Re: 2023 Draft Prospect discussion Part II

[Ell Curry]

George and Terq would be incredible 6th men on championship rosters. They’re exactly the type of guys who will be in the running for 6th man of the year annually if used properly.

Agreed. I believe that will probably be their role at the next level.

Personally, I think you take guys like that in the lottery. I have to check the full board out again, but it seems plausible for most drafts so I don’t see why it wouldn’t be true this year as well. There’s a lot of skill there, but they lack discipline. Players like that have notoriously been better bench guys because most NBA benches are weak and require a go-to guy to play off of.

I think ideally if you like Terquavion you can trade down from 14 to 21 and 22 with the Nets wanting upside (they have depth) and you get Terquavion then an athletic project that hopefully learns to shoot on top. I was pretty impressed with Terquavion's competitiveness and shot creation, but no idea if he can put on 20 pounds or so and what his bball IQ will be in a few years, not sure how you even project that, certainly not from my couch.

[Dalek]

Wasserman also warming up to Amari Bailey who is stepping up his play for UCLA with Jaylen Clark out.

Eyes have shifted toward the freshmen recently, as he entered the NCAA tournament averaging 18.0 points over his previous three games. He capitalized on that attention in the Round of 64 against UNC Asheville, finishing with 17 points, six assists, three steals and highlights that showed his craftiness, vision and energy for defensive activity.

While scouts still have questions about his low-volume three-point shooting for the year (17-of-50 3PT), he made a strong pitch Thursday selling his passing. Bailey showcased his flash in the open floor and vision, IQ and patience in the half court, whether it was making quick, simple decisions or waiting for post scorers to get position before dumping it in.

Bailey also uses his size well, both as a setup man over the top and finisher off drives.

He was terrific defensively in UCLA's first game, particularly off the ball bouncing around, causing panic with his help and deflecting passes on multiple occasions. He did a good job on the ball as well, anticipating screens, sliding his feet and staying attached enough to contest and force missed jump shots.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10069107-2023-nba-draft-prospects-who-stood-out-in-ncaa-tournaments-1st-round.amp.html

I am most convinced that his defense will translate most to the NBA. Raptors would love this guy.

[WuTang_CMB]

Its a good point. I dont think id handle that situation well

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=VUUwLR5aWLHSQQj2ECPiGQ

[WuTang_CMB]

Wasserman also warming up to Amari Bailey who is stepping up his play for UCLA with Jaylen Clark out.

Eyes have shifted toward the freshmen recently, as he entered the NCAA tournament averaging 18.0 points over his previous three games. He capitalized on that attention in the Round of 64 against UNC Asheville, finishing with 17 points, six assists, three steals and highlights that showed his craftiness, vision and energy for defensive activity.

While scouts still have questions about his low-volume three-point shooting for the year (17-of-50 3PT), he made a strong pitch Thursday selling his passing. Bailey showcased his flash in the open floor and vision, IQ and patience in the half court, whether it was making quick, simple decisions or waiting for post scorers to get position before dumping it in.

Bailey also uses his size well, both as a setup man over the top and finisher off drives.

He was terrific defensively in UCLA's first game, particularly off the ball bouncing around, causing panic with his help and deflecting passes on multiple occasions. He did a good job on the ball as well, anticipating screens, sliding his feet and staying attached enough to contest and force missed jump shots.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10069107-2023-nba-draft-prospects-who-stood-out-in-ncaa-tournaments-1st-round.amp.html

I am most convinced that his defense will translate most to the NBA. Raptors would love this guy.

Needs another year he should stay in college

[BoyzNTheHood]

Its a good point. I dont think id handle that situation well

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=VUUwLR5aWLHSQQj2ECPiGQ

He stepped up in his darkest moments. It’s a mark of greatness.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

All year Purdue has been the Zach Edey show, it's unfair to pin the loss on him because he couldn't do everything. Put him around better players he would be more efficient. He needs shooters and his shooters were bad today. In terms of FDU, it happens when a team plays out of their mind for one game. That's March madness. Look at St. Mary last year. I wouldn't be on them making a run anywhere.

Cason Wallace didn't play great today, it doesn't mean all of a sudden he sucks. It was one of those games for him. Unless he's been been bad lately, I haven't checked.

If Edey were truly a special player and worthy of getting NBA minutes like many people claim he is, he would have found a way to bully the shortest team in the NCAA in the paint and put more than 11 shots up. I watched the entire game, his field goal percentage means nothing to me because when he gets close to the rim against most NCAA competition he's automatic, what I'm looking for is how often he is able to establish himself there and what he does when he can't. He was also confused on defense as to when to drop in coverage and his late reaction to their 5'8 point guard slashing to the bucket was pretty funny. His NBA ceiling is basically Boban.

Guys suck in the tournament and then do well in the league all the time. In 2006, Tyrus Thomas made LMA look weak, but who had the better career? In 2021, Franz Wagner disappointed in his one tourney game. Conversely, I watched the legendary UCLA-Zags Final Four game in 2021, and was all in on Suggs in the draft.

It. Doesn't. Matter. Body of work matters.

Of course body of work matters. Edey's body of work involves him getting **** tons of easy baskets against teams who have no size or talent inside. He's won't get away with that in the NBA. And his tournament appearance counts as part of his body of work.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Why are people obsessed with taking guards who shoot in the 30%s from the field. It's actual madness. Find me good NBA guards currently playing who shot in the 30% in the year they declared.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Jett Howard dodged Michigan's NIT game and Juwan is trying to defend him and defend his son's NBA stock. Some team is going to believe him, dude is going on and on about how Jett has been injured all year long blah blah. He's a smart guy and knows what he's' doing. Every time he talks about his son you can tell he's protecting him. I'm not buying it.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Its a good point. I dont think id handle that situation well

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=VUUwLR5aWLHSQQj2ECPiGQ

He stepped up in his darkest moments. It’s a mark of greatness.

Or maybe he's extremely callous. The fact that he didn't think to change his pregame celebration indicates he's a high end moron.

[ItsDanger]

Why are people obsessed with taking guards who shoot in the 30%s from the field. It's actual madness. Find me good NBA guards currently playing who shot in the 30% in the year they declared.

Edwards shot 40.2% from the field. It's not what they are currently, it's what they will be on NBA floor. Better teammates will improve your %.

[Yallbecrazy]

Why are people obsessed with taking guards who shoot in the 30%s from the field. It's actual madness. Find me good NBA guards currently playing who shot in the 30% in the year they declared.

Edwards shot 40.2% from the field. It's not what they are currently, it's what they will be on NBA floor. Better teammates will improve your %.

He shot poorly because he took 8 3s a game at <30%. He was 50% from 2. He was also very poor his rookie year, a below replacement level player. Somehow won rookie of the year, I guess by being drafted #1, having flashy dunks and not being an absolute horror show while the rest of the rookies were also terrible.

[ItsDanger]

Why are people obsessed with taking guards who shoot in the 30%s from the field. It's actual madness. Find me good NBA guards currently playing who shot in the 30% in the year they declared.

Edwards shot 40.2% from the field. It's not what they are currently, it's what they will be on NBA floor. Better teammates will improve your %.

He shot poorly because he took 8 3s a game at <30%. He was 50% from 2. He was also very poor his rookie year, a below replacement level player. Somehow won rookie of the year, I guess by being drafted #1, having flashy dunks and not being an absolute horror show while the rest of the rookies were also terrible.

Edwards 2nd half of rookie season was very good after a rough start.

[Kevin Willis]

If Edey were truly a special player and worthy of getting NBA minutes like many people claim he is, he would have found a way to bully the shortest team in the NCAA in the paint and put more than 11 shots up. I watched the entire game, his field goal percentage means nothing to me because when he gets close to the rim against most NCAA competition he's automatic, what I'm looking for is how often he is able to establish himself there and what he does when he can't. He was also confused on defense as to when to drop in coverage and his late reaction to their 5'8 point guard slashing to the bucket was pretty funny. His NBA ceiling is basically Boban.

Guys suck in the tournament and then do well in the league all the time. In 2006, Tyrus Thomas made LMA look weak, but who had the better career? In 2021, Franz Wagner disappointed in his one tourney game. Conversely, I watched the legendary UCLA-Zags Final Four game in 2021, and was all in on Suggs in the draft.

It. Doesn't. Matter. Body of work matters.

Of course body of work matters. Edey's body of work involves him getting **** tons of easy baskets against teams who have no size or talent inside. He's won't get away with that in the NBA. And his tournament appearance counts as part of his body of work.

Hmm - even if his role in the NBA is to be a more skilled Boban that's fine. He can play against Embiid, Jokic, Gobert, Drummond, Lopez, etc of the league off the bench. I would tell him to go to the NBA now, he has nothing to prove for next year unless they get better perimeter players. If nobody in the NBA is interested in drafting him, he can find a team in the G-League and go from there.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Why are people obsessed with taking guards who shoot in the 30%s from the field. It's actual madness. Find me good NBA guards currently playing who shot in the 30% in the year they declared.

Edwards shot 40.2% from the field. It's not what they are currently, it's what they will be on NBA floor. Better teammates will improve your %.

The vast, vast majority of good NBA guards showed an ability to actually put the ball in the bucket dating back to their freshman seasons in college.

It's the same argument that was made for BPM, you can find a few rare exceptions but the reality is that for every 100 Nick Smith Jrs and 100 Podziemskis, you'll have a ton more of the Podziemskis panning out in the NBA.

I went through the list of NBA PGs and SGs and almost all of them who have really good 2PT FG%s have had above average %s dating back to their freshman college seasons.

Then you can say well what if we draft a guy who is inefficient and bury him on an NBA bench or the g-league instead of them having stayed in college, is that player helping or hurting himself? I say hurting.

In Terquavion's case he showed no improvement from year 1 to year 2 scoring the ball. Dude is fun to watch but was Lou Williams actually a good NBA player? No.

[DreamTeam09]

If Edey were truly a special player and worthy of getting NBA minutes like many people claim he is, he would have found a way to bully the shortest team in the NCAA in the paint and put more than 11 shots up. I watched the entire game, his field goal percentage means nothing to me because when he gets close to the rim against most NCAA competition he's automatic, what I'm looking for is how often he is able to establish himself there and what he does when he can't. He was also confused on defense as to when to drop in coverage and his late reaction to their 5'8 point guard slashing to the bucket was pretty funny. His NBA ceiling is basically Boban.

Guys suck in the tournament and then do well in the league all the time. In 2006, Tyrus Thomas made LMA look weak, but who had the better career? In 2021, Franz Wagner disappointed in his one tourney game. Conversely, I watched the legendary UCLA-Zags Final Four game in 2021, and was all in on Suggs in the draft.

It. Doesn't. Matter. Body of work matters.

Of course body of work matters. Edey's body of work involves him getting **** tons of easy baskets against teams who have no size or talent inside. He's won't get away with that in the NBA. And his tournament appearance counts as part of his body of work.

He's a situational big man in the NBA. Of course he'll get away with pounding the inside in the NBA because not all teams are big, and not all players will be as big as he is. Especially bench bigs

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I think he'll get eaten alive by the Poeltls and Senguns of the NBA but we'll see.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Whitehead stepping up for Duke against a insanely talented defensive Tennessee squad. He is one of their keys to victory for sure they need to hit their outside shots.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Filipowski is such a soft player it's cringeworthy. Lively is a legit interior defender who can be successful in the NBA in that capacity, Filipowski doesn't belong in the league but I see mocks with him in the late 1st.

[ItsDanger]

Filipowski is such a soft player it's cringeworthy. Lively is a legit interior defender who can be successful in the NBA in that capacity, Filipowski doesn't belong in the league but I see mocks with him in the late 1st.

Not sure if he's skilled enough but calling him soft isn't accurate at all. Questionable defensive role at next level.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Its a good point. I dont think id handle that situation well

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=VUUwLR5aWLHSQQj2ECPiGQ

He stepped up in his darkest moments. It’s a mark of greatness.

Or maybe he's extremely callous. The fact that he didn't think to change his pregame celebration indicates he's a high end moron.

Twist it however you want, but the fact remains that he’s a monster on the court and has raised his level of play when faced with adversity. Greatness.