2020 NBA Draft Thread

[djFan71]

Any thoughts on Xavier Tillman? Seems like a guy I'd like - does everything but shoot.
Might be a reach at 30 and gone by 47 is the problem.

Tillman is the polar opposite of Issac Okoro. Outside of Assist%, Okoro's numbers are crap. Yet when you look at him, he can do so many things. He's a great finisher, plays great defense, etc. He's a true freshman with upside. He's a bigger version of Jaylen Brown. In a nutshell, lousy numbers, great tape.

Tillman's numbers are great across the board, but when you watch him play, his feet seldom leave the floor. Moreover, he shoots like it's against his religion. He's timid.

Well , his strength right now isn't shooting or scoring with a high usage. He has really high upside as a passer, is a legitimate defensive anchor, and will clobber dudes with screens. He is nearly a 70% ft shooter for his career which is just fine.

There are plenty of full Michigan state games on youtube i highly recommend, you can see his head is on a swivel defensively ordering teammates around and he is actively looking for cutters in Izzos offense. I get it though he's not a super high upside guy because of his lack of real bounce and true size but he might be something 20-35 in this draft. One of those guys who is productive in the nba and you go, "man, how did he slipped to the late first?"

Your last paragraph is what I've gathered from reading scouting reports on him: winning player, good D/IQ. So I was a little surprised multiple people say just good stat guy. But, that's why I asked.

[playa-hater]

I love him already..can defend almost any position and has a vey good shooting motion. Did shoot 40% from 3.. Obviously not a high volume shooter.

If his shots is the real deal, getting a true 3 and D player for Boston is a must.. Semi is a fraud.

He's shot 60% at FT line the two years. Moreover, he shot horribly last year from 3 and this year's volume and sample size are too small.

He's an good defender and tremendous blocker at his size, but I am confident Semi shoots way better.

I see a player who has worked to improve his shooting. I don't know if his sample size is more about his game or scheme but IF Woodard has the mental makeup and the ethic to work on those things, we've seen players improve their shooting before, especially here. So at 26, that's not something that's gonna scare me. We're talking about a 26 pick. At 14 that would scare me.

Which brings me to Saddiq Bey. On the surface I get the appeal of Bey. Shooting and defensive versatility. Certainly fits what Brad likes here. I could be talked into Bey if we ended up with him at 14. But he's not my first choice because his handle looks extremely loose, he's not that athletic and he has no burst. If he has trouble getting a step on college athletes, I'm not expecting him to be able to get a step on NBA defenders. And if that's the case, you're drafting Robert Covington at 14. I mean, that's essentially what you're getting. Nice player. Absolutely a role for him on this team. Will have a good career and help pretty quickly. All that's true. But we're spending a lottery pick on that? I'd rather go after a player with a higher upside and more offensive potential at 14. Part of the reason why I understand the Langford pick in retrospect.

Fair assessments and comparison with R Covington.. Though a young Covington would really help this team a lot. I don't hold Bey's lack of explosiveness against him as much. We have players that need the ball/touches and create the offense.. Just give me a player, who can flat out make open shoots and play switchable defense. I think Bey can do that.

If you don't like Bey, who would you prefer at 14??

[ConstableGeneva]

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[djFan71]

I love him already..can defend almost any position and has a vey good shooting motion. Did shoot 40% from 3.. Obviously not a high volume shooter.

If his shots is the real deal, getting a true 3 and D player for Boston is a must.. Semi is a fraud.

He's shot 60% at FT line the two years. Moreover, he shot horribly last year from 3 and this year's volume and sample size are too small.

He's an good defender and tremendous blocker at his size, but I am confident Semi shoots way better.

I see a player who has worked to improve his shooting. I don't know if his sample size is more about his game or scheme but IF Woodard has the mental makeup and the ethic to work on those things, we've seen players improve their shooting before, especially here. So at 26, that's not something that's gonna scare me. We're talking about a 26 pick. At 14 that would scare me.

Which brings me to Saddiq Bey. On the surface I get the appeal of Bey. Shooting and defensive versatility. Certainly fits what Brad likes here. I could be talked into Bey if we ended up with him at 14. But he's not my first choice because his handle looks extremely loose, he's not that athletic and he has no burst. If he has trouble getting a step on college athletes, I'm not expecting him to be able to get a step on NBA defenders. And if that's the case, you're drafting Robert Covington at 14. I mean, that's essentially what you're getting. Nice player. Absolutely a role for him on this team. Will have a good career and help pretty quickly. All that's true. But we're spending a lottery pick on that? I'd rather go after a player with a higher upside and more offensive potential at 14. Part of the reason why I understand the Langford pick in retrospect.

We gotta stop hyping Woodard, he's up to 18 now on the ringers latest mock.
I wanted him at 26 or 30.

If Covington is worst case at 14, great. I agree though, a higher upside shot is the way to go. I'm not sure where I'm at yet, but RJ (or your PG of choice), Josh Green, Patrick Williams, maybe Nesmith? I had my Poku flirtation, but I think I'm over it.

[bucknersrevenge]

He's shot 60% at FT line the two years. Moreover, he shot horribly last year from 3 and this year's volume and sample size are too small.

He's an good defender and tremendous blocker at his size, but I am confident Semi shoots way better.

I see a player who has worked to improve his shooting. I don't know if his sample size is more about his game or scheme but IF Woodard has the mental makeup and the ethic to work on those things, we've seen players improve their shooting before, especially here. So at 26, that's not something that's gonna scare me. We're talking about a 26 pick. At 14 that would scare me.

Which brings me to Saddiq Bey. On the surface I get the appeal of Bey. Shooting and defensive versatility. Certainly fits what Brad likes here. I could be talked into Bey if we ended up with him at 14. But he's not my first choice because his handle looks extremely loose, he's not that athletic and he has no burst. If he has trouble getting a step on college athletes, I'm not expecting him to be able to get a step on NBA defenders. And if that's the case, you're drafting Robert Covington at 14. I mean, that's essentially what you're getting. Nice player. Absolutely a role for him on this team. Will have a good career and help pretty quickly. All that's true. But we're spending a lottery pick on that? I'd rather go after a player with a higher upside and more offensive potential at 14. Part of the reason why I understand the Langford pick in retrospect.

Fair assessments and comparison with R Covington.. Though a young Covington would really help this team a lot. I don't hold Bey's lack of explosiveness against him as much. We have players that need the ball/touches and create the offense.. Just give me a player, who can flat out make open shoots and play switchable defense. I think Bey can do that.

If you don't like Bey, who would you prefer at 14??

Well my #1 is Killian Hayes. One mock has him sliding that far but obviously it's a longshot. That said, I've been all over the place but I keep coming back to Cole Anthony. The kid is a shotmaker deluxe. He already scores at all 3 levels. Handle is pretty good. Solidly built. Not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Very comfortable coming off screens without the ball. I think he's a better playmaker than what we saw at UNC. Plays with a ton of swag and a ton of confidence. Competes defensively too. His upside in my opinion is high enough to be worth taking him at 14 if he gets there.

[Parliament10]

Repost:

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Draft just moved back more than a month, to Nov. 18.

[playa-hater]

I see a player who has worked to improve his shooting. I don't know if his sample size is more about his game or scheme but IF Woodard has the mental makeup and the ethic to work on those things, we've seen players improve their shooting before, especially here. So at 26, that's not something that's gonna scare me. We're talking about a 26 pick. At 14 that would scare me.

Which brings me to Saddiq Bey. On the surface I get the appeal of Bey. Shooting and defensive versatility. Certainly fits what Brad likes here. I could be talked into Bey if we ended up with him at 14. But he's not my first choice because his handle looks extremely loose, he's not that athletic and he has no burst. If he has trouble getting a step on college athletes, I'm not expecting him to be able to get a step on NBA defenders. And if that's the case, you're drafting Robert Covington at 14. I mean, that's essentially what you're getting. Nice player. Absolutely a role for him on this team. Will have a good career and help pretty quickly. All that's true. But we're spending a lottery pick on that? I'd rather go after a player with a higher upside and more offensive potential at 14. Part of the reason why I understand the Langford pick in retrospect.

Fair assessments and comparison with R Covington.. Though a young Covington would really help this team a lot. I don't hold Bey's lack of explosiveness against him as much. We have players that need the ball/touches and create the offense.. Just give me a player, who can flat out make open shoots and play switchable defense. I think Bey can do that.

If you don't like Bey, who would you prefer at 14??

Well my #1 is Killian Hayes. One mock has him sliding that far but obviously it's a longshot. That said, I've been all over the place but I keep coming back to Cole Anthony. The kid is a shotmaker deluxe. He already scores at all 3 levels. Handle is pretty good. Solidly built. Not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Very comfortable coming off screens without the ball. I think he's a better playmaker than what we saw at UNC. Plays with a ton of swag and a ton of confidence. Competes defensively too. His upside in my opinion is high enough to be worth taking him at 14 if he gets there.

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

[BostonCouchGM]

Fair assessments and comparison with R Covington.. Though a young Covington would really help this team a lot. I don't hold Bey's lack of explosiveness against him as much. We have players that need the ball/touches and create the offense.. Just give me a player, who can flat out make open shoots and play switchable defense. I think Bey can do that.

If you don't like Bey, who would you prefer at 14??

Well my #1 is Killian Hayes. One mock has him sliding that far but obviously it's a longshot. That said, I've been all over the place but I keep coming back to Cole Anthony. The kid is a shotmaker deluxe. He already scores at all 3 levels. Handle is pretty good. Solidly built. Not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Very comfortable coming off screens without the ball. I think he's a better playmaker than what we saw at UNC. Plays with a ton of swag and a ton of confidence. Competes defensively too. His upside in my opinion is high enough to be worth taking him at 14 if he gets there.

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

that guy, Rozier, who doesn't make his teammates better, led a very young team to Game 7 of the ECF, and had such a detrimental effect on Graham that he was in the Most Improved Player discussion and was on the bubble to be an all-star. I seriously have no idea why this sub turned on Rozier. All he did in CHA was put up 18-4-4 while shooting 41% from thee with solid D. Yet all I hear on here is he was overpaid and good riddance.

[bucknersrevenge]

Fair assessments and comparison with R Covington.. Though a young Covington would really help this team a lot. I don't hold Bey's lack of explosiveness against him as much. We have players that need the ball/touches and create the offense.. Just give me a player, who can flat out make open shoots and play switchable defense. I think Bey can do that.

If you don't like Bey, who would you prefer at 14??

Well my #1 is Killian Hayes. One mock has him sliding that far but obviously it's a longshot. That said, I've been all over the place but I keep coming back to Cole Anthony. The kid is a shotmaker deluxe. He already scores at all 3 levels. Handle is pretty good. Solidly built. Not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Very comfortable coming off screens without the ball. I think he's a better playmaker than what we saw at UNC. Plays with a ton of swag and a ton of confidence. Competes defensively too. His upside in my opinion is high enough to be worth taking him at 14 if he gets there.

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

Yeah and I guess that is in fact where we are different. I don't want a role player at 14. I want talent. And if the talent needs the ball and is good enough to bump someone else out then so be it. Maybe someone else gets traded or let go. A draft pick is an investment and an asset. I want a talent good enough to play for us and/or good enough to be valued around the league. IMO, Anthony has the potential to be that kind of guy. And Kemba won't be here forever. And if the Celtics let a rookie of all players kill their chemistry, we might as well fire Brad and trade all of the players.

[Kalela]

For me, what we're looking at, at 14 is a bunch of serviceable role players, except for one guy who has a much higher ceiling that might be there, and that's Achiuwa. Guy's got some star potential in my eyes, and frankly, I think he'll probably be gone a couple of picks before us, but he's the guy I want with our first pick. If I had to throw in a later first to move up a couple of spots to get him, I'd still do it. We can't keep 3 picks anyway.

Mike Schmitz breaks down his game nicely in this interview:

Watch on YouTube

Probably not the best player in the draft but this guy is my favorite player in this class.

[31to6]

I wouldn’t be particularly excited about it but I could totally see us taking Anthony. He does what we seem to like our PGs to do, and Danny likes guys who “slide” compared to prior perceived value.

[Bill Lumbergh]

For me, what we're looking at, at 14 is a bunch of serviceable role players, except for one guy who has a much higher ceiling that might be there, and that's Achiuwa. Guy's got some star potential in my eyes, and frankly, I think he'll probably be gone a couple of picks before us, but he's the guy I want with our first pick. If I had to throw in a later first to move up a couple of spots to get him, I'd still do it. We can't keep 3 picks anyway.

Mike Schmitz breaks down his game nicely in this interview:

Watch on YouTube

Probably not the best player in the draft but this guy is my favorite player in this class.

I like this kid, too. He's not my favorite in the draft, but I like him quite well for where we're picking. There are a number of guys going around where we're picking that I'd be okay with. Suspect a few will go right before us, but one or two should be available. Off the top of my head, I think I like Achiuwa, Bey, Nesmith, and then, to a lesser degree Maxey and Lewis. Guy I do not want at 14 is Cole Anthony. Hoping Bolmaro will still be there at 26 so we can stash him for a year.

[100proof]

Watch on YouTube

;list=WL&index=38&t=35s


this is the kid we need

[playa-hater]

Well my #1 is Killian Hayes. One mock has him sliding that far but obviously it's a longshot. That said, I've been all over the place but I keep coming back to Cole Anthony. The kid is a shotmaker deluxe. He already scores at all 3 levels. Handle is pretty good. Solidly built. Not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Very comfortable coming off screens without the ball. I think he's a better playmaker than what we saw at UNC. Plays with a ton of swag and a ton of confidence. Competes defensively too. His upside in my opinion is high enough to be worth taking him at 14 if he gets there.

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

that guy, Rozier, who doesn't make his teammates better, led a very young team to Game 7 of the ECF, and had such a detrimental effect on Graham that he was in the Most Improved Player discussion and was on the bubble to be an all-star. I seriously have no idea why this sub turned on Rozier. All he did in CHA was put up 18-4-4 while shooting 41% from thee with solid D. Yet all I hear on here is he was overpaid and good riddance.

wow, I guess you didn't hear all the things he said before and after the season.. Not to mention watching the games last year he was playing all-out hero ball. You say Brown doesn't have a High IQ, what about Rozier??

[playa-hater]

Well my #1 is Killian Hayes. One mock has him sliding that far but obviously it's a longshot. That said, I've been all over the place but I keep coming back to Cole Anthony. The kid is a shotmaker deluxe. He already scores at all 3 levels. Handle is pretty good. Solidly built. Not afraid to get in the paint and rebound. Very comfortable coming off screens without the ball. I think he's a better playmaker than what we saw at UNC. Plays with a ton of swag and a ton of confidence. Competes defensively too. His upside in my opinion is high enough to be worth taking him at 14 if he gets there.

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

Yeah and I guess that is in fact where we are different. I don't want a role player at 14. I want talent. And if the talent needs the ball and is good enough to bump someone else out then so be it. Maybe someone else gets traded or let go. A draft pick is an investment and an asset. I want a talent good enough to play for us and/or good enough to be valued around the league. IMO, Anthony has the potential to be that kind of guy. And Kemba won't be here forever. And if the Celtics let a rookie of all players kill their chemistry, we might as well fire Brad and trade all of the players.

a few things:

1- Boston last season had perhaps the most talent in the NBA and yet had the most disappointing season ever maybe.. I get your point about talent, just saying, chemistry does matter.

2- because someone fills a role, doesn't mean they are less valuable or less talented. But just using one name for example is Houston's PJ Tucker. I don't believe many would have him as a High level talent. But in his role, he has a extremely high Net +/- when he is on the court.. he basically does so much of the glue work, that his numbers don't necessarily reflect. Yet he makes them so much better.

3 Is Cole Anthony a better "talent" then my choices in Ne Smith, Vassell, Bey?? Maybe, maybe not.. I have no idea what Ainge and company believe with that.

4 last but not least. After watching the last game with Toronto, and seeing how Ainge does draft, and Brad does coach, I do honestly believe Cole Anthony will be seriously looked at if available at 14.

[playa-hater]

For me, what we're looking at, at 14 is a bunch of serviceable role players, except for one guy who has a much higher ceiling that might be there, and that's Achiuwa. Guy's got some star potential in my eyes, and frankly, I think he'll probably be gone a couple of picks before us, but he's the guy I want with our first pick. If I had to throw in a later first to move up a couple of spots to get him, I'd still do it. We can't keep 3 picks anyway.

Mike Schmitz breaks down his game nicely in this interview:

Watch on YouTube

Probably not the best player in the draft but this guy is my favorite player in this class.

I like this kid, too. He's not my favorite in the draft, but I like him quite well for where we're picking. There are a number of guys going around where we're picking that I'd be okay with. Suspect a few will go right before us, but one or two should be available. Off the top of my head, I think I like Achiuwa, Bey, Nesmith, and then, to a lesser degree Maxey and Lewis. Guy I do not want at 14 is Cole Anthony. Hoping Bolmaro will still be there at 26 so we can stash him for a year.[/quote]

I don't want any stash players in RD1. last time we drafted 2 stash players, they sucked.. More importantly ring in 3 more 1st rd talents. I don't care how any roster spots we have.. let the best ones win.. Our bench is bad and we need better upgrades

the only exception for a stash at 26 or 30 would be Poku.. and even then that is a maybe.

[playa-hater]

speaking of talent, I have Precious as a top 10 maybe even a top 5 talent, IF he has a legit jump shot. At this time I don't think he has.. Today's game is so much about shooting.. If he has a jumper with all the rest of his assets, he would e my top choice for Boston

[BostonCouchGM]

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

that guy, Rozier, who doesn't make his teammates better, led a very young team to Game 7 of the ECF, and had such a detrimental effect on Graham that he was in the Most Improved Player discussion and was on the bubble to be an all-star. I seriously have no idea why this sub turned on Rozier. All he did in CHA was put up 18-4-4 while shooting 41% from thee with solid D. Yet all I hear on here is he was overpaid and good riddance.

wow, I guess you didn't hear all the things he said before and after the season.. Not to mention watching the games last year he was playing all-out hero ball. You say Brown doesn't have a High IQ, what about Rozier??

what does that have to do with the unassailable fact that he has shown to make players around him better? And there was definitely locker room issues last year but that's on Brad who can't seem to manage tough personalities. I thought it was pretty well chronicled that it was mostly Kyrie stirring the pot anyway. After all, if Rozier was such a problem child, why did it take until last season for it to rear its head? Rozier was trying to carve out a role for himself and likely felt he needed to in order to showcase for his next contract which he quite successfully did. His comments have been completely overblown.

I agree, Rozier, like Brown, does not have very high IQ on the court. He was often very frustrating. But so isn't everyone on this team including Tatum. They're all young and still developing. I just don't understand why he's so hated with how much he accomplished here. It just seems like the majority of posters were happy to see him go and didn't respect or appreciate what he brought to the table.

[bucknersrevenge]

I would not be a fan of Cole Anthony. Even if your player assessment is dead on, I still see another ball needy player, Like T Rozier was, who doesn't excel at making teammates better. I believe his mentality might kill the chemistry that Boston has/are developing. Give me a really good 3+D player who can make shots > a PG with our current roster makeup.. that and his shooting pcts weren't too impressive at UNC as well.

Yeah and I guess that is in fact where we are different. I don't want a role player at 14. I want talent. And if the talent needs the ball and is good enough to bump someone else out then so be it. Maybe someone else gets traded or let go. A draft pick is an investment and an asset. I want a talent good enough to play for us and/or good enough to be valued around the league. IMO, Anthony has the potential to be that kind of guy. And Kemba won't be here forever. And if the Celtics let a rookie of all players kill their chemistry, we might as well fire Brad and trade all of the players.

a few things:

1- Boston last season had perhaps the most talent in the NBA and yet had the most disappointing season ever maybe.. I get your point about talent, just saying, chemistry does matter.

2- because someone fills a role, doesn't mean they are less valuable or less talented. But just using one name for example is Houston's PJ Tucker. I don't believe many would have him as a High level talent. But in his role, he has a extremely high Net +/- when he is on the court.. he basically does so much of the glue work, that his numbers don't necessarily reflect. Yet he makes them so much better.

3 Is Cole Anthony a better "talent" then my choices in Ne Smith, Vassell, Bey?? Maybe, maybe not.. I have no idea what Ainge and company believe with that.

4 last but not least. After watching the last game with Toronto, and seeing how Ainge does draft, and Brad does coach, I do honestly believe Cole Anthony will be seriously looked at if available at 14.

Really appreciate the back and forth on this. And you're 100% correct when you say that filling a "role" doesn't mean that you have less talent. Sometimes players just maximize the thing they are the best at and it just works. I wouldn't frown if we got any of Nesmith, Bey, or Devin Vassell. I like Cole Anthony a bunch. But I could take one of those kids and go maybe Grant Riller at 26 if he's there. At a lower level but that kid I think also plays with a ton of intelligence and swag and has some NBA moves. Or maybe we don't even take a ballhandler. Not really for this thread but before the playoffs started I feel like 90% of people were of the understanding that Brad Wanamaker would get dropped and Tremont Waters would take his place. And maybe that still happens but after watching him in these playoffs, I now see a scenario where Wanamaker gets re-signed here which I did not expect to see. And I still think we make at least 1 minor FA move so we have some flexibility.

[bucknersrevenge]

speaking of talent, I have Precious as a top 10 maybe even a top 5 talent, IF he has a legit jump shot. At this time I don't think he has.. Today's game is so much about shooting.. If he has a jumper with all the rest of his assets, he would e my top choice for Boston

If we drafted Precious he would become potentially the 6th big on this roster not including Grant who sometimes masquerades as a big so I'm gonna ask you to put your GM hat on for a second. What decisions do you make with Precious and the rest of the bigs on the roster if this happens? Who stays? Who leaves (if anyone)? Who starts, backs up, deep bench?