2016-2017 College Basketball / '17 NBA Draft Thread

[Slizeezyc]

I agree with your order for the most part. I'm tryin to talk myself into liking Tatum a little more, but Im not there yet. I think I go Fox at #6.

Can't figure Tatum out. He's got that size, first step, and shot, should be able to have his way all day in the NCAA. I sometimes think he's just playing in the system and would really blossom playing in the NBA, sometimes think he's a mess of decent skills that don't add up to anything special.

He was in my top 3 a month or two ago, now I have no idea. He's not a great fit for us, can't help thinking he's just a couple notches from being really really good though.

I think his problem is he's not athletic enough to get where he wants to go with the ball, unless he has a full head of steam. He looks athletic, but he seems to run with a deliberate, choppy gate.

Tatum is stiff and robotic right now. He's athletic in many other ways, but he lacks that aspect of athleticism.

[Slizeezyc]

He is also a pretty horrendous defender. I can see the allure in possibly having 2 7 footers on the floor, complimenting each other and spacing the floor,but on defense I think he will struggle in the NBA. He doesn't protect the rim or generate steals.This kid is not Kristaps Porzingis. Id much rather get a guard/wing prospect if possible. Maybe if we are picking like 10th and he is there and the BPA, but just like Ntilikina....I would be pretty underwhelmed if we came away with LM as our pick in this draft currently. Id rather have Saric starting at the 4 spot or Ben Simmons.

At the same time, Sixers would be a good spot for a Lauri-type in that he doesn't need to play center or handle a big load on defense. He can't play in every situation either way, but he's someone who can be a very useful role player next to an Embiid or Noel if the small-ball 4 isn't cooking too much.

I think Lauri/Ball/Monk all need the Sixers in one way or the other. All three can be successful without the Sixers, but with Simmons and Embiid, all three of those guys would be able to just do what they're good at and hope they figure out the other stuff later.

I agree to an extent. I can see Lauri doing well, kid is an elite shooter with a pretty much unblock-able shot. Give him the Ersan/Dario looks from the perimeter and he is probably nailing them. I just have concerns with him defending the 4 spot and the PNR. If Simmons looks like a SF and can defend it, Id maybe be more open to the idea...if not, I think you have a lot of minutes at the 4 spot tied up to Ben and Dario. Unfortunately, its looking like we may end up not getting to see Ben at all this year, which sucks.

Monk and Ball are in a different class for US in terms of fit. We need guard/perimeter players and both fill that void at different capacities. Lauri is a 5/4....which we have Embiid/Noel(currently)/Okafor(currently)/Holmes/Saric/Simmons/Ersan(currently).

Yeah, I mean for the record I want to play Ben Simmons at the 4 exclusively with 3 tall wings around him and Embiid.

I just mean to say I think Lauri could succeed in this environment. The blocks/steals/rebounds all are bad. I don't think he'll measure out as being very impressive with the standing reach etc. But he does move his feet, it's not like he doesn't try, Zona sometimes even plays him at the 3 etc. He'll always be a negative in other non-shooting aspects, it's just how close to net zero can you get him in those other areas to unleash the insanely prolific shooting at his position.

But yes, he's less of a need position-wise than a Ball or Monk who can be off-ball guards. Monk (if this shooting truly is real) profiles to become an elite shooter. Ball would be a tier below in the shooting department, but is obviously taller and has more playmaking abilities.

[eagereyez]

Lonzo Ball's dad is a mess.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Crazy family members? Ball will fit right in with the Sixers.

[shawn_hemp]

The more I watch of Jayson Tatum the more I think he will wind up playing PF most of his career.

And I think he is capable of being a good player, but I don't know if he would really be the best fit for us.

[Slizeezyc]

The more I watch of Jayson Tatum the more I think he will wind up playing PF most of his career.

And I think he is capable of being a good player, but I don't know if he would really be the best fit for us.

Yeah I'm not sure why people want him to be a SG in some places. He seems pretty clearly to be someone you hope can play the 4.

[PLO]

Problem with Tatum is he's a tweener with no outstanding attribute and limited athleticism (compared to the athletic marvels he will face in the NBA). His "blinkers on" iso-ball style does not fit with what Brett Brown is trying to build with us anyway. If someone takes him top 5 in this draft that's a pretty big reach IMO; backend of the top 10 a little more understandable.

[Kolkmania]

The more I watch of Jayson Tatum the more I think he will wind up playing PF most of his career.

And I think he is capable of being a good player, but I don't know if he would really be the best fit for us.

Yeah I'm not sure why people want him to be a SG in some places. He seems pretty clearly to be someone you hope can play the 4.

Those people saw some HS clips and cemented their opinion. Tatum is probably ~6'9 and lengthwise a perfect fit for the interchangeable 3/4 position with Simmons. Probably the same guys that keep telling everybody that Tatum is still in love with his midrange jumper while he's attempting fewer midrange shots than Malik Monk and Josh Jackson percentage wise.

[Kobblehead]

Tatum's offensive efficiency is starting to stabilize. Watch out, top 3.

[Unbreakable99]

I had the chance to actually watch Tatum last night. Full game. I heard some people sour on him the last week or so. I liked what I saw. He still love to shoot a lot but I was impressed. All we neee to do is stay in the top 6 and we are in great shape.

[PhilasFinest]

Tatum is an intriguing prospect. At times I see a Danny Granger with his scoring ability/style, other times I see some of the isolation moves of a Tobias Harris and then pieces of an Otto Porter Jr.

[Sixersftw]

Crazy family members? Ball will fit right in with the Sixers.

Seriously, the pick is all but assured.

[sixerswillrule]

Tatum is an intriguing prospect. At times I see a Danny Granger with his scoring ability/style, other times I see some of the isolation moves of a Tobias Harris and then pieces of an Otto Porter Jr.

I was thinking those same players. Granger was also someone with ordinary athleticism but he was a great shooter with good size for a SF who moved fluidly and could get to the line.

[PhilasFinest]

Tatum is an intriguing prospect. At times I see a Danny Granger with his scoring ability/style, other times I see some of the isolation moves of a Tobias Harris and then pieces of an Otto Porter Jr.

I was thinking those same players. Granger was also someone with ordinary athleticism but he was a great shooter with good size for a SF who moved fluidly and could get to the line.

Yea, They have similar "styles" in terms of size, versatility to play both forward spots and scoring ability. Tatum is a much higher pedigreed prospect though IMO. He checks A LOT of the boxes your looking for:

very good size for a SF 6'8". NBA body/frame
very good length with a nearly a 7 foot wingspan which paired with his 1+ steal/block per game has upside defensively
Shows a lot of the 1-1/isolation scoring moves of a very polished scorer (step backs, size ups, post jumpers, drives, spot up etc) Rebounds well (7 per game)
Perimeter shot consistency is improving game by game. Up to 37% on 3+ attempts. Good form
86.4% FT shooter. Further projects his jump shot as legitimate.

He struggles with consistency on both ends of the floor at times, ball handling/creating for others and shot selection at times as well.

Assuming he interviews well and projects as a coachable kid, I think BB could certainly iron out many of those kinks. Consistency/shot selection can be worked on, especially if he can buy into a system like ours which emphasizes ball movement. As he continues to polish up those scoring moves and his jump shot, his efficiency will likely trend upwards. The ball handling/creating can be worked on as well, but he also will have to do less of it because of the presence of guys like Ben Simmons/Dario Saric.

Hes a legit prospect who projects pretty well to the next level.Id be very happy if we came away with him in the draft.

[LloydFree]

Tatum is an intriguing prospect. At times I see a Danny Granger with his scoring ability/style, other times I see some of the isolation moves of a Tobias Harris and then pieces of an Otto Porter Jr.

Yeah, I see a little of both Danny Granger (as his ceiling) and Tobias Harris (reasonable outcome) for Tatum. The problem that I'm having projecting him to Granger level is that he is not nearly as fluid or coordinated as Danny Granger. I could easily see him getting to Tobias Harris level though.

For me, in the top of the lottery, I'm looking for loud tools, that will translate to a star level talent. I don't see it with Tatum. I don't think Tatum is bad, I just don't like his ceiling. I think Tatum is a good bet to be a solid player like Tobias Harris, but at the top of the lottery I want future stars. I can get a Tobias Harris type in Free agency in any offseason.

[Ericb5]

Tatum is an intriguing prospect. At times I see a Danny Granger with his scoring ability/style, other times I see some of the isolation moves of a Tobias Harris and then pieces of an Otto Porter Jr.

Yeah, I see a little of both Danny Granger (as his ceiling) and Tobias Harris (reasonable outcome) for Tatum. The problem that I'm having projecting him to Granger level is that he is not nearly as fluid or coordinated as Danny Granger. I could easily see him getting to Tobias Harris level though.

For me, in the top of the lottery, I'm looking for loud tools, that will translate to a star level talent. I don't see it with Tatum. I don't think Tatum is bad, I just don't like his ceiling. I think Tatum is a good bet to be a solid player like Tobias Harris, but at the top of the lottery I want future stars. I can get a Tobias Harris type in Free agency in any offseason.

I think that what it really comes down to for me with Tatum is that he is more talented than Monk, and is clearly in the group of prospects that COULD turn into stars. He is flawed, but they are all flawed this year.

He's 6 for me, and I would be thrilled to have him.


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[snoopdogg88]

i want a Ben Simmons Josh Jackson fast break

i need it

[shawn_hemp]

To me, Tatum reminds me a lot of Thad Young only with a little better isolation moves

3-4 tweener who is a solid all around player in every aspect of the game, yet doesn't do any one thing at an elite level

Active on the defensive end despite a lack of elite athleticism, which can cause him to get steals and blocks with his instincts but also can cause him to be scored on by the more elite players in the league

Athletic enough to get out and run on the fast break, but not someone who will necessarily go coast to coast and finish before you can say "Tatum with the rebound"

He is a really good rebounder though, at least in college. Whether he could bang in the paint with some of the bigger PFs in the NBA is yet to be determined

Can find the open man when he gets the ball, and is definitely willing to pass it if the opportunity for the intended target is clearly better than his situation.

Shows the ability to hit 3s, but not necessarily a guy you need to play extra close.

Good free throw shooter

He seems better at getting to the line than Thad Young

They are about the same height and Tatum will probably wind up around the same build as Thad as he gets older

Idk, I always liked Thaddeus but would I use a top 5 pick on him?

[SparksFly87]

Tatum is very talented . It looks like hes still growing too. He has a nice stroke. He likes to take the big shots. Can drive to the rim and is a strong rebounder. I may move him ahead of Josh Jackson. Tatum has elite tools.

[Unbreakable99]

One thing about Tatum is he's NEVER afraid to shoot lol. That's something he loves to do. He wants the big moment because it will allow him to shoot. He won't hesitate to keep shooting if he's off too.

[SparksFly87]

Hey is the Lonzo Ball comparison to Penny Hardaway accurate that his Father made?