Hall Of Fame Hits

[Bonafide3]

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[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I'm usually pretty great at predicting busts, but a lot of my late round draft crushes don't pan out like I hoped they would, so I can't brag.

Of course, being that its 2024, I fully embrace the fact that absolutely nothing is my fault, and my predictions of the players were 100% correct and the only reason they didn't end up succeeding is because of bad coaching/teammates/whatever other excuses people use instead of just admitting they were wrong.

[NotACat]

I'm going to pat myself on the back for the 2018 draft. It was the first one that I dived deep into and my top 4 in order was Luka, Trae, JJJ, SGA. I was high on Anfernee Simons and Mitchell Robinson and thought both were good picks for the late lottery or in the 15-20 range.

I also had WCJ as my top ranked C and Bamba and Ayton as undraftable because their talent and potential did not match where they were mocked for me. I haven't dove as deep into a draft since then because of my disappointment in Orlando not being able to get Trae or JJJ, and also picking Bamba.

I did some research for the 2020 and 2021 draft, but my perspectives were heavily shaped by things I read online. I have since moved to Michigan and have been trying to follow Detroit and plan on doing draft prep again. Not going on twitter or listening to podcasts anymore should help me focus without much influence from external sources.

[HotelVitale]

I'm going to pat myself on the back for the 2018 draft. It was the first one that I dived deep into and my top 4 in order was Luka, Trae, JJJ, SGA. I was high on Anfernee Simons and Mitchell Robinson and thought both were good picks for the late lottery or in the 15-20 range.

I also had WCJ as my top ranked C and Bamba and Ayton as undraftable because their talent and potential did not match where they were mocked for me. I haven't dove as deep into a draft since then because of my disappointment in Orlando not being able to get Trae or JJJ, and also picking Bamba.

Board police back at it again--looked at your posts quickly, you had some really good takes but not to this extent. It seems like you wanted to say things like at times but ended up softening your takes (which is understandable, most of us do as the draft gets closer and consensus-mind sets in). Like you definitely criticized Bamba pretty accurately but then said stuff like this too: 'I've been pretty high on WCJ, and I still like him a lot, but if Bamba's there, we have to take a chance on him becoming a stud.' 'I'd take WCJ over Mikal and MPJ, but not over Young, Bamba, or JJJ.' 'Bamba is really growing on me, I think he's going to struggle until he puts on more weight.' Doesn't look like saying Bamba was 'undraftable' to me, just registering some concerns along with some excitement.

And you definitely liked SGA later in the lotto and defended him in a number of posts, but you also repeatedly said that taking guys like Bagley or Wendell Carter or Bamba at #6 was the better pick. Stuff like this: 'I think WCJ is the right choice if the draft plays out like this, unless it gives us a great deal to move back for Bagley.' You were right about SGA and even named the right reasons to believe in him, but in all your posts about him you consistently avoid saying the Magic should take him at #6 and usually just mention it'd be good to explore trading down to get him. It would've been a HOF hit imo if you had actually said he was the #4 guy--and thus that the Magic should without question take him--but I didn't actually see that in any of your posts on SGA.

You were also definitely hyping up Simons and JJJ, both those calls deserve props. And some other good takes. Seems like you got some prospect-spotting game!

[NotACat]

I'm going to pat myself on the back for the 2018 draft. It was the first one that I dived deep into and my top 4 in order was Luka, Trae, JJJ, SGA. I was high on Anfernee Simons and Mitchell Robinson and thought both were good picks for the late lottery or in the 15-20 range.

I also had WCJ as my top ranked C and Bamba and Ayton as undraftable because their talent and potential did not match where they were mocked for me. I haven't dove as deep into a draft since then because of my disappointment in Orlando not being able to get Trae or JJJ, and also picking Bamba.

Board police back at it again--looked at your posts quickly, you had some really good takes but not to this extent. It seems like you wanted to say things like at times but ended up softening your takes (which is understandable, most of us do as the draft gets closer and consensus-mind sets in). Like you definitely criticized Bamba pretty accurately but then said stuff like this too: 'I've been pretty high on WCJ, and I still like him a lot, but if Bamba's there, we have to take a chance on him becoming a stud.' 'I'd take WCJ over Mikal and MPJ, but not over Young, Bamba, or JJJ.' 'Bamba is really growing on me, I think he's going to struggle until he puts on more weight.' Doesn't look like saying Bamba was 'undraftable' to me, just registering some concerns along with some excitement.

And you definitely liked SGA later in the lotto and defended him in a number of posts, but you also repeatedly said that taking guys like Bagley or Wendell Carter or Bamba at #6 was the better pick. Stuff like this: 'I think WCJ is the right choice if the draft plays out like this, unless it gives us a great deal to move back for Bagley.' You were right about SGA and even named the right reasons to believe in him, but in all your posts about him you consistently avoid saying the Magic should take him at #6 and usually just mention it'd be good to explore trading down to get him. It would've been a HOF hit imo if you had actually said he was the #4 guy--and thus that the Magic should without question take him--but I didn't actually see that in any of your posts on SGA.

You were also definitely hyping up Simons and JJJ, both those calls deserve props. And some other good takes. Seems like you got some prospect-spotting game!

Thanks! If I'm remembering right, I soured on Bagley late when I realized he can only use one hand.

Thanks for catching me on Bamba. He was an interesting case study because in interviews you can tell he understands the game, but his processing speed in game is much slower.

I definitely need to post a big board before the draft for the future lol

[NotACat]

I know this is from a year ago now, but last night's game made me go back and look at some of the stuff I wrote about Shai and found some gems, I'm most proud of the conclusion I came to on June 21
(one more quick note - I had SGA 4th on my board that year and thought one of Doncic, Trae, or JJJ would be available at 5)

From May 22: That would be a good trade for both sides since Chicago is also interested in him. I would be estatic if the Magic came out of the draft with SGA and WCJ

From June 14: I think SGA could also be a solid option here, but I'm higher on him than most people. I'm blown away by how much he grew during his first year and how much more he can grow and develop.

From June 18: SGA is an underrated prospect. If you look at his clips progressively from the 1st game to the last game of their season, his growth and comfort level handling the ball is tremendous, and will likely be a better pro than expected if given some time to tighten his handle.

From June 18: SGA, just really love him and how much he developed over the season. Just needs a team to like what him and give him a chance and he'll make the most of it.

From June 21: I'm high on SGA because of how much he improved over the course of one season. He grew into the PG role very well and I think that demonstrates his work ethic, desire to be better, character, and room for growth. He may not have everything you want in a PG right now, but I would bet he puts it together pretty quickly.

From June 21: In my amateur opinion, I thought his decision making improved a ton throughout the season, and he was better about getting to his spots. From my amateur opinion, it seemed like most of his pull-up jumpers came towards the end of the season which I believe he developed over the season as well. He still has a lot to learn, but its optimistic.
...
I agree, SGA took advantage of the opportunities that were provided and thrived. Not only that, but he made that whole team better. That combined with his measurables, character, and work ethic make him a tantalizing prospect.


Also found some predications I made about Bamba that were fairly accurate
From May 8: ...I think Bamba is going to be more of a weakness than a strength on any team that drafts him.
From May 19: Also why I'm not interested in Bamba, simply not agile enough to play significant minutes in the playoffs, why draft a player like that?


I never did end up finding the time to scout again and I'm not sure if I will in the future.