And Then There Was One: Thank Nation 2. Raps pick 23rd

[Throwback24]

Added bonus....

Last time we ever have to play Paul Pierces ugly mug

I hope he kisses the ACC court.

[CoachJReturns]

Of we lose our pick gets better. I'm okay with finishing 7th, gives Masai some more flexibility in finding another hidden draft in the gem. We don't have anymore cap, every draft pick from here on in incrementally more important.

I'm hoping for 7th or even 8th. Losing in the 1st round to Cleveland makes it a short ride and takes out some of the fun of watching more playoff basketball, but if we win 2-3 games that's just as good as making it to the conference finals.

[nbafan341]

You know what would be a great trade? if we package bebe and the clippers pick for deandre jordan. Perfect fit on our team and there's no defensive atlethic center like jordan in the draft. dude would get 12/12 easily in toronto and fit perfectly. It would be a great trade, hes a matchup nightmare for cleveland.

I think getting an all-star for a bench player and a late first round pick is more than a great trade. In theory it would be the sort of trade that would make fans worship Masai and would get the Clippers front office fired immediately. It ain't gonna happen.

LOL you got me there, thanks for bursting my bubble. What it trading norman powell and bebe for deandre jordan?

[CoachJReturns]

I've tried to find some common factors that typically lead to NBA success in the past for draft picks. Obviously, there's no guaranteed formula for success, but there are a few things which I think are worth considering:

1. Physical profile for their projected position - This doesn't indicate stardom, but being at least the average height/length/weight for a given position should certainly increase the prospects odds of sticking around. Nothing surprising here.

2. Athleticism - While the combine does provide a measurement, it's worth noting that being a combine star doesn't guarantee success. There are actually gyms(Joe Defranco does this I believe), that teach guys to perform better at the combine and a lot of the results can come from simply being more skilled at the test. For example, in an actual game you need to be able to run and jump off one foot to finish strong at the rim. If someone has a great vertical jump off two feet, it may not be translate to a lot of high flying in game situations.

3. Ability to defend projected position - This is a huge one I think. If you have a tendency to make guys who will likely be drafted play worse when they go against you, you probably have a higher likelihood than not of being able to defend in the NBA.

4. Ability to score against elite competition. - Not everyone will put up big numbers game to game, but rising to the occasion against your fellow prospects is an indicator of future success in my opinion. Buddy Hield struggled against top competition last year despite being able to shoot from anywhere in the gym.

These are just a few things I think are worth looking out for. Anyone have their own? Personally, I think just knowing that the athletic testing at the combine can be ineffective has major ramifications. I think this is an example of the eye test having practical value. Perhaps there are guys who can get airborne like Lebron, but he is ridiculously explosive off one leg so he doesn't need to gather himself to play above the rim.

[CoachJReturns]

You know what would be a great trade? if we package bebe and the clippers pick for deandre jordan. Perfect fit on our team and there's no defensive atlethic center like jordan in the draft. dude would get 12/12 easily in toronto and fit perfectly. It would be a great trade, hes a matchup nightmare for cleveland.

I think getting an all-star for a bench player and a late first round pick is more than a great trade. In theory it would be the sort of trade that would make fans worship Masai and would get the Clippers front office fired immediately. It ain't gonna happen.

LOL you got me there, thanks for bursting my bubble. What it trading norman powell and bebe for deandre jordan?

Stars are really only dealt for mediocre players and picks when there's no chance to re-sign them. Even then, someone would certainly offer a better package than anything we could for arguably the most valuable defensive player in the league.

[nbafan341]

I think getting an all-star for a bench player and a late first round pick is more than a great trade. In theory it would be the sort of trade that would make fans worship Masai and would get the Clippers front office fired immediately. It ain't gonna happen.

LOL you got me there, thanks for bursting my bubble. What it trading norman powell and bebe for deandre jordan?

Stars are really only dealt for mediocre players and picks when there's no chance to re-sign them. Even then, someone would certainly offer a better package than anything we could for arguably the most valuable defensive player in the league.

I'm thinking the clippers will only make jordan available once they blow it up and cp3 signs woth the knicks and griffin goes home to okc. our chances at acquiring him would be limited to the offseason and youre right, someone may offer a better package.

[nbafan341]

I've tried to find some common factors that typically lead to NBA success in the past for draft picks. Obviously, there's no guaranteed formula for success, but there are a few things which I think are worth considering:

1. Physical profile for their projected position - This doesn't indicate stardom, but being at least the average height/length/weight for a given position should certainly increase the prospects odds of sticking around. Nothing surprising here.

2. Athleticism - While the combine does provide a measurement, it's worth noting that being a combine star doesn't guarantee success. There are actually gyms(Joe Defranco does this I believe), that teach guys to perform better at the combine and a lot of the results can come from simply being more skilled at the test. For example, in an actual game you need to be able to run and jump off one foot to finish strong at the rim. If someone has a great vertical jump off two feet, it may not be translate to a lot of high flying in game situations.

3. Ability to defend projected position - This is a huge one I think. If you have a tendency to make guys who will likely be drafted play worse when they go against you, you probably have a higher likelihood than not of being able to defend in the NBA.

4. Ability to score against elite competition. - Not everyone will put up big numbers game to game, but rising to the occasion against your fellow prospects is an indicator of future success in my opinion. Buddy Hield struggled against top competition last year despite being able to shoot from anywhere in the gym.

These are just a few things I think are worth looking out for. Anyone have their own? Personally, I think just knowing that the athletic testing at the combine can be ineffective has major ramifications. I think this is an example of the eye test having practical value. Perhaps there are guys who can get airborne like Lebron, but he is ridiculously explosive off one leg so he doesn't need to gather himself to play above the rim.

Id put work ethic/ love for the game as another variable of interest. funny you mention there being no formula for success, it's what all of analytics is also trying to approximate: variables that can predict success for a given team at a particular time.

Physical profile, athleticism/agility, work ethic(have they shown improvements fron freshman year to draft workouts), experience proportional to skill level( After 20 yrs of playing ball, how much better can player x get).

[CaptainCanada]

Clippers started season 14W-2L.......now under .500 last 36 games (17W-19L).

[CoachJReturns]

I've tried to find some common factors that typically lead to NBA success in the past for draft picks. Obviously, there's no guaranteed formula for success, but there are a few things which I think are worth considering:

1. Physical profile for their projected position - This doesn't indicate stardom, but being at least the average height/length/weight for a given position should certainly increase the prospects odds of sticking around. Nothing surprising here.

2. Athleticism - While the combine does provide a measurement, it's worth noting that being a combine star doesn't guarantee success. There are actually gyms(Joe Defranco does this I believe), that teach guys to perform better at the combine and a lot of the results can come from simply being more skilled at the test. For example, in an actual game you need to be able to run and jump off one foot to finish strong at the rim. If someone has a great vertical jump off two feet, it may not be translate to a lot of high flying in game situations.


3. Ability to defend projected position - This is a huge one I think. If you have a tendency to make guys who will likely be drafted play worse when they go against you, you probably have a higher likelihood than not of being able to defend in the NBA.

4. Ability to score against elite competition. - Not everyone will put up big numbers game to game, but rising to the occasion against your fellow prospects is an indicator of future success in my opinion. Buddy Hield struggled against top competition last year despite being able to shoot from anywhere in the gym.

These are just a few things I think are worth looking out for. Anyone have their own? Personally, I think just knowing that the athletic testing at the combine can be ineffective has major ramifications. I think this is an example of the eye test having practical value. Perhaps there are guys who can get airborne like Lebron, but he is ridiculously explosive off one leg so he doesn't need to gather himself to play above the rim.

Id put work ethic/ love for the game as another variable of interest. funny you mention there being no formula for success, it's what all of analytics is also trying to approximate: variables that can predict success for a given team at a particular time.

Physical profile, athleticism/agility, work ethic(have they shown improvements fron freshman year to draft workouts), experience proportional to skill level( After 20 yrs of playing ball, how much better can player x get).

Love of the game is subjective. It's a motivation and some guys may be just as driven to get a bigger pay cheque. I know the research on motivation shows pure monitary gain is not the biggest indicator of success, but it might be enough sometimes for a college player who needs an income. Just a thought.
You're spot on though about showing improvement over time. If a guy stays doesn't show much development in skill or in their body over a few years, they may have reached their ceiling.
Experience proportional to skill also says a lot. I saw a BBallBreakdown video that suggested Ben Simmons will likely never improve much as a shooter given the fact he's had years of experience to do so already. Similar to a guy like Tim Hardaway Jr.. I mean if there are professional players in your family and you can't shoot after being exposed to the game at such an early age, it probably isn't going to happen.

[gerrit4]

You know what would be a great trade? if we package bebe and the clippers pick for deandre jordan. Perfect fit on our team and there's no defensive atlethic center like jordan in the draft. dude would get 12/12 easily in toronto and fit perfectly. It would be a great trade, hes a matchup nightmare for cleveland.

I think getting an all-star for a bench player and a late first round pick is more than a great trade. In theory it would be the sort of trade that would make fans worship Masai and would get the Clippers front office fired immediately. It ain't gonna happen.

LOL you got me there, thanks for bursting my bubble. What it trading norman powell and bebe for deandre jordan?

Well he was first team All-nba last year, and he's still only 28. He's also their only key player that is still under contract this summer. So they're not trading him.

That being said, if for any reason he became available on the trade market, I think you'd need to trade:

JV
Powell (or Ross)
Both First Round Picks
2019 First Round pick

Just to get the conversation started.

[CoachJReturns]

Anyone been watching Tyler Lydon much? He's likely to be taken a few picks before us, but his skillset(shooting, rebounding, shot blocking) would fit like a glove in the frontcourt. Might be a guy Masai trades up for.

[CoachJReturns]

Draft night deal:

Poeltl for mid-first to draft Rabb.

This is contingent on JV looking good the rest of the year. I still want a two way center for this team and Poeltl could be the guy, however Rabb has a good ceiling along with his rebounding and developing outside shot, he could fit like a glove here.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Anyone been watching Tyler Lydon much? He's likely to be taken a few picks before us, but his skillset(shooting, rebounding, shot blocking) would fit like a glove in the frontcourt. Might be a guy Masai trades up for.

I liked him last year, but that was before I watched him play. I think he can be a decent NBA player, but I'm not sure he's any better than someone like Jarrod Uthoff who I loved last year. What really separates them besides age?

[LonZoBallin]

Draft night deal:

Poeltl for Rabb.

This is contingent on JV looking good the rest of the year. I still want a two way center for this team and Poeltl could be the guy, however Rabb has a good ceiling along with his rebounding and developing outside shot, he could fit like a glove here.

It would probably cost more to get Rabb imo

If Rabb was in the draft last year it would have probably been a top 9 instead of a top 8. After the workouts I think he could have sneaked into the top 8. He's only improved his stock this year, idk if Poeltl can say the same. Rabb has an extra year and has a game more suited for the NBA. Plus this draft is better so he'll be taken after 9, which means he cost less too.


Depending where he falls, I say it would probably take Poeltl and one of our 1st round picks. And the team where Rabb falls to has to want Poeltl.

[Psubs]

Draft night deal:

Poeltl for mid-first to draft Rabb.

This is contingent on JV looking good the rest of the year. I still want a two way center for this team and Poeltl could be the guy, however Rabb has a good ceiling along with his rebounding and developing outside shot, he could fit like a glove here.

Rabb seems a little mechanical like Ed Davis.

[Psubs]

Anyone been watching Tyler Lydon much? He's likely to be taken a few picks before us, but his skillset(shooting, rebounding, shot blocking) would fit like a glove in the frontcourt. Might be a guy Masai trades up for.

He seems like Ryan Anderson 2.0.

I'd rather gamble on the 7'2 Latvian and take Melton.

[CoachJReturns]

Draft night deal:

Poeltl for mid-first to draft Rabb.

This is contingent on JV looking good the rest of the year. I still want a two way center for this team and Poeltl could be the guy, however Rabb has a good ceiling along with his rebounding and developing outside shot, he could fit like a glove here.

Rabb seems a little mechanical like Ed Davis.

I keep hearing the Ed Davis comparisons and I know there are physical profile similarities. That being said, he's much more skilled offensively than Ed ever was. I know the sample size is small, but he's hitting 46 percent from 3 so far this year. For a guy that was said to be too much of a pure post player last year, that's impressively fast development.

I'd actually be pretty happy if we got a guy who was Ed Davis with better offense. lol. That's a good haul for a perennial playoff team at the draft. Not an all-star, though given the fact he's only 20 years old and developing quickly, I wouldn't put a low ceiling on him just yet.

[CoachJReturns]

Anyone been watching Tyler Lydon much? He's likely to be taken a few picks before us, but his skillset(shooting, rebounding, shot blocking) would fit like a glove in the frontcourt. Might be a guy Masai trades up for.

He seems like Ryan Anderson 2.0.

I'd rather gamble on the 7'2 Latvian and take Melton.

I'd take the giant over him as well, but I certainly wouldn't be upset if we came away with Lydon.

[Psubs]

Anyone been watching Tyler Lydon much? He's likely to be taken a few picks before us, but his skillset(shooting, rebounding, shot blocking) would fit like a glove in the frontcourt. Might be a guy Masai trades up for.

He seems like Ryan Anderson 2.0.

I'd rather gamble on the 7'2 Latvian and take Melton.

I'd take the giant over him as well, but I certainly wouldn't be upset if we came away with Lydon.

I'd rather TJ Leaf fall to us as he's a very good passer.

I would like to secure Melton as he just outplayed Ball and Fultz and can improve his outside shooting in the pros.

[DreamTeam09]

Anyone been watching Tyler Lydon much? He's likely to be taken a few picks before us, but his skillset(shooting, rebounding, shot blocking) would fit like a glove in the frontcourt. Might be a guy Masai trades up for.

He seems like Ryan Anderson 2.0.

I'd rather gamble on the 7'2 Latvian and take Melton.

whats his first name?