2025 NBA Draft (2)

[NBD23]

If someone were to promise we that taking Maluach would guarantee the exact performance, injuries and all, of Joel Embiid, I'd stop discussing the 3rd pick and focus on the second round because he'd easily be the pick for me. Joel was a freak of nature and we only didn't go farther because of insane dysfunction in the front office.

Seems wild that anyone would even consider disputing this ...

You get a top 5 player in the league for any window of time, and you have hit a homerun

[eyeatoma]

If someone were to promise we that taking Maluach would guarantee the exact performance, injuries and all, of Joel Embiid, I'd stop discussing the 3rd pick and focus on the second round because he'd easily be the pick for me. Joel was a freak of nature and we only didn't go farther because of insane dysfunction in the front office.

Seems wild that anyone would even consider disputing this ...

You get a top 5 player in the league for any window of time, and you have hit a homerun

Malauch or Queen are not going to be top 5 players.

Jo was going to go #1 before he hurt his back.

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[eyeatoma]

If someone were to promise we that taking Maluach would guarantee the exact performance, injuries and all, of Joel Embiid, I'd stop discussing the 3rd pick and focus on the second round because he'd easily be the pick for me. Joel was a freak of nature and we only didn't go farther because of insane dysfunction in the front office.

Seems wild that anyone would even consider disputing this ...

You get a top 5 player in the league for any window of time, and you have hit a homerun

Did I say I regret taking Jo?

You're literally talking to the biggest Embiid homer on the entire board.

I said this org is not the one who can handle a project like that. Also neither of these players even sniff Jo's talent even at that age.

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[Negrodamus]

If someone were to promise we that taking Maluach would guarantee the exact performance, injuries and all, of Joel Embiid, I'd stop discussing the 3rd pick and focus on the second round because he'd easily be the pick for me. Joel was a freak of nature and we only didn't go farther because of insane dysfunction in the front office.

And you think this is the organization to manage a player with those potential problems?

If it were a team like the Celtics that's a different story.

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Are you trying to preserve this players career or something? I'd rather pray that our organization could "manage" the player rather than let me go to Brooklyn and face him for the next decade.

[ProcessDoctor]

If being a top-50 player of all-time is a letdown for this franchise, the #3 pick this year is truly ****.

He could have been top 10 and had legit goat potential. That is a huge range. And something only his talent allowed.

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You could also view his career outcome as the best-case scenario for him. He started basketball at 15 years old and missed his first 2 NBA seasons with injuries. I don't think most people at the time he was drafted/during his foot injury recovery predicted he would be a perennial MVP candidate and arguably be the best player in the league at one point.

[Negrodamus]

Would be cool to see which top prospects were best during crunch time: game winners, game tie-ers, buckets/percentages under 2 minutes in close games, etc.

[eyeatoma]

If someone were to promise we that taking Maluach would guarantee the exact performance, injuries and all, of Joel Embiid, I'd stop discussing the 3rd pick and focus on the second round because he'd easily be the pick for me. Joel was a freak of nature and we only didn't go farther because of insane dysfunction in the front office.

And you think this is the organization to manage a player with those potential problems?

If it were a team like the Celtics that's a different story.

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Are you trying to preserve this players career or something? I'd rather pray that our organization could "manage" the player rather than let me go to Brooklyn and face him for the next decade.

I'm trying to get a player that is not drafted with weight or injury problems after being scarred with that the last 15 years. Brooklyn can have him because I can guarantee neither player will be that good. I also know they would't be able to handle them either. If these guys had Jo's talent they would be a #1 pick. This whole conversation is moot because neither of these players are reaching that potential.

Have a look at Jos Kansas highlights. Dude was a freak athlete pulling off Dream shakes and exponentially got better as the season went on. They trajectory has not stopped his entire career.

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[eyeatoma]

If being a top-50 player of all-time is a letdown for this franchise, the #3 pick this year is truly ****.

He could have been top 10 and had legit goat potential. That is a huge range. And something only his talent allowed.

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You could also view his career outcome as the best-case scenario for him. He started basketball at 15 years old and missed his first 2 NBA seasons with injuries. I don't think most people at the time he was drafted/during his foot injury recovery predicted he would be a perennial MVP candidate and arguably be the best player in the league at one point.

And we know it wasn't because of how bad we mismanaged it. If he were on the Spurs he would have 3 chips by now.

Hinkie did the legwork and got him healthy. Then Silver, Collars and our ace medical team burned it to the ground. Simmons and Fultz lit the match and Tobias was the flint.

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[Redemption76]

That may be the dumbest take on this entire thread. A guy admits he is only a 3 pt shooter and you complain about a guy that is a true three level shooter? I like the swagger. It might not be warranted but I’ll take it over a guy that admits he can’t shoot pull up mid range shots-and then goes out and proves it. He’s gonna get so crowded on the line and defenders will dare him to take that shot…

[NBD23]

If someone were to promise we that taking Maluach would guarantee the exact performance, injuries and all, of Joel Embiid, I'd stop discussing the 3rd pick and focus on the second round because he'd easily be the pick for me. Joel was a freak of nature and we only didn't go farther because of insane dysfunction in the front office.

Seems wild that anyone would even consider disputing this ...

You get a top 5 player in the league for any window of time, and you have hit a homerun

Did I say I regret taking Jo?

You're literally talking to the biggest Embiid homer on the entire board.

I said this org is not the one who can handle a project like that. Also neither of these players even sniff Jo's talent even at that age.

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Two things, I do not think either Maulach or Queen are that level of talent, nor should that be in debate. The response was on the hypothetical situation where someone could guarantee you now that one or any other propect in any draft would be the identical career to Joel, a team would gladly take everything, the goo and the bad that has happened subsequent.

Also, I dont post a lot but I know you are an Embiid guy but honestly the risk was for anyone that was taking Joel. You have to consider that this was Joel anywhere and that the mismanagement was not around his handling but in properly fielding a team around him. Thie biggest detriment to Embiid was Silver and the Jerry Colangelo / Collars. There was no clear vision as it kept shifting.

As to this draft I am an Ace guy but will not cry if we get Tre or Edgecome.

[Redemption76]

Oops. Forgot to quote the poster who said he likes that Kon is self aware. Haha, that’s rich. Comfortable with his obvious shortcomings.

He’ll be a role player, not a guy you take at 3.

[eyeatoma]

Seems wild that anyone would even consider disputing this ...

You get a top 5 player in the league for any window of time, and you have hit a homerun

Did I say I regret taking Jo?

You're literally talking to the biggest Embiid homer on the entire board.

I said this org is not the one who can handle a project like that. Also neither of these players even sniff Jo's talent even at that age.

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Two things, I do not think either Maulach or Queen are that level of talent, nor should that be in debate. The response was on the hypothetical situation where someone could guarantee you now that one or any other propect in any draft would be the identical career to Joel, a team would gladly take everything, the goo and the bad that has happened subsequent.

Also, I dont post a lot but I know you are an Embiid guy but honestly the risk was for anyone that was taking Joel. You have to consider that this was Joel anywhere and that the mismanagement was not around his handling but in properly fielding a team around him. Thie biggest detriment to Embiid was Silver and the Jerry Colangelo / Collars. There was no clear vision as it kept shifting.

As to this draft I am an Ace guy but will not cry if we get Tre or Edgecome.

Agreed I just posted something similar haha.



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[Negrodamus]

And you think this is the organization to manage a player with those potential problems?

If it were a team like the Celtics that's a different story.

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Are you trying to preserve this players career or something? I'd rather pray that our organization could "manage" the player rather than let me go to Brooklyn and face him for the next decade.

I'm trying to get a player that is not drafted with weight or injury problems after being scarred with that the last 15 years. Brooklyn can have him because I can guarantee neither player will be that good. I also know they would't be able to handle them either. If these guys had Jo's talent they would be a #1 pick. This whole conversation is moot because neither of these players are reaching that potential.

Have a look at Jos Kansas highlights. Dude was a freak athlete pulling off Dream shakes and exponentially got better as the season went on. They trajectory has not stopped his entire career.

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I think the Embiid stuff is revisionist history. He certainly flew up the boards and he was an analytical monster, but he didn't really improve much as the year progressed. And he was a turnover + foul machine which prevented him from being on the court very long.

I also am not saying they will be as good as Embiid, but being against certain players because you're tired of guys who need to work on their body feels short sighted to me. Should I say I'm completely off Ace Bailey because he's a sub 70% FT shooter since he might need to fix his shot and in the process screw up his shoulder? Everyone isn't identical.

[eyeatoma]

Are you trying to preserve this players career or something? I'd rather pray that our organization could "manage" the player rather than let me go to Brooklyn and face him for the next decade.

I'm trying to get a player that is not drafted with weight or injury problems after being scarred with that the last 15 years. Brooklyn can have him because I can guarantee neither player will be that good. I also know they would't be able to handle them either. If these guys had Jo's talent they would be a #1 pick. This whole conversation is moot because neither of these players are reaching that potential.

Have a look at Jos Kansas highlights. Dude was a freak athlete pulling off Dream shakes and exponentially got better as the season went on. They trajectory has not stopped his entire career.

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I think the Embiid stuff is revisionist history. He certainly flew up the boards and he was an analytical monster, but he didn't really improve much as the year progressed. And he was a turnover + foul machine which prevented him from being on the court very long.

I also am not saying they will be as good as Embiid, but being against certain players because you're tired of guys who need to work on their body feels short sighted to me. Should I say I'm completely off Ace Bailey because he's a sub 70% FT shooter since he might need to fix his shot and in the process screw up his shoulder? Everyone isn't identical.

Sure but then you have that discussion at pick 6 or 8 not at pick 3.

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[Black Mage]

Do you have a source for this?

KOC combine podcast interview with Kon.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ_4g-CNqq5/ Short snippet. 3 for 21 from mid-range pull up.

I see a guy that's self aware, knows what was a good shot for him within the context of his ability at the time and the context of the team, and knows it's a skill he needs to add.

Pretty stark contrast to bad shot taker guy that doesn't believe he has any weaknesses in his game.

Elite shooters shouldn't be "uncomfortable" with a pull up midrange game. He's great hitting those wide open 3's, but that answer tells me if you get in his space, if windows get tight and there's bodies and length around him, he isn't pulling that trigger.

[Negrodamus]

I'm trying to get a player that is not drafted with weight or injury problems after being scarred with that the last 15 years. Brooklyn can have him because I can guarantee neither player will be that good. I also know they would't be able to handle them either. If these guys had Jo's talent they would be a #1 pick. This whole conversation is moot because neither of these players are reaching that potential.

Have a look at Jos Kansas highlights. Dude was a freak athlete pulling off Dream shakes and exponentially got better as the season went on. They trajectory has not stopped his entire career.

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I think the Embiid stuff is revisionist history. He certainly flew up the boards and he was an analytical monster, but he didn't really improve much as the year progressed. And he was a turnover + foul machine which prevented him from being on the court very long.

I also am not saying they will be as good as Embiid, but being against certain players because you're tired of guys who need to work on their body feels short sighted to me. Should I say I'm completely off Ace Bailey because he's a sub 70% FT shooter since he might need to fix his shot and in the process screw up his shoulder? Everyone isn't identical.

Sure but then you have that discussion at pick 6 or 8 not at pick 3.

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With all due respect, I don't think you, or I, can speak with 100% conviction that Ace, VJ, Tre, Kon will be better than Queen just because a bunch of mock drafts tell you so.

[Black Mage]

Would be cool to see which top prospects were best during crunch time: game winners, game tie-ers, buckets/percentages under 2 minutes in close games, etc.

Hoop-Explorer lets you funnel on/off for "stretch" final 8 mins. Best I could find. Ignore the on/off and you can compare shooting stats. I won't ruin the Ace numbers for you

[eyeatoma]

I think the Embiid stuff is revisionist history. He certainly flew up the boards and he was an analytical monster, but he didn't really improve much as the year progressed. And he was a turnover + foul machine which prevented him from being on the court very long.

I also am not saying they will be as good as Embiid, but being against certain players because you're tired of guys who need to work on their body feels short sighted to me. Should I say I'm completely off Ace Bailey because he's a sub 70% FT shooter since he might need to fix his shot and in the process screw up his shoulder? Everyone isn't identical.

Sure but then you have that discussion at pick 6 or 8 not at pick 3.

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With all due respect, I don't think you, or I, can speak with 100% conviction that Ace, VJ, Tre, Kon will be better than Queen just because a bunch of mock drafts tell you so.

Queen might be better still might not be good enough. He's not some towering center. He's 6'10.

Again if we draft a center the writing is on the wall and Jo will be traded on draft day or by the deadline. As much as I think he's likely done, that will be a sad ending to this chapter, and I hope it doesn't happen.

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[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Just take Queen.

[kriss73]

Where Bailey lands is probably going to tell the tale of his career. I would love to see him end up in a situation where he can learn to play more consistently o the ball early in his career, develop his feel for the game a bit more and not be thrust into a primary scoring role. That would allow him to develop slowly and work on all the many parts of his game that need development. Think of the players like this archetype who have had success. Jayson Tatum landed in a Boston situation that didn’t rely on him to be the guy until Year 3. Paul George basically came o the bench in Year 1 before blossoming in his third year. Kawhi Leonard didn’t play much on the ball until his fourth year. Bailey is a project. He’s one worth investing in, but it’s going to take time as he continues to mature. Hopefully he lands in a situation that gives him that chance.

Vecenie for theAthletics

Which team could it be?