Re: 2023 Draft Prospect discussion Part II

[AbC?]

Sidy got that Lowry booty

[dozo]

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He has Judah Mintz 10th on his big board.

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[grant101]

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He has Judah Mintz 10th on his big board.

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It would certainly be an upside pick. IMO Judah has the most potential at the 1 with the exception of Scoot and Amen. Best handle in the draft and has a knack for getting to the rim. Not my top choice at the Raps slot, but I'd understand and be cool with it.

[DG88]

I was high on Cissoko from earlier. Has legit size, athleticism, passing and shooting from the guard position. He's finally breaking out and showcasing his stuff. Definitely someone to consider in our draft range.

[DreamTeam09]

I was high on Cissoko from earlier. Has legit size, athleticism, passing and shooting from the guard position. He's finally breaking out and showcasing his stuff. Definitely someone to consider in our draft range.

He's a guard frfr ? I thought he was a forward type, but if he's a legit guard then that does slide him higher on my board

[WuTang_CMB]

Lets go scout scoot and sidy

[Dalek]

Lets go scout scoot and sidy

Sigh. Poor Leonard Miller forgotten by his biggest fanbase.

[OakleyDokely]

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He has Judah Mintz 10th on his big board.

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It would certainly be an upside pick. IMO Judah has the most potential at the 1 with the exception of Scoot and Amen. Best handle in the draft and has a knack for getting to the rim. Not my top choice at the Raps slot, but I'd understand and be cool with it.

He gets to the line almost 6 times per game, which is a great rate.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I don't know what to think of the Thompson twins because I think there might possibly be major character issues with both of them.

Look how weird Ausar is in this interview, you can tell he is incredibly nervous and might even have some form of social anxiety. Meanwhile Amen also seems pretty immature and neither seem to possess a lick of intelligence.

Watch on YouTube

It's an aspect we don't really get as much info on as NBA teams scouting these guys. Based on basketball ability alone I have Amen Thompson as the 3rd best player available, for all that is said about playing in OTE he is still an undeniable talent with true unicorn athleticism who is going to be capable of being an elite dribble penetration player and passer in the league. He has the ability to be a lockdown defender as well if he commits to it. Ben Simmons type production is his floor IMO but if he has character issues I can easily see him being out of the league in 5-6 years too. Still, Amen is so talented I don't think you have a choice but to take him after Wemby, Scoot and Miller are off the board because of the dropoff. I can see an FO taking him ahead of Miller as well if they are sold on his character and believe that they can at least work with him.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Also I'll say that way too many people are dismissing Amen for playing in OTE. It is what it is and doesn't change what he brings to the table as a basketball player. He possesses the kind of talent that can singlehandedly take over games. He's not just an athlete he has legitimate basketball IQ and talent.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I don't know what to think of the Thompson twins because I think there might possibly be major character issues with both of them.

Look how weird Ausar is in this interview, you can tell he is incredibly nervous and might even have some form of social anxiety. Meanwhile Amen also seems pretty immature and neither seem to possess a lick of intelligence.

Watch on YouTube

It's an aspect we don't really get as much info on as NBA teams scouting these guys. Based on basketball ability alone I have Amen Thompson as the 3rd best player available, for all that is said about playing in OTE he is still an undeniable talent with true unicorn athleticism who is going to be capable of being an elite dribble penetration player and passer in the league. He has the ability to be a lockdown defender as well if he commits to it. Ben Simmons type production is his floor IMO but if he has character issues I can easily see him being out of the league in 5-6 years too. Still, Amen is so talented I don't think you have a choice but to take him after Wemby, Scoot and Miller are off the board because of the dropoff. I can see an FO taking him ahead of Miller as well if they are sold on his character and believe that they can at least work with him.

I’m the biggest Thompson twin doubter there is, but social anxiety has nothing to do with NBA success. Just look at DRose or Kawhi

[Rapsfan07]

Also I'll say that way too many people are dismissing Amen for playing in OTE. It is what it is and doesn't change what he brings to the table as a basketball player. He possesses the kind of talent that can singlehandedly take over games. He's not just an athlete he has legitimate basketball IQ and talent.

I'm not super high on Amen but I do think he has a chance to be Tier 1 special DEPENDING on where he lands. For example, if he lands on the Spurs, watch out. Murray was a similar prospect and look what they did with him.

[Dalek]

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He has Judah Mintz 10th on his big board.

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It would certainly be an upside pick. IMO Judah has the most potential at the 1 with the exception of Scoot and Amen. Best handle in the draft and has a knack for getting to the rim. Not my top choice at the Raps slot, but I'd understand and be cool with it.

He gets to the line almost 6 times per game, which is a great rate.

Mintz can't shoot. From 3 he is 18-63 (.286) which means he will need a lot of G-League time like Banton. I am still recovering from Johnny Flynn who was a Cuse PG picked ahead of Steph who fell out of the league in 3 years. Cuse guys don't have a high success rate IMO.

If we are talking guards you have to dive into Kobe Bufkin. I think he has a Anfernee Simons/Jordan Poole vibe with some better defense. Similar trajectory to Poole in year two at Michigan.

I feel like this kid seems to get better each game. In 8 games in Feb. Bufkin is 15/31 (.484) from three, and has a 54/48/89 slash line. Jett Howard hurt his ankle back in late January and had a spotty February which gave Bufkin the ball even more.

[Rapsfan07]

I checked NBA draft consensus rankings and Jett Howard is around 13 range, so definitely in Toronto's draft possibilities. I like a lot of things about Jett Howard and I feel like he is almost overlooked:

Son of Juwan Howard - you see how well kids of former NBA players do. Kind of reminds me of Trent Jr., where you had a role player dad and the kid has a very different game and is much more of a dynamic scorer. Howard is also coach of Michigan so you are talking about a coach's son which imparts high levels of bball IQ.

Legit 6'8 sized guard - great handle for any size with the ability to change direction, hesi skills, crossover, has a full bag; with three level scoring (61% at the rim; 43% from two; 37% from three - although he only has 4 dunks).

He has had some nagging ankle issues that have impacted him, but he is a gamer like his dad. To me he should be near the top of our draft board. If we look Trent Jr. to free agency, this guy would be a good bet to replace him.

I'd take Cissoko over Jett for better dunking and passing. Might have slightly less handles but more than OG by far.

I like Cissoko's big frame and defensive potential, and his offense is emerging but his shot is pretty slow release and he has a pretty basic handle. That is why he is likely on the fringe of the first round for most draft projections.

I am hunting for a 20 PPG starter type. I am kind of done with the typical team-first guys we tend to draft that are great glue guy connector types but average/poor individual offensive players. Jett is going to offer both on ball creation, off ball shooting, and likely will succeed in the NBA given his background.

Just look at three point shooting by comparison:
Sidy in 19 games has made 28/76 36.8%
Jett in 26 games has made 69-187 36.9%

We need guys who have size that can shoot, will adapt to the NBA quickly and contribute. Howard really can shoot under duress, off movement, and if the shot is taken away he can move the ball. He just is a fast processor from what I have seen. If not for the injuries, I think he would be over 40% from three.

Same. And more specifically - I want a 20ppg guard.

Obviously I'd prefer a two way guy but we really, REALLY need a guy we can throw the ball to that can get us a bucket.

I'm not sure I'm sold on Cissoko yet but I do like the two-way and playmaking potential I've seen. Howard is a bucket and should be available around our pick. The thing is if we go with Howard, we probably won't be able to get Hendricks, who I really like.

Either way, I think we need to trade OG for a few picks in this draft.

[Rapsfan07]

It would certainly be an upside pick. IMO Judah has the most potential at the 1 with the exception of Scoot and Amen. Best handle in the draft and has a knack for getting to the rim. Not my top choice at the Raps slot, but I'd understand and be cool with it.

He gets to the line almost 6 times per game, which is a great rate.

Mintz can't shoot. From 3 he is 18-63 (.286) which means he will need a lot of G-League time like Banton. I am still recovering from Johnny Flynn who was a Cuse PG picked ahead of Steph who fell out of the league in 3 years. Cuse guys don't have a high success rate IMO.

If we are talking guards you have to dive into Kobe Bufkin. I think he has a Anfernee Simons/Jordan Poole vibe with some better defense. Similar trajectory to Poole in year two at Michigan.

I feel like this kid seems to get better each game. In 8 games in Feb. Bufkin is 15/31 (.484) from three, and has a 54/48/89 slash line. Jett Howard hurt his ankle back in late January and had a spotty February which gave Bufkin the ball even more.

Bufkin is really nice too. A little lanky but he's really skilled

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I don't know what to think of the Thompson twins because I think there might possibly be major character issues with both of them.

Look how weird Ausar is in this interview, you can tell he is incredibly nervous and might even have some form of social anxiety. Meanwhile Amen also seems pretty immature and neither seem to possess a lick of intelligence.

Watch on YouTube

It's an aspect we don't really get as much info on as NBA teams scouting these guys. Based on basketball ability alone I have Amen Thompson as the 3rd best player available, for all that is said about playing in OTE he is still an undeniable talent with true unicorn athleticism who is going to be capable of being an elite dribble penetration player and passer in the league. He has the ability to be a lockdown defender as well if he commits to it. Ben Simmons type production is his floor IMO but if he has character issues I can easily see him being out of the league in 5-6 years too. Still, Amen is so talented I don't think you have a choice but to take him after Wemby, Scoot and Miller are off the board because of the dropoff. I can see an FO taking him ahead of Miller as well if they are sold on his character and believe that they can at least work with him.

I’m the biggest Thompson twin doubter there is, but social anxiety has nothing to do with NBA success. Just look at DRose or Kawhi

It absolutely can, it depends on the person who has SAD and how they are affected by it, manage it and what triggers it.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Also I'll say that way too many people are dismissing Amen for playing in OTE. It is what it is and doesn't change what he brings to the table as a basketball player. He possesses the kind of talent that can singlehandedly take over games. He's not just an athlete he has legitimate basketball IQ and talent.

I'm not super high on Amen but I do think he has a chance to be Tier 1 special DEPENDING on where he lands. For example, if he lands on the Spurs, watch out. Murray was a similar prospect and look what they did with him.

Well obviously it will help if he lands with an organization that will help him become a professional and get his priorities straight instead of a team like the Houston Rockets or something.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I don't know what to think of the Thompson twins because I think there might possibly be major character issues with both of them.

Look how weird Ausar is in this interview, you can tell he is incredibly nervous and might even have some form of social anxiety. Meanwhile Amen also seems pretty immature and neither seem to possess a lick of intelligence.

Watch on YouTube

It's an aspect we don't really get as much info on as NBA teams scouting these guys. Based on basketball ability alone I have Amen Thompson as the 3rd best player available, for all that is said about playing in OTE he is still an undeniable talent with true unicorn athleticism who is going to be capable of being an elite dribble penetration player and passer in the league. He has the ability to be a lockdown defender as well if he commits to it. Ben Simmons type production is his floor IMO but if he has character issues I can easily see him being out of the league in 5-6 years too. Still, Amen is so talented I don't think you have a choice but to take him after Wemby, Scoot and Miller are off the board because of the dropoff. I can see an FO taking him ahead of Miller as well if they are sold on his character and believe that they can at least work with him.

I’m the biggest Thompson twin doubter there is, but social anxiety has nothing to do with NBA success. Just look at DRose or Kawhi

It absolutely can, it depends on the person who has SAD and how they are affected by it, manage it and what triggers it.

Like I said, there are multiple success stories when it comes to that. And these twins haven’t shown anything to say that it affects them in any way.

[BoyzNTheHood]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35769054/international-prospect-thierry-darlan-commits-g-league-ignite

Thierry Darlan, a 6-foot-7 point guard from the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, told ESPN he has committed to the G League Ignite over a host of college offers.

The 19-year-old native of Central African Republic was one of the most highly sought after international prospects in his high school class, drawing scholarship offers from the likes of Arizona, Kansas, Santa Clara and others.

Darlan boasts a 7-foot-1 wingspan and robust 195-pound frame that gives him significant potential as a big point guard when paired with his impressive playmaking, shot-making prowess and defensive versatility. He drew a large crowd of NBA executives to scout him at two exhibition games the NBA Academy conducted during the G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas in December, as well as the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global camp during All-Star weekend.

Darlan is technically eligible to enter the 2023 NBA Draft as an international player who has already turned 19-years old, but is likely to wait until the 2024 NBA draft, a source told ESPN.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I’m the biggest Thompson twin doubter there is, but social anxiety has nothing to do with NBA success. Just look at DRose or Kawhi

It absolutely can, it depends on the person who has SAD and how they are affected by it, manage it and what triggers it.

Like I said, there are multiple success stories when it comes to that. And these twins haven’t shown anything to say that it affects them in any way.

Amen hasn't demonstrated the anxiety Ausar has and I never said he has, only talking about Ausar here.

You think there's 0 chance that someone's state of mind can affect their shooting? It's as much psychological as it is mechanical. Ausar is a piss poor shooter. Needs to be looked into, Kawhi has been timid but not to the point where his voice is quivering and he's shaking like I've seen in Ausar in multiple interviews.