2018 NBA Draft

[EricAnderson]

Oh I think it has the potential to be better than 2017 esp in terms of star power, likely it would be about the same if guys declare early.

Really? Doesn't seem to be much depth and the guys at the top don't wow you either imo

The following year could've worse but at least you got Bagley and Zion

[The-Power]

the guy that caught my attention was Bamba, that guy is a freak and can be a game changer.

He absolutely is. His defensive ceiling could be Gobert with the ability to guard at the perimeter more effectively in spurts. But his indifference to defensive rebounding can be really frustrating and is his most important area of improvement. Hopefully this will be emphasized in college (college coaches usually do emphasize rebounding so there's hope).

The game itself has been rather underwhelming. Sexton is fun to watch but the jury is still out on how his game translates. Bamba has shown flashes but has still work to do, Porter is skilled but his defense and offensive non-scoring versatility will be something to keep an eye on in college and Hands supposedly killed it in practice and was decent in the game as well. Brown looked really solid as well like he did in FIBA - good pick-up for Oregon.

I'm not sure about Duval yet. Watched a couple high school games and his inability to shoot is a major concern even if everything else looks great. He's the closest thing to Westbrook physically, skill-wise and how they approach the games (although there are some differences but that could be age- and status-related) I've seen since Westbrook himself entered the league. The thing is that if you play like Westbrook you must be really good at it or else you're not worth much to NBA teams - a poor man's Westbrook just isn't an appealing player. At least he's a true PG with good passing instincts and a great physical profile. Let's see how far that gets him and how much he improves.

Ayton is promising but he's not a game changer yet. Defense and motor must be his two top priorities and it hasn't been in High School. It will be interesting to see how quickly he adapts - he clearly has the talent to be great. But when you have a big man who's mostly concerned about offense and sees playing hard all the time as one of his biggest areas of improvement himself that's not a great sign. Kudos to him for realizing that, though - it's certainly true and hopefully fixable.

Not as impressed with Carter as some of you seem to be but I will say that his defense, especially during the FIBA tournament, has been better than I expected. He is and plays bigger than I thought, that's a good start. Offensively he should be a really good college player but in the NBA? I'm not so sure. And his defense, while better than anticipated, isn't intriguing enough to disregard offense for the first few years.

I don't really know what to do with Knox. I mean, he's clearly talented but so damn inconsistent and he's not elite - nor does he really has the potential to be elite - in any area. So it will be interesting to see how far his all-around game (he's really solid on both ends) can carry him. Hopefully he stays in college for more than a year unless he unexpectedly breaks out in his freshman season.

There are some other players to keep an eye on. Jackson Jr. with Tom Izzo as his coach could develop into a great defender (and has to given that offense isn't going to be good enough to make the NBA without being a good defender). Preston models his game after LeBron but with Kansas and their lack of big men - as well as other top recruits - he'll be asked to play a lot inside and produce right out of the gate which should be a great experience for him.

I'm also looking forward to watching Kentucky next year. Not because of the great talents they have. Actually for the opposite, in some way. They recruited four five star prospects to this date (Richards, Washington, Green and Vanderbilt) and I have honestly no idea who's going to be their best or second best player. None of those guys are so good that you almost certainly know what to expect. Someone has to separate himself from the rest and lead the program that relies so heavily on its freshmen. Of course getting someone like Bamba would change everything.

Duke will also be interesting to see. Carter and Trent already signed and Duval could very well end up there as well (plus a couple other players, most notably Knox). Great talent on the roster but I'm not totally sold on anybody really and although I believe that's a good college team I want to see them erase my doubts as to how good they'll be in the NBA. What's more convenient for that than having them all on one team?

[TheBunk]

Feels like every top guy has question marks, in this draft, to how effective they'll be. Where as, the 2017 class, the question was "How high is their ceiling".

[The-Power]

Feels like every top guy has question marks, in this draft, to how effective they'll be. Where as, the 2017 class, the question was "How high is their ceiling".

Well, other than Fultz there's really nobody without question marks. Or who else did you have in mind?

[Duke4life831]

Feels like every top guy has question marks, in this draft, to how effective they'll be. Where as, the 2017 class, the question was "How high is their ceiling".

I dont know. I feel like Bamba might be the safest pick in the draft since AD. I feel like his floor is extremely high and with 5s in today's game, even if his offense never comes around he can still be an elite 5. Hes a more athletic Gobert with some shooting potential. I also think Michael Porter is on the same level as a prospect as Fultz.

[ItsThatEasy]

So these highlights are my first time ever watching Michael Porter Jr. play.

And I don't really see anything special tbh, he doesn't look very explosive and his skill level isn't phenomenal.

Can someone elaborate on the hype?

Watch on YouTube

[Marcus]

So these highlights are my first time ever watching Michael Porter Jr. play.

And I don't really see anything special tbh, he doesn't look very explosive and his skill level isn't phenomenal.

Can someone elaborate on the hype?

Watch on YouTube

Lets not post highlights in a half-speed all-star game as our first intro into a kid's talent level. Watch him at Mizzou next year before deciding he's nothing special.

To answer your question

Size, shooting touch, high offensive IQ, uses his size around the cup well and his skill along the perimeter well, has become efficient with his handle and shot creation, NBA range, good athlete, smooth game.

Passive on defense, too upright IMO, but supposedly he can play it (according to Brandon Roy) so maybe that's something we see more of in college.

[ItsThatEasy]

So these highlights are my first time ever watching Michael Porter Jr. play.

And I don't really see anything special tbh, he doesn't look very explosive and his skill level isn't phenomenal.

Can someone elaborate on the hype?

Watch on YouTube

Lets not post highlights in a half-speed all-star game as our first intro into a kid's talent level. Watch him at Mizzou next year before deciding he's nothing special.

To answer your question

Size, shooting touch, high offensive IQ, uses his size around the cup well and his skill along the perimeter well, has become efficient with his handle and shot creation, NBA range, good athlete, smooth game.

Passive on defense, too upright IMO, but supposedly he can play it (according to Brandon Roy) so maybe that's something we see more of in college.

Obviously I'm not basing his entire game on some all star game highlights but that's usually where a prospects athleticism should shine the most because of the lack of defense. He looked down right pedestrian out there athletically.

[Derento]

MPJ look a extremely upright and stiff offensively. Looks like it would hurt for him to bend down. It reminds me of Aaron Gordon and Harrison Barnes in that regard. He looks like a PF to me.

[Duke4life831]

Im not the biggest Porter fan, I personally think hes going to have issues similar to Harrison Barnes. With that said I can see why most people consider him an elite prospect. Hes 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan, is a very good straight line athlete and he has a good looking jumper.

The reason I think of Barnes is because like Barnes I think Porter lacks in ball handling to create his own shot consistently and while a good straight line athlete (good leaper and fast up and down the court), I dont think he is the smoothest athlete side to side and can be a little stiff. I think like Barnes, without the tight creative handles and good agility I think he may struggle to create his own shot consistently against better competition.

[Marcus]

So these highlights are my first time ever watching Michael Porter Jr. play.

And I don't really see anything special tbh, he doesn't look very explosive and his skill level isn't phenomenal.

Can someone elaborate on the hype?

Watch on YouTube

Lets not post highlights in a half-speed all-star game as our first intro into a kid's talent level. Watch him at Mizzou next year before deciding he's nothing special.

To answer your question

Size, shooting touch, high offensive IQ, uses his size around the cup well and his skill along the perimeter well, has become efficient with his handle and shot creation, NBA range, good athlete, smooth game.

Passive on defense, too upright IMO, but supposedly he can play it (according to Brandon Roy) so maybe that's something we see more of in college.

Obviously I'm not basing his entire game on some all star game highlights but that's usually where a prospects athleticism should shine the most because of the lack of defense. He looked down right pedestrian out there athletically.

if you weren't impressed with his athleticism then that's fair but you also said "his skill level isn't phenomenal" and I don't understand how you make that determination from your first time watching him and that being in an all-star game setting.

[The-Power]

Im not the biggest Porter fan, I personally think hes going to have issues similar to Harrison Barnes. With that said I can see why most people consider him an elite prospect. Hes 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan, is a very good straight line athlete and he has a good looking jumper.

The reason I think of Barnes is because like Barnes I think Porter lacks in ball handling to create his own shot consistently and while a good straight line athlete (good leaper and fast up and down the court), I dont think he is the smoothest athlete side to side and can be a little stiff. I think like Barnes, without the tight creative handles and good agility I think he may struggle to create his own shot consistently against better competition.

He's definitely not an athletic specimen and I agree that creating for himself off the dribble could be an issue for him at first - handles and first step aren't anything special for a perimeter player. But he has an indubitable knack for scoring at all three levels. Long, good jumper, high IQ, composed, some moves, a good touch around the rim and can get to the line - he's going to get his one way or the other, whatever works a given night. Scoring is the last thing I'm worried about to be honest.

Playmaking, breaking defenses down off the dribble consistently and most importantly defensive effort are some of the concerns I have. But since he believes that Curry is the best player in the NBA and attended his camp I'm hopeful that he can learn from studying a guy who's great at doing all of this without relying on elite athleticism.

[GimmeDat]

That was my first real look at Porter as well and he looked like someone that would be more of a 4 than a 3 athletically? Again, with a grain of salt, McD game.

[Disposable Hero]

Feels like every top guy has question marks, in this draft, to how effective they'll be. Where as, the 2017 class, the question was "How high is their ceiling".

Well, other than Fultz there's really nobody without question marks. Or who else did you have in mind?

Almost all the prospects (including Fultz who has questions about athleticism, defense and not willing his team to wins) in the 2017 class seem to have question marks. But so don't most of the 2018 kids. They are 18/19 y/o and why would anyone expect them not to have flaws. There's degrees of flaws though. Fultz for instance might have flaws now but he is capable of negating those with development.

[Disposable Hero]

That was my first real look at Porter as well and he looked like someone that would be more of a 4 than a 3 athletically? Again, with a grain of salt, McD game.

That's what I see. A potentially perfect stretch 4. He has a lot of upside physically too, more so than Carter and Bamba who are already specimens. Maybe that will improve his athleticism. He seems to have a real high BBIQ. I hope they coach him up on D and his motor. I noticed he almost sleepwalks through possessions if he isn't getting the ball. And on D? He's okay down low but he has very lazy footwork which will keep him defending 4s. But if he lives up to his potential he deserves to be considered among the best if not THE best prospect in this class.

[EricAnderson]

Some people here said the guys at the top of this high school class are better or have more upside then the top of this upcoming draft.

I don't see it at all.

[The-Power]

Some people here said the guys at the top of this high school class are better or have more upside then the top of this upcoming draft.

I don't see it at all.

Based on the All-American game or based on HS scouting? I think it's fair to say that the Guard talent is a level below last year and that hurts such exhibition games. I find it hard to compare draft classes this early but the 4's/5's in next year's class are certainly intriguing in my eyes.

[EricAnderson]

Some people here said the guys at the top of this high school class are better or have more upside then the top of this upcoming draft.

I don't see it at all.

Based on the All-American game or based on HS scouting? I think it's fair to say that the Guard talent is a level below last year and that hurts such exhibition games. I find it hard to compare draft classes this early but the 4's/5's in next year's class are certainly intriguing in my eyes.

Even the top guys didn't wow me

Porter Jr looks to be a nice scorer but that's about it

Ayton seems to not care much on the court

Bambas a beast defensively but gives u nothing on offense

I'd take the top 3 or 4 guys in this draft over any of the top guys in the following years class

[The-Power]

Some people here said the guys at the top of this high school class are better or have more upside then the top of this upcoming draft.

I don't see it at all.

Based on the All-American game or based on HS scouting? I think it's fair to say that the Guard talent is a level below last year and that hurts such exhibition games. I find it hard to compare draft classes this early but the 4's/5's in next year's class are certainly intriguing in my eyes.

Even the top guys didn't wow me

Porter Jr looks to be a nice scorer but that's about it

Ayton seems to not care much on the court

Bambas a beast defensively but gives u nothing on offense

I'd take the top 3 or 4 guys in this draft over any of the top guys in the following years class

Well, it's not like this year's players have no questions marks and it also cannot be understated how much opinions are going to change once players are able to showcase their skills in college. A couple weeks into the next college season and things can change drastically although I doubt next year's freshman class is going to be as good as this year's.

By the way, Bamba has to be one of the safest bets in a long time regardless of further offensive development. 'Nothing on offense' is certainly not true. He's a capable free throw shooter, has some range and is a constant threat as an above the rim player/lob target. That's valuable.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I don't see the it factor with Porter, especially since he's ranked no.1 on DX.