Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

But couldn’t you conceivably say that about 17,878 other players the league has seen before? If they had a point guard to feed them the ball they’d be x and y type of players.

Yes. You can.


I will say that if you took this version of Horford and plugged him into the exact role that Malone played for Utah at their apex ('95-'98), you'd likely see that team carry on without missing a beat.


Horford is a weaker, less talented version of the Mailman.


^

[MaceCase]

I'm just not understanding how when we were hearing and reading numerous puff pieces about Wendell's parents wanting him to stay in school or to have gone to Harvard instead of Duke they were commendable but when they make a comment against the NCAA they are meddlesome.

[kg01]

I know of World Changers but not much. Figured it was just another megachurch with all the trappings of megachurches. Anything in particular we should know? On a similar note, I remember vividly the rise and fall of New Birth.

I attended in Middle School and HS in the mid-90s.

I loved every minute of it.

But after I went off to college and Creflo Dollar became more renowned (and notorious) a lot of the flaws I hadn't noticed as a teenager became much more apparent to me.

A lot of well intentioned people have been swallowed up into a very flawed organization.

Fame and wealth are largely at odds with the lifestyle Christ chose to live. Something many at this church have chosen to ignore.

Stepping off my soapbox.

I think this is one area you and I will be in agreement. I know, I'm scared too.

Spoiler tag so I don't bore folks with my philosophical musings ...

Spoiler:

As a preacher/man of God, I don't think you should live as a pauper to prove how holy you are. But I think it's wrong(ish) to live like a billionaire too. We were never members at New Birth. We attended another church in that area so we were well aware of them. My sister actually went to HS with Eddie Long's son. They all went to prom in one of his Bentleys. That just never sat well with me.

I'm like, if you just drove a high-end Mercedes, you could probably help out 20 families with the money you saved by not buying a Bentley. His 'excuse' IIUC was that kids looked up to rappers who had Bentleys so he has one so the kids will look up to a preacher instead. Uhm, ok?

I read some of the stuff on Creflo and it just reads like a guy on the verge of losing his way, if he hasn't already. That's a sad state.

[kg01]

I'm just not understanding how when we were hearing and reading numerous puff pieces about Wendell's parents wanting him to stay in school or to have gone to Harvard instead of Duke they were commendable but when they make a comment against the NCAA they are meddlesome.

I said they were meddlesome, eye-roll worthy at that time too so you bet not be talking to me.

I ain't got time fo dat, ma$e.

[Jamaaliver]

I suspect it might have been aimed at me, since I was the one posting those puff pieces.
____________________________________________________________________________________________


I think it's fair to commend the Carters for being caring, involved parents who sacrificed greatly to keep their teenaged son on the right path in life, and also be concerned that they might overstep some boundaries as their son chooses to move into adulthood as a professional.

It's his limelight, not theirs. While they should undoubtedly continue to serve as mentors/advisors/support for their kid, it's more reasonable for it to occur in private.

Horford and Lonzo can attest to the pitfalls of having a parent speaking too loudly and too often...to everyone's detriment.

(Seriously, when's the last time we heard anything from LeBron's mom?)

[MaceCase]

I'm just not understanding how when we were hearing and reading numerous puff pieces about Wendell's parents wanting him to stay in school or to have gone to Harvard instead of Duke they were commendable but when they make a comment against the NCAA they are meddlesome.

I said they were meddlesome, eye-roll worthy at that time too so you bet not be talking to me.

I ain't got time fo dat, ma$e.

Well you and I see to eye to eye (bars) but alas, our collective eye-rolls weren't enough to reverse the earth's rotation with all the others lapping up Wendell's backstory. It's just funny though watching both Wendell's parent's and the public doing an about-face. Oh, and he needs to shorten his name to Dell or go by a middle name or something, unless he rolls up to the draft in a bowtie I'm having trouble saying Wendell with a straight face with his Chauncey-in-the-face-looking-ass.

[Jamaaliver]

Spoiler:

They all went to prom in one of his Bentleys. That just never sat well with me.

I'm like, if you just drove a high-end Mercedes, you could probably help out 20 families with the money you saved by not buying a Bentley. His 'excuse' IIUC was that kids looked up to rappers who had Bentleys so he has one so the kids will look up to a preacher instead. Uhm, ok?

I read some of the stuff on Creflo and it just reads like a guy on the verge of losing his way, if he hasn't already. That's a sad state.

Yeah, regarding Creflo, he always stated amidst public criticism that he had a strong council of church elders who guided and instructed him very intensely. If they took issue with anything he said or did, they never hesitated to speak up.

But considering how much money Creflo generates these days, I often wonder just how vocal they'll be.


Agree about the Bentley situation. It's difficult to reconcile that the pastor drives a Bentley and lives in a mansion while so many of his parishioners live in sub standard housing and struggle to keep their lights on.

I'd prefer these churches get more involved in job training, Habitat for Humanity style housing programs and credit/debt restructuring than using that money on worldly possessions.

But that's just me.

And, I'll suggest we relocate any further, related discussion to the Non-Sports threads before dms or ATL Boy step in to get us back on topic.

[atlantabbq99]

Supes? Is that you?

I don't know who that is.

And I can't reasonably say Wendell will be the caliber of player Karl Malone is.

But that style of play I think can be comparable. Overpowering smaller/weaker post players. Driving past slow footed defenders. And spacing the floor effectively from 18+ feet out.

But he'll need a strong, team oriented free flowing system.
And a PG capable of feeding him easy buckets.

Reasonable production in his prime: 16 ppg / 12 rpg / 4 apg / 1.5 bpg

Best Career season projection: 20 ppg / 12 rpg / 3 apg / 2 bpg

He can reasonably do everything Julius Randle can, but he can also shoot, pass, block shots, screen and play strong team defense. Things Randle can't consistently do yet.

20/12... this is basically poor man's DeMarcus Cousins.

[Jamaaliver]

Starting to get intrigued by Frazier...

Wouldn't be mad at all if he lands at 19.

Some high praise for the Tualne product. I still profile him somewhere around Caris Levert, RHJ level wing. Which could definitely be of use.

2018 NBA Draft: Here are six players who can surprise scouts and general managers at the combine

See who's been invited to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, and who could vastly help their stock

So who has a chance at standing out in Chicago? It's an unpredictable errand, trying to project who will perform best (but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun and try.)

Melvin Frazier, Tulane

2017-18 stats: 15.9 ppg | 5.6 rpg | 2.9 apg | 2.1 spg | 62.3 2-pt% | 38.5 3-pt %

A junior wing who played for a bad team in the American. Yep, you probably have no idea who this guy is, but guess what? He's got a shot at going in the first round. Frazier boasts a 7-foot-2 wingspan, is a top-20 defender and athlete in this year's draft crop, engages on both ends of the floor and has developed a reliable jump shot. He's got a great shot at standing out at the combine because there's plenty for him to prove -- yet he's already viewed as a lock to be picked. He'll probably go through all the drills and five-on-five play, and if shines, it could bump him into the low 20s.

CBS Sports

[Jamaaliver]

I like this kid as an Avery Bradley clone.

2018 NBA Draft: Here are six players who can surprise scouts and general managers at the combine

See who's been invited to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, and who could vastly help their stock

So who has a chance at standing out in Chicago? It's an unpredictable errand, trying to project who will perform best (but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun and try.)

Khyri Thomas, Creighton

2017-18 stats: 15.1 ppg | 4.4 rpg | 2.8 apg | 63.2 2-pt% | 41.6 3-pt %

A top-three two-way player in this draft, Thomas can surprise at the combine in this regard: if he charts so well in drills, and opts to play in five-on-five, he might well push himself into the lottery. For a player who was ranked 326th in his high school class, that's a great coming-of-age basketball story. Thomas has an NBA body, athleticism for the league and can shoot reliably from 22 feet. His wingspan is 6-foot-11. He's perhaps the most promising prospect, currently, who's not projected in the eyes of most to go in the top 20. That could easily change by May 17 or 18.

CBS Sports

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[MaceCase]

But the Knicks just gave $70 mil to an athletic wing... oh.

[Spud2nique]

I'm just not understanding how when we were hearing and reading numerous puff pieces about Wendell's parents wanting him to stay in school or to have gone to Harvard instead of Duke they were commendable but when they make a comment against the NCAA they are meddlesome.

I said they were meddlesome, eye-roll worthy at that time too so you bet not be talking to me.

I ain't got time fo dat, ma$e.

Well you and I see to eye to eye (bars) but alas, our collective eye-rolls weren't enough to reverse the earth's rotation with all the others lapping up Wendell's backstory. It's just funny though watching both Wendell's parent's and the public doing an about-face. Oh, and he needs to shorten his name to Dell or go by a middle name or something, unless he rolls up to the draft in a bowtie I'm having trouble saying Wendell with a straight face with his Chauncey-in-the-face-looking-ass.

Since his game resembles Alice, why don’t we just call him Wendy?

I’ll be here all week folks, please tip Dolf! (Actually don’t he left out the back with the squawk loot)...

[Spud2nique]

I said they were meddlesome, eye-roll worthy at that time too so you bet not be talking to me.

I ain't got time fo dat, ma$e.

Well you and I see to eye to eye (bars) but alas, our collective eye-rolls weren't enough to reverse the earth's rotation with all the others lapping up Wendell's backstory. It's just funny though watching both Wendell's parent's and the public doing an about-face. Oh, and he needs to shorten his name to Dell or go by a middle name or something, unless he rolls up to the draft in a bowtie I'm having trouble saying Wendell with a straight face with his Chauncey-in-the-face-looking-ass.

Since his game resembles Alice, why don’t we just call him Wendy?

I’ll be here all week folks, please tip Dolf! (Actually don’t he left out the back with the squawk loot)...

Ps I’m gonna $hhit on Dolf any chance I get.

[MaceCase]

I said they were meddlesome, eye-roll worthy at that time too so you bet not be talking to me.

I ain't got time fo dat, ma$e.

Well you and I see to eye to eye (bars) but alas, our collective eye-rolls weren't enough to reverse the earth's rotation with all the others lapping up Wendell's backstory. It's just funny though watching both Wendell's parent's and the public doing an about-face. Oh, and he needs to shorten his name to Dell or go by a middle name or something, unless he rolls up to the draft in a bowtie I'm having trouble saying Wendell with a straight face with his Chauncey-in-the-face-looking-ass.

Since his game resembles Alice, why don’t we just call him Wendy?

I’ll be here all week folks, please tip Dolf! (Actually don’t he left out the back with the squawk loot)...

I guess with the Southern drawl his name sounds cooler "Whh'en Daleee" but with any other accent it just sounds like "Windle".

[jayu70]

Read on Twitter

[DirtybirdGA]

One damn week for the lottery see y'all then...lol

[Spud2nique]

One damn week for the lottery see y'all then...lol

Wait, where you goin? This is when it heats up!

[thr3ep01nte4]

Upside is nice with a top 5 pick. Carter is enticing because he looks like a no nonsense solid starting C for years to come.

I can see JJJ playing significant minutes in the playoffs as a hybrid of Draymond Green and Thon Maker, Bamba as a Capela / Gobert. It’s hard to foresee a significant role for a big man in the playoffs if he can be exploited on defense. What’s Ayton’s role in the playoffs? Or Carter?

[Jamaaliver]

It’s hard to foresee a significant role for a big man in the playoffs if he can be exploited on defense. What’s Ayton’s role in the playoffs? Or Carter?

Carter profiles as an elite rebounder, an above average rim protector and strong team defender.

He could struggle guarding elite wing players on the perimeter. But he'll be a stronger defensive player than Collins or Dedmon while providing more offensive versatility.

Code: Select all

+ Pretty good awareness defensively. Disciplined about rotating to the rim and challenging shots. Makes up for his relatively slow feet with smart positioning.

+ 7’3 wingspan and decent vertical pop make him a solid rim protector. Averaging 3.2 blocks per 40.

+ Does fine sliding in space in east-west direction, but looks slow footed when forced to rapidly change direction north-south. Might struggle to contain quicker players in pick-and-roll.

The Stepien

Mid-season Scouting Report