Around the NBA: 2018/2019 edition

[bargnanimvp]

Atlanta and Dallas draft their guy and pretty much gives them the keys. We draft lotto picks and bench them. It’s un-f’ing-believable

who should we have given the keys to? we did to dipo because he looked ready, payton basically too. everyone else has been a massive project. bamba looks the most refined we've had since those guys so it will be interesting to see if we up his usage but then his body doesn't look ready to bang with nba bigs.

We should have drafted guys like DSJr and given him the keys. A) we don’t play our youngsters enough and B) We draft athletes over basketball players.

Ok saying we should have drafted other players is fair enough, i don't think the issue is not playing our young guys enough. We've had young guys who got plenty of minutes if they were ready the problem is like you said we draft athletes over skill. It's ok to do that now and then but we seem to be stuck doing it. We also don't sign free agents to cover our rookies flaws either, we've had 2 guards and a small forward whose weaknesses were 3 pt shooting but didn't address that with vets to help them out. Right now i see a similar problem developing in isaac and ag when it comes to lack of playmaking/ball handling from the wing position.

My reasoning for our draft picks is a long the lines of we haven't whiffed any picks really, without hindsight we've taken what appeared to be BPA each time but each time we've been 1-2 spots away from the obvious franchise changing talent. And each year we've rolled out the same veterans who fit together awful but put up enough talent to get us too many wins to get us those franchise changing players.

[MagicStarwipe]

We're going to keep talking around in circles until we get a star, and who knows how long it's going to take for that to happen.

[OrlandO]

Atlanta and Dallas draft their guy and pretty much gives them the keys. We draft lotto picks and bench them. It’s un-f’ing-believable

We draft projects. That's why. Requires an absurd amount of patience to watch our guys develop.

Agreed but we don’t fully commit to tanking (look at Dallas’ box scores the last few games when they out-tanked us), we don’t draft basketball players, and we have coaches worried more about winning than developing talent.

Yeah we waited way too long to throw in the towel last season even though we were in the same position as the worst teams at the break. Made me realize Weltman will never be a hinkie level tanker, which is why I didn't expect us to trade away our vets last summer. However, I do think he has his eyes set on another high pick and already forfeited this year by deliberately not providing the team with a decent point guard even though they were available for very cheap in free agency. We'll see where it puts us by the end of the year.

[IllMagic04]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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[BadMofoPimp]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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True. Nobody on this board wants to look at what he can become because we selected Bamba which automatically means anybody we passed is automatic trash. But, I agree, Trae is legit and will be fun to watch. I would probably still select Bamba over him. But, nobody should assume these kids are great or trash this early in their careers. Those who do, are personally biased.

[IllMagic04]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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True. Nobody on this board wants to look at what he can become because we selected Bamba which automatically means anybody we passed is automatic trash. But, I agree, Trae is legit and will be fun to watch. I would probably still select Bamba over him. But, nobody should assume these kids are great or trash this early in their careers. Those who do, are personally biased.

People were craping on Young before the draft. I remember peple saying he could fall to 11 or 12. . I would take Young over Bamba. Only time will tell if im right or wrong. Like you said its way to early to judge. But Youngs skill set is everything we needed.

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[PennytoShaq]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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True. Nobody on this board wants to look at what he can become because we selected Bamba which automatically means anybody we passed is automatic trash. But, I agree, Trae is legit and will be fun to watch. I would probably still select Bamba over him. But, nobody should assume these kids are great or trash this early in their careers. Those who do, are personally biased.

This board has become hot take central, which is sad because the NBA is a league about patience and time more than about any pro sport I can think of. We have guys high fiving themselves after Young has a bad game because they want to be right about their “scouting” of such a player. Then every time a guy we didn’t draft has a good game, others whine endlessly that we should have picked him, but never say anything when that same player has an off night.

Consider this - Bamba had the best rookie debut in Magic history. Based on the hot take mentality, that means he is a HOF like Shaq and possibly Penny and Dwight.

Look at JJ - his first few years for us he looked like a guy undersized for the NBA who could not defend or get his shot off. If you based everything on his first few games, he would be playing in China right now. Instead, he improved and torched us 2 nights ago for a win.

People need to chill. If the FO continues to just add defenders, we should all be upset, but to me it looks like they believe that JI and Bamba are the 2 main starters that they believe will be killing the league in two years. The way they structured AG’s contract screams “trade” to me. If we can make a move with him and Vuc’s expiring for a PG or wing and then add another in the draft, suddenly this team will have a ton of people very excited.

No need to cry over things that are in the past and we can’t control. I wanted Doncic and liked Young for this team, but I totally understand why they got Bamba, and can easily see him having a huge impact in the league. Watching him and Isaac together makes a lot of sense to me. Those guys are incredible shot disrupters and they both are already shooting fairly well from 3, which is a good sign on the other end.

[IllMagic04]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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True. Nobody on this board wants to look at what he can become because we selected Bamba which automatically means anybody we passed is automatic trash. But, I agree, Trae is legit and will be fun to watch. I would probably still select Bamba over him. But, nobody should assume these kids are great or trash this early in their careers. Those who do, are personally biased.

This board has become hot take central, which is sad because the NBA is a league about patience and time more than about any pro sport I can think of. We have guys high fiving themselves after Young has a bad game because they want to be right about their “scouting” of such a player. Then every time a guy we didn’t draft has a good game, others whine endlessly that we should have picked him, but never say anything when that same player has an off night.

Consider this - Bamba had the best rookie debut in Magic history. Based on the hot take mentality, that means he is a HOF like Shaq and possibly Penny and Dwight.

Look at JJ - his first few years for us he looked like a guy undersized for the NBA who could not defend or get his shot off. If you based everything on his first few games, he would be playing in China right now. Instead, he improved and torched us 2 nights ago for a win.

People need to chill. If the FO continues to just add defenders, we should all be upset, but to me it looks like they believe that JI and Bamba are the 2 main starters that they believe will be killing the league in two years. The way they structured AG’s contract screams “trade” to me. If we can make a move with him and Vuc’s expiring for a PG or wing and then add another in the draft, suddenly this team will have a ton of people very excited.

No need to cry over things that are in the past and we can’t control. I wanted Doncic and liked Young for this team, but I totally understand why they got Bamba, and can easily see him having a huge impact in the league. Watching him and Isaac together makes a lot of sense to me. Those guys are incredible shot disrupters and they both are already shooting fairly well from 3, which is a good sign on the other end.

I feel where your coming from but I disagree with a lot of your points. Are you saying Bamba had the best rookie debut or is that an example of a hot take? I thought he played really well but I don't think it was the best rookie debut. As far as the front office I think there is reason to be concerned. How many years of them drafting long defensive players would it take for you to be concerned? 1 more? 2 more? Also keep in mind that we have had 7 picks in the last 2 drafts. 4 last year 3 this year. With 7 picks we have no legit offensive prospects unless you believe Bamba or Isaac can develop into one. No pg's no playmaking. I wasn't mad at the Isaac pick if it was between him or DS jr. I was a Malik Monk fan but I understood the concerns with his size. I was dead wrong about Markkanen as I thought he'd be a bust. Again we will see if I'm correct in a couple years since neither Isaac or Monk played much last year. With Cliff out of the way in Charlotte it looks like Monk will get a shot and hopefully Isaac stays healthy Trading the pick in the first round last year was unforgivable. In this years draft Bamba is the correct pick at 6. I don't think anyone disagrees there. Why have we not traded Vuc yet? What are we waiting for? Vuc and Evan should been off this team at last years deadline. That would have allowed the proper tank and get us in range for Young or Doncic. Vuc and Evan are still on the team and we got a win now coach. We still havn't seen a Bamba/Isaac/AG line up yet. I think that's cause Cliff knows how awful it be offensively and again winning now is so important. This year looks like its gonna be a re run. We will win enough to not get the best prospects and we will draft the next tall, long, athletic , limited offensive player at pick 7 or 8 and I'll be writing this exact post again next year. If we pull off a trade like the one you described I'll be excited. Right now this FO has been terrible. No better then Henny

[PennytoShaq]

True. Nobody on this board wants to look at what he can become because we selected Bamba which automatically means anybody we passed is automatic trash. But, I agree, Trae is legit and will be fun to watch. I would probably still select Bamba over him. But, nobody should assume these kids are great or trash this early in their careers. Those who do, are personally biased.

This board has become hot take central, which is sad because the NBA is a league about patience and time more than about any pro sport I can think of. We have guys high fiving themselves after Young has a bad game because they want to be right about their “scouting” of such a player. Then every time a guy we didn’t draft has a good game, others whine endlessly that we should have picked him, but never say anything when that same player has an off night.

Consider this - Bamba had the best rookie debut in Magic history. Based on the hot take mentality, that means he is a HOF like Shaq and possibly Penny and Dwight.

Look at JJ - his first few years for us he looked like a guy undersized for the NBA who could not defend or get his shot off. If you based everything on his first few games, he would be playing in China right now. Instead, he improved and torched us 2 nights ago for a win.

People need to chill. If the FO continues to just add defenders, we should all be upset, but to me it looks like they believe that JI and Bamba are the 2 main starters that they believe will be killing the league in two years. The way they structured AG’s contract screams “trade” to me. If we can make a move with him and Vuc’s expiring for a PG or wing and then add another in the draft, suddenly this team will have a ton of people very excited.

No need to cry over things that are in the past and we can’t control. I wanted Doncic and liked Young for this team, but I totally understand why they got Bamba, and can easily see him having a huge impact in the league. Watching him and Isaac together makes a lot of sense to me. Those guys are incredible shot disrupters and they both are already shooting fairly well from 3, which is a good sign on the other end.

I feel where your coming from but I disagree with a lot of your points. Are you saying Bamba had the best rookie debut or is that an example of a hot take? I thought he played really well but I don't think it was the best rookie debut. As far as the front office I think there is reason to be concerned. How many years of them drafting long defensive players would it take for you to be concerned? 1 more? 2 more? Also keep in mind that we have had 7 picks in the last 2 drafts. 4 last year 3 this year. With 7 picks we have no legit offensive prospects unless you believe Bamba or Isaac can develop into one. No pg's no playmaking. I wasn't mad at the Isaac pick if it was between him or DS jr. I was a Malik Monk fan but I understood the concerns with his size. I was dead wrong about Markkanen as I thought he'd be a bust. Again we will see if I'm correct in a couple years since neither Isaac or Monk played much last year. With Cliff out of the way in Charlotte it looks like Monk will get a shot and hopefully Isaac stays healthy Trading the pick in the first round last year was unforgivable. In this years draft Bamba is the correct pick at 6. I don't think anyone disagrees there. Why have we not traded Vuc yet? What are we waiting for? Vuc and Evan should been off this team at last years deadline. That would have allowed the proper tank and get us in range for Young or Doncic. Vuc and Evan are still on the team and we got a win now coach. We still havn't seen a Bamba/Isaac/AG line up yet. I think that's cause Cliff knows how awful it be offensively and again winning now is so important. This year looks like its gonna be a re run. We will win enough to not get the best prospects and we will draft the next tall, long, athletic , limited offensive player at pick 7 or 8 and I'll be writing this exact post again next year. If we pull off a trade like the one you described I'll be excited. Right now this FO has been terrible. No better then Henny

What I am saying is that Bamba had the best Magic rookie debut in terms of points. He beat Shaq and Penny by one point. The next part is the hot take (him being a HOFer) based off that first game.

I am not concerned because I believe Isaac and Bamba make sense together and you need 5 guys to field a starting lineup.

My belief is that we will use Vuc and AG to find a 3rd starter and then draft the 4th this summer.

We can use Ross or Fournier to be the 5th for the time being and still have a very promising team.

So, no, I am not concerned at all that we took the two highest ceiling players as our first two picks. They fit the modern game (can shoot 3s and defend multiple positions, are fast for their size and can play multiple positions).

I like Monk alright, but Isaac has a much higher ceiling. The new NBA defense is not about shot blocks, but shot disruption. Bamba and JI are both rare in their abilities to do that, and those types of skills make a difference in tight playoff games. Add their ability to shoot 3s on the other end, and we have a very scary frontcourt - which you still have to have to win games.

[IllMagic04]

This board has become hot take central, which is sad because the NBA is a league about patience and time more than about any pro sport I can think of. We have guys high fiving themselves after Young has a bad game because they want to be right about their “scouting” of such a player. Then every time a guy we didn’t draft has a good game, others whine endlessly that we should have picked him, but never say anything when that same player has an off night.

Consider this - Bamba had the best rookie debut in Magic history. Based on the hot take mentality, that means he is a HOF like Shaq and possibly Penny and Dwight.

Look at JJ - his first few years for us he looked like a guy undersized for the NBA who could not defend or get his shot off. If you based everything on his first few games, he would be playing in China right now. Instead, he improved and torched us 2 nights ago for a win.

People need to chill. If the FO continues to just add defenders, we should all be upset, but to me it looks like they believe that JI and Bamba are the 2 main starters that they believe will be killing the league in two years. The way they structured AG’s contract screams “trade” to me. If we can make a move with him and Vuc’s expiring for a PG or wing and then add another in the draft, suddenly this team will have a ton of people very excited.

No need to cry over things that are in the past and we can’t control. I wanted Doncic and liked Young for this team, but I totally understand why they got Bamba, and can easily see him having a huge impact in the league. Watching him and Isaac together makes a lot of sense to me. Those guys are incredible shot disrupters and they both are already shooting fairly well from 3, which is a good sign on the other end.

I feel where your coming from but I disagree with a lot of your points. Are you saying Bamba had the best rookie debut or is that an example of a hot take? I thought he played really well but I don't think it was the best rookie debut. As far as the front office I think there is reason to be concerned. How many years of them drafting long defensive players would it take for you to be concerned? 1 more? 2 more? Also keep in mind that we have had 7 picks in the last 2 drafts. 4 last year 3 this year. With 7 picks we have no legit offensive prospects unless you believe Bamba or Isaac can develop into one. No pg's no playmaking. I wasn't mad at the Isaac pick if it was between him or DS jr. I was a Malik Monk fan but I understood the concerns with his size. I was dead wrong about Markkanen as I thought he'd be a bust. Again we will see if I'm correct in a couple years since neither Isaac or Monk played much last year. With Cliff out of the way in Charlotte it looks like Monk will get a shot and hopefully Isaac stays healthy Trading the pick in the first round last year was unforgivable. In this years draft Bamba is the correct pick at 6. I don't think anyone disagrees there. Why have we not traded Vuc yet? What are we waiting for? Vuc and Evan should been off this team at last years deadline. That would have allowed the proper tank and get us in range for Young or Doncic. Vuc and Evan are still on the team and we got a win now coach. We still havn't seen a Bamba/Isaac/AG line up yet. I think that's cause Cliff knows how awful it be offensively and again winning now is so important. This year looks like its gonna be a re run. We will win enough to not get the best prospects and we will draft the next tall, long, athletic , limited offensive player at pick 7 or 8 and I'll be writing this exact post again next year. If we pull off a trade like the one you described I'll be excited. Right now this FO has been terrible. No better then Henny

What I am saying is that Bamba had the best Magic rookie debut in terms of points. He beat Shaq and Penny by one point. The next part is the hot take (him being a HOFer) based off that first game.

I am not concerned because I believe Isaac and Bamba make sense together and you need 5 guys to field a starting lineup.

My belief is that we will use Vuc and AG to find a 3rd starter and then draft the 4th this summer.

We can use Ross or Fournier to be the 5th for the time being and still have a very promising team.

So, no, I am not concerned at all that we took the two highest ceiling players as our first two picks. They fit the modern game (can shoot 3s and defend multiple positions, are fast for their size and can play multiple positions).

I like Monk alright, but Isaac has a much higher ceiling. The new NBA defense is not about shot blocks, but shot disruption. Bamba and JI are both rare in their abilities to do that, and those types of skills make a difference in tight playoff games. Add their ability to shoot 3s on the other end, and we have a very scary frontcourt - which you still have to have to win games.

I agree that where we were selecting both were the right picks. They will be a force defensivly. I just wish we were drafting higher. What about what we did with the other picks we had?

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[PennytoShaq]

I feel where your coming from but I disagree with a lot of your points. Are you saying Bamba had the best rookie debut or is that an example of a hot take? I thought he played really well but I don't think it was the best rookie debut. As far as the front office I think there is reason to be concerned. How many years of them drafting long defensive players would it take for you to be concerned? 1 more? 2 more? Also keep in mind that we have had 7 picks in the last 2 drafts. 4 last year 3 this year. With 7 picks we have no legit offensive prospects unless you believe Bamba or Isaac can develop into one. No pg's no playmaking. I wasn't mad at the Isaac pick if it was between him or DS jr. I was a Malik Monk fan but I understood the concerns with his size. I was dead wrong about Markkanen as I thought he'd be a bust. Again we will see if I'm correct in a couple years since neither Isaac or Monk played much last year. With Cliff out of the way in Charlotte it looks like Monk will get a shot and hopefully Isaac stays healthy Trading the pick in the first round last year was unforgivable. In this years draft Bamba is the correct pick at 6. I don't think anyone disagrees there. Why have we not traded Vuc yet? What are we waiting for? Vuc and Evan should been off this team at last years deadline. That would have allowed the proper tank and get us in range for Young or Doncic. Vuc and Evan are still on the team and we got a win now coach. We still havn't seen a Bamba/Isaac/AG line up yet. I think that's cause Cliff knows how awful it be offensively and again winning now is so important. This year looks like its gonna be a re run. We will win enough to not get the best prospects and we will draft the next tall, long, athletic , limited offensive player at pick 7 or 8 and I'll be writing this exact post again next year. If we pull off a trade like the one you described I'll be excited. Right now this FO has been terrible. No better then Henny

What I am saying is that Bamba had the best Magic rookie debut in terms of points. He beat Shaq and Penny by one point. The next part is the hot take (him being a HOFer) based off that first game.

I am not concerned because I believe Isaac and Bamba make sense together and you need 5 guys to field a starting lineup.

My belief is that we will use Vuc and AG to find a 3rd starter and then draft the 4th this summer.

We can use Ross or Fournier to be the 5th for the time being and still have a very promising team.

So, no, I am not concerned at all that we took the two highest ceiling players as our first two picks. They fit the modern game (can shoot 3s and defend multiple positions, are fast for their size and can play multiple positions).

I like Monk alright, but Isaac has a much higher ceiling. The new NBA defense is not about shot blocks, but shot disruption. Bamba and JI are both rare in their abilities to do that, and those types of skills make a difference in tight playoff games. Add their ability to shoot 3s on the other end, and we have a very scary frontcourt - which you still have to have to win games.

I agree that where we were selecting both were the right picks. They will be a force defensivly. I just wish we were drafting higher. What about what we did with the other picks we had?

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Well 2nd round picks are very tough to nail. As much as people complain that we did not draf Kuzma, ask any of them to share their predraft thoughts on him and there will be crickets. Then they say “well these guys are supposed to know these things” and the next day they will say “the FO are idiots and sit on their hands, anyone can do that”. So there are a lot of contradictions flying around when it comes to those. I just apply logic here and based on the overwhelming failure of most 2nd round picks to translate, I see our FO takes shots on guys with high athletic ceilings in the second round and don’t mind it too much. Good example - almost every PG I Can think of that everyone wanted us to draft in round 2 has not been much of a factor on the team that drafted them.

Iwundu is a hard worker and I don’t really like him that much, but I see Frazier as a better version of him and a guy that could stick here as a bench player. I also see him as a potentially more if he improves his offense, so I am fine with that pick. I also like that he gives us the ability to run small and play uptempo. So I would say the FO is average at 2nd round picks and I am ok with that.

I think the FO has some skill in finding undrafted guys - Birch was a very good find, and while Briscoe sucked Saturday night, he could still end up being something. We shall see.

[BadMofoPimp]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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True. Nobody on this board wants to look at what he can become because we selected Bamba which automatically means anybody we passed is automatic trash. But, I agree, Trae is legit and will be fun to watch. I would probably still select Bamba over him. But, nobody should assume these kids are great or trash this early in their careers. Those who do, are personally biased.

People were craping on Young before the draft. I remember peple saying he could fall to 11 or 12. . I would take Young over Bamba. Only time will tell if im right or wrong. Like you said its way to early to judge. But Youngs skill set is everything we needed.

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True. We already had size, but lacked a scoring PG with range.

[IllMagic04]

What I am saying is that Bamba had the best Magic rookie debut in terms of points. He beat Shaq and Penny by one point. The next part is the hot take (him being a HOFer) based off that first game.

I am not concerned because I believe Isaac and Bamba make sense together and you need 5 guys to field a starting lineup.

My belief is that we will use Vuc and AG to find a 3rd starter and then draft the 4th this summer.

We can use Ross or Fournier to be the 5th for the time being and still have a very promising team.

So, no, I am not concerned at all that we took the two highest ceiling players as our first two picks. They fit the modern game (can shoot 3s and defend multiple positions, are fast for their size and can play multiple positions).

I like Monk alright, but Isaac has a much higher ceiling. The new NBA defense is not about shot blocks, but shot disruption. Bamba and JI are both rare in their abilities to do that, and those types of skills make a difference in tight playoff games. Add their ability to shoot 3s on the other end, and we have a very scary frontcourt - which you still have to have to win games.

I agree that where we were selecting both were the right picks. They will be a force defensivly. I just wish we were drafting higher. What about what we did with the other picks we had?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using RealGM mobile app

Well 2nd round picks are very tough to nail. As much as people complain that we did not draf Kuzma, ask any of them to share their predraft thoughts on him and there will be crickets. Then they say “well these guys are supposed to know these things” and the next day they will say “the FO are idiots and sit on their hands, anyone can do that”. So there are a lot of contradictions flying around when it comes to those. I just apply logic here and based on the overwhelming failure of most 2nd round picks to translate, I see our FO takes shots on guys with high athletic ceilings in the second round and don’t mind it too much. Good example - almost every PG I Can think of that everyone wanted us to draft in round 2 has not been much of a factor on the team that drafted them.

Iwundu is a hard worker and I don’t really like him that much, but I see Frazier as a better version of him and a guy that could stick here as a bench player. I also see him as a potentially more if he improves his offense, so I am fine with that pick. I also like that he gives us the ability to run small and play uptempo. So I would say the FO is average at 2nd round picks and I am ok with that.

I think the FO has some skill in finding undrafted guys - Birch was a very good find, and while Briscoe sucked Saturday night, he could still end up being something. We shall see.

They are tough to nail but im saying draft someone with an skill upside rather then athletic. I'll be honest. I didnt have much on Kuzma. I watched his scout video and liked it but I wasnt yelling to draft him. It is thier job to know though. Take a shot at offensive upside when swinging at 2nd rounders for a change. That pick where we coulda had Kuz was a late first. Lakers took him higher then he was projected so props to them. The guys I wanted in the 2nd were Dillon Brooks and Frank Mason. Which woulda been better then what we got. Frank Mason isnt lighting it up but at least we'd have a pg.

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[PennytoShaq]

I agree that where we were selecting both were the right picks. They will be a force defensivly. I just wish we were drafting higher. What about what we did with the other picks we had?

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Well 2nd round picks are very tough to nail. As much as people complain that we did not draf Kuzma, ask any of them to share their predraft thoughts on him and there will be crickets. Then they say “well these guys are supposed to know these things” and the next day they will say “the FO are idiots and sit on their hands, anyone can do that”. So there are a lot of contradictions flying around when it comes to those. I just apply logic here and based on the overwhelming failure of most 2nd round picks to translate, I see our FO takes shots on guys with high athletic ceilings in the second round and don’t mind it too much. Good example - almost every PG I Can think of that everyone wanted us to draft in round 2 has not been much of a factor on the team that drafted them.

Iwundu is a hard worker and I don’t really like him that much, but I see Frazier as a better version of him and a guy that could stick here as a bench player. I also see him as a potentially more if he improves his offense, so I am fine with that pick. I also like that he gives us the ability to run small and play uptempo. So I would say the FO is average at 2nd round picks and I am ok with that.

I think the FO has some skill in finding undrafted guys - Birch was a very good find, and while Briscoe sucked Saturday night, he could still end up being something. We shall see.

They are tough to nail but im saying draft someone with an skill upside rather then athletic. I'll be honest. I didnt have much on Kuzma. I watched his scout video and liked it but I wasnt yelling to draft him. It is thier job to know though. Take a shot at offensive upside when swinging at 2nd rounders for a change. That pick where we coulda had Kuz was a late first. Lakers took him higher then he was projected so props to them. The guys I wanted in the 2nd were Dillon Brooks and Frank Mason. Which woulda been better then what we got. Frank Mason isnt lighting it up but at least we'd have a pg.

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True but just having a PG is not the end game here. We need a difference maker at PG, not a placeholder. That’s why I think they are taking their time with this. Additionally, they scouted Doncic hard, working out DSJ twice and worked out Young, plus Hammond publically stated that we are skinny at the PG position - so these guys know and I am sure they want to get a guy there as much as we do.

[NavalAviator94]

Trae was ballin last night. Im not surprised at all. The kid has it. He's gonna have some off nights but hes gonna also show flashes of how good he can be like yesterday. Hes everything this team needed and it sucks we didnt get him. To be honest though even if we tanked harder if Bamba and Young were on the board I strongly believe we take Bamba.

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No doubt. I think Bamba was arguably the 3rd pick if you viewed Doncic/Ayton 1 or 2. Time will tell but I like our pick when I’m looking at Philly for years to come. No question we need elite guards, especially at PG.

[NavalAviator94]

Well 2nd round picks are very tough to nail. As much as people complain that we did not draf Kuzma, ask any of them to share their predraft thoughts on him and there will be crickets. Then they say “well these guys are supposed to know these things” and the next day they will say “the FO are idiots and sit on their hands, anyone can do that”. So there are a lot of contradictions flying around when it comes to those. I just apply logic here and based on the overwhelming failure of most 2nd round picks to translate, I see our FO takes shots on guys with high athletic ceilings in the second round and don’t mind it too much. Good example - almost every PG I Can think of that everyone wanted us to draft in round 2 has not been much of a factor on the team that drafted them.

Iwundu is a hard worker and I don’t really like him that much, but I see Frazier as a better version of him and a guy that could stick here as a bench player. I also see him as a potentially more if he improves his offense, so I am fine with that pick. I also like that he gives us the ability to run small and play uptempo. So I would say the FO is average at 2nd round picks and I am ok with that.

I think the FO has some skill in finding undrafted guys - Birch was a very good find, and while Briscoe sucked Saturday night, he could still end up being something. We shall see.

They are tough to nail but im saying draft someone with an skill upside rather then athletic. I'll be honest. I didnt have much on Kuzma. I watched his scout video and liked it but I wasnt yelling to draft him. It is thier job to know though. Take a shot at offensive upside when swinging at 2nd rounders for a change. That pick where we coulda had Kuz was a late first. Lakers took him higher then he was projected so props to them. The guys I wanted in the 2nd were Dillon Brooks and Frank Mason. Which woulda been better then what we got. Frank Mason isnt lighting it up but at least we'd have a pg.

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True but just having a PG is not the end game here. We need a difference maker at PG, not a placeholder. That’s why I think they are taking their time with this. Additionally, they scouted Doncic hard, working out DSJ twice and worked out Young, plus Hammond publically stated that we are skinny at the PG position - so these guys know and I am sure they want to get a guy there as much as we do.

If this team and it’s youth get better over the season, we become a prime FA pg market. A trade can change everything but I think we are waiting until summer to find the right pg. Patience is something we all need this year which I know is really hard at this point.

[Nemesis21]

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[pepe1991]

Man... Giannis.... that guy is like some cheat mode from video game

[rcklsscognition]

The Blazers as a team had a Halloween costume thing going for gameday yesterday. Check out Harkless:

Can't embed this video, but here's the link.

https://streamable.com/847f3

[Optimus_Steel]

Ridiculous game by Griffin. Scores 50 and the winning free throw. Dude was literally unstoppable.

JJ has been on fire. He almost had the game winner just like he did against us the other day. But they couldn't stop Griffin.