2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[BoyzNTheHood]

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Seems mature, praising others. Not used to this unselfishness.

This guy would be an ideal pick anywhere outside of the lottery for a winning team

[PhilBlackson]

A bunch of folks in here still think Rupert is better

You can probably make a debate about NOW. But projecting, Bilal has 2-way star written all over him imo. Does he get there, I’m not sure. But there is definitely a chance if he works.

I would say his ceiling is Nicolas Batum. There was also a lot of hype about him and I believe he was more proven.

Batum didn’t look anywhere near as strong at the same age (Bilal’s frame really looks a lot more solid and like he could fill out much more) or as athletic (see the multiple alleyoops & drives from coast to coast) or have the same ability Bilal has to drive to the basket so I wouldn’t agree with that as being his ceiling.

If Batum had all that going for him in addition to what he did/does, he would’ve been a much different/better player.

[Psubs]

You can probably make a debate about NOW. But projecting, Bilal has 2-way star written all over him imo. Does he get there, I’m not sure. But there is definitely a chance if he works.

I would say his ceiling is Nicolas Batum. There was also a lot of hype about him and I believe he was more proven.

Batum didn’t look anywhere near as strong at the same age (Bilal’s frame really looks a lot more solid and like he could fill out much more) or as athletic (see the multiple alleyoops & drives from coast to coast) or have the same ability Bilal has to drive to the basket so I wouldn’t agree with that as being his ceiling.

If Batum had all that going for him in addition to what he did/does, he would’ve been a much different/better player.

I trust Masai as he passed on Maledon, so if likes him sure, take him at #13. If he's that impressive, no way OKC passes on Coulibaly.

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[Kevin Willis]

is Mikal Bridges a bad comp for Coulibaly?

I see that as a high end outcome. Bridges is now like an archetype for a guy 6'7 can defend and shoot 3s.

Maybe Coulibaly is closer to Nic Batum who is that defensive playmaker who can slot as a guard/forward.

Bilal is more athletic, projects to be better at getting to the basket and frame looks like he could be (much) stronger long term. All these guys have comparable measurables but I think Bilal is more athletic & with stronger frame than either name.

If Ausar is available, would you take him over Bilal?

[BoyzNTheHood]

I might go with Byron Scott as a comparison for Bilal. I was thinking Ron Harper, but he was a beast his first 6-7 years. A level I don’t see Bilal reaching early in his career.

[Dalek]

I see that as a high end outcome. Bridges is now like an archetype for a guy 6'7 can defend and shoot 3s.

Maybe Coulibaly is closer to Nic Batum who is that defensive playmaker who can slot as a guard/forward.

Bilal is more athletic, projects to be better at getting to the basket and frame looks like he could be (much) stronger long term. All these guys have comparable measurables but I think Bilal is more athletic & with stronger frame than either name.

If Ausar is available, would you take him over Bilal?

If Ausar drops for me he is auto-draft. At 13 that is way too much athleticism and defensive quicks to pass on.

The one thing I will say about the twins, is a I don't really have a feel for their personalties. They don't seem like bad kids, but maybe on the quieter side. Ausar seems pretty together in this interview.

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[PhilBlackson]

I see that as a high end outcome. Bridges is now like an archetype for a guy 6'7 can defend and shoot 3s.

Maybe Coulibaly is closer to Nic Batum who is that defensive playmaker who can slot as a guard/forward.

Bilal is more athletic, projects to be better at getting to the basket and frame looks like he could be (much) stronger long term. All these guys have comparable measurables but I think Bilal is more athletic & with stronger frame than either name.

If Ausar is available, would you take him over Bilal?

Yes, Ausar still has more fast twitch to him/slightly better athlete, better ballhandling and passing, he's also a VERY good defender that shows the ability to lock up people BUT as crazy as it may sound I don't think the potential is too far off from each other (assuming what we see in Europe translates because Baba was crazy disappointing compared to overseas) BUT I don't rule out that Bilal could end up better DEPENDING on where each guy lands/how well they're developed.

That would be an insane steal if he fell to 13 which I flat out don't see happening and in fact I'd try to flip OG to POR for him and develop both guys as I could only imagine what we could get out of them when you see with far inferior prospects in OG and Pascal.

[HumbleRen]

I see that as a high end outcome. Bridges is now like an archetype for a guy 6'7 can defend and shoot 3s.

Maybe Coulibaly is closer to Nic Batum who is that defensive playmaker who can slot as a guard/forward.

Bilal is more athletic, projects to be better at getting to the basket and frame looks like he could be (much) stronger long term. All these guys have comparable measurables but I think Bilal is more athletic & with stronger frame than either name.

If Ausar is available, would you take him over Bilal?

Wouldn't even hesitate.

That height, feel for the game and athleticism is something you can't pass up on with the 13th pick.

Thompson twins are the exact type of prospects that Masai would draft lol.

[mtcan]

Bilal is more athletic, projects to be better at getting to the basket and frame looks like he could be (much) stronger long term. All these guys have comparable measurables but I think Bilal is more athletic & with stronger frame than either name.

If Ausar is available, would you take him over Bilal?

Wouldn't even hesitate.

That height, feel for the game and athleticism is something you can't pass up on with the 13th pick.

Thompson twins are the exact type of prospects that Masai would draft lol.

I feel like if we draft one twin when both are available...there will always be a group of people that will be telling us how they think that the other twin should have been drafted instead. May need to trade for the pick right after and draft both twins...just like the Vancouver Canucks did with the Sedin twins.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[Psubs]

Watching some tape on the Thompsons, there isn't like any bigs to protect the rim. Looks like the tallest guy in OTE is like 6'8-6'9. So with their athleticism they can score and power dunk like Lerbon, KG and Giannis.

[billy_hoyle]

If Ausar is available, would you take him over Bilal?

Wouldn't even hesitate.

That height, feel for the game and athleticism is something you can't pass up on with the 13th pick.

Thompson twins are the exact type of prospects that Masai would draft lol.

I feel like if we draft one twin when both are available...there will always be a group of people that will be telling us how they think that the other twin should have been drafted instead. May need to trade for the pick right after and draft both twins...just like the Vancouver Canucks did with the Sedin twins.

That would be very exciting.
I think we'd need some luck (both drop slightly), and to move OG and GTJ to make it happen.

Young lineup:
Amen
Ausar
Barnes
Precious
Koloko

Vets:
Siakam, FVV, Poeltl, Boucher, OPJ

[WuTang_CMB]

Watching some tape on the Thompsons, there isn't like any bigs to protect the rim. Looks like the tallest guy in OTE is like 6'8-6'9. So with their athleticism they can score and power dunk like Lerbon, KG and Giannis.

The shooting will hold them back, especially for Amen who's shot is beyond broken. That's what worries me the most for guys playing that style. Hard to be successful against modern NBA defenses especially in the playoffs.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Watching some tape on the Thompsons, there isn't like any bigs to protect the rim. Looks like the tallest guy in OTE is like 6'8-6'9. So with their athleticism they can score and power dunk like Lerbon, KG and Giannis.

The shooting will hold them back, especially for Amen who's shot is beyond broken. That's what worries me the most for guys playing that style. Hard to be successful against modern NBA defenses especially in the playoffs.

I guess it depends on how the roster around them is built. Let me preface by saying I fully understand the physical differences between the guys I’m about the compare, and in no way am I saying this is what either of the Thompson twins will be. But think about a guy like Giannis. His go to move is literally back up, and dribble past, or into the defender. He has NO BAG, but is successful. If the refs are willing to give you calls, if you display the ability to slash, and if you’re surrounded by shooters you can be successful without a jump shot.

You could also be Ben Simmons, so yeah…

[WuTang_CMB]

Watching some tape on the Thompsons, there isn't like any bigs to protect the rim. Looks like the tallest guy in OTE is like 6'8-6'9. So with their athleticism they can score and power dunk like Lerbon, KG and Giannis.

The shooting will hold them back, especially for Amen who's shot is beyond broken. That's what worries me the most for guys playing that style. Hard to be successful against modern NBA defenses especially in the playoffs.

I guess it depends on how the roster around them is built. Let me preface by saying I fully understand the physical differences between the guys I’m about the compare, and in no way am I saying this is what either of the Thompson twins will be. But think about a guy like Giannis. His go to move is literally back up, and dribble past, or into the defender. He has NO BAG, but is successful. If the refs are willing to give you calls, if you display the ability to slash, and if you’re surrounded by shooters you can be successful without a jump shot.

You could also be Ben Simmons, so yeah…

Giannis is allowed to have zero bag because of his size and strength. Just bullys people. Modern day Shaq. These kids have crazy athleticism which will work to their advantage in the open nba floor but when things get tight as a guard, you need a shot. You just won't be as successful. Ben Simmons prime is probably the ceiling for these kids and he continually had trouble in the playoffs.

[billy_hoyle]

The shooting will hold them back, especially for Amen who's shot is beyond broken. That's what worries me the most for guys playing that style. Hard to be successful against modern NBA defenses especially in the playoffs.

I guess it depends on how the roster around them is built. Let me preface by saying I fully understand the physical differences between the guys I’m about the compare, and in no way am I saying this is what either of the Thompson twins will be. But think about a guy like Giannis. His go to move is literally back up, and dribble past, or into the defender. He has NO BAG, but is successful. If the refs are willing to give you calls, if you display the ability to slash, and if you’re surrounded by shooters you can be successful without a jump shot.

You could also be Ben Simmons, so yeah…

Giannis is allowed to have zero bag because of his size and strength. Just bullys people. Modern day Shaq. These kids have crazy athleticism which will work to their advantage in the open nba floor but when things get tight as a guard, you need a shot. You just won't be as successful. Ben Simmons prime is probably the ceiling for these kids and he continually had trouble in the playoffs.

What if they become average shooters? Isn't that ceiling worth the gamble?

[BoyzNTheHood]

The shooting will hold them back, especially for Amen who's shot is beyond broken. That's what worries me the most for guys playing that style. Hard to be successful against modern NBA defenses especially in the playoffs.

I guess it depends on how the roster around them is built. Let me preface by saying I fully understand the physical differences between the guys I’m about the compare, and in no way am I saying this is what either of the Thompson twins will be. But think about a guy like Giannis. His go to move is literally back up, and dribble past, or into the defender. He has NO BAG, but is successful. If the refs are willing to give you calls, if you display the ability to slash, and if you’re surrounded by shooters you can be successful without a jump shot.

You could also be Ben Simmons, so yeah…

Giannis is allowed to have zero bag because of his size and strength. Just bullys people. Modern day Shaq. These kids have crazy athleticism which will work to their advantage in the open nba floor but when things get tight as a guard, you need a shot. You just won't be as successful. Ben Simmons prime is probably the ceiling for these kids and he continually had trouble in the playoffs.

Giannis didn’t come in with that strength. He came in with slashing ability, the same thing these kids have. Sure, there’s less development time available to 20 year olds, but it’s not like they’re finished products.

[WuTang_CMB]

I guess it depends on how the roster around them is built. Let me preface by saying I fully understand the physical differences between the guys I’m about the compare, and in no way am I saying this is what either of the Thompson twins will be. But think about a guy like Giannis. His go to move is literally back up, and dribble past, or into the defender. He has NO BAG, but is successful. If the refs are willing to give you calls, if you display the ability to slash, and if you’re surrounded by shooters you can be successful without a jump shot.

You could also be Ben Simmons, so yeah…

Giannis is allowed to have zero bag because of his size and strength. Just bullys people. Modern day Shaq. These kids have crazy athleticism which will work to their advantage in the open nba floor but when things get tight as a guard, you need a shot. You just won't be as successful. Ben Simmons prime is probably the ceiling for these kids and he continually had trouble in the playoffs.

Giannis didn’t come in with that strength. He came in with slashing ability, the same thing these kids have. Sure, there’s less development time available to 20 year olds, but it’s not like they’re finished products.

Sorry but using Giannis for these kids is such a poor example. He’s a rare case of a kid who grew, gained crazy strength and is now the closest thing to Shaq and an all time great. Everyone loves to bring up Giannis every year and his bar is set so high that people always fumble using him and his growth and compare it to prospects. It’s far fetched and this is no different.

Going back to my point, these kids have great athlesticm but their shots are complete garbage and its going to be hard for them to play that position when games get tight. Picking them top 10 you hope you get starter material that can be difference makers in the playoffs. The lack of shooting will always anchor them.

[Ell Curry]

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Seems mature, praising others. Not used to this unselfishness.

This guy would be an ideal pick anywhere outside of the lottery for a winning team

He doesn't suit us, but some team with tons of shooting like Sacramento is going to take him and get a really useful player.

[Tofubeque]

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Watched these game highlights and maybe it's his long arms and legs, but he looked really tall. I can buy him being 6'8"