2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD 2

[BoyzNTheHood]

[YOUTUBE]https://youtu.be/_4XoN4WNva4?si=V3yWQeZG4Nl0ztf9[/YOUTUBE]

[Kevin Willis]

I'll bring him up again...

I know the level of competition likely sucks lol so it's hard to gauge but I just can't shake the feeling that you can't pass on Hansen Yang with that DET pick and I find that tough to say because I also still really like Chomche...

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Of course he's NOT Jokic but man could he ever end up being an ironic poorman's version of a draft story, he's closer to looking like a bigger Sengun (who gets compared to Jok but despite AP's passing, NK is still a savant level that only Magic compares). Everyone knows you can't expect a SRP to be much more than hopefully a rotation player but you also don't want to be one of those teams that passed on a certain talent because it didn't "fit the mold" or were supposedly weary because you questioned the level of competition they faced (again sounds something like Jok & Sengun too). If it turns out he's a "bust", big deal & he joins the 98+% of 2nd rd players that do buuuut if you're right.....then you probably have THE biggest steal in the entire draft.

I have been following him for a minute, I see him more as slimmer Marc Gasol type. In terms of competition he has played against Sarr and other strong international big men and has outplayed them. He's one of the best centers in the CBA who has some former NBA players in there. One thing that I think is Jokic like is the game looks like it has slowed down for him. He sets bigs up for counters, knows when to make passes (his turnovers are high more because of who he plays with even though it will naturally get better). probably as mobile as Jacob (remember he hasn't even touched a weight room or proper weight program yet) and has good IQ on offense and defense,

One of the CBA coaches said young players cannot play in a pro-league until 18 and if he was in Europe he would already be playing pro. Yao is the chairman of the CBA and he encourages his players going abroad. So if someone wants to draft him, there are no CBA contract hurdles. It's just perception. Remember that European guy that now plays for Dallas was behind T. Young and not even drafted first. There was a group of scouts that thought, you're crazy - this Euro is special. Yang has that kind of vibe on him, of being overlooked. I would pick him over Chomche because of his skill and IQ. Defensively look at his U19 game against Canada, strong rotations and nimble, he's 18 and he's leading the defense. I see him as a poor man's Gasol. Plus he's Chinese! In Toronto! Since this isn't the greatest draft, I would draft him top of 2nd and give him the personal Gradey treatment until he gets used to the NBA.

[links135]

And NOW, for my famous ping pong ball trick!

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[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Is there anyone else I'm missing who has been playing organized basketball as little as Yves Missi? My understanding is that he's been playing it for 3.75 years or so, which would put him not all too far from Podz territory in terms of advanced feel for someone who has been playing for little time.

Consider Missi has a 7.9 BPM as a freshman and has played the 6th most difficult schedule in NCAAD1. That is seriously impressive.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Is there anyone else I'm missing who has been playing organized basketball as little as Yves Missi? My understanding is that he's been playing it for 3.75 years or so, which would put him not all too far from Podz territory in terms of advanced feel for someone who has been playing for little time.

Consider Missi has a 7.9 BPM as a freshman and has played the 6th most difficult schedule in NCAAD1. That is seriously impressive.

He’s a Masai type of guy if I’ve ever seen one

[Mark_83]

At our current picks my watch list is:

15) Ware, Knecht, Salaun, Collier
31) Wang, Chomche, Kolek, Holmes, Sallis, Ivisic, Ajinca, Edwards

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Is there anyone else I'm missing who has been playing organized basketball as little as Yves Missi? My understanding is that he's been playing it for 3.75 years or so, which would put him not all too far from Podz territory in terms of advanced feel for someone who has been playing for little time.

Consider Missi has a 7.9 BPM as a freshman and has played the 6th most difficult schedule in NCAAD1. That is seriously impressive.

He’s a Masai type of guy if I’ve ever seen one

Haha maybe for other reasons. Masai loves all these "late blooming" African players but Podz of course he passes on because if you're from Wisconsin it doesn't count.

In other news Kelel Ware with another solid game

[Mark_83]

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[ForeverTFC]

Time to start studying for the draft. Any names were coalescing around in our various ranges? Have folks warmed up to the draft having spent time in it now or is it still pretty underwhelming?

[ForeverTFC]

Is there anyone else I'm missing who has been playing organized basketball as little as Yves Missi? My understanding is that he's been playing it for 3.75 years or so, which would put him not all too far from Podz territory in terms of advanced feel for someone who has been playing for little time.

Consider Missi has a 7.9 BPM as a freshman and has played the 6th most difficult schedule in NCAAD1. That is seriously impressive.

He’s a Masai type of guy if I’ve ever seen one

Haha maybe for other reasons. Masai loves all these "late blooming" African players but Podz of course he passes on because if you're from Wisconsin it doesn't count.

In other news Kelel Ware with another solid game

He passed on Podz? I thought consensus was that GSW was taking him too high. Was he ever thought of as a lottery talent?

[BoyzNTheHood]

Is there anyone else I'm missing who has been playing organized basketball as little as Yves Missi? My understanding is that he's been playing it for 3.75 years or so, which would put him not all too far from Podz territory in terms of advanced feel for someone who has been playing for little time.

Consider Missi has a 7.9 BPM as a freshman and has played the 6th most difficult schedule in NCAAD1. That is seriously impressive.

He’s a Masai type of guy if I’ve ever seen one

Haha maybe for other reasons. Masai loves all these "late blooming" African players but Podz of course he passes on because if you're from Wisconsin it doesn't count.

In other news Kelel Ware with another solid game

At this point I’m considering it blasphemy if we pass on Ware at the Indy pick. The guy is performing like a top 10 pick. He might actually deserve consideration at our own pick.

[Mark_83]

He’s a Masai type of guy if I’ve ever seen one

Haha maybe for other reasons. Masai loves all these "late blooming" African players but Podz of course he passes on because if you're from Wisconsin it doesn't count.

In other news Kelel Ware with another solid game

At this point I’m considering it blasphemy if we pass on Ware at the Indy pick. The guy is performing like a top 10 pick. He might actually deserve consideration at our own pick.

Ware is a guaranteed NBA player imo. I'm willing to take the risk that he's just Christian Wood for the possibility he could become Myles Turner or the miniscule chance of Jaren Jackson.

[RoteSchroder]

Haha maybe for other reasons. Masai loves all these "late blooming" African players but Podz of course he passes on because if you're from Wisconsin it doesn't count.

In other news Kelel Ware with another solid game

At this point I’m considering it blasphemy if we pass on Ware at the Indy pick. The guy is performing like a top 10 pick. He might actually deserve consideration at our own pick.

Ware is a guaranteed NBA player imo. I'm willing to take the risk that he's just Christian Wood for the possibility he could become Myles Turner or the miniscule chance of Jaren Jackson.

Given the major knock on him is his motor and he seems to be overcoming that at the moment, it's definitely justifiable to take him top 6. The alternatives at #5 and 6 are likely Holland, Buzelis, Reed, Dillingham, Filipowski..each with their own question marks and/or limited upside.

He's not making it past OKC, imo, who have 2 picks to burn. Hawks are also likely in the hunt for a big man.

I'd be good with the Raps going Ware (top 6) then Castle (Indiana)

[BoyzNTheHood]

Haha maybe for other reasons. Masai loves all these "late blooming" African players but Podz of course he passes on because if you're from Wisconsin it doesn't count.

In other news Kelel Ware with another solid game

At this point I’m considering it blasphemy if we pass on Ware at the Indy pick. The guy is performing like a top 10 pick. He might actually deserve consideration at our own pick.

Ware is a guaranteed NBA player imo. I'm willing to take the risk that he's just Christian Wood for the possibility he could become Myles Turner or the miniscule chance of Jaren Jackson.

I loved him last season, so you can imagine how I feel this year. The kid has special potential, and like you said, even if he’s Christian Wood he’s still an asset.

[Mark_83]

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[ArthurVandelay]

At this point I’m considering it blasphemy if we pass on Ware at the Indy pick. The guy is performing like a top 10 pick. He might actually deserve consideration at our own pick.

Ware is a guaranteed NBA player imo. I'm willing to take the risk that he's just Christian Wood for the possibility he could become Myles Turner or the miniscule chance of Jaren Jackson.

Given the major knock on him is his motor and he seems to be overcoming that at the moment, it's definitely justifiable to take him top 6. The alternatives at #5 and 6 are likely Holland, Buzelis, Reed, Dillingham, Filipowski..each with their own question marks and/or limited upside.

He's not making it past OKC, imo, who have 2 picks to burn. Hawks are also likely in the hunt for a big man.

I'd be good with the Raps going Ware (top 6) then Castle (Indiana)

OKC just with one pick now. The second is top 10 protected from Utah. Utah currently 9th worst.

Utah put on a tank masterclass post trade deadline.

[ArthurVandelay]

Ware scares the hell out of me. I’d be very nervous taking him. But if he rises and is taken before Indy pick, I’m down with that. It just pushes someone else lower.

[Mark_83]

At this point I’m considering it blasphemy if we pass on Ware at the Indy pick. The guy is performing like a top 10 pick. He might actually deserve consideration at our own pick.

Ware is a guaranteed NBA player imo. I'm willing to take the risk that he's just Christian Wood for the possibility he could become Myles Turner or the miniscule chance of Jaren Jackson.

Given the major knock on him is his motor and he seems to be overcoming that at the moment, it's definitely justifiable to take him top 6. The alternatives at #5 and 6 are likely Holland, Buzelis, Reed, Dillingham, Filipowski..each with their own question marks and/or limited upside.

He's not making it past OKC, imo, who have 2 picks to burn. Hawks are also likely in the hunt for a big man.

I'd be good with the Raps going Ware (top 6) then Castle (Indiana)

The only question that remains then is whether we call him Kel'el "The Last Son of Krypton" or the "Ware-wolf"?

[Mark_83]

Ware scares the hell out of me. I’d be very nervous taking him. But if he rises and is taken before Indy pick, I’m down with that. It just pushes someone else lower.

I've expressed similar concerns in the past, but the way I see it now is that while he may have difficulty reaching his uppermost potential due to his motor and toughness, even his extreme floor (short of career altering injury) imo is a useful bench big like Boucher. He just has too much natural tools (size and athleticism) and skills (shooting and shot blocking) to not carve out some role on some team's bench. Christian Wood is a good example of that. That baseline with a non-zero chance be becomes much more if he finds the motivation is worth a gamble imo. I don't think he's a Skal type player who has other issues upstairs and was never a proven shooter out of college.

[Reeko]

I like Fred as a comparison for Sheppard. But Sheppard is bigger and projects to be much more effecient. Probably a coin flip if we keep our pick or not, but i do think he'll end being the target if we do. Seems like a great long term fit with Scottie

He’s taller, faster and just overall better. I would be shocked if someone could tell me a single thing that Fred did better than Reed on the basketball court at 19/20 years old. Pass? Maybe?

Is he really faster? Or stronger? Or a better ball handler? Fred's game grew tremendously over the years as did his body, I suppose you can't rule out Sheppard improving his handle and figuring out how to not get blown by on D.

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Again, I stated at the same age as Reed is currently. Reed is slated to be a one and done, Fred never could have done that, he wasn't good enough. And yes, Reed has a significantly better and quicker first step than Fred has ever had, let alone at the same age.