Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Spud2nique]

Sorry...I was busy relocating 300lbs...WHATUPPPPPPPP!!! Sorry the bro ness followed me out of the gym..

So you moved from your bed to the sofa?

Lol THIS IS HOW WE DO ITTTTTT

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[Spud2nique]

Are any of you thinking about going to the draft? I was thinking it might be a cool one to attend live. The only other one I almost attended was 2007...Horford pick. Thought this one might be special.

[Jamaaliver]

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[islanders11040]

February 3, 2018

12:00
Duke vs St. John's (Fox)
-Marvin Bagley
-Wendell Carter Jr
-Gary Trent Jr.
-Trevon Duval
-Grayson Allen

2:00
Kentucky vs Missouri (CBS)
-Kevin Knox
-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
-Hamidou Diallo
-Jarred Vanderbilt

Miami vs Virginia Tech (ESPN)
-Lonnie Walker

Texas A&M vs South Carolina (ESPN2)
-Robert Williams

4:00
Alabama vs Florida (ESPN)
-Colin Sexton

6:15
Oklahoma vs Texas (ESPN)
-Trae Young
-Mohamed Bamba

8:15
Michigan State vs Indiana (ESPN)
-Miles Bridges
-Jaren Jackson Jr.

10:30
Arizona vs Washington (Pac 12)
-Deandre Ayton

[Jamaaliver]

Duke loses again, this time to a massively inferior St Johns team. It makes me wonder about the impact of Marvin Bagley.

Gary Trent had some top notch production; as did Wendall Carter.

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Watching OK and Texas early, Trae looks great. Using his vision and passing to impact the game and distribute the ball.

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[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

I can't overstate how great the experience/education Mikal Bridges of Villanova is getting right now.

Operating as a key cog on the #1 team in the country. Playing big moments in big games. That's the best training for a kid like him. Not sitting some NBA bench or toiling overseas/G League.

He'll come out this summer as a fully polished player and (near) instant contributor as a result.

College basketball's biggest breakout players take the stage

Mikal Bridges, Villanova Wildcats

An under-recruited player in high school, Bridges redshirted his first season at Villanova but quickly became one of the best defenders in the Big East once he got on the court. As a junior, though, the 6-foot-7 small forward has added a lot more to his game.
"Mikal is clearly a worker," one Big East coach said. "...what an impactful player he became in his second year on Villanova's campus. He's continued that trend -- in the course of the past year, he's become a more legitimate shooter, no longer a near-40 percent guy who only shoots open, rhythm shots. He's developing into a hungrier, more aggressive shot-maker who is a threat shooting 3s in transition, as well as on the move."

Bridges went from averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds last season to 16.7 points and 6.0 rebounds this season. The biggest key in his rise to a projected first-round pick has been his perimeter shooting.

"For Mikal to double his amount of attempts per game -- and still increase his percentages -- suggest that his growth as a shooter is real," an opposing Big East coach said. "When you add that element to an already versatile game on both ends of the floor, is why you see him discussed as a potential lottery pick."

ESPN

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[Spud2nique]

I can't overstate how great the experience/education Mikal Bridges of Villanova is getting right now.

Operating as a key cog on the #1 team in the country. Playing big moments in big games. That's the best training for a kid like him. Not sitting some NBA bench or toiling overseas/G League.

He'll come out this summer as a fully polished player and (near) instant contributor as a result.

College basketball's biggest breakout players take the stage

Mikal Bridges, Villanova Wildcats

An under-recruited player in high school, Bridges redshirted his first season at Villanova but quickly became one of the best defenders in the Big East once he got on the court. As a junior, though, the 6-foot-7 small forward has added a lot more to his game.
"Mikal is clearly a worker," one Big East coach said. "...what an impactful player he became in his second year on Villanova's campus. He's continued that trend -- in the course of the past year, he's become a more legitimate shooter, no longer a near-40 percent guy who only shoots open, rhythm shots. He's developing into a hungrier, more aggressive shot-maker who is a threat shooting 3s in transition, as well as on the move."

Bridges went from averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds last season to 16.7 points and 6.0 rebounds this season. The biggest key in his rise to a projected first-round pick has been his perimeter shooting.

"For Mikal to double his amount of attempts per game -- and still increase his percentages -- suggest that his growth as a shooter is real," an opposing Big East coach said. "When you add that element to an already versatile game on both ends of the floor, is why you see him discussed as a potential lottery pick."

ESPN

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Honestly i think Mikal cracks top 7 picks when it’s all said and done....teams will pass on him because he’s a junior and he’s a couple years old than everyone else but you don’t have to guess if he will develop....he’s already shown that he can. I compared him to a modern day Pippen and I’m sticking with that...love this guy.

[Jamaaliver]

Here's a surprising headline:

Jaren Jackson Jr. Is the Most Complete Big Man of the 2018 NBA Draft

Jaren Jackson Jr. has a chance to be the best big man in the 2018 NBA draft. He’s certainly the best two-way player of the bunch right now, better defensively than Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III and better offensively than Mohamed Bamba. Jackson fits the new prototype for NBA centers: He knocks down 3s, protects the rim, and defends the 3-point line. He won’t have to change his game to be an elite player at the next level.

Jackson is a new kind of defensive anchor. At 6-foot-11 and 242 pounds, his frame is right in the sweet spot between size and speed. He’s big enough to be a dominant presence inside without sacrificing his ability to guard on the perimeter. Jackson is the cornerstone of the no. 9 defense in the country as a freshman. He’s the only starter the team defends better with when he’s on the floor than when he’s off.

Bamba gets the Rudy Gobert comparisons, but Jackson is the more effective defender. [Jackson] actually blocks more shots per minute.

Jackson’s shooting ability will be even more important in the NBA. He is a perfect fit for the spread pick-and-roll, which almost every NBA team runs these days.

Jackson would have more room to operate as a center. He’s not just a spot-up shooter. He can put the ball on the floor and make straight-line drives when defenders press up on him.

The Ringer

[Jamaaliver]

This kid would make a great front court partner playing next to Luka...another High IQ ball player with mediocre athleticism.

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Carter, a five-star recruit out of Pace Academy, draws inevitable comparisons to Bagley but they have different styles. Whereas Bagley is a smooth and explosive athlete, Carter plays more of a below-the-basket game. But Carter is exceptionally skilled at it, with good feel and impressive mobility for a man his size.

The thing that most stands out about Carter is his powerful frame. He’s got an NBA-ready body and knows how to use it.

Carter isn’t nearly as athletic as Bagley (few prospects are) but he’s decisive with his moves around the basket. Not many collegiate opponents have been able to prevent Carter from bullying his way to the basket.

Carter hasn’t attempted many 3-pointers but he’s made 13 of 28 (46.4) and his free-throw percentage (69.4) is a good sign for his potential to increase his shooting range in the NBA. Carter appears confident and comfortable when shooting jump shots and has posted a 65.2 effective field-goal percentage on 33 of them, according to Synergy.

Carter also has had excellent production as a passer. His 11.5 assist rate ranks third in the ACC among front court players...

Carter has excellent defensive potential as an NBA center because of his bulk, strength and length...

Carter is a very good NBA prospect with a seemingly high floor. He could make an immediate defensive impact, and has the strength and skills to be an effective scorer around the basket despite relatively limited athleticism. Carter also has potential as a play-making big.

[Spud2nique]

This kid would make a great front court partner playing next to Luka...another High IQ ball player with mediocre athleticism.

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Carter, a five-star recruit out of Pace Academy, draws inevitable comparisons to Bagley but they have different styles. Whereas Bagley is a smooth and explosive athlete, Carter plays more of a below-the-basket game. But Carter is exceptionally skilled at it, with good feel and impressive mobility for a man his size.

The thing that most stands out about Carter is his powerful frame. He’s got an NBA-ready body and knows how to use it.

Carter isn’t nearly as athletic as Bagley (few prospects are) but he’s decisive with his moves around the basket. Not many collegiate opponents have been able to prevent Carter from bullying his way to the basket.

Carter hasn’t attempted many 3-pointers but he’s made 13 of 28 (46.4) and his free-throw percentage (69.4) is a good sign for his potential to increase his shooting range in the NBA. Carter appears confident and comfortable when shooting jump shots and has posted a 65.2 effective field-goal percentage on 33 of them, according to Synergy.

Carter also has had excellent production as a passer. His 11.5 assist rate ranks third in the ACC among front court players...

Carter has excellent defensive potential as an NBA center because of his bulk, strength and length...

Carter is a very good NBA prospect with a seemingly high floor. He could make an immediate defensive impact, and has the strength and skills to be an effective scorer around the basket despite relatively limited athleticism. Carter also has potential as a play-making big.

Why does it feel like Wendell is going to be a Hawk one way or another...we could do a lot worse...kid looks pretty legit..specially in our system. My two favorite guys right now regardless of where they are drafted or where we draft are Luka Doncic and Mikal Bridges...I cant deny Ayton either he’s just too darn big and skilled.

[Spud2nique]

Speaking of the draft I looked at the overall standing now and the teams projected to pick between 1-8 (kings-nets) are separated by 1.5 games....

That’s scary as hell...ok I’m willing to take on 2nd rounders to get these crafty vets we have outta here...we can have another 2003 Sura incident...I can’t take it...Ersan Marco, Dedmon and Baze...please ship them out...if Baze stays he will be Sura II...smh

[Jamaaliver]

The value of 2nd rounders:

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[macd-gm]

Speaking of the draft I looked at the overall standing now and the teams projected to pick between 1-8 (kings-nets) are separated by 1.5 games....

That’s scary as hell...ok I’m willing to take on 2nd rounders to get these crafty vets we have outta here...we can have another 2003 Sura incident...I can’t take it...Ersan Marco, Dedmon and Baze...please ship them out...if Baze stays he will be Sura II...smh

hmm. seems like i posted this exact thing in another thread.

[Jamaaliver]

More praise for Wendall Carter:

Wendell Carter’s one of the smartest big men we’ve seen come out in the last few years, and while he’s undersized, his passing and shot-blocking skills are highly valuable. He also has displayed flashes of being a potentially brilliant face-up five and stretching the defense to the three-point line. However, he never gets to show this, or his shot-blocking, because Marvin Bagley and Marques Bolden are clogging the paint on a Duke team that can’t figure out how to use Carter as a stretch big to open the floor for Bagley.

Carter’s probably got the best shot to end up in the late-lottery but be a top-5 player in this class.

The Step Back



I'm getting closer to advocating trading a top 3 pick for multiple top 15 selections -- if Travis has a couple of guys he loves available later in the lottery.

[thr3ep01nte4]

What about Michael Porter Jr?

[Jamaaliver]

What about Michael Porter Jr?

It all comes down to the medical reports on his recovery.

He has star talent and would normally be a contender for the #1 pick.

I think there is a small, miniscule chance he even goes back to Missouri for another year to improve his chances at going #1.

[thr3ep01nte4]

It all comes down to the medical reports on his recovery.

He has star talent and would normally be a contender for the #1 pick.

I think there is a small, miniscule chance he even goes back to Missouri for another year to improve his chances at going #1.

He’s 20 years old. I don’t think he will go back to college. If his medical checks out, he’d be a great centerpiece. Recent injuries to Cousins and Porzingis as well as the history with Embiid and Davis make me quite skeptical about big men. Today’s pace is too fast and the intensity of the game just makes it hard for a big man to stay healthy.

[kg01]

More praise for Wendall Carter:

Wendell Carter’s one of the smartest big men we’ve seen come out in the last few years, and while he’s undersized, his passing and shot-blocking skills are highly valuable. He also has displayed flashes of being a potentially brilliant face-up five and stretching the defense to the three-point line. However, he never gets to show this, or his shot-blocking, because Marvin Bagley and Marques Bolden are clogging the paint on a Duke team that can’t figure out how to use Carter as a stretch big to open the floor for Bagley.

Carter’s probably got the best shot to end up in the late-lottery but be a top-5 player in this class.

The Step Back

I'm getting closer to advocating trading a top 3 pick for multiple top 15 selections -- if Travis has a couple of guys he loves available later in the lottery.

We could just trade for Taj Gibson if we like Carter so much. Maybe dig up Kurt Thomas?

[Jamaaliver]

More praise for Wendall Carter:

Carter’s probably got the best shot to end up in the late-lottery but be a top-5 player in this class.

The Step Back

I'm getting closer to advocating trading a top 3 pick for multiple top 15 selections -- if Travis has a couple of guys he loves available later in the lottery.

We could just trade for Taj Gibson if we like Carter so much. Maybe dig up Kurt Thomas?

Bruh...



Can I at least get a Antonio Davis shout out?

Kurt Thomas? SMH