2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[djFan71]

Here's an article I wrote, making the case for someone other than Cooper Flagg to be the no. 1 pick:

https://the-center-hub.com/2024/11/20/prospect-breakdown-dylan-harper/

Man, and I thought your posts here were long. I kid, that's good stuff.

I tend to agree with you on the archetype stuff, but haven't watched either enough to know if maybe Flagg is so much of an outlier on that it doesn't matter. But, again who's the example? Kirilenko might be the closest to a franchise player i can think of. But the injuries took away the chance to really see.

I think it comes down to, is Harper truly elite at the shot creation side? If so, I think you can go with him first. It's just tough to know with scoring guards. Are you getting DSJ or SGA? Scoot or Brunson? I have no idea. It's why I shy away from them (and we never have a good enough pick) when I look at guys. Later in the 30s or whatever, it's less of a risk, but top picks is tough for me with guards.

[Hal14]

Here's an article I wrote, making the case for someone other than Cooper Flagg to be the no. 1 pick:

https://the-center-hub.com/2024/11/20/prospect-breakdown-dylan-harper/

Man, and I thought your posts here were long. I kid, that's good stuff.

I tend to agree with you on the archetype stuff, but haven't watched either enough to know if maybe Flagg is so much of an outlier on that it doesn't matter. But, again who's the example? Kirilenko might be the closest to a franchise player i can think of. But the injuries took away the chance to really see.

I think it comes down to, is Harper truly elite at the shot creation side? If so, I think you can go with him first. It's just tough to know with scoring guards. Are you getting DSJ or SGA? Scoot or Brunson? I have no idea. It's why I shy away from them (and we never have a good enough pick) when I look at guys. Later in the 30s or whatever, it's less of a risk, but top picks is tough for me with guards.

Yeah, it's a fair point. It's probably why some of the better guards in the league didn't go in the top 10 picks.. (Brunson, Haliburton, SGA, Booker, Maxey, etc.)

Flagg might be the safer pick because of that.

The main thing I was trying to get across was that Harper does have a case to be the no. 1 pick, even though most people don't even think it's worth a discussion - they just think Flagg is the guy..

I think it's at least debatable with them. And it'll be fun to watch both of them this season, see how they do and how they develop. I think they both have a chance to be really freaking good.

Too bad the C's won't get either haha. For us, Flagg would be the better fit since we already have a couple high usage scorers. No way we'll get him, though..

[djFan71]

Here's an article I wrote, making the case for someone other than Cooper Flagg to be the no. 1 pick:

https://the-center-hub.com/2024/11/20/prospect-breakdown-dylan-harper/

Man, and I thought your posts here were long. I kid, that's good stuff.

I tend to agree with you on the archetype stuff, but haven't watched either enough to know if maybe Flagg is so much of an outlier on that it doesn't matter. But, again who's the example? Kirilenko might be the closest to a franchise player i can think of. But the injuries took away the chance to really see.

I think it comes down to, is Harper truly elite at the shot creation side? If so, I think you can go with him first. It's just tough to know with scoring guards. Are you getting DSJ or SGA? Scoot or Brunson? I have no idea. It's why I shy away from them (and we never have a good enough pick) when I look at guys. Later in the 30s or whatever, it's less of a risk, but top picks is tough for me with guards.

Yeah, it's a fair point. It's probably why some of the better guards in the league didn't go in the top 10 picks.. (Brunson, Haliburton, SGA, Booker, Maxey, etc.)

Flagg might be the safer pick because of that.

The main thing I was trying to get across was that Harper does have a case to be the no. 1 pick, even though most people don't even think it's worth a discussion - they just think Flagg is the guy..

I think it's at least debatable with them. And it'll be fun to watch both of them this season, see how they do and how they develop. I think they both have a chance to be really freaking good.

Too bad the C's won't get either haha. For us, Flagg would be the better fit since we already have a couple high usage scorers. No way we'll get him, though..

Side note, but I really liked Maxey after watching a few pre-draft videos but he went Clutch so it was moot. He just seemed like a hard worker. And like wingspan for wings, speed for guards is my kryptonite, lol.

[Hal14]

Man, and I thought your posts here were long. I kid, that's good stuff.

I tend to agree with you on the archetype stuff, but haven't watched either enough to know if maybe Flagg is so much of an outlier on that it doesn't matter. But, again who's the example? Kirilenko might be the closest to a franchise player i can think of. But the injuries took away the chance to really see.

I think it comes down to, is Harper truly elite at the shot creation side? If so, I think you can go with him first. It's just tough to know with scoring guards. Are you getting DSJ or SGA? Scoot or Brunson? I have no idea. It's why I shy away from them (and we never have a good enough pick) when I look at guys. Later in the 30s or whatever, it's less of a risk, but top picks is tough for me with guards.

Yeah, it's a fair point. It's probably why some of the better guards in the league didn't go in the top 10 picks.. (Brunson, Haliburton, SGA, Booker, Maxey, etc.)

Flagg might be the safer pick because of that.

The main thing I was trying to get across was that Harper does have a case to be the no. 1 pick, even though most people don't even think it's worth a discussion - they just think Flagg is the guy..

I think it's at least debatable with them. And it'll be fun to watch both of them this season, see how they do and how they develop. I think they both have a chance to be really freaking good.

Too bad the C's won't get either haha. For us, Flagg would be the better fit since we already have a couple high usage scorers. No way we'll get him, though..

Side note, but I really liked Maxey after watching a few pre-draft videos but he went Clutch so it was moot. He just seemed like a hard worker. And like wingspan for wings, speed for guards is my kryptonite, lol.

Yeah it does seem like Maxey has crazy work ethic. And crazy speed.

As for the Celtics picks, JT Toppin with another big game the other day, Alex karaban continues to have a big season..and Collin MUrray-Boyles also had a strong game the other day..and even went 2/3 from 3. All 3 guys who should be on the Celtics radar..

[Hal14]

I know someone who's at Barclays center tonight for Texas Tech vs Syracuse and Texas vs St. Joe's. They said they got to meet Brad Stevens there.

So he must be there scouting..makes sense..gets to see 2 games there..he'd only see 1 game if he was in washington tonight.

Some guys playing there tonight he could have an eye on:

JT Toppin - Texas Tech (worked out for C's last year)
Tre Johnson - Texas
Donavan Freeman - Syracuse
Rasheer Fleming - St Joe's

[brackdan70]

I know someone who's at Barclays center tonight for Texas Tech vs Syracuse and Texas vs St. Joe's. They said they got to meet Brad Stevens there.

So he must be there scouting..makes sense..gets to see 2 games there..he'd only see 1 game if he was in washington tonight.

Some guys playing there tonight he could have an eye on:

JT Toppin - Texas Tech (worked out for C's last year)
Tre Johnson - Texas
Donavan Freeman - Syracuse
Rasheer Fleming - St Joe's

Just ordered a JT Toppin Celtics Jersey. Normally I’d wait until after the draft but this seems like a sure thing.

[djFan71]

I know someone who's at Barclays center tonight for Texas Tech vs Syracuse and Texas vs St. Joe's. They said they got to meet Brad Stevens there.

So he must be there scouting..makes sense..gets to see 2 games there..he'd only see 1 game if he was in washington tonight.

Some guys playing there tonight he could have an eye on:

JT Toppin - Texas Tech (worked out for C's last year)
Tre Johnson - Texas
Donavan Freeman - Syracuse
Rasheer Fleming - St Joe's

What do you think of Freeman? So far I know he’s tall and possibly available at our pick, and that’s pretty much it. Toppin I know more about from last draft cycle.

[Dogen]

I know someone who's at Barclays center tonight for Texas Tech vs Syracuse and Texas vs St. Joe's. They said they got to meet Brad Stevens there.

So he must be there scouting..makes sense..gets to see 2 games there..he'd only see 1 game if he was in washington tonight.

Some guys playing there tonight he could have an eye on:

JT Toppin - Texas Tech (worked out for C's last year)
Tre Johnson - Texas
Donavan Freeman - Syracuse
Rasheer Fleming - St Joe's

Just ordered a JT Toppin Celtics Jersey. Normally I’d wait until after the draft but this seems like a sure thing.

I think it may be a surer thing that JT Toppin is gone somewhere between picks, say, 18 - 28. He'd be a nice fit, having a long athletic big to add to the bench, but if Brad liked him last year he may need to move up to mid-first round to get Toppin.

OTOH, that could mean your jersey will be a collector's item!

[brackdan70]

I know someone who's at Barclays center tonight for Texas Tech vs Syracuse and Texas vs St. Joe's. They said they got to meet Brad Stevens there.

So he must be there scouting..makes sense..gets to see 2 games there..he'd only see 1 game if he was in washington tonight.

Some guys playing there tonight he could have an eye on:

JT Toppin - Texas Tech (worked out for C's last year)
Tre Johnson - Texas
Donavan Freeman - Syracuse
Rasheer Fleming - St Joe's

Just ordered a JT Toppin Celtics Jersey. Normally I’d wait until after the draft but this seems like a sure thing.

I think it may be a surer thing that JT Toppin is gone somewhere between picks, say, 18 - 28. He'd be a nice fit, having a long athletic big to add to the bench, but if Brad liked him last year he may need to move up to mid-first round to get Toppin.

OTOH, that could mean your jersey will be a collector's item!

Yeah. Win-win.

[Dogen]

Toppin may be moving up the charts by the day.

Watch on YouTube

[playa-hater]

Toppin may be moving up the charts by the day.

Watch on YouTube

If he moves up it's because you guys talk too much.. I am sure NBA GMs read us..

[winsomme2]

Do we think Brad is the kind of guy who would use a "draft promise" to ensure a guy stays in the draft or stops working out for teams?

It seems like a pretty decent strategy for a team drafting late first round targeting fringe first rounders who might decide to stay in the draft if they know worst-case they could get a guaranteed contract from a top organization like the Cs...

[winsomme2]

Man, and I thought your posts here were long. I kid, that's good stuff.

I tend to agree with you on the archetype stuff, but haven't watched either enough to know if maybe Flagg is so much of an outlier on that it doesn't matter. But, again who's the example? Kirilenko might be the closest to a franchise player i can think of. But the injuries took away the chance to really see.

I think it comes down to, is Harper truly elite at the shot creation side? If so, I think you can go with him first. It's just tough to know with scoring guards. Are you getting DSJ or SGA? Scoot or Brunson? I have no idea. It's why I shy away from them (and we never have a good enough pick) when I look at guys. Later in the 30s or whatever, it's less of a risk, but top picks is tough for me with guards.

Yeah, it's a fair point. It's probably why some of the better guards in the league didn't go in the top 10 picks.. (Brunson, Haliburton, SGA, Booker, Maxey, etc.)

Flagg might be the safer pick because of that.

The main thing I was trying to get across was that Harper does have a case to be the no. 1 pick, even though most people don't even think it's worth a discussion - they just think Flagg is the guy..

I think it's at least debatable with them. And it'll be fun to watch both of them this season, see how they do and how they develop. I think they both have a chance to be really freaking good.

Too bad the C's won't get either haha. For us, Flagg would be the better fit since we already have a couple high usage scorers. No way we'll get him, though..

Side note, but I really liked Maxey after watching a few pre-draft videos but he went Clutch so it was moot. He just seemed like a hard worker. And like wingspan for wings, speed for guards is my kryptonite, lol.

For me, the guard skill I always get hooked by is finishing at the rim. Guards who have that skill can keep other teams from really extending their defense on all shooters.

[Hal14]

I know someone who's at Barclays center tonight for Texas Tech vs Syracuse and Texas vs St. Joe's. They said they got to meet Brad Stevens there.

So he must be there scouting..makes sense..gets to see 2 games there..he'd only see 1 game if he was in washington tonight.

Some guys playing there tonight he could have an eye on:

JT Toppin - Texas Tech (worked out for C's last year)
Tre Johnson - Texas
Donavan Freeman - Syracuse
Rasheer Fleming - St Joe's

What do you think of Freeman? So far I know he’s tall and possibly available at our pick, and that’s pretty much it. Toppin I know more about from last draft cycle.

Freeman is aight. His defense is just ok..his playmaking is just ok.

But he shows some intriguing flashes of shooting from 3, scoring in mid range, off the dribble and out of the post. If he hits, he could be kind of like Siakam. I'm not sure how likely that outcome is, though at this point.

I think he's a bit risky of a pick right now..think his best bet is probably to stay in school another year and keep developing. But cojuld be a decent swing to take in the 2nd round.

I'm curious to see how he does rest of the season..it's still early, of course.

[Hal14]

Toppin may be moving up the charts by the day.

Watch on YouTube

He seems much more aggressive this season as a scorer, which is nice to see that development. Last season he was kind of passive. At times it was like he just wasn't impactful enough on the offensive end - especially if he wasn't hitting 3's. But this season he's looking to score more, hitting floaters, leaners, taking it to the rack, etc

And he seems to have hit the weight room more. Last season he was kind of bulky but now he looks a little bit slimmed down and more toned.

[Dogen]

Toppin may be moving up the charts by the day.

Watch on YouTube

He seems much more aggressive this season as a scorer, which is nice to see that development. Last season he was kind of passive. At times it was like he just wasn't impactful enough on the offensive end - especially if he wasn't hitting 3's. But this season he's looking to score more, hitting floaters, leaners, taking it to the rack, etc

And he seems to have hit the weight room more. Last season he was kind of bulky but now he looks a little bit slimmed down and more toned.

And apparently Brad Stevens was at the game. Not saying that Toppin may have modified his game to impress, but... well maybe I am saying that.

If during the Celtic workouts before the last draft, the staff was giving feedback, "we'd like to see more of your offensive ability... take it to the rack.... maybe hit the weight room...", etc, it would not be too surprising if JT had a little extra somethin somethin for this particular game.

Unfortunately Texas Tech lost the game, but JT was a monster on the glass.

[cl2117]

I completely forgot we have the better of the Wizards/Pistons 2nd round pick this upcoming draft. At this rate it could end up being only a few spots after our own in the 1st round (ideally we end up going 30 and 31). I always love having a piece of another team in the draft, just gives another thing to keep tabs on apart from our own playoff seeding, adds a little intrigue to the whole process.

Especially with Brad's proclivity for trading out of the 1st round, will be nice to have a high 2nd lined up to still add some more youth if he goes that route again.

[redslastlaugh]

Passing bigs always get me psyched predraft. I know he’s reportedly slow & unathletic, but I wouldn’t mind taking a swing on Chinese Jokic, Hansen Yang.

Watch on YouTube

[phincsfan]

Passing bigs always get me psyched predraft. I know he’s reportedly slow & unathletic, but I wouldn’t mind taking a swing on Chinese Jokic, Hansen Yang.

Watch on YouTube

I was gonna mention before, but he is so damn slow out there. Not methodical slow, just downright slow.

[phincsfan]

Checking out the Maui invitational. Not overly impressed with Karaban. Nice size, smart but nothing special. 2nd rounder for sure.

Broome is an interesting player and he's all over the place in the mocks. If Auburn can get out of the 1st rd and Broome plays a big part he should be a 1st rounder and if he slides to the C's I'd be interested.