2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[BoyzNTheHood]

I was responding to the claims that “Podz defense definitely sucks.” I don’t think the statement is fair. If you disagree, cool.

Also Masai was high on Giddey in 2021 if reports are accurate and questions about Giddey’s defense in the NBA were a pre-draft concern.

Watch the tape. It’s there for anyone to see. His defense sucks.

Reports about Masai being high on Giddey mean absolutely nothing if he didn’t select him. The Raptors don’t leak, so those reports would seem to be fluff.

They were one of two teams to see him in Australia as per Aussie broadcasters. It wasn't a leak. They preferred Scottie, but maybe if they hadn't have moved up they would have taken Giddey. Defense might be an issue, but really it's about the differential. Being attacked off the dribble is easily compensated for, being clueless on rotations, poor effort is harder to mitigate. Most scoring guards check two out of three boxes.

Fair enough. But at the same time doing your due diligence is expected. I would have been more worried if we didn’t scout a talent like Giddey. When it was said and done we took Scottie, so it’s another example of valuing all aspects of the game over just offense.

[HumbleRen]

Who does Bufkin remind you of ?

[Psubs]

A 6'5 guard grabbing 9 rebs a game is kinda insane. And he had 2.3 stocks. He's at least very active out there.

That's like Justin Champagnie and Josh Hart!

Champagne was cut too soon. There are players on our roster that should’ve been gone first

I guess they saw more future with Ron Harper Jr?

[Psubs]

I don’t think “Podz defense definitely sucks” is fair. His DBPM is 2.7 which isn’t great but it’s definitely decent to good. His DRtg per 100 is 99.5. His DWS/40 is 0.069 which is respectable. He had 1.8 steals per game so good anticipation and hands. He is a tenacious rebounder for a guard at 8.8 per game and a ridiculous 21.6 DREB%. He also has decent size at 6’5.

For me it’s the 21.6% on the defensive glass that makes me think he’ll be able to hold his own at next level. He grinds and busts his ass….that is more than half the battle to play solid D.

He's pretty strong too and has good weight @ 200lbs. Thicker guys with some quickness seem to be better point of attack defenders than skinny guys who can leap a lot as offensive players can't create space as well with their bodies/ lose their rhythm and timing more when they initiate contact.

Then you have these guys like Terq and Lewis who are great athletes but play horrible defense. So the whole “athleticism” criteria is useless if the guy either lacks the smarts or desire to play D. Athletic pylons don’t get stops.

Terq was below average on defense his freshman year because he was so skinny. He went to the combine and they likely told him to get stronger, better shot selection, become more of a facilitator so can become a combo-guard. He's probably now around an average defender. His shot-selection is still iffy shooting from Trae Young range but he almost doubled his assists to 4 per game and almost brought his A/T to 2. If he keeps getting stronger, he could be better than Keyonte George but it may take 3-4 years. Best to take Terq with 2nd pick and still give him a cheap 3 year contract. He lead The Wolfpack to a 22-11 record

He probably tops out at Malik Monk that shoots FT's poorly. He could be a good combo guard off the bench.

[ArthurVandelay]

Watch the tape. It’s there for anyone to see. His defense sucks.

Reports about Masai being high on Giddey mean absolutely nothing if he didn’t select him. The Raptors don’t leak, so those reports would seem to be fluff.

They were one of two teams to see him in Australia as per Aussie broadcasters. It wasn't a leak. They preferred Scottie, but maybe if they hadn't have moved up they would have taken Giddey. Defense might be an issue, but really it's about the differential. Being attacked off the dribble is easily compensated for, being clueless on rotations, poor effort is harder to mitigate. Most scoring guards check two out of three boxes.

Fair enough. But at the same time doing your due diligence is expected. I would have been more worried if we didn’t scout a talent like Giddey. When it was said and done we took Scottie, so it’s another example of valuing all aspects of the game over just offense.

Bringing it back to 2023, that is kind of the point in my thoughts around Podz.

When looking at potential PGs SGs combo guards and SFs, Podz is actually the best defensive player of NSJr, George, Sensabaugh, Howard, JHS, Lewis, and Terq. He’s also the best rebounder, probably the best passer, and (outside arguably Sensabaugh) the best scorer.

[Grew]

Who does Bufkin remind you of ?

Ceiling comp- Smaller Manu with less aggression/dog mentality

Floor comp- Big Cam Payne with less passing ability.

[Dalek]

This kid tanked his stock by choosing South Carolina. The fit couldn’t have been worse. He might explode in the NBA.

Read on Twitter

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It was such a weird choice to pick South Carolina over UNC. It was also a weird call to go on Instagram Live to complain that you are not getting plays run for you when the offense went through him entirely. It is also a weird choice to keep chucking so many shots and ignoring your teammates who actually won a game when you sat out.

All of it points to his own poor judgement. He is a really young players to be fair, but he also just seems immature.

I think he has tons of potential playing at the rim and building out his game slowly. He could explode in the NBA but he will need a few years of development time and to learn how to play more of a frontcourt role. He just isn't good enough to play as a wing but as an energy big with some shooting it might work out. I actually really like his defense and rebounding is good.

[Dalek]

Who does Bufkin remind you of ?

Ceiling comp- Smaller Manu with less aggression/dog mentality

Floor comp- Big Cam Payne with less passing ability.

Manu? Maybe because he is a lefty but you are talking about an all-time great who was a magician with the ball.

In some ways Kobe reminds me of Spencer Dinwiddie with a similar tier of athleticism but he is still not quite the player Dinwiddie was in college but you do see some elements:

Watch on YouTube

He is basically still a bizarro Jordan Poole to me. A less creative scorer, but he cares about defense.

[Yallbecrazy]

This kid tanked his stock by choosing South Carolina. The fit couldn’t have been worse. He might explode in the NBA.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

It was such a weird choice to pick South Carolina over UNC. It was also a weird call to go on Instagram Live to complain that you are not getting plays run for you when the offense went through him entirely. It is also a weird choice to keep chucking so many shots and ignoring your teammates who actually won a game when you sat out.

All of it points to his own poor judgement. He is a really young players to be fair, but he also just seems immature.

I think he has tons of potential playing at the rim and building out his game slowly. He could explode in the NBA but he will need a few years of development time and to learn how to play more of a frontcourt role. He just isn't good enough to play as a wing but as an energy big with some shooting it might work out. I actually really like his defense and rebounding is good.

GG Jackson put up a -0.1 BPM. I'm pretty sure that means he was statistically worse than the average NCAA basketball player even after you adjust for competition...not worse than the average D1 player, the average NCAA basketball player.

He will immediately be the worst player in the NBA after the draft. He needs to take large leaps just to not anger the bench guys on his eventual G League team who know they can play much better than him. Maybe he figures it out and develops really well, but odds are he doesn't even get his 3rd/4th year option picked up because he will still be terrible after his 2nd year.

[Grew]

Who does Bufkin remind you of ?

Ceiling comp- Smaller Manu with less aggression/dog mentality

Floor comp- Big Cam Payne with less passing ability.

Manu? Maybe because he is a lefty but you are talking about an all-time great who was a magician with the ball.

In some ways Kobe reminds me of Spencer Dinwiddie with a similar tier of athleticism but he is still not quite the player Dinwiddie was in college but you do see some elements:

Watch on YouTube

He is basically still a bizarro Jordan Poole to me. A less creative scorer, but he cares about defense.

Shifty lefty who's a slasher with a decent 3pter. Most of what made Manu great was his mentality so in this comp Bufkin doesn't reach anywhere near the same level. Dinwiddie is a decent one. I don't like the Poole comp he gets, not as athletic and not as good of a shooter, doesn't have that cocky/unconscious attitude that makes Poole a scorer either.

[PoundTown]

Who does Bufkin remind you of ?

Ceiling comp- Smaller Manu with less aggression/dog mentality

Floor comp- Big Cam Payne with less passing ability.

Manu? Maybe because he is a lefty but you are talking about an all-time great who was a magician with the ball.

In some ways Kobe reminds me of Spencer Dinwiddie with a similar tier of athleticism but he is still not quite the player Dinwiddie was in college but you do see some elements:

Watch on YouTube

He is basically still a bizarro Jordan Poole to me. A less creative scorer, but he cares about defense.

Given his upward trajectory he might have gotten to the level of Dinwiddie if he stayed his junior season. If you watched him a lot, you'd believe him in him, and conversely you'd believe less in Jett, who I think projects to have CJ Miles impact. Really young, improving at everything... I think he becomes a methodically, fundamentally sound good player. Footwork, stroke, pace are all dialed in and also ever improving. Not saying he will undoubtedly be the best player available when we pick, but hes in the small grouping I'd pick at our current spot.

[grant101]

I think I'm due for another D'moi Hodge appreciation post. If he gets a chance, he's a rotation player.

Read on Twitter

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[BoyzNTheHood]

This kid tanked his stock by choosing South Carolina. The fit couldn’t have been worse. He might explode in the NBA.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

It was such a weird choice to pick South Carolina over UNC. It was also a weird call to go on Instagram Live to complain that you are not getting plays run for you when the offense went through him entirely. It is also a weird choice to keep chucking so many shots and ignoring your teammates who actually won a game when you sat out.

All of it points to his own poor judgement. He is a really young players to be fair, but he also just seems immature.

I think he has tons of potential playing at the rim and building out his game slowly. He could explode in the NBA but he will need a few years of development time and to learn how to play more of a frontcourt role. He just isn't good enough to play as a wing but as an energy big with some shooting it might work out. I actually really like his defense and rebounding is good.

GG Jackson put up a -0.1 BPM. I'm pretty sure that means he was statistically worse than the average NCAA basketball player even after you adjust for competition...not worse than the average D1 player, the average NCAA basketball player.

He will immediately be the worst player in the NBA after the draft. He needs to take large leaps just to not anger the bench guys on his eventual G League team who know they can play much better than him. Maybe he figures it out and develops really well, but odds are he doesn't even get his 3rd/4th year option picked up because he will still be terrible after his 2nd year.

There’s zero chance he’s the worst player in the NBA when he’s drafted. Whether or not he pans out remains to be seen, but the hyperbole is a bit much.

[Thaddy]

Hendricks has a chance to be the 2nd best player out of this draft. A freshman who averaged nearly 2 blocks and 1 steal per 36 who also shot the ball as well as he did (47.8 FG / 39.4 3PT / 78.2 FT) has the chance to be a very special player at both ends. And he's 6'9, with a 7+ wingspan.

He's a guy I'd like to move up to get.

He has no handles, no shot creation ability, too slow to play SF, and too frail to play PF. I'm not sure about using a lottery pick on a high floor/low potential player. The same issue is there for Wallace.

Will they be capable rotation players? Probably.
First options? I can definitely say there is no chance that happens.

[youreachiteach]

I like Coulibaly better than Bufkin or Cason Wallace...but coming out of the draft with Cason and Coulibaly would be perfect!

[Yallbecrazy]

It was such a weird choice to pick South Carolina over UNC. It was also a weird call to go on Instagram Live to complain that you are not getting plays run for you when the offense went through him entirely. It is also a weird choice to keep chucking so many shots and ignoring your teammates who actually won a game when you sat out.

All of it points to his own poor judgement. He is a really young players to be fair, but he also just seems immature.

I think he has tons of potential playing at the rim and building out his game slowly. He could explode in the NBA but he will need a few years of development time and to learn how to play more of a frontcourt role. He just isn't good enough to play as a wing but as an energy big with some shooting it might work out. I actually really like his defense and rebounding is good.

GG Jackson put up a -0.1 BPM. I'm pretty sure that means he was statistically worse than the average NCAA basketball player even after you adjust for competition...not worse than the average D1 player, the average NCAA basketball player.

He will immediately be the worst player in the NBA after the draft. He needs to take large leaps just to not anger the bench guys on his eventual G League team who know they can play much better than him. Maybe he figures it out and develops really well, but odds are he doesn't even get his 3rd/4th year option picked up because he will still be terrible after his 2nd year.

There’s zero chance he’s the worst player in the NBA when he’s drafted. Whether or not he pans out remains to be seen, but the hyperbole is a bit much.

I'm not exaggerating at all when I strongly feel he will be the worst player in the NBA and even the worst in the G League.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

GG Jackson put up a -0.1 BPM. I'm pretty sure that means he was statistically worse than the average NCAA basketball player even after you adjust for competition...not worse than the average D1 player, the average NCAA basketball player.

He will immediately be the worst player in the NBA after the draft. He needs to take large leaps just to not anger the bench guys on his eventual G League team who know they can play much better than him. Maybe he figures it out and develops really well, but odds are he doesn't even get his 3rd/4th year option picked up because he will still be terrible after his 2nd year.

There’s zero chance he’s the worst player in the NBA when he’s drafted. Whether or not he pans out remains to be seen, but the hyperbole is a bit much.

I'm not exaggerating at all when I strongly feel he will be the worst player in the NBA and even the worst in the G League.

I agree with this and GG's age is no excuse for his piss poor defense. Some of the worst defensive footage I've seen for any prospect this year (I guess his -1.3 DBPM backs that up) and did nothing to show that he has some kind of otherworldly offensive game that would have you making excuses for his defense.

I hate GG Jackson I think he's going to be a complete bust. Wouldn't touch him with a 10 ft pole.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I think I'm due for another D'moi Hodge appreciation post. If he gets a chance, he's a rotation player.

Read on Twitter

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Out of guys like him and Beekman, Flagler and some other names thrown around I like Hodge's NBA potential the most.

[Rapsfan07]

I like Coulibaly better than Bufkin or Cason Wallace...but coming out of the draft with Cason and Coulibaly would be perfect!

I doubt that's possible. I'd be surprised if Wallace falls out of the Top 10. He has an elite skill that guarantees him minutes, at least as bench back up to start.

Honestly the more I look into the draft, the happier I am with where we are. This draft is low on star level talent but is absolutely filled with guys who have starter potential or could wind up being valuable role players in the league over time. If we aren't able to get Wallace at 13, we can simply move down and grab some depth at 21 and 22 if we trade the pick with Brooklyn. Lots of great guards to choose from down there and you can grab Coulibaly as well.

[OakleyDokely]

Hendricks has a chance to be the 2nd best player out of this draft. A freshman who averaged nearly 2 blocks and 1 steal per 36 who also shot the ball as well as he did (47.8 FG / 39.4 3PT / 78.2 FT) has the chance to be a very special player at both ends. And he's 6'9, with a 7+ wingspan.

He's a guy I'd like to move up to get.

He has no handles, no shot creation ability, too slow to play SF, and too frail to play PF. I'm not sure about using a lottery pick on a high floor/low potential player. The same issue is there for Wallace.

Will they be capable rotation players? Probably.
First options? I can definitely say there is no chance that happens.

Hendricks is the prototypical modern two way wing from a skills and size standpoint. He fits on any team, in any scheme. There's a lot of room for growth with him, especially offensively, but the key is that he's already a well above average shooter and defender for his age.

I only see one guy in this draft who has a good chance to be a legit #1 option on a contending team.