Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[DirtybirdGA]

These guys are declaring almost as fast as they are eliminated, lol

[Spud2nique]

These guys are declaring almost as fast as they are eliminated, lol

[Jamaaliver]

I'm not very confident in MPJ's handle. Without a tight handle, you cannot effectively utilize that pull-up game.

But are you confident in our coaching staff's ability to improve his handle in Hawks University?

Do you have any confidence that Coach Bud could maximize MPJ's value with all the open jump shots our system could offer him?

That's the more fitting question -- can the player be best utilized by our leadership?
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Michael Porter Jr. Draft Rumors: Missouri SF Labeled 'Soft' After Back Injury

some folks around the NBA have harsh views on the 19-year-old following the Tigers' first-round NCAA tournament loss.

According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, one scout described Porter as "soft." Another wondered why he didn't return to the court sooner; others viewed him as "too cool."

Porter scored 28 points on 31 percent shooting and 30 percent from beyond the arc, adding 18 rebounds over two games.

Although his shooting stroke was rusty, he did haul in 18 rebounds over two games.
It would have been unfair to ask Porter to be on top of his game after missing nearly five months with a serious injury. Not only that, but he was also thrown into the fire of postseason play. That’s a tough ask of a 19-year-old.

Bleacher Report

[Ruzious]

I’d love to take him. [MPJ’s] smooth as silk on those pull-ups!

I'm sensing some potential nicknames from this!!!

Are you referring to a certain Mr. Wilkes who played some more than decent basketball in the 70's and 80's?

After those 2 tournament games, I hope MPJ learns to pass every once in a while - especially when he's got his kid brother as a teammate. Young Jontay seems to see the floor better.

[macd-gm]

So just out of curiousity. Who thinks Trae will be a better PG than Dennis?

Counter question: How reasonable is it to ask Budenholzer to convert Trae into another Tony Parker?

They share a lot of the same flaws/skills from Tony's early years with the Spurs.

I think Bud could definitely work with Trae. I actually think he'd be really hard to defend in a Bud offense and he'll get a lot of open looks for other guys. Dennis' wingspan is great but if he's still a bad defender then what advantage is that really. Trae is a better ball handler, better shooter already. His vision also seems really good but you can't really judge what that will be in the NBA. I think Trae has moved down a lot of draft boards but I'm predicting he'll move back up by the time the draft rolls around.

[dms269]

Dumb Dennis just had to go and score 41 points in a game we should be losing.
Tied for 3rd worse now. Mavs, Nets, Kings, and Bulls are all within distance.
We are still within striking distance of the Grizz and Suns.

[macd-gm]

Well Dennis tried to throw the game by slapping Rubio but still wasn't enough. Man, people really hate Rubio.

[Spud2nique]

Well Dennis tried to throw the game by slapping Rubio but still wasn't enough. Man, people really hate Rubio.

I do! It’s his hair, face and voice for me...he’s just a lil..

[Spud2nique]

The Ringer

So just out of curiousity. Who thinks Trae will be a better PG than Dennis?

Short answer: Trae

I’m really not sure why I don’t like him more...I really should I’ve always said I love for pg’s to be able to shoot...he does that, and then some! Dennis has to be set when he shoots, he’s not a natural shooter like Trae. Dennis has an edge about him but it’s not channeled towards winning, more towards spurts of good play due to somebody upsetting him. I’d say I’d give the focus and grit to Trae here as well. The speed, that is Dennis for sure.

Again, the right situation for Trae is important. He goes to the Magic and he could be in trouble. He goes to the Hawks, he might be a future Hall of Famer.

Trae Young is a type of prospect that I’ve been hoping the Hawks land since the 80’s. We had Mookie and that was nice, very nice....but even Mookie had to had those feet set.

Ok Dennis stop reading realgm...

[Jamaaliver]

This is tragic and, for me, the only real concern regarding holding 18 year old kids from the NBA.

The risk of recurring, career threatening injury:

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[thr3ep01nte4]

I'm not very confident in MPJ's handle. Without a tight handle, you cannot effectively utilize that pull-up game.

But are you confident in our coaching staff's ability to improve his handle in Hawks University?

Do you have any confidence that Coach Bud could maximize MPJ's value with all the open jump shots our system could offer him?

Yup. And also QUIT WINNING NOW!!! Gotta bench all the starters. Winning last night at Utah is not good for either party.

[dms269]

This is tragic and, for me, the only real concern regarding holding 18 year old kids from the NBA.

The risk of recurring, career threatening injury:

Read on Twitter

The idea of, "Why play the NIT?" could be said the same as "Why play any bowl outside of the playoff?". The kids obviously love the sport, so any chance they have to play more is what they want to do.

[dms269]

I'm not very confident in MPJ's handle. Without a tight handle, you cannot effectively utilize that pull-up game.

But are you confident in our coaching staff's ability to improve his handle in Hawks University?

Do you have any confidence that Coach Bud could maximize MPJ's value with all the open jump shots our system could offer him?

Yup. And also QUIT WINNING NOW!!! Gotta bench all the starters. Winning last night at Utah is not good for either party.

Can't exactly bench the starters due to the Silverman.

[jayu70]

But are you confident in our coaching staff's ability to improve his handle in Hawks University?

Do you have any confidence that Coach Bud could maximize MPJ's value with all the open jump shots our system could offer him?

Yup. And also QUIT WINNING NOW!!! Gotta bench all the starters. Winning last night at Utah is not good for either party.

Can't exactly bench the starters due to the Silverman.

Dennis can take a 'maintenance day' he deserves it.

[Spud2nique]

Yup. And also QUIT WINNING NOW!!! Gotta bench all the starters. Winning last night at Utah is not good for either party.

Can't exactly bench the starters due to the Silverman.

Dennis can take a 'maintenance day' he deserves it.

How bout a maintenance 2 weeks?...

[Jamaaliver]

Man, the hype would rise to an unreal level if this young man ends up in NY:

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

3. Marvin Bagley III, F/C, Duke | Freshman

Height: 6'11" | Weight: 235 | Age: 19 | Last: 3
Stats: 21.2 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 61.3% FG

Bagley has been one of college basketball’s most productive players from start to finish this season, utilizing his athletic mismatch to score in the paint and manufacturing easy baskets on the offensive glass at an elite clip. His success is all the more impressive when you consider he reclassified—he should have been a high school senior, and instead he averaged a double-double at Duke. That has to be a factor when considering his weaknesses—he’s extremely left-hand dominant, his jump shot is still developing, and he doesn't make much of an impact on defense. It’s easy to nitpick his game given his lofty expectations, but Bagley is far from a finished product. He can be a force if he puts it all together. Drafting him is betting on talent to find a way.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Anfernee Simons, G, IMG Academy | HS Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 180 | Age: 18 | Last: 22
Stats (2017 UnderArmour Association): 15.3 PPG, 41.4% 3FG

NBA scouts continue to do their homework on Simons, who turns 19 in June, is completing a postgrad season and plans to test the draft waters before deciding whether to attend college. He will play at the Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic in April, which will be a major opportunity to solidify his draft range. He’s a springy, quick-twitch athlete who is more of a combo guard at this stage of his development, but undersized to play shooting guard, which is probably a more natural spot. He’s at his best when he’s aggressive and attacking the basket, and is a promising shooter. He needs to get stronger and establish himself as a defender, but has a solid chance to be a first-round pick off upside. He’ll be a long-term project if he comes out.

SI Scouting Report

[Jamaaliver]

Who is Anfernee Simons, the top-10 recruit who will enter the 2018 NBA Draft through a loophole?

Simons is ranked as the No. 8 player in his class by ESPN.

Anfernee Simons, a 6’4 guard out of Orlando, is reportedly eligible for June’s draft and has decided to enter, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

So: who is Anfernee Simons and why is he eligible for the for the 2018 draft? Here’s an introduction to one of the best young guards in high school basketball.

Read on Twitter

Simons is a major late bloomer. He is a 6’4 combo guard whose strengths are shooting and creating offense off the dribble. His biggest weakness is his weakness. He’s going to need to get a lot stronger physically.

Last season he was the Class 7A player of the year in Florida, averaging 23.8 points per game. He also solidified his rapid rise with a breakout year on the Under Armour Association for Team Breakdown.

Right now, Simons looks like one of the best long-term backcourt prospects in high school basketball. Many scouts will still view him as a developmental prospect who would likely need multiple years in the G-League to add strength and turn into a consistent scorer.

But clearly, his stock was on the rise, so he’s decided to capitalize on it.

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