Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

This kid dropped some serious weight to get slimmer/quicker for the league.

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By multiple accounts, his perimeter defense and lateral quickness have improved based on technique...meaning his biggest weakness has now been shored up.

we won't take him, but whoever does is getting a straight stud.

[dms269]

This kid dropped some serious weight to get slimmer/quicker for the league.

Read on Twitter

By multiple accounts, his perimeter defense and lateral quickness have improved based on technique...meaning his biggest weakness has now been shored up.

we won't take him, but whoever does is getting a straight stud.

Momma Carter? Is that you?

[kg01]

This kid dropped some serious weight to get slimmer/quicker for the league.

Read on Twitter

By multiple accounts, his perimeter defense and lateral quickness have improved based on technique...meaning his biggest weakness has now been shored up.

we won't take him, but whoever does is getting a straight stud.

Your son is Taj Gibson, Mrs. Carter.

[Jamaaliver]

Momma Carter? Is that you?

Et tu, UGA?

[kg01]

Momma Carter? Is that you?

Et tu, UGA?

You know you deserve it.

[ATL Boy]

Travis Schlenk mentioned on 92.9 this morning that him, coach Pierce and others from the Hawks brass went to Madrid and had dinner with Doncic recently.

It was completely glossed over in the interview when he said it but it's a big thing that we didn't know happened.


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[Jamaaliver]

Travis Schlenk mentioned on 92.9 this morning that him, coach Pierce and others from the Hawks brass went to Madrid and had dinner with Doncic recently.

It was completely glossed over in the interview when he said it but it's a big thing that we didn't know happened.


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That's a great catch, ATL_Man.

And a huge development. It doesn't bring any clarity to us...but I'm sure it helped sway our management one way or the other.

Knowing we've done full diligence on Doncic, I'm now fully resigned to accepting whatever option we choose at #3.

[kg01]

Travis Schlenk mentioned on 92.9 this morning that him, coach Pierce and others from the Hawks brass went to Madrid and had dinner with Doncic recently.

It was completely glossed over in the interview when he said it but it's a big thing that we didn't know happened.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Thanks for sitting through 92.9 drivel. It's like slogging through manure to find a lost diamond.

[ATL Boy]

Travis Schlenk mentioned on 92.9 this morning that him, coach Pierce and others from the Hawks brass went to Madrid and had dinner with Doncic recently.

It was completely glossed over in the interview when he said it but it's a big thing that we didn't know happened.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Thanks for sitting through 92.9 drivel. It's like slogging through manure to find a lost diamond.

The collective basketball IQ on that program is like 10, and all of that is from Rick Kamla who's not a complete idiot about the NBA.

As soon as someone starts listing off European busts as a basis for why we shouldn't draft Doncic (Mike Bell; Carl Dukes) I stop taking their opinion seriously.


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[Jamaaliver]

NBA draft: Five prospects who could be the next Donovan Mitchell

SG Donte DiVincenzo, Fr., Villanova

Villanova’s sixth man has enjoyed a meteoric rise up draft boards because of his sensational shooting ability, skills in transition and overall competitiveness. “I love him,” an NBA coach told Yahoo Sports. “He’s going to shock the league and he’s got the cojones to do it. … He was the best player in Chicago [at the NBA combine], and it wasn’t even close.”

Like Mitchell, DiVincenzo, 21, is a prototypical combo guard with two-way ability and the potential to become a three-level scorer. the “Michael Jordan of Delaware” has a legitimate chance to be the steal of this draft.



SG Lonnie Walker IV, Fr., Miami

Walker stands nearly 6-feet-5 and is 196 pounds with a 6-10 1/4 inch wingspan and has an enticing set of tools that has helped him generate buzz throughout the pre-draft process. An exciting two-way guard who checks every character box, there is a bounce and quickness to his game that should bode for the next level. Like DiVincenzo, the 19-year-old needs to tighten his handle and improve as a passer, specifically out of the pick-and-roll, where he will be tasked with becoming a secondary ball-handler. If he morphs into a more consistent perimeter shooter, he has legitimate potential — and not merely as a 3-and-D guy but as an All-Star.



SG Khyri Thomas, Jr., Creighton

At a shade under 6-4 with a ridiculous 6-10 1/2 inch wingspan and a compact build, Thomas is built similarly to Mitchell. He doesn’t have quite the explosiveness — few players do — but he’s not far off either. And, as one GM told Yahoo Sports, Thomas (who shot 41.1 percent from three-point range as a junior) can help in a variety of ways, not just as a shooter but has an outstanding defensive weapon as well (he was a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year). The key for Thomas — who’s also similar to rising Denver Nuggets star Gary Harris — is how well he adjusts as a playmaker, but the sample size of his improvement suggests that shouldn’t be a problem.

The bottom line: Thomas is the rare high-floor and high-ceiling prospect that teams covet.

Yahoo Sports

[Spud2nique]

NBA draft: Five prospects who could be the next Donovan Mitchell

SG Donte DiVincenzo, Fr., Villanova

Villanova’s sixth man has enjoyed a meteoric rise up draft boards because of his sensational shooting ability, skills in transition and overall competitiveness. “I love him,” an NBA coach told Yahoo Sports. “He’s going to shock the league and he’s got the cojones to do it. … He was the best player in Chicago [at the NBA combine], and it wasn’t even close.”

Like Mitchell, DiVincenzo, 21, is a prototypical combo guard with two-way ability and the potential to become a three-level scorer. the “Michael Jordan of Delaware” has a legitimate chance to be the steal of this draft.



SG Lonnie Walker IV, Fr., Miami

Walker stands nearly 6-feet-5 and is 196 pounds with a 6-10 1/4 inch wingspan and has an enticing set of tools that has helped him generate buzz throughout the pre-draft process. An exciting two-way guard who checks every character box, there is a bounce and quickness to his game that should bode for the next level. Like DiVincenzo, the 19-year-old needs to tighten his handle and improve as a passer, specifically out of the pick-and-roll, where he will be tasked with becoming a secondary ball-handler. If he morphs into a more consistent perimeter shooter, he has legitimate potential — and not merely as a 3-and-D guy but as an All-Star.



SG Khyri Thomas, Jr., Creighton

At a shade under 6-4 with a ridiculous 6-10 1/2 inch wingspan and a compact build, Thomas is built similarly to Mitchell. He doesn’t have quite the explosiveness — few players do — but he’s not far off either. And, as one GM told Yahoo Sports, Thomas (who shot 41.1 percent from three-point range as a junior) can help in a variety of ways, not just as a shooter but has an outstanding defensive weapon as well (he was a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year). The key for Thomas — who’s also similar to rising Denver Nuggets star Gary Harris — is how well he adjusts as a playmaker, but the sample size of his improvement suggests that shouldn’t be a problem.

The bottom line: Thomas is the rare high-floor and high-ceiling prospect that teams covet.

Gimme Khyri at 19!

[jayu70]

Travis Schlenk mentioned on 92.9 this morning that him, coach Pierce and others from the Hawks brass went to Madrid and had dinner with Doncic recently.

It was completely glossed over in the interview when he said it but it's a big thing that we didn't know happened.


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That's a great catch, ATL_Man.

And a huge development. It doesn't bring any clarity to us...but I'm sure it helped sway our management one way or the other.

Knowing we've done full diligence on Doncic, I'm now fully resigned to accepting whatever option we choose at #3.

Here's my synopsis of the entire interview...

TRAVIS SCHLENK on 92.9 The Game this morning:

Gneral -the Hawks have 3 players on their big board and there is no consensus amongst the staff, hopefully that happens over the next few days. Ideally looking for two-way players, Defense is great but you still have to be able to score the ball.  Had tons of calls right after lottery of teams probing trading up for our pick, it has since slowed and expect the calls to be even fewer of the next few days.

Luca - he went over to see him twice this year (he said he also saw him play previously, I guess when he was with GSW?). On his 2nd visit along with Pierce and Asst. Gm Peterson they met and had dinner with him and had a chance to speak at length with him. Loves his passion on the court and his humility off the court. Understands bball is a team game and he's all about making his teammates better.

Young - he gets the comparison to Curry because of the shooting but he's more impressed with his ability to pass the ball. His PnR ability with either hand is impressive and he reads it well and can make quick decisive reads from the PnR.

Bagley - loves his ability to score in a myriad of ways and his relentless motor 

Bamba - can dominate a game without touching the ball

JJJ - modern day big, defend and shoot the 3. Doctors think he's not done growing yet (since some bone thing is still open) may grow 2 more inches.

This is from memory so I may have missed more.

[kg01]

This is from memory so I may have missed more.

Heh, if my experience with ladies' remembries tells me anything, you didn't miss anything.

... I'll show myself out now.

[Jamaaliver]

Here's my synopsis of the entire interview...

TRAVIS SCHLENK on 92.9 The Game this morning:

Gneral -the Hawks have 3 players on their big board and there is no consensus amongst the staff, hopefully that happens over the next few days. Ideally looking for two-way players, Defense is great but you still have to be able to score the ball.  Had tons of calls right after lottery of teams probing trading up for our pick, it has since slowed and expect the calls to be even fewer of the next few days.

Luca - he went over to see him twice this year (he said he also saw him play previously, I guess when he was with GSW?). On his 2nd visit along with Pierce and Asst. Gm Peterson they met and had dinner with him and had a chance to speak at length with him. Loves his passion on the court and his humility off the court. Understands bball is a team game and he's all about making his teammates better.

Young - he gets the comparison to Curry because of the shooting but he's more impressed with his ability to pass the ball. His PnR ability with either hand is impressive and he reads it well and can make quick decisive reads from the PnR.

Bagley - loves his ability to score in a myriad of ways and his relentless motor 

Bamba - can dominate a game without touching the ball

JJJ - modern day big, defend and shoot the 3. Doctors think he's not done growing yet (since some bone thing is still open) may grow 2 more inches.

Interesting that all three top NBA guys went, but not Ressler. That's actually really re-assuring.

I've heard that quote Trav made regarding offense multiple times. Feels like a talking point. "You want two-way guys, but you can't win if you don't score 100."



My guess on the 3 players on the big board: Doncic, Trae and JJJ.

Jeff Peterson sitting down for dinner with him is promising.

Relevant Question: Can Lloyd Pierce's offense adequately feature a slow, oversized Euro guard with a doughy-physique and modest shooting?


Update:

Spoiler:

Code: Select all

Atlanta is said to be conflicted about Luka Doncic, and while they do have interest in Trae Young, they likely won’t select him unless they’re able to move down.

If they keep the pick, Jaren Jackson’s defensive versatility and potential as an inside-out scorer would be a terrific fit with incumbent John Collins, who prefers to rebound and bang on the inside. Some scouts think he could end up as the best player in the draft when it’s all said and done.

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[Spud2nique]

This is from memory so I may have missed more.

Heh, if my experience with ladies' remembries tells me anything, you didn't miss anything.

... I'll show myself out now.

No! Stay...have a drink. Let’s talk Brad...

[Jamaaliver]

1. This is a perfect marriage of need and available player.

2. This likely means #10 is no longer available to trade UP for.

3. This also indicates Fultz place in that lineup is now truly up in the air.

PG - Simmons
SG - Mikal Bridges
SF - Covington
PF - Super Dario
C - Embiid

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[Spud2nique]

1. This is a perfect marriage of need and available player.

2. This likely means #10 is no longer available to trade UP for.

3. This also indicates Fultz place in that lineup is now truly up in the air.

PG - Simmons
SG - Mikal Bridges
SF - Covington
PF - Super Dario
C - Embiid

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My booooyyyy!

[Jamaaliver]

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If Trae falls to #7, I definitely think we trade up/down for him.

[macd-gm]

Man we are right here at the draft finally. Seems like a lot of talk about Luka, Trae, JJJ, Porter, Bamba. Not that much talk about Bagley who seems like probably the most likely guy we end up with. Do we think the Hawks would pass on Bagley if he's there?