Hal’s Draft Thread

[Curmudgeon]

Adam Spinella, the guy who makes all of the really in depth scouting report videos of the prospects on YouTube....this is his Big Board:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit?usp=sharing

Some interesting notes on his rankings:
-He's high on Garuba...and I believe he had Garuba that high even before Garuba's recent improvement from beyond 3 point line where he's shot 10/23 (43.5%) from 3 over his last 9 games
-Most sites have Roko listed at 6'9" but Spinella lists him at 6'8", curious if he would move Roko up at all if he thought he was 6'9"
-Wow, he has Springer really low. I'm gonna have to check out his video on Springer to see why..
-Queta is ranked 61, Bones Hyland is ranked 67, wow that seems crazy low for both of them..Bassey at 53 also seems very low
-Cazalon at 87 also seems insanely low, but he also doesn't have any notes on him so guessing he hasn't evaluated him much
-Jared Butler is really high at no. 10
-He's high on Ziaire and has him much higher than Boston
-He's also got Mitchell low at 22. For the most part it seems like PGs and Centers he has lower than where most have them. He seems to like 2's, 3's and 4's better

Based on his rankings (and he seems to know his sh&t more than anyone else I've seen post a big board or a mock draft), these are the guys we could possibly take at 16, ranked in order of how high they are on Spinella's big board..I also removed Keon Johnson and Moody since it seems like a certainty that both will be gone in the first 15 picks:

1 Usman Garuba
2 Alperen Sengun
3 Jared Butler
4 Jalen Johnson
5 Ziaire Williams
6 Roko Prkacin
7 Josh Giddey
8 Kai Jones

Spinella's list is a better description of what should happen than any of the other mocks I've seen.

[threrf23]

-Queta is ranked 61, Bones Hyland is ranked 67, wow that seems crazy low for both of them..Bassey at 53 also seems very low

They are traditional centers, and unspectacular ones at that. Agree they are underrated, but they are out of fashion.

Cazalon at 87 also seems insanely low, but he also doesn't have any notes on him so guessing he hasn't evaluated him much

nbadraftroom.net says his biggest strengths are his athleticism, rebounding and his scrappiness. But statistically against decent competition (Adriatic league), he is a poor rebounder and a foul prone defender who doesn't rack up too many steals.

Jared Butler is really high at no. 10

While I wouldn't have Butler as high, I like him more than Davion Mitchell. He was Baylor's best player last year, and has been fairly consistent in his time at Baylor. One of those guys who's just a good player, might not stick out in any single capacity but also has zero glaring weaknesses. Throughout the course of his career he has been a better rebounder than Mitchell who has better size if not length, rebounding tends to be somewhat predictive of a player's NBA success regardless of position.

Mitchell is 23, didn't show anything as a young underclassman, wasn't a great three point shooter (edit - before) last season, and his size/length detracts from his defensive upside. He could be a better PG than Butler but idk.

He's high on Ziaire and has him much higher than Boston

I'm low on Zaire but also have him higher than Boston. Wings ranked literally at the top of their HS class are usually studs. Those ranked just below the top often bust. At Stanford, Ziaire posted poor percentages, A/TO and foul efficiency not great, 6.5 rebounds per 40 isn't horrible but there aren't too many SFs who posted below 7 as a freshman and went on to become too much more than a journeyman. Not gonna harp too much on Boston's rebounding since Kentucky players can be exceptions there, but percentages are poor, nbadraft.net compares him to Nick Young, statistically he reminds me a bit more of James Young, a slightly better rebounder and more productive defensively, but that can partially be attributed to better length. He sounds like a poor decision maker if not low IQ.

I also removed Keon Johnson and Moody since it seems highly unlikely either of them will be available at 16:

Usman Garuba
Alperen Sengun
Jared Butler
Jalen Johnson
Ziaire Williams
Roko Prkacin
Josh Giddey
Kai Jones

I'd add Keon Johnson to the list. While he might go top 10, I wouldn't take him in the first round. On paper he's that classic extremely athletic guy who needs to work on almost all facets of his game. Derrick Jones Jr comes to mind, should have higher upside but but Jones at least was a good rebounder who shot 67% inside the arc, Johnson is arguably less impressive.

Would love for Giddey and Roko to be available. Johnson and to a lesser extent Garuba and to a lesser extent Sengun would interest me as well.

[Hal14]

Adam Spinella, the guy who makes all of the really in depth scouting report videos of the prospects on YouTube....this is his Big Board:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit?usp=sharing

Some interesting notes on his rankings:
-He's high on Garuba...and I believe he had Garuba that high even before Garuba's recent improvement from beyond 3 point line where he's shot 10/23 (43.5%) from 3 over his last 9 games
-Most sites have Roko listed at 6'9" but Spinella lists him at 6'8", curious if he would move Roko up at all if he thought he was 6'9"
-Wow, he has Springer really low. I'm gonna have to check out his video on Springer to see why..
-Queta is ranked 61, Bones Hyland is ranked 67, wow that seems crazy low for both of them..Bassey at 53 also seems very low
-Cazalon at 87 also seems insanely low, but he also doesn't have any notes on him so guessing he hasn't evaluated him much
-Jared Butler is really high at no. 10
-He's high on Ziaire and has him much higher than Boston
-He's also got Mitchell low at 22. For the most part it seems like PGs and Centers he has lower than where most have them. He seems to like 2's, 3's and 4's better

Based on his rankings (and he seems to know his sh&t more than anyone else I've seen post a big board or a mock draft), these are the guys we could possibly take at 16, ranked in order of how high they are on Spinella's big board..I also removed Keon Johnson and Moody since it seems like a certainty that both will be gone in the first 15 picks:

1 Usman Garuba
2 Alperen Sengun
3 Jared Butler
4 Jalen Johnson
5 Ziaire Williams
6 Roko Prkacin
7 Josh Giddey
8 Kai Jones

Spinella's list is a better description of what should happen than any of the other mocks I've seen.

Yeah he seems like he really knows his sh^t, especially with how his scouting report videos, like he gets super detailed and points out subtle nuances about a player's game that can make a big impact. Like with Roko, I had watched a bunch of Roko vids, but until I watched the Spinella scouting report vid on Roko, I hadn't realized how he lands on the ground strange on each 3 point attempt, and he lands differently a lot of the time. And if you just watch Bassey's highlight vid, you'd think he's a top. 10 pick, but then you watch Spinella' scouting report vid on Bassey and you see the inconsistent shooting, questionable shot selection and bad tunovers, can't. score on people when he faces up and tries to drive on them. And Thor if you just watch highlights he looks like a lottery pick but Spinella points out a how he brings the ball down waist-level on 3 point attempts and how he struggles with some bad turnovers - especially when trying to make inbound passes..

I trust his rankings more since he does such thorough analysis..

[cloverleaf]

The American Yam?

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/ayo-dosunmu/

[threrf23]

The American Yam?

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/ayo-dosunmu/

I really like what I read about him, and his stats are fine going back to his freshman year. nbadraftroom says he is a below the rim player that needs to add strength, but he just turned 21 in January and is a guy who should really benefit from physical maturation. IMO he's a guy that could shoot up draft boards if he stayed in school an extra year.

[Hal14]

The American Yam?

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/ayo-dosunmu/

We already have the Israeli Yam, so why would we want Ayo too?

[JediMasterRevan]

The American Yam?

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/ayo-dosunmu/

We already have the Israeli Yam, so why would we want Ayo too?

Think Yam might come over this offseason?

[Hal14]

The American Yam?

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/ayo-dosunmu/

We already have the Israeli Yam, so why would we want Ayo too?

Think Yam might come over this offseason?

Not sure but I hope so..

[cloverleaf]

The American Yam?

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/ayo-dosunmu/

We already have the Israeli Yam, so why would we want Ayo too?

Then maybe a healthy Rob Williams?

https://www.tarheelblog.com/2021/5/13/22433391/unc-basketball-tar-heels-examining-dayron-sharpe-nba-mock-draft-stock

[Half-Full]

This draft is very deep, and there are going to be some quality players available in the second round when the Celtics pick, including this guy. I checked three mocks that project second round picks. Two did not have him on the board, and one, Spinella's, had him at #54.

Watch on YouTube

;t=313s

Here's an interesting write up on Jason. His story is almost hard to believe.

https://nypost.com/2021/03/20/ohios-jason-prestons-big-rise-from-hs-benchwarmer-to-pro-prospect/

[playa-hater]

This draft is very deep, and there are going to be some quality players available in the second round when the Celtics pick, including this guy. I checked three mocks that project second round picks. Two did not have him on the board, and one, Spinella's, had him at #54.

Watch on YouTube

;t=313s

Here's an interesting write up on Jason. His story is almost hard to believe.

https://nypost.com/2021/03/20/ohios-jason-prestons-big-rise-from-hs-benchwarmer-to-pro-prospect/

this draft is so deep that some players who may have been drafted any other year might not get drafted at all. This kid has some nice attributes that make you think someone should take a chance on him. If not sign him up for summer league.

[Hal14]

Spinella has Roko no. 14 and Vrenz Bleijenbergh no. 50 on his big board:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit?usp=sharing

Vrenz's scouting report video just posted:

Watch on YouTube

I say we go all in on these skilled play making Europeans. Draft Roko at 16, Vrenz at 45 and bring Yam Madar over. All 3 of them are excellent passers - the ball will be zipping around. Bye bye, ball movement problems. All 3 of them can shoot, drive, pass and defend. Put those 3 guys together with our existing young core and round out the roster with solid veterans.

A big infusion of guys who know how to move the ball is just what this team needs to break free of the isolation-heavy offense that was so cringe-worthy this past season.

[playa-hater]

Spinella has Roko no. 14 and Vrenz Bleijenbergh no. 50 on his big board:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit?usp=sharing

Vrenz's scouting report video just posted:

Watch on YouTube

I say we go all in on these skilled play making Europeans. Draft Roko at 16, Vrenz at 45 and bring Yam Madar over. All 3 of them are excellent passers - the ball will be zipping around. Bye bye, ball movement problems. All 3 of them can shoot, drive, pass and defend. Put those 3 guys together with our existing young core and round out the roster with solid veterans.


A big infusion of guys who know how to move the ball is just what this team needs to break free of the isolation-heavy offense that was so cringe-worthy this past season.

If that is how the draft fell, I'd be good.

meanwhile the spread sheet is good for looking up data on players really quickly.

[Half-Full]

Spinella has Roko no. 14 and Vrenz Bleijenbergh no. 50 on his big board:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit?usp=sharing

Vrenz's scouting report video just posted:

Watch on YouTube

I say we go all in on these skilled play making Europeans. Draft Roko at 16, Vrenz at 45 and bring Yam Madar over. All 3 of them are excellent passers - the ball will be zipping around. Bye bye, ball movement problems. All 3 of them can shoot, drive, pass and defend. Put those 3 guys together with our existing young core and round out the roster with solid veterans.

A big infusion of guys who know how to move the ball is just what this team needs to break free of the isolation-heavy offense that was so cringe-worthy this past season.

There are so many good players to pick from. I think there are at least 15 players that the Celtics have a shot at who I would be happy to have on the team.

[Patsfan1081]

-Queta is ranked 61, Bones Hyland is ranked 67, wow that seems crazy low for both of them..Bassey at 53 also seems very low

They are traditional centers, and unspectacular ones at that. Agree they are underrated, but they are out of fashion.

Cazalon at 87 also seems insanely low, but he also doesn't have any notes on him so guessing he hasn't evaluated him much

nbadraftroom.net says his biggest strengths are his athleticism, rebounding and his scrappiness. But statistically against decent competition (Adriatic league), he is a poor rebounder and a foul prone defender who doesn't rack up too many steals.

Jared Butler is really high at no. 10

While I wouldn't have Butler as high, I like him more than Davion Mitchell. He was Baylor's best player last year, and has been fairly consistent in his time at Baylor. One of those guys who's just a good player, might not stick out in any single capacity but also has zero glaring weaknesses. Throughout the course of his career he has been a better rebounder than Mitchell who has better size if not length, rebounding tends to be somewhat predictive of a player's NBA success regardless of position.

Mitchell is 23, didn't show anything as a young underclassman, wasn't a great three point shooter (edit - before) last season, and his size/length detracts from his defensive upside. He could be a better PG than Butler but idk.

He's high on Ziaire and has him much higher than Boston

I'm low on Zaire but also have him higher than Boston. Wings ranked literally at the top of their HS class are usually studs. Those ranked just below the top often bust. At Stanford, Ziaire posted poor percentages, A/TO and foul efficiency not great, 6.5 rebounds per 40 isn't horrible but there aren't too many SFs who posted below 7 as a freshman and went on to become too much more than a journeyman. Not gonna harp too much on Boston's rebounding since Kentucky players can be exceptions there, but percentages are poor, nbadraft.net compares him to Nick Young, statistically he reminds me a bit more of James Young, a slightly better rebounder and more productive defensively, but that can partially be attributed to better length. He sounds like a poor decision maker if not low IQ.

I also removed Keon Johnson and Moody since it seems highly unlikely either of them will be available at 16:

Usman Garuba
Alperen Sengun
Jared Butler
Jalen Johnson
Ziaire Williams
Roko Prkacin
Josh Giddey
Kai Jones

I'd add Keon Johnson to the list. While he might go top 10, I wouldn't take him in the first round. On paper he's that classic extremely athletic guy who needs to work on almost all facets of his game. Derrick Jones Jr comes to mind, should have higher upside but but Jones at least was a good rebounder who shot 67% inside the arc, Johnson is arguably less impressive.

Would love for Giddey and Roko to be available. Johnson and to a lesser extent Garuba and to a lesser extent Sengun would interest me as well.

How are Quetta and Basset traditional centers, because they have decent post up games? Quetta is a good passing big man and Bassey can stretch the floor with his range.

[batabatuta]

It's time to buy us second-round picks.

[threrf23]

How are Quetta and Basset traditional centers, because they have decent post up games? Quetta is a good passing big man and Bassey can stretch the floor with his range.

While they might have strengths offensively, both guys are described as being a bit raw offensively. Neither is considered switchable, Queta has concerns regarding his athleticism and agility, Bassey is generally considered raw on both sides of the ball (and his mobility is questioned as well in his nbadraft.net profile).

To me, Derrick Favors comes to mind as a comp for Bassey (nbadraftroom says Bismack Biyombo or Clint Capela). nbadraft room gives out comps of Erick Dampier and a taller Timelord for Queta (not sure how both comps fit together...I guess they're saying Erick Dampier in Timelord's body), I think Dampier is a solid comp (at least in the sense that he had similar strengths and weaknesses and was statistically very similar).

[Kalela]

I wonder who the new Celtics front office considers more important. A power forward or a point guard. With Kemba potentially gone in the summer I can't help but think they will aim for a point guard to replace him. Personally I hope they draft a power forward with size and athleticism.

[playa-hater]

I wonder who the new Celtics front office considers more important. A power forward or a point guard. With Kemba potentially gone in the summer I can't help but think they will aim for a point guard to replace him. Personally I hope they draft a power forward with size and athleticism.

Smart and PP can hold the forte, but even more so, Tatum brings up the ball so much anyway. Most would say a bigger forward is a bigger need. but BPA has to be factored in as well.

[La Flame]

This draft is very deep, and there are going to be some quality players available in the second round when the Celtics pick, including this guy. I checked three mocks that project second round picks. Two did not have him on the board, and one, Spinella's, had him at #54.

Watch on YouTube

;t=313s

Here's an interesting write up on Jason. His story is almost hard to believe.

https://nypost.com/2021/03/20/ohios-jason-prestons-big-rise-from-hs-benchwarmer-to-pro-prospect/

this draft is so deep that some players who may have been drafted any other year might not get drafted at all. This kid has some nice attributes that make you think someone should take a chance on him. If not sign him up for summer league.

He looks a tad slow imo