Moderators: dms269, HMFFL, Jamaaliver
kg01 wrote:Heeeey, is he talkin' bout me?Nah, I usually stay off other folks' boards because I can't stand when 'others' come here actin' a fool.
Spud2nique wrote:Next time I go however, Donald Driver suite and tie baby, professional all the way to represent us! ATL class! Read all about it.
Jamaaliver wrote:Spud2nique wrote:Ps whatever you do Jamaal don’t fall in love with Bamba...the Magic board ...well there’s just mean...and with good reason cuz they suck but still.
1. Noted.
2. It sounds like you've been to more boards than I have!!!
Nothing wrong with that...just make sure you rep the Hawks fandom well. In the past, some of our other posters have gone to rival team boards and acted a d@mn fool.
jayu70 wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:Spud2nique wrote:Ps whatever you do Jamaal don’t fall in love with Bamba...the Magic board ...well there’s just mean...and with good reason cuz they suck but still.
1. Noted.
2. It sounds like you've been to more boards than I have!!!
Nothing wrong with that...just make sure you rep the Hawks fandom well. In the past, some of our other posters have gone to rival team boards and acted a d@mn fool.
I had to drag Spud from the magic board.
Magic are in for a tough ride until they fix the PG spot.
IIRC Jerry Colangelo said 'no matter how many good bigs you have. They'll never reach their full potential unless they have a capable PG to get them the ball.
macd-gm wrote:jayu70 wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:
1. Noted.
2. It sounds like you've been to more boards than I have!!!
Nothing wrong with that...just make sure you rep the Hawks fandom well. In the past, some of our other posters have gone to rival team boards and acted a d@mn fool.
I had to drag Spud from the magic board.
Magic are in for a tough ride until they fix the PG spot.
IIRC Jerry Colangelo said 'no matter how many good bigs you have. They'll never reach their full potential unless they have a capable PG to get them the ball.
I know one.
ESPN5-on-5: Summer league's best and most surprising rookies
1. Who was the best rookie you saw at summer league?
Mike Schmitz, ESPN Insider: Often described as a safe or high-floor selection, Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. turned heads with his play in Las Vegas. This isn't to say he's an NBA Rookie of the Year front-runner or on track to be the best player from the 2018 draft class, but the 19-year-old outshined every other big man drafted ahead of him, and he looks like a steal at No. 7 overall. Often compared to Al Horford, Carter's ability to space the floor (3-of-6 from 3), beat a switch in the post, play out of short rolls, facilitate, rebound and protect the rim (3.9 blocks per 40 minutes) were all on display, making him arguably the most well-rounded big man prospect in an otherwise extremely talented crop.
Carter has gotten himself into outstanding shape, and he was far better switching onto the perimeter than expected. While Marvin Bagley III, Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba stole most of the pre-draft buzz, Carter is the type of under-the-radar star who should impact winning from day one in Chicago.
Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider: Wendell Carter Jr., as I wrote last week. For the most part, the athletes taken ahead of Carter played as expected -- not counting Luka Doncic, who did not suit up for the Dallas Mavericks. However, Carter showed the kind of NBA-ready skill set that his believers touted before the draft, one that he wasn't able to showcase at Duke in yet another sign that the NBA and college basketball are increasingly two different sports.
kg01 wrote:macd-gm wrote:jayu70 wrote:I had to drag Spud from the magic board.
Magic are in for a tough ride until they fix the PG spot.
IIRC Jerry Colangelo said 'no matter how many good bigs you have. They'll never reach their full potential unless they have a capable PG to get them the ball.
I know one.
Unfortunately, considering our stellar(sic) GM, it'll be us trading Dennis and a 1st for Biyombo or something.
. jayu70 wrote:kg01 wrote:macd-gm wrote:
I know one.
Unfortunately, considering our stellar(sic) GM, it'll be us trading Dennis and a 1st for Biyombo or something.
Biyombo is in Charlotte now
The shear number of Dennis for Mozgov trades is mind numbing.
)Jamaaliver wrote:I think this guy has the largest variance of anyone drafted in the top-10.
He could end up being a two-way monster and best at his position...
or he could just be a role player with minimal impact on his franchise.
I see what scouts were excited over, but I still see a guy who drifts through games and has limited offensive upside.
TBF, he'd have made an amazing front court pairing with John Collins. (But not as good as Wendell.
The RingerSix Encouraging (and One Not-So-Encouraging) Summer League Developments
Who says you can’t learn something from exhibition games? Wendell Carter Jr., Marvin Bagley III, and more incoming rookies flashed parts of their games against pro competition that are worth keeping an eye on.
Wendell Carter Jr.’s Defense
Carter has been knocked for his defensive ability while guarding ball screens and defending switches—which was a totally overblown concern, as I argued pre-draft. This summer, he’s putting those concerns to rest. The Bulls’ rookie center has a lean body ready for beach season after changing his diet and dropping weight. Carter logged 2.6 blocks in 28.8 minutes over five games in Las Vegas by performing like an enhanced version of his college self.
Only a few months ago, as a Duke freshman, Carter relied on his smarts and understanding of angles and positioning to play effective defense; now his improved conditioning and technique have allowed his athleticism to shine. Measured at 6-foot-10 and 251 pounds, with a 7-foot-4.5 wingspan before the draft, Carter is athletic enough to move his feet laterally—as he showed above by nimbly swatting away Trae Young’s stepback—and he’s strong enough to defend larger players. Carter played stout interior defense by rotating well, playing sturdy post defense, and continuing to alter shots without fouling.
Carter, 19, always had the high IQ and hustle to become an effective defender in the NBA. But now he’s showing even more upside. If Carter masters his defensive fundamentals and develops an even more chiseled frame, there’s a chance he’ll someday be a defensive anchor.
NBC SportsYou might see stories today about Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr.‘s peers picking him to have the best career among this rookie class. After all, he was the top vote-getter in that category in the NBA’s annual rookie survey.
But 87% of polled rookies chose someone else. That Carter’s 13% of votes led means only so much.
That was the story throughout the survey.
The RingerWendell Carter Jr. Could See History Repeat Itself
Despite an eye-opening performance in Las Vegas, the Duke standout faces a tough situation in his first year due to the competing agendas on a young Bulls team
Wendell Carter Jr. might be the most well-rounded big man in the 2018 draft class, but he didn’t always get a chance to show it at Duke. They were more focused on looking for their own shot in college. The same thing could happen in the NBA.
He’s walking into a potentially difficult situation because there will be a lot of competing agendas in Chicago.
The Blue Devils used Carter as a complementary piece to fill the gaps. Carter found ways to make himself useful without getting many plays run for him. He facilitated out of the high post, spaced the floor out to the 3-point line, and did the heavy lifting in the middle of their 2-3 zone. And because he didn’t venture outside of the paint on defense, NBA scouts questioned whether he had the speed to guard on the 3-point line at the next level.
The no. 7 overall pick was the fourth option at Duke behind three other future NBA. The Bulls made him a priority at summer league, and he thrived with the extra responsibility, averaging 14.6 points on 55 percent shooting, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks a game. He’s capable of being a primary option: He can score with his back to the basket, face up and shoot over defenders, and find the open man when he’s doubled. Carter also answered some of the questions about his defense. He was slimmer and lighter on his feet, and he held his own when switched out onto Collin Sexton, a speedy point guard taken one pick after him by the Cavs. His success against Sexton doesn’t necessarily mean he can be a switch-everything center in the mold of Clint Capela or Tristan Thompson; Carter was the least athletic of the top big men in this year’s draft.
Carter will be way down the pecking order in Chicago as a rookie. He will probably begin the season backing up Robin Lopez. Even on the second unit, though, there will be competition for shots. The Bulls will likely use Carter mainly as a screener in the pick-and-roll and on dribble handoffs.
Carter has a high floor. How close he gets to his ceiling depends on his teammates.
SB NationThe 9 most impressive rookies in NBA summer league, ranked
These were the rookie stars of Las Vegas Summer League
1. Wendell Carter Jr., C, Chicago Bulls
Carter looked like a 10-year veteran at summer league. He’s already so good at so many aspects of the game, showing he can be a plus as a shooter, passer, rebounder, and especially as a shot blocker.
Carter faced skepticism about his lateral quickness and rim protection entering the draft, but he looked great at both areas in Vegas. He sure seems like he never got to show everything he can do at Duke while playing in a zone next to Marvin Bagley III.
Carter might not have the flashiest game, but he’s already so dependable in so many different areas. He’s also a high IQ player who is always in the right spot at the right time.
The RingerThe Rookie Curve: Jaren Jackson Jr. Can Bring the Grizzlies Back to the Future
Memphis is desperately looking to return to the postseason on the backs of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Their top rookie could be the key to ensuring that they do.
The Memphis Grizzlies want to get back to the postseason after their seven-season playoff streak was broken by a 22-win campaign last season, but the team doesn’t have much elite talent around Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. They need Jackson to replace the production they used to get at power forward from Zach Randolph, who left the Grizzlies in free agency last season (and is more than twice as old as Jackson). The 18-year-old is a different type of big man than what Memphis is used to, but his skill set is exactly what the team needs on both sides of the ball.
Jackson’s skills immediately translated in eight games in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He was second in blocks per game (3.5) among all summer league players, and he shot 14-of-28 (50 percent) from behind the NBA 3-point line.
He can score with his back to the basket, as well as face up and put the ball on the floor, but he’s a long way from putting it all together. He’s much better when he can play off guards who create shots for him.
Jackson is the rare rookie who already has the game to make a playoff contender better. Jackson and Gasol aren’t as good as Tim Duncan and David Robinson, but they could have a similar mentor-apprentice relationship.
It’s a lot of pressure to put on an 18-year-old. Jackson has the talent to handle it.
NBA Rookies Who Could Flash Franchise Potential in Their 1st Season
Dallas Mavericks PG/SG Luka Doncic
Franchise role: Leader
Prior to the draft, sources told Bleacher Report that the Dallas Mavericks had Luka Doncic at No. 1 on their board. That explains their decision to trade the No. 5 pick and a lightly protected future first-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks to move up for him.
Dallas coveted Doncic as its next franchise player to pair with 2017 No. 9 overall pick Dennis Smith Jr. and free-agent signee DeAndre Jordan. The 19-year-old, who earned MVP honors of both the Spanish ACB and Euroleague this past season, should already be prepared to justify the Mavericks' interest.
Dallas will feel Doncic's impact and leadership from day one. The 6'6" ball-handler possesses a unique, sophisticated ability to pick apart defenses with timely maneuvering and pinpoint passes.
Doncic's size, playmaking, shooting and crafty two-point scoring ability all fuel his versatility. But his basketball IQ, competitiveness and knack for making clutch plays are what separate and distinguish him as the future leader and player Dallas will want with the ball in fourth quarters.
Smith may lead the Mavericks in scoring for the next few years, but Doncic is the one who'll help turn the ship around.
Bleacher ReportChicago Bulls C Wendell Carter Jr.
Franchise role: The rock
It should only take a season for the Chicago Bulls to feel confident they've added a second franchise player next to Lauri Markkanen.
Wendell Carter Jr. won't have to score in volume to convince them or the league. He projects as a rock—an efficient double-double machine the Bulls can count on for offense, rebounding, defense and toughness.
Despite not being the featured No. 1 option at Duke, he averaged 20.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per 40 minutes while shooting 58.6 percent from two and 41.3 percent from three.
His success carried over to summer league, where he looked to be in even better shape, diminishing concerns about his potential to switch and guard the perimeter the way Al Horford does for the Boston Celtics.
The Bulls and their fanbase should see Carter as their Horford—a well-rounded, fundamentally sound big whose consistency and all-around play drives his star value.
CBS SportsNBA rookies poised to make the biggest impact this season: Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton ready to shine
These players should have the most immediate success among their impressive 2018 rookie class
1. Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks
Relevant numbers: Doncic is coming off close to a perfect season for Real Madrid last year in the EuroLeague, which is considered the second-best basketball league in the world after the NBA. Doncic was the EuroLeague MVP and the EuroLeague Final Four MVP as he led his team to its first EuroLeague title in three years. Doncic's per-36 numbers during a season in which he turned 19 were remarkable, averaging 20.9 points, 6.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds. And unlike many American players who are coming from the collegiate game, Doncic has proven he's NBA-ready. Last season in EuroLeague and the Spanish league -- both leagues filled with grown men -- Doncic played in 61 games, roughly double of what American collegiate players played.
Why he'll make an impact: He's the most skilled player from the stacked 2018 draft, but he's not going to one of those typically talent-barren lottery-level teams. This Mavericks team already places a decent amount of talent around Doncic. They are obviously going to have a tough slog to make the playoffs in a brutal Western Conference. But a Rookie of the Year-level campaign from Doncic -- plus a sophomore jump from Dennis Smith Jr., a defensive boost from DeAndre Jordan, steady near-star production from Harrison Barnes and an end-of-career contribution from Dirk Nowitzki -- could give the Mavericks a puncher's chance.
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3. Wendell Carter Jr., PF/C, Chicago Bulls
Relevant numbers: Did any rookie in summer league impress as much as Carter did? In five games, he averaged a near-double-double (14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds) and thrived on defense, averaging nearly three blocks per game. He just looked like a smart basketball player, as fully formed of a talent as any of these rookies. Carter's fit last season at Duke was not ideal, playing in the clogged paint alongside another one-and-done big man in Marvin Bagley III, but he still quietly had a standout season. The icing on the cake was his 41.6 percent 3-point shooting.
Why he'll make an impact: Carter walks into a great situation. His fit alongside Lauri Markkanen seems ideal to maximize the talents of each big man. A cerebral, offensive-minded coach in Fred Hoiberg ought to maximize Carter's skill set. And the Bulls may not be playoff-ready, but this team is bound to take a step forward from its 27-win finish last season. Carter will have an opportunity to thrive on a team with some young talent -- Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Bobby Portis and now Jabari Parker -- where Carter fills a need.
Jamaaliver wrote:NBA rookies poised to make the biggest impact this season: Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton ready to shine
These players should have the most immediate success among their impressive 2018 rookie class
1. Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks
Relevant numbers: Doncic is coming off close to a perfect season for Real Madrid last year in the EuroLeague, which is considered the second-best basketball league in the world after the NBA. Doncic was the EuroLeague MVP and the EuroLeague Final Four MVP as he led his team to its first EuroLeague title in three years. Doncic's per-36 numbers during a season in which he turned 19 were remarkable, averaging 20.9 points, 6.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds. And unlike many American players who are coming from the collegiate game, Doncic has proven he's NBA-ready. Last season in EuroLeague and the Spanish league -- both leagues filled with grown men -- Doncic played in 61 games, roughly double of what American collegiate players played.
Why he'll make an impact: He's the most skilled player from the stacked 2018 draft, but he's not going to one of those typically talent-barren lottery-level teams. This Mavericks team already places a decent amount of talent around Doncic. They are obviously going to have a tough slog to make the playoffs in a brutal Western Conference. But a Rookie of the Year-level campaign from Doncic -- plus a sophomore jump from Dennis Smith Jr., a defensive boost from DeAndre Jordan, steady near-star production from Harrison Barnes and an end-of-career contribution from Dirk Nowitzki -- could give the Mavericks a puncher's chance.
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Thanks for the honesty.MorbidHEAT wrote:My dislike for Lin started during Linsanity. It was absurd. It's probably irrational dislike at this point, but man he gets on my nerves. He's been tearing us up though.
SB NationShai Gilgeous-Alexander looked like the NBA’s best rookie point guard at Vegas Summer League
The Clippers rookie has all the tools to be the top rookie point guard in the NBA.
So why is Gilgeous-Alexander still underhyped? It’s time for that obscurity to stop. Gilgeous-Alexander was tremendous in Las Vegas Summer League, showcasing the two-way versatility that makes him a great fit for the modern game. He has all the tools to be the best point guard in this class.
SGA is an elite slasher
Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t have the fastest first step, and he’s not the most explosive leaper, but he’s such a smooth ball handler at 6’6, and has the length and craft to finish around the basket from a variety of angles.
SGA is a true point guard
Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t going to drop dimes like Trae Young, but he’s proven he’s a capable playmaker who can take care of the ball. His facilitating ability is on par with any rookie point guard in this class outside of Young.
SGA has massive defensive potential
Today’s NBA covets switchable perimeter defenders, and Gilgeous-Alexander fits the mold. He has the length (7-foot wingspan) to defend three or four positions in the NBA, and he will tower over most point guards. He also has quick hands and can get aggressive hunting for the ball.
There are not many 6’6 point guards in the world who can finish at the basket as effectively as him while still being capable of setting up teammates and protecting the ball. He will to fill up the box score on raw tools alone. If Gilgeous-Alexander continues to get better as a shooter and works to reach his potential on defense, he’s going to look like a steal at No. 11.
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