2017-2018 College Basketball / '18 NBA Draft Thread

[Unbreakable99]

Ayton seems a little rigid to me.

[Kobblehead]

Bagley has a wonderful profile, and if I had to bet who is going number one, it'd be him.

I think Bagley's short arms and tweener game hurt his profile.

[Negrodamus]

Jalen Hudson should shoot up the boards if he ever gets his defense in check. He’s currently playing out of his mind on offense.

[smittybanton]

Bagley has a wonderful profile, and if I had to bet who is going number one, it'd be him.

I think Bagley's short arms and tweener game hurt his profile.

I think the same of Ayton's lack of defensive awareness, mediocre fluidity and suspect ballhandling skills. Ayton is also a college sophomore by age. Bagley is a true freshman.

Dennis Smith Jr has short arms and Wade Baldwin has long ones. Bamba's arms are longer than Ayton's, and he can handle the rock.

It's early and some GMs may need him more than others. But to say Ayton is a lock is something I cannot agree with. Bagley may not go number one either. Could be Doncic. But I'm willing to bet 100 pushups it won't be Ayton.

[Kobblehead]

I think the same of Ayton's lack of defensive awareness, mediocre fluidity and suspect ballhandling skills.

Those are just objective takes that you have. Front offices will get blinded by the physical profile and volume production.

[smittybanton]

I think the same of Ayton's lack of defensive awareness, mediocre fluidity and suspect ballhandling skills.

Those are just objective takes that you have. Front offices will get blinded by the physical profile and volume production.

You very well could be right. My adherence to philosophical pragmatism demands I concede that.

However, each front office has its own collection of subjective views, the selection (and therefore exclusion) of objective criteria (stats) is itself subjective. For example, we can choose or not choose to include and/or isolate Ayton's 3blocks against his last three opponents (Purdue, SMU, NC State), and compare it to Bamba's 11 blocks (Gonzaga, Duke, Butler).

If that is an important part of a front office's profile for a five, which I suggest it might, then Ayton is neither the best player, nor the best five in the draft.

How one interprets a stat or combination thereof is also subjective. For example, one can flip the Marvin Bagley short arm narrative by claiming he has otherworldly basketball instincts to get 15 rebounds the last three games with those 'stubs'.

If objectivity could be obtained through "advanced metrics" (which basketball statistics are really not), then there would be one list we'd all coalesce around, and it'd accurately describe the past and predict the future.

There is not, because it does not, nor can it.

[Kobblehead]

I have a very little opinion of the decision makers in the NBA.

7'1" fitness model that has mobility and athleticism that averaged 20 and 12 at a Pac-12 school as a freshman. That's all she wrote, for these guys holding on the #1 selection.

[Kobblehead]

The slate of games is pretty weak tonight. The only decent game on is Wisconsin vs. Virginia. Ethan Happ, the advanced metric gawd lol.

[Kolkmania]

Will be interesting to monitor if Ayton's desire to protect the rim improves throughout the year. His lack of engagement is Jahlil Okafor-esque at times.
https://streamable.com/ci14h

He's 7'11 with an enormous 7'5'' wingspan, he should be able to block this shot with ease.
https://streamable.com/ai8cj

Block the shot!!!!!!!
https://streamable.com/1q2vu

Clips are from The Stepien, a must follow if you're into draft converstations. So far DeAndre Ayton has been better than expected in his ability to defend the P&R and ISO's on the perimeter, but his help defense is so freaking poor.

[Kobblehead]

Sounds like a Celtic big.

[Kolkmania]

I have a very little opinion of the decision makers in the NBA.

7'1" fitness model that has mobility and athleticism that averaged 20 and 12 at a Pac-12 school as a freshman. That's all she wrote, for these guys holding on the #1 selection.

That's so ignorant, you really believe that the majority of the GM's think this way?

Bet you said the same thing about the Celtics selecting Jaylen Brown, who was a physical animal, but a complete train wreck offensively (and defensively) for California. However fast forward one year and you can see the intrigue of him becoming an extremely versatile defender who has the athletic capabilities to be an excellent cutter and slasher.

Sometimes you have to see past the deficiencies of the player and assume/bet that they will improve in certain aspects. In the case of Jaylen Brown there were signs from his high school career that he was a better player than he showed in California, same thing for Dennis Smith jr. last year. Tons of other factors that play into the performances of these players in college.

[Kobblehead]

Trae Young is an absolute beast. Shooting lights out, distributing like a lead guard and playing defense. Wingspan and finishing concerns are literally the only negative aspects of him right now.

[long range bomber]

Will be interesting to monitor if Ayton's desire to protect the rim improves throughout the year. His lack of engagement is Jahlil Okafor-esque at times.
https://streamable.com/ci14h

He's 7'11 with an enormous 7'5'' wingspan, he should be able to block this shot with ease.
https://streamable.com/ai8cj

Block the shot!!!!!!!
https://streamable.com/1q2vu

Clips are from The Stepien, a must follow if you're into draft converstations. So far DeAndre Ayton has been better than expected in his ability to defend the P&R and ISO's on the perimeter, but his help defense is so freaking poor.

7’11??! Damn he should get 5-10 blocks per game

[cksdayoff]

that collin sexton performance was jaw dropping

[Kolkmania]

Will be interesting to monitor if Ayton's desire to protect the rim improves throughout the year. His lack of engagement is Jahlil Okafor-esque at times.
https://streamable.com/ci14h

He's 7'11 with an enormous 7'5'' wingspan, he should be able to block this shot with ease.
https://streamable.com/ai8cj

Block the shot!!!!!!!
https://streamable.com/1q2vu

Clips are from The Stepien, a must follow if you're into draft converstations. So far DeAndre Ayton has been better than expected in his ability to defend the P&R and ISO's on the perimeter, but his help defense is so freaking poor.

7’11??! Damn he should get 5-10 blocks per game

Poor height/wingspan ratio though .

Watched Villanova against Northern Iowa. Because Villanova's big men other than Paschall ****, Mikal Bridges played the PF position on the offensive end. Being matched up against the slower Carlson he was able to get to the paint at will, think he made 6 unassisted FG's, including a post move, pull up jumper and a layup after a behind-the-back move.

He also forced at least two turnovers because the guards couldn't get the ball cross court with Bridges long arms deflecting passes. He's the perfect for us and I'm going to be sad if he isn't on our roster next year haha.

[Kobblehead]

that collin sexton performance was jaw dropping

Heart of a lion. And not just due to his facial expressions.

[smittybanton]

Anybody seen Brandon McCoy play for UNLV yet? Trying to catch a replay. Havent been able to yet.

[51X3RF4N]

Ok so I really like both Bridges kids. Miles would be a perfect fit in the starting lineup over Saric in my opinion. And Mikal would be perfect off the bench instead of TLC in that wing role when Fultz or Cov need a break.

How do we make sure we have picks in the right range to get both these kids??

[Kobblehead]

Trae Young is insane. Might be the best player in this draft.

Watch on YouTube

[Negrodamus]

Trae Young is insane. Might be the best player in this draft.

Watch on YouTube

If Lonzo looked like this on offense at UCLA, I would have taken him first overall, no questions asked.