Dat2U wrote:
I flip flop on the top 3 depending on the day lol.
I think Josh Giddey is 5. Jalen Green is 4.
I like Wagner but not quite enough to say he's the 6th best prospect.
I would almost put Davion Mitchell at 6 based I what I've seen so far but it's still early in my process.
I'd take Jared Butler over any other guard so far but the kid Sharife Cooper intrigues me just on the eye test alone. So does Isaiah Jackson as a rim runner.
Right having 3 top picks is a good situation to have. Even if we bounce into the top 4 by lotto there is generally a good chance someone likes another guy.
Outside the top picks I myself want Davion Mitchell even more than Butler. Though primarily if I could get him on a trade down. (I want to steal Queta and future picks).
Davion has an NBA-ready role as a stronger better-passing Patrick Beverly. Defensive Bigs tend to struggle coming into the league but quick guards do a little better. And coming in to a team that already has 2 lead guards he will be able to attack with frenzy in the minutes he gets. Defense and passing will earn him PT while he works on his long range game. HIs mindset is as an alpha defender, a winner type who doesn't have to star to make an impact. That is a 10 year player in the league. A +/- champion who may not get the bonafides and props but is that much more affordable over his career because of it. In a league with combo guards all over, he can play on any team in the league as the on-ball pressure guy who can allow your high volume attackers to not have to kill themselves on D. He makes other players job easier on that end by stalling the opponent in transition and fighting through switches on the perimeter. This allows your Bigs to get up court before the ball, and stay at home in the P&R.
Jared Butler is smooth. Does all things well, but for whatever reason whenever I watched games or highlights Davion Mitchell was the one that popped and made everyone else look good.
I like the highlights, but looking at stats and some game footage: Sharife Cooper has a LOT of unlearning and maturing to do right now. He has a pretty game, but will need to extend his range, add weight and strength, and stop inefficiently gunning. He has a hell of a handle. Sweet passing. But thinks he is better than he has earned.
I'm late on Giddey. Still figuring out the NBL regarding transition to the NBA and in relation to Euroball for instance. LaMelo is a different case, he'd have been that player wherever he was. NBL allows for a little more showboating than the Euro league, so stat padding possibilities are not as suppressed as they are in Europe. But it does seem less disorganized and selfish than G-League play. Better defense than the G-League, though without the level of hacking and outright goaltending allowed in Europe. Still it is clear the kid is a prodigy. Young and seeing the game better than anyone he plays against. What's his competitive level? How does he do when he faces adversity or has an off night?
