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_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns low post and high post.

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

fuzzy1 wrote:

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

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kg01 wrote:

fuzzy1 wrote:

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

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Eh, not sure I agree with this.

fuzzy1 wrote:

kg01 wrote:

fuzzy1 wrote:I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

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Eh, not sure I agree with this.

Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

kg01 wrote:

fuzzy1 wrote:

kg01 wrote:
Eh, not sure I agree with this.

Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

I mean, nowadays, just about every player in the upcoming draft "can" do all those things. The question is how many can do them at a high enough level to truly be effective at the NBA level.

I just think there is some legitimate question as to what degree Williamson can be "multiple" offensively. He's the sure #1 pick but it's not because his game is complete. He has some major holes.

fuzzy1 wrote:

kg01 wrote:

fuzzy1 wrote:
Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

I mean, nowadays, just about every player in the upcoming draft "can" do all those things. The question is how many can do them at a high enough level to truly be effective at the NBA level.

I just think there is some legitimate question as to what degree Williamson can be "multiple" offensively. He's the sure #1 pick but it's not because his game is complete. He has some major holes.

Agree to disagree on that. I don't think players like Barrett or Morant can play off ball (and have the same shooting questions), the other top big men (except for maybe Clarke) are one dimensional offensively, I question Culver's athleticism, etc. His game may not be complete but it's pretty close.

And for the record, I don't think Zion will be a #1 option offensively, I see as a #2 or #3 guy, but can be the best player on a title team thanks to his defense / glue potential.

kg01 wrote:

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

Would we be able to get Bruno and KZ? Aren't they both projected around the same range?

Also, would something like George Hill be available as a backup? Probably not. I'm just not high on McConnell. Overrated, even as a backup. 76ers are seeing that lately.

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:

kg01 wrote:

_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

Would we be able to get Bruno and KZ? Aren't they both projected around the same range?

Also, would something like George Hill be available as a backup? Probably not. I'm just not high on McConnell. Overrated, even as a backup. 76ers are seeing that lately.

On the first question, it's true that Bruno, KZ and Jerome are all projected in the back half of the first round--and of course, there's always some appreciable movement between the end of the season and draft night, so we'll have to wait until June really to see whether any of those go higher or a lower or stay the same.

Key to the scenario is that (a) the Dallas pick is as high as #6 and no lower than #9, (b) Bruno remaining in that 18-ish range, and (c) that Boston would be a willing dance partner.

Based on this... https://sports.sites.yale.edu/nba-draft-pick-value ... you have to do a little projection because the math nerd from Yale only looks at the lottery slots, but if #14 is worth $3.46, then in view of the trend in the math, you end up with Boston's #14 (from SAC), #18 (from LAC) and own #22 being worth approximately $6.62.

If we end up with #6 (not looking likely today but still plausible), we'd be overpaying big-time since it calculates at $10.53.

But if we end up with #9, that calculates at $6.78. Almost perfect.

Bruno #14... who I personally have pegged at the top 5 talent in this draft getting incredibly undervalued... then, KZ #18... and Jerome #22.

To the other point, there's always this thing of trying to keep things within the bounds of some reality.

I'm looking for a free agent veteran (at least 4 years) point guard who is established but probably not whining about being the #2, given all the minutes Trae will play. He needs to be approximately adequate at everything, including defense, though if he's renown for his motor, that's probably all the better coming off the bench.

Surveying the FA field and considering the history with Pierce has with McConnell... I'm persuaded that that's a pretty decent match.