Thank Nation! Pre-Lottery: Denver 9th, NY pick 7th (PART 4)

TheGoodDoctor · Post #1241 » by **TheGoodDoctor** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:13 pm

Someone needs to sell me on Davis.

He just seems like a smallball C or something to me, despite having a decent touch he doesn't really seem all that skilled imo. For all this talk of Ulis setting up Skal...majority of what I've seen of Davis it seems Valentine did that even more so with him and when he wasn't set up a lot of baskets came as a result of a putbacks, drop offs or the occasional back down on smaller looking PFs; not exactly tantalizing stuff. I'm not criticizing the kid, I just really haven't seen anything that wows me. He doesn't have great quickness and actually looks pretty slow for a PF from what I've seen but does have a strong looking base and length that makes me think he could become a C but again doesn't look like anything exceptional as I don't see any advanced footwork.

To me he just looks like a kid with some development could be a solid starter but I really don't see any star potential. Somebody help me out here....what am I missing here that has so many considering him with our pick? I'd even take Chriss ahead of him at this point.

rapsdotcom · Post #1242 » by **rapsdotcom** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:29 pm

TheGoodDoctor wrote:Someone needs to sell me on Davis.

He just seems like a smallball C or something to me, despite having a decent touch he doesn't really seem all that skilled imo. For all this talk of Ulis setting up Skal...majority of what I've seen of Davis it seems Valentine did that even more so with him and when he wasn't set up a lot of baskets came as a result of a putbacks, drop offs or the occasional back down on smaller looking PFs; not exactly tantalizing stuff. I'm not criticizing the kid, I just really haven't seen anything that wows me. He doesn't have great quickness and actually looks pretty slow for a PF from what I've seen but does have a strong looking base and length that makes me think he could become a C but again doesn't look like anything exceptional as I don't see any advanced footwork.

To me he just looks like a kid with some development could be a solid starter but I really don't see any star potential. Somebody help me out here....what am I missing here that has so many considering him with our pick? I'd even take Chriss ahead of him at this point.

I think you're pretty well spot on here. To me, he doesn't project as anything beyond an Amir Johnson type. He's a potential 10pt 10rb 2 block guy but he's not one to impose himself on a game, especially offensively. That's not bad value but it's actually a safer pick even though he's not the finished article.

tracey_nice · Post #1243 » by **tracey_nice** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:36 pm

yo nerds what are the odds denver and ny get in the top 3?

DreamTeam09 · Post #1244 » by **DreamTeam09** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:01 pm

Skal is definitely the player to take to pair with JV. At 9 unless someone drops, I see skal with the biggest upside that also fills a need for us. High post face up player is how we will use him. Plus he has a hook shot to get some low post buckets. I'm taking skal and calling that a successful trade off for Bargnani

CoachJReturns · Post #1245 » by **CoachJReturns** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:55 pm

I'm not really thrilled with any of the guys available right now. Rabb was my ideal combination of upside and low bust potential. If someone falls and Masai doesn't take them and run I'm gonna lose it.

OAKLEY_2 · Post #1246 » by **OAKLEY_2** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:07 pm

deeps6x wrote:
OAKLEY_2 wrote:
AbC? wrote:Easier said than done but would be great to draft someone with high skill and versatility. Guys like Giannis, Draymond, Batum, Livingston, Igoudala... the league is legit moving away from rigid positions, has been for a while. You need guys who can defend multiple positions, pass the ball, stretch the floor. The reason why everyone loves Powell is because he has shown that versatility already. Can stretch the floor, has good court vision and can guard 1/2 and some 3s. I actually like Delon's potential for the same reasons, minus the shooting, reminds me of Livingston a bit.

That's kind of why all these traditional bigs like Davis, Rabb and Skal aren't really that exciting to me. Luwawu is definitely the guy that kind of stands out but something feels off about him. Right now he's my choice though. I like Hernangomez with our pick, I think he climbs up pre-draft though.

Luwawu is raw but the fact that he went from the French division B/A team to the Serbian league team and vastly improved across the board bodes well for upside. He may turn out to be Selalosha II, a mostly defensive player, but he attacks the basket with good speed and slashing ability. Luwawu is part project no question. Somebody to consider with the second pick is fellow Mega Leks teamate Ivica Zubac. Total beast who at 19 they could stash.

I'd rather have part project than all project. Give me Luwawu or Davis. The D is strong with these two already, and hopefully the O keeps developing.

As the Good Doctor says with Davis, where is the athleticism worthy of a ninth pick, or words to that effect. At least I see that in Skal who I want no part of.

Post #1247 » by **Double Helix** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:58 pm

My optimistic projection for Skal as a PF long-term is Ibaka's game in a frame and athleticism combo closer to Noel's. I know he measured out at almost the exact same proportions and athleticism testing as Amare Stoudamire did at the same age so that's probably the frame/athleticism combo I should have suggested but Amare put on weight pretty easily as a pro and seems a little more bouncy off memory and a little less nimble. Maybe it's the Kentucky blue but when I watch him navigate from spot to spot defensively I'm reminded more of how Noel looked in college physically. Lanky but quick laterally and under control.

The fact he had an underwhelming freshmen campaign and needs more time and work (While still averaging more points and over 4 blocks per 40 compared to Noel's 5 per 40 as a freshmen) is a blessing in disguise because if he didn't he wouldn't be there at 9.

I don't think his offensive upside is that of an LMA. I remember LMA even as a young guy at Texas and to me he seemed even more polished than Bosh did at Georgia Tech at the same age.

That's why I like the Ibaka playing style comparison more. He's currently a mid-range PF with a nice looking jumper and some touch around the net. Hasn't shown elite rebounding instincts in college which again reminds of Ibaka. He's not the freak perimeter defender for a 6'11 dude that Noel is/was (Noel can guard some SFs out on the perimeter and stay with them) and he doesn't have the crazy hands that Noel has for deflections and swipes which is again why his game reminds me more of a skinnier younger Ibaka than Noel himself. Noel is also more of a skinny 5 offensively that needs a lot of service to produce adequate offence. Skal is more like Ibaka where he can pick and pop.

If he can become a 14/8/1.9bpg PF on solid %s in his prime while being a coachable team-first defender that's a nice get at 9. May take several years to get there but we aren't in a rush.

Ell Curry · Post #1248 » by **Ell Curry** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 10:11 pm

Starting to lean back towards wanting Valentine or Luwawu at 9. I love Valentine's ability to pass and shoot and a 6'6 guy with 6'10 wingspan who competes can generally not kill you on D. I do wonder about his first step on O and his lateral quickness on D. Will be interesting to see his combine numbers in that respect.

And Luwawu just looks a solid 3 and D prospect.

The bigs look a bit shakier in terms of being rotation NBA players. Seems like we might be better off trading Ross (which we will likely have to do anyways either to make cap room for Biyombo or a new backup 5 if DeRozan stays, or to have max room to make a run at a max guy if DeRozan leaves) and moving up from 27 to grab whatever raw big from Skal, Davis, Ellenson, Chriss or whoever i'm forgetting that we think will develop the skills to be JV's long-term partner or a hell of a 3rd big.

Ell Curry · Post #1249 » by **Ell Curry** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 10:14 pm

This guy is definitely a bit of a madman and his rubric that makes him love Simmons is weird and arbitrary, but I thought he had a lot of interesting things and summaries of prospects.

http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/4/24/11446216/2016-nba-draft-big-board-a-leap-into-the-deep-end?_ga=1.67480406.654229582.1459973233

MEDIC · Post #1250 » by **MEDIC** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:30 am

Lowry breaking down season after season. Look at the playoffs so far. You take Jackson & run! Dude is a machine.

BPA baby!

sweetcity · Post #1251 » by **sweetcity** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:38 am

I agree BPA.

Demetrius Jackson, Tim Lawawu, or Skal.

I'd love to move Ross and trade up for Jamal Murray thought... I honestly think he will be a star in the modern NBA

MEDIC · Post #1252 » by **MEDIC** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:45 am

sweetcity wrote:I agree BPA.

Demetrius Jackson, Tim Lawawu, or Skal.

I'd love to move Ross and trade up for Jamal Murray thought... I honestly think he will be a star in the modern NBA

I agree. Jamal is the real deal & will surprise a lot of people.

0 - 100 · Post #1253 » by **0 - 100** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:51 am

MEDIC wrote:
sweetcity wrote:I agree BPA.

Demetrius Jackson, Tim Lawawu, or Skal.

I'd love to move Ross and trade up for Jamal Murray thought... I honestly think he will be a star in the modern NBA

I agree. Jamal is the real deal & will surprise a lot of people.

Masai is getting both Murray and Jackson even if we get to conference finals

bonjovi0308 · Post #1254 » by **bonjovi0308** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:16 am

Not trying to be a troll, but do you think any team would give up the chance picking Murray, even for DD? i don't think so.

0 - 100 · Post #1255 » by **0 - 100** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:38 am

bonjovi0308 wrote:Not trying to be a troll, but do you think any team would give up the chance picking Murray, even for DD? i don't think so.

yes. New Orleans needs to do something major this off-season or Demps is gone.

Naysorn · Post #1256 » by **Naysorn** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:50 am

Double Helix wrote:If he can become a 14/8/1.9bpg PF on solid %s in his prime while being a coachable team-first defender that's a nice get at 9. May take several years to get there but we aren't in a rush.

Why not just 2 bpg? Where does the 1.9 come from?

TheGoodDoctor · Post #1257 » by **TheGoodDoctor** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 4:34 am

I legit wonder if Masai would draft Dunn if he was the player that fell to our pick....

CunningLinguist · Post #1258 » by **CunningLinguist** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 1:48 pm

TheGoodDoctor wrote:I legit wonder if Masai would draft Dunn if he was the player that fell to our pick....

Why wouldn't he? It seems like the sensible thing to do. He'd definitely be Casey's type of guy too.

CoachJReturns · Post #1259 » by **CoachJReturns** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 1:55 pm

TheGoodDoctor wrote:I legit wonder if Masai would draft Dunn if he was the player that fell to our pick....

Why not? The biggest knock on him is his jumpshot, but if he looks improved when workouts come around that would be enough reason to pick him. I like Delon and Cojo, but they both look better as backups and one could be traded in a package for a PF prospect like Lyles, who can start right away.
Lowry isn't getting any younger, so if a starting caliber point guard is on the board there's no reason to pass on them.

Post #1260 » by **Double Helix** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:11 pm

Naysorn wrote:
Double Helix wrote:If he can become a 14/8/1.9bpg PF on solid %s in his prime while being a coachable team-first defender that's a nice get at 9. May take several years to get there but we aren't in a rush.

Why not just 2 bpg? Where does the 1.9 come from?

Lol. Good question. I don't know. Those are the numbers I somehow envisioned when projecting out for some reason.