2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Funcrusher]

KZ Okpala and DeAndre Hunter are the two guys that the Hawks should be eyeing as a possible mid 1st round picks.

Both guys could be another Khris Middleton or rich man's Rodney Hood.

Tyus Battle is another guy who has come on really strong as of late. His shooting numbers have jumped up a lot from last year to this year. I love drafting upper classmen in the mid to late 1st round, like Kawhi, Draymond, Millsap, Jimmy Butler. Battle has elite defense and above average shooting, he reminds me of Eddie Jones.

Hunter is a lock top ten pick. He's pretty much everything people hoped Little would be at UNC, he's just a worse athlete. Okpala yeah, mid first round sounds about right.

[DRKB21]

Want to touch on the latter two picks for a smidge. I'm just going to assume the Dallas pick falls at 10 once everything is settled. I want another two guard. NAW is putting up some wild numbers. His highlights show he likes contact finishing and loves to use that off hand. Reportedly 6-9 wingspan. The measurements are what's going to sway me, no homo.

I'd take any of these with the let's say pick 33 over Dorsey. Good dude and all but ready to move on. Massinburg gets buckets and rebounds for a 6-3 guy. Still like my guy Magee. Having a bad season, but he is an elite shooter in this class. Showed me something driving to the bucket.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I saw Magee play tonight against Mississippi State (my alma mater). 24 points on 13 shots. Good shooter, but I'm not convince he brings much more to the table.

[DRKB21]

I'm going to give you the Travis Schlenk vision for this team:

PG - Trae Young 6'2", 180
SG - Kevin Huerter 6'7" 195
SF - Cam Reddish 6'9" 220
PF - John Collins 6'10" 234
C - Jontay Porter 6'11" 240

That's 5 players that can shoot, pass, and dribble. You have the ability to space the floor. Now, it's a team that will still take 3-4 more years before it is ready to win, but if Travis Schlenk can get Reddish and Porter in this draft, I think he will do it.

[Jamaaliver]

^This is indeed the most likely approach based on what we've seen/heard from current Hawks leadership.

And that collection of talent would have the potential to be really dominant offensively.

[Jamaaliver]

Damn, I love this kid.

Nassir Little Is Learning the Hard Way

He was a presumed one-and-done and sure-shot NBA lottery pick. Now he's a bench player for UNC. How is the No. 2 recruit in the 2018 class handling a coach, Roy Williams, whose program is notoriously demanding of freshmen? And does he regret choosing this path?



Freshmen here are not anointed with status, not guaranteed extensive minutes. They eat meals last, drink water last.

"I'd like for him to play more," Williams says, smiling. "It's easy. Play better."

Nassir Little's constantly being compared to the three one-and-dones just down the road in Durham. Their situations look nothing like his. Unlike Williams, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski has embraced college basketball's one-and-done era, and his team's super freshmen, Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, are playing more minutes, dazzling on TV highlights and dominating headlines.

Little had his pick of any university but made the unconventional choice to become the highest-ranked player to come to Chapel Hill since Harrison Barnes in 2010, a nod to the tattoo on his left arm: Create your own legacy.

Little wasn't worried that the school and its coach had a reputation for not being one-and-done friendly. He actually liked that the Tar Heels were the lone program in his final five schools that didn't promise him he could be a "Day 1 starter."

"I was always taught, if you earn something, you can keep it," Little says, "but if it's given to you, you can get it taken away."

Bleacher Report

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

[atlantabbq99]

For me, this is simple. We must hit on two more players. One top pick and another who isn't. We must get that Giannis or Jokic player. The player who you don't see coming and they become superstars.

I guess that means the Hawks should look for an international player in the mid first round. So that leaves Sekou Doumbouya. Doumbouya is the highest ranked international player for 2019.

Hawks can also try to get a Paul George, Jimmy Butler, or Kawhi type of player in the mid first round, which his a upper classmen who has a rep for playing serious defense in college. Kris Wilkes kind of has a rep of being a very good defensive player in the 2019 draft class.

[CP War Hawks]

KZ Okpala and DeAndre Hunter are the two guys that the Hawks should be eyeing as a possible mid 1st round picks.

Both guys could be another Khris Middleton or rich man's Rodney Hood.

Tyus Battle is another guy who has come on really strong as of late. His shooting numbers have jumped up a lot from last year to this year. I love drafting upper classmen in the mid to late 1st round, like Kawhi, Draymond, Millsap, Jimmy Butler. Battle has elite defense and above average shooting, he reminds me of Eddie Jones.

Hunter is a lock top ten pick. He's pretty much everything people hoped Little would be at UNC, he's just a worse athlete. Okpala yeah, mid first round sounds about right.

Hunter, NAW, Okpala, Garland, Langford are high on my list for the Dally pick. I'd gladly take the highest left on the draft board. I'll also give a honorable mention to Sekou. He's still 17, and should continue to grow. At the moment, I liken him to a sf version of Ibaka.

With Kezie, you see the two way potential. My first impression is a taller Ariza. Need more vids of him.

Watch on YouTube

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

1. Atlanta Hawks: Zion Williamson, F, Duke

Height: 6'7" | Weight: 285 | Freshman

Williamson was ranked No. 1 on SI’s Big Board before the season started, and the general consensus has gradually moved away from R.J. Barrett to reflect his status as the top prospect in this draft. If you insist on using the term ‘unicorn’ to describe basketball players, here is one. From day one, Williamson will be among the most athletic players in the league, and his strength and explosiveness makes him a deadly efficient shot-creator in space, and difficult to stop from getting downhill. Williamson is a terrific rebounder who can initiate transition looks in seconds, all by himself, and his unselfishness and ability to impact the game without being fed touches has allowed his Duke teammates to thrive at the same time. Even though he isn’t a great shooter, the whole thing smells like a player who can help shift the arc of whichever franchise drafts him (in this scenario, Atlanta). It will be worth finding out, and even harder to be the team that passes on that opportunity.

2. Chicago Bulls Bulls: R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke

Height: 6'7" | Weight: 200 | Freshman

Barrett’s national perception hit bottom after his trigger-happy showing in a loss to Gonzaga, but he’s been excellent ever since, although Duke has played a very easy December slate going into Thursday’s game against Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden. He has shown progress with his jumper, begun to take better shots, and it’s encouraging that he has looked willing to play a more efficient game and responded well to the criticism. It would be surprising if Barrett is not among the first two players selected, and with Williamson’s fast ascent as the favorite for No. 1, he will make for a strong choice after that. The Bulls are a total mess right now, but getting one of those two guys out of this lost season would be worthy consolation. Probably.

9.Atlanta Hawks Hawks (via Mavericks): Bol Bol, C, Oregon

Height: 7'2" | Weight: 235 | Freshman

The Hawks will get the Mavericks’ pick unless it falls in the top five, which is some level of consolation despite Luka Doncic being an immediate lift for Dallas. The best case for Atlanta is Dallas falling behind the pack, creating an opportunity for the Hawks to take a huge swing. Drafting Bol would be a significant gamble, as there are doubts about what elements of his game will translate and how, but he possesses a great deal of natural talent that he has begun to piece together consistently. His college production had been stellar prior to a recent foot injury that has him sidelined at the moment, If that injury is serious, it will no doubt give teams pause, factoring in his size, build and long-term health. All things considered, Bol’s draft range is rather wide, and hinges on which teams can inherit his risk (and where they end up drafting). Atlanta could be one of them.

[Jamaaliver]

^Drafting Bol Bol and Zion Williamson together?

After already drafting Collins and Spellman in consecutive drafts?

[CP War Hawks]

^Drafting Bol Bol and Zion Williamson together?

After already drafting Collins and Spellman in consecutive drafts?

Trae -
Huerter- Bembry
Zion - Prince
Collins - Spellman
Bol -

Most would be happy with that outcome. Need a talented pure sg,a vet big, and pg. You'll still have loads of cash for the 2020 or 2021 offseason. It should be many viable options with the Dally pick and the 2020 pick will still net you a mid lotto selection, possibly along with the Cleveland pick (not holding my breath).

[CP War Hawks]

Culver scares me. His shooting form is ugly, can't see how shooting across your body will cut it at the next level. Wouldn't mind him if it's with the current Mavs pick.

Barrett I liken to a rich man's Baze. He does alot of things better, the main difference being the alpha mindset. I just question how high his ceiling truly is.

I'm going with good vibes to start the new year. "With the number 1 pick of the 2019 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks select..."

Bro, this Culver is having a good game vs. Duke. The thing is he looks huge, every bit of 6-7 200. Seems to dwarf Barrett somewhat. It's a game changer if he measures like that during the combine.

Digging on google, I found this article about his size.

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/12/03/draft-notes-thing-jarrett-culver/

[Jamaaliver]

^Drafting Bol Bol and Zion Williamson together?

After already drafting Collins and Spellman in consecutive drafts?

Trae -
Huerter- Bembry
Zion - Prince
Collins - Spellman
Bol -

Most would be happy with that outcome. Need a talented pure sg,a vet big, and pg. You'll still have loads of cash for the 2020 or 2021 offseason. It should be many viable options with the Dally pick and the 2020 pick will still net you a mid lotto selection, possibly along with the Cleveland pick (not holding my breath).

Yuck.

I have 0 confidence in that lineup competing for titles...ever.

NOTE: BY 2020, we'd need to carve out a big chunk of capspace to pay Prince and Bembry plus offer Collins his rookie contract extension*.

[Ball4life32]

Zion is a 4. It should either be a Zion-Collins or Collins-Bol front court not all 3 together.

[Jamaaliver]

J Culver is a phenomenal young talent and a testament to growth & development at the collegiate level.

I just can't tell if he's closer to Brad Beal or George Hill.

Sent from my RC555L using RealGM mobile app

[DRKB21]

1. Jarrett Culver is a top 5 talent in this draft and is a guy who can come in, start, and contribute as a rookie.
2. Whoever would legitimately take RJ Barrett over Zion Williamson needs to have his head examined.
3. Coach K needs to actually start coaching, because there is no way Barrett should get 22 shots (0 for 7 on 3 point shots) to score 16 points. Zion Williamson scores 17 on 9 shots, is a better passer, has a better feel for the game, and is a much better defender.

In fact, my top two guys right now would be Zion Williamson and Jarrett Culver. This is such a weak draft though.

[DRKB21]

Bol Bol is also such an overrated prospect. He's not JJJ, folks. Nowhere close.

[Funcrusher]

KZ Okpala and DeAndre Hunter are the two guys that the Hawks should be eyeing as a possible mid 1st round picks.

Both guys could be another Khris Middleton or rich man's Rodney Hood.

Tyus Battle is another guy who has come on really strong as of late. His shooting numbers have jumped up a lot from last year to this year. I love drafting upper classmen in the mid to late 1st round, like Kawhi, Draymond, Millsap, Jimmy Butler. Battle has elite defense and above average shooting, he reminds me of Eddie Jones.

Hunter is a lock top ten pick. He's pretty much everything people hoped Little would be at UNC, he's just a worse athlete. Okpala yeah, mid first round sounds about right.

Hunter, NAW, Okpala, Garland, Langford are high on my list for the Dally pick. I'd gladly take the highest left on the draft board. I'll also give a honorable mention to Sekou. He's still 17, and should continue to grow. At the moment, I liken him to a sf version of Ibaka.

With Kezie, you see the two way potential. My first impression is a taller Ariza. Need more vids of him.

Watch on YouTube

Not to nitpick, but isn't he more of a 4?

[CP War Hawks]

Hunter is a lock top ten pick. He's pretty much everything people hoped Little would be at UNC, he's just a worse athlete. Okpala yeah, mid first round sounds about right.

Hunter, NAW, Okpala, Garland, Langford are high on my list for the Dally pick. I'd gladly take the highest left on the draft board. I'll also give a honorable mention to Sekou. He's still 17, and should continue to grow. At the moment, I liken him to a sf version of Ibaka.

With Kezie, you see the two way potential. My first impression is a taller Ariza. Need more vids of him.

Watch on YouTube

Not to nitpick, but isn't he more of a 4?

If you consider him a 6-9 Ariza, that's essentially a combo forward. He was listed as 6-8 180 on 247 back in hs. 6-9 215 now and looks like 225 would be his ideal weight. Rail thin back then, seems to have used his fr. year to gain good weight, and now a legit 1st round prospect.

I'm not looking at him for other nba teams, just the Hawks, so I have him pegged between Collins and Young as a 3. Besides, his game is very perimeter oriented.

Watch on YouTube

[Duke4life831]

1. Jarrett Culver is a top 5 talent in this draft and is a guy who can come in, start, and contribute as a rookie.
2. Whoever would legitimately take RJ Barrett over Zion Williamson needs to have his head examined.
3. Coach K needs to actually start coaching, because there is no way Barrett should get 22 shots (0 for 7 on 3 point shots) to score 16 points. Zion Williamson scores 17 on 9 shots, is a better passer, has a better feel for the game, and is a much better defender.

In fact, my top two guys right now would be Zion Williamson and Jarrett Culver. This is such a weak draft though.

Im not at the point where I put Culver top 5, I still have questions on his overall potential. But I do like him a lot and have him around 10 or so. Agree 100% on everything else you said. A few days ago I came on here talking about how very unimpressed I have been with RJ even with his latest string of good games (against horrible opponents). It was clear that those stats wouldnt translate to better competition because of the kind of shots he was getting. RJ has talent but needs a major overhaul on how he attacks and plays the game.

I also agree that K needs to come in and lay down the law. It is night and day difference when the offense runs through RJ or when it runs through Zion or Tre Jones. When Zion and Tre are in the game, RJ needs to play off the ball and let Tre and Zion run the show.

Here is a crazy stat, after tonight's game RJ has 124 missed field goal attempts. Zion has ATTEMPTED 141. RJ has almost as many misses as Zion has attempts, that is beyond horrible.

I also agree that this is a really weak draft. Zion is definitely a shining star though in my opinion.

[Funcrusher]

Hunter, NAW, Okpala, Garland, Langford are high on my list for the Dally pick. I'd gladly take the highest left on the draft board. I'll also give a honorable mention to Sekou. He's still 17, and should continue to grow. At the moment, I liken him to a sf version of Ibaka.

With Kezie, you see the two way potential. My first impression is a taller Ariza. Need more vids of him.

Watch on YouTube

Not to nitpick, but isn't he more of a 4?

If you consider him a 6-9 Ariza, that's essentially a combo forward. He was listed as 6-8 180 on 247 back in hs. 6-9 215 now and looks like 225 would be his ideal weight. Rail thin back then, seems to have used his fr. year to gain good weight, and now a legit 1st round prospect.

I'm not looking at him for other nba teams, just the Hawks, so I have him pegged between Collins and Young as a 3. Besides, his game is very perimeter oriented.

Watch on YouTube

Was talking about Sekou