Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[thr3ep01nte4]

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

So he's like Derrick Favors?

[kg01]

Gibson, Taj
Davis, Ed
Thomas, Kurt
Brown, PJ
Rounder, 2nd

[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.

So he's like Derrick Favors?

I have heard that comparison more than once.

Truth be told, I've paid so little attention to Favors the last couple of years in Utah, I've forgotten a how he plays.

[Jamaaliver]

I STILL JUST SEE Myles Turner/Serge Ibaka.

NBA execs' analysis of MSU's Jaren Jackson, Jr. varies

Some believe Jackson is the can’t-miss prospect, sure to be taken in the top five where most mock drafts have him pegged. Still, at least one scout has the 6-foot-11 freshman rated lower, going somewhere around the 10th or 11th pick.

“He's athletic, he's got really good hands and he can shoot the three,” one Western Conference executive said. “His shot, it looks funky but it goes in. So you project a kid like that can shoot the three from our distance. … You see his shoulders. He can put some weight on. I see his motor, goes after every rebound. He has a lot of positive qualities about him."

Jackson played just more than 21 minutes a game for the Spartans but averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range. His versatility was also on display as a defender, blocking a program-record 106 shots.

It’s the sort of athleticism that had an Eastern Conference coach admiring Jackson’s versatility in “positionless” basketball and made him a sure-fire top-five pick.

“He's long enough for shot blocking. He can switch and stay in front of guys,” the Western Conference executive said. “I'm telling you, I can see him playing small-ball five all day. I think he's gonna be a power forward. He's gotta get stronger, that's gonna happen naturally. His instincts, his timing, though.

“Three years from now, I can see him having the impact, like why didn't they take this kid No. 1 overall? I can see that. With his mobility, he can be the best in his class.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________


Still, Jackson’s future isn’t a slam dunk.

Another Eastern Conference scout sees the same value in Jackson as a defender but wonders about his potential on the offensive end.

“What would be his position?” the scout said. “He's a defensive player right now. He can shoot the three if he's wide open, but he's not a shooter. He's gonna be all right. I slid him down.

“I have him 10-11. He's long, he's more a defensive guy, rebound and pass a little bit. He's gotta go to the right team.”



“I just think the kid has been raised right,” the executive said. “Everybody knows his dad but his mom has been on him about being serious, being businesslike. He's got the work ethic. He's just immature. He's young. He's doing kid stuff.

“You watch his ability, his length, his quickness, his motor. You put all this together and five years, boom. You got yourself a stud.”

Detroit News

[kg01]

I STILL JUST SEE Myles Turner/Serge Ibaka.

NBA execs' analysis of MSU's Jaren Jackson, Jr. varies

Some believe Jackson is the can’t-miss prospect, sure to be taken in the top five where most mock drafts have him pegged. Still, at least one scout has the 6-foot-11 freshman rated lower, going somewhere around the 10th or 11th pick.

“He's athletic, he's got really good hands and he can shoot the three,” one Western Conference executive said. “His shot, it looks funky but it goes in. So you project a kid like that can shoot the three from our distance. … You see his shoulders. He can put some weight on. I see his motor, goes after every rebound. He has a lot of positive qualities about him."

Jackson played just more than 21 minutes a game for the Spartans but averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range. His versatility was also on display as a defender, blocking a program-record 106 shots.

It’s the sort of athleticism that had an Eastern Conference coach admiring Jackson’s versatility in “positionless” basketball and made him a sure-fire top-five pick.

“He's long enough for shot blocking. He can switch and stay in front of guys,” the Western Conference executive said. “I'm telling you, I can see him playing small-ball five all day. I think he's gonna be a power forward. He's gotta get stronger, that's gonna happen naturally. His instincts, his timing, though.

“Three years from now, I can see him having the impact, like why didn't they take this kid No. 1 overall? I can see that. With his mobility, he can be the best in his class.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________


Still, Jackson’s future isn’t a slam dunk.

Another Eastern Conference scout sees the same value in Jackson as a defender but wonders about his potential on the offensive end.

“What would be his position?” the scout said. “He's a defensive player right now. He can shoot the three if he's wide open, but he's not a shooter. He's gonna be all right. I slid him down.

“I have him 10-11. He's long, he's more a defensive guy, rebound and pass a little bit. He's gotta go to the right team.”



“I just think the kid has been raised right,” the executive said. “Everybody knows his dad but his mom has been on him about being serious, being businesslike. He's got the work ethic. He's just immature. He's young. He's doing kid stuff.

“You watch his ability, his length, his quickness, his motor. You put all this together and five years, boom. You got yourself a stud.”

Detroit News

I don't understand how a scout can see a guy's shot, call it 'funky' looking but assume he'll be able to shoot the 3 well at the next level?

[Spud2nique]

I found this mock draft live thing with what looks to be a young aspiring Brian Windhorst, a chad Ford clone and a Kevin Love wannabe sitting around like a bunch of yuppies talkin hoops...

They simulated the draft ..(I can’t believe I watched this) and had the Hawks picking 3rd. With that pick they each selected a player at that slot for us.

Windhorst: Bamba
Chad Ford knockoff: JJJ
Kevin Love jr: Bagley

Hawks talk starts at 35:30-46:45 in case you don’t want to waste your time watching the three stooges.

Watch on YouTube

[Jamaaliver]

I don't understand how a scout can see a guy's shot, call it 'funky' looking but assume he'll be able to shoot the 3 well at the next level?

1. That's a really good point.

2. I've read that scouts look at the distance, frequency and consistency of the jumper to help determine if it translates.

Statistically, high level, consistent FT% portend the ability to extend range out beyond the NBA 3-pt line. Or so I've heard time and time again.



But, yeah, it's kind of a confusing, funky statement.

[Jamaaliver]

Windhorst: Bamba
Chad Ford knockoff: JJJ
Kevin Love jr: Bagley

I don't love any of those options.

But at least Bagley projects as a consistent, high-level scorer. Though according to a recent interview with C-Viv...that's the guy T Schlenk is least enamored with.

[jayu70]

I found this mock draft live thing with what looks to be a young aspiring Brian Windhorst, a chad Ford clone and a Kevin Love wannabe sitting around like a bunch of yuppies talkin hoops...

They simulated the draft ..(I can’t believe I watched this) and had the Hawks picking 3rd. With that pick they each selected a player at that slot for us.

Windhorst: Bamba
Chad Ford knockoff: JJJ
Kevin Love jr: Bagley

Hawks talk starts at 35:30-46:45 in case you don’t want to waste your time watching the three stooges.

You know what this tell me? That beyond Ayton and Doncic the rest is a crap shoot. So pick BPA.

[Spud2nique]

I found this mock draft live thing with what looks to be a young aspiring Brian Windhorst, a chad Ford clone and a Kevin Love wannabe sitting around like a bunch of yuppies talkin hoops...

They simulated the draft ..(I can’t believe I watched this) and had the Hawks picking 3rd. With that pick they each selected a player at that slot for us.

Windhorst: Bamba
Chad Ford knockoff: JJJ
Kevin Love jr: Bagley

Hawks talk starts at 35:30-46:45 in case you don’t want to waste your time watching the three stooges.

You know what this tell me? That beyond Ayton and Doncic the rest is a crap shoot. So pick BPA.

Well yes definitely. I do still think we can weed out the better players through the process and by the team and individual one on one workouts but the top 2 players in this draft might not be the top players down the road. We really need to get this right though. We can’t afford to miss on a huge pick like this. It could set us back about 2 years if we do.

I really think this is a top 7-8 star potential type of draft. Again, we are going to end up with a good player, but I hope we get the great player and nail it for once.


Im starting to really warm up to JJJ for some reason. When you watch film of the guy he is just tenacious on the boards and is a great 2nd and 3rd leaper off the floor. That screams offensive rebounds and rebounds in general. If we drafted him and have Collins in place, I think we would be one of the most dominant rebounding teams in the league.

[kg01]

I don't understand how a scout can see a guy's shot, call it 'funky' looking but assume he'll be able to shoot the 3 well at the next level?

1. That's a really good point.

2. I've read that scouts look at the distance, frequency and consistency of the jumper to help determine if it translates.

Statistically, high level, consistent FT% portend the ability to extend range out beyond the NBA 3-pt line. Or so I've heard time and time again.

But, yeah, it's kind of a confusing, funky statement.

I love listening to Tim Legler on radio talk about shooting. He was asked why a guy like Zack Lavine tends to be an inconsistent shooter despite having a seemingly smooth shooting motion. He said it's because of how high he jumps (when shooting). THere's no way to tell how high he's jumping on each shot so the release point is always different. Thus, every shot he shoots is different regardless of his form.

That's why I was intrigued by the scout's comment. If the dude's shot is "funky" looking, what reference point would he have to suggest the results would be the same if the kid steps out a few more feet? That's all I'm axin'

[Jamaaliver]

I love listening to Tim Legler on radio talk about shooting. He was asked why a guy like Zack Lavine tends to be an inconsistent shooter despite having a seemingly smooth shooting motion. He said it's because of how high he jumps (when shooting). THere's no way to tell how high he's jumping on each shot so the release point is always different. Thus, every shot he shoots is different regardless of his form.

That's a h3ll of an analysis by Legler.

An analyst who has improved tremendously from a less than stellar first couple of seasons on TV.

[kg01]

I love listening to Tim Legler on radio talk about shooting. He was asked why a guy like Zack Lavine tends to be an inconsistent shooter despite having a seemingly smooth shooting motion. He said it's because of how high he jumps (when shooting). THere's no way to tell how high he's jumping on each shot so the release point is always different. Thus, every shot he shoots is different regardless of his form.

That's a h3ll of an analysis by Legler.

An analyst who has improved tremendously from a less than stellar first couple of seasons on TV.

I haven't watched ESPN in probably 10+ years so I vaguely recall him from back then. He's definitely gotten better.

He went in on OKC, particularly Billy Donovan, this postseason. The theme was, "It doesn't matter that he/they are hard to coach. If you didn't think you could get them to play the right way, why did you even take the job."

[jayu70]

I love listening to Tim Legler on radio talk about shooting. He was asked why a guy like Zack Lavine tends to be an inconsistent shooter despite having a seemingly smooth shooting motion. He said it's because of how high he jumps (when shooting). THere's no way to tell how high he's jumping on each shot so the release point is always different. Thus, every shot he shoots is different regardless of his form.

That's a h3ll of an analysis by Legler.

An analyst who has improved tremendously from a less than stellar first couple of seasons on TV.

I haven't watched ESPN in probably 10+ years so I vaguely recall him from back then. He's definitely gotten better.

He went in on OKC, particularly Billy Donovan, this postseason. The theme was, "It doesn't matter that he/they are hard to coach. If you didn't think you could get them to play the right way, why did you even take the job."

I've enjoyed listening to Legler. Brent Barry as well.

[MaceCase]

The issue with JJJs shot is that it has a funky hitch. That hitch hasn’t affected his accuracy as he’s been a consistent shooter for some time so scouts are not going to look at him stepping back a few feet as being the largest obstacle.

What that hitch does do is make JJJ’s release slow and low which means easily defended. You look at his MSU highlights and the amount of space he has from his teammates drawing attention is enough to make GS Draymond blush. It’s why he needs a perfect situation, either he goes to a team with multiple established offensive options or there better be an emphasis on acquiring them over the next few drafts/free agencies.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[tbhawksfan1]

Big guys get more space if a big is guaring them. If there's a switch and they have a smaller player, just shoot over the top. Big guys have a stroke advantage by not jumping on their jumper. Just kind of lift their heels

[atlantabbq99]

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

So he's like Derrick Favors?

Favors can't shoot threes

[atlantabbq99]

I STILL JUST SEE Myles Turner/Serge Ibaka.

NBA execs' analysis of MSU's Jaren Jackson, Jr. varies

Some believe Jackson is the can’t-miss prospect, sure to be taken in the top five where most mock drafts have him pegged. Still, at least one scout has the 6-foot-11 freshman rated lower, going somewhere around the 10th or 11th pick.

“He's athletic, he's got really good hands and he can shoot the three,” one Western Conference executive said. “His shot, it looks funky but it goes in. So you project a kid like that can shoot the three from our distance. … You see his shoulders. He can put some weight on. I see his motor, goes after every rebound. He has a lot of positive qualities about him."

Jackson played just more than 21 minutes a game for the Spartans but averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range. His versatility was also on display as a defender, blocking a program-record 106 shots.

It’s the sort of athleticism that had an Eastern Conference coach admiring Jackson’s versatility in “positionless” basketball and made him a sure-fire top-five pick.

“He's long enough for shot blocking. He can switch and stay in front of guys,” the Western Conference executive said. “I'm telling you, I can see him playing small-ball five all day. I think he's gonna be a power forward. He's gotta get stronger, that's gonna happen naturally. His instincts, his timing, though.

“Three years from now, I can see him having the impact, like why didn't they take this kid No. 1 overall? I can see that. With his mobility, he can be the best in his class.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________


Still, Jackson’s future isn’t a slam dunk.

Another Eastern Conference scout sees the same value in Jackson as a defender but wonders about his potential on the offensive end.

“What would be his position?” the scout said. “He's a defensive player right now. He can shoot the three if he's wide open, but he's not a shooter. He's gonna be all right. I slid him down.

“I have him 10-11. He's long, he's more a defensive guy, rebound and pass a little bit. He's gotta go to the right team.”



“I just think the kid has been raised right,” the executive said. “Everybody knows his dad but his mom has been on him about being serious, being businesslike. He's got the work ethic. He's just immature. He's young. He's doing kid stuff.

“You watch his ability, his length, his quickness, his motor. You put all this together and five years, boom. You got yourself a stud.”

Detroit News

I don't understand how a scout can see a guy's shot, call it 'funky' looking but assume he'll be able to shoot the 3 well at the next level?

If you can shoot 3s in college and also can shoot +75% free throws, then usually that means you will be able to shoot 3s in the NBA. Just look at Justise Winslow and Lonzo Ball.

I'm not a big fan of JJ but i would take him over Bamba 10 out of 10 times.

[atlantabbq99]

Read on Twitter

I'm a big fan of Jontay ever since last December. I thought we should take him at 30, but now i'm thinking about taking him at 18