2023 NBA Draft Thread

Post #201 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu May 18, 2023 7:17 pm

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Post #202 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu May 18, 2023 7:47 pm

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Post #203 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 12:46 pm

CP War Hawks wrote:2nd round it's impossible to forecast who be there, but I like Tristan Vukcevic for pick 46.

This might be the Center prospect we've been waiting for. 7 foot, knockdown three point shooter.

Can we groom him to be even average defensively in the paint?

Tristan Vukcevic (KK Partizan, PF/C, 2002)

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Stock report: Trending toward top 45

The NBA combine's least scouted player entering Chicago, Tristan Vukcevic was the No. 1 standout on Wednesday.

With averages of 14.8 minutes in the Adriatic League and 6.2 minutes in Euroleague, the 7'0" 20-year-old outscored every NCAA player with 21 points (8-of-12), showcasing the touch he used to hit a combined 37.3 percent of his total threes in 2022-23.

He opened by converting consecutive threes, a fallaway from the post, a mid-range pull-up and high-speed transition finish—all in the first quarter.

Though limited athletically and defensively, it was eye-opening to see Vukcevic's skill level translate so well against mostly older, NBA prospects.

Considering how little scouts had seen of him, his performance in Chicago helped validate the reputation that earned him an invitation.

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Post #204 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 1:39 pm

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Post #205 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 2:10 pm

Post #206 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 2:18 pm

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Post #207 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 3:03 pm

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Ben Sheppard (Belmont, SG, Senior)

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Stock report: Interest/awareness is building

Ben Sheppard led Thursday's opening scrimmage with 25 points, an important performance that helps remove Belmont's poor strength of schedule from the scouting equation.

Everything we saw during the season showed in Chicago. With burst, shooting versatility and IQ, he posed a threat to score or pass in every situation.

Sheppard even brought it on defense, creating problems at the point of attack with his active hands.

Adding bulk will be key for the 194.6-pound 2-guard, but he measured over 6'5" in socks, and he'll be valued most for his perimeter shot-making at the next level.

NBA teams are still catching on, but he moved to No. 33 in B/R's pre-combine rankings, a spot he's moving closer to in our mock drafts. Between the combine and workouts, where we hear he's outperforming players in his groups, he's making it easier for teams to picture an NBA bench spark.

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Post #208 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 3:32 pm

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Amari Bailey (UCLA, PG/SG, Freshman)

Stock report: Trending toward first-round consideration

Amari Bailey's passing stood out as much as any players' specific skill or athletic trait. Dating back to February and March, he's helped reshape his image, now looking more like a primary facilitator than a scorer with limited shooting range.

Bailey delivered eight assists on Wednesday, showing advanced command in pick-and-roll situations with his pace and anticipation, plus vision in transition.

While extending his shooting range remains a priority, he still showcased two-point shot-making ability with the pull-up and improvised runners or fallaways off drives he couldn't get to the basket off.

On Thursday, he went for 19 points and six dimes, creating more opportunities with his handle and converting a number of unorthodox finishes you typically can't practice.

Scouts were talking about Bailey as an early second-round pick earlier in the week, but it wouldn't be surprising if he earned looks in the 20s. Measuring taller than 6'3" in socks would have helped. Either way, everyone was able to detect his unteachable feel for the game, a trait certain teams are bound to put extra stock into and picture translating to the type of playmaking and ball-moving that makes teammates better.

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Post #209 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 7:27 pm

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CP War Hawks · Post #210 » by **CP War Hawks** » Mon May 22, 2023 8:58 pm

If you sit me down and explain it slowly like to a 5 year old. You can convince me GG can play the 3 mostly and of course the 4. He's basically the offensive version of Hendrix.

Post #211 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 22, 2023 11:35 pm

CP War Hawks wrote:If you sit me down and explain it slowly like to a 5 year old. You can convince me GG can play the 3 mostly and of course the 4. He's basically the offensive version of Hendrix.

Whenever I hear about a young, athletic, immature, HS aged teenager with immense talent and a bad attitude, I immediately begin to have flashbacks to the Josh Smith era and get serious bouts of PTSD.

All that to say, I'm wary of GG Jackson.

Post #212 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 23, 2023 12:31 pm

A younger Capela but with 3-pt range?!?

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atlantabbq99 · Post #213 » by **atlantabbq99** » Tue May 23, 2023 12:52 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:A younger Capela but with 3-pt range?!?

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The next Mo Bamba.....

Post #214 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 23, 2023 5:30 pm

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Anyone else see it?

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Post #215 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed May 24, 2023 2:00 pm

Next Lonzo Ball?

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Post #216 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed May 24, 2023 2:38 pm

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Post #217 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 29, 2023 7:11 pm

Atlanta's Biggest Need In the 2023 NBA Draft

Three-and-D Wings

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As long as the Hawks remain committed to Trae Young, they need to tailor their roster in a way that emphasizes his strengths and masks his weaknesses. More specifically, they need wing shooters who can hold the defense's attention when Young operates pick-and-rolls and perimeter stoppers who can cover up his limitations at that end.

Adding AJ Griffin at last year's draft was a start, but the Hawks need to keep pushing. Their forward rotation feels like it's forever in flux given John Collins' permanent residency on the trade rumor mill and Bogdan Bogdanović's struggles staying healthy (less than 70 games played each season since 2018-19).

Atlanta finished this season 21st in three-point percentage (35.2) and 22nd in defensive rating (115.4). Those aren't anywhere near where they'd need to be for the Hawks to contend.

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Post #218 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon May 29, 2023 11:26 pm

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Post #219 » by **HMFFL** » Tue May 30, 2023 1:07 am

Oscar Tshiebwe working out for Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/oscar-tshiebwe-working-out-for-atlanta-hawks-nba-draft/

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Post #220 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 30, 2023 1:27 pm

HMFFL wrote:Oscar Tshiebwe working out for Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/oscar-tshiebwe-working-out-for-atlanta-hawks-nba-draft/

I really like that young man as a project for us. He's got some dawg in him. He likely can be signed as an UDFA instead of using a pick on him. I hope we invite him to Summer League.

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