NBA Draft 2018 II

[Chi town]

I see way more Klay than Doug. Doug was a better / more versatile scorer (Knicks actually used him as more than a spot up shooter a lot this year, which is how he should be used), but Huerter is the better offensive player all around + way better defense.

I just don't see Huerter getting his shot off in this nba off the dribble. I like his shot and defense. I get the 3D appeal but nothing jumps off the screen for me. I still think someone will fall in love with him and he will go 14-18

Why don't not you think he gets his shot off?

Doesn’t have a strong enough handle. He will need PnR or ball movement to get by his man. In those he could be quite good. Don’t like him one iso at all though.

[doordoor123]

I’ve been studying Shamorie Ponds film because I wasn’t really sure what I thought of him, but I’ve become a fan. He isn’t quick, but his quickness reminds me a lot of Curry’s in college. I think strength and conditioning can make him quicker. He actually reminds me of Curry in the way that he makes quick decisions at the basket. Like he knows when to float it and he counters defenders when he know where they are. He has really good offensive awareness in terms of being aware of the defenders around him (not necessarily where his teammates are). You can say he’s too slow to reach the basket, but his awareness is going to help him get to the basket and when he gets there he has such great awareness finishing at the basket. He uses his entire body when he’s finishing and is able to do it with contact. If he were to wait two years before entering the draft I think he would be a lottery pick, or at least a first round pick, but I also think a lot of the development he needs to be that good would have to come from the NBA. He needs to be more aware of his team and needs to make the correct passes, he needs to be a better shooter and he needs to improve his speed/explosion.

[doordoor123]

And in terms of a deep sleeper, I like Thomas Wilder. I’ve been waiting all year for teams to get higher on him, but he’s older, isn’t a great shooter and hasn’t played against great competition. On the flip-side he’s really explosive, long, he’s great at getting fouled and he can defend. To me he screams someone that could be really useful. Tyrone Wallace was successful on the Clippers this year, I think Wilder can do that Wallace did, but Wilder is more explosive.

[916fan]

I’ve been studying Shamorie Ponds film because I wasn’t really sure what I thought of him, but I’ve become a fan. He isn’t quick, but his quickness reminds me a lot of Curry’s in college. I think strength and conditioning can make him quicker. He actually reminds me of Curry in the way that he makes quick decisions at the basket. Like he knows when to float it and he counters defenders when he know where they are. He has really good offensive awareness in terms of being aware of the defenders around him (not necessarily where his teammates are). You can say he’s too slow to reach the basket, but his awareness is going to help him get to the basket and when he gets there he has such great awareness finishing at the basket. He uses his entire body when he’s finishing and is able to do it with contact. If he were to wait two years before entering the draft I think he would be a lottery pick, or at least a first round pick, but I also think a lot of the development he needs to be that good would have to come from the NBA. He needs to be more aware of his team and needs to make the correct passes, he needs to be a better shooter and he needs to improve his speed/explosion.

How would you feel about a Kemba Walker comp? His handles aren't as good, but he navigates his way around like Kemba.

However, unlike Kemba, I don't think the team that drafts him will give him a greenlight for 4 straight years. It's insane how inefficient Kemba was.. 3 years under 40% FG

[NBA Fan 1234]

Lonnie Walker Breakdown - https://thefrontofficeeye.com/2018/05/26/lonnie-walker-breakdown/

Kevin Knox - https://thefrontofficeeye.com/2018/05/26/kevin-knox-breakdown/

Shai Gilgeous Alexander-https://thefrontofficeeye.com/2018/05/25/shai-gilgeous-alexander-breakdown/

(First two are with new video formats, Walker one being the video format I plan on using going forward - will just have visual tweaks for aesthetic purposes.)

[J_T]

Question. NBA asked Suns not to reveal who they are picking, even if they had decided. Is there an official rule not allowing teams to reveal their pick in advance?

[doordoor123]

I’ve been studying Shamorie Ponds film because I wasn’t really sure what I thought of him, but I’ve become a fan. He isn’t quick, but his quickness reminds me a lot of Curry’s in college. I think strength and conditioning can make him quicker. He actually reminds me of Curry in the way that he makes quick decisions at the basket. Like he knows when to float it and he counters defenders when he know where they are. He has really good offensive awareness in terms of being aware of the defenders around him (not necessarily where his teammates are). You can say he’s too slow to reach the basket, but his awareness is going to help him get to the basket and when he gets there he has such great awareness finishing at the basket. He uses his entire body when he’s finishing and is able to do it with contact. If he were to wait two years before entering the draft I think he would be a lottery pick, or at least a first round pick, but I also think a lot of the development he needs to be that good would have to come from the NBA. He needs to be more aware of his team and needs to make the correct passes, he needs to be a better shooter and he needs to improve his speed/explosion.

How would you feel about a Kemba Walker comp? His handles aren't as good, but he navigates his way around like Kemba.

However, unlike Kemba, I don't think the team that drafts him will give him a greenlight for 4 straight years. It's insane how inefficient Kemba was.. 3 years under 40% FG

That’s an interesting comparison, Kemba is more athletic, he’s quicker, a better passer and he’s a better defender, but I get what you’re saying. His spots, the way he pulls up and he also finishes well. It’s all similar to Walker.

[HeadtopChunes]

Gary Clark looks like an NBA player to me but he didn't get a combine invite.

Thoughts? Whats his potential? G league? Rotation player?

[rpa]

Question. NBA asked Suns not to reveal who they are picking, even if they had decided. Is there an official rule not allowing teams to reveal their pick in advance?

a) Where was this reported?
b) The NBA shouldn't have to say it. Short of their being an unquestionable #1 pick that EVERYONE knows will be the pick it behooves whoever has the pick to wait as long as possible. What if the Suns love Ayton, but the Kings come calling and say "we'll give you Fox and a 2020 pick swap to swap #2 for #1 so we can take Doncic"? Or what happens if the Suns love Ayton and he blows out his knee getting out of the shower?

[WalterBenjamin]

Hot take. Huerter has the most NBA moves of all the draft players. The way he scores the ball not yust shoots will do well in the NBA. Has potential to be more than just a 3 and D guy.

[J_T]

Question. NBA asked Suns not to reveal who they are picking, even if they had decided. Is there an official rule not allowing teams to reveal their pick in advance?

a) Where was this reported?
b) The NBA shouldn't have to say it. Short of their being an unquestionable #1 pick that EVERYONE knows will be the pick it behooves whoever has the pick to wait as long as possible. What if the Suns love Ayton, but the Kings come calling and say "we'll give you Fox and a 2020 pick swap to swap #2 for #1 so we can take Doncic"? Or what happens if the Suns love Ayton and he blows out his knee getting out of the shower?

The GM said it to the press yesterday.

Still nobody knows whether such rule exists?

[bulliedog8]

Why isnt Bonga getting more hype, when I see his tapes, I see a high potential star. Seems like he could be the steal in the draft in the 20s.

[nolang1]

I’ve been studying Shamorie Ponds film because I wasn’t really sure what I thought of him, but I’ve become a fan. He isn’t quick, but his quickness reminds me a lot of Curry’s in college. I think strength and conditioning can make him quicker. He actually reminds me of Curry in the way that he makes quick decisions at the basket. Like he knows when to float it and he counters defenders when he know where they are. He has really good offensive awareness in terms of being aware of the defenders around him (not necessarily where his teammates are). You can say he’s too slow to reach the basket, but his awareness is going to help him get to the basket and when he gets there he has such great awareness finishing at the basket. He uses his entire body when he’s finishing and is able to do it with contact. If he were to wait two years before entering the draft I think he would be a lottery pick, or at least a first round pick, but I also think a lot of the development he needs to be that good would have to come from the NBA. He needs to be more aware of his team and needs to make the correct passes, he needs to be a better shooter and he needs to improve his speed/explosion.

How would you feel about a Kemba Walker comp? His handles aren't as good, but he navigates his way around like Kemba.

However, unlike Kemba, I don't think the team that drafts him will give him a greenlight for 4 straight years. It's insane how inefficient Kemba was.. 3 years under 40% FG

Yeah, I feel crazy for being like the only person with Ponds in the mid-1st. His stats through 2 years of college are better than Walker’s and they play a similar style, so there has to be at least some upside of being that type of player. He has the same birthdate as Michael Porter Jr. and put up numbers this season that would be eyepopping coming from a freshman, he just has a low percentage on threes that’s more a shot selection/lack of teammates issue than an indictment of his jumper. He was the best player on the floor in games against Duke and Villanova this year.

[nolang1]

Question. NBA asked Suns not to reveal who they are picking, even if they had decided. Is there an official rule not allowing teams to reveal their pick in advance?

No, the Sixers seemed pretty overt about choosing Ben Simmons quite soon after winning the lottery.

[916fan]

Yeah, I feel crazy for being like the only person with Ponds in the mid-1st. His stats through 2 years of college are better than Walker’s and they play a similar style, so there has to be at least some upside of being that type of player. He has the same birthdate as Michael Porter Jr. and put up numbers this season that would be eyepopping coming from a freshman, he just has a low percentage on threes that’s more a shot selection/lack of teammates issue than an indictment of his jumper. He was the best player on the floor in games against Duke and Villanova this year.

Well the biggest negatives for him is that he's undersized. He's only around 6'1 175lbs with probably a 6'3 wingspan. With his lack of size and great quickness, how will he fair against NBA players? How will his defense be? Doesn't have good size for the position. His 3pt % also took a big hit this year. Shooting below 30% will knock you down draft boards. Ponds might be someone who needs a greenlight to get his game going, but I don't see any team in the league giving him it. Kemba was given the greenlight for 4 years despite being an inefficient chucker..mostly because he was the 9th pick and Charlotte was horrible anyways. With Ponds, do you see him being able to come in as a backup PG first and give solid production?

He wasn't one of the 60 to be invited to the draft combine, so maybe teams aren't high on him either.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Why isnt Bonga getting more hype, when I see his tapes, I see a high potential star. Seems like he could be the steal in the draft in the 20s.

I hear ya, he's one of those high-risk/high-reward type players.

I think the main knock on him seems to be a lack of off-ball skills, athleticism (he's fluid but not explosive) and shooting. He plays a ton of PG so his skill level and understanding of the game must be good for a kid his size but I doubt he will be asked to play the same role in the NBA and so its kind of an unknown how he will exactly translate. But yeah, there are definitely intriguing skills in a big body. All he needs is the experience/IQ to compensate for his lack of explosion using length and some improvement with his shooting and that could be a poor-mans Giannis.

[doordoor123]

Why isnt Bonga getting more hype, when I see his tapes, I see a high potential star. Seems like he could be the steal in the draft in the 20s.

I hear ya, he's one of those high-risk/high-reward type players.

I think the main knock on him seems to be a lack of off-ball skills, athleticism (he's fluid but not explosive) and shooting. He plays a ton of PG so his skill level and understanding of the game must be good for a kid his size but I doubt he will be asked to play the same role in the NBA and so its kind of an unknown how he will exactly translate. But yeah, there are definitely intriguing skills in a big body. All he needs is the experience/IQ to compensate for his lack of explosion using length and some improvement with his shooting and that could be a poor-mans Giannis.

Originally I had him pretty high, but I watched some of his games and it was super apparent how much he lacks skill and feel and everything else. He’s about as sure a thing as Bruno Caboclo was. For someone his size he can really handle the ball, but he has awful defensive instincts, no jumper, not a great passer, can’t play off-ball at all, doesn’t know how to box out, he needs to get stronger, etc etc etc. Long term he could be good, but he’s not worth drafting right now IMO. He would spend his entire contract in the G-league. He’s two years away from being two years away.

[doordoor123]

Chima Moneke is an interesting name to watch as a potential 2nd round player. Looks like a modern small-ball player.
Had a pro day today. Last year he scored 20 on Josh Jackson.
https://youtu.be/XSkpxjb92KY
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chima-moneke-1.html

[DirtyDez]

Big day for Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA and Nevada.

[GimmeDat]

Chima Moneke is an interesting name to watch as a potential 2nd round player. Looks like a modern small-ball player.
Had a pro day today. Last year he scored 20 on Josh Jackson.
https://youtu.be/XSkpxjb92KY
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chima-moneke-1.html

Going to comment on this because he's Australian. He's been super productive in college, smashes the boards, pretty athletic, etc. but I find it hard to get past the fact that he's listed at like 6'6, maybe 6'7 at best, with no range out to college 3 point line as a 22 year old. I'm not sure he's super long in the arms either.