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KingCat wrote:Already so tired of the "draft is bad" narrative. This is said ablut every draft without a Zion/Wemby level prospect.

Talent pool is deeper than ever in this sport and every draft class is gonna have atleast a handful of impactful talent to choose from.

This draft is weak, not saying guys can't emerge throughout year but Alex Sarr was a clear step down than Thompson twins playing in OTE last year and he is current #2 pick? Then you have a slew of guys in the Gleague, who if history continues is very poor at predicting success at the NBA level.

Cam Whitmore would be in convo #1 pick right now.

I'm just going to do what I say every draft. Draft someone who can shoot a basketball.

Diop wrote:

amcoolio wrote:We need a big defensive guard. Are there any of those in this draft?

Johnny Furphy, Kansas (#10)
Furphy is a 6-foot-9 guard from Melbourne, Australia. He recently re-classed to the class of 2023 and was considered the No. 35 overall recruit in the 2024 class prior to the switch. Furphy moves fluidly for his size and is comfortable with the ball in his hands -- both as a driver and a passer. Additionally, he also uses his length defensively to stunt drivers and block pull-up jumpers. Lastly, he converted 39.3% of his attempts from three this past season for the Centre of Excellence in Australia. Perhaps someone who's not being talked about enough, Furphy has legitimate potential to be a significant contributor for Kansas this season as a freshman.

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2024-nba-draft-who-are-the-top-ten-nba-prospects-in-the-big-12

Furphy's law is definitely a hornets's thing...

Is this kid really 6'8"? I'm convinced we need a second ballhandler next to Melo. Absolutely someone who can defend.

We're destined for that Matas Buzelis kid aren't we?

Melo
Miller
Matas
Miles
Mark

JaKobe Walter positional size, scoring, hustle, defense

Reed Sheppard - gonna be the usual chorus of he's not an athlete and what about defense - but he is one of those kids with an off the charts basketball IQ and here's the main thing: HE CAN SHOOT (59% from 3, 92% FT)

Our ceiling, minus the lottery going our way, is the 4th pick.

Detroit, Spurs and Wizards are going to win like 20 games combined this season.

Need to get a guard or PF.

Snidely FC wrote:Reed Sheppard - gonna be the usual chorus of he's not an athlete and what about defense - but he is one of those kids with an off the charts basketball IQ and here's the main thing: HE CAN SHOOT (59% from 3, 92% FT). Keep an eye on this one.

Watch on YouTube

Yeah this guy is shooting 60% from 3 and still only averaging 13 ppg. Hard Pass.
If he was shooting a very good 40% he would be at 10 ppg... a white 6-2 20 yr freshman.
I wouldn't consider him until at least pick 15 and that is pushing it for me.

JDR720 wrote:Our ceiling, minus the lottery going our way, is the 4th pick.

Detroit, Spurs and Wizards are going to win like 20 games combined this season.

Need to get a guard or PF.

I don't think picking in the 5-10 range would be all that bad based on the type of player we likely need.
1. Super defender, athletic. Ausar, Sochan, etc... I was against that type more last year but now that we have Miller looking like a future cornerstone scorer I feel beter about it.
2. Sharpshooter. Jordan Hawkins, Kispert type.

This draft is pretty bad, I am early in my analysis however so maybe I come around. Castle is probably my favorite when I look at fit and talent mix right now assuming we pick outside the top 3.

i'm at the point were i don't care what position we draft, just get someone who plays on both ends, has high bball IQ, passes and hustles... toughness and shooting a bonus.

Snidely FC wrote:Reed Sheppard - gonna be the usual chorus of he's not an athlete and what about defense - but he is one of those kids with an off the charts basketball IQ and here's the main thing: HE CAN SHOOT (59% from 3, 92% FT). Keep an eye on this one.

Watch on YouTube

We don't need any more combo guards, so only if he can genuinely run an offense as a potential backup PG as well as shoot. He is in the late first range so probably won't be on the board when we pick early first or late second (Boston second rounder). We'd need to trade for him or acquire a late first/early second to have a shot at him.

If you want to get really basic, a guy has to do at least 1 of these things to be a good player.

Shoot or Defend. If he does both great. If he does neither than that is when you have a bad NBA player.

Wemby, Chet can do both. Miller and Hawkins can shoot. Ausar can defend. Scoot is struggling at both.

This is why Giddey for as awesome as a passer and feel player, his value is coming down because he doesn't shoot or defend.

Im sure there is all-star talent in this draft like there is in pretty much every it's just gonna be a matter of finding a diamond in the rough. Also a lot of interesting talent that is gonna be in our range.

Keeping a close eye on:

Zaccharie Risacher: Gives us another young lanky sharp shooter with 3 and D potential. Fun thinking off Lamelo getting to run the court with Miller and Risacher running around on the perimeter.

Ja'Kobe Walter: Another 3 and D type guard. Can be the KCP type player this team needs.

Ron Holland: I can understand why he may be a controversial prospect, but the potential as a two-way star is there. Not my first choice, but if he is there I'd happily take a swing on him. Could be a Bridges replacement as a physical big guy that can pressure the rim.

Nikola Topic: Talented player but not gonna fit with Lamelo I bet. Honestly though, if Lamelo gets one more critical ankle injury after he returns, then I say just go all in on getting this kid.

Duke plays Baylor on the 20th. I'm going to "scout" the hell out of jakobe walter for baylor. Big guard who shoots lights out.

Liver_Pooty wrote:Duke plays Baylor on the 20th. I'm going to "scout" the hell out of jakobe walter for baylor. Big guard who shoots lights out.

How’s proctors defense? Is he still looking like a solid nba prospect?

Mainly taking pointers from the Rockets' turnaround now. It's either:
a) Team needs someone to light a fire under it. Get into it every game, bring physicality, junkyard-dog type. See: Holland, Ron. Then again, we could maybe get that from a (veteran) free agent. See: Brooks, Dillon.
or, b) Team needs someone to bring smarts like Sengun. Brandon brings some of that but I'm thinking of someone good enough LaMelo consistently plays off-ball and saves his energy (and ankles) for getting buckets. See: Not near sure about anyone yet.

Diop wrote:

Liver_Pooty wrote:Duke plays Baylor on the 20th. I'm going to "scout" the hell out of jakobe walter for baylor. Big guard who shoots lights out.

How’s proctors defense? Is he still looking like a solid nba prospect?

He's solid but not having the kind of year I thought he would have. He's been hurt the last 2 weeks.

Walter can really shoot the ball. He's not as good as Miller as this point their freshman year but adding a player with good athleticism that can shoot a basketball would be ideal.

step one: find players who got dat dawg in em

step two: draft those guys