Post#414 » by Dat2U » Thu Apr 27, 2023 3:59 am
I did the lottery:
1. Wemby and thank God!
2. Scoot. We've being crying for a PG with scoring chops that can put pressure on defenses. He's it.
3. B. Miller. Brings length & high level shooting skill to the SF position with flashes of shot creation off the bounce.
4. Amen. Just an all-world athlete in all aspects at 6-7. Good handle but not advanced... but his first step is so lethal and he's such a good contortionist, he consistently gets to the rim for powerful dunks or creative finishes. The best thing I can say about his shot is that he looks like he's always tweaking it so I know he's trying to fix it, and it looks better of recent but it's definite red flag as far as him negatively impacting floor gravity for others until he proves he's going to shoot and make a decent number of them. On the other handle he has great floor vision and makes some incredible reads and is potential switchable lock down defender with his lateral quickness & length who will consistently be among the league leaders in steals.
5. Ausur translates much better to an off ball role than Amen. While the playmaking is there, he shows Amen-like flashes in his reads he's more inconsistent in his decision making where he make some wild passes that leads to TOs. He's a great athlete in his own right and is definitely a 'quick twich' guy but he doesn't have Amen's first step. His shot looks to be a little more advanced than Amen's. He's getting left wide open like Amen but he's willing to take them and had a strong finish to his league's playoffs. Defensively, just like a Amen he can be a menace and another switchable defender who will wreck havoc in the passing lanes.
Shot creation is probably my biggest concern for the Thompson twins. Thusly, that sorta dooms them to potential elite role playes in my eyes. Neither is coming in the league with a bag to create off the bounce in either to mid-range or 3. Both are slasher extraordinaires and hopeful spot up shooters who will get left wide open until proven otherwise.
I figure Amen's althleticism & first step allow him to get to the rim still, especially if he's in a situation with decent spacing aroind him. He's also has ++ floor vision so he'll make the right plays most of the time.
Ausur's shooting confidence will go a long way which will allow his other complementary skills to flourish.
Neither has a true comparable. I don't remember a 6-7 PG with this type of athleticism or first step coming into the league. 6-4 with John Wall was the tallest. Then Russ at 6-3. Most everyone else like Rose, Morant are 6-2 or lower. IMO he's in that top 0.5% in terms of pure athleticism that have ever played in the NBA. Despite the flaws, that's something I take a risk on.
6. Cam Whitmore
Too much atlhetic juice at the F spot to ignore. I said early on in my evaluation process, he reminds me of a bigger Lance Stephenson. I think he has more playmaking chops than Lance after digging deeper and realizing he played in a less than ideal situation with Villanova this season. The floor vision gives me pause but visually he pops on the screen as an explosive finisher off straight line slashes. Crossover looks choppy but you have a real frame work for a Miles Bridges type 4. Not so much a 3 i my eyes anymore. Skill level wise, he'll be more effective against 4s & slower 3s. You will give up some rim protection here which is a concern.
7. Gradey Dick
Still love the guy. Safest pick in the draft with a sky high floor as a floor spacer who can attack closeouts and plays hard on D. A +++ shooter & + finisher as well on the break with some athletic pop at the rim. Disappointed with his first step so he'll need help to create space and a good system mighr be able to flesh out his high level decision making & shot making in P&Rs, DHOs, sceens, curls etc that Kansas staff didn't really focus on.
8. Taylor Hendricks
Taylor is my fast riser and honestly he's pushing Gradey for that 7th spot. I love his shot versatility at 6-9 in combination with his shot blocking skill. He shoots with high volume and is more than just a stand in the corner guy. Not functional beyond two dribbles so these shots will need to be created by the PG and running plays to get him open to fire away. At his size he could be a very nice asset if used correctly. I like his quick recogniton on D. Has elite timing on blocking shots, moreso than pure athleticism. Good athlete not a great one but + skills in two areas and high level awareness & motor on D portends to a long and successful NBA career.
9. Here's where it gets tough for me. If we slip to 9 and all of the above are gone, I'd be highly disappointed. I'd likely look for a trade down but Cason Wallace screams safe pick, high floor, consummate professional, ++ defender and + shooting. Where he'll fall short, at least initially is playmaking & creating off the bounce. Functional slasher and ballhandler but not a great first step. Monte Morris meets Delon Wright sounds about right.
10. Brice Sensabaugh. The best 3 level scorer in the draft that's not 7-4. Just don't ask me about creating for others or his defense, lol. People overlook his pure stroke from deep. He's a walking bucket, can create his own shot and always got to his preferred spots. That sounds like a guy that you take and hope he defends better in your system!
11. I like unique traits. Jett Howard's wiggle off the bounce is really impressive for a 6-8 guy. He'll eat creating mid-range shots in high level situations if allowed too. The potential for 3 level scoring is there. You got the NBA pedigree as well.
12. Dereck Lively II. Best pure rim runner in the draft. These guys are starting to get overlooked a bit now. Lively has elite traits. Just a big human being that's also very mobile with quick feet. The lack of skill says he'll only score as a finisher and offensive rebounder. But the awareness, length & feet on D says he can be a game changer on that end.
13. This is more of Jarace Walker's range to me. Talk of him going as high as 4 is crazy. A mobile 6-8 big built to impose his physicality who flashes tiertary playmaking skill. Problem is his shaky jumper and while he's a good athlete who can face up against slower bigs... he's not like going to use his playmaking skill extensively unless his shot advances significantly. Defense is why you take him. Should be extremely versatile and be able to guard some big 3s and smaller 5s.
14. Jordan Hawkins... Rip Hamilton-ish vibes. High level shot maker with a pure stroke. Should be ready to play right away.
