk101]

I've had doubts about Rabb but he's starting to grow on me. His offensive game seems promising with the chance to become a stretch 4.

[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txJ9OZ4K6yY[/YouTube]

[CoachJReturns]

We're currently sitting in the 9th spot and I'm hoping we don't fall further again. So here are all 9th overall picks over the past 20 years.

95 – Ed O’Bannon
96 – Samaki Walker (Kobe and Nash were both drafted in the teens.)
97 – Tracy McGrady
98 - Dirk Nowitzki
99 - Shawn Marion
00 – Joel Przybilla (This was one of the weakest drafts in history.)
01 – Rodney White
02 – Amar’e Stoudamire
03 – Mike Sweetney
04 – Andre Iguodala
05 – Ike Diogu
06 – Patrick O’Bryant
07 – Joakim Noah
08 – D.J. Augustin
09 – DeMar DeRozan
10 – Gordan Haywood
11 – Kemba Walker
12 – Andre Drummond
13 – Trey Burke
14 – Noah Vonleh
15 – Justise Winslow

9's a good spot.

No doubt. It's up to Masai to nail this one. Looks like the odds of gettin a solid starter are 50-60%. Odds of an all-star are around 40%

[CoachJReturns]

I've had doubts about Rabb but he's starting to grow on me. His offensive game seems promising with the chance to become a stretch 4.

[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txJ9OZ4K6yY[/YouTube]

We'd just need to be patient with him. He needs to get a lot stronger which will take a couple years. His shot has improved, but still has a long way to go. The good news is that he has solid ball IQ and is aware of his weaknesses. He's not one of these kids who doesn't have a clue about what he needs to improve on.
He's already a solid rebounder, above average passer for a big, not a bad defender overall, has a great motor and a decent post game for someone so young.
Someone made the comparison of Jermaine O'Neal which I think is excellent. Like JO Rabb is very raw and will need a few years to really make an impact, but he could be a special player. He's probably my top choice unless Luwawu blows everyone away in workouts.

[Morris_Shatford]

I've had doubts about Rabb but he's starting to grow on me. His offensive game seems promising with the chance to become a stretch 4.

[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txJ9OZ4K6yY[/YouTube]

He strikes me as a prospect that will need a little time and coaching but could pay off huge.
We are in a good spot where he wouldn't be expected to contribute immediately.

[soloxylo]

I've had doubts about Rabb but he's starting to grow on me. His offensive game seems promising with the chance to become a stretch 4.

[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txJ9OZ4K6yY[/YouTube]

Rabb would great as a 9th pick. He has a beautiful face up game, great footwork, high motor and a ton of upside. He shows flashes of a "guard like" skill set, as well as range out to the three point line. I see fragments of Lamarcus Aldridge, and Jermaine O'neal in his game; with the motor and tenacity of Ed Davis.

He definitely needs to add strength, muscle to his frame to be able to operate in the post. The Raps are in need of a face up, low post threat at the PF position. One that possesses the range to bring his defender outside as well. If it can't be done via free agency, then the draft is definitely the way to go.

[S ID]

I've seen some interviews with Rabb and he definitely seems like the Masai type of guy.

[CoachJReturns]

I've seen some interviews with Rabb and he definitely seems like the Masai type of guy.

Agreed. Everyone talks about how mature and hard working a kid he is. If you want a professional organization you don't draft knuckleheads unless your star player is the kind of superstar who makes everyone else smarten up.

[DreamTeam09]

What I really like about Rabb is his man to man defense. He can do a good job keeping wings in front him on switches. He hedges well and gets into a good low defensive stance.

Chriss can get into a good defensive stance too so I'm not sure why he sucks defensively according to posters. Maybe it's an youth/experience thing.

[CoachJReturns]

What I really like about Rabb is his man to man defense. He can do a good job keeping wings in front him on switches. He hedges well and gets into a good low defensive stance.

Chriss can get into a good defensive stance too so I'm not sure why he sucks defensively according to posters. Maybe it's an youth/experience thing.

Rabb's defense does get underrated around here. He improved lot from his senior year in high school to his freshman year in college. He obviously puts in a lot of work.
If Chriss is a poor defender, it has to be a maturity an ball IQ thing because he has the tools to be an excellent defender. Of the two I would take Rabb unless Chriss has a phenomenal showing at the combine and pre-draft workouts. Rabb just seems more likely to reach his potential given his maturity and motor. We talk a lot about measurements and that's part of the fun of looking at prospects, but a guys mental make up is important too. Rabb is a high floor + high ceiling guy. Just needs 3-4 years to really fill out, extend his range and make his post game more advanced. He's going to be a player.

[metafisical]

Milwaukee has to beat Orlando tonight. Milwauke has Middleton back, and Orlando may not have Oladipo/Gordon tonight. It's Orlando's home closer though.

Sacremento has a VERY winnable game against Phoenix tonight. There is no excuse for a loss, other than that they are just full of scrubs.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Rabb seems like a hard worker, in the same mold as Norman. I think if you put him out there he'll do his best to get the job done, and likely do a pretty good job once he gets some consistent run.

I feel like those of us (including me) who had Chriss ranked higher than Rabb were mistaken. Rabb is going to be a solid pro who I'd welcome at our pick. He's got that JO/CB potential, with a solid Haslem floor. I'm not sure he'll ever be a go-to-guy to the level of a JO in Indy, but I don't see why he can't be a 2nd or 3rd option on a contender in the future if developed well.

[CoachJReturns]

Rabb seems like a hard worker, in the same mold as Norman. I think if you put him out there he'll do his best to get the job done, and likely do a pretty good job once he gets some consistent run.

I feel like those of us (including me) who had Chriss ranked higher than Rabb were mistaken. Rabb is going to be a solid pro who I'd welcome at our pick. He's got that JO/CB potential, with a solid Haslem floor. I'm not sure he'll ever be a go-to-guy to the level of a JO in Indy, but I don't see why he can't be a 2nd or 3rd option on a contender in the future if developed well.

Fair assessment. I try to avoid the Bosh comparisons because CB4 was already a very good perimeter shooter in college, but the Haslem floor is on point. I like that Rabb is so young because when the day comes that Lowry is gone, or past his prime and we need to start over Rabb will still be far from his prime. I'm a big fan of long term thinking.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Rabb seems like a hard worker, in the same mold as Norman. I think if you put him out there he'll do his best to get the job done, and likely do a pretty good job once he gets some consistent run.

I feel like those of us (including me) who had Chriss ranked higher than Rabb were mistaken. Rabb is going to be a solid pro who I'd welcome at our pick. He's got that JO/CB potential, with a solid Haslem floor. I'm not sure he'll ever be a go-to-guy to the level of a JO in Indy, but I don't see why he can't be a 2nd or 3rd option on a contender in the future if developed well.

Fair assessment. I try to avoid the Bosh comparisons because CB4 was already a very good perimeter shooter in college, but the Haslem floor is on point. I like that Rabb is so young because when the day comes that Lowry is gone, or past his prime and we need to start over Rabb will still be far from his prime. I'm a big fan of long term thinking.

Long term thinking is key. Of course, drafting seniors is good for a team to win now, but like you said, when the current core begins to age you need guys who can step in and take the reigns. Just look at the gold standard in San Antonio who replenished very quickly with Kawhi Leonard. In the word case scenario they had Kawhi for the long run if Lamarcus didn't come on board. And Masai is doing the same with Norman and Delon so far. Which is another reason why he shouldn't trade any of our picks unless someone knocks his socks off with an offer. With the 905 in place we need to take advantage of the long term potential.

[kron100]

We don't need defense we need offense and we'd be really tough to beat if we picked up Demtrius jackson..Imagine him coming off the bench to help our 2nd unit.

[scopy]

We don't need defense we need offense and we'd be really tough to beat if we picked up Demtrius jackson..Imagine him coming off the bench to help our 2nd unit.

I do not know much about Jackson's game but I do not miss the years the Raptors were compiled of one dimensional players. The reason for our success is because they have been consistently adding 2 way players.