If I was Philly, I would consider taking Cedric Coward at 3

[EvanZ]

Memphis won the draft

If he’s Kawhi sure. If he’s Wesley Johnson not so much.

[Upperclass]

Philly should've taken Coward at 3..thats an amazing callout by the OP.

[BAMAFREAK]

I like this thread a lot. He has all the tools to be great. Late bloomer physically and seems like one of the smartest, most composed guys to come in in a while.
Crazy wingspan, big hands, super fluid, knockdown shooter. Exactly what we need in Memphis.

[EMG518]

I think people like the idea of what he can be and immediately jump to this flawless 3D type of player. Had he returned to Duke, was he going to be a top 5 player in the country? I would think he would have had to been right? at age 22 to be worth a top 10 pick right now.

Feels likely that media are probably higher on him than NBA teams, because Givony still has him as a near 2nd rounder in his latest big board update. I don't think he is doing that if teams are telling him he is going in the lottery.

Do you think Memphis would have traded up to get him if Givonys intel was accurate. To me it looks more like the Intel he had was wrong and teams had him much higher than that. Which would make more sense with what we see on this board, I haven't seen anyone think he isn't going in the 1st round, most thought lottery.

[CptCrunch]

I think people like the idea of what he can be and immediately jump to this flawless 3D type of player. Had he returned to Duke, was he going to be a top 5 player in the country? I would think he would have had to been right? at age 22 to be worth a top 10 pick right now.

Feels likely that media are probably higher on him than NBA teams, because Givony still has him as a near 2nd rounder in his latest big board update. I don't think he is doing that if teams are telling him he is going in the lottery.

Duke was ready to make him their #1 option, or at lest #2 to Boozer. That's how Duke insiders were rating him based on initial reports.

This was supposed to Duke's huge get this season until NBA preyed him away.

[EvanZ]

I like this thread a lot. He has all the tools to be great. Late bloomer physically and seems like one of the smartest, most composed guys to come in in a while.
Crazy wingspan, big hands, super fluid, knockdown shooter. Exactly what we need in Memphis.

Oh I thought you were talking about Wes Johnson.

[QMemphis]

I like this thread a lot. He has all the tools to be great. Late bloomer physically and seems like one of the smartest, most composed guys to come in in a while.
Crazy wingspan, big hands, super fluid, knockdown shooter. Exactly what we need in Memphis.

Oh I thought you were talking about Wes Johnson.

You’ve seem to have gone out of your way to hate on Cedric for the sake of being right. Time will tell but if he hits many of your comments won’t age well.

[Yallbecrazy]

This is a prediction that will age poorly since if he's somehow good then it will be quoted, but if he's a complete bust like I expect the thread will fade into obscurity:

He's a terrible basketball player, can't pass, can't defend, super low bbiq. Great shooter though.

[bucknut]

....I've heard some people throw some jordan comparisons. I was thinking the same thing, if you look close enough there's a sliver of Jordan but couldn't say it.

Immaculate old school footwork.....I guy that is reminding me of cowards footwork, two foot jumpstops from speed and fundamentals is saliou niang who went to Cleveland.

[Upperclass]

He looks like a player that wouldve been top5 in a 90s draft

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I don't know about Michael Jordan, but Michael Finley is a guy who he reminds me of.

[bucknut]

I don't know about Michael Jordan, but Michael Finley is a guy who he reminds me of.

He definately has a rare athletic look to him......ironically , despite not being actually that explosive. He even looks a little like Jason Richardson on the hoof

Yet he can't drive to the hoop.

But his wingspan, footwork, fundamentals, look like Jordan or Finley

Not an all star but 1A in a high level starter role tier

A proficient 3 and d who you can also iso from time to time on the block feels like it is pretty rare

[JMAC3]

12 Dunks, 12 Dunks and 1 Dunk his final 3 seasons in college basketball. 25 Dunks for a guy with his measurements vs inferior competion over 70 games is a redflag to me in terms of whether this guy is some hidden gem.

I still think he can be a safe role player type but I don't see him athletically in the same tier as the names being tossed around in this thread.

[Chi town]

When is he a full go?

[QMemphis]

When is he a full go?

Doubtful for Summer League likely will not be seen until preseason.

[EvanZ]

Bust

[QMemphis]

12 Dunks, 12 Dunks and 1 Dunk his final 3 seasons in college basketball. 25 Dunks for a guy with his measurements vs inferior competion over 70 games is a redflag to me in terms of whether this guy is some hidden gem.

I still think he can be a safe role player type but I don't see him athletically in the same tier as the names being tossed around in this thread.

You saying because he doesn’t dunk a lot he isn’t athletic? It sounds like you are not accounting for his late growth spurt in high school. How he plays the game which was initially a post player leading him to be a crazy efficient post wing. Lastly how his game seems destined to age well given he doesn’t rely on his athleticism to be extremely efficient l.

[JMAC3]

12 Dunks, 12 Dunks and 1 Dunk his final 3 seasons in college basketball. 25 Dunks for a guy with his measurements vs inferior competion over 70 games is a redflag to me in terms of whether this guy is some hidden gem.

I still think he can be a safe role player type but I don't see him athletically in the same tier as the names being tossed around in this thread.

You saying because he doesn’t dunk a lot he isn’t athletic? It sounds like you are not accounting for his late growth spurt in high school. How he plays the game which was initially a post player leading him to be a crazy efficient post wing. Lastly how his game seems destined to age well given he doesn’t rely on his athleticism to be extremely efficient l.

Dunks are good indicator of overall athleticism and star potential; it has very little to do with the Dunks themselves. Most superstar players in the NBA are great athletes especially at age 18-22, there are a few outliers for sure like Jokic, Steph etc... but for someone like Coward who projects as a 3D wing- his lack of explosive athleticism hard caps his upside from likely becoming this2 way superstar wing ala Kawhi, PG13, Tatum esq...

That is all. He can still be a good role player, who plays smart and can be impactful defender like a DFS or Josh Hart type of player.