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boogiesdad wrote:Personally, i'd like to see Bol Bol. If healthy, we would have the most athletic front court in the league while keeping our cap space.

SD2042 wrote:I have to make the case for Matisse Thybulle

Defensive Player of the Year 2019

3 & D abilities

Transitional player

versatile between SG and SF positions

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

jman3134 wrote:We can get a similar player with defensive value in Josh Reaves from Penn State late 2nd or as an undrafted FA. Absolute lockdown senior guy who isn't as talented offensively, but is elite on D.

Thybulle is a solid pick though. Maybe Cam Johnson if he is available as well.

jman3134 wrote:I saw him at the PIT and he was absolutely lock down - super physical and can hit from 3 point range. Quinndary Weatherspoon was also excellent off the ball/man to man defensively and has a better offensive game. I suspect he goes early 2nd though.

Hadn't heard those Cam Johnson red flags, but thanks for the info.

VCfor3 wrote:

jman3134 wrote:I saw him at the PIT and he was absolutely lock down - super physical and can hit from 3 point range. Quinndary Weatherspoon was also excellent off the ball/man to man defensively and has a better offensive game. I suspect he goes early 2nd though.

Hadn't heard those Cam Johnson red flags, but thanks for the info.

Take them with a small grain of salt. It was from Verno. He was asking around on different players for his Won't Bust list and supposedly three people mention medical concerns.

Q Weatherspoon seems like a sneaky pickup for someone as an undrafted player or late 2nd flyer.

While yesterday's Mike Conley deal did not net a commensurate return in terms of available young assets (due to protections, the second 1st round pick in this trade will likely convey in 2022), the Jazz did send their #23 pick as part of the deal (or more technically, they will select for the Grizzlies at this spot), which places the rebuilding Grizzlies firmly in a position to pick up some young talent. And, no player is flying further under the radar than Brazil's 19-year old phenom, Marcos 'Didi' Louzada.

This past season, Louzada was arguably the most talented youth in Brazil's domestic league, the NBB. Not a traditional powerhouse, his team - Franca - powered all the way to the final, only to lose to Anderson Varejao's Flamengo squad. And Didi was a pivotal part of this success.

In final's action, Didi did not receive significant minutes for the first half of this series. But, by the fifth and final game, he not only saw significant playing time, but was his team's leading scorer throughout most of the contest. Unfortunately, Didi hyperextended his elbow and was forced to leave part way through the game. Still, his performance in the NBB playoffs highlighted his strengths and weaknesses on both ends of the floor.

Most importantly, Didi Louzada projects as a ballhawk at the next level. He was the most impressive defensive player that I witnessed in the NBB, boasting elite lateral quickness, which places him in rare company in the 2019 draft class. While still somewhat unrefined, Didi Louzada's defensive instincts, activity, vocal approach, and overall tenacity lead me to believe that he can develop into a lockdown wing at the NBA level. When examining film, the most evident thing that jumps out is Louzada's lateral quickness and ability to track his man. All season long, while defending on the perimeter, Didi was glued to his man's hip. He fought hard over the top of screens and regularly shadowed his man, limiting the effectiveness of both rub screens and pin downs. Didi is a willing help defender and regularly switches or leaves his man to defend the ball at the rim. He possesses quick and active hands, getting low in his stance and regularly stripping the ball without fouling.

With that said, he has a tendency to over-help at times, and this is particularly evident against strong side three point shooters. Louzada has a tendency of doubling offensive players attacking the rim, which leaves some perimeter shooters open on the strong side. Due to his elite quickness, Didi is often able to recover back to his man. But, this will not always be the case at the NBA level. Additionally, he does struggle at times to defend stronger players who are able to create space against him. Flamengo's Marquinhos, for example, often got the better of him by creating space and connecting on balanced jump shots. Given his innate ability to track and recover on offensive players, Didi must do a better job of selling push offs. Under the tutelage of NBA strength and conditioning programs, Didi should make these adjustments rather easily.

jman3134 wrote:On Didi Louzada, hopefully our pick at #23:

While yesterday's Mike Conley deal did not net a commensurate return in terms of available young assets (due to protections, the second 1st round pick in this trade will likely convey in 2022), the Jazz did send their #23 pick as part of the deal (or more technically, they will select for the Grizzlies at this spot), which places the rebuilding Grizzlies firmly in a position to pick up some young talent. And, no player is flying further under the radar than Brazil's 19-year old phenom, Marcos 'Didi' Louzada.

This past season, Louzada was arguably the most talented youth in Brazil's domestic league, the NBB. Not a traditional powerhouse, his team - Franca - powered all the way to the final, only to lose to Anderson Varejao's Flamengo squad. And Didi was a pivotal part of this success.

In final's action, Didi did not receive significant minutes for the first half of this series. But, by the fifth and final game, he not only saw significant playing time, but was his team's leading scorer throughout most of the contest. Unfortunately, Didi hyperextended his elbow and was forced to leave part way through the game. Still, his performance in the NBB playoffs highlighted his strengths and weaknesses on both ends of the floor.

Most importantly, Didi Louzada projects as a ballhawk at the next level. He was the most impressive defensive player that I witnessed in the NBB, boasting elite lateral quickness, which places him in rare company in the 2019 draft class. While still somewhat unrefined, Didi Louzada's defensive instincts, activity, vocal approach, and overall tenacity lead me to believe that he can develop into a lockdown wing at the NBA level. When examining film, the most evident thing that jumps out is Louzada's lateral quickness and ability to track his man. All season long, while defending on the perimeter, Didi was glued to his man's hip. He fought hard over the top of screens and regularly shadowed his man, limiting the effectiveness of both rub screens and pin downs. Didi is a willing help defender and regularly switches or leaves his man to defend the ball at the rim. He possesses quick and active hands, getting low in his stance and regularly stripping the ball without fouling.

With that said, he has a tendency to over-help at times, and this is particularly evident against strong side three point shooters. Louzada has a tendency of doubling offensive players attacking the rim, which leaves some perimeter shooters open on the strong side. Due to his elite quickness, Didi is often able to recover back to his man. But, this will not always be the case at the NBA level. Additionally, he does struggle at times to defend stronger players who are able to create space against him. Flamengo's Marquinhos, for example, often got the better of him by creating space and connecting on balanced jump shots. Given his innate ability to track and recover on offensive players, Didi must do a better job of selling push offs. Under the tutelage of NBA strength and conditioning programs, Didi should make these adjustments rather easily.

Continued: https://jtmbasketball.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-case-for-didi-louzada-perfect.html

BarbaGrizz wrote:Being a Brazilian I have followed Louzada for a couple of years and he's gonna be a steal if picked outside the Top 20. He can do a little bit of everything and is a lockdown defender. He already saw significant minutes with our National Team. I really doubt he lasts until the second round, as he has Spurs written all over him. Obviously I'm biased, but If available, he would a great pick for us.