2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[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.

Why would you need 2 wings when you have that SG you drafted last year?

Because you always go BPA. We don’t need to worry about fits just yet as much as overall talent. We worry about that in a year or so. Hard and fast rule BPA always.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

RJ Barrett is such a beast. Dude will stuff a stat sheet at the pro level:

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[Jamaaliver]

Matisse Thybulle, the best defender in college basketball: 'I'm a first-round draft pick'



Washington Huskies senior guard Matisse Thybulle is dominating college basketball in an unusual fashion.

His 9.7 scoring average doesn’t tell the true story of how the 6-foot-6 wing is making his presence felt. It’s his defensive presence that sets him apart, and it’s the reason his stock is rising as arguably the top 3-and-D prospect in the 2019 NBA draft in June.

“Being a senior should give NBA teams comfort in my maturity and readiness, like Malcolm Brogdon, Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma.”

On Wednesday in a 17-point win over Utah, Thybulle, who shoots 36.6 percent from 3-point range, had 10 points (2-of-3 from 3-point range), seven rebounds, six steals and four blocks in 33 minutes. It was a standard evening for the 21-year-old out of Issaquah, Washington.

His lightning quick hands, lateral quickness and ability to anticipate opponents’ next move are qualities that have elevated him among elite company.

He’s the first player in 20 seasons to average more than three steals and two blocks per game. He’s the favorite to earn his second conference Defensive Player of the Year honor and is in the running for the Naismith DPOY award.

Yahoo Sports

[Jamaaliver]

A nice resource for going in depth on specific lottery prospects.

2019 NBA Draft: Every Projected Top Pick's Biggest Strength, Weakness

Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech, SG, Sophomore)




Strengths: Offensive versatility

Pick-and-roll ball-handler: .907 PPP (79th percentile), Isolation: 1.048 PPP (85th percentile), Off screens: 1.167 PPP (84th percentile)

The draw to Jarrett Culver stems from his well-rounded skill set for a long, 6'5" 2-guard.

He scores and passes working on and off the ball, generating 23.0 percent of his offense as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, 19.1 percent out of spot-ups, 13.4 percent out of isolation, 13.4 percent in transition and 10.2 percent off screens.

His shooting numbers are down this year, but Culver clearly has three-point range (career 88 makes), a working pull-up (31-of-89) and finishing instincts at the rim (60.9 percent). Attacking the basket, he's 13-of-20 out of isolation and 8-of-11 driving out of spot-up positions.

He's also nearly doubled his assist rate to 26.9 percent (from 13.7 percent), showing improved playmaking off the dribble.

He'll fit wherever he lands. The question teams must ask is how much upside they'll have to unlock.



Weakness: No core skill/strength

Jump shots: 36.8 percent, Runners: 5-of-15, Cuts: 1.08 PPP (42nd percentile), Assists and turnovers: 4.7 and 3.7 per 40 minutes

While Culver's offensive versatility covers ground, he's missing a bankable skill or strength.

He lacks explosiveness, raising questions about his ability to create separation off the dribble.

Culver can make shots, but he's shooting just 34.0 percent from three and 68.3 percent from the free-throw line. And though he's taken a step forward as a passer, his lack of blow-by burst and a projected off-ball role suggest his playmaking potential is capped.

Culver checks enough boxes to strengthen the perception that his floor is high. The height of his ceiling seems questionable, however, without any specialty skill or trait.

Bleacher Report

[pacehawk]

If by some chance Ja Morant is still available when the Hawks pick and he is the best player available do the Hawks take him even though they already have Trae Young? I am guessing no but from what I am reading he might be too good to pass up? How would you compare Young and Morant (I thought I read somewhere that some NBA experts think Morant is the best PG prospect to come out in recent years???)?

[King Ken]

If by some chance Ja Morant is still available when the Hawks pick and he is the best player available do the Hawks take him even though they already have Trae Young? I am guessing no but from what I am reading he might be too good to pass up? How would you compare Young and Morant (I thought I read somewhere that some NBA experts think Morant is the best PG prospect to come out in recent years???)?

Morant is a good trade down asset but chances are we will draft a wing regardless

[atlantabbq99]

I'm starting to question Cam Reddish's mental game. I'm starting to think he doesn't have the personality or mental toughness to be a professional athlete.

Maybe its time for the Hawks to move on from Cam and focus on Bol, Okpala, Doumbouya, or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

At this point, I think I would go ahead and draft RJ Barrett on draft night and then see if anybody I like falls, then trade Barrett for a lower pick and additional assets

[atlantabbq99]

Matisse Thybulle, the best defender in college basketball: 'I'm a first-round draft pick'



Washington Huskies senior guard Matisse Thybulle is dominating college basketball in an unusual fashion.

His 9.7 scoring average doesn’t tell the true story of how the 6-foot-6 wing is making his presence felt. It’s his defensive presence that sets him apart, and it’s the reason his stock is rising as arguably the top 3-and-D prospect in the 2019 NBA draft in June.

“Being a senior should give NBA teams comfort in my maturity and readiness, like Malcolm Brogdon, Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma.”

On Wednesday in a 17-point win over Utah, Thybulle, who shoots 36.6 percent from 3-point range, had 10 points (2-of-3 from 3-point range), seven rebounds, six steals and four blocks in 33 minutes. It was a standard evening for the 21-year-old out of Issaquah, Washington.

His lightning quick hands, lateral quickness and ability to anticipate opponents’ next move are qualities that have elevated him among elite company.

He’s the first player in 20 seasons to average more than three steals and two blocks per game. He’s the favorite to earn his second conference Defensive Player of the Year honor and is in the running for the Naismith DPOY award.

Yahoo Sports

Jan 22, 2019 5:58 am: Matisse Thybulle - He could be a good pick up for the Hawks as an undrafted free agent and he would be one of the perfect teammates for Trae and Collins. He would just play defense for 20-30 minutes and never ask to touch the ball. Nothing really special about the guy but he has one of the best anticipations and defensive court visions I've seen in a while and he is not a liability at the free throw line. He is one of the top 'glue guys' in college basketball right now. Their is a small chance he makes the league but if he does, he can be another Thabo hopefully without the injury issues.

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https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1702101&start=700

I already posted about Thybulle last January. He is a very interesting talent and would work well with ball dominate players like Trae and Collins. He is a mid to low 2nd round pick and could even be had as an undrafted free agent. I would love to see him play along side Trae, but he is not a 1st round pick. I wouldn't be upset if the Hawks take him in the first round but I would be very very surpised.

[Jamaaliver]

^That was an incredibly long re-post.

I'm pretty sure Matisse is just a younger version of Thabo Sefolosha.

Getting him at #35 seems reasonable...

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[Spud2nique]

^That was an incredibly long re-post.

I'm pretty sure Matisse is just a younger version of Thabo Sefolosha.

Getting him at #35 seems reasonable...

Sent from my RC555L using RealGM mobile app

I think it was a long repost because he was letting you know that you stole his stuff and reposted it like it’s the first time anyone’s seen it and tried to front...that’s why I think.. in my humblest.

[King Ken]

A nice resource for going in depth on specific lottery prospects.

2019 NBA Draft: Every Projected Top Pick's Biggest Strength, Weakness

Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech, SG, Sophomore)




Strengths: Offensive versatility

Pick-and-roll ball-handler: .907 PPP (79th percentile), Isolation: 1.048 PPP (85th percentile), Off screens: 1.167 PPP (84th percentile)

The draw to Jarrett Culver stems from his well-rounded skill set for a long, 6'5" 2-guard.

He scores and passes working on and off the ball, generating 23.0 percent of his offense as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, 19.1 percent out of spot-ups, 13.4 percent out of isolation, 13.4 percent in transition and 10.2 percent off screens.

His shooting numbers are down this year, but Culver clearly has three-point range (career 88 makes), a working pull-up (31-of-89) and finishing instincts at the rim (60.9 percent). Attacking the basket, he's 13-of-20 out of isolation and 8-of-11 driving out of spot-up positions.

He's also nearly doubled his assist rate to 26.9 percent (from 13.7 percent), showing improved playmaking off the dribble.

He'll fit wherever he lands. The question teams must ask is how much upside they'll have to unlock.



Weakness: No core skill/strength

Jump shots: 36.8 percent, Runners: 5-of-15, Cuts: 1.08 PPP (42nd percentile), Assists and turnovers: 4.7 and 3.7 per 40 minutes

While Culver's offensive versatility covers ground, he's missing a bankable skill or strength.

He lacks explosiveness, raising questions about his ability to create separation off the dribble.

Culver can make shots, but he's shooting just 34.0 percent from three and 68.3 percent from the free-throw line. And though he's taken a step forward as a passer, his lack of blow-by burst and a projected off-ball role suggest his playmaking potential is capped.

Culver checks enough boxes to strengthen the perception that his floor is high. The height of his ceiling seems questionable, however, without any specialty skill or trait.

Bleacher Report

Love the article

[Spud2nique]

It’s getting difficult to deny...

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[EazyRoc]

I'm starting to question Cam Reddish's mental game. I'm starting to think he doesn't have the personality or mental toughness to be a professional athlete.

Maybe its time for the Hawks to move on from Cam and focus on Bol, Okpala, Doumbouya, or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

At this point, I think I would go ahead and draft RJ Barrett on draft night and then see if anybody I like falls, then trade Barrett for a lower pick and additional assets

While that is a bit harsh...this was his time to showcase himself. I think the guy will be a good NBA journeyman.

[EazyRoc]

It’s getting difficult to deny...

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I knew he’d start shooting up boards. He really is a Top 5 prospect. In my eyes, he could fall anywhere between 3rd-5th on best NBA prospects once the Tourney is over.

[atlantabbq99]

It’s getting difficult to deny...

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I knew he’d start shooting up boards. He really is a Top 5 prospect. In my eyes, he could fall anywhere between 3rd-5th on best NBA prospects once the Tourney is over.

I like Hunter's stats, but when I watch him on film, he remind me of Jonathan Isaac. So I have mixed feelings on the guy. I wish he could show us more on defense or on the fast break like Demare Carroll.

The draft is really weak, so he could be an ok top 10 pick, but I hope he can develop more than just an 'okay starter', which is what I have him pegged at.

[EazyRoc]

It’s getting difficult to deny...

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I knew he’d start shooting up boards. He really is a Top 5 prospect. In my eyes, he could fall anywhere between 3rd-5th on best NBA prospects once the Tourney is over.

I like Hunter's stats, but when I watch him on film, he remind me of Jonathan Isaac. So I have mixed feelings on the guy. I wish he could show us more on defense or on the fast break like Demare Carroll.

The draft is really weak, so he could be an ok top 10 pick, but I hope he can develop more than just an 'okay starter', which is what I have him pegged at.

While I haven’t watched a lot of Isaacs, I don’t know how you believe he could show more defensively or on the fast break. It’s all in the tape IMO.

He’s a very very advanced team defender at 20(ish) and a good, disciplined man defender. He doesn’t gamble a lot and stays within the coaches system, so he doesn’t have the steals/blocks to reflect his level of ability right now as a defender. He’s solid on the break with a good enough handle and solid athleticism combined with elite length. I think he needs to learn how to get his body into defenders to shield and create enough space with his superior length to get shots off around the basket. He’s also overly reliant on right hand finishes and goes to that even when his left hand would give him a better chance to get his shot off around the basket.

High floor, high ceiling guy. When I watch him play offensively he reminds a lot of Kawhi Now in where/how he gets his shots.

Ultimately though, I think this draft has just as much talent as the last draft if not more. If you had a guy like Romeo Langford in last years draft..he’d be a top 5 lock last year.

[Spud2nique]

I knew he’d start shooting up boards. He really is a Top 5 prospect. In my eyes, he could fall anywhere between 3rd-5th on best NBA prospects once the Tourney is over.

I like Hunter's stats, but when I watch him on film, he remind me of Jonathan Isaac. So I have mixed feelings on the guy. I wish he could show us more on defense or on the fast break like Demare Carroll.

The draft is really weak, so he could be an ok top 10 pick, but I hope he can develop more than just an 'okay starter', which is what I have him pegged at.

While I haven’t watched a lot of Isaacs, I don’t know how you believe he could show more defensively or on the fast break. It’s all in the tape IMO.

He’s a very very advanced team defender at 20(ish) and a good, disciplined man defender. He doesn’t gamble a lot and stays within the coaches system, so he doesn’t have the steals/blocks to reflect his level of ability right now as a defender. He’s solid on the break with a good enough handle and solid athleticism combined with elite length. I think he needs to learn how to get his body into defenders to shield and create enough space with his superior length to get shots off around the basket. He’s also overly reliant on right hand finishes and goes to that even when his left hand would give him a better chance to get his shot off around the basket.

High floor, high ceiling guy. When I watch him play offensively he reminds a lot of Kawhi Now in where/how he gets his shots.

Ultimately though, I think this draft has just as much talent as the last draft if not more. If you had a guy like Romeo Langford in last years draft..he’d be a top 5 lock last year.

Wow Kawhi? that’s high praise.