2019 NBA Draft Prep

Post #641 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:24 am

I have a feeling one of these guys might be a Hawk this fall:

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Post #642 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:23 am

With Zion on the bench after being poked in the eye, Duke's Cam Reddish shows he could be a player to watch

No Zion? No problem. Duke had been waiting for Reddish to unlock his star power. That finally happened Saturday

For Cam Reddish, isolation probably never felt so nice.

The Duke freshman's winning 3-pointer Saturday in a 80-78 victory at No. 13 Florida State was such an easy/uncontested shot, it's a small wonder he didn't miss it due to how out of place it must have felt to be that open.

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Reddish finished with 23 points on 5-of-8 3-point shooting and atoned for two would-be guilt-inducing mistakes (a turnover and a foul on a 3-point attempt) in the moments before his glory shot.

Reddish entered Saturday's game as a player whose standing had slipped not just amongst his ultra-talented teammates but also in the bigger picture. A lot of the "Duke has the top three picks in the 2019 Draft" chatter had stalled due entirely to Reddish's skittish play. In the previous eight games he was averaging less than 23 minutes and 10.3 points on sub-40-percent shooting.

RJ Barrett's game-high 32 points must be brought up here, as he's reminding everyone that for all the hype and highlights that Zion is inducing, it's Barrett who leads the team in scoring and is the most dynamic offensive talent on this roster.

Expect more opportunities to come for Reddish in the the next few games. First and foremost: he's Duke's most commonly used 3-point weapon. Reddish is the only Duke player with more than 100 3-point attempts this season. With games vs. Syracuse and Virginia awaiting, those teams will tempt Duke into trying the long-ball game. Reddish should have his chances.

CBS Sports

Post #643 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:17 am

Texas Tech’s Culver stays true to ethics, transforms into potential top-10 pick

Above all, Texas Tech sophomore wing Jarrett Culver is a man of God. More than as a teenager going to college in his hometown, more than as a basketball player, Culver defines himself by his faith and by his family.

He’s averaging 19.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, one of just four high-major players nationally to post such marks. But even beyond that production, his efficiency has been even more impressive. His 65.5 true-shooting percentage is third-best among high-major players with a comparable usage rate -- and it’s tops among guards or wings.

Where he has seen the biggest improvement is in his ability as a pull-up shooter. Culver has already taken more pull-up shots than he took all of last season, and he’s connecting at a remarkably high rate. He has a 50 effective field goal percentage on pull-up jumpers...compare that to last season's 24.2 effective field goal percentage.

He’s now lethal at attacking off the dribble, using his poise and terrific footwork to snake in and around screens to find space to get his shot off. [W]hen driving, Culver has a variety of moves in his toolbox. He can euro-step around help defenders, changing speeds and direction with ease.

When the defense loads up to stop him as a scorer, Culver has displayed the skill to dish to his teammates. He averaging four assists per game. The best part of his passing is that he can do it in a variety of situations -- from a stand-still on the perimeter or on the move, picking out a cutter toward the basket.

With his size, length and a strong feel for the game, Culver would reasonably be expected to be a strong defensive player — especially given that he plays in a defense that has been historically stingy.

There are questions about Culver’s overall upside, and I think those are valid. He’s not the kind of athlete who figures to become an All-Star level creator...he’s probably more of a prime Nicolas Batum-level player.

The Athletic

Post #644 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:41 am

I'm not sure if he's a starter in the NBA, but the kid is gonna be a fan favorite wherever he ends up in the Association:

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personanongrata · Post #645 » by **personanongrata** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:29 pm

Ja Morant is getting a lot of buzz. Jay Bilas compared him to Russell Westbrook.

Hazer · Post #646 » by **Hazer** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:32 pm

Watching Paschall in the Villanova/Creighton game. Passing the eye test, don’t know a whole lot about him but he reminds me of Sap out there. Switching D well on everyone from small guards to the center. Closes out well, moves well without the ball, strong to the hole. Might be worthy of 1 of those Hawks’ 2nd round picks.

Hazer · Post #647 » by **Hazer** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:42 pm

I’d be stoked with either of Zion/RJ/Cam. 1 of them plus Culver would be a home run draft. Does Fernando play more 4 or 5? Haven’t been able to watch him yet but plan on it. Sounds like could be what the doctor ordered if he’s a 5. Him and Collins up front: TrATL, The Huert, Cam, J-Bap, ‘Nando?

Post #648 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Jan 14, 2019 12:49 pm

The Anchorman 2.0?

I'd take this kid in the 2nd round as a backup PF. Low upside, but he's a really productive dude.

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Spoiler:

Post #649 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:59 pm

An aggressive, alpha-minded scorer like RJ would push this offense to another level.

Yet, I'm not sure he's a perfect fit as an iso-heavy, ball-dominant non-shooter.

But he's damn good. I'd draft him and let our coaching staff mold him into a productive two-way player. Even if we might need to trade him down the line for a better fitting piece. He's going to be incredibly productive very early.

R.J. Barrett could be a star, but is he the right type of star?

R.J. Barrett looks like a future NBA All-Star and is going to be a top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. But given his weaknesses, is he the right type of player to build around?

R.J. Barrett entered the season as the number one player on a lot of NBA Draft boards. One of the most well-accomplished players to come into college basketball in recent years, Barrett had made a name for himself in pretty much every avenue you can as a prospect.

His true breakout came in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup, where his Canadian team shocked the U.S. and won the gold medal behind an MVP performance from Barrett, who averaged 21.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in the tournament. Simply put, it’s hard to find players who have the pedigree Barrett had in high school, outside of L**a D****c.

For the most part, Barrett’s transition to the college game has been a successful one. He has averaged 22.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game through 14 games for Duke, and has been the team’s bell cow in terms of offensive creation. At 6-foot-7 with solid functional quickness and coordination, Barrett has the tools to be a strong playmaking wing at the next level. He’s a comfortable isolation scorer and can get the edge to get to the rim one-on-one [fairly consistently].

Barrett has finished at 63.6 percent at the rim. His coordination and ability to change directions, coupled with strong pull-up shooting, gives him the talent to be a number one scorer.

The path to Barrett becoming a number one scorer in an NBA offense is pretty realistic. He is going to build strength as he comes into the NBA and physically matures, and that’s going to help with his finishing. If his shooting improves, he looks like a three-level scorer with some playmaking ability.

However, it’s one thing to be a guy who can be a load-bearer in an NBA offense; it’s another to do so in a way that provides winning value at the NBA level. In that regard, Barrett has some highly concerning traits that could limit the functional value of taking Barrett with a top pick.

Most concerning is Barrett’s lack of functional finishing. Too often he charges ahead into the teeth of the defense and throws up less than ideal shots. He consistently gets bottled up in the paint, and his lack of functional strength affects him when he gets into contact with an opponent.

In theory, Barrett should be a better defender due to his frame; but so far, his defensive performance has arguably been more concerning than his offensive flaws. That’s because Barrett goes beyond the simple inconsistencies that plague many freshmen — misreading plays, ball-watching, bad footwork — and into the James Harden or Kyrie Irving area of absolute apathy.

Barrett’s ceiling is as a star, and it’s pretty clear that he has the talent and pedigree to be a top pick. But the draft is about team building and roster construction and attempting to optimize your chances of competing for a title. We know that talent often wins out, but consistency, high-level awareness and execution are just as important. Barrett has the former but seems to be pretty far behind in the latter on both ends.

The Step Back

Spud2nique · Post #650 » by **Spud2nique** » Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:41 pm

Use one of our second round picks on Dikembe’s nephew. This kid has a lot of versatility and strength. Big guy whose nimble and can shoot and block your shot.

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Hazer · Post #651 » by **Hazer** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:54 am

I’m thinking CLP and Jent can work wonders with Cam.

Hazer · Post #652 » by **Hazer** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:47 am

Thoroughly enjoying watching Zion and RJ, but tuned in to eye Reddish. Out with the flu.

Hazer · Post #653 » by **Hazer** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:12 am

Tyus Battle is impressive.

atlantabbq99 · Post #654 » by **atlantabbq99** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 6:04 am

atlantabbq99 wrote:The 2019 draft is going to be weak but i'm really starting to become a fan of Tyus Battle. Right now he is projected to be a late first round pick, but after watching some film, he looks like a lottery pick to me.

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atlantabbq99 wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:^Tyus does show some scoring chops. But his inefficient shooting , limited playmaking and poor defense couldn't even get him into the first round conversation last year.

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Battle shot only 45.2 percent from 2-point range and was 32.2 percent from beyond the arc (he took 6.5 3-point attempts per game). That lack of efficiency was probably his biggest hindrance in standing out for scouts and general managers not just during the season but in recent weeks at workouts.
CBS Sports

He'll need to have a huge Junior season to jump into the lottery -- even in a weaker draft.

"The feedback he was getting was that he would be drafted, but not in the position where he wanted to be,'' Battle's father, Gary, said late Wednesday night just minutes after Battle submitted his paperwork to the NBA's office.

"It wasn't likely that he was going to be drafted in the first round,'' Gary Battle said. "We were hearing maybe first half of the second half, but there's nothing definite. He wanted to be drafted, but he wanted to be able to play.''
Syracuse.com

I like Battle's handles, size, athleticism, he kinds of reminds me of Penny or Eddie Jones. I'm ok with his erratic shooting, because his shooting reminds me of Gordon Hayward or CJ McCollum. Both Gordon and CJ were erratic shooters throughout their college careers but were always consistent elite free throw shooters through their years in college. Then when you watch Battle's game film, he has a good shooting stroke and nice release. Battle's nice shooting stroke and free throw shooting i think will be a good baseline when he transitions to the Pro game.

I don't know what you are talking about Battle's defense, he is considered Syracuse's best perimeter defender. Battle and Frank Howard are considered one of the ACC's best defensive perimeter duos.

I've liked Battle for two years now and have been calling him the next Eddie Jones for along time now. I've also said that I would love to get Battle as a 2nd round or late first round pick. Battle just made even more of a name for himself by dominating Duke (AT DUKE!) and shutting down and dominating Barrett all game long. I really like Battle and watching this game, I see a maturity and leadership in Battle that is on a Millsap level.

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Post #655 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:40 pm

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Post #656 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:41 pm

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Post #657 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:42 pm

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Post #658 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:48 pm

Real talk, the most prominent reason Duke lost last night:

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Post #659 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:52 pm

I suspect this fully eliminates Kevin Porter from our draft board in 2019.

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Porter was a 5-star recruit out of Washington and considered the No. 28 overall player in the 2018 class by 247Sports' composite rankings. However, he hasn't had much of a chance to show what he can do at USC.

He has only appeared in seven games while dealing with a thigh injury, averaging a modest 10.7 points per game when on the court. He also only topped 25 minutes in a game once despite the Trojans lacking depth in the rotation.

Jan 14, 2019

atlantabbq99 · Post #660 » by **atlantabbq99** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:40 pm

atlantabbq99 wrote:I'm a Zion hater, but after the 3 game Canada tour, i'm kind of coming around. I'm still not buying the over hype on Zion just because of the youtube dunks, but his body control has been impressive. I still consider him a weak prospect in a weak draft but he could be worth the pick for the Hawks if nobody better is left on the board.

RJ Barrett on the other hand, came in as #1 prospect of the draft, but after watching the 3 Canada games, I wouldn't waste a lottery pick on the guy, his jump shot and shooting looks so bad, he is Evan Turner or Justice Winslow bust level.

I called Barrett a Justice Winslow version 2.0 before the season even started, and the season has proven me right. The only difference between Justice Winslow and RJ Barrett is FG attempts. Barrett is not worth a lottery pick. His over hype makes him tradeable which is the only positive i see in taking the guy and trading him on draft night.

What direction should Hawks go with their lottery picks?