2016-2017 College Basketball / '17 NBA Draft Thread

sixerhp3 · Post #921 » by **sixerhp3** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:49 am

Dennis Smith Jr. is gonna be a star

Post #922 » by **Marcus** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:28 am

sixerhp3 wrote:Dennis Smith Jr. is gonna be a star

Scary part is he's still a year away from full recovery.

Slizeezyc · Post #923 » by **Slizeezyc** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:33 am

Ericb5 wrote:People are sleeping on Dennis Smith jr.

Monk probably fits our team better at the Lakers pick, depending on who we get with our pick, but I still think that Dennis Smith is a tier above him talent wise. Best athlete of all of the top players

He is definitely healthy again.

People weren't sleeping on him, he wasn't shooting well and he was showing no effort on defense, which are rather large issues. He was not living up to the hype before the last batch of games against a soft schedule.

Hopefully, this is a sign he's picking it back up.

But either way, he's still so much beyond Monk as a prospect even with the meh play for most of the season. I would no question take him well before Monk.

Negrodamus · Post #924 » by **Negrodamus** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:15 pm

Watch on YouTube

Also had a massive dunk last night against a pretty garbage opponent. I think this guy is going to shoot up the boards by season's end.

Unbreakable99 · Post #925 » by **Unbreakable99** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:38 pm

I haven't seen a complete game from Dennis Smith but looking at his stats the past few games he seems to have been playing very well. His 3 ball is going in and hitting them at a high rate. I saw his highlights and his explosion looks good. I'm back to being intrigued by him.

Ericb5 · Post #926 » by **Ericb5** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:50 pm

Slizeezyc wrote:
Ericb5 wrote:People are sleeping on Dennis Smith jr.

Monk probably fits our team better at the Lakers pick, depending on who we get with our pick, but I still think that Dennis Smith is a tier above him talent wise. Best athlete of all of the top players

He is definitely healthy again.

People weren't sleeping on him, he wasn't shooting well and he was showing no effort on defense, which are rather large issues. He was not living up to the hype before the last batch of games against a soft schedule.

Hopefully, this is a sign he's picking it back up.

But either way, he's still so much beyond Monk as a prospect even with the meh play for most of the season. I would no question take him well before Monk.

Prioritizing the first few weeks of games after a devastating knee injury over his talent level is sleeping on him. Some mock drafts dropped him to the 8-10 range, and hardly anyone on this site was talking about him as a top pick. He is rounding back into form now.

sixerswillrule · Post #927 » by **sixerswillrule** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:03 pm

Three PGs going top 3 has to be unprecedented.

Unbreakable99 · Post #928 » by **Unbreakable99** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:11 pm

Looking at the bottom 6 teams if everything holds to form I can't see guards being the top 3 picks. Philly Boston Phoenix Dallas Minnesota Miami. I can't see Boston taking yet another guard. Would Phoenix? I don't think they would. Dallas? Yes. Minnesota? Possibly but they need a wing. Miami? Yes. I know talent trumps position but Boston taking another guard wouldn't be stupid if the player is good but it just adds to their roster another guy who plays the same position. Phoenix has guards. Again if they chose a good guard I can't say it would be stupid but it adds to a position they gave many of.

Post #929 » by **HartfordWhalers** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:23 pm

Unbreakable99 wrote:Looking at the bottom 6 teams if everything holds to form I can't see guards being the top 3 picks. Philly Boston Phoenix Dallas Minnesota Miami. I can't see Boston taking yet another guard. Would Phoenix? I don't think they would. Dallas? Yes. Minnesota? Possibly but they need a wing. Miami? Yes. I know talent trumps position but Boston taking another guard wouldn't be stupid if the player is good but it just adds to their roster another guy who plays the same position. Phoenix has guards. Again if they chose a good guard I can't say it would be stupid but it adds to a position they gave many of.

Phoenix would and should choose a pg if he is bpa. If you look at their roster:

PG: Bledsoe (not part ofrebuilding movement) /Knight (not good) / Ullis (an undersized 2nd rounder rookie)
SG: Booker (key rebuilding piece)
SF: Warren (rebuilding piece)
PF: Chriss (rebuilding piece)
C: Len (kind of rebuilding piece)

PF(?): Bender (rebuilding piece)

PG and then center are their weakest spots for their rebuild.

Ericb5 · Post #930 » by **Ericb5** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:28 pm

Unbreakable99 wrote:Looking at the bottom 6 teams if everything holds to form I can't see guards being the top 3 picks. Philly Boston Phoenix Dallas Minnesota Miami. I can't see Boston taking yet another guard. Would Phoenix? I don't think they would. Dallas? Yes. Minnesota? Possibly but they need a wing. Miami? Yes. I know talent trumps position but Boston taking another guard wouldn't be stupid if the player is good but it just adds to their roster another guy who plays the same position. Phoenix has guards. Again if they chose a good guard I can't say it would be stupid but it adds to a position they gave many of.

We have to really hope that Giles bounces back enough for someone to take him in the top 5. That would push a guard or wing further down to us at the Lakers pick. We are in the enviable position of being able to take 2 wings, or 2 guards, or one of each in a draft that is relatively flat talent wise in the top 6 picks where fit can really come into play. We could even take 2 point guards(if they can shoot) or 2 shooting guards due to the freedom provided by a Simmons' led team.

Slizeezyc · Post #931 » by **Slizeezyc** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:33 pm

Ericb5 wrote:
Slizeezyc wrote:
Ericb5 wrote:People are sleeping on Dennis Smith jr.

Monk probably fits our team better at the Lakers pick, depending on who we get with our pick, but I still think that Dennis Smith is a tier above him talent wise. Best athlete of all of the top players

He is definitely healthy again.

People weren't sleeping on him, he wasn't shooting well and he was showing no effort on defense, which are rather large issues. He was not living up to the hype before the last batch of games against a soft schedule.

Hopefully, this is a sign he's picking it back up.

But either way, he's still so much beyond Monk as a prospect even with the meh play for most of the season. I would no question take him well before Monk.

Prioritizing the first few weeks of games after a devastating knee injury over his talent level is sleeping on him. Some mock drafts dropped him to the 8-10 range, and hardly anyone on this site was talking about him as a top pick. He is rounding back into form now.

Yeah but a knee injury has zero to do with showing absolutely horrible effort on defense, that's a motor issue. What you're talking about has nothing to do with his talent or explosion. The same goes with a lot of his playmaking etc. early on. He was just playing bad at times and seemed very disinterested at times. I think separating the injury from the demeanor is important here.

And if people were concerned about athleticism after an ACL injury in a young player, it's not like "sleeping on him" is the same thing. That's just a valid reason to be concerned.

Slizeezyc · Post #932 » by **Slizeezyc** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:35 pm

Ericb5 wrote:
Unbreakable99 wrote:Looking at the bottom 6 teams if everything holds to form I can't see guards being the top 3 picks. Philly Boston Phoenix Dallas Minnesota Miami. I can't see Boston taking yet another guard. Would Phoenix? I don't think they would. Dallas? Yes. Minnesota? Possibly but they need a wing. Miami? Yes. I know talent trumps position but Boston taking another guard wouldn't be stupid if the player is good but it just adds to their roster another guy who plays the same position. Phoenix has guards. Again if they chose a good guard I can't say it would be stupid but it adds to a position they gave many of.

We have to really hope that Giles bounces back enough for someone to take him in the top 5. That would push a guard or wing further down to us at the Lakers pick. We are in the enviable position of being able to take 2 wings, or 2 guards, or one of each in a draft that is relatively flat talent wise in the top 6 picks where fit can really come into play. We could even take 2 point guards(if they can shoot) or 2 shooting guards due to the freedom provided by a Simmons' led team.

Am I horrible person for kind of really wanting Giles with that Lakers pick? My love for him can't be stopped by the injuries. To me, he was a slam dunk first pick before he kept getting hurt. I guess I have to pump the brakes a bit after multiple knee injuries, but man, he was so good pre-college.

Post #933 » by **Duke4life831** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:10 pm

I don't think Dennis Smith is a fit for you guys at all really. I think he has the highest upside in this draft not including a healthy Giles. But his game just doesn't fit that well with Simmons. He's a ball dominant PG that does all his damage with the ball in his hands and doesn't project to be a good off ball scorer.

Ericb5 · Post #934 » by **Ericb5** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:49 pm

Slizeezyc wrote:
Ericb5 wrote:
Unbreakable99 wrote:Looking at the bottom 6 teams if everything holds to form I can't see guards being the top 3 picks. Philly Boston Phoenix Dallas Minnesota Miami. I can't see Boston taking yet another guard. Would Phoenix? I don't think they would. Dallas? Yes. Minnesota? Possibly but they need a wing. Miami? Yes. I know talent trumps position but Boston taking another guard wouldn't be stupid if the player is good but it just adds to their roster another guy who plays the same position. Phoenix has guards. Again if they chose a good guard I can't say it would be stupid but it adds to a position they gave many of.

We have to really hope that Giles bounces back enough for someone to take him in the top 5. That would push a guard or wing further down to us at the Lakers pick. We are in the enviable position of being able to take 2 wings, or 2 guards, or one of each in a draft that is relatively flat talent wise in the top 6 picks where fit can really come into play. We could even take 2 point guards(if they can shoot) or 2 shooting guards due to the freedom provided by a Simmons' led team.

Am I horrible person for kind of really wanting Giles with that Lakers pick? My love for him can't be stopped by the injuries. To me, he was a slam dunk first pick before he kept getting hurt. I guess I have to pump the brakes a bit after multiple knee injuries, but man, he was so good pre-college.

I'd be happy to take him if the knees are looking good, but I wouldn't take him any higher than 6th though, just due to fit.

I think he will either look healthy and go in the top 5, or he won't, and will go closer to 9 or 10.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Eyeamok · Post #935 » by **Eyeamok** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:17 pm

Ericb5 wrote:
Slizeezyc wrote:
Ericb5 wrote:
We have to really hope that Giles bounces back enough for someone to take him in the top 5. That would push a guard or wing further down to us at the Lakers pick. We are in the enviable position of being able to take 2 wings, or 2 guards, or one of each in a draft that is relatively flat talent wise in the top 6 picks where fit can really come into play. We could even take 2 point guards(if they can shoot) or 2 shooting guards due to the freedom provided by a Simmons' led team.

Am I horrible person for kind of really wanting Giles with that Lakers pick? My love for him can't be stopped by the injuries. To me, he was a slam dunk first pick before he kept getting hurt. I guess I have to pump the brakes a bit after multiple knee injuries, but man, he was so good pre-college.

I'd be happy to take him if the knees are looking good, but I wouldn't take him any higher than 6th though, just due to fit.

I think he will either look healthy and go in the top 5, or he won't, and will go closer to 9 or 10.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You have to wonder if the success of Embiid (And I hope it continues). Will play a part in a GM's willingness to pick Giles in the top 5 of the draft. It's a massive risk reward play. Medical science is growing in leaps and bounds, but that human element is always a wild card so on paper he could be fixed but his body might just say "ahhhhh No!". And currently there are no GM's that have the latitude that 76ers GM had when Embiid was picked. But if Giles is as good as was once projected, someone is going to get a great steal if he can stay healthy. I wonder if Boston would roll the dice on him after all they are playing with house money.

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #936 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:12 pm

I finally got my first look at London Ball. Kid looks like the truth. Has a funny looking shot, but he looks like he's got shooters potential. Can he be an ideal fit with a Ben Simmons?

Arsenal · Post #937 » by **Arsenal** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:22 pm

I want NO PART of Harry Giles. His injuries are far more troubling than Embiid's. He hasn't looked good in his limited minutes thus far. Hopefully someone else takes him before our LAL pick, but I doubt it. Unless he really starts to show something on the court, he's destined to fall to the late lottery.

Slizeezyc · Post #938 » by **Slizeezyc** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 11:41 pm

ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:I finally got my first look at London Ball. Kid looks like the truth. Has a funny looking shot, but he looks like he's got shooters potential. Can he be an ideal fit with a Ben Simmons?

He doesn't penetrate (like, at all, it's wild), doesn't play much defense, so probably not in some ways. But he makes the right pass, could get somewhat better on defense. Most folks are either all-in on him or lukewarm, not much in between right now.

If you believe the shot is for real and he can get it off in the NBA, then he's at worst an all-offense player who can shoot a solid percentage and move the ball well. If you're down on him, you wonder if he can get any shot off with any consistency at the next level that isn't from 30 feet.

I'm more down on him than not, but still think he's worth a pick after about 7 or so players right now. He's boom-bust even if you're high on him I think. Someone like Jackson isn't as fun but he's a "safer" pick, for example.

Negrodamus · Post #939 » by **Negrodamus** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:49 am

Monk's having another huge game so far.

eagereyez · Post #940 » by **eagereyez** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:00 am

Duke4life831 wrote:I don't think Dennis Smith is a fit for you guys at all really. I think he has the highest upside in this draft not including a healthy Giles. But his game just doesn't fit that well with Simmons. He's a ball dominant PG that does all his damage with the ball in his hands and doesn't project to be a good off ball scorer.

I'm not entirely sure about this. Anyone who can shoot an open 3 or fake the shot and finish at the rim would be a good fit next to Simmons. 3 pt. shooting is definitely the most important skill. The PG next to Simmons absolutely has to be able to shoot. That's really the only major constraint. Simmons makes everyone around him better, so I wouldn't worry about a ball dominant PG being less effective next to him. In fact the opposite should be true. Their usage rate should go down while their efficiency goes up. Lebron isn't going to make Lowry or CP3 worse, but he might hurt the games of Rubio and Rondo. Spacing is what's important.