2018 Draft Thread #6

[Hangtime84]

Don't we have enough players that need to handle the ball? We need some guys whose game is catered to playing off ball. I mean that's the concern with drafting Trae too, he needs the ball in his hands constantly

We are so thoroughly **** if this is how GarPax are approaching things.

RLu brings up a good point. Having average/mediocre players who need the ball will harm the team. They are already less talented and also need the ball. Because of that, efficiency suffers and you end up screwing up the rebuild.

There is a difference between a ball needy guy and a guy who can create/needs the ball. Durant is a guy who can create/needs the ball but is not a ball needy guy. Westbrook is a ball needy guy. And, no wonder Durant got tired of Westbrook's game.

OTOH, the Bulls needed somebody other than Rose who can create his own shot in 2011 and couldn't find one. Even a marginal creator like Bellinelli was useful.

If Dunn doesn't learn how to play off-ball, then the Bulls will be stuck in this old style offense or best case of your turn/my turn offense.

Zach works here because he can catch and shoot. Lauri does too. Bobby as well.

If Dunn cannot become a threat without needing the ball we are ****.

JJJ Luka Ayton are the guys who see right now who probably will do well without dominating the basketball.

[Dan Z]

[quote="Davell"]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2761580-2018-nba-draft-updated-big-board-entering-march

Wasserman's updated Big Board.....

Interesting rankings to me.

42. Rawle Alkins
37. Brandon McCoy
34. Hamidou Diallo
31. Zhaire Smith
25. Lonnie Walker
22. De'Andre Hunter
20. Collin Sexton
16. Mitchell Robinson
15. Jontay Porter
13. Dzanan Musa
12. Daniel Gafford


It's interesting that Collin Sexton is ranked 20. Is he dropping on mock drafts? If he's there with the Pelican's pick would you take him? I know we have Dunn, but I might take him. Although I do like Lonnie Walker too (also not really a need because we have LaVine, but we should take best available).

[bigworld2017]

"If we end up at 6 and this is how it goes who do you take? Mikal, Bamba or Bagley?"

Tough call between Bamba and Bagley. Bagley is a better offensive player. Bamba is the far better rim protector. So the question is can Bagley become a better defender easier than Bamba can become a 4th option offensive threat. I've seen Bamba live. Bagley only on TV. My gut tells me to select Bamba. You can't teach 7-1" with a 79" wingspan. Bamba will be an ELITE rim protector. He has some basic offensive skills. Fred could hone his jumper to make him an outside threat that must be guarded. Bamba helps us match up with our conference rivals going forward. One thing that sways me is that Jarrett Allen is showing me a lot more as a pro than he showed playing for Texas. Maybe Shaka Smart's system doesn't showcase or develop big men that well. I know the Longhorns have underperformed to expectations two years in a row now. But Bamba is a far better physical prospect than Allen was. If Bamba is available when we pick I'd pull the trigger on him. Between Bagley and Bridges I'd have to go with Bagley. We can pick up a wing with the Pels pick, or wait til next year's draft which will be wing heavy.

[Lauri_Legend]

I hate how well Anthony Davis is doing. He keeps winning all these close games. They could've easily been a lottery team after Boogie went down. He's keeping them alive.

[bigworld2017]

I hate how well Anthony Davis is doing. He keeps winning all these close games. They could've easily been a lottery team after Boogie went down. He's keeping them alive.

Amen. He's one of the only future free agents I would very actively pursue when the time comes. Although AD has made some verbal assurances to the Pels that he intends to stay, that could change. You never know. If the Bulls can build an up and coming young squad maybe AD can be persuaded to join us and put us over the top. We just have to be established as a better option if he wants to pursue a ring (or rings).

[Leslie Forman]

I too would take Bagley. I'm very iffy on JJJ. In general, I don't like Michigan State guys. They rarely end up being great pros. I know that Draymond is an exception (and of course Magic, but that was long ago and way pre-Izzo). Gary Harris was OK. But for every Harris or Draymond, there are multiple Deyvonta Davis's, Areain Payne's, etc.

wut

Zach Randolph
Steve Smith
Kevin Willis
SCOTTY F'IN SKILES

Except for Grant Hill Duke used to churn out nothing but trash before K started paying his players better.

[poolshark52]

I too would take Bagley. I'm very iffy on JJJ. In general, I don't like Michigan State guys. They rarely end up being great pros. I know that Draymond is an exception (and of course Magic, but that was long ago and way pre-Izzo). Gary Harris was OK. But for every Harris or Draymond, there are multiple Deyvonta Davis's, Areain Payne's, etc.

wut

Zach Randolph
Steve Smith
Kevin Willis
SCOTTY F'IN SKILES

Except for Grant Hill Duke used to churn out nothing but trash before K started paying his players better.

Randolph was 17 years ago, Smith, 27 years ago, Skiles 31 years ago, and Willis 33 years ago. Of these, only Randolph really qualifies as great, and even that is a iffy statement depending on your definition of great. Of the MSU players that have been lottery picks since, you have Denzel Valentine, Jason Richardson, Mateen Cleeves, Shawn Respert. Only Richardson was ever anything more than a rotation player.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Watch on YouTube

Really like Porter with the Pels pick if he decides to enter the draft.

[Leslie Forman]

I too would take Bagley. I'm very iffy on JJJ. In general, I don't like Michigan State guys. They rarely end up being great pros. I know that Draymond is an exception (and of course Magic, but that was long ago and way pre-Izzo). Gary Harris was OK. But for every Harris or Draymond, there are multiple Deyvonta Davis's, Areain Payne's, etc.

wut

Zach Randolph
Steve Smith
Kevin Willis
SCOTTY F'IN SKILES

Except for Grant Hill Duke used to churn out nothing but trash before K started paying his players better.

Randolph was 17 years ago, Smith, 27 years ago, Skiles 31 years ago, and Willis 33 years ago. Of these, only Randolph really qualifies as great, and even that is a iffy statement depending on your definition of great. Of the MSU players that have been lottery picks since, you have Denzel Valentine, Jason Richardson, Mateen Cleeves, Shawn Respert. Only Richardson was ever anything more than a rotation player.

I mean, if you want to use some silly reasoning that would have kept you from drafting Kevin Durant or Damien Lillard or Stephen Curry or James Harden or etc., etc., go right on ahead.

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

Watch on YouTube

Really like Porter with the Pels pick if he decides to enter the draft.

He looks smooth as hell. What’s his defense like? Starting C worthy or more of a 3rd big? Too slow to guard 4s I’m assuming?

[Dresden]

Watch on YouTube

Really like Porter with the Pels pick if he decides to enter the draft.

Nice 3 pt stroke
Nice mid range stroke
Nice decision making and passing
I like how he plays out of the post

[Davell]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2761580-2018-nba-draft-updated-big-board-entering-march

Wasserman's updated Big Board.....

Interesting rankings to me.

Top 10

10 Wendell Carter
9 Kevin Knox
8 Marvin Bagley
7 Mohamed Bamba
6 Mikal Bridges
5 Trae Young
4 Michael Porter
3 Jaren Jackson
2 Deandre Ayton
1 Luka Doncic

If we end up at 6 and this is how it goes who do you take? Mikal, Bamba or Bagley?

I'd go Bagley, Bamba, and Bridges, in that order. If Sexton is available at 20? That's a tough one for me, but if the board is set up like the rankings, I'm taking Walker over him.

[GimmeDat]

I think Mikal Bridges has shown a little bit of more advanced shot making, which if he builds on, could turn him in to a Middleton type guy, but the likelihood is he's more of a 3/D dude. Which is very valuable in the league, but it's still not a super high ceiling type. We're tanking to get more than a role player.

Say we're at 6 and the draft plays out like in Wasserman's BB listed on the previous page.. there's no way I'm taking Bridges over either Bagley or Bamba. Bamba would be my pick there by a fair mile.

My current top 10 is

Ayton
Doncic
JJJ
Bamba
Porter
Bagley
Young
-
Carter
Mik. Bridges

So I have him at 9, and even then you could argue Miles over him, maybe Gafford if he keeps rising, Knox, Sexton, depending on your preferences.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

I too would take Bagley. I'm very iffy on JJJ. In general, I don't like Michigan State guys. They rarely end up being great pros. I know that Draymond is an exception (and of course Magic, but that was long ago and way pre-Izzo). Gary Harris was OK. But for every Harris or Draymond, there are multiple Deyvonta Davis's, Areain Payne's, etc.

wut

Zach Randolph
Steve Smith
Kevin Willis
SCOTTY F'IN SKILES

Except for Grant Hill Duke used to churn out nothing but trash before K started paying his players better.

Randolph was 17 years ago, Smith, 27 years ago, Skiles 31 years ago, and Willis 33 years ago. Of these, only Randolph really qualifies as great, and even that is a iffy statement depending on your definition of great. Of the MSU players that have been lottery picks since, you have Denzel Valentine, Jason Richardson, Mateen Cleeves, Shawn Respert. Only Richardson was ever anything more than a rotation player.

The question you should be asking is - What kind of kids is Izzo getting?

[Repeat 3-peat]

Watch on YouTube

Really like Porter with the Pels pick if he decides to enter the draft.

He looks smooth as hell. What’s his defense like? Starting C worthy or more of a 3rd big? Too slow to guard 4s I’m assuming?

I haven't watched a lot of him so I'm still learning about him but he seems like a pretty good rim protector, not so sure how well he defends the P&R, highlights don't show weakness.

Saturday he'll go against Daniel Gafford. A match up I'll be watching.

[erlim]

I could see things shaking out like this. The Warriors destroy everybody and easily win the chip, blasting through Houston and Cleveland (or Boston or Toronto) with little effort. Trae Young puts up silly numbers in March as his confidence and competitive drive comes to a head. Every front office will be head over heels in love with the idea for "The Next Steph Curry." It's just one of those things that reinforces the idea of how shallow NBA front offices can be.

On our end, I think we tank into the top five as Fred tinkers with the lineup, Markkanen gets his legs back under him, and Lauri/Dunn/Lavine put in the work to build chemistry. Anyway, I think things will work out that Trae Young does push some desirable piece to us. I don't think Ayton or JJJ are realistic, but it wouldn't be too crazy if Doncic or Porter were sitting there at 5.

[bulls4ever]

I think id go with Zhaire smith with Pels pick

I am also growing strong with Wendell Carter

Jaren Jackson Jr is one i think will be a super star but i wont cry if we miss him (but get Luka, Ayton,Porter)

Not sure what my order of preference would be but if we can get 2 of
Jaren jackson, Wendell carter, zhaire smith, DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic and Michael Porter I will be very happy

I see all other as somewhat equal and if we dont get one of the above Id be very unhappy (except of Bagley who i left out cause I rate bellow Jaren and unsure of fit)

And Zhaire Smith is my sleeper. If he is available with Pels pick id go for it (if nothing really good is available)

[pipfan]

I see a top tier of 7-and I would be VERY happy with any but Young

I would trade our 2019 pick, unprotected, for the best of the Bridges/Knox-and take on a bad salary (76ers make sense)

I want us to get a C and a SF to start now, and start fresh next year with our core all ready

[Dresden]

"If we end up at 6 and this is how it goes who do you take? Mikal, Bamba or Bagley?"

Tough call between Bamba and Bagley. Bagley is a better offensive player. Bamba is the far better rim protector. So the question is can Bagley become a better defender easier than Bamba can become a 4th option offensive threat. I've seen Bamba live. Bagley only on TV. My gut tells me to select Bamba. You can't teach 7-1" with a 79" wingspan. Bamba will be an ELITE rim protector. He has some basic offensive skills. Fred could hone his jumper to make him an outside threat that must be guarded. Bamba helps us match up with our conference rivals going forward. One thing that sways me is that Jarrett Allen is showing me a lot more as a pro than he showed playing for Texas. Maybe Shaka Smart's system doesn't showcase or develop big men that well. I know the Longhorns have underperformed to expectations two years in a row now. But Bamba is a far better physical prospect than Allen was. If Bamba is available when we pick I'd pull the trigger on him. Between Bagley and Bridges I'd have to go with Bagley. We can pick up a wing with the Pels pick, or wait til next year's draft which will be wing heavy.

I see the point about Bamba's defensive ability, but I just don't see that as being as impactful as what Bagley can do with his inside scoring and rebounding and overall tenaciousness. Bagley I think has a chance to be a superstar if his outside game develops. Bomba I don't see every developing the kind of scoring that AD has. He's just got too far to go. At best he might be a 10-12 ppg kind of guy that might make 1-2 three's per game, a few dunks off lobs or put backs. And he's a risk because of how thin he is. He'll have to put on a good bit of muscle to be effective at anything. Plus, I worry about guys that long and tall with injuries, if they aren't built like Ayton.

So I think Bagley just has a much higher upside. If I though Bomba could score 15 or more per game, it might be a different story, but I think that's 4-5 years away, if at all.

[kodo]

Watch on YouTube

Really like Porter with the Pels pick if he decides to enter the draft.

I'd also hire their coach...looks like he can get shots for stretch bigs and we can't.

But seriously, Porter looks good for a re-classified High School kid.