2023 Draft Discussion Part III

[ItsDanger]

George looks like your typical high usage, poor efficiency guard. Too many turnovers, you notice in the video Baylor has so many players just standing still. Its George taking on the whole team. Handle looks decent, hustles, probably a better shooter than he showed this season. I can see the potential but if he's 6'3 with 6'5 wingspan, for example, that could be a big negative. undecided is my opinion.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Adem Bona is another one to watch for us at the 5 spot. He’s not ranked near our pick on mocks but has elite switch ability at the 4/5 spot. One of the few bigs able to guard out on the perimeter effectively.

[dozo]

Anyone have a read on Kobe Bufkin?

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https://theswishtheory.com/nba-draft-guide/

Swish Theory is doing a great job analyzing NBA prospects. They need to improve their SEO or consider changing their name.

Michigan’s Kobe Bufkin has gone from unreliable bench player as a freshman to primary perimeter creator by the end of his second season. His usage rate rose from 17% in few minutes to 22% in big minutes while true shooting from 48% to 57%, taking full advantage of his new opportunity. In fact, I think there may be even more latent potential from Bufkin on the offensive end, as Michigan’s slow grind, post-hub driven system (middle of the pack in pace but top 20 in post ups as share of plays) is not a great match for his flowy, drive-first, transition-friendly game. His touch is outstanding, shooting nearly 70% at the rim despite only one of four of those makes being assisted. As I write this I worry more about underestimating  his talent as a driver, even if his usage thus far has been more in catch and shoot and pick and roll reps. Michigan being unwilling to let players hold the ball could be masking some of that upside, especially compared to his pre-college tape. 

Bufkin has tools all over the court, with the only clear day 1 weakness on an NBA court being in the strength department. That could lead to some targeting on the defensive end, but Bufkin has found plenty of ways to contribute in spite of this despite the lack. He is the only high major freshman or sophomore to chip in at an above average rate for assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, shooting efficiency and three point volume. Needless to say, that’s an extremely friendly historical precedent, and joins the likes of Paul George and Ja Morant among mid-major players, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Lonzo Ball, Franz Wagner, Cade Cunningham, Otto Porter and Markelle Fultz to meet these thresholds before him. This is a first round bet who has a legitimate chance at the top 20 for me by the time of draft.

[ArthurVandelay]

ESPN just dropped a new mock draft. Has us getting Keyonte George at 13. Would be happy with that

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/36140877/2023-nba-mock-draft-brandon-miller-scoot-henderson-no-2

I would be disappointed taking George with Wallace on the board.

If the draft played out like this mock (and we know it won’t), I’d take Wallace at 13 and then look to make a trade with Brooklyn for 21 and 22. Coulibaly and Miller or Bufkin.

If Wallace was gone at 13 and the draft played out like this mock, I’d reach for Coulibaly. If he is a gym rat, he’s going to be a star.

[WuTang_CMB]

If we lose play in better hope hendricks/wallace are there. If we win and land 15th, still think Cidy is our guy. Just love the play making from him

[WuTang_CMB]

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[Rapsfan07]

ESPN just dropped a new mock draft. Has us getting Keyonte George at 13. Would be happy with that

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/36140877/2023-nba-mock-draft-brandon-miller-scoot-henderson-no-2

I would be disappointed taking George with Wallace on the board.

If the draft played out like this mock (and we know it won’t), I’d take Wallace at 13 and then look to make a trade with Brooklyn for 21 and 22. Coulibaly and Miller or Bufkin.

If Wallace was gone at 13 and the draft played out like this mock, I’d reach for Coulibaly. If he is a gym rat, he’s going to be a star.

If Wallace is on the board at #13, we should take him.

If he isn't, we need to trade back with Brooklyn for sure. Grab Bufkin and someone else and go from there.

[tdotrep2]

nobody knows who we are gonna pick lol

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[DemHeavyHands]

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Kinda shoots like OG lol, he tucks in that right elbow, much more smoother tho

But I hate these individual workout vids, so easy to get tricked into liking someone lol

I still prefer we go for a scoring guard tho

[dozo]

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Im susprised Filipowski is staying @ Duke for his sophomore season.

[BoyzNTheHood]

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Kinda shoots like OG lol, he tucks in that right elbow, much more smoother tho

But I hate these individual workout vids, so easy to get tricked into liking someone lol

I still prefer we go for a scoring guard tho

He actually reminds me a lot of Pascal. Both shifty 6’9” wing/forward types. But I agree, we should look at guards first

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[ItsDanger]

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[Yallbecrazy]

OG had a BPM of 8.9, Pascal of 8.2
Go back and look how dominant they were in college as per the stats. These comparisons are bad.

This draft is really bad, there are like 8 guys who have a decent chance to be good NBA players and everyone else has to hit their 90th+ percentile.

I would take the under on 3.5 all star players from this draft.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

OG had a BPM of 8.9, Pascal of 8.2
Go back and look how dominant they were in college as per the stats. These comparisons are bad.

This draft is really bad, there are like 8 guys who have a decent chance to be good NBA players and everyone else has to hit their 90th+ percentile.

I would take the under on 3.5 all star players from this draft.

That's why you want to see efficiency no matter the FGA, OG with a .620 efg in college.

Meanwhile people want to convince you that every big name in college like Kyle Filipowski who had a .481 efg as a center could be the next kristaps porzingis

[grant101]

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O-max definitely has nba role player potential, but an OG comp is unfair. Entirely different levels as defenders. OG is a monster on that end of the floor.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

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Im susprised Filipowski is staying @ Duke for his sophomore season.

I wouldn't be surprised if he plays out his entire college eligibility there.

[Dalek]

OG had a BPM of 8.9, Pascal of 8.2
Go back and look how dominant they were in college as per the stats. These comparisons are bad.

This draft is really bad, there are like 8 guys who have a decent chance to be good NBA players and everyone else has to hit their 90th+ percentile.

I would take the under on 3.5 all star players from this draft.

That's why you want to see efficiency no matter the FGA, OG with a .620 efg in college.

Meanwhile people want to convince you that every big name in college like Kyle Filipowski who had a .481 efg as a center could be the next kristaps porzingis

I see what you are saying about the stats, but I wonder if that also has to do with the time when people played. This is college ball before kids were incentivized to stay. OG and Pascal are both great college players, but maybe the talent level was also a bit lower.

One area that I think isn't discussed enough is the impact of the NIL since is was brought in, because my theory is that it has in part increased parity in the NCAA.

There are fewer bad teams to build up your numbers on and overall there are better defenses because of the roster consistency. NIL plays a part because it incentivizes players to stay in college longer and that helps programs become more competitive.

Miami had a senior program and they nearly won a title. San Diego State is another example. Just look at the whole tournament and you see how much parity there is in the NCAA.

Teams with one and done stars often struggled because it is a lot to get players to learn the system and perform well. Not saying that this draft doesn't have flaws, but the numbers don't always tell the whole story about the player.

[ItsDanger]

Where Prosper has the edge on OG is activity, he can make things happen, plays more physical style. Just has to be a 35% 3 pt shooter to stick in NBA