2016-2017 College Basketball / '17 NBA Draft Thread

[Kobblehead]

Keep an eye on Michael Weathers from Miami of Ohio.

6'2" 160 pound PG who is ripping steals, blocking shots, distributing at an elite level and getting to the free throw line nearly 11 times a game. Only a freshman, too.

[GimmeDat]

I think on one hand Ball's low usage rate sounds awesome fit wise, but on the other hand, there's also the scoring issue.

Embiid will be a premier scoring option going forward, that much is for sure. Simmons, I would predict, would be a solid scoring option, but his repertoire is pretty limited at this stage.. you're going to need another major one. If Ball's your PG, you're going to need a top 2-3 option at the wing, no doubt about it. For that reason, I think Fultz is the better option fit wise (and beyond that, I think he's just far and away the best prospect as of now).

I ain't buying that.

Okay, so down the line, Embiid's your 1st option (20+ppg), Simmons is a 3rd option (15ppg), and Ball is a 4th option (13ppg). That's how I see their scoring ability projecting.

You are requiring at least one 15-20ppg option on that wing if you want to be competing at an elite level.

If you trade for someone like Beal, that would be a great idea in that scenario. Making things work with Ball is definitely plausible. The point being though that Fultz can score at an elite level on top of everything else he brings to the table, so you're demanding a lot less from your other starters.

Don't get me wrong, you'd be set with either Ball or Fultz, but I see it as would you rather have Jason Kidd, or would you rather have a Wade/Roy hybrid. I don't think you can pass Fultz up.

[Kobblehead]

I think you're downplaying Ben Simmons' scoring ability. His slashing and finishing ability is excellent and he's going to live at the line. Not to mention all the space in the paint that he's going to have to go to work now that our 7'2" 280 pound freak of a C can sling threes at a marksman's clip.

[Negrodamus]

Someone is going to take Briscoe in the 20s and they'll be getting a starting PG for many, many years.

He's not even a PG.

But he will be in the NBA.

[Kobblehead]

Someone is going to take Briscoe in the 20s and they'll be getting a starting PG for many, many years.

He's not even a PG.

But he will be in the NBA.

To me, he's just an undersized, slashing 2-guard. I don't see any distributing or lead guard instincts when I watch him play. I don't think he projects as a starter at either guard spot. Wish his J was a little better, too.

His ability to attack the rim and rip steals on the other end is impressive, but his skill level leaves a bit to be desired. Reminds me of a Louisville player.

[LloydFree]

Someone is going to take Briscoe in the 20s and they'll be getting a starting PG for many, many years.

I don't like Briscoe. I think he could become a decent backup PG but I don't foresee him being a starting PG.

I agree. Briscoe will be lucky to make an NBA team. He's a tough college player, who plays above his talent level because he already has a man's body. He's a Frank Mason (Kansas) level player. Nobody is drafting him in the 1st round.

[Negrodamus]

He's not even a PG.

But he will be in the NBA.

To me, he's just an undersized, slashing 2-guard. I don't see any distributing or lead guard instincts when I watch him play. I don't think he projects as a starter at either guard spot. Wish his J was a little better, too.

His ability to attack the rim and rip steals on the other end is impressive, but his skill level leaves a bit to be desired. Reminds me of a Louisville player.

He's a point guard like Bledsoe is a PG in Phoenix. In fact, he's having similar usage to Bledsoe at UK.

They are similar players except Briscoe is taller, less athletic, much stronger, and better defensively.

[djc373]

I think ball can shoot evidenced by his 3 point percentage but im worried that he wont be able to get his shot off with that form. Granted ive only watched highlights but it seems like his threes come when hes wide open. I want fultz. Healthy brandon roy type to go with magic (ben) and dream (biid).

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[LloydFree]

Thoughts on UCLA-Kentucky:

Ball had a rough 1st half, with some silly turnovers, but he didn't do anything to change my mind about him. Handles the ball effortlessly with either hand against man-to-man pressure. (Kentucky double teamed him, OFF the ball, multiple times in the 2nd half). Never loses sight of open teammates when moving with the ball. Can create space for his shot off the dribble against taller opponent (Kentucky showed great respect for his jumper by putting 6'10 Adebayo on him in the half court repeatedly in the last 25 minutes). Rebounds, blocks and steals passes easily, which indicates superior athleticism and instincts. Unlimited range. The only thing I don't like: He's so relaxed, he almost seems like he is not taking the opponent serious.

The player that I came away more impressed with than previous, was Edrice Adebayo. That's an NBA PF. Has a spectacular NBA body. He runs like a guard. He moves his feet on defense like a guard (Calipari must see something special in practices, having this guy guard a top PG 1-on-1). He has passing awareness. He knows how to get interior position. And he has good form from the free-throw line. He's going to be a good NBA defender and he's going to be able to knock down jumpers when he gets older.

Fox is a nice player. He looks like more of a scorer than a shooter, but if he corrects the form on his shot (cocks the ball too far behind his head) he may even be a decent shooter. Changes speed on the dribble drive like Rondo. Not quite Rondo level handle, but good enough. Willing passer. When he gets his man's body, he's going to be a problem.

All I could get from Monk is that he is a good shooter. Hard to tell what else he can do, with that offense Calipari runs. I have time to catch up on him, since Kentucky is always on TV.

[LloydFree]

It's hard to tell what Josh Jackson can do, with how Bill Self plays the Small Forward in his Offense, but I see a lot of the Duke year's Grant Hill in him. Has an all-around game, but isn't a shooter yet.

[Marcus]

It's hard to tell what Josh Jackson can do, with how Bill Self plays the Small Forward in his Offense, but I see a lot of the Duke year's Grant Hill in him. Has an all-around game, but isn't a shooter yet.

Been thinking that a lot lately as well.

[Ericb5]

It's hard to tell what Josh Jackson can do, with how Bill Self plays the Small Forward in his Offense, but I see a lot of the Duke year's Grant Hill in him. Has an all-around game, but isn't a shooter yet.

Duke era Grant Hill was a great player. He didn't develop his shot until a few years into the NBA.

Jackson has a bit of a hitch in his shot though that I don't remember Hill having.


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[Kobblehead]

I'm still struggling with putting Fultz over Jackson because I think Josh is that special. A true 2-way stud even though he doesn't have a jumper.

[Ericb5]

I'm still struggling with putting Fultz over Jackson because I think Josh is that special. A true 2-way stud even though he doesn't have a jumper.

Me too. The only way that I would put Fultz over Jackson is if I ultimately decide that they are in the same tier talent wise, and then Fultz gets the edge via fit.

At this point though, I'm not there yet.

I think that today Josh Jackson is the player I would take at 1.

Fultz is a solid 2 at the moment, but Smith and Ball are nipping at his heals.

I also have sort of put Tatum and Giles out of my mind for the time being. They could easily get into the top tier over the rest of he season if they play well.

I still have a gut feeling that Giles is the most talented player in the draft. He has a negative with fit and with injury history though.




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[cksdayoff]

Cant see josh jackson as the top prospect in the draft over fultz.

[Marcus]

It's hard to tell what Josh Jackson can do, with how Bill Self plays the Small Forward in his Offense, but I see a lot of the Duke year's Grant Hill in him. Has an all-around game, but isn't a shooter yet.

Duke era Grant Hill was a great player. He didn't develop his shot until a few years into the NBA.

Jackson has a bit of a hitch in his shot though that I don't remember Hill having.


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He didn't say they were identical in everyway just that Josh shows Hill's versatility.

[LloydFree]

Cant see josh jackson as the top prospect in the draft over fultz.

I don't see why not. He's a better athlete, he's good at everything and wing players are more scarce. Fultz is the best shooter at this point in his development but this is about projection. I haven't seen anything that makes him the no brainer #1 pick.

[Negrodamus]

It's hard to tell what Josh Jackson can do, with how Bill Self plays the Small Forward in his Offense, but I see a lot of the Duke year's Grant Hill in him. Has an all-around game, but isn't a shooter yet.

I see a lot of college MKG in him. Both non shooters but have very good handles, vision, defense, and finish at the rim well.

[Marcus]

It's hard to tell what Josh Jackson can do, with how Bill Self plays the Small Forward in his Offense, but I see a lot of the Duke year's Grant Hill in him. Has an all-around game, but isn't a shooter yet.

I see a lot of college MKG in him. Both non shooters but have very good handles, vision, defense, and finish at the rim well.

I think Josh projects to be a better shooter though.

[eagereyez]

Jackson is shooting 56% from the FT line on 41 attempts. His poor shooting worries me, and his poor mechanics don't give much reason to expect improvements. He'll probably need to tweak his shot in the NBA. That is one big wart on him as a prospect.