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

[CoachJReturns]

I'd bet any money we are not taking Maker in the lotto.


Cheers.

People getting athletic happy with him on this board is real sad.

He has zero offensive game, way too raw. Should be a 2nd round pick.

I used to go crazy about combine measures. Now they are just another piece of the puzzle. If the combine mattered more than skill then DJ Stephens would have been a consensus 1st overall pick and hall of famer. Instead the biggest high flight in combine history is a d leaguer.

[Legal Non-Conforming]

I used to go crazy about combine measures. Now they are just another piece of the puzzle. If the combine mattered more than skill then DJ Stephens would have been a consensus 1st overall pick and hall of famer. Instead the biggest high flight in combine history is a d leaguer.

Joey Graham...

[OAKLEY_2]

Just looked at Chriss combine numbers. Grew an inch and gained 8 pounds since the last DX listrdlisted measurements. Very nice. Liking this guy more and more. Hope we keep Bizmack as the guy who sets the tone for others in terms of toughness along with JV and Carroll. Would be a good environment for a young kid to come into.

He is first on my list.

[Lukeem]

Maker is going to be a bust! Just watch some full games of his. He's AWFUL!

Every full game of his I've seen ( this year) he looks like a man playing against boys. Shuts down penetration on his side of the court rebounds really well.

Offensively looks somewhere between complacent and unable to create much on his own. Other than hitting open shots and offensive rebounds. Very similiar to Skal and Davis, maker looked better at these things but against easier competition is negated


Last year looked a lot better with Murray creating opportunities.

[Lukeem]

Bust potential is all over maker if we'd reach that high.

Everything about him compares favourably to Drummond and whiteside at pre draft stages

[deeps6x]

Davis has too much two way upside. I think he's the pick. Considering we've looked to pick two way players it wouldn't surprise me if we do the same this year.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pw_bc95O2c[/youtube]

Now all this could change if we move up after the lottery.

If we go PF at #9, I think he is the pick as well.

Damn, every time I watch Davis highlights, I find myself wanting Valentine all over again.


I honestly wonder if we shouldn't be trying to trade down for #15 and #19, then take Valentine and Sabonis/Johnson/Chriss/Skal - whichever PF falls. Maybe grab another PF at #27. Could be Hernangomez, Cornelie, Diallo or Bentil.

I think we need to add two PFs this draft. But Valentine would be a much better insurance policy than Wright for when Lowry leaves or gets traded away.

[TheGoodDoctor]

I have no idea why people like Davis so much, he seems like he's slow as hell offensively and doesn't seem particularily skilled (especially for a PF) and lacks any advanced footwork in the post. The majority of his offense seems to be created FOR him. The majority of what he scores is the ball being dropped off for him or an excellent pass by Valentine....and the rest looks like putbacks or maybe the rare midrange jumper. He's a small ball C imo.

I won't freak out if we draft him because he's got good measurements and on the defensive end shows some promise. I don't think he's horrible or anything but from the games I've watched him in, he seems totally unassertive and projects as a back up small ball C which again isn't the worst pick but I rather gamble on someone I think could potentially reach all-star level. Just his overall demeanor, I don't get that from him but who knows, could be wrong. I just wouldn't take him top 10 personally.

All I can say is unless we trade up or have someone like Murray, Hield or Bender fall to us we NEED to take Chriss. I already have nightmares of Indy drafting him then PG/Chriss/Turner just crushing us within a couple of years.

[Lunchpailhero1]

I have no idea why people like Davis so much, he seems like he's slow as hell offensively and doesn't seem particularily skilled (especially for a PF) and lacks any advanced footwork in the post. The majority of his offense seems to be created FOR him. The majority of what he scores is the ball being dropped off for him or an excellent pass by Valentine....and the rest looks like putbacks or maybe the rare midrange jumper. He's a small ball C imo.

I won't freak out if we draft him because he's got good measurements and on the defensive end shows some promise. I don't think he's horrible or anything but from the games I've watched him in, he seems totally unassertive and projects as a back up small ball C which again isn't the worst pick but I rather gamble on someone I think could potentially reach all-star level. Just his overall demeanor, I don't get that from him but who knows, could be wrong. I just wouldn't take him top 10 personally.

All I can say is unless we trade up or have someone like Murray, Hield or Bender fall to us we NEED to take Chriss. I already have nightmares of Indy drafting him then PG/Chriss/Turner just crushing us within a couple of years.

I live in Windsor and the Detroit sports radio station all agreed that Davis made a poor decision declaring and that he is no where near ready. I agree with you, if it came down to taking a chance on someone, take Skal over him. More boom potential

[Lunchpailhero1]

Davis has too much two way upside. I think he's the pick. Considering we've looked to pick two way players it wouldn't surprise me if we do the same this year.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pw_bc95O2c[/youtube]

Now all this could change if we move up after the lottery.

If we go PF at #9, I think he is the pick as well.

Damn, every time I watch Davis highlights, I find myself wanting Valentine all over again.


I honestly wonder if we shouldn't be trying to trade down for #15 and #19, then take Valentine and Sabonis/Johnson/Chriss/Skal - whichever PF falls. Maybe grab another PF at #27. Could be Hernangomez, Cornelie, Diallo or Bentil.

I think we need to add two PFs this draft. But Valentine would be a much better insurance policy than Wright for when Lowry leaves or gets traded away.

I agree. Get guys that can play basketball now. If you are already a high IQ guy, imagine how much you can fine tune that once you become full-time. I want Valentine/Sabonis/luwawu or go for Skal for boom potential.

[TheGoodDoctor]

Yeah don't get me wrong Davis looks like he could be a solid rim protector and on a team that already has a good scoring PF and decent scoring backcourt he could be a good "fit" type of player that can really help a team but we're not drafting for fit here and we have no idea who's going to carry the scoring load for us in about 3-4 years from now and again personally I wouldn't look for a high level role player with our lone top 10 draft pick for the foreseeable future.

I much rather swing for the fences as it will be one of the very few opportunities to add potentially high level talent. If we want back up PFs and Cs, don't blow our lotto pick on a role player (potentially high level I guess) like a Davis, Sabonis or Poeltl, we'll have plenty of opportunity to do that in the drafts ahead or free agency.

As it stands right now for me...

Chriss
Luwawu
Skal
Brown

*unless of course someone drops*

[JYD]

I live in Windsor and the Detroit sports radio station all agreed that Davis made a poor decision declaring and that he is no where near ready. I agree with you, if it came down to taking a chance on someone, take Skal over him. More boom potential

While I like Davis we could cite legit concerns about him, and Skal, and just about everyone else in terms of how certain aspects of their game, and/or their demeanor translate to the next level. It's interesting in this draft because we need a PF and there are so many in our range, but no clear cut guy.

A lot of it will come down to team workouts, where we try to isolate a concern we have about the player and figure out whether they can overcome it.

Personally I hope Sabonis impresses us. If we think he can defend the 4 well in the NBA, including being able to close out well, I think we could take him. Because he checks all the motor/IQ/fundamentals/readiness boxes.

[Lunchpailhero1]

I live in Windsor and the Detroit sports radio station all agreed that Davis made a poor decision declaring and that he is no where near ready. I agree with you, if it came down to taking a chance on someone, take Skal over him. More boom potential

While I like Davis we could cite legit concerns about him, and Skal, and just about everyone else in terms of how certain aspects of their game, and/or their demeanor translate to the next level. It's interesting in this draft because we need a PF and there are so many in our range, but no clear cut guy.

A lot of it will come down to team workouts, where we try to isolate a concern we have about the player and figure out whether they can overcome it.

Personally I hope Sabonis impresses us. If we think he can defend the 4 well in the NBA, including being able to close out well, I think we could take him. Because he checks all the motor/IQ/fundamentals/readiness boxes.

Agreed. But we also have to temper our expectations if we think that any 4 in this draft can start for us right away. Where we are currently picking, I don't think we can fill that need with a rookie right away. There are alot of PF but most are raw/higher ceiling guys. If we are serious at filing that need, I feel that Sabonis is the only one that is close to being able to do that right away. You could draft other guys and then hope that it turns into a Turner situation mid-season. Either way, I would put him high on the board regardless of need. I think the guy can ball.

[TheGoodDoctor]

I live in Windsor and the Detroit sports radio station all agreed that Davis made a poor decision declaring and that he is no where near ready. I agree with you, if it came down to taking a chance on someone, take Skal over him. More boom potential

Personally I hope Sabonis impresses us. If we think he can defend the 4 well in the NBA, including being able to close out well, I think we could take him. Because he checks all the motor/IQ/fundamentals/readiness boxes.

What?! lol Why would Sabonis be able to defend 4 well in the NBA, he didn't in college...defence is one of his MAJOR weaknesses

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAnOPGhjIyQ[/youtube]

...and is the video explains his upside is pretty limited due to his lack of length, terrible wingspan for a big man (UNDER 7ft - Powell has the same wingspan lol) and plays very upright which is awful when you need to move laterally to defend the perimeter and stretch 4s which is what the league is becoming all about. Not to mention he's not very strong on the blocks defending either which bodes even worse for a player with a small wingspan in the post so bigs can go right over him so needless to say he's not a good shotblocker either. He is about as bad of fit as you can get.

Sabonis would be an absolute nightmare pick.

He's not nearly as advanced in the post as most make him out to be. The vid will break that down as well. Really he looks like Hans with better range or maybe a slightly more polished Kris Humphries at best, the Turner comparison that was just made couldn't be further off if it tried. This kid only does so well at the collegiate level because he was filled out like a full grown man but at the pro level that advantage will be gone as will his numbers. Picking him with our lotto pick would be right there with Ross and actually worse imo.

[Lukeem]

My gut right now

1- ingram
2 - Simmons
3 - bender (would need to heavily scrutinize in workouts, could easily move down and potentially up, only seen a couple games and only 1 this year)
4 - Murray
5- heild
6- dunn

I think those are the ones that Definietly won't drop to 8-10 or wherever we end up picking

Who are the ones that we need to be considering then

Pgs- Baldwin, Jackson
Sg/sf - brown, korkmaz luwawu, valentine
Pf/c - Davis, Chriss, maker, Ellenson, Skal, poeltl

[Splinter]

My gut right now

1- ingram
2 - Simmons
3 - bender (would need to heavily scrutinize in workouts, could easily move down and potentially up, only seen a couple games and only 1 this year)
4 - Murray
5- heild
6- dunn

I think those are the ones that Definietly won't drop to 8-10 or wherever we end up picking

Who are the ones that we need to be considering then

Pgs- Baldwin, Jackson
Sg/sf - brown, korkmaz luwawu, valentine
Pf/c - Davis, Chriss, maker, Ellenson, Skal, poeltl

I agree on your top 6, I don't see any of them really falling. But I don't think that Baldwin, Jackson, Valentine or Maker are worth a look in the top-10. Especially Maker. Dude screams bust, I would have to be convinced at taking him at our pick at 27.

[CoachJReturns]

My gut right now

1- ingram
2 - Simmons
3 - bender (would need to heavily scrutinize in workouts, could easily move down and potentially up, only seen a couple games and only 1 this year)
4 - Murray
5- heild
6- dunn

I think those are the ones that Definietly won't drop to 8-10 or wherever we end up picking

Who are the ones that we need to be considering then

Pgs- Baldwin, Jackson
Sg/sf - brown, korkmaz luwawu, valentine
Pf/c - Davis, Chriss, maker, Ellenson, Skal, poeltl

I agree on your top 6, I don't see any of them really falling. But I don't think that Baldwin, Jackson, Valentine or Maker are worth a look in the top-10. Especially Maker. Dude screams bust, I would have to be convinced at taking him at our pick at 27.

I think Jackson might be worth a top 10 pick, but not the pther guys you mentioned. Hard to argue with his athleticism and he seems like a guy that would fit with recent acquisitions. He just looks like someone who plays hard. We did just draft Delon (My personal choice for us last year from early in the college season ) but if you think a guy is with a top 10 pick I think you just take him and sort things out later. Like draft Jackson and trade Delon and 26th for Lyles. That said, if he developed, Chriss looks like the best fit at least in terms of potential skillset and athleticism.

[Risk101]

Whats this crap about Deyonta being slow?? He has the agility to gaurd smaller players out on the 3 point line and stay in front of them. Watch how he gaurds Nigel Hayes. He shows enough speed on the defensive end to stay infront of most 4's.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5iTYqQWokY[/youtube]

[Clutch0z24]

Tbh i dont see much in Davis either...He is ok but i dont see potential in him being a big time player in the NBA....He will be a good backup big man in the league but nothing more then that...

Guys like Skal/Chriss/Lawawu Heck id even say Ellenson Have more upside then Davis long term...
I would say my pick atm is Chriss with Skal being a close 2nd...

But if we want to keep BB in the offseason we will have to trade Ross in the offseason to have capspace...
So if that were to happen my first pick would be Lawawu to take Ross spot and sign BB to a 3 year 10-11 M Deal cause i see JV/BB combo being way to valuable to let go..

Then maybe if we are lucky we could package Ross with our 27th pick to move up to 18-20 range and draft one of the pfs left over at that range or vice versa and draft a big at 9 and valentine/Prince at 18-20 to take Ross spot....

So many things Masai can do in this draft and im excited to see what happens.

[TheGoodDoctor]

Whats this crap about Deyonta being slow?? He has the agility to gaurd smaller players out on the 3 point line and stay in front of them. Watch how he gaurds Nigel Hayes. He shows enough speed on the defensive end to stay infront of most 4's.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5iTYqQWokY[/youtube]

Since I know this was in regards to my comment....I clearly said offensively, read it next time please because I clearly acknowledged his ability to move on the defensive end and they're not the same thing. Just as Bismack is quick enough to do likewise, he will look slow and clumsy on the offensive end as well.

I also know your response will be that he has more skills offensively and better touch than Bismack as well which I obviously acknowledge being that I'm the one bringing it up. But again, his style of play and speed offensively is going to be best suited as a small ball C as it is Bismack. BB is the better shot blocker and defender but Davis is has better offence. But being better than Bismack offensively means relatively nothing and Davis leaves A LOT to be desired on that end. The kid lacks advanced footwork and post moves. He's really quite basic and definitely not assertive offensively either, majority of his scoring comes putbacks or gift wrapped passes from his backcourt (especially Valentine). As I said before, I'm not claiming he's horrible or anything like that. I like him but I'm not taking him top 10.

For a franchise like us that's not likely to get a top 10 pick for the foreseeable future despite his promise as a high level role player like Bismack (again I noted the differences just stating the relative impact), I want to take a shot at finding an all star calibre player like a PG, Klay, Kawhi etc in our range. Guys like Biz, Tristan Thompson etc are all nice players to have but I'd be gunning for more for our franchise personally. I think Davis would be an incredible fit for a franchise that doesn't need him to do anything more than he already does...for example he'd be a perfect fit in GS where he can defend for them and get the ball dumped off or alleyooped and they can rely on him to hit free throws as a small ball C. He'll fit very nicely in any system that has a stretch 4 and a PG that can help facilitate his offence, then he'll really shine. Too bad Minny or NOH didn't have a second pick or he'd be an excellent fit there, PHX may be a great landing spot should they get Bender with their first.

[SuigintouEV]

Personally I hope Sabonis impresses us. If we think he can defend the 4 well in the NBA, including being able to close out well, I think we could take him. Because he checks all the motor/IQ/fundamentals/readiness boxes.

Agreed, I am high on Sabonis. JV / Sabonis the Lethal Lithuanians.