The Dante Exum Thread

[drsd]

Ultimately there's more to scouting than simply noting the quality of the talent faced ....

For example, look at how many high-school prospects have shined in the NBA. Those kids were playing against teams that would have 5-foot nothing competition. But scouting skill sets and physical abilities proved that these were indeed NBA prospects.

Here are some examples: Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis, Darius Miles, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire, Josh Smith, Sebastian Telfair, J. R. Smith, Shaun Livingston, Andrew Bynum, Monta Ellis, DeShawn Stevenson, Andray Blatche

None of those players would have been bench-marked against "worthy" competition. Many did struggle in their first years, but all the players on the above list have been very good for the NBA.

Of course in the 42 high-schoolers in the NBA, there have been some dudes: DeSagana Diop, Robert Swift, Leon Smith, Korleone Young, James Lang

And how can we forget:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PP4RT-vv-o[/youtube]

[orthoman]

There is a very good chance we may never see Exum drop to us. Milwaukee likes him a lot at #2

[magicman123]

There is a very good chance we may never see Exum drop to us. Milwaukee likes him a lot at #2

thats what you call a win-win situation, either way we are looking pretty good

[Optimus_Steel]

Ultimately there's more to scouting than simply noting the quality of the talent faced ....

For example, look at how many high-school prospects have shined in the NBA. Those kids were playing against teams that would have 5-foot nothing competition. But scouting skill sets and physical abilities proved that these were indeed NBA prospects.

Here are some examples: Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis, Darius Miles, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire, Josh Smith, Sebastian Telfair, J. R. Smith, Shaun Livingston, Andrew Bynum, Monta Ellis, DeShawn Stevenson, Andray Blatche

None of those players would have been bench-marked against "worthy" competition. Many did struggle in their first years, but all the players on the above list have been very good for the NBA.

Of course in the 42 high-schoolers in the NBA, there have been some dudes: DeSagana Diop, Robert Swift, Leon Smith, Korleone Young, James Lang

And how can we forget:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PP4RT-vv-o[/youtube]

I can vouch for that. I remember seeing Amare play in high school and he looked like a grown man playing against toddlers.

[AddiFB]

There is a very good chance we may never see Exum drop to us. Milwaukee likes him a lot at #2

thats what you call a win-win situation, either way we are looking pretty good

Yeah. If any one or two of Embiid/Parker/Wiggins/Exum falls down to our slot (which will happen) I'm good with any of them to be honest.

[Optimus_Steel]

Exum comes out of the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport). Same place Bogut and Patty Mills came from. He also played against some of the top talent in the world in his age bracket. He didn't just play Australian high school ball.

WOW...he came out of the **** AIS? Man, that **** is better than the NBA.


Who the **** cares about the AIS? Does it show us anything? NO. Does it help us in evaluating his talent and how he'll translate to the NBA? NO.

As to the he played against top talent, I'll say this briefly, since I already explained it in depth previously (especially the FIBA tourney), he took 8 FGA at the Nike Hoop Summit, while having garbage ass Andrew Harrison guarding him. Tallest "shot blocker" on team USA was Vonleh (who was 6-8 at the time), and he's not even known to be a tremendous shot blocker.

Small sample size (8 FGA) + no real shot blocker + garbage ass perimeter defender = Nothing.

Geez dude, you're taking this way too personally. All I said was he hasn't just played high school ball and you friggin' lose your s**t. Relax. The AIS is one of the most prestigous sports training institutions in the world. And you forgot to mention the FIBA world championships.

Guys like Andrew Bogut, Luc Longley, Aron Baynes, and Patty Mills have come from AIS so its legit.

[orthoman]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

[tiderulz]

Guys like Andrew Bogut, Luc Longley, Aron Baynes, and Patty Mills have come from AIS so its legit.

didnt Patty Mills play extremely well in Australian ball and FIBA or something like that? and he is a backup PG. I wouldnt pick Longley in the top 20 this year, and Baynes not at all.

[tiderulz]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

it depends on the Magic staff and his back. if it checks out, you take him. Best case, throughout the year he shows he can replace Vuc and you can use Vuc in a trade for something else. If he is not a world-beater, you can still find teams that need a 7-ft defensive presence with a limited offense game (if that is what he turns into at the pro level)

I still think all of this is a smoke screen and he goes before our pick.

[Mr Magic Fan]

A little off topic but the bigger issue for this draft is Joel Embiid's back. We need to hope it checks out or we likely miss out on the first tier of prospects (Wiggins, Embiid, Exum, Parker).

Question to those anti-Exum and pro-Smart: part of your argument is Smart is a competitor and hard worker and we should take him over Exum because of those qualities. How do you know Exum isn't? For all you know Exum may be more of a competitor than Smart.

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[Optimus_Steel]

Guys like Andrew Bogut, Luc Longley, Aron Baynes, and Patty Mills have come from AIS so its legit.

didnt Patty Mills play extremely well in Australian ball and FIBA or something like that? and he is a backup PG. I wouldnt pick Longley in the top 20 this year, and Baynes not at all.

My point is that several NBA caliber players have come from there so we shouldn't discredit the place because of the perceived level of competition.

[Nyce_1]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

No necessarily true.

1. Cavs may pass on Embiid because, well, they're the Cavs. - Wiggins
2. Bucks may pass cause rumor has it, his agent won't release his medical records to them. He doesn't want to be in Mil and doubt they risk drafting a player that doesn't want to be there, with a possible medical red flag. Exum
3. Philly, will be looking at Embiid and Parker to pick from, and could very well go Parker, to add that scoring wing.

That leaves him in our lap and I'd gladly take him. In this scenario, we must do whatever possible to get Smart.

Smart
Oladipo
Harris
Embiid
Vucevic

[Smooth_E]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

I personally would roll the dice and just wait it out until the back is 100000000% fine. He is way too talented to pass up, and he's still young too, so we can wait.

Chronic injuries happen when you rush the player back too soon. The player either hasn't healed completely physically, or isn't prepared mentally for the return. Big men with that type of potential are worth rolling the dice for. I may be alone in that mentality but that's alright.

[Blue_and_Whte]

And this is a prime example of why people are enamored with this kid. "Hes 6'6"! All the stuff you see him do on the court is against inferior talent. I'll say it, I dont think Henny picks him. I think hes hyped up because everyone wants to find the next MCW. I dont see Elite player based on what little ive seen.

this is a dumb example, so when embiid was dominating the NCAA this year, does that mean he's any less of a player due to playing against "inferior" talent, since he was quite clearly better than everyone? Why exactly should Exum's size not be a plus in his favor?

First of all I didn't say Exums height isn't an advantage, did I? But being 6'6 doesn't instantly make him an elite player. He's completely 100% potential. Nobody knows what he's going to do at the next level.

Secondly, You were right, You knew your Embiid example would be dumb before you started typing it. good call. Yes. Embiid dominated the NCAA, not a bunch of short HS players. Thanks for proving my point. **** genius.

[Smooth_E]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

No necessarily true.

1. Cavs may pass on Embiid because, well, they're the Cavs. - Wiggins
2. Bucks may pass cause rumor has it, his agent won't release his medical records to them. He doesn't want to be in Mil and doubt they risk drafting a player that doesn't want to be there, with a possible medical red flag. Exum
3. Philly, will be looking at Embiid and Parker to pick from, and could very well go Parker, to add that scoring wing.

That leaves him in our lap and I'd gladly take him. In this scenario, we must do whatever possible to get Smart.

Smart
Oladipo
Harris
Embiid
Vucevic

This is a great idea and I completely agree. If he falls to #4, you TAKE him.

I then offer up our #12 and AA as a beginning offer to Boston or LA for their first choice and take Smart. Worse case scenario we don't get the trade with either team and select Ennis or Lavine with #12.

[orthoman]

Why, then, not take Smart at #4. ? (if Embiid falls) He is arguably the best PG in the draft.

[thelead]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

I personally would roll the dice and just wait it out until the back is 100000000% fine. He is way too talented to pass up, and he's still young too, so we can wait.

Chronic injuries happen when you rush the player back too soon. The player either hasn't healed completely physically, or isn't prepared mentally for the return. Big men with that type of potential are worth rolling the dice for. I may be alone in that mentality but that's alright.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAyKJAtDNCw[/youtube]

[Nyce_1]

Why, then, not take Smart at #4. ? (if Embiid falls) He is arguably the best PG in the draft.

Because you don't pass on the chance to draft a mobile 7' defensive player with great potential, offensively and defensively.

Other options: Ennis, Payton, LaVine, Stauskas, Young?

Smart
Oladipo
Harris
Embiid
Vucevic

Oladipo/Lavine
Afflalo/LaVine
Harris
Embiid
Vucevic

Payton or Ennis
Oladip
Harris
Embiid
Vucevic

[Smooth_E]

Why, then, not take Smart at #4. ? (if Embiid falls) He is arguably the best PG in the draft.

Huh? I thought we were talking about Embiid falling..?

Smart WILL UNDOUBTEDLY be available at #5 to #8, I personally don't think he's a home-run pick, although I do believe he's better than average. With the #4, you definitely consider one of the top four high-potential players (Wiggins/Parker/Embiid/Exum) assuming that any of them are available (if they fall to us at #4).

I personally believe the Jazz or Celtics pick can be had for the right but also afforable price.

[Smooth_E]

IMO, If Exum goes at #2 and Embiid falls to us, we've maybe got a dilemma on our hands.

If Embiid falls, teams head of us are staying away from him due to back issues. I don't think Hennigan will pick
Embiid in this scenario. (risk)

We've got a promising center in Vucevic.

Who do we pick at #4 then? Smart?

I personally would roll the dice and just wait it out until the back is 100000000% fine. He is way too talented to pass up, and he's still young too, so we can wait.

Chronic injuries happen when you rush the player back too soon. The player either hasn't healed completely physically, or isn't prepared mentally for the return. Big men with that type of potential are worth rolling the dice for. I may be alone in that mentality but that's alright.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAyKJAtDNCw[/youtube]

Dammit I love that song. I am man enough to admit that I enjoy Michael Jackson's music.