2019 NBA Draft Prep

[jayu70]

How do we get another pick in the 20s (while keeping 8 and 10) - which team might be looking to sell their pick?

SAS has #19, just saying.

Travis has already stated that bringing 5 rookies is not realistic, so I expect the 2nd rounders to be dangled.

I also expect Taurean to be placed back on the trade block.



Between you and me, I'd be very okay with trading back from #10 and getting multiple picks now and in the future.

I never thought we'd use all of our 2nds on players to have 5 rookies.
1. sold for Cash Considerations
2. draft and stash
3. Select a player or trade for future 2nd
4. Combine 2 picks and trade for a low end 1st to a team looking to not have a guaranteed 1st salary.
5. We also have the Cavs 1st, now 2 future 2nds, The OKC 1st in 2021 and a plethora of future 1st from BKN.

I'm not opposed to trading down from #10 for a slightly lower pick plus a future pick, I'm just wary of the protection and it converting to worth the risk.
Conversely, what would TP and #10 net us to move up and would it be worth it based on 'weak draft' claims.

Question - if we don't get the SF of our top choice with picks 8 and 10, should TP still be on the block?

There are so many directions for the Hawks. I LOVE IT!!!

[Jamaaliver]

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

A REALLY good point.

I like Goga Bitadze, Center prospect from Europe, but I can't see him thriving in a Trae-led, high speed offense.

I might have to take him off my board because of that.

Good call...



I can't really say how Bol would do next to Trae in our high pace offense.

[Spud2nique]

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

A REALLY good point.

I like Goga Bitadze, Center prospect from Europe, but I can't see him thriving in a Trae-led, high speed offense.

I might have to take him off my board because of that.

Good call...



I can't really say how Bol would do next to Trae in our high pace offense.

Can we do a :

Pf- Brandon Clarke/John Collins
C- John Collins/Brandon Clarke


I mean, both are natural pf’s but do we need a traditional center? I mean with the way the league is moving towards small ball.

I’d prefer a fast mobile front court personally. One that is scrappy but can get down on play D on possessions when needed.

[Jamaaliver]

I never thought we'd use all of our 2nds on players to have 5 rookies.

4. Combine 2 picks and trade for a low end 1st to a team looking to not have a guaranteed 1st salary.

Conversely, what would TP and #10 net us to move up and would it be worth it based on 'weak draft' claims.

Question - if we don't get the SF of our top choice with picks 8 and 10, should TP still be on the block?

There are so many directions for the Hawks. I LOVE IT!!!

To answer your first question, this is how I expect we could sneak back into the late first round for Kabengele. Dangling #35 and #41.



To answer the second question: TP's pending contract situation remains an issue. I wouldn't let him reach RFA. If we aren't making progress on a rookie contract extension in June, move him to a contender.

We can find another SF to give us 13 ppg.

[Spud2nique]

Clarke and Kabengele are the only 2 centers I currently have on my wish list. Hayes is giving me the Joakim Noah outside shot jitters. I HATE..ABSOLUTELY HATE when any player can’t shoot a 5 footer..or just can’t shoot anything period.

Hayes could still grow on me, but dude has to learn to shoot...a little at least.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

Spud, pardon the observation, but I think you need to spend some time watching some Bol tape... this kid's an absolute deer gracefully dashing down the floor, and moreover, can handle the ball even as he's doing that, too.

No pardons needed. I do believe I’m having some issues understanding the strengths of some prospects here... Sekou and Bol to be specific.


I’ll work on that Sturt, along with my giant forehead. Next time you see my I’ll have a three head and be a Bol fanatic! Woo hoo

You're a hoot, my friend.

(And that's a good thing... don't let kg01 tell ya otherwise.)

[jayu70]

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

A REALLY good point.

I like Goga Bitadze, Center prospect from Europe, but I can't see him thriving in a Trae-led, high speed offense.

I might have to take him off my board because of that.

Good call...



I can't really say how Bol would do next to Trae in our high pace offense.

Question - how are these guys foot speed in relation to Alex Len, he's not fleet a foot but still thrived in our Trae- led offense.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Clarke and Kabengele are the only 2 centers I currently have on my wish list.

Clarke reminds me too much of Shell head... too low of a ceiling for me to even think about @ #8 or #10

And anyone who likes Kabengele, imo, needs to take into account that Bruno provides handles and at least some demonstrable court vision that Kabengele does not... so, again, with Bruno likely to be there where we're drafting, I don't pass on him for a lesser version of the same kind of player.

[EazyRoc]

**** you can’t get much slower than Alex Len

[Radioblacktive1]

Bruno is my favorite non-injured true C in this draft. What are people’s reservations about him?

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Bruno is my favorite non-injured true C in this draft. What are people’s reservations about him?

That's a really good question. My working theory is that fans see his freshman year tape, and either can't get past how bad he was or don't realize they're watching his freshman year tape. I have strong suspicions that the actual paid NBA scouts out there are higher on him than is generally understood.

I put myself out there suggesting that I see some Olajuwon to his game on both sides of the court, but I really do. Just now compared sophomore seasons' stats, and there's further similarity.

[Jamaaliver]

*NOTE: I just realized you were asking related to offense...my bad. also,

Question - how are these guys foot speed in relation to Alex Len, he's not fleet a foot but still thrived in our Trae- led offense.

Goga Bitadze is, on his best day, comparable to Alex Len when defending in space. I've heard him referred to as shot-blocking Enes Kanter, and that seems about right.



Bol Bol is terrible defending in space.

Watch on YouTube

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Am I wrong to say that Bol Bol looks like a tall version of Kevin Durant just coming out of Texas... I mean, in terms of frame, handles, ability to score?

Watch on YouTube

Durant was smoother and could come off screens faster on catch n shoots as well as faster putting the ball on the floor. Having said that, Bol has a few inches on Durant. He’s very versatile I’m just afraid of the big man Rik smits injuries that lay ahead.

I'll agree with "come off screens faster"... though, it's more assumption than it is visually-confirmed, b/c that's just not anything you see Oregon try to do with Bol. But yeah, you'd have to think in catch-and-shoot, Durant is in his own separate class as far as the mechanics of setting up for the shot... the shot accuracy, though, is definitely comparable.

Handles-wise, and able to get where he wants to go on the court, that's what actually caused me to think of Durant.

Seems he's a better passer than Durant at that stage, too.

Early rumor-mongering out of Boston media has it that Ainge is salivating for this one, and I see why.

More mostly-but-not-totally Pro Bol schtick...

https://sircharlesincharge.com/2019/03/13/nba-draft-2019-good-bol-bol/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2018/11/26/bol-bol-is-an-intriguing-prospect-but-nba-personnel-have-few-comparisons-for-him

It's cool to see it when you write something, and then find out that someone else saw essentially the same things... in this case, that he reminds some people of a taller Durant.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Bol Bol is terrible defending in space.

Watch on YouTube

Wait. You were the one who claimed convenient editing on the previous clip... but this one, based on its showing a total of 3 plays in the course of 9 games, one of which isn't even relevant (not sure what the editor expected him to do on the fast break opp), is convincing?

Nonsense.

[Spud2nique]

I have another question then which I don’t wanna make a new topic for because ...well I’m lazy and it’s the same thing.


How many of you all think that we have our offensive threesome out there in Trae/Collins/Hurt and that we need to focus on our small forward/power forward/Center needs to be a defense first type of player?

How many think we keep the theme of “all offensive” players (let’s face it ..the league is wussy, I shoulda known that when cupcake couldn’t bench 135 ) and just draft according to offensive first?

That’s what I’m confused myself about. I mean, if we don’t have a defensive stopper that can spell trouble when the game slows up in the postseason. Then again, teams are still NOT playing post season defense.

[Spud2nique]

Clarke and Kabengele are the only 2 centers I currently have on my wish list.

Clarke reminds me too much of Shell head... too low of a ceiling for me to even think about @ #8 or #10

And anyone who likes Kabengele, imo, needs to take into account that Bruno provides handles and at least some demonstrable court vision that Kabengele does not... so, again, with Bruno likely to be there where we're drafting, I don't pass on him for a lesser version of the same kind of player.

Wait, I hope he only reminds you of the landlord because of... I dunno Oh going to high...it’s possible but I don’t mind reaching for who we like. Also, if I watch more Bol tape will you watch Clarke? The kid plays so hard and with Trae’s pinpoint passing precision, alley oops are endless.

[Jamaaliver]

Bol Bol is terrible defending in space.

Nonsense.

Bol has a reputation for poor perimeter defense. And sub par post defense due to his lack of girth.


If you disagree, you'll need to take it up with league observers/pundits:

Bol Bol a fascinating conundrum for NBA GMs

Bol Bol has a good chance to get a general manager fired. The Oregon center’s appeal is obvious. Players who are 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-8 wingspan shouldn’t be able to block jump shots, lead the break, and take pull-up jumpers, let alone do it all in one 10-second period.

But we know the game is changing around him. While basketball in general is going more toward skilled perimeter play — it’s also moving toward mobile defensive play, still a struggle for the Sudanese center. His fit is paradoxical to the NBA: a dynamic offensive weapon who has significant potential to take a lot of that value away on the defensive end.

Spoiler:

He’s averaging nearly four blocks per 40 minutes with a 12.5 percent block rate that places him within the top-20 of all college basketball players nationally. He’s particularly effective at closing down space and blocking shots by jump shooters.

But the natural tools and physical traits are largely where the positivity about Bol’s game on the defensive end currently cease. Because so far this season, Bol has really struggled to stay on position on defense for a variety of reasons. Let’s start around the basket, where, in spite of the blocked shots and length, teams have actually shot better at the rim when Bol is on the floor versus when he’s off the floor.

Watch on YouTube

What you’ll see above is a mix and match of bad tendencies and physical limitations. And yet still, these issues pale in comparison to the problems Bol has out in space. Oregon has started played substantially more zone over their last three games in large part due to the fact that they can’t stop opposing teams from getting clean looks in pick-and-roll when they play man.

Watch on YouTube

All too often, he’ll get caught out in no-man’s land between the ball-handler and roller, not really affecting anything on the defensive end. That leads to lobs to the roller and open lanes to the basket. But that’s not the only issue for Bol, either. Any motion that a guard makes to get downhill forces Bol into an immediate retreat position due to his lack of lateral quickness, leaving him susceptible to in-rhythm pull-ups....Bol is typically the last player down the floor.

his holes figure to only be exacerbated further in the NBA, where he’ll be faced with more athletic guards, stronger big men, and a halfcourt offensive area that adds a considerable amount of space to the floor that must be defended.

The Athletic

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Clarke and Kabengele are the only 2 centers I currently have on my wish list.

Clarke reminds me too much of Shell head... too low of a ceiling for me to even think about @ #8 or #10

And anyone who likes Kabengele, imo, needs to take into account that Bruno provides handles and at least some demonstrable court vision that Kabengele does not... so, again, with Bruno likely to be there where we're drafting, I don't pass on him for a lesser version of the same kind of player.

Wait, I hope he only reminds you of the landlord because of... I dunno Oh going to high...it’s possible but I don’t mind reaching for who we like. Also, if I watch more Bol tape will you watch Clarke? The kid plays so hard and with Trae’s pinpoint passing precision, alley oops are endless.

Clarke is step quickr, 10 lbs lighter, and can dribble left. They both mainly but not exclusively have gotten their points from 3-5 feet as far as I've deciphered. They both were regarded as exceptional rebounders.

But all those drives from the perimeter that Clarke's been able to finish in college, it's too easy for me to envision those being neutralized at the next level. I'll grant you that he's got some Millsap in him, but even that's too low a ceiling for me to be content with for this draft.

[graymule]

Just think! In the last two years draft, Atlanta's GM drafted two starters @#19.
Looking for something good when he has #10 and #8 this summer!

[Spud2nique]

Clarke reminds me too much of Shell head... too low of a ceiling for me to even think about @ #8 or #10

And anyone who likes Kabengele, imo, needs to take into account that Bruno provides handles and at least some demonstrable court vision that Kabengele does not... so, again, with Bruno likely to be there where we're drafting, I don't pass on him for a lesser version of the same kind of player.

Wait, I hope he only reminds you of the landlord because of... I dunno Oh going to high...it’s possible but I don’t mind reaching for who we like. Also, if I watch more Bol tape will you watch Clarke? The kid plays so hard and with Trae’s pinpoint passing precision, alley oops are endless.

Clarke is step quickr, 10 lbs lighter, and can dribble left. They both mainly but not exclusively have gotten their points from 3-5 feet as far as I've deciphered. They both were regarded as exceptional rebounders.

But all those drives from the perimeter that Clarke's been able to finish in college, it's too easy for me to envision those being neutralized at the next level. I'll grant you that he's got some Millsap in him, but even that's too low a ceiling for me to be content with for this draft.

But all the nba bigs right now are soft outside of a few. No reason to think Clarke won’t get in there and give them hell. I don’t think he’s the type to back down to a vet..just a vibe I get.