2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

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[SUPERBALLMAN]

I am definitely intrigued with Mobley. His length and skill set is pretty impressive. I do have some concern with his build, he's so skinny, especially his base, legs and hips. But then I think about KD. The fact that unlike KD Mobley is a 5. But lack of brute strength in the low post isn't key in today's game, and superior mobility is. He is a little stiff in his movements. His lack of hip bends and knee strength is worrisome. He doesn't seem to have the frame for adding weight. But his IQ and anticipation is high level. He also has a bounce and wireyness that makes me think he may have some durability and not an injury just waiting to happen. He without a doubt can defend, protect the rim, and offensive potential without ceiling.

Hes also a guy I can see fitting right in to what we have skill wise and mentally. If we keep Beal, and Westbrook returns to form. Add in Mobley to mix with Thomas Bryant and Rui, along with Bertans, Len, Wagner, Bonga, Avdija.

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[nate33]

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There's not much analysis in that video, but an absolute TON of highlights.

Jalen Green looks pretty impressive in those highlights.

[doclinkin]

His lack of hip bends ... is worrisome.

Oh now don't YOU start.

[nate33]

I am definitely intrigued with Mobley. His length and skill set is pretty impressive. I do have some concern with his build, he's so skinny, especially his base, legs and hips. But then I think about KD. The fact that unlike KD Mobley is a 5. But lack of brute strength in the low post isn't key in today's game, and superior mobility is. He is a little stiff in his movements. His lack of hip bends and knee strength is worrisome. He doesn't seem to have the frame for adding weight. But his IQ and anticipation is high level. He also has a bounce and wireyness that makes me think he may have some durability and not and injury just waiting to happen. He without a doubt can defend, protect the rim, and offensive potential without ceiling.

Hes also a guy I can see fitting right in to what we have skill wise and mentally. If we keep Beal, and Westbrook returns to form. Add in Mobley to mix with Thomas Bryant and Rui, along with Bertans, Len, Wagner, Bonga.

Looking at his stats, I note that he is getting a ton of blocks and a respectable amount of steals while committing virtually no fouls. He is averaging 3.0 blocks, 1.1 steals, and just 1.7 fouls per 40 minutes in conference play, which is crazy for a big man. He is also averaging 2.5 assists, which is exceptional for a freshman big. (For comparison, Anthony Davis averaged just 0.9.)

He definitely has all the markers of an extremely high basketball IQ.

I note that USC has the best defense in the Pac-12 and are, by far, the best rebounding team. Mobley's individual rebounding numbers are fairly lackluster, but given his team rebounding, it looks like he is either clearing out space for his teammates to rebound, or he has teammates stealing some rebounds from him.

He is such a good fit here because he can play power forward alongside Bryant until he fills out some more. In 2 years, Bryant's contract will be over and Mobley can take over at starting center. (Bryant can either be resigned as a backup, or he moves on.)

[SUPERBALLMAN]

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There's not much analysis in that video, but an absolute TON of highlights.

Jalen Green looks pretty impressive in those highlights.

He does! Gives me hope even if we end up at 3 we'll have our choice of either Mobley or Suggs!

[doclinkin]

I note that USC has the best defense in the Pac-12 and are, by far, the best rebounding team. Mobley's individual rebounding numbers are fairly lackluster, but given his team rebounding, it looks like he is either clearing out space for his teammates to rebound, or he has teammates stealing some rebounds from him.

Older brother Isaiah Mobley has picked up slack left by the departure of Okongwu. He and Evan seem to be splitting rebounds with nearly identical per40 numbers in boards.

[nate33]

Man, I wonder if we could have traded Hachimura to Phoenix or Sacremento on draft day for their pick and the right to draft Haliburton? Imagine getting Haliburton in this draft (in addition to Avdija) and Mobley in the next draft:

PG Haliburton
SG Beal
SF Avdija
PF Mobley
C Bryant

Then just keep looking for forwards in future drafts and free agency. In two years or so, Mobley fills out and moves to center and Avdija fills out and moves to PF. Add a 3&D Mikal Bridges type of player at SF and that's a perfect team to assemble around Beal.

[DCZards]

Here's a piece on the top prospects in this year's NBA draft. It's from Bulletsforever and factors in Kevin Broom's YODA rating. The writer has Jonathan Kuminga as the top pick.

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/1/31/22230988/2021-nba-draft-lottery-wizards-jonathan-kuminga-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-jalen-green?fbclid=IwAR1mCk4b0wOfa2AoCwm_WAiqUcIXasCIH30SgH6uIIS1m5xe6GSCcl8uqAs

[Ruzious]

Ok, Cade's probably the best prospect in this draft.

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[queridiculo]

Ok, Cade's probably the best prospect in this draft.

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Reminds me of a stronger, longer, Doncic.

His athleticism doesn't pop, but he's got a bit more of it than Luca I'd say, and he's just as cerebral knowing where and when to attack on offense, and does a great job reading defenses to setup his teammates.

Pretty wild considering his age.

I am looking forward to see what this kid does on the next level (hopefully in a Wizards jersey).

[Ruzious]

Ok, Cade's probably the best prospect in this draft.

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Reminds me of a stronger, longer, Doncic.

His athleticism doesn't pop, but he's got a bit more of it than Luca I'd say, and he's just as cerebral knowing where and when to attack on offense, and does a great job reading defenses to setup his teammates.

Pretty wild considering his age.

I am looking forward to see what this kid does on the next level (hopefully in a Wizards jersey).

He has that ability to take over the game at the end of the game - and he can do it at both ends of the court. And like Doncic, it looks like he's thinking 2 steps ahead of the defense when he needs to. And he has the same sort of mismatches, because he'll shoot right over most guards, and he'll go around bigger guys. I've finally realized he's better than Suggs.

[Frichuela]

Ok, Cade's probably the best prospect in this draft.

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Reminds me of a stronger, longer, Doncic.

His athleticism doesn't pop, but he's got a bit more of it than Luca I'd say, and he's just as cerebral knowing where and when to attack on offense, and does a great job reading defenses to setup his teammates.

Pretty wild considering his age.

I am looking forward to see what this kid does on the next level (hopefully in a Wizards jersey).

He has that ability to take over the game at the end of the game - and he can do it at both ends of the court. And like Doncic, it looks like he's thinking 2 steps ahead of the defense when he needs to. And he has the same sort of mismatches, because he'll shoot right over most guards, and he'll go around bigger guys. I've finally realized he's better than Suggs.

Will the stars align for once and the Wiz land Cade in the draft? I agree getting him will improve the outlook on the Wiz significantly. A 3 guard line-up to close games consisting of Westbrook, Beal and Cunningham would be very exciting.

These are Cade's averages per 36 so far: 19.5 PTS 6.7 REB 4.0 AST 1.0 BLK 1.4 STL

[nate33]

Reminds me of a stronger, longer, Doncic.

His athleticism doesn't pop, but he's got a bit more of it than Luca I'd say, and he's just as cerebral knowing where and when to attack on offense, and does a great job reading defenses to setup his teammates.

Pretty wild considering his age.

I am looking forward to see what this kid does on the next level (hopefully in a Wizards jersey).

He has that ability to take over the game at the end of the game - and he can do it at both ends of the court. And like Doncic, it looks like he's thinking 2 steps ahead of the defense when he needs to. And he has the same sort of mismatches, because he'll shoot right over most guards, and he'll go around bigger guys. I've finally realized he's better than Suggs.

Will the stars align for once and the Wiz land Cade in the draft? I agree getting him will improve the outlook on the Wiz significantly. A 3 guard line-up to close games consisting of Westbrook, Beal and Cunningham would be very exciting.

These are Cade's averages per 36 so far: 19.5 PTS 6.7 REB 4.0 AST 1.0 BLK 1.4 STL

I'll take any of the 3: Cunningham, Suggs or Mobley. If we keep Beal, I still like Mobley's fit the best. If we trade Beal, then I'd lean toward one of Cunningham/Suggs.

[doclinkin]

Just noticed my typo in the thread title. D'oh!

[NatP4]

I think Saturday sealed it. Cunningham will go first after hitting a few game winners recently and making some nice crunch time plays. Suggs has cooled off a little bit (Gonzaga also hasn’t had a competitive game in a while)

No one has come within 20 points of Gonzaga since 12/19 against Iowa. That was the game that Suggs hit 7 3s and put up 27-7-4 and dominated.

[nate33]

I think Saturday sealed it. Cunningham will go first after hitting a few game winners recently and making some nice crunch time plays. Suggs has cooled off a little bit (Gonzaga also hasn’t had a competitive game in a while)

No one has come within 20 points of Gonzaga since 12/19 against Iowa. That was the game that Suggs hit 7 3s and put up 27-7-4 and dominated.

Suggs has been ice cold from 3-point range over the past 10 games (6/26, 23%), but other than that, he has been great. He rebounds like a maniac for his size; he gets plenty of assists despite sharing the PG role; and his 2P% is still great at 59.2% in conference play. I'm not worried about the 3-point shot since he is shooting 83% from the FT line in conference play.

[pcbothwel]

I think Saturday sealed it. Cunningham will go first after hitting a few game winners recently and making some nice crunch time plays. Suggs has cooled off a little bit (Gonzaga also hasn’t had a competitive game in a while)

No one has come within 20 points of Gonzaga since 12/19 against Iowa. That was the game that Suggs hit 7 3s and put up 27-7-4 and dominated.

Suggs has been ice cold from 3-point range over the past 10 games (6/26, 23%), but other than that, he has been great. He rebounds like a maniac for his size; he gets plenty of assists despite sharing the PG role; and his 2P% is still great at 59.2% in conference play. I'm not worried about the 3-point shot since he is shooting 83% from the FT line in conference play.

Either way... Im really excited about getting either/or. I think 1 of them might be there at 3/4 if Mobley/Kuminga jump up. And its possible as a few teams in this area (Detroit, Twolves, OKC) all have an elite lead guard prospect in Hayes, Edwards, and SGA.

[NatP4]

Watching this top 10 matchup, Baylor vs Texas. Jared Butler is legit, I mean legit. He’s the best guard in the country in my opinion. There really isn’t a weakness in his game. He can create/hit isolation 3s off the dribble, he can run off pin downs and hit 3s on the move. He can break people down off the dribble and get to the rim. He knows when to create and when to play off ball. He gets his teammates EASY shots. He is an absolute menace on defense, slides his feet and keeps guys infront of him, rips people left and right. His basketball IQ and awareness is elite. He moves and acts like a NBA player out there.

He reminds me so much of Alec Burks in the way that he can get by defenders off the dribble and get to the rim, but he’s also a lights out 3pt shooter like a Buddy Hield that could run off screens and be an off ball shooter, as well as a guy that can hit isolation stepbacks off the dribble. Neither of those players had his basketball IQ or effort level on defense though.

[NatP4]

My goodness. Butler is putting on an absolute show. You guys are going to have to check out the highlights on this one. I think Butler just got 3 consecutive steals followed by layups in which he just outclasses the defender. He’s up to 21 points on 14 shots. He’s doing this against some of the top guard recruits in the country. Always under control and always makes the right play.

Another note, to the two Texas guys that are supposed to go in the lottery (Jones&Brown) have been horrible. Absolute non factors. Baylor isn’t even guarding Brown on the defensive end.