2024 NBA Draft Thread

FarBeyondDriven · Post #841 » by **FarBeyondDriven** » Fri Dec 29, 2023 11:52 am

arguably the best games of the year for both Almansa and Sane. Holland had 6 steals and a block. Shame he isn't a great defender. Buzelis has a really rough night but he was due for one. Dink Pate made his debut but barely played. He's going to likely be a high lottery pick in 2025

WargamesX · Post #842 » by **WargamesX** » Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:24 pm

Hoopz Afrik wrote:
BlazersBroncos wrote:Anyone else think there is an outside shot that PJ Hall becomes a Naz Reid caliber bench big?

Lots to like outside the age.

I could see it. I think he's going to be drafted higher than we might expect.

I have him late first round early second. Mostly because there are a decent amount of PF in the league so he would be going to a team looking for a backup PF.

babyjax13 · Post #843 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:09 am

babyjax13 wrote:For anyone who hasn't seen a full game of Tidjane Salaun:

Watch on YouTube

The competition looks pretty bad, the American players for Antwerp played for Brown, Utah State, Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee State. Butterworth was at least decent for Utah State back in the day, but it's still not great competition (and it doesn't look like it watching). That said, he really pops off the screen. The jumper is really nice, he has fantastic end-to-end speed. The lateral speed doesn't look elite, neither does the verticality, but it is just one game. Like what I saw, just wish he were in a better league. He and Topic will likely be the two youngest players selected in the draft.

And scrolling through here you can find Saluan and Risacher games: https://www.youtube.com/@BasketballCL/streams

Another Saluan game, this one he is at his worst (doesn't score at all). The end-to-end speed still pops. Can really get lost on defense, playing against better competition it looks like (e.g., JaJuan Johnson is on the other team):

Watch on YouTube

HadAnEffectHere · Post #844 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 6:21 am

I cannot believe how bad USC and Collier have been this season.

He's going to fall out of the lottery and end up being late first if he keeps playing like this and USC ends up with a losing record.

MemphisX · Post #845 » by **MemphisX** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 7:13 am

HadAnEffectHere wrote:I cannot believe how bad USC and Collier have been this season.

He's going to fall out of the lottery and end up being late first if he keeps playing like this and USC ends up with a losing record.

He has never looked like a lottery talent to me. Looks like a backup point guard on the next level.

Chuck Everett · Post #846 » by **Chuck Everett** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 9:05 am

Maybe it would be better for Collier to return to school and improve rather than risk declaring and ending up in the second round (or worse). He has a lot to work on.

eminence · Post #847 » by **eminence** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 3:46 pm

MemphisX wrote:
HadAnEffectHere wrote:I cannot believe how bad USC and Collier have been this season.

He's going to fall out of the lottery and end up being late first if he keeps playing like this and USC ends up with a losing record.

He has never looked like a lottery talent to me. Looks like a backup point guard on the next level.

Median type outcomes of backup point guard (a decent one) probably should be going late lotto to mid first.

I've generally continued to be unimpressed by the NCAA class (don't follow the guys not in college much).

Hal14 · Post #848 » by **Hal14** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 4:13 pm

HadAnEffectHere wrote:I cannot believe how bad USC and Collier have been this season.

He's going to fall out of the lottery and end up being late first if he keeps playing like this and USC ends up with a losing record.

Might even end up like JD Davison, going late 2nd round..

They're kind of similar. Top 10 rated coming out of HS. But rocky freshman season, with lots of turnovers, poor decision making with the ball, 3 FG% around 30%. Good burst. Some fancy passes..some poor defense..Both about 6'2/6'3"..

Hal14 · Post #849 » by **Hal14** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 7:36 pm

Read on Twitter

HadAnEffectHere · Post #850 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:17 pm

Collier has a 1.5 BPM, you would have to try to have worse stats than him, lol.

(Bronny's start has been impressive)

HadAnEffectHere · Post #851 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 12:48 am

Assuming Holland plays 30-35 games this year, we're over 50% through the season and we're running out of time for him to improve his 22% from three.

His stats other than three point shooting are okay, but his shooting is so bad that it greatly harms his star and role player potential. Hopefully he can get to like.... 28% before the end of the season? (this would still be horrible but not "he'll never make it in the league" bad)

EvanZ · Post #852 » by **EvanZ** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 1:36 am

And people wondered why I said Flip is a top 5 pick lol

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

babyjax13 · Post #853 » by **babyjax13** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 2:08 am

Mgbako's freethrow shooting and solid form has me feeling like he'll be a reasonably good shooter at the NBA level. I'm with Evan on him, he should probably be higher on draft boards. Not sure if I see lottery yet or not, but if Utah had a pick in the teens and took him I'd not hate it.

EvanZ · Post #854 » by **EvanZ** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 3:13 am

Top NCAA prospects in no particular order

Dillingham/Sheppard
Kwame Evans
Ja'Kobe Walter
Fliip
Boswell

These are the 6 guys I feel pretty comfortable about in terms of NBA translation. I need to find some more. Mgbako might be one of those guys eventually but I am quite nervous about him being 6'9" and not having a single dunk so far.

MemphisX · Post #855 » by **MemphisX** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 4:01 am

EvanZ wrote:Top NCAA prospects in no particular order

Dillingham/Sheppard
Kwame Evans
Ja'Kobe Walter
Fliip
Boswell

These are the 6 guys I feel pretty comfortable about in terms of NBA translation. I need to find some more. Mgbako might be one of those guys eventually but I am quite nervous about him being 6'9" and not having a single dunk so far.

Agreed on the bold part.

The only one of the college guys you listed I worry about is Flip vs guys with NBA size and athleticism.

babyjax13 · Post #856 » by **babyjax13** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 4:22 am

EvanZ wrote:Top NCAA prospects in no particular order

Dillingham/Sheppard
Kwame Evans
Ja'Kobe Walter
Fliip
Boswell

These are the 6 guys I feel pretty comfortable about in terms of NBA translation. I need to find some more. Mgbako might be one of those guys eventually but I am quite nervous about him being 6'9" and not having a single dunk so far.

Part of the problem there is Indiana's early 2000s Mike Woodsen offense, the lane is packed pretty frequently (lots of driving into the lane with a player on each block ... it looks more fluid when they pull Ware to the three-point line but he's pretty inconsistent). But haven't seen him get out in transition much, either, doesn't beat his man off the dribble, etc.

But, there are at least a few small forwards who have been good rotation players without dunking much. Taurean Prince has averaged less than 10 per season, Matt Harpring averaged less than 5, Jae Crowder less than 10, etc. Most of these guys are smaller than him, and his steals are also not fantastic so there are some reasons to be concerned ... but at this point I'm struggling to find 15 guys where I think "okay, I think this guy has a good chance to be a starting caliber player in the NBA." At least with Mgbako he is a big wing who *I think* can shoot.

Hopefully, the international class is better than college. I've been watching Salaun and he is interesting, I've watched a bit of Rishacher and Sarr before this season ... I like Sarr a lot, Risacher is not my favorite but he is at least one of those 15 guys.

LewisnotMiller · Post #857 » by **LewisnotMiller** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 4:41 am

babyjax13 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:Top NCAA prospects in no particular order

Dillingham/Sheppard
Kwame Evans
Ja'Kobe Walter
Fliip
Boswell

These are the 6 guys I feel pretty comfortable about in terms of NBA translation. I need to find some more. Mgbako might be one of those guys eventually but I am quite nervous about him being 6'9" and not having a single dunk so far.

Part of the problem there is Indiana's early 2000s Mike Woodsen offense, the lane is packed pretty frequently (lots of driving into the lane with a player on each block ... it looks more fluid when they pull Ware to the three-point line but he's pretty inconsistent). But haven't seen him get out in transition much, either, doesn't beat his man off the dribble, etc.

But, there are at least a few small forwards who have been good rotation players without dunking much. Taurean Prince has averaged less than 10 per season, Matt Harpring averaged less than 5, Jae Crowder less than 10, etc. Most of these guys are smaller than him, and his steals are also not fantastic so there are some reasons to be concerned ... but at this point I'm struggling to find 15 guys where I think "okay, I think this guy has a good chance to be a starting caliber player in the NBA." At least with Mgbako he is a big wing who *I think* can shoot.

Hopefully, the international class is better than college. I've been watching Salaun and he is interesting, I've watched a bit of Rishacher and Sarr before this season ... I like Sarr a lot, Risacher is not my favorite but he is at least one of those 15 guys.

Sarr has been very solid out here this season (Australian NBL).
He's only playing a touch under 50% court time (and our games are only 40 mins) but he's getting 10ppg, 5rpg, shooting 51% from the field.

Plenty to work on, as you'd expect, but overall good consistency, and his length and mobility are both as advertised. Definitely looks like a high pick to me, although he's not out here killing guys (which would be a bit too much to expect, but would make the #1 pick choice easier...lol)

Bobi Klintman has looked pretty impressive most of the time, AJ Johnson has looked decent when I've watched him, but I've seen less of him than the other two. But they're more end of lottery types I'm guessing, with Klintman the better prospect I think. Got a few Aussies out here who'll be hoping to get picked, maybe second round, too.

MemphisX · Post #858 » by **MemphisX** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 7:24 am

LewisnotMiller wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:Top NCAA prospects in no particular order

Dillingham/Sheppard
Kwame Evans
Ja'Kobe Walter
Fliip
Boswell

These are the 6 guys I feel pretty comfortable about in terms of NBA translation. I need to find some more. Mgbako might be one of those guys eventually but I am quite nervous about him being 6'9" and not having a single dunk so far.

Part of the problem there is Indiana's early 2000s Mike Woodsen offense, the lane is packed pretty frequently (lots of driving into the lane with a player on each block ... it looks more fluid when they pull Ware to the three-point line but he's pretty inconsistent). But haven't seen him get out in transition much, either, doesn't beat his man off the dribble, etc.

But, there are at least a few small forwards who have been good rotation players without dunking much. Taurean Prince has averaged less than 10 per season, Matt Harpring averaged less than 5, Jae Crowder less than 10, etc. Most of these guys are smaller than him, and his steals are also not fantastic so there are some reasons to be concerned ... but at this point I'm struggling to find 15 guys where I think "okay, I think this guy has a good chance to be a starting caliber player in the NBA." At least with Mgbako he is a big wing who *I think* can shoot.

Hopefully, the international class is better than college. I've been watching Salaun and he is interesting, I've watched a bit of Rishacher and Sarr before this season ... I like Sarr a lot, Risacher is not my favorite but he is at least one of those 15 guys.

Sarr has been very solid out here this season (Australian NBL).
He's only playing a touch under 50% court time (and our games are only 40 mins) but he's getting 10ppg, 5rpg, shooting 51% from the field.

Plenty to work on, as you'd expect, but overall good consistency, and his length and mobility are both as advertised. Definitely looks like a high pick to me, although he's not out here killing guys (which would be a bit too much to expect, but would make the #1 pick choice easier...lol)

Bobi Klintman has looked pretty impressive most of the time, AJ Johnson has looked decent when I've watched him, but I've seen less of him than the other two. But they're more end of lottery types I'm guessing, with Klintman the better prospect I think. Got a few Aussies out here who'll be hoping to get picked, maybe second round, too.

What are your thoughts on Alex Toohey?

FarBeyondDriven · Post #859 » by **FarBeyondDriven** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 9:49 am

the trolling by the usual suspects in here is impressive. At least, I pray it's trolling, because if these are actual takes..whew lad!

LewisnotMiller · Post #860 » by **LewisnotMiller** » Mon Jan 1, 2024 10:00 am

MemphisX wrote:
LewisnotMiller wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:Part of the problem there is Indiana's early 2000s Mike Woodsen offense, the lane is packed pretty frequently (lots of driving into the lane with a player on each block ... it looks more fluid when they pull Ware to the three-point line but he's pretty inconsistent). But haven't seen him get out in transition much, either, doesn't beat his man off the dribble, etc.

But, there are at least a few small forwards who have been good rotation players without dunking much. Taurean Prince has averaged less than 10 per season, Matt Harpring averaged less than 5, Jae Crowder less than 10, etc. Most of these guys are smaller than him, and his steals are also not fantastic so there are some reasons to be concerned ... but at this point I'm struggling to find 15 guys where I think "okay, I think this guy has a good chance to be a starting caliber player in the NBA." At least with Mgbako he is a big wing who *I think* can shoot.

Hopefully, the international class is better than college. I've been watching Salaun and he is interesting, I've watched a bit of Rishacher and Sarr before this season ... I like Sarr a lot, Risacher is not my favorite but he is at least one of those 15 guys.

Sarr has been very solid out here this season (Australian NBL).
He's only playing a touch under 50% court time (and our games are only 40 mins) but he's getting 10ppg, 5rpg, shooting 51% from the field.

Plenty to work on, as you'd expect, but overall good consistency, and his length and mobility are both as advertised. Definitely looks like a high pick to me, although he's not out here killing guys (which would be a bit too much to expect, but would make the #1 pick choice easier...lol)

Bobi Klintman has looked pretty impressive most of the time, AJ Johnson has looked decent when I've watched him, but I've seen less of him than the other two. But they're more end of lottery types I'm guessing, with Klintman the better prospect I think. Got a few Aussies out here who'll be hoping to get picked, maybe second round, too.

What are your thoughts on Alex Toohey?

I hope I'm wrong, but I reckon he needs another year in the NBL before he's ready.
The good...
He's been a super talent all the way through in Australia, and he's stepped seamlessly into the starting lineup of a really strong team in our league, bumping some pretty decent vets aside to do so.
He has good positional size, including both height and length. His defence is decent (although I suspect he'd be rough as a rookie in the NBA, like most).

But...
He's a shooter shooting 31% from three, and 43% overall. As much as I'd love to pump his tyres up, I'd be cautious on him, tbh. But he seems to be getting incrementally better each game (ignoring a mini shooting slump in his last 2)

Later second round pick you leave in Australia for another year (or some other development program) then I'd say go for it. He has real potential.

Similar story with Lachlan Olbrich. He looks like a gamer to me, but he's only just now having a consistent impact in a positive sense on games, and he'll need to find his position and role at the next level. Worth a late second round flyer.