2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
I’ll just say it the guy that Harper reminds me of is a PG Karl Anthony Towns.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
165bows wrote:I’ll just say it the guy that Harper reminds me of is a PG Karl Anthony Towns.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
playa-hater wrote:165bows wrote:I’ll just say it the guy that Harper reminds me of is a PG Karl Anthony Towns.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing
Exactly

Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
165bows wrote:I’ll just say it the guy that Harper reminds me of is a PG Karl Anthony Towns.
Harper is a good prospect but he is slow footed and can’t shoot from the outside. Hardly a sure thing
Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
Celts17Pride wrote:165bows wrote:I’ll just say it the guy that Harper reminds me of is a PG Karl Anthony Towns.
Harper is a good prospect but he is slow footed and can’t shoot from the outside. Hardly a sure thing
IMO he’s got a good combination of size, coordination and feel for the game. I agree I don’t trust his shot (even his highlight videos he doesn’t make pure makes) and he gives off the same vibe as KAT, not an elite athlete nor does his motor, discipline, or intensity look that great.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
Celts17Pride wrote:Harper is a good prospect but he is slow footed
He's not the fastest, most explosive guy out there.
But he's a rim pressure machine, a walking paint touch. Gets to his spots at will. He does it with a combination of good (not great but good) burst, good (not great but good) athleticism, very good positional size (bigger and stronger than most guards he's going against), a tight handle (arguably the best handles in this draft class) a deep bag (easily the deepest bag in this draft class..has made so many moves both in college and HS that are so insanely advanced for his age) craft (timing, misdirection, reading his defender, reading the help defender, knowing just when to spin, when to decelerate, etc.) and tenacity (shows so much tenacity and determination on his drives that combined with the other traits listed here make him VERY hard to defend.
Harper also has extremely good touch near the basket (70% at the rim).
And if the defense loads up too much to try and stop him, he's also an excellent playmaker for others.
We see some of the burst here:
Celts17Pride wrote:and can’t shoot from the outside.
You already said that the other day and I already replied to it so I'll just re-post here as a spoiler:
Spoiler:
Celts17Pride wrote:Harper is a good prospect but he is slow footed and can’t shoot from the outside. Hardly a sure thing
No one is a sure thing. Not even Flagg. Harper is pretty close to a sure thing, though. His game is about as skilled, polished and mature as any prospect in the past decade. And his dad played in the NBA for a long time, won 5 titles so he's been around the NBA for his entire life. Very little risk here.
Vecenie is a tough critic when he evaluates prospects and even he has Harper in a tier all by himself in the no. 2 spot, projecting him as a future all-star.
1/11/24 The birth of a new Hal. From now on being less combative, avoiding confrontation - like Switzerland 

Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
That's literally a bottom 10% in all of D1 team right there in that clip.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
165bows wrote:That's literally a bottom 10% in all of D1 team right there in that clip.
You can see the same level of burst if you watch the game vs Alabama.
The Thompson twins were playing against HS kids during their pre-draft season, even though they turned 20 halfway through the season.
Did that make their burst less impressive? Maybe a little bit. You factor that in very slightly when watching their film. But you don't dismiss it completely or your evaluation of them will be really bad.
Talent is talent. And if you have an eye for talent, you know it when you see it - sure, competition level matters but what matters more is the skill set, the talent, the feel, the way the player moves, the play they handle the ball, the way they can read their defender, manipulate a defense, get to their spots, etc.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
165bows wrote:playa-hater wrote:165bows wrote:I’ll just say it the guy that Harper reminds me of is a PG Karl Anthony Towns.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing
Exactly
This is why -- if the Spurs/Celtics JB rumors are true -- that I'd give a nod to getting Castle over back instead of the #2 pick, if it's going to be one or the other. Castle is ROY, and a DOG! Harper might turn out to be the better player, but Castle has already proven he's a player now.

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
Dogen wrote:165bows wrote:playa-hater wrote:
Is that a good thing or a bad thing
Exactly
This is why -- if the Spurs/Celtics JB rumors are true -- that I'd give a nod to getting Castle over back instead of the #2 pick, if it's going to be one or the other. Castle is ROY, and a DOG! Harper might turn out to be the better player, but Castle has already proven he's a player now.
Wouldn't getting both players + fillers be the starting point??
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
playa-hater wrote:Dogen wrote:165bows wrote:Exactly
This is why -- if the Spurs/Celtics JB rumors are true -- that I'd give a nod to getting Castle over back instead of the #2 pick, if it's going to be one or the other. Castle is ROY, and a DOG! Harper might turn out to be the better player, but Castle has already proven he's a player now.
Wouldn't getting both players + fillers be the starting point??
I think that is the idea, ideally. Just saying I prefer the proven asset in Castle.

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
Jake Fischer said on his BR Insider Notebook show that Ryan Kalkbrenner is in play at #29 for Phoenix. Kalkbrenner was just mocked by Wasserman to the Celtics at pick #32 but Fischer says he may not make it to #32
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
I can't believe Kon Knueppel is consistently being projected in the top ten. I think he is the slow version of austin reeves at best. And even if his offense is equivalent, which I don't think it is. Who can he possibly guard?? Not saying he doesn't have a role in the NBA but top ten would make me sick.
Another one I see almost always gone by lates is Jase Richardson.. Not even 6'1 without sneakers?? Not even a point guard at that size?? There are certainly exceptions to that rule like Allen Iverson, but I just don't see it with him.. I pray Boston, doesn't try to get this player.
Of course. My thinking is always getting more positional length and athleticism..
Another one I see almost always gone by lates is Jase Richardson.. Not even 6'1 without sneakers?? Not even a point guard at that size?? There are certainly exceptions to that rule like Allen Iverson, but I just don't see it with him.. I pray Boston, doesn't try to get this player.
Of course. My thinking is always getting more positional length and athleticism..
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
I have no problem taking big Kalk.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
Brett Siegel's draft notes:
Some quick hitters on some prospects in this year's draft:
Joan Beringer is drawing a lot of attention inside the top 15 of this year's draft. He could wind up going a lot earlier than many anticipate in mock drafts.
The debate between Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, and Nolan Traore as the next-best guards behind Fears varies from team to team. Some scouts aren't thrilled with Jakucionis' upside as a true offensive threat and lead guard. Demin put on a show at the combine in his workouts, and there are teams in the lottery that hold firm interest in him. Traore is likely to be selected in the 10-20 region.
Asa Newell is another prospect many are downplaying in projections and mock drafts. There is serious traction between the Georgia big man and teams with late lottery picks, as well as those right after the lottery.
Chaz Lanier and Adou Thiero are drawing interest late in the first round despite heavily being projected as second-round prospects. Keep an eye on one, or both, ending up in the 24-30 region.
Some quick hitters on some prospects in this year's draft:
Joan Beringer is drawing a lot of attention inside the top 15 of this year's draft. He could wind up going a lot earlier than many anticipate in mock drafts.
The debate between Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, and Nolan Traore as the next-best guards behind Fears varies from team to team. Some scouts aren't thrilled with Jakucionis' upside as a true offensive threat and lead guard. Demin put on a show at the combine in his workouts, and there are teams in the lottery that hold firm interest in him. Traore is likely to be selected in the 10-20 region.
Asa Newell is another prospect many are downplaying in projections and mock drafts. There is serious traction between the Georgia big man and teams with late lottery picks, as well as those right after the lottery.
Chaz Lanier and Adou Thiero are drawing interest late in the first round despite heavily being projected as second-round prospects. Keep an eye on one, or both, ending up in the 24-30 region.
Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
AVC did another. Gave us Saraf (over Traore) and Broome.
29:12 in since RGM doesn't handle the direct link.
29:12 in since RGM doesn't handle the direct link.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
djFan71 wrote:AVC did another. Gave us Saraf (over Traore) and Broome.
29:12 in since RGM doesn't handle the direct link.
Not a fan of his in the first round, at least. My thinking still remains the same in that. There are too many other players. I think are better and we need more.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
I like the swing on Ben Saraf. When I watch Indy play, I feel like Ben Saraf is that high-feel chaos guard in the Haliburton/TJ McConnell mold in our draft range. Ben Saraf isn't gonna be as good as Hali of course and he might not even be TJ, but I like the swing.
I do not really like Broome at 32, I have him lower. If we traded down to #45 or something, I'd think different. But I like other options better at #32
I do not really like Broome at 32, I have him lower. If we traded down to #45 or something, I'd think different. But I like other options better at #32
djFan71 wrote:AVC did another. Gave us Saraf (over Traore) and Broome.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
playa-hater wrote:djFan71 wrote:AVC did another. Gave us Saraf (over Traore) and Broome.
29:12 in since RGM doesn't handle the direct link.
Not a fan of his in the first round, at least. My thinking still remains the same in that. There are too many other players. I think are better and we need more.
I think it really means even a small trade up could be worth. MUCH better options at 22 than 28, imo.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg
redslastlaugh wrote:I like the swing on Ben Saraf. When I watch Indy play, I feel like Ben Saraf is that high-feel chaos guard in the Haliburton/TJ McConnell mold in our draft range. Ben Saraf isn't gonna be as good as Hali of course and he might not even be TJ, but I like the swing.
I do not really like Broome at 32, I have him lower. If we traded down to #45 or something, I'd think different. But I like other options better at #32djFan71 wrote:AVC did another. Gave us Saraf (over Traore) and Broome.
I've come back around on my 2nd or 3rd pass on him, tbh. A bruiser big to get boards and be strong is cool at 32.