The Official 2023 Draft Thread

[Frichuela]

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[gambitx777]

I am still going with Wallace

[doclinkin]

Coulibaly

Whitmore

The best thing about both these highly talented prospects is how young they are. The game they show not is not determinative of where they will end up.

We can argue Big East vs LNB Pro A. We can talk ast:TO ratios, or even debate if Bilal should have had more assists given that he was passing to the greatest talent since LeBron James over Whitmore whose fit in the offense was as a catch and shoot offensive player as the sole freshman on the floor surrounded by upperclassmen.

But these are 18 yr old young men. Yes if they showed advanced passing skills this young, it would suggest something significant. It has not been their role. They were both trying to fit in wherever they could while surrounded by older more skilled players. Their stats are pretty comparable:

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=bilal-coulibaly--cam-whitmore

Honestly given their talents both were fairly passive, perhaps understandably considering their teammates and situations. I'd like to have seen more decisive aggression. But whatever. Neither looks like they will instantly fit without an adjustment period, so you may see more of the same for a minute.

All depends on circumstances. Team, coaching, role, whether they have a skilled PG or good leadership on their team --all of these will guide their future. Where they are right now is: two raw players with significant athletic talents. Neither will likely be 'good' all that quickly when they step into the league. With both you are looking at upside. Seems to me it's a coin flip between them. Bilal seems to have an edge in defensive awareness, Cam has a physique that will give him a head start against the beast sized creatures of the NBA. I'm not complaining if the front office picks either one.

[doclinkin]

On the question of passivity vs talent. If we are picking by raw talent times the size of the fight in the dog, then Jarace Walker would be my pick.

A player reaches their max potential based on willingness to work. When we are talking upside I will bet on the high energy Big with a few extra tools in his kit. He has the requisite size for the role. Displays smarts on both sides of the ball. Carried his team to the Final Four. Got better when the pressure was highest.

Rare that the best defensive player on the toughest defensive team in the NCAA is a freshman. That he also shows passing skills from an early age (high school) and has shown a bit of range, suggest to me he will work to fill out the gaps in his complete game. The IMG academy kids work on their total game. Jarace has played every role on the court. His coaches at the HS level talk more highly of him, his game, and his character than I have heard them say about any of the incredibly highly talented players they have brought through that system.

If capacity to work times raw talent determines a player's upside, then Walker looks to me like he comes out top dog. Personally I'd take him over Coulibaly or Whitmore. Though it's close on Coulibaly. He also played well under pressure with everyone watching. He just wasn't the best player on the floor every game he played, and didn't have to carry that team the way Walker hauled his entire squad with him.

[NatP4]

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=bilal-coulibaly--jimmy-butler--kawhi-leonard--o-g-anunoby

[gambitx777]

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=bilal-coulibaly--jimmy-butler--kawhi-leonard--o-g-anunoby

I really think he would be a good choice at 8 if we get another pick to take a PG with

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[badinage]

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https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-2023-biggest-risers-all-58-picks-latest-updates

It’s gonna be Bufkin.

“The reason why he is coveted is that he was highly impactful for his team, averaging 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds with 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Michigan outscored opponents by 10.3 points per 100 possessions when Bufkin was on the floor, according to CBB Analytics. They were outscored by 14.0 points per 100 when he was not featured. That swing ranked fourth-best among all high-major players (minimum: 1,000 minutes) in 2022-23.

The All-Big Ten guard is a 6-foot-4 sophomore with two years of collegiate experience but he is younger than several notable freshmen including teammate Jett Howard as well as Jarace Walker, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Brandon Miller.”

Note: he’s actually 6-5 1/2 with shoes.

I looked at his game splits. In his last 10-12 games, he really began to pour it on.

Everybody: it’s time to dig in and find stuff (data, interviews, etc.) on our first FRP (I’m hopeful we can get the 18 from Miami .

[gambitx777]

I like buffkin... But at 8 that's a bit of a reach

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[badinage]

A reach? Based on what? Mocks to this point by people who are not GMs?

[gambitx777]

A reach? Based on what? Mocks to this point by people who are not GMs?

I like him A lot. But over Bilal who I think might end up being the second or third beat player in the draft and Wallace who when healthy is arguably the best pure PG in the draft. He's a good defender through effort with good size. his numbers are middle of the road and his range isn't great. To be buffkin would be a safe pick like taking Johnny Davis and we have a Johnny Davis. I would draft Buffkin but not at 8 .

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[NatP4]

I like Bufkin late 1st. Gotta go Podziemski over him, not even close.

[TGW]

There's nothing about Bufkin that is elite or remarkable. Played a lot of minutes, and had average production. He's not a guy I'd take in the top 12, that's for sure.

[Dat2U]

I like Bufkin late 1st. Gotta go Podziemski over him, not even close.

You like Bufkin less than you Johnny Davis at PG last draft cycle?

[joshuacf]

He doesn't have the potential I'd look for in selecting someone in the 8. I'd prefer anyone else out of the Black, Cason, Bilal, Hendricks group.

[NatP4]

I like Bufkin late 1st. Gotta go Podziemski over him, not even close.

You like Bufkin less than you Johnny Davis at PG last draft cycle?

I like him more than Sharife Cooper, that’s forsure.

[FAH1223]

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[NatP4]

Clowney at 13, Podziemski at 16.

[AFM]

Once again Kevin Broom showing why he's in the pantheon of ex-RealGM Wizboard members, along with hands11 and WizDynasty.

[AFM]

Is there really a human being named "O-Max Prosper"? Pretty sure I changed my engine oil with something similar

[pcbothwel]

There's nothing about Bufkin that is elite or remarkable. Played a lot of minutes, and had average production. He's not a guy I'd take in the top 12, that's for sure.

Agreed. But let me play a little devil's advocate.
1) Bufkin is Sophomore that is the same age/younger than every Freshmen except for Cam, GG, and Nick Smith. He's a year younger than Miller and the Thompson twins.
2) While not dynamic, he's a hard worker than can score and plays good defense.
3) Like Bilal, he had a really strong finish to his season. His last 12 games he averaged 17 / 6 / 3 on 52/45/89 shooting (63% TS)

If a team sees a mix of Herro/Maxey with DiVincenzo defense then that is worth a lotto pick