The 2017 NBA Draft Thread

[payitforward]

And1 on Jeremy Morgan. I bet he makes it in the league!

[Ruzious]

The question I have, is could Josh Hart be a Draymond Green?

I'm definitely on the Hart bandwagon. He looks like a surefire steal to me. He's put up excellent advanced stats since he was a frosh. I think he could definitely solve our backup SG issues. It will be interesting to see if continues to fly under the radar.

I wish we had him right now!!

Looking at what this kid does on the floor, it's hard to believe DR ranks him at #44 in their current mock. Even harder to believe he'll stay out of R1. He looks like he'd be a steal just about anywhere you picked him.

Villanova might beat AU by 50 tonight. Hart leads the nations #1 team in points, rebounds, and assists and is 1 behind their leader in steals, makes 56.6 of his FG attempts - even with a high number of those being 3's. He's mid lotto worthy, imo.

[Ruzious]

And I've totally lost interest in Grayson "Tripper" Allen as a prospect. Even without the infantile behavior, he looks out of shape and slow.

[stevemcqueen1]

My take on Hart is that he's a good player and good competitor who maximizes his talent and is the willing leader for a good team. But also that he's a marginal athlete for an NBA SG. He's got a slow first step and is not a sudden or even particularly smooth athlete. His footwork on his finishes and in the lane is fundamentally solid but he's a little goofy footed like Otto Porter. And he's a bit slow and mechanical in executing his steps. His shooting touch looks decent and he gets good results, but it looks like he's often aiming his jumper and releasing it from in front of his face.

The main thing he's got going for him is his size and strength. He's stronger than his opponents and does a good job sealing opponents away from making plays with his body and his length. He's also got really good instincts and floor vision. He's a rugged competitor who comes down with a lot of tough rebounds and he doesn't shy from contact at all.

I'd be a little worried about how he'll adjust when he's no longer bigger and stronger than his opponents in the NBA. He's not going to be a star scorer at the next level like he is in college without that strength advantage. But that's also not really the role you draft him for. He's smart and he has skills and he has an NBA ready body. He's a three and D candidate who gives you enough upside with his passing and ability to finish in traffic in the lane to be a quality fourth option.

I think he'll make it in the NBA, but he's not a lottery talent.

[stevemcqueen1]

I see Kent Bazemore in Hart.

[Ruzious]

Steve, I think you're making too big a deal about his size. He's not a huge guard, and when I watch him - I don't see his size or strength as something that sets him apart - even at the college level - any more than his skill level sets him apart. He's just a player who's better than his opponents - and all good prospects used their advantages. Imo, he simply does not have any significant weakness.

You call Villanova a good team - that seems dismissive considering what they've accomplished. They won the NCAA championship last season, and they're the #1 ranked team in the nation now.

[Kanyewest]

I see Kent Bazemore in Hart.

Kent Bazemore is a bit longer than Hart in wingspan. In a redraft of the 2012 draft, Bazemore would be worth a mid to late lottery pick.

Sent from my LG-D851 using RealGM mobile app

[Kanyewest]

I'm definitely on the Hart bandwagon. He looks like a surefire steal to me. He's put up excellent advanced stats since he was a frosh. I think he could definitely solve our backup SG issues. It will be interesting to see if continues to fly under the radar.

I wish we had him right now!!

Looking at what this kid does on the floor, it's hard to believe DR ranks him at #44 in their current mock. Even harder to believe he'll stay out of R1. He looks like he'd be a steal just about anywhere you picked him.

Villanova might beat AU by 50 tonight. Hart leads the nations #1 team in points, rebounds, and assists and is 1 behind their leader in steals, makes 56.6 of his FG attempts - even with a high number of those being 3's. He's mid lotto worthy, imo.

Well now Hart is only #2 in assists.

As a Villanova alum, I'm impressed by how much he's developed his game. I would say that it's great that basketball IQ is one of his strengths considering it was a weakness for him when he came in as a freshman.

I'm unsure how Hart's rebounding ability will translate since those numbers may or may not be inflated. Somebody like Randy Foye put up solid rebounding numbers at Nova but has been a pretty poor rebounder for most of his career. Although someone like Kyle Lowry ended up being a great rebounder for a guard.

I'm not sure he will be selected in the mid to late lottery, but I think a team would get good value selecting him later in the first round.

Sent from my LG-D851 using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Here's my gift to EG's scouts:




http://www.fanragsports.com/cbb/creightons-justin-patton-is-one-of-the-best-obscure-freshmen-around/

While most have fallen in love with freshmen like Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum, Patton should be mentioned in the same breath for what he is doing—and what he is capable of doing moving forward.

Here's why YOU KEEP YOUR 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK. (Watch at least until he shows his post moves. He also has 3-pt range)

Watch on YouTube

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/post-gazette/article/jammin-justin-7-footer-game-changer-no-10-creighton

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Here's my gift to EG's scouts:




http://www.fanragsports.com/cbb/creightons-justin-patton-is-one-of-the-best-obscure-freshmen-around/

While most have fallen in love with freshmen like Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum, Patton should be mentioned in the same breath for what he is doing—and what he is capable of doing moving forward.

Here's why YOU KEEP YOUR 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK. (Watch at least until he shows his post moves. He also has 3-pt range)

Watch on YouTube

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/post-gazette/article/jammin-justin-7-footer-game-changer-no-10-creighton

Thanks for sharing CCJ. Kid is nasty. Reminds me of Whiteside.

[doclinkin]

Here's my gift to EG's scouts:




http://www.fanragsports.com/cbb/creightons-justin-patton-is-one-of-the-best-obscure-freshmen-around/

While most have fallen in love with freshmen like Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum, Patton should be mentioned in the same breath for what he is doing—and what he is capable of doing moving forward.

Here's why YOU KEEP YOUR 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK. (Watch at least until he shows his post moves. He also has 3-pt range)

Watch on YouTube

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/post-gazette/article/jammin-justin-7-footer-game-changer-no-10-creighton

.... wow. Yes. him. Got to fix that 45% freethrow shooting, but yeah he's got rare gifts.

[No-Man]

I have Josh Hart right around where you are projected to pick by 538 and I think the Wizards are the team that makes the most sense for him too, he could easily be a superback-up and unlock some small ball lineups, seems like a perfect marriage, plus you kind of need a guy to be good right away unless a trade of Wall is coming, unlikely.

[payitforward]

Justin Patton is fun to watch! He's so quick & fluid; he has very soft hands; he looks like he thinks well on the floor -- especially for such a young kid.

He looks like he'll be a tremendous player. Don't know if he's going to come out this year, however.

[Ruzious]

Another surprise 7 footer - Baylor actually has 2 senior bigs worth discussing. One is 6'10 John Motley - who DraftExpress has right imo as the 35th pick in the draft. The other is 7' Jo Lual-Acuil http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Joseph-Lual-Acuil-95288/stats/ who just might surprise the heck out of us on draft day - like Thon Maker did in June. They both have a 7'3 wingspan, but JLA has a 9'5.5 standing reach and is a ridiculously good shot-blocker. He missed last season due to a heart issue but appears completely healthy. Both Motley and JLA look like very good athletes for their size in the limited video I've seen, but Motley doesn't have the block shot numbers - maybe because he plays farther away from the basket. Motley's rebound numbers have improved to make him a legit prospect. Motley will turn 22 before the draft, and JLA will turn 23, so age is an issue that hurts both of them - and they're both on the skinny side - but look like they have frames to add more weight.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm giving everyone an early heads up.

On Saturday, 12/31, the Creighton Bluejays will play Villanova.

Jason Hart and Justin Patton, plus at least three other NBA prospects will be on the court at the same time.

(Creighton will win.)

Sent from my LG-H345 using RealGM mobile app

[pcbothwel]

I'm giving everyone an early heads up.

On Saturday, 12/31, the Creighton Bluejays will play Villanova.

Jason Hart and Justin Patton, plus at least three other NBA prospects will be on the court at the same time.

(Creighton will win.)

Sent from my LG-H345 using RealGM mobile app

Im sold on Patton. A couple things I noticed from the video.

1) Despite his vertically/explosiveness being simply above average, he has great feet. You can see when he catches those long outlet passes, he has a long stride to get out and ahead of everyone, but when the ball is in the air he shortens his steps to be more agile. Its like watching a WR catch a deep ball...but at 7 feet. Very impressive

2) Screen and Roll... While he needs to get stronger, I like how he sells the screen and doesnt turn his head to the passer to quick and give away the lob. Really sells the pick. See 1:15 and 1:40

3) Hands: There are a number of instances in the video that display him catching the ball in traffic. But two other instances that make you realize he has great hand-eye coordination are:
0:22 - He catches a down court pass with one hand while maintaining great balance and footwork. As i said above... Thats Football talent
Next play 0:27 - Coming off a DREB, he gathers the ball and takes one dribble, then he looks up to see the defense and without looking down/back, he flicks the ball to his PG on his back right hip with a settle bounce pass.
I ask everyone to watch that slowly, because the coordination with his hands/feet along with the spatial/court awareness to know "I dont have a clear path to the basket and need to pass off to my PG and get in the paint" is outstanding. I feel like WizD with this level of physical preservation, but again, everyone should look at coordinated and cerebral of a play that was.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm giving everyone an early heads up.

On Saturday, 12/31, the Creighton Bluejays will play Villanova.

Jason Hart and Justin Patton, plus at least three other NBA prospects will be on the court at the same time.

(Creighton will win.)

Sent from my LG-H345 using RealGM mobile app

Im sold on Patton. A couple things I noticed from the video.

1) Despite his vertically/explosiveness being simply above average, he has great feet. You can see when he catches those long outlet passes, he has a long stride to get out and ahead of everyone, but when the ball is in the air he shortens his steps to be more agile. Its like watching a WR catch a deep ball...but at 7 feet. Very impressive

2) Screen and Roll... While he needs to get stronger, I like how he sells the screen and doesnt turn his head to the passer to quick and give away the lob. Really sells the pick. See 1:15 and 1:40

3) Hands: There are a number of instances in the video that display him catching the ball in traffic. But two other instances that make you realize he has great hand-eye coordination are:
0:22 - He catches a down court pass with one hand while maintaining great balance and footwork. As i said above... Thats Football talent
Next play 0:27 - Coming off a DREB, he gathers the ball and takes one dribble, then he looks up to see the defense and without looking down/back, he flicks the ball to his PG on his back right hip with a settle bounce pass.
I ask everyone to watch that slowly, because the coordination with his hands/feet along with the spatial/court awareness to know "I dont have a clear path to the basket and need to pass off to my PG and get in the paint" is outstanding. I feel like WizD with this level of physical preservation, but again, everyone should look at coordinated and cerebral of a play that was.

I agree, 100%.

I've seen better leapers. Above average vertical for a man his height but not freakishly explosive like Whiteside or DeAndre Jordan.

He also needs to get a lot stronger. Roger that.

What we both see are his hands and feet. Phenomenal. Quick feet laterally. He's able to execute the "Dream Shake". That's how quick he is. He seems to catch EVERYTHING and he adjusts to get his shot off seamlessly well. I like the wide receiver comparison on his catches.

Watching his feet, I'd wager the kid played a lot of soccer, too. The long strides and the motor to love to run are almost as impressive as his hand/eye coordination.

I don't need Draft Express or nbadraft.net to tell me that he's going lottery. He's a good basketball player who is also a very good to great athlete.

[Kanyewest]

I'm giving everyone an early heads up.

On Saturday, 12/31, the Creighton Bluejays will play Villanova.

Jason Hart and Justin Patton, plus at least three other NBA prospects will be on the court at the same time.

(Creighton will win.)

Sent from my LG-H345 using RealGM mobile app

It was a good game. Patton was impressive, although may have had more to do with Villanova's lack of interior defense and Hart had a double double (also had 5 turnovers). Pretty impressive game from Nova, on the road against an undefeated team.

[Ruzious]

Count me sold on... Bam Adebayo. 6'10 258 lb with a 7'1.5 wingspan and 9' standing reach - but he's also got a 39.5 max vertical - and that 258 is all muscle. He'd make a ridiculous tight end in football. I was surprised at how athletic this guy is. And now he's starting to block shots. He draws a lot of fouls for a player as raw as he has - and I think he's just scratched the surface. Right now, DX has him at 15. No way he lasts that long, imo. Almost Karl Maloneesque. Mailman looked raw in college but worked like heck on his foul shooting and jump shot. Btw, I think Mailman went around 15th back in the day...

[Dat2U]

I'm giving everyone an early heads up.

On Saturday, 12/31, the Creighton Bluejays will play Villanova.

Jason Hart and Justin Patton, plus at least three other NBA prospects will be on the court at the same time.

(Creighton will win.)

Sent from my LG-H345 using RealGM mobile app

Im sold on Patton. A couple things I noticed from the video.

1) Despite his vertically/explosiveness being simply above average, he has great feet. You can see when he catches those long outlet passes, he has a long stride to get out and ahead of everyone, but when the ball is in the air he shortens his steps to be more agile. Its like watching a WR catch a deep ball...but at 7 feet. Very impressive

2) Screen and Roll... While he needs to get stronger, I like how he sells the screen and doesnt turn his head to the passer to quick and give away the lob. Really sells the pick. See 1:15 and 1:40

3) Hands: There are a number of instances in the video that display him catching the ball in traffic. But two other instances that make you realize he has great hand-eye coordination are:
0:22 - He catches a down court pass with one hand while maintaining great balance and footwork. As i said above... Thats Football talent
Next play 0:27 - Coming off a DREB, he gathers the ball and takes one dribble, then he looks up to see the defense and without looking down/back, he flicks the ball to his PG on his back right hip with a settle bounce pass.
I ask everyone to watch that slowly, because the coordination with his hands/feet along with the spatial/court awareness to know "I dont have a clear path to the basket and need to pass off to my PG and get in the paint" is outstanding. I feel like WizD with this level of physical preservation, but again, everyone should look at coordinated and cerebral of a play that was.

I agree, 100%.

I've seen better leapers. Above average vertical for a man his height but not freakishly explosive like Whiteside or DeAndre Jordan.

He also needs to get a lot stronger. Roger that.

What we both see are his hands and feet. Phenomenal. Quick feet laterally. He's able to execute the "Dream Shake". That's how quick he is. He seems to catch EVERYTHING and he adjusts to get his shot off seamlessly well. I like the wide receiver comparison on his catches.

Watching his feet, I'd wager the kid played a lot of soccer, too. The long strides and the motor to love to run are almost as impressive as his hand/eye coordination.

I don't need Draft Express or nbadraft.net to tell me that he's going lottery. He's a good basketball player who is also a very good to great athlete.

Yeah that video of Patton was quite impressive. He looked like a top 5 pick to me. It won't be long before the mocks catch up.