Moderators: dms269, HMFFL, Jamaaliver
macd-gm wrote:I don't know. Who the hell is Mo Bamba to think he should be able to dictate where he goes? Makes me really not want him now.
The Nine Players in the 2018 NBA Draft Who Will Not Fail
Chris Vernon of ‘The Ringer NBA Show’ shares a list of the prospects he is 100 percent positive will not suck. Throw your mock drafts out. They won’t help you here
Luka Doncic
I have expressed my worry that Doncic might not have the athleticism it takes to be a massive star in the NBA. That being said, he is smart, he plays hard, and he can dribble, pass, and shoot. I’m positive he is not going to be a failure. He is too good at basketball to fail. He also has a massive tiger tattoo on his forearm, which is a big plus. More than anything, I have warmed up to him more and more since the word that NBA teams have cooled on him, because that means he is probably amazing.
Wendell Carter Jr.
This is a little reminiscent of when Al Horford and Joakim Noah were in the same draft in 2007. I loved both of them and thought there was no chance that either of them failed. It was just a matter of how good they were going to be. Bagley is the best prospect in the draft in my opinion, but Carter is also a beast. His fundamentals are ridiculous, he is huge and has a massive wingspan — and his shot looks as good as any player’s in the draft. A smart big that can run the floor, plays hard, and can shoot 3s? Those guys don’t fail.
The RingerMiles Bridges
He can dribble, pass, and shoot. He is a freak athlete. He is a smart kid that comes off great in all of his interviews. He is tough as nails. You can have the guys that you think are going to be good, and I’ll take the one that I know will be. Miles Bridges is a perfect example of why teams and analysts miss in the NBA draft. He will absolutely be better than many players taken in front of him and you can see it from a mile away.
Jacob Evans
Cincinnati won a school-record 31 games, and Evans was the best prospect on the team. His sophomore season he was a finalist for the Jerry West Award, which goes to the best shooting guard in the country, and his junior year he was a finalist for the Julius Erving Award, which goes to the best small forward in the country. Cincy coach Mick Cronin had this to say about him: “He is a winner. He shoots a high percentage. He’s an elite defender. He blocks shots. He guards point guards. He rebounds. He just does so many things, and he’s a coach on the floor. He’s such a smart player.” Umm, sold.
Donte DiVincenzo
At one point during this draft process, someone asked me, “If we saw DiVincenzo drop 31 in the title game, be great all season, and test physically off the charts, then why in the hell is he supposed to go late first round?” Great question, anonymous guy! The answer is because that is where the mock draft consensus has him slotted, and the mock draft consensus is dumb. He’s a big-time competitor, super athlete, can shoot the cover off the ball, and in the biggest game of the season, he looked like the best player on maybe the best college team I have ever seen.
Clips Nation2018 NBA Draft Profile: Wendell Carter Jr. Is Terrific at Basketball
Duke’s lesser-known big men is one of the best prospects in a stacked draft class. And he could fall to the Clippers.
Strengths:
Where to begin… Wendell Carter is perhaps the most well-rounded prospect in the entire draft, providing at least average capabilities at almost every skill of importance for a modern big man. He’s a large guy with decent athleticism, making him a strong rebounder on both ends of the court. That same size also enables him to muscle for position in the low post on offense, and he can go up strong around the basket with both hands. His footwork in the post is extremely advanced for his age, and he’s capable of spin moves, duck-ins, and a variety of hook shots.
When placed on the perimeter on offense, Carter is just as useful. He’s the best playmaking center in this draft class, working extremely well with Marvin Bagley III in two-big sets at Duke. That passing (as well as his solid screening ability) also serves him well in dribble handoffs, a staple of current NBA offenses. While he’s not a gunner from outside, he’s a serviceable shooter from the perimeter, someone who the defense at least must make a show of guarding.
On defense, Wendell uses his large frame and wingspan to protect the rim with force. He’s doesn’t have incredible bounce, but he has enough to get up and reject opposing big men, though truly explosive leapers could finish over him. Moreover, he’s a smart defensive player who rotates well, and works hard to get back into position once he’s helped
Weaknesses:
The criticisms of Wendell seem more like nitpicks than actual weaknesses. He’s slightly undersized as a big man at 6’10”, and there will be times when his finishing on offense and rim protection on defense are compromised somewhat as a result. Similarly, he’s not an explosive athlete like some of his counterparts in this draft-- he won’t be quite as gifted a highlight-maker or shot-creator as his peers might be. Sometimes he’s a bit hesitant on offense, overthinking things rather than just playing ball. This can lead to turnovers or sticky offensive possessions, though hopefully the right coaching staff and environment would be able to cure this relatively easily.
Bottom Line:
While he doesn’t have the superstar upside of some of those other players, Carter is a high-floor prospect who still possesses a ceiling as a perennial All-Star.
SichtingLives wrote:life hack:
When a man heaves a live chainsaw towards you from distance, stand still. No one has good accuracy throwing a chainsaw.
ATL Boy wrote:If the Hawks take JJJ with Luka still on the board then I predict that Schlenk will be out of a job in a few years.
Bleacher Report1 Prospect Every Team Should Avoid in 2018 NBA Draft
Atlanta Hawks (3, 19, 30): Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Atlanta Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07 and were awful by design. That worked out in securing them the No. 3 pick this year.
The expression "Go big or go home” doesn't apply here. In fact, the Hawks should stay away from bigs altogether or nab one with one of their other two first-round picks.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has upside and may be the best two-way big man in the draft, but he doesn't come across as a franchise cornerstone. As B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has pointed out, "Jackson appears closest in style to Serge Ibaka, who has never made an All-Star Game."
Ibaka, while playing an integral role during his early days with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has never been able to lead a team. Jackson is another player who could eventually become a third (maybe second?) option for a contender, but the Hawks need someone who can make Atlanta a threat, not establish himself as a role player throughout the process.
The Hawks need to roll the dice on a franchise player, and Jackson isn't that. Atlanta is better off taking Luka Doncic if he's available, and it's looking increasingly likely that he will be.
macd-gm wrote:Spud2nique wrote:kg01 wrote:
Nah, just look at Julius Randle or Mike Beasley. Those are his likely paths.
ETA: Actually, even the eggsperts that love him are basically saying stte, "Of course he'll be a 20/10 guy but will he impact winning?"
First of all there were like 2 20/10 guys in the entire league the last 2 seasons so to suggest 'of course' he'll do it is laughable to me. Second, if he's approaching those nimbers but questionably impacting winning .... why do we want him again?
.... #EZPassLane?
No way! Bagley was born to play in the NBA. Forget college where he dominated stat wise but was in a funky coach K system. He gets to the league and he’s gonna demand doubles. This guy is no Julius Randle (who I like btw) and no way on earth he’s remotely close to Beasley...I knew that guy was a bust before he was even drafted.
Kg, I don’t think you’ve seen the way Bagley handles the ball in open space. He can dribble and actually be crafty with the ball.
Sometimes i think that and sometimes i think that here's a guy who made most of his points on dunks against inferior athletes. What does he do well to score the ball the nba? Can he post up? hit a fade away? take his man off the dribble? The last one maybe but nba 4s are a lot quicker and a lot bigger.
azuresou1 wrote:Mo Bamba refusing to work out for MEM makes me respect him more, not less. Would YOU want to play for that **** ass franchise? I sure as hell wouldn't.
Bagley is going to be a good stats/bad team player. You can't be that bad defensively as a big and play on a winning team.
macd-gm wrote:Spud2nique wrote:kg01 wrote:
Nah, just look at Julius Randle or Mike Beasley. Those are his likely paths.
ETA: Actually, even the eggsperts that love him are basically saying stte, "Of course he'll be a 20/10 guy but will he impact winning?"
First of all there were like 2 20/10 guys in the entire league the last 2 seasons so to suggest 'of course' he'll do it is laughable to me. Second, if he's approaching those nimbers but questionably impacting winning .... why do we want him again?
.... #EZPassLane?
No way! Bagley was born to play in the NBA. Forget college where he dominated stat wise but was in a funky coach K system. He gets to the league and he’s gonna demand doubles. This guy is no Julius Randle (who I like btw) and no way on earth he’s remotely close to Beasley...I knew that guy was a bust before he was even drafted.
Kg, I don’t think you’ve seen the way Bagley handles the ball in open space. He can dribble and actually be crafty with the ball.
Sometimes i think that and sometimes i think that here's a guy who made most of his points on dunks against inferior athletes. What does he do well to score the ball the nba? Can he post up? hit a fade away? take his man off the dribble? The last one maybe but nba 4s are a lot quicker and a lot bigger.
Jamaaliver wrote:ATL Boy wrote:If the Hawks take JJJ with Luka still on the board then I predict that Schlenk will be out of a job in a few years.
I like the conviction of this prediction.
SichtingLives wrote:life hack:
When a man heaves a live chainsaw towards you from distance, stand still. No one has good accuracy throwing a chainsaw.
ATL Boy wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:ATL Boy wrote:If the Hawks take JJJ with Luka still on the board then I predict that Schlenk will be out of a job in a few years.
I like the conviction of this prediction.
Vault me Jamaal. I expect nothing less than you pulling this post up 3-4 years from now if we take JJJ over Luka.
Spud2nique wrote:macd-gm wrote:Spud2nique wrote:
No way! Bagley was born to play in the NBA. Forget college where he dominated stat wise but was in a funky coach K system. He gets to the league and he’s gonna demand doubles. This guy is no Julius Randle (who I like btw) and no way on earth he’s remotely close to Beasley...I knew that guy was a bust before he was even drafted.
Kg, I don’t think you’ve seen the way Bagley handles the ball in open space. He can dribble and actually be crafty with the ball.
Sometimes i think that and sometimes i think that here's a guy who made most of his points on dunks against inferior athletes. What does he do well to score the ball the nba? Can he post up? hit a fade away? take his man off the dribble? The last one maybe but nba 4s are a lot quicker and a lot bigger.
Yes he can post...yes he can face up and knock down the 20 footer. He can take his man off the dribble with that first step...he can do a ton. James Worthy of the modern day to me.
kg01 wrote:You can make a pretty skrong argument that James Worthy wouldn'tve been shat without Magic. There, I said it.
Spud2nique wrote:macd-gm wrote:Spud2nique wrote:
No way! Bagley was born to play in the NBA. Forget college where he dominated stat wise but was in a funky coach K system. He gets to the league and he’s gonna demand doubles. This guy is no Julius Randle (who I like btw) and no way on earth he’s remotely close to Beasley...I knew that guy was a bust before he was even drafted.
Kg, I don’t think you’ve seen the way Bagley handles the ball in open space. He can dribble and actually be crafty with the ball.
Sometimes i think that and sometimes i think that here's a guy who made most of his points on dunks against inferior athletes. What does he do well to score the ball the nba? Can he post up? hit a fade away? take his man off the dribble? The last one maybe but nba 4s are a lot quicker and a lot bigger.
Yes he can post...yes he can face up and knock down the 20 footer. He can take his man off the dribble with that first step...he can do a ton. James Worthy of the modern day to me.
Jamaaliver wrote:kg01 wrote:You can make a pretty skrong argument that James Worthy wouldn'tve been shat without Magic. There, I said it.
So we're in agreement?
We draft the 'Slovenian Magic Johnson' at #3...