Potential sleepers

[tester551]

Where are people going now to get decent scouting report updates now that draftexpress sold out?

[The-Power]

thoughts on troy brown jr? seems like im the only fan of his on the knicks board

I'm his second fan.

He has ways to go and might be better off staying another year at Oregon playing for the championship if he doesn't tear it up later in the season. If he declares, however, I would still take him in the lottery. There is just too much upside in him for me to not take my chances with a late lottery pick.

i hope he declares. i feel like he's exactly the knicks need. dude can score/defend/rebound/great playmaker

Well, the Knicks could use some perimeter penetration and I'm not sure Troy really helps with that much – at least not so soon. Still, Ntilikina, Porzingis, Brown and Hardaway would be a good core to have in terms of building a perennial playoff team. Then it would be mainly about finding Porzingis running mate (a good rebounder who can cover the big guys inside – think the Robin Lopez or even Zaza Pachulia type) and see what the young guys can do together.

You might overrate Troy's current skill-level, though. I agree that he has the potential to do all of what you listed at a good to very good level but as of now he still has lots of work to do. He has the potential to be a secondary playmaker but his ball handling has to improve and the game needs to slow down for him more. He could develop a good jumpshot and has some of the tools necessary to get into the lane which can make him a good scorer – but he also misses some of those traits to be a dominant one. Regardless of his ceiling as a scorer, his jumpshot as well as his handles must be further improved to become a self-creating scorer. He can be a good wing defender with his length and instincts, but at times it looks like he lacks the ferocity you need to be a wing stopper and not just a solid to good defender who can hold his own.

In a lot of ways I like to compare him to Jimmy Butler without the edge Jimmy regularly plays – or used to play (now it's more selective) – with. Jimmy Butler with less ferocity/aggressiveness (which also means less plays at the rim, more emphasis on 3pt-shooting – for the better or worse) would still be a great player and justify a top 10 pick, but obviously he has ways to go to get there. He's a smart kid, though, and I'm sure he'll do what he can to improve. There's no doubt that his player-type – a long wing who can defend, rebound, pass, dribble and shoot – is still en vogue and highly desirable in today's league.

He's in some ways like a smaller but more skilled version of Kevin Knox, if we just look at his freshmen peers, and he's also still super young. I wouldn't draft him ahead of Doncic, Bagley, Jackson, Ayton, Bamba and Porter. Also have him behind Mikal Bridges and Trae Young at this point but he's right in the next group with Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Wendell Carter and arguably a couple others. This means I currently have him in the 9-14 range but he can still climb the ladder if he shows that he's actually further ahead in terms of polished skills than he's shown early in the season. Hard for me to imagine him outside the top 20 no matter how the season progresses.

[reanimator]

Troy Brown isn't a sleeper.

Never got the Svi hype when he committed to Kansas and was getting Manu comps. I surely don't think he is a multi positional defender or plus defender in the NBA.

[3toheadmelo]

I'm his second fan.

He has ways to go and might be better off staying another year at Oregon playing for the championship if he doesn't tear it up later in the season. If he declares, however, I would still take him in the lottery. There is just too much upside in him for me to not take my chances with a late lottery pick.

i hope he declares. i feel like he's exactly the knicks need. dude can score/defend/rebound/great playmaker

Well, the Knicks could use some perimeter penetration and I'm not sure Troy really helps with that much – at least not so soon. Still, Ntilikina, Porzingis, Brown and Hardaway would be a good core to have in terms of building a perennial playoff team. Then it would be mainly about finding Porzingis running mate (a good rebounder who can cover the big guys inside – think the Robin Lopez or even Zaza Pachulia type) and see what the young guys can do together.

You might overrate Troy's current skill-level, though. I agree that he has the potential to do all of what you listed at a good to very good level but as of now he still has lots of work to do. He has the potential to be a secondary playmaker but his ball handling has to improve and the game needs to slow down for him more. He could develop a good jumpshot and has some of the tools necessary to get into the lane which can make him a good scorer – but he also misses some of those traits to be a dominant one. Regardless of his ceiling as a scorer, his jumpshot as well as his handles must be further improved to become a self-creating scorer. He can be a good wing defender with his length and instincts, but at times it looks like he lacks the ferocity you need to be a wing stopper and not just a solid to good defender who can hold his own.

In a lot of ways I like to compare him to Jimmy Butler without the edge Jimmy regularly plays – or used to play (now it's more selective) – with. Jimmy Butler with less ferocity/aggressiveness (which also means less plays at the rim, more emphasis on 3pt-shooting – for the better or worse) would still be a great player and justify a top 10 pick, but obviously he has ways to go to get there. He's a smart kid, though, and I'm sure he'll do what he can to improve. There's no doubt that his player-type – a long wing who can defend, rebound, pass, dribble and shoot – is still en vogue and highly desirable in today's league.

He's in some ways like a smaller but more skilled version of Kevin Knox, if we just look at his freshmen peers, and he's also still super young. I wouldn't draft him ahead of Doncic, Bagley, Jackson, Ayton, Bamba and Porter. Also have him behind Mikal Bridges and Trae Young at this point but he's right in the next group with Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Wendell Carter and arguably a couple others. This means I currently have him in the 9-14 range but he can still climb the ladder if he shows that he's actually further ahead in terms of polished skills than he's shown early in the season. Hard for me to imagine him outside the top 20 no matter how the season progresses.

i probably am overrating him a little bit, but i think he ultimately ends up as a really good player when it's all said and done. as you said though, he has ways to go. but that's expected for a 18 year old. i just think he has the mindset/tools to reach his upside. i agree that he's in the 9-14 range right now though.

[doordoor123]

Troy Brown isn't a sleeper.

Never got the Svi hype when he committed to Kansas and was getting Manu comps. I surely don't think he is a multi positional defender or plus defender in the NBA.

Can he defend in the post in the NBA? No. But hes been a smart college defender. He knows how to get in position on the post and draw charges or at least stick his hands up. He would get killed in post in the NBA, but at least he’s not useless and can draw a foul now and again.

In terms of wing defense, he got a lot better this year. He used to jump too much when defending and it was really easy to get around him. Now he’s actually staying his ground more and moving laterally. His wingspan is also helping him get his hand into guys faces. I’m super impressed with his whole package right now.

[No-Man]

Check Sergi Garcia

[doordoor123]

Catching up on some Mega Bemax and this guy really stands out. Goga Bitadze. He’s an athletic center with great block timing.

[kennydorglas]

Anthony Lamb (Vermont)
Josh Okogie (Georgia Tech)
Nick Ward (Michigan St.)

[HeadtopChunes]

Any thoughts on De'anthony Melton from USC? Seems like an extremely versatile PG. Could be similar to Kriss Dunn right now.

[doordoor123]

Anthony Lamb (Vermont)
Josh Okogie (Georgia Tech)
Nick Ward (Michigan St.)

Nick Ward is big and undersized. He’s a good college player, but I don’t see him as an NBA player.

[tester551]

Any thoughts on Chandler Hutchinson out of Boise State?
Seems like he could be Robert Covington type player.

[blazeyo]

Nick Ward reminds me of Alan Williams... Garbage man role in the nba at the very best?

[The-Power]

Yeah, Nick Ward is not an NBA player. Love him on a college team but he simply lacks translatable skills for the next level. Garbage man at best and even that only if he learns how to hit a midrange jumper and gets in better shape to defend on the perimeter more effectively. Basically, you would have to bet on him completely re-modeling his game with great success. Don't see the appeal in that to be honest.

Any thoughts on De'anthony Melton from USC? Seems like an extremely versatile PG. Could be similar to Kriss Dunn right now.

I've been very high on Melton last year. If he improves his shot, and the mechanics are decent enough to be reasonably optimistic, I see a role for him in the NBA. The issues regarding his eligibility hurt his stock this year, though. So even if he is cleared to play soon but doesn't play much improved he's probably going to be a 3-year college player.

[doordoor123]

Any thoughts on Chandler Hutchinson out of Boise State?
Seems like he could be Robert Covington type player.

I liked him last year when I first heard about him, but this year not so much. If I can recall, he can only lay it up with one hand. He has a slow jumper and he’s generally kind of slow. I watched a buzzer beater he made this year and it was really underwhelming because the other team was just terrible. He beats up on bad teams pretty much. He kind of reminds me of a poor man’s Kyle Anderson (one that isn’t a point forward and isn’t as savy).

He worked out for NBA teams last year before deciding to return to school. Specifically I remember him working out for the Clippers and Bucks. They told him to fix a bunch of stuff and hes been working it. I just don’t see him as real NBA player.

[PhilBlackson]

BORISA SIMANIC

Mark it down I'm the one who told you so first lol

[The-Power]

Anybody with an opinion on Landry Shamet? I scouted him a couple games and liked the different ways he can contribute – but I'm not sure how much of that translates and obviously the thin frame could really become an issue.

Some notes on him in the spoiler tags

Spoiler:

offense: moves well without the ball, makes cuts; moves the ball quickly but is not really creative; does not force his shot; shown some variety in his midrange game; prefers to pull up instead of going to the rim; struggles to create for himself or create dribble penetration against tight defense and zones; needs screens often to get into the lane; projects to be an off-ball player in the NBA

defense: good job of staying in front of his man; quick on his feet and moves feet well; length helps him to contest against perimeter players; aware of what is going on around him off the ball; struggles to fight over screens; thin frame makes him a possible mismatch against stronger guards and on switches

[The-Power]

Freshman Brandon Randolph (one of the highest ranked 4-Star recruits of his class) has come to life for Arizona.

Over the first four games, he played a total of 38 minutes and shot 2-11 from the field (1-3 on 3's, 1-2 on FTs). Over the last four games, he played a total of 85 minutes and shot 16-29 from the field (5-11 on 3's, 11-13 on FTs). Also, he had his best games to date – scoring-wise – against two ranked teams in Purdue and Texas A&M.

I really liked his skill-set in HS when he was on the team with Bamba and Reddish. Good size, athletic, can shoot. He's really old for his class (already turned 20) and he has to put in a lot of work in order to become an NBA player. Aside from becoming stronger it is mostly about being consistent with everything he's doing including shooting and defensive effort. Modeling his game after 3&D players will be his best chance to have some success in the league. Anyway, I'm looking forward to following his progress and hope he can keep up the good trajectory he's taken recently.

[doordoor123]

Anybody with an opinion on Landry Shamet? I scouted him a couple games and liked the different ways he can contribute – but I'm not sure how much of that translates and obviously the thin frame could really become an issue.

Some notes on him in the spoiler tags

Spoiler:

offense: moves well without the ball, makes cuts; moves the ball quickly but is not really creative; does not force his shot; shown some variety in his midrange game; prefers to pull up instead of going to the rim; struggles to create for himself or create dribble penetration against tight defense and zones; needs screens often to get into the lane; projects to be an off-ball player in the NBA

defense: good job of staying in front of his man; quick on his feet and moves feet well; length helps him to contest against perimeter players; aware of what is going on around him off the ball; struggles to fight over screens; thin frame makes him a possible mismatch against stronger guards and on switches

The advantage he has is that he’s long and can play/defend either the 1 and 2. He looks like an NBA player to me and makes shots when it counts. He has starter potential for sure. I have him around 8 on my list of point guards behind Melton and Gilgeous-Alexander. I hate Wichita, but he clearly has ability.

[doordoor123]

Matisse Thybulle. If he could shoot he would be a lottery pick.

[Ruzious]

Matisse Thybulle. If he could shoot he would be a lottery pick.

He's got phenominal defensive stats. Hopefully that 5 3's game against Kansas is a sign of things to come. Seems like he's the type of player who will out-work his opponent most of the time.