2018 NBA Draft

[doordoor123]

Daniel Gafford reminds me too much of Deyonta Davis. I still think Davis has upside, but so far he hasn’t been great. Davis was a mobile Big who everyone said would be able to guard inside-out and had great block instincts. He was also athletic with little offensive game and was about the same size. He reminds me more of Davis than he does Capela. I just think you’re getting a big project with him that might not work out.

What do you think the main reason Davis dropped so far in the draft? I didn't see him not being a top 20 guy, so that shocked me at the time, and honestly, given he was raw (didn't produce heaps on college), I think he's playing pretty well in his sophomore season. (In 500 mins he's averaging 14/10 per 36 with 2 blocks on 64% FG).

I do see a lot of similarities, but if there's one difference, I would say it's that Gafford seems to have a way more aggressive/assertive mindset.

It came out in the pre-draft process that Davis had plantar fasciitis. Not positive it was specifically that but some teams had red flagged him based on his physical and he then missed time in the summer league due to it.

You’re right, I totally forgot about that

[SeattleJazzFan]

Soooooo the triple J wagon continues to grow

.net's new top five

DeAndre Ayton
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michael Porter
Marvin Bagley
Luka Doncic

also noteworthy Wendell Carter has leaped past both Mo Bamba and Trae Young according to their mock

It’s ridiculous if Trey Young isn’t a top 5 pick. That should not be allowed.

young can't throw it in the ocean from 3 right now and he's been completely useless at the end of games. his play right now doesn't warrant top 5 considering his other warts.

[daoneandonly]

I think the top guys are as followed:

Ayton
Jackson Jr.
Bagley
Young
Bamba

Porter is obviously there if eh was healthy, but you don't mess with back issues, it's just scary. For Dallas, Young does not fit with DSJ and Bamba's lack of an offensive guy is risky, so any of those top 3 would be ideal.

[clyde21]

Marvin Bagley is so good, but I'm starting to question how valuable he's going to be in the NBA being a primarily post-oriented player that isn't a shut down rim protector.

[doordoor123]

Soooooo the triple J wagon continues to grow

.net's new top five

DeAndre Ayton
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michael Porter
Marvin Bagley
Luka Doncic

also noteworthy Wendell Carter has leaped past both Mo Bamba and Trae Young according to their mock

It’s ridiculous if Trey Young isn’t a top 5 pick. That should not be allowed.

young can't throw it in the ocean from 3 right now and he's been completely useless at the end of games. his play right now doesn't warrant top 5 considering his other warts.

His play in the NBA will be different than it is now. There will be more room for him. In college Donovan Mitchell was 39% on drives to the basket. Now he’s on 60% in the NBA. The floor opens up and guys will have to cover more ground defending, which’ll create easier passes for Young. There is no way he isn’t a top 5 pick.

[SeattleJazzFan]

It’s ridiculous if Trey Young isn’t a top 5 pick. That should not be allowed.

young can't throw it in the ocean from 3 right now and he's been completely useless at the end of games. his play right now doesn't warrant top 5 considering his other warts.

His play in the NBA will be different than it is now. There will be more room for him. In college Donovan Mitchell was 39% on drives to the basket. Now he’s on 60% in the NBA. The floor opens up and guys will have to cover more ground defending, which’ll create easier passes for Young. There is no way he isn’t a top 5 pick.

I don't necessarily disagree with you. I could go either way. I could see as high as 3 or as low as 7. I guess what I was trying to say, but didn't articulate very well, is that he's not playing like a top 5 pick right now so I get why somebody would leave him out of the top 5. but again, I agree the game will be entirely different for him in the NBA once he has teammates defenders have to respect.

[Duke4life831]

Marvin Bagley is so good, but I'm starting to question how valuable he's going to be in the NBA being a primarily post-oriented player that isn't a shut down rim protector.

I think he has shown potential with his perimeter shot and ya he hasnt been great this year when it comes to blocking shot, but he is blocking 1.3 blocks a game in conference play and this is while playing a lot out on the perimeter on the 2-3 zone and playing alongside Carter who is the main rim protector. Ive also heard from multiple people that Bagley has been told by K to focus on rebounds and not contesting shots to stay out of foul trouble. With that said, he still hasnt shown the timing on blocking shots that he showed in high school where he was a good shot blocker and was 3rd in blocked shots in the EYBL.

[HeadtopChunes]

What are your opinions on Jontay Porter? Is he even declaring this year?

[SeattleJazzFan]

Jerome Robinson with another scintillating performance today. 29 on 11-15 FGs. 71% TS in ACC play. By FAR the most underrated prospect in the draft. as impressive as he's been as a shooter/scorer, the fact he plays under control, lets the game come to him, his passing, his defense are on point as well. i'd easily take him in the lottery, the only question at this point is how high.

[Alatan]

Anyone thinks that Jacob Evans will be a steal? He has everything. Athleticism, body, handles, shooting, defense, motor, offball play, passing. I hope Nuggets draft him.

[doordoor123]

Anyone thinks that Jacob Evans will be a steal? He has everything. Athleticism, body, handles, shooting, defense, motor, offball play, passing. I hope Nuggets draft him.

He might be. He plays really safe, but that might benefit him at the next level where consistency is everything. I don’t see many advanced dribble or separation moves from him, but he’s still able to get by with normal dribble moves. The big thing is that he’s still young and only has up from here. IMO there isn’t much separation between him and Lonnie Walker (who I think is starting to get overrated).

[doordoor123]

What are your opinions on Jontay Porter? Is he even declaring this year?

He should declare. Hard not to pick an 18 year old with his skills and abilities in the first round. He can defend inside/out, has a working jumper, he’s a good passer with good vision and he moves across the floor really well. He has a pretty high floor for someone that’s only 18.

[RipCity71252]

Anyone thinks that Jacob Evans will be a steal? He has everything. Athleticism, body, handles, shooting, defense, motor, offball play, passing. I hope Nuggets draft him.

He might be. He plays really safe, but that might benefit him at the next level where consistency is everything. I don’t see many advanced dribble or separation moves from him, but he’s still able to get by with normal dribble moves. The big thing is that he’s still young and only has up from here. IMO there isn’t much separation between him and Lonnie Walker (who I think is starting to get overrated).

Both are lacking talent as individual scorers (feel and handle just isn't there with either one) but Lonnie has a pretty big strength and athleticism advantage. The only area in which Evans stands out to me athletically is his two foot explosion in space. He's a pretty underwhelming otherwise with a pretty diminutive frame.

His man defense has always looked pretty overrated to me too. Plays the the passing lanes well and uses his two foot explosion to get blocks as a help defender but I think his lateral quickness and lack of size and length will limit his defensive value at the next level.

Lonnie is a late teens, early 20's guy for me right now while Evans is a mid/late 2nd guy.

[Catchall]

Marvin Bagley is so good, but I'm starting to question how valuable he's going to be in the NBA being a primarily post-oriented player that isn't a shut down rim protector.

He can be Amare Stoudemire-like on the pick-and-roll. He has the athleticism, the length and great hands. I think he'll hit open 18-foot jumpers. He'll rebound and defend. I think he fits.

[HeadtopChunes]

Graham looked really good today. I wonder why hes not ranked higher. Doesnt really have any holes in his game, decent size and athelticism too.

[doordoor123]

Graham looked really good today. I wonder why hes not ranked higher. Doesnt really have any holes in his game, decent size and athelticism too.

I always feel like I should have him higher, I’m just not sold on a couple things: his consistency, his defense and I think with the way that he plays his size is a hindrance. I think best case scenario for him is Shabazz Napier, but Napier was a champion and had multiple chances because of that.

[baldur]

What are your opinions on Jontay Porter? Is he even declaring this year?

He should declare. Hard not to pick an 18 year old with his skills and abilities in the first round. He can defend inside/out, has a working jumper, he’s a good passer with good vision and he moves across the floor really well. He has a pretty high floor for someone that’s only 18.

i think it is believed he is going to be a lottery pick if he declares for the next year.

[HeadtopChunes]

Graham looked really good today. I wonder why hes not ranked higher. Doesnt really have any holes in his game, decent size and athelticism too.

I always feel like I should have him higher, I’m just not sold on a couple things: his consistency, his defense and I think with the way that he plays his size is a hindrance. I think best case scenario for him is Shabazz Napier, but Napier was a champion and had multiple chances because of that.

Hmm I see what you mean with his defense and consistency but can you elborate on what you mean about his size?

[doordoor123]

Graham looked really good today. I wonder why hes not ranked higher. Doesnt really have any holes in his game, decent size and athelticism too.

I always feel like I should have him higher, I’m just not sold on a couple things: his consistency, his defense and I think with the way that he plays his size is a hindrance. I think best case scenario for him is Shabazz Napier, but Napier was a champion and had multiple chances because of that.

Hmm I see what you mean with his defense and consistency but can you elborate on what you mean about his size?

Small body, short arms, not overly athletic, but he’s able to get into the passing lanes for steals. Length is going to be too much for him most of the time (like Napier). He’s also 23 years old and isn’t getting much better.

[lambchop]

I think the top guys are as followed:

Ayton
Jackson Jr.
Bagley
Young
Bamba

Porter is obviously there if eh was healthy, but you don't mess with back issues, it's just scary. For Dallas, Young does not fit with DSJ and Bamba's lack of an offensive guy is risky, so any of those top 3 would be ideal.

I agree that those are the most dominant college players at the moment, but I just find it surprising that mock drafts and basketball fans have so many bigmen as their top picks. If you look at the past 3 drafts, the most successful players are mainly guys who are very skilled, usually kind of tall, can attack and shoot from the perimeter, defend multiple positions.

If we look at this years rookie class, some of the best players are probably: Mitchell, Simmons, Lauri, Tatum, Kuzma, Smith. Not all of them possess the aforementioned skills, Simmons can't even attempt shots, but he's excellent at everything else. Lauri can't really dribble but he's a knock down shooter etc.

Big men are actually unplayable at times, but a solid big man is always a nice franchise piece to have. If healthy, Porter would probably be the consensus No.1 pick. Imo he just seems to be the guy who possesses most of the tangible nba skills. But he might end up just participating in the draft workouts, signing a contract and then never playing a game for the rest of his life. You never know.

So in a wing based league there is a lack of wing talent in the draft. Guys like Knox and Bridges will still have a lot of skill development ahead of them to be become stars, Doncic is about as much of a risk as Porter.