2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[DreamTeam09]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

[Yallbecrazy]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

And then Kobe went and improved a lot. That's not a 'hey, these guys are equal', it's a 'Bufkin is way ahead of George" as players aren't likely to improve the way Bufkin did.

[DreamTeam09]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

And then Kobe went and improved a lot. That's not a 'hey, these guys are equal', it's a 'Bufkin is way ahead of George" as players aren't likely to improve the way Bufkin did.

Huh? Why can't/wouldn't George improve upon his freshman szn just like Kobe did? George already shoots the 3 better than Kobe freshman szn and is 80% ft

Hardy shot horribly last year in the Gleague too and boom, solid rookie year this year

[Yallbecrazy]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

And then Kobe went and improved a lot. That's not a 'hey, these guys are equal', it's a 'Bufkin is way ahead of George" as players aren't likely to improve the way Bufkin did.

Huh? Why can't/wouldn't George improve upon his freshman szn just like Kobe did? George already shoots the 3 better than Kobe freshman szn and is 80% ft

Hardy shot horribly last year in the Gleague too and boom, solid rookie year this year

Bufkin had far better than average growth, you can't expect everyone to do that. Maybe George does improve like Bufkin or more, but that is much less likely than not improving as much.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I think people like Bufkin because he shot 70% at the rim, and a good portion of that came in the half court.

For example George took 65 close 2s at 58% in a high usage role. Bufkin took nearly double, 125 and shot 69% in a lower usage role. I would feel a lot more comfortable with Bufkin.

[Dalek]

If you feel luke warm on these draft guard prospects, Jean Montero is a free agent we could look to steal from Europe who is only 19 and playing well in Spain. Consider what he is doing in one of the best leagues outside the NBA:

17.8 ppg (45/32/79, 55.3% TS)
4.1 ast (35.4 ast%)
3.1 Reb
1.6 stl (3.3 stl%)
25 mins

The guy is an excellent passer, 6'3 and pretty quick. He also is known for his defense. Kind of reminds me of Dennis Schroeder.

Read on Twitter

He was a terrible 3pt shooter like Scottie Barnes, thus he wasn't mocked high. He was probably going to be valued around a Theo Maledon. Did he really starting shooting over 32%. With his past struggles, is he going to be able to keep that % over 30 as the line is moved out a few more inches?

He's a definite 2nd round draft pick if he delcares and bring him over in a year or 2.

He did declare last year in 2022 and is now signable for any team. No draft pick required. I think the free throw shooting is close to 80% so the shooting could improve his three with more reps. Last year the Knicks signed him to an exhibit 10 deal. I'd advocate a summer league invite and similar deal but I am not sure of his contract situation in Europe.

This is the same kid who got the Dominican rep. a World Cup birth.

Watch on YouTube

[Psubs]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

Uhm, Kobe and George are the SAME age though. That's why The Thompson twins being over 20 years old is a concern being they are sophomore aged.

[Psubs]

If you feel luke warm on these draft guard prospects, Jean Montero is a free agent we could look to steal from Europe who is only 19 and playing well in Spain. Consider what he is doing in one of the best leagues outside the NBA:

17.8 ppg (45/32/79, 55.3% TS)
4.1 ast (35.4 ast%)
3.1 Reb
1.6 stl (3.3 stl%)
25 mins

The guy is an excellent passer, 6'3 and pretty quick. He also is known for his defense. Kind of reminds me of Dennis Schroeder.

Read on Twitter

He was a terrible 3pt shooter like Scottie Barnes, thus he wasn't mocked high. He was probably going to be valued around a Theo Maledon. Did he really starting shooting over 32%. With his past struggles, is he going to be able to keep that % over 30 as the line is moved out a few more inches?

He's a definite 2nd round draft pick if he delcares and bring him over in a year or 2.

He did declare last year in 2022 and is now signable for any team. No draft pick required. I think the free throw shooting is close to 80% so the shooting could improve his three with more reps. Last year the Knicks signed him to an exhibit 10 deal. I'd advocate a summer league invite and similar deal but I am not sure of his contract situation in Europe.

This is the same kid who got the Dominican rep. a World Cup birth.

Watch on YouTube

He was terrible in summer shooting the 3 at 15% if I recall. I guess a camp invite would be good and if he shows well would get snapped up.

[Morse Code]

I was really high on Sensabaugh earlier in the season because of his efficiency and three-level scoring potential, but moved off a bit because of his defense.

I'm slowly getting back on the bandwagon now because depending on his length I think you can hide him at the 4 or 5 cause he's built like a tank.

Yeah a wing lineup of

Sg: OG
SF: Brice
PF: Scottie

Would be amazing balance and size. Shuffle positions as you like

I don't know if Brice can guard the wing position though tbh. PF seems the most realistic from my views. However, if a team thinks he can defend at any one of the positions at average or above he should be a top 10 pick imo. His efficiency + the multiple ways he can score (off the dribble, off the catch, in the post fading over either shoulder) has looked borderline elite all season. He's just a tough shot maker.

Re-added him to my follow list for pick 13. Wallace, Hendricks, George, Coulibaly, Sensabaugh, Cissoko, Lively.

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Yeah I think it would kinda have to be a situation where OG and Scottie matchup vs the other teams offensive guys. For example if we played ba Boston, Brice would guard Smart or Brogdon. If we played Philly, he would guard Tobias Harris. If we played Milwaukee he would guard Grayson Allen etc.

I think almost all teams have someone we could hide him on, especially since he’s big enough that we could use him on a PF who spots up corner like PJ Tucker or something too, as opposed to a shot creator style player like Zach Lavine or Bradley Beal who’d your options for guys to hide them on would be smaller cuz they are smaller.

[Dalek]

I think people like Bufkin because he shot 70% at the rim, and a good portion of that came in the half court.

For example George took 65 close 2s at 58% in a high usage role. Bufkin took nearly double, 125 and shot 69% in a lower usage role. I would feel a lot more comfortable with Bufkin.

I agree with you and also think it would be hard for George to equal out to Bufkin even in year two. Bufkin's finishes are extremely unorthodox because he has more flexibility to adjust his finishes around defenders. He is also just quicker than George.

Keyonte is going to be closer to a power guard who plays through contact. Maybe a bouncier Jalen Brunson using craft and his strength to get to the basket in time. Right now, Keyonte powers through contact, but it will take time for him to adjust to the NBA.

[WuTang_CMB]

Kobe made a big jump in development from fresh to sophmore years. Raps love that. He'll be in the mix at 13 considering FVV can walk.

[DreamTeam09]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

Uhm, Kobe and George are the SAME age though. That's why The Thompson twins being over 20 years old is a concern being they are sophomore aged.

He's 19 now, won't be 20 until Nov, a 20yr old sophomore shouldn't be old.

[DreamTeam09]

I think people like Bufkin because he shot 70% at the rim, and a good portion of that came in the half court.

For example George took 65 close 2s at 58% in a high usage role. Bufkin took nearly double, 125 and shot 69% in a lower usage role. I would feel a lot more comfortable with Bufkin.

I agree with you and also think it would be hard for George to equal out to Bufkin even in year two. Bufkin's finishes are extremely unorthodox because he has more flexibility to adjust his finishes around defenders. He is also just quicker than George.

Keyonte is going to be closer to a power guard who plays through contact. Maybe a bouncier Jalen Brunson using craft and his strength to get to the basket in time. Right now, Keyonte powers through contact, but it will take time for him to adjust to the NBA.

A bouncy Jalen Brunson is a problem and a half.

[OakleyDokely]

Masai's draft history with the Raptors:

Drafted from NCAA: 13/14 (92.9%)
Drafted from Other: 1/14 (7.1%)
(Bruno the only played drafted outside NCAA)

Of the 13 NCAA players drafted:

Freshman (Barnes): 1/13 (8.3%)
Sophomore (D Wright, P Siakam, J Poeltl, OG Anunoby, D Hernandez, D Johnson): 6/13 (46.2%)
Junior (D Daniels, D Banton, C Koloko): 3/13 (23.1%)
Senior (N Powell, M Flynn, J Harris): 3/13 (23.1%)

[Kevin Willis]

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[dozo]

Read on Twitter

Interesting take. I don't know why he included Sasser who is definitely getting drafted.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

It could be that Kobe looked nice because he's a sophomore, the physical profile and player skillset, I'd rank Keyonte George higher. Kobe put up the exact same percentages his freshman year as George this year.

That's what's workouts are for tho I guess. I'd lean more towards George tho, better handle and deeper bag and also bigger

And then Kobe went and improved a lot. That's not a 'hey, these guys are equal', it's a 'Bufkin is way ahead of George" as players aren't likely to improve the way Bufkin did.

Yep a lot of people don't realize that when you see the evolution of a player and get a better idea of the their trajectory you take that info and run with it instead of using it to justify selecting other players who can only possibly reach that level given another year of development.

But that's all irrelevant in the case of Bufkin vs. George because again I think it's been said like 5000 times already, Kobe Bufkin is only 6 weeks older than Keyonte George and that's all that should really matter. Keyonte's freshman year compared with Kobe's sophomore year are what we should be going by in terms of footage and statistics.

When I think of how these two kids are going to evolve I see Kobe having much better potential to play a winning brand of basketball and Keyonte likely being more of a black hole on offense with mental lapses as a defender and facilitator. Obviously Keyonte's ability to finish through contact is enticing but he's a really sloppy player with too many bad tendencies on the court for my liking even though he can razzle dazzle you sometimes. He has a lot to overcome and the body language he has displayed on the court at times does not encourage me.

[OakleyDokely]

Seems like Masai's sweet spot is 2nd year NCAA players as they make-up nearly half of his picks. They're still young enough to mold but they're also established enough to get proper personality / stat intel. Barnes is the only freshman they've taken, but apparently they had been tracking him for years so they were very familiar with him already.

They also tend to lean towards higher efficiency players, especially with their higher picks.

Draft year TS% of Raptors picked under Masai:

1st Rnd Picks:
Poeltl: .665
Wright: .619
OG: .611
Flynn: .583
Siakam: .569
Barnes: .548

2nd Rnd Picks:
Koloko: .661
Hernandez: .600
Harris: .560
Daniels: .559
Powell: .540
Johnson: .504
Banton: .495

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I'll also add that there's no way the Raptors, who emphasize overall efficiency, ball protection and defensive effort, would watch Keyonte George and come away impressed. There's just no way. He would have to be a very special person in interviews who they believe has some insane burning desire to be great in order to overcome his many shortcomings on the court and I don't think that's gonna happen.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Watch on YouTube

I think Kobe deserves consideration with our pick, but also think there's a pretty good chance someone we think won't be available drops to us at 13, along with a few other guys we probably have ranked in a similar tier as him.