2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Hazer]

Ya I know he didn’t fit the timeline. Just saw that he was a free agent that didn’t need the ball, does the dirty work and might come less expense than the bigger named free agent centers around.

I guess the draft version of Rolo or closest type seems to be Jaxson Hayes but I really don’t wanna spend a high pick on a center, perhaps that’s just me.

Bruno Fernando might be the only big worth drafting in the lottery. He’s getting a lot of good buzz and has a good skill set according to what I’m reading.

Ya I’ve seen him shoot up the boards and Hazer and KG seem to like this guy. I personally don’t love his mobility. I dunno, I’m not loving any centers that are coming out. Not enough to spend a lotto pick on them. It’ll be interesting how Schlenk views this. We might need to trade for a center at some point if he doesn’t love any centers in the draft or free agency.

Read the scouting report on NBADraft and watch some of Bruno’s latest games, he’s really putting the pedal to the metal. They’re comparing him to Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka, I’ll take that all day long with Mavs’ pick. His attitude, motor, strength, athleticism, and work ethic are all elite. Excellent wingspan, good rebounder and shot blocker, good FT%. Me, I’d take Cam with our pick and Bruno with Mavs’ pick. I’ll make my final decision after March Madness, but I’m going on record with Reddish/Fernando as my 2 lottery pick hopes

[Hazer]

Bruno Fernando might be the only big worth drafting in the lottery. He’s getting a lot of good buzz and has a good skill set according to what I’m reading.

Ya I’ve seen him shoot up the boards and Hazer and KG seem to like this guy. I personally don’t love his mobility. I dunno, I’m not loving any centers that are coming out. Not enough to spend a lotto pick on them. It’ll be interesting how Schlenk views this. We might need to trade for a center at some point if he doesn’t love any centers in the draft or free agency.

Read the scouting report on NBADraft and watch some of Bruno’s latest games, he’s really putting the pedal to the metal. They’re comparing him to Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka, I’ll take that all day long with Mavs’ pick. His attitude, motor, strength, athleticism, and work ethic are all elite. Excellent wingspan, good rebounder and shot blocker, good FT%. Me, I’d take Cam with our pick and Bruno with Mavs’ pick. I’ll make my final decision after March Madness, but I’m going on record with Reddish/Fernando as my 2 lottery pick hopes

That’s my 1a. My 1b right now is Rui and Culver. Hunter and Porter are creeping up my board too.

[Spud2nique]

Ya I’ve seen him shoot up the boards and Hazer and KG seem to like this guy. I personally don’t love his mobility. I dunno, I’m not loving any centers that are coming out. Not enough to spend a lotto pick on them. It’ll be interesting how Schlenk views this. We might need to trade for a center at some point if he doesn’t love any centers in the draft or free agency.

Read the scouting report on NBADraft and watch some of Bruno’s latest games, he’s really putting the pedal to the metal. They’re comparing him to Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka, I’ll take that all day long with Mavs’ pick. His attitude, motor, strength, athleticism, and work ethic are all elite. Excellent wingspan, good rebounder and shot blocker, good FT%. Me, I’d take Cam with our pick and Bruno with Mavs’ pick. I’ll make my final decision after March Madness, but I’m going on record with Reddish/Fernando as my 2 lottery pick hopes

That’s my 1a. My 1b right now is Rui and Culver. Hunter and Porter are creeping up my board too.

I want any of the following if we stay at 5th:

Cam
Culver
Rui

I don’t mind a Keldon Johnson either but with the Mavs pick. I don’t mind a couple wings in this draft because it seems to be the strong position for 2019.

I gotta watch Bruno but honestly all I saw was a glorified Ian Mahinmi. I like a Ian pick as a second round gamble, speaking of second rounds, I’d like us to take a look at Mutombo’s nephew as well.

It would never happen but I’d laugh if we came away with Winston Garland’s son, Manute’s son and Mutombo’s nephew!

[Spud2nique]

He does as a movement player but it's not the same thing as prime Love or Embiid.

So if your an nba defender you’d rather check Collins over Love?

Maybe I’m bias, I’d check Love all day.

Now, yes but prime Love, Collins

Prime Kev was a completely different player. He was a power guy on the block and a monster inside. Then he went vegan and became a shooter.

[CP War Hawks]

Just from watching Hachimura more, he reminds me of a shorter Horford. Don't know how I feel about that. He's a role player to the max. I want to see him dig extra from his game during March.

I'm starting to put all my chips on Louis King, atleast with the Mavs pick. Hopefully he declares. I see the true two way potential in him that's worth the risk.

[Jamaaliver]

I'm starting to put all my chips on Louis King, at least with the Mavs pick. Hopefully he declares. I see the true two way potential in him that's worth the risk.

I definitely have become intrigued by Louis King, also.

Ideally, we could trade back from the Mavs pick and draft him in the late teens. He'd likely be a lottery pick next year with an entire season of health under his belt. So getting him outside the lottery this year would be huge!

Spoiler:

31. Louis King, SF, Oregon | Freshman

Height: 6’9” | Weight: 205 | Age: 19 | Last Rank: 51

Quietly, King has made a decent one-and-done case over the past month as he’s gotten closer to top form following a torn meniscus. He’s a first-round type talent and is probably doing just enough to force the issue right now. King is not a finished product, but he‘s smooth, can shoot it and can score off the dribble and has nice positional size. His perimeter game is translatable at the NBA level, and while he has a reputation for being inconsistent with his effort and focus, there have been some positive signs. King remains one of the better long-term prospects in a down Pac-12.

SI.com

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[Jamaaliver]

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[King Ken]

Just from watching Hachimura more, he reminds me of a shorter Horford. Don't know how I feel about that. He's a role player to the max. I want to see him dig extra from his game during March.

I'm starting to put all my chips on Louis King, atleast with the Mavs pick. Hopefully he declares. I see the true two way potential in him that's worth the risk.

I say this every year, most people have zero clue about Al's impact. I say this every single year. Every year, kids who usually have no real elite athletic ability and just skilled get compared to Al. Every single year. I remember one year, it was KAT is a better Al. Then it was other guys. Last year it was Wendell Carter Jr. Al is an elite BBIQ, elite movement player on both sides of the court who lacks #1 or #2 option consistency but he makes up for that with elite playmaking and making everyone around him better. Al is as rare as Giannis. I never seen a player like Al. I really wish his name would not be mentioned. It's basically wrong, all of the time. This is why I always have issues convincing people about Al because most fans not experts but fans really don't understand his game. They see skill but they don't see unstoppable skill, they see defense, but they don't see eye watering defense so they really don't know how to grade him.

[Jamaaliver]

NBA Mock Draft 2019: Who goes No. 2 to Knicks behind Duke's Zion Williamson? Ja Morant, R.J. Barrett or Cameron Reddish?


5. Atlanta Hawks: C Jaxson Hayes, Texas

The Hawks are building their team around point guard Trae Young and forward John Collins. They have two Top-10 picks, so they should be able to fill out their roster nicely. Hayes has massive upside, a huge wingspan (7-3) and already is a top-notch rim runner. The Hawks aren't competing for anything of note yet, so taking players with high ceilings is the right move.



9. Hawks (via Mavericks): F Romeo Langford, Indiana

The Hawks have two Top-10 picks and generally just need to get the best players available, especially since they only have this pick because they decided they'd rather not draft Luka Doncic.

Langford is a nice consolation prize, a prototypical NBA wing and talented scorer.



10. Orlando Magic: G Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech

The Magic pretty much can target any position at this point. They do have Markelle Fultz waiting in the wings but he's far from a guaranteed help. Culver has impressive size (6-5, 6-9 wingspan) for a guard, is a solid scorer and distributor.


18. Boston Celtics (via Clippers): C Jontay Porter, Missouri

The Celtics need to start developing a center to eventually replace Al Horford and Porter has potential to be a stretch five in the NBA.


21. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Rockets): F Sekou Doumbouya, Guinea

The Cavaliers roster is a mess and Doumbouya is one of the most intriguing, albeit raw, prospects in the draft.

NJ.com

[Jamaaliver]

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Atlanta Hawks: 5. De'Andre Hunter | F | Virginia


Atlanta Hawks: 9. Jaxson Hayes | C | Texas

If the Hawks could truly walk away from this draft with both Hunter and Jaxson Hayes, they would have to be delighted. Each is a high-floor player with upside to grow into starters on championship teams. Both are versatile talents who fit beautifully with the Hawks’ core. Both come from programs that have typically produced high-character players in the NBA. All things considered, it would be a perfect scenario for Atlanta.

A player like Hunter who could slide in and play either forward spot for the Hawks would be a perfect transition for both parties. Hunter would be able to be the third or fourth option, and Atlanta would get more defensive presence in their starting unit alongside Trae Young and John Collins.


Hayes balances upside with fit for Atlanta, filling the remaining hole at center and giving the team an anchor for its defense.
With just a 17.4 percent usage rate and an offensive game focused on energy, Hayes could fit right in alongside the other young Hawks. Young is always going to struggle on defense and Collins has fallen off slightly as a rim protector, making Hayes’ value in a drop defense against the pick-and-roll immensely valuable projecting forward for Atlanta.

We’ve highlighted before Hayes’ deficiencies as a screener and overall, getting bigger, using his strength and handling NBA big men will be the next challenge for him.

[EazyRoc]

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Atlanta Hawks: 5. De'Andre Hunter | F | Virginia


Atlanta Hawks: 9. Jaxson Hayes | C | Texas

If the Hawks could truly walk away from this draft with both Hunter and Jaxson Hayes, they would have to be delighted. Each is a high-floor player with upside to grow into starters on championship teams. Both are versatile talents who fit beautifully with the Hawks’ core. Both come from programs that have typically produced high-character players in the NBA. All things considered, it would be a perfect scenario for Atlanta.

A player like Hunter who could slide in and play either forward spot for the Hawks would be a perfect transition for both parties. Hunter would be able to be the third or fourth option, and Atlanta would get more defensive presence in their starting unit alongside Trae Young and John Collins.


Hayes balances upside with fit for Atlanta, filling the remaining hole at center and giving the team an anchor for its defense.
With just a 17.4 percent usage rate and an offensive game focused on energy, Hayes could fit right in alongside the other young Hawks. Young is always going to struggle on defense and Collins has fallen off slightly as a rim protector, making Hayes’ value in a drop defense against the pick-and-roll immensely valuable projecting forward for Atlanta.

We’ve highlighted before Hayes’ deficiencies as a screener and overall, getting bigger, using his strength and handling NBA big men will be the next challenge for him.

Any combination of Hunter, Hayes, J. Porter, & Langford would be an A+ draft.

Edit: I’m starting to warm up to Fernando too as I hear more about him.

[Hazer]

Read the scouting report on NBADraft and watch some of Bruno’s latest games, he’s really putting the pedal to the metal. They’re comparing him to Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka, I’ll take that all day long with Mavs’ pick. His attitude, motor, strength, athleticism, and work ethic are all elite. Excellent wingspan, good rebounder and shot blocker, good FT%. Me, I’d take Cam with our pick and Bruno with Mavs’ pick. I’ll make my final decision after March Madness, but I’m going on record with Reddish/Fernando as my 2 lottery pick hopes

That’s my 1a. My 1b right now is Rui and Culver. Hunter and Porter are creeping up my board too.

I gotta watch Bruno but honestly all I saw was a glorified Ian Mahinmi. I like a Ian pick as a second round gamble, speaking of second rounds, I’d like us to take a look at Mutombo’s nephew as well.

Bruno has a 7'4.25" wingspan, is a better rebounder and shot-blocker than Mahinmi. Higher motor, notoriously intense work ethic. 77% from the line, Mahinmi is only 61%. Not the best comparison. Bruno got dat DAWG all up in'em.

[Hazer]

That’s my 1a. My 1b right now is Rui and Culver. Hunter and Porter are creeping up my board too.

I gotta watch Bruno but honestly all I saw was a glorified Ian Mahinmi. I like a Ian pick as a second round gamble, speaking of second rounds, I’d like us to take a look at Mutombo’s nephew as well.

Bruno has a 7'4.25" wingspan, is a better rebounder and shot-blocker than Mahinmi. Higher motor, notoriously intense work ethic. 77% from the line, where Mahinmi is only 61%. Not a good comparison. Bruno got dat DAWG all up in'em.

Ibaka is the better comp, IMO. And I'll take that all day long: trading My-Name-Is-Luka for Nash/Zeke and Ibaka is winning

[Jamaaliver]

Why would we take Langford over Culver? I'm asking because i know nothing about these guys but seems like I've heard that Culver is the better prospect.

You know, I've clearly been sleeping on Romeo Langford of late.

Dude's been really productive/efficient in the last few weeks:

Through four games in February, Langford is averaging 37 minutes per game, in which he is scoring 16.5 points on 47 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from 3 while dishing 2.8 assists. Somehow, Indiana has lost three of the four games.

The freshman is a big guard who has slowly but surely upped his scoring efficiency over the course of the season and possesses the defensive versatility to one day defend multiple positions in the NBA. He has outlier block numbers for a combo guard with a 2.6 block percentage, swatting one shot per 40 minutes and he is about the only thing keeping Indiana’s team together at this point in the year. That also means on offense, where his huge 27.4 percent usage rate and 55.5 true shooting percentage are a solid statistical combination for a freshman lead guard with little talent or shooting around him.

The Stepback

Spoiler:

Scouting Report from The Ringer:

Romeo Langford
Guard, Indiana, freshman (6-foot-6, 215 pounds, 19 years old)

Chau: Aesthetically, there is not a player in college basketball outside of Zion I enjoy watching more than Langford. He has a confident, unrushed floor game, with all the crossover stepbacks and pull-up ability required to be a high-level scoring guard these days. He might have the best glasswork of any athlete in the country—a skill that certainly translated with talents like Dwyane Wade, Brandon Roy, and early-career Derrick Rose. Langford has a remarkable feel for angles, touch, and body control required to get the ball softly through the cylinder by any means possible—likely something honed as a complement to his flowing style of play.

With long arms and a compact frame, he has the tools to be both a volume scorer in the league and a solid two-way player. If he can improve his shooting consistency, he might wind up being the Markelle Fultz we never received. But if he can’t reliably extend his range, much of what makes him special in college could make him a majorly inefficient player in the NBA.

[King Ken]

None of these centers are ready. I watched them all. All of them will need time. If someone takes one in the top 5, they deserve to be fired

[Hazer]

Watch on YouTube

Bruno taking it to the "bank" for Big 10 Player of the Week

[Hazer]

None of these centers are ready. I watched them all. All of them will need time. If someone takes one in the top 5, they deserve to be fired

Agreed. Which is why I'm talking about taking Bruno with the Mavs' pick around 10th.

[Jamaaliver]

Sekou, baby!

6'9" combo forward as a draft and stash option with the Dallas pick:

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[kg01]

Sekou, baby!

6'9" combo forward as a draft and stash option with the Dallas pick:

There's no need to "stash" a guy like that. Develop him here.

We're not in a position to "stash" a top-8(ish) pick anyways.

I get it, I get it ... you only want dudes to enter the league as 28 year-old guys or w/e. You've got to get over that, mayne.

And every player could see some benefit from further development, overseas or otherwise, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best plan for the player.

You said the same type of stuff about Collins, Young, Huerter, etc. You make me sad, @jamalll Don't you want kg to be happy?

[Spud2nique]

I’m still not spending our first or the Mavs on a center. I want 2 wings from this wing heavy draft. We can draft a center with our second rounder pick. Hayes and Bruno need to show me more.