2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[4pointkiller]

This is a ranking of best 2nd round draft picks of all time.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2895997-ranking-the-10-best-2nd-round-nba-draft-picks-of-all-time

Hard for me to get behind a narrative that states the last pick in the draft could be as good as the 1st when the list of 2nd round picks that have made a huge impact is so minuscule.

[driveandkick]

This is a ranking of best 2nd round draft picks of all time.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2895997-ranking-the-10-best-2nd-round-nba-draft-picks-of-all-time

Hard for me to get behind a narrative that states the last pick in the draft could be as good as the 1st when the list of 2nd round picks that have made a huge impact is so minuscule.

I honestly remember him saying at the end of last year's draft that the player taken last overall would have a better career than Zion.

I do agree that Paul Reed would be a fantastic get at 32, though. Highly doubt he makes it there.

[4pointkiller]

This is a ranking of best 2nd round draft picks of all time.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2895997-ranking-the-10-best-2nd-round-nba-draft-picks-of-all-time

Hard for me to get behind a narrative that states the last pick in the draft could be as good as the 1st when the list of 2nd round picks that have made a huge impact is so minuscule.

I honestly remember him saying at the end of last year's draft that the player taken last overall would have a better career than Zion.

I do agree that Paul Reed would be a fantastic get at 32, though. Highly doubt he makes it there.

NBA scouting has become so advanced that they don't miss stars in the first round. Sure, there may be some role player like a Devonte Graham who shows elite skill in one or two areas, but the odds of finding an all around talent that can rise to superstar level has got to be like 1 in a 250,000

[UNCNYC]

Weird draft. The first pick Edwards might not be better than what could be the last pick in Ty'shon Alexander lol. I truly hope we don't draft Obi Toppin. (I highly doubt we do). To me his game reminds me of Paul Reed who is expected to be drafted mid to late 2nd round by the mocks I have seen and I think Reed is a better prospect. Their games are similar tho but I like Reed.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Maybe just pick 5 guys you think are going to be good outside of top 20. When you have 18 guys who you think could be good in the second round it’s not that impressive if you get 1 right.

It’s like betting golf, if I choose 28 golfers to win the tournament and then I get the winner right it’s cool, but most likely I lost money because I had too many guys I put money on and it’s not as impressive or profitable.

I love your energy and not saying don’t dive into the draft, but it’s hard for me to get behind your guys when there are so many and constantly changing.


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Yes as we draw closer to draft day I will narrow the list a bit more... Actually I narrow it all the time but it's a bit tough to see because I post so many... What I mean by that is I post who I would take in order if fell so whoever is posted in that first slot is who I would take...

Like my dream draft would be

PICK 3 - Killian Hayes, LaMelo Ball

PICK 32 - Zeke Nnaji, Jalen Smith, Leandro Balmaro

PICK 56 - Karim Mane, CJ Elleby, Ty'Shon Alexander, LaMar Stevens

but there is a GREAT chance that the others wont be there so I post whos in play (so that others can see if they are in agreement with the players posted) as well as who I am looking at if they happen to fall...

Come draft day I will only post a small amount but these are the players I like.

[KGdaBom]

I've only got a few rules for the draft, but one of the biggest -> never take 'project' guards in the lottery

I think that most every prospect is a project, regardless of playing position or where they are drafted. The draft is just such a crap shoot 99% of the time.

One of my only rules is: “how hard is it to find a player with this skill set or characteristic in any draft class”?

Eg;
How common are wings with the size/skill set of Edwards?

How common are PG’s with the BBIQ and passing of Ball?

How common is the fluidity and mobility coupled with the size of Wiseman?

Etc..


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I'm confused about what constitutes a " Wing " these days. I always thought to be a wing the player had to be skillful at both the SG and SF position. Now I'm hearing PF's being referred to as wings. Edwards IMO is a SG only. Simply too short to defend the SFs.

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

Interesting consensus board here from draft Twitter. LaMelo considered the best prospect in those circles and it’s not even close

Hopefully the Wolves and Warriors leave Ball for you.

[KGdaBom]

What is it about LaMelo that causes people to believe he's a top 3 pick and potential star? Is it just that he's got 1-2 skills that are considered elite + his size for his position? I feel like you really need to be able to shoot/score in today's NBA to be considered a high impact player. Without that, you'll be rotational/limited and likely won't see the court during crunch time.

Ball is the Emperor in his new clothes.

[KGdaBom]

Lamelo's efficiency needs to improve but his handle is elite. He'll often be the best ball handler on the floor most games he plays.

Also something that never gets mentioned with him is AST/TO ratio (2.73) which is surprisingly excellent considering how many homerun passes he makes. Not to mention, he averaged 7.6 rpg as a point guard.

He's an elite playmaker which is why he doesn't have to become a three point shooter. Shot looks broken but he's going to make his teammates better and you need to do that if you can't score efficiently.

I don't think he's a fit here because while we need a second ball-handler we still lack a go-to scorer. He's a really really bad fit here. So I like a trade down with the Knicks. I'd want Mitchell Robinson + 8 + right to swap 2021 firsts.

You might be able to get them to give up Mitch and 8, but I really doubt they'd give up more.

[KGdaBom]

Nice spreadsheet.

[KGdaBom]

I must be missing something on Okoro - don't know anything and pulled his stats. How is a 6'6" dude that averaged 13 points, 4 boards, and 2 assists a potential top 5 pick?

yosemiteben, I’d like to introduce you to weak draft class.

Weak draft class, this is yosemiteben.




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Also supposed to be not just a good defender, but an elite defender.

[KGdaBom]

Weird draft. The first pick Edwards might not be better than what could be the last pick in Ty'shon Alexander lol. I truly hope we don't draft Obi Toppin. (I highly doubt we do). To me his game reminds me of Paul Reed who is expected to be drafted mid to late 2nd round by the mocks I have seen and I think Reed is a better prospect. Their games are similar tho but I like Reed.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I know there are lots of questions about Toppin's game translating to the NBA, but he was according to most everybody the best player in college this season. Maybe he doesn't deserve all the derision/shade being thrown at him.

[KingCat]

Weird draft. The first pick Edwards might not be better than what could be the last pick in Ty'shon Alexander lol. I truly hope we don't draft Obi Toppin. (I highly doubt we do). To me his game reminds me of Paul Reed who is expected to be drafted mid to late 2nd round by the mocks I have seen and I think Reed is a better prospect. Their games are similar tho but I like Reed.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I know there are lots of questions about Toppin's game translating to the NBA, but he was according to most everybody the best player in college this season. Maybe he doesn't deserve all the derision/shade being thrown at him.

So was Tyler Hansbrough and Jimmer Fredette. The Naismith award winner doesnt always translate to good NBA player.

[KGdaBom]

Weird draft. The first pick Edwards might not be better than what could be the last pick in Ty'shon Alexander lol. I truly hope we don't draft Obi Toppin. (I highly doubt we do). To me his game reminds me of Paul Reed who is expected to be drafted mid to late 2nd round by the mocks I have seen and I think Reed is a better prospect. Their games are similar tho but I like Reed.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I know there are lots of questions about Toppin's game translating to the NBA, but he was according to most everybody the best player in college this season. Maybe he doesn't deserve all the derision/shade being thrown at him.

So was Tyler Hansbrough and Jimmer Fredette. The Naismith award winner doesnt always translate to good NBA player.

True. I still think way too much derision/shade is being thrown his way. His closest NBA comparable is Amare Stoudemire.

[DY_nasty]

I know there are lots of questions about Toppin's game translating to the NBA, but he was according to most everybody the best player in college this season. Maybe he doesn't deserve all the derision/shade being thrown at him.

So was Tyler Hansbrough and Jimmer Fredette. The Naismith award winner doesnt always translate to good NBA player.

True. I still think way too much derision/shade is being thrown his way. His closest NBA comparable is Amare Stoudemire.

Amare's face up game was so far ahead of its time that scouts legit thought it was too good to be true coming out of HS

Obi is not that kind guy sadly

[KGdaBom]

So was Tyler Hansbrough and Jimmer Fredette. The Naismith award winner doesnt always translate to good NBA player.

True. I still think way too much derision/shade is being thrown his way. His closest NBA comparable is Amare Stoudemire.

Amare's face up game was so far ahead of its time that scouts legit thought it was too good to be true coming out of HS

Obi is not that kind guy sadly

Probably not, but Amare is the comp I see out there. Obi flat out dominated college basketball this season. He had Dayton ranked in the top 4 right. Dayton!!

[BeesWax]

True. I still think way too much derision/shade is being thrown his way. His closest NBA comparable is Amare Stoudemire.

Amare's face up game was so far ahead of its time that scouts legit thought it was too good to be true coming out of HS

Obi is not that kind guy sadly

Probably not, but Amare is the comp I see out there. Obi flat out dominated college basketball this season. He had Dayton ranked in the top 4 right. Dayton!!

They played one ranked opponent and it was Kansas early in the year. He shot almost 10% below his season average from the field in that game and had zero assists. Not saying he won't pan out or anything but he strikes me a little like Bennett. They raved about his season and then he couldn't work out again NBA caliber players leading to the draft. Bennett also only played against one NBA level type of big James Michael McAdoo and it was by far his worst game of the season. Without being able to see him go head to head against the level of player he will see night in and night out I am skeptical.

[UNCNYC]

PICK 32 - BEST WHO SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IMO

SG - Tys'shon Alexander
SG - Karim Mane
SG - CJ Elleby
SF - Elijah Huges
PF - Paul Reed
PF - LaMar Stevens
-----
PICK 32 - WHO I HOPE IS AVAILABLE

PG - Tyrell Terry
PG - Devon Dotson
SG - Leandro Balmoro
SG - Devin Vassell
SF - Tyler Bey
SF - Josh Green
PF - Saddiq Bey
PF - JaDen McDaniels
C - Zeke Nnaji
C - Jalen Smith

[LofJ]

Frank Kaminsky dominated college basketball too. I hope we've learned our lesson when it comes to drafting guys in the lottery who spent 4 years in college. Nothing against guys like Toppin, but you draft them in the mid to late 1st and early 2nd, not in the high lottery.

[KGdaBom]

Amare's face up game was so far ahead of its time that scouts legit thought it was too good to be true coming out of HS

Obi is not that kind guy sadly

Probably not, but Amare is the comp I see out there. Obi flat out dominated college basketball this season. He had Dayton ranked in the top 4 right. Dayton!!

They played one ranked opponent and it was Kansas early in the year. He shot almost 10% below his season average from the field in that game and had zero assists. Not saying he won't pan out or anything but he strikes me a little like Bennett. They raved about his season and then he couldn't work out again NBA caliber players leading to the draft. Bennett also only played against one NBA level type of big James Michael McAdoo and it was by far his worst game of the season. Without being able to see him go head to head against the level of player he will see night in and night out I am skeptical.

That's a reasonable way of looking at him, on the other hand he was spectacular on offense shooting inside and out. Dunks and 3s. He would be a handful to defend against at his size. How does a team defend him? Who can guard him inside and out. They say he doesn't have the agility to defend the perimeter. I'm by no means advocating him for pick #3. It just seems to me that people are treating him like he has the plague or an active case of COVID-19.

[KGdaBom]

Frank Kaminsky dominated college basketball too. I hope we've learned our lesson when it comes to drafting guys in the lottery who spent 4 years in college. Nothing against guys like Toppin, but you draft them in the mid to late 1st and early 2nd, not in the high lottery.

If I were a GM and Toppin was available any pick 10 or lower I would just about have to take him. As you say not the top of the lottery, but not much later. Kaminsky did not dominate like Toppin IIRC. I will leave my defense of Toppin at that.