2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft - Volume III

[Black Mage]

6'6.5" height and short wingspan at the SF position? That'll go well.

Kneuppel won't be blocking many shots in the NBA. But he's smart enough to get to the right position and he's stout enough to stand his ground and keep his chest on guys. Due to his thick frame, it's hard to see a little bit of a height difference being a major limiting factor here.

But I don’t think Kon has that kind of burst. If a big like Nic Claxton or Gobert plays up at the level of the screen, I doubt Kon can consistently beat them off the dribble.

I think he'll have more success than anticipated getting a good shot off in a crafty way, just like he did in college.

But what happens when any NBA player doesn't think they can get a step on their man? This is something that happens multiple times every possession, by the way.

If they're low IQ, they might try and drive anyway, or shoot a bad shot. (Hi Ace)

If they're a normal player, they'd probably go through their normal offensive progression and swing the ball around the perimeter.

If they're higher IQ, they might recognize where the mismatch on the floor is and try and get it there to take advantage of it.

To me, Kon is more trustworthy than most players to make the right decision here.

Can't stand your ground when the guy is already past you.

[zaz102]

Do you see Embiid coming off the bench? I think that may be the most impactful way for the rest of his career.

How would this work? When he plays, he's the best player on team and best in the NBA let alone at his position. And of he can't play, then he isn't sitting on the bench unless he's in street clothes.

[Iscull]

Do you see Embiid coming off the bench? I think that may be the most impactful way for the rest of his career.

Kawhi-esque load management is probably the best bet. Limit his play time to 28-32 MPG that he plays, no back to backs. Try to get him in at least 55 games.

[eyeatoma]

Told yall.

Wow you got us, bro.

Hope you signed the pledge.

No it's not a "got you" man, and you know it. All I've talked about this entire offseason is don't go for the player that can't shoot or isn't a natural shooter. Which is why I'm not high on Harper or VJ.

Also nice job removing the rest of my post.

[Stanford]

No it's not a "got you" man, and you know it.

Did you sign the pledge?

[Negrodamus]

PHI In: #6, #18, #40, Smart, Middleton, Bey

WSH In: #3, PG, Drummond

We draft Tre at #6, Derik Queen at #18, and Eric Dixon at #40.

Maxey / Smart
McCain / Oubre / Tre
Middleton / Edwards / Bey
Yabu / Queen / Dixon
Embiid / Bona

I'll eat a hat if Queen falls to 18.

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

[76ciology]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

[Iscull]

I'll eat a hat if Queen falls to 18.

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

Oh you don't need to sell me on DQ. He might be my favorite player in the draft. I've seen teams overvalue combine / athleticism all the time.

[76ciology]

I'll eat a hat if Queen falls to 18.

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

On a related note, Pelton is really low on him. Highest ranked player not in the top 30. He’s ranked 32nd with 1.2 WARP

[Arsenal]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Slow release and he dips the ball before going up. Combine that with his mediocre length/reach and it's no wonder he needs to be WIDE OPEN to get his 3-ball off, and even then only hits at a mediocre clip.

Not promising for a lead guard. But makes perfect sense for a 3&D SG.

[Negrodamus]

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

On a related note, Pelton is really low on him. Highest ranked player not in the top 30. He’s ranked 32nd with 1.2 WARP

What have all star's WARP scores been in college as a comparison?

[Arsenal]

I'll eat a hat if Queen falls to 18.

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

You don't consider showing up fat and out of shape at the combine to be a character issue? Most important days of his life and he can't put down the Big Macs for a few weeks prior to?

[Jailblazers7]

I’m very much looking forward to watching this crop of rookies - lots of interesting story lines to track next year.

Cooper - is he really generational?
Kon/Queen - poor combine testing but greats stats & eye test. Who are they really in the NBA?
VJ - his athleticism will pop in a more open NBA setting but how does his offense develop?
Tre - does better spacing open up his game or are his limitations a true barrier?
Ace - wtf does he turn into?

And then you have a guy like Hansen Yang as a 2nd rounder who will be a fascinating development story to watch.

[76ciology]

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

On a related note, Pelton is really low on him. Highest ranked player not in the top 30. He’s ranked 32nd with 1.2 WARP

What have all star's WARP scores been in college as a comparison?

His WARP has proven to be quite accurate (altho but not always), especially for bigs, it correctly identified talents like Jokic, Sengun, Capela, and several others.

Queen doesn’t meet the size threshold I look for in a paint scorer, and he lacks the perimeter skills you’d want for a dominant C scorer. He’s likely capped at around 20 PPG and tough to build around. The skill bar for alpha 4s and 5s is extremely high, there’s a reason you don’t see many bigs among the league’s top players. The ones who are up there, Wemby, Jokic, Embiid, are generational talents. Then there’s a noticeable drop-off to the next tier, guys like Sengun, Sabonis, and Siakam.

[76ciology]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Slow release and he dips the ball before going up. Combine that with his mediocre length/reach and it's no wonder he needs to be WIDE OPEN to get his 3-ball off, and even then only hits at a mediocre clip.

Not promising for a lead guard. But makes perfect sense for a 3&D SG.

He has a high shot release, and his standing reach is on par with Dylan Harper or even Dwyane Wade. Then you factor his athleticism. He’s also longer and was better at his age than Oladipo, Westbrook, and Mitchell were at the same stage. Most players with his archetype aren’t this polished at his age. SGA, even he struggled early on with off-the-dribble jumpers.

[Arsenal]

Ace turns down Jazz!

https://www.si.com/nba/jazz/news/top-nba-draft-prospect-ace-bailey-declines-workout-utah-jazz

[Iscull]

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

You don't consider showing up fat and out of shape at the combine to be a character issue? Most important days of his life and he can't put down the Big Macs for a few weeks prior to?

I don't really view it as a character issue. He's a big dude at 248. Were you expecting to see him cut 10-20 pounds before the combine?

[76ciology]

Ace turns down Jazz!

https://www.si.com/nba/jazz/news/top-nba-draft-prospect-ace-bailey-declines-workout-utah-jazz

I think he wants to play for the Nets

[Negrodamus]

I think he may have one of the biggest ranges. Some teams will be turned off by his combine performance. I've seen him mocked starting around 10-12 and down to low 20's.

If we can find a way to bring him in...

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

You don't consider showing up fat and out of shape at the combine to be a character issue? Most important days of his life and he can't put down the Big Macs for a few weeks prior to?

He showed up how he was during the season. How is a guy who had 39 dunks and 2.9 STOCKS to end the year out of shape? He might just be bad and running around cones.

[Arsenal]

Queen had arguably the best March of all the freshman in this draft

Queen - 19.5ppg, 8.4 rpg, 50% FG (46% 3FG, 1.4 3PA) 78% FT, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

Flagg - 17.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 45% FG (37% 3FG, 3.4 3PA) 89% FT, 4.8 apg, .9 spg, 2 bpg (he also had a massive April game, so he's in contention for best EOY)
Harper - N/A (only 3 games)
Bailey - N/A (only 3 games, and lol in those 3 games)
Edgecombe - 15ppg, 7.1 rpg, 42% FG (26% 3FG, 5 3PA) 74% FT, 2.4 apg, 2.1 spg, .4 bpg
T. Johnson - 16.4ppg, 3 rpg, 34% FG (42% 3FG, 6 .4 3PA) 82% FT, 3.3 apg, 1 spg, .3 bpg
Kon - 17ppg, 4.2 rpg, 52% FG (42% 3FG, 4.3 3PA) 93% FT, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, .2 bpg (also had an April game what was great in shooting numbers)
Fears - 22.3ppg, 4.3 rpg, 41% FT (30% 3FG, 5 3PA) 91% FT, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.0 bpg

Fears and Flagg (with April; just too lazy to compile) are the same, or better) scorer than Queen. Queen had 2.9 STOCKS per game, showing two way play while being the alpha scorer. Queen had an NCAA Tourney game winner and carried his team to the Sweet 16.

I think the combine stuff is a bit overblown tbh.

You don't consider showing up fat and out of shape at the combine to be a character issue? Most important days of his life and he can't put down the Big Macs for a few weeks prior to?

I don't really view it as a character issue. He's a big dude at 248. Were you expecting to see him cut 10-20 pounds before the combine?

Absolutely. That's what people do before they're about to get athletic testing with millions of dollars at stake.