2017 NBA Draft Thread

[jayu70]

I haven't looked but I would surmise that John Collins grabbing those ORebs has affected Ded's nbrs.
Question: Are we grabbing more ORebs this year than previous years?

[Jamaaliver]

Back on topic of the thread:

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Would you guys toss Dennis to Philly for Markelle Fultz?

[MaceCase]

Dedmon is taking 3s at a higher rate than Horford did as a Hawk (25.7% to 24.4%) yet is still rebounding at a higher rate (18.3 TRB%) than Horford's career high (18 TRB%). Sometimes it's just the player and not the 3s.

This is a great catch!!

It's also worth noting that under Budenholzer, Dedmon's TRB%, DRB% and ORB% all dropped from his previous season under Poppovich. With the most noticeable drop off occurring in Offensive Rebounding. Basketball Reference

It's a scheme design.

Dedmon's career total rebound rate in his previous 3 seasons before San Antonio was 18.6%.

Dedmon's rebound percentage in his sole season in San Antonio could thus be a scheme design.

By fan request: Don't hate the 3s, hate the player

[jayu70]

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Would you guys toss Dennis to Philly for Markelle Fultz?

Will the Hawks have to add to Dennis?
Kids got not only a physical ailment but maybe a pschological one too?
Would a trade help him or make his condition worse? Particularly if psychological.
Until he plays another NBA game, he's Philly's burden to bear.

[kg01]

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Would you guys toss Dennis to Philly for Markelle Fultz?

What the ... ?

I'd send them Bembry and they should be happy to take him.

[MaceCase]

Fultz went from being near unanimously regarded as the #1 overall to all of a sudden being unable to lift his arms above his shoulders. I don't think Dennis has the value to get him even as he redshirts through a season. If Fultz value has dropped that far then it would suggest his career is practically un-salvageable or Philly's med staff is truly terrible yet rival GMs except Schlenk still hold them to high regard.

[Jamaaliver]

I don't think Dennis has the value to get him even as he redshirts through a season.

Agreed.

It'd be insane if the kid being hailed as the 'next James Harden' was worth so little 7 months into his career.

[macd-gm]

^Yeah, we saw how it affected Horford's production/rebounding numbers.

Let's definitely repeat that outcome.

Since Horford starting shooting 3s he got a max contract, is talked of as an mvp candidate , and considered the most important player on the #1 seed. So yes. I think that worked out for him.

[Jamaaliver]

He is indeed the most dominant 13 ppg scorer I've ever seen.

That's certainly worth the $27 million he's making this year.

[tbhawksfan1]

Horford improves teams.

[Jamaaliver]

Horford improves teams.

I do agree here.

But I'm hoping we get a top, young player capable of carrying this franchise.

If we drafted Ayton and he became a 14 ppg 7 rpg, second tier player...Id be pretty disappointed.

[tbhawksfan1]

Don't sell Horf short. Look at his Hawks stats and an ECF one and only in ATL. I'd like Ayton to contribute similar chemistry with much higher up-side.

[Jamaaliver]

Intriguing question:

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[Jamaaliver]

Is Donovan Mitchell officially the steal of the draft?

Is he the Rookie of the year?

Can you imagine if the Knicks had selected him instead of French Frank?!?

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[Jamaaliver]

Ben Simmons is more deserving than Donovan Mitchell for NBA rookie of the year

Donovan Mitchell, the 13th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, is outperforming expectations this season. The 21-year-old shooting guard out of Louisville is averaging 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, hitting a robust 35 percent of his attempts from behind the three-point line. Against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, he tallied 27 points — 21 in the second half — and six rebounds, willing the Jazz to a come-from-behind victory.

“I think he should be rookie of the year, for sure,” Portland’s Damian Lillard said of Mitchell after the game. “Not just because of his numbers, but his impact on their team. He’s basically leading them. It’s special to see a rookie be able to do what he’s doing out there.”

However, as impressive as that is, it’s not enough to surpass Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons as this year’s best rookie performer.

Simmons is scoring 16.4 points per game and leads all rookies in points rebounds (7.7) and assists (7.3) per contest. His five triple-doubles this season are the most by a rookie since 1983-84...Mitchell doesn’t have any.

Simmons is also the better defender.

It’s that versatility on both ends of the court that makes the rookie of the year race a one-sided affair in Simmons’s favor.

The case is clear: if you want a rookie that scores a lot to win the end-of-season award, then Mitchell is your guy. If you want the best all-around rookie, Simmons is the one to beat.

Washington Post

[Jamaaliver]

A couple of other big men getting some recognition in the dog days of summer:

Ten things I like and don't like

Jarrett Allen, dexterous!

Allen already has exquisite footwork and timing when diving to the rim on the pick-and-roll. He has a knack for rising up from weird angles under the rim, and exploding for dunks.

It's [too] early to declare Allen a can't-miss part of Brooklyn's uncertain future. He has limited range. He doesn't have a quick second jump. He will eventually have to master kick-out passes on the move when defenses collapse on him. Beefy post-up brutes push him around.

But Allen is 19, skilled and fearless. Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked on him twice in a recent game, and Allen kept coming back for more. Sean Marks, the Nets' GM, swiped Allen at No. 22, and he looks like a steal.


BAM! BAM!

My personal case of Bam Fever is reaching dangerous levels. Look at this dude:

What this clip doesn't show: Adebayo leading a functional fast break, and then staying in front of Eric Bledsoe on a switch.

Adebayo's versatility is way ahead of schedule. He looks comfortable guarding all five positions, and facilitating from the elbows. He has assisted on about 12.5 percent of Miami buckets while on the floor, a rare benchmark for a rookie big.

He has been malleable enough for Spoelstra to try him alongside both Kelly Olynyk (going great) and Whiteside (not so great). Heat coaches and officials cannot contain their giddiness when discussing Adebayo.

ESPN

[Jamaaliver]

This year's rookie class making their mark on the league in the early going of the season:

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[Jamaaliver]

Question for Hawk fans:

If you had to choose between having Donovan Mitchell on this team or Taurean + John Collins, who would you choose?

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[macd-gm]

I'd chose Donavon Mitchell all day every day. I think you'd get laughed at if you offered that choice to anyone but a hawks fan.

[Jamaaliver]

I'd chose Donavon Mitchell all day every day. I think you'd get laughed at if you offered that choice to anyone but a hawks fan.

This is 100% the correct answer.

I ask because Utah moved up to get that kid by trading Trey Lyles and #24. Taurean Prince + #19 is an offer that ATL could have countered with that seems an obvious improvement.

NOTE: The reports I've heard is that DEN wanted to draft OG Anunoby, but didn't want to grab him at #13. They traded back to #24 only to see him grabbed one selection earlier. Mitchell and OG each look like long term starters for years to come.


But, man...getting Donovan last draft and then getting a top 10 pick this draft could have left us completely set in the rebuild in only 13 months.

I can dream, right?