2024 NBA Draft Thread - June 26/27

[ShootingtheJ]

Kelel Ware is the next Myles Turner. Both the good and bad. Remember the pre draft issues with Turner? I think Ware is going to slide, he might be there at 33.

I mean weren't the predraft issues with Turner having nothing do to with his effort and maturity and more to do with the fact that he couldn't walk correctly?

Turner also had serious issues about his willingness to play physical. Still has those issues even though he's really good.

[midranger]

Sheppard is such a weird prospect. You watch the tape/highlights, juxtapose that with the weak top-end talent in this class, and go "yeah, why not draft him in the Top-5?" But then you look at his actual per-minute production outside of the gawdy deflection/stocks numbers (which is also weird cuz he has t-rex arms), and it's pretty underwhelming. You kinda have to convince yourself that he's, idk, more like Fat Lever or Derrick White, and less like Cole Anthony. I guess if he's like the 6'3 combo guard version of Klay Thompson, you absolutely take that all day in this draft. I just think his JAG potential is pretty damn high.

Jimmer AGain?

[ReasonablySober]

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[Matches Malone]

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[Frank Nova]

Maybe it’s the draft position we’re at 23rd overall but I can’t remember a draft where I could be talked into so many different players. And sorry to the faithfuls but Tyler Kolek is starting to look like the only real “yuck” player I see mocked in our range consistently.

[JonHeist]

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dude looks way too slow to be a good NBA wing to me

not like there aren't a few solid slow wings, but it's a bad bet

[Matches Malone]

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dude looks way too slow to be a good NBA wing to me

not like there aren't a few solid slow wings, but it's a bad bet

If you watch how he operates in space, his lack of speed hardly hinders him at getting to his spots. He's methodical in his movements and plays well off contact. The explosive first step might not be there, but he's developed other skills to mitigate that. I don't think it'll be as big of an issue, and even then, I don't think he's as bad an athlete as you're making it out to be.

[Matches Malone]

Smith would be an intriguing swing for the fences, but I'm always a little bit weary of guys from those Ignite teams. Some mixed results from players coming out of that system.

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[Bernman]

2022 RookieWire Combine Scrimmage Standouts (of 6 total): Jalen Williams, Andrew Nembhard, Scotty Pippen Jr

2022 ESPN Draft Rankings: 42. Jalen Williams, 98. Andrew Nembhard, 101. Scotty Pippen Jr

Maybe not enough emphasis is put on scrimmage results & too much on other sources?

Unless I thought you were a top 10 prospect beforehand, I'm going out of my way to draft guys who gave me more (positive) info in the scrimmage, and showed they had the confidence to compete. Those who didn't may have had something to hide.

[randy84]

2022 RookieWire Combine Scrimmage Standouts (of 6 total): Jalen Williams, Andrew Nembhard, Scotty Pippen Jr

2022 ESPN Draft Rankings: 42. Jalen Williams, 98. Andrew Nembhard, 101. Scotty Pippen Jr

Maybe not enough emphasis is put on scrimmage results & too much on other sources?

Unless I thought you were a top 10 prospect beforehand, I'm going out of my way to draft guys who gave me more (positive) info in the scrimmage, and showed they had the confidence to compete. Those who didn't may have had something to hide.

So Bronny it is!

[Bernman]

So Bronny it is!

In all seriousness, I didn't really think he was a standout. It was more the hype from his name, and then in the 2nd game, it was like, "hey, he did alright actually". NBA.com doesn't have him as 1 of 8 standouts. Rookiewire not 1 of 5.

Here are the lists:

NBA.com - Djurisic, Scheirman, Shead, Hawkins, Ellis, Simpson, Bona, Ighodaro

RookieWire - Djurisic, Freeman, Shead, I. Jones, Simpson

Then an Ajayi is conspicuous in his absence, maybe cuz he came off the bench. But I'd expect a few on that list to hit pretty big like they're predecessors.

[ShootingtheJ]

So Bronny it is!

In all seriousness, I didn't really think he was a standout. It was more the hype from his name, and then in the 2nd game, it was like, "hey, he did alright actually". NBA.com doesn't have him as 1 of 8 standouts. Rookiewire not 1 of 5.

Here are the lists:

NBA.com - Djurisic, Scheirman, Shead, Hawkins, Ellis, Simpson, Bona, Ighodaro

RookieWire - Djurisic, Freeman, Shead, I. Jones, Simpson

Then an Ajayi is conspicuous in his absence, maybe cuz he came off the bench. But I'd expect a few on that list to hit pretty big like they're predecessors.

Agree 100%:with the premise, but there just wasn't a lot of clear standouts. Scheirman and Simpson are the only ones with 2 good games. Scheirman is 23, and Simpson played 3 years. Huge for Simpson to show he can do it at his size, now you just have to decide if you want a tiny PG.

The thing that stood out to me is that it confirmed to me the Ulrich Comche isn't close to ready. Very longterm prospect, a multi year 2 way contract guy.

[Bernman]

Agree 100%:with the premise, but there just wasn't a lot of clear standouts. Scheirman and Simpson are the only ones with 2 good games. Scheirman is 23, and Simpson played 3 years. Huge for Simpson to show he can do it at his size, now you just have to decide if you want a tiny PG.

The thing that stood out to me is that it confirmed to me the Ulrich Comche isn't close to ready. Very longterm prospect, a multi year 2 way contract guy.

Simpson didn't even stand out to me, so there was no unanimous guy with particularly strong performance and tools. But a guy like Ajayi had that, was very efficient, just didn't start. Djurisic made both lists & was consistently a cut above, imo.

I don't think there was a Jalen Williams there, but Nembhard & Scotty Pippen Jr, sure. Same thing w/ Sheppard, Podziemski, & Vukcevic. That's who the '23 scrimmage standout list already produced. It has good efficacy.

[Frank Nova]

23
1. Kel’el Ware
2. Yves Missi
3. Tyler Smith
4. Daron Holmes
5. Bub Carrington

33
1. Dillon Jones
2. Baylor Scheierman
3. Ajay Mitchell
4. Kevin McCullar
5. Justin Edwards

[BRFOne]

Enrique Freeman and Jamal Shead are exactly the kind of dudes other good teams draft and we ask how the hell they got so lucky.

[ShootingtheJ]

Smith would be an intriguing swing for the fences, but I'm always a little bit weary of guys from those Ignite teams. Some mixed results from players coming out of that system.

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He has a shorter standing reach than Marjon, and averaged just 5 rpg, Marjon averaged 7 rpg there. Smith isn't a center, and the rest of his game isn't as advanced as Marjon. I couldn't justify more than a 2 way contract for Smith.

[ShootingtheJ]

23
1. Kel’el Ware
2. Yves Missi
3. Tyler Smith
4. Daron Holmes
5. Bub Carrington

33
1. Dillon Jones
2. Baylor Scheierman
3. Ajay Mitchell
4. Kevin McCullar
5. Justin Edwards

I've been back and forth on him, but I'd add Ryan Dunn. He's such a good cutter, lob catcher, and finisher that I'd take that chance on developing his shot. AJJ showed more progress as a shooter than we expected this year, and I'd like to take that same chance with the defensive dominator Dunn.

[msiris]

Smith would be an intriguing swing for the fences, but I'm always a little bit weary of guys from those Ignite teams. Some mixed results from players coming out of that system.

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He has a shorter standing reach than Marjon, and averaged just 5 rpg, Marjon averaged 7 rpg there. Smith isn't a center, and the rest of his game isn't as advanced as Marjon. I couldn't justify more than a 2 way contract for Smith.

Shooting in an open gym doesn't impress me one bit.

[Matches Malone]

Smith would be an intriguing swing for the fences, but I'm always a little bit weary of guys from those Ignite teams. Some mixed results from players coming out of that system.

Read on Twitter

He has a shorter standing reach than Marjon, and averaged just 5 rpg, Marjon averaged 7 rpg there. Smith isn't a center, and the rest of his game isn't as advanced as Marjon. I couldn't justify more than a 2 way contract for Smith.

Shooting in an open gym doesn't impress me one bit.

Wasn't meant to be used to impress? He had his pro-day so it was topical to the player at hand.

Not even a big fan of Tyler Smith. He's got some unique skillset/body type on the wing, hence the swing for the fences, but there's a good amount of guys I like ahead of him.

[emunney]

Enrique Freeman and Jamal Shead are exactly the kind of dudes other good teams draft and we ask how the hell they got so lucky.

I didn't see Freeman other than the Creighton game, but Shead is one of those guys who can get wherever he wants with the ball, plus he's unselfish and a great defender. I would be shocked if he doesn't stick. A very deserving first team all-american. Wouldn't be upset with him with either pick. Gets insane separation.