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

[NatP4]

Now look at the SG/off ball position.......maybe that’s why Jalen Green is projected so high. Who else would you pick?

Does anybody think Cunningham or Kuminga could play SG? (By "play SG", I really mean defend the SG position.)

It's relevant to our situation if we end up trading Beal for a top 4 pick. Ideally, we could add one of those guys while still keeping Avdija and Hachimura in the starting lineup. (I'm assuming Mobley is gone, or we already drafted him with another top 4 pick.)

Cunningham definitely. Kuminga is more 3/4 I think.

I wonder, is the NBA evolution towards ball handler/wing/big making the group of SG/PFs less appealing in this draft, or is there really just nothing out there? I see 2-3 players I would be excited to draft at those positions. (Mobley is a C to me)

[pcbothwel]

Now look at the SG/off ball position.......maybe that’s why Jalen Green is projected so high. Who else would you pick?

Does anybody think Cunningham or Kuminga could play SG? (By "play SG", I really mean defend the SG position.)

It's relevant to our situation if we end up trading Beal for a top 4 pick. Ideally, we could add one of those guys while still keeping Avdija and Hachimura in the starting lineup. (I'm assuming Mobley is gone, or we already drafted him with another top 4 pick.)

Suggs, Cade, Moody, Springer, Bouknight, Nix, Keon Johnson, and Shannon can all defend the 2.
I have Bouknight and possibly Shannon as better prospects than Green.

[nate33]

Now look at the SG/off ball position.......maybe that’s why Jalen Green is projected so high. Who else would you pick?

Does anybody think Cunningham or Kuminga could play SG? (By "play SG", I really mean defend the SG position.)

It's relevant to our situation if we end up trading Beal for a top 4 pick. Ideally, we could add one of those guys while still keeping Avdija and Hachimura in the starting lineup. (I'm assuming Mobley is gone, or we already drafted him with another top 4 pick.)

Suggs, Cade, Moody, Springer, Bouknight, Nix, Keon Johnson, and Shannon can all defend the 2.
I have Bouknight and possibly Shannon as better prospects than Green.

FWIW, I'm not impressed with Green either. But I like Kuminga and Cunningham. I don't want to pick a different player based on positional need if I don't have to.

I wish Cunningham was having more success as a PG. I think he is fine as a shot creator and defender, but it's far from certain that this PG experiment is working out in Oklahoma State. If we could add the idealized PG version of Cunningham while keeping Beal, that would make for a very interesting 1 through 4:

PG Cunningham
SG Beal
SF Avdija
PF Hachimura

For the 5th guy, Play Bertans if you want a great offense. Sign a traditional defensive center like Holmes if you want interior defense. Play a versatile wing like Brown or Bonga if you want to switch everything.

[Ruzious]

Jaden Springer reminds me so much of Zhaire Smith. 30 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals on 11 shots tonight. Plays elite defense. You can probably pencil him in as a quality 3&D combo guard at the next level, and he will still only be 18 years old on draft night.

Maybe an Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart level player that will probably be available in the 10-15 range.

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

Gotta like Springer - how many 18 year old freshmen guards get a TS% over 60 and get criticized for not taking enough 3's. He's made 54% of his 3's, so maybe he should be more aggressive in hunting 3's. An above the rim player who's earned more responsibility on a veteran TN team and seems to be thriving on the trust. I like him better than Bouknight - I think Springer's more of a team player.

Here's a fun article from Bullets Forever https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/1/31/22230988/2021-nba-draft-lottery-wizards-jonathan-kuminga-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-jalen-green I agree with him that Kai Jones is a better prospect than teammate Greg Brown.

[prime1time]

Green is being criminally underrated in this thread. I haven’t seen enough of him to formulate an option, but the rest of the basketball world is treating him like a future superstar. What are people in this thread basing their opinions off of? Is it just one game? If you’re going to have an opinion that goes so deeply against public consensus you need to explain why you are right and why everyone else is wrong.

[NatP4]

Jaden Springer reminds me so much of Zhaire Smith. 30 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals on 11 shots tonight. Plays elite defense. You can probably pencil him in as a quality 3&D combo guard at the next level, and he will still only be 18 years old on draft night.

Maybe an Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart level player that will probably be available in the 10-15 range.

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

Gotta like Springer - how many 18 year old freshmen guards get a TS% over 60 and get criticized for not taking enough 3's. He's made 54% of his 3's, so maybe he should be more aggressive in hunting 3's. An above the rim player who's earned more responsibility on a veteran TN team and seems to be thriving on the trust. I like him better than Bouknight - I think Springer's more of a team player.

Here's a fun article from Bullets Forever https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/1/31/22230988/2021-nba-draft-lottery-wizards-jonathan-kuminga-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-jalen-green I agree with him that Kai Jones is a better prospect than teammate Greg Brown.

Interesting. I’m guessing YODA loves all Gonzaga players. What is your personal opinion, Ruz? On those super NCAA teams, do we knock them for playing on a loaded team or do we credit them for having something to do with that?

I specifically recall the Villanova team that featured Brunson, Divincenzo, and Bridges. All of them had outstanding numbers but all you heard was “they play on a loaded team” now all of them are quality NBA players.

[prime1time]

Just seems weird to me that scouts would be right about Cunningham, Suggs, Mobley and Kuminga but when it comes to Green they are completely wrong.

[NatP4]

Just seems weird to me that scouts would be right about Cunningham, Suggs, Mobley and Kuminga but when it comes to Green they are completely wrong.

Well, last year they thought Anthony Edwards was the best player in the draft. Now he is the worst player in the NBA.

In just the last 3 drafts, Barrett, Edwards, and Bagley all went top 3. There are multiple busts in the top 10 of every draft.

[Ruzious]

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

Gotta like Springer - how many 18 year old freshmen guards get a TS% over 60 and get criticized for not taking enough 3's. He's made 54% of his 3's, so maybe he should be more aggressive in hunting 3's. An above the rim player who's earned more responsibility on a veteran TN team and seems to be thriving on the trust. I like him better than Bouknight - I think Springer's more of a team player.

Here's a fun article from Bullets Forever https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/1/31/22230988/2021-nba-draft-lottery-wizards-jonathan-kuminga-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-jalen-green I agree with him that Kai Jones is a better prospect than teammate Greg Brown.

Interesting. I’m guessing YODA loves all Gonzaga players. What is your personal opinion, Ruz? On those super NCAA teams, do we knock them for playing on a loaded team or do we credit them for having something to do with that?

I specifically recall the Villanova team that featured Brunson, Divincenzo, and Bridges. All of them had outstanding numbers but all you heard was “they play on a loaded team” now all of them are quality NBA players.

I think it makes a difference that Suggs has the benefit of playing with arguably the best jump shooting center and forward in the nation - not to mention a very good all-purpose veteran combo guard in Ayayi.

[nate33]

Just seems weird to me that scouts would be right about Cunningham, Suggs, Mobley and Kuminga but when it comes to Green they are completely wrong.

The truth is, we don't know much about Green. So far, in his first game in the G-League, he was pretty bad, showing no court awareness and lousy defense. Obviously, you don't make snap decisions based on one bad game. I'm sure we are all open-minded enough to change our minds with new information. I don't think anyone has declared Green to be a bust just yet.

[prime1time]

Just seems weird to me that scouts would be right about Cunningham, Suggs, Mobley and Kuminga but when it comes to Green they are completely wrong.

Well, last year they thought Anthony Edwards was the best player in the draft. Now he is the worst player in the NBA.

In just the last 3 drafts, Barrett, Edwards, and Bagley all went top 3. There are multiple busts in the top 10 of every draft.

No they didn’t. Last year the was no consensus too pick. Edwards, Wiseman and Ball were all in the conversation. There were legitimate concerns about Ball’s shooting. He’s obviously quieted them but using last year as a dog on the scouting in general was wrong. Bagley and Barrett aren’t busts. Regardless, that’s why I asked what specifically do you disagree with and what you’re using to base your opinion.

[DCZards]

Anthony Edwards continues to get better, especially over the last 2-3 weeks. He’s going to be a very good NBA player.

[pcbothwel]

Just seems weird to me that scouts would be right about Cunningham, Suggs, Mobley and Kuminga but when it comes to Green they are completely wrong.

Well, last year they thought Anthony Edwards was the best player in the draft. Now he is the worst player in the NBA.

In just the last 3 drafts, Barrett, Edwards, and Bagley all went top 3. There are multiple busts in the top 10 of every draft.

No they didn’t. Last year the was no consensus too pick. Edwards, Wiseman and Ball were all in the conversation. There were legitimate concerns about Ball’s shooting. He’s obviously quieted them but using last year as a dog on the scouting in general was wrong. Bagley and Barrett aren’t busts. Regardless, that’s why I asked what specifically do you disagree with and what you’re using to base your opinion.

Ughhh. Yes, they very much are. Bagley doesnt score efficiently, doesnt gather blocks or steals, averages almost twice as many turnovers as assist, and is huge negative by every +/- metric their is.... oh, and he still has 2/20M left on his contract.

RJ Barrett is a better argument. He has improved upon his awful rookie year mostly across the board and looks like he'll have a long career. But people thought he was a Zion/Ja level prospect that could go 1 in some drafts. The other main issue is his archetype. He plays as a lead guard and im not sure he'll ever be a good enough scorer or decision maker to be that role on a contender.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I'm gonna go ahead and post this here ... It's way off subject, but I was looking at David Robinson video for a Mobley comp, and I came across this. It is absolutely must watch, what an all time classic! The whole broadcast and game itself is just a joy to see...

Watch on YouTube

[NatP4]

Now look at the SG/off ball position.......maybe that’s why Jalen Green is projected so high. Who else would you pick?

Does anybody think Cunningham or Kuminga could play SG? (By "play SG", I really mean defend the SG position.)

It's relevant to our situation if we end up trading Beal for a top 4 pick. Ideally, we could add one of those guys while still keeping Avdija and Hachimura in the starting lineup. (I'm assuming Mobley is gone, or we already drafted him with another top 4 pick.)

Suggs, Cade, Moody, Springer, Bouknight, Nix, Keon Johnson, and Shannon can all defend the 2.
I have Bouknight and possibly Shannon as better prospects than Green.

What’s your assessment of Moody? I haven’t been able to watch him play yet. The low assists/turnovers jump out immediately. Does Arkansas have a high usage ball handling guard next to him?

The highlights make him look like a one trick pony but seeing him move up in the mocks toward the 7-12 range as of late.

[pcbothwel]

Does anybody think Cunningham or Kuminga could play SG? (By "play SG", I really mean defend the SG position.)

It's relevant to our situation if we end up trading Beal for a top 4 pick. Ideally, we could add one of those guys while still keeping Avdija and Hachimura in the starting lineup. (I'm assuming Mobley is gone, or we already drafted him with another top 4 pick.)

Suggs, Cade, Moody, Springer, Bouknight, Nix, Keon Johnson, and Shannon can all defend the 2.
I have Bouknight and possibly Shannon as better prospects than Green.

What’s your assessment of Moody? I haven’t been able to watch him play yet. The low assists/turnovers jump out immediately. Does Arkansas have a high usage ball handling guard next to him?

His age and stats look good, but I just dont see the ceiling.
- Smart player that crashes the boards, has active hands, and can shoot pretty well
- Poor ball handling, lateral quickness, and overall explosiveness

He feasted on bad teams, but efficiency really drops again better competition. He has a slow release and slow first step without the ball handling/creativity to make up for either. He'll have a solid NBA career, but I dont see how you take him in the lotto.
He's more Josh Hart than Mikal Bridges. Good player though, just nothing I get excited about.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Suggs, Cade, Moody, Springer, Bouknight, Nix, Keon Johnson, and Shannon can all defend the 2.
I have Bouknight and possibly Shannon as better prospects than Green.

What’s your assessment of Moody? I haven’t been able to watch him play yet. The low assists/turnovers jump out immediately. Does Arkansas have a high usage ball handling guard next to him?

His age and stats look good, but I just dont see the ceiling.
- Smart player that crashes the boards, has active hands, and can shoot pretty well
- Poor ball handling, lateral quickness, and overall explosiveness

He feasted on bad teams, but efficiency really drops again better competition. He has a slow release and slow first step without the ball handling/creativity to make up for either. He'll have a solid NBA career, but I dont see how you take him in the lotto.
He's more Josh Hart than Mikal Bridges. Good player though, just nothing I get excited about.

Nice size & length, can really shoot it & plays hard. Tight with Suggs & I think they used to be roommates. Could be a good combo to team them together, and he looked good the one game of his I watched which was against Gonzaga.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

This is our guy!!

Watch on YouTube

[NatP4]

Good luck figuring out who the 5th best prospect in the draft is. The cancellations/postponements of HUGE college basketball matchups, are going to seriously handcuff GMs. What do we know about Jalen Johnson, Zhaire Williams, and Scottie Barnes ? What will we know from 15 G league games from Kuminga/Green/Nix?

My hot take is that our knowledge of the board currently, will not change much by the end of the season/draft

[pcbothwel]

Good luck figuring out who the 5th best prospect in the draft is. The cancellations/postponements of HUGE college basketball matchups, are going to seriously handcuff GMs. What do we know about Jalen Johnson, Zhaire Williams, and Scottie Barnes ? What will we know from 15 G league games from Kuminga/Green/Nix?

My hot take is that our knowledge of the board currently, will not change much by the end of the season/draft

Yeah... that next group is tough. But I got Wagner, Bouknight, Springer, and Butler as the next group. But Barnes & Sengun could jump up. Very tough grading.