2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Hazer]

55% on 2s, 36% from 3, on 10 shots a night isn’t “poor” shooting. Room for improvement, especially 67% from the stripe, but not “poor.” That’s where Chris Jent works his magic. Also not a poor defender. THAts where CLP works his magic. Read a couple of places that Culver has continued to grow and is now closer to 6’7/6’8 than his listed 6’6. Culver with the Dallas pick.

[King Ken]

I have decided I am officially Cam Fam for us if R.J. or Zion is gone

[atlantabbq99]

I don't see Schlenk ever drafting a poor shooter like Culver. Just look at last year's draft when Schlenk ONLY drafted shooters. Only way TS drafts a poor shooter is if they fall really hard in the draft like Collins or Looney.

When even strangers from other boards are commenting on your bias against a player, it might be time to take a back seat.

Spoiler:

dude, your agenda is obvious here, and calling him a 'bad defender' is patently false.

He does need to prove he's going to be a good 3 point shooter in the NBA, but to call him a really bad shooter and defender doesn't ring true.

atlantabbq99 just has something against Culver, because the only thing he does is trash him and make things up. Not worth your time - that's why I backed out a few days ago, lol.

Culver's in a slump right now. But he isn't a bad shooter.

Culver, 32% from three, and 65% from the free throw line. No, Culver is one of the worst shooting prospects in the draft. As bad as Tyreke when he was with the Kings. Overall, Culver has horrible mechanics to his shot which is just flat out broken.

[atlantabbq99]

A rich man’s Steve Smith works for me. Heck that is probably a HOFer! I see a less athletic better shooting Tmac.

Not sure he’s a Schlenk guy but maybe. Culver seems more Schlenky I dunno.

I don't see Schlenk ever drafting a poor shooter like Culver. Just look at last year's draft when Schlenk ONLY drafted shooters. Only way TS drafts a poor shooter is if they fall really hard in the draft like Collins or Looney.

Reddish as a rich man's steve is pretty disrespectful to smitty. He was a guy that could go toe to toe with Jordan on any given game.

I'll give him poor man's pg or richer batum which is all star caliber.

[King Ken]

I don't see Schlenk ever drafting a poor shooter like Culver. Just look at last year's draft when Schlenk ONLY drafted shooters. Only way TS drafts a poor shooter is if they fall really hard in the draft like Collins or Looney.

When even strangers from other boards are commenting on your bias against a player, it might be time to take a back seat.

Spoiler:

dude, your agenda is obvious here, and calling him a 'bad defender' is patently false.

He does need to prove he's going to be a good 3 point shooter in the NBA, but to call him a really bad shooter and defender doesn't ring true.

atlantabbq99 just has something against Culver, because the only thing he does is trash him and make things up. Not worth your time - that's why I backed out a few days ago, lol.

Culver's in a slump right now. But he isn't a bad shooter.

Culver, 32% from three, and 65% from the free throw line. No, Culver is one of the worst shooting prospects in the draft. As bad as Tyreke when he was with the Kings. Overall, Culver has horrible mechanics to his shot which is just flat out broken.

He is not a bad shooter at all. He is just as good as R.J. at shooting but he doesn't really have the skills or athletic ability to make me want to overlook that he doesn't project as a great shooter. He is starting to solidly lock up #5 for me as Reddish locks up #4. 1-3 is Zion/R.J./Morant

[observer1995]

55% on 2s, 36% from 3, on 10 shots a night isn’t “poor” shooting. Room for improvement, especially 67% from the stripe, but not “poor.” That’s where Chris Jent works his magic. Also not a poor defender. THAts where CLP works his magic. Read a couple of places that Culver has continued to grow and is now closer to 6’7/6’8 than his listed 6’6. Culver with the Dallas pick.

I think he’s 6’6”-6’7” (which is nothing earth shattering given that some guys keep growing late and he is already listed on the Texas Tech website as 6’6”). I looked this up in the afternoon and I think the most interesting part of that article on thestepien was mainly that he might not be finished bulking up because of the way his build looks. I think it’d be a bonus for the team taking him if he does have another 2 inches in him. He also transitioned from off ball to more on the ball work as a sophomore. So, it’s entirely possible, if not even probable that he still has more growth in his game coming on the court.

Overall, I like his game but I’m not here to tell you that he has more upside than he does. I think he’s a high floor but low ceiling player that will do winning things for you as of now (and this is also a Schlenky player). I would be completely fine with pairing that with a low floor high ceiling type. I haven’t done a whole lot of evaluation but the 5 players that I like the most right now (with either 1st round pick as long as the Dallas one conveys and it should), not necessarily in order:

1. De’andre Hunter
2. Cam Reddish
3. KZ Okpala (admittedly I haven’t seen much of him at all, but I hold intrigue with him, seems like an upside wing prospect to me with what little I know, the other 4 however, I've watched at least a game or two of them)
4. Jarrett Culver
5. Jaxson Hayes

(I struggled a bit between putting Hayes and Keldon Johnson)

Of course, this is all assuming that the Hawks don’t get the luck of the ping pong balls and get #1, if that ends up being the case, then you take Zion. I'm going to go ahead and assume that the Hawks' pick will be 4th-6th with everything I say.

(FWIW: I was the person before the hawksquawk board died that said that Cam Reddish was my favorite of the Duke diaper dandies, I've wavered though here for sure)

[Spud2nique]

I have decided I am officially Cam Fam for us if R.J. or Zion is gone

Bout time. Let’s ride!

[Spud2nique]

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Over the past few months, the 6-foot-3 guard has emerged as a projected top-five pick in June’s NBA draft, with many mocks slotting him at second overall behind Zion Williamson. This is despite Morant playing at Murray State, the best team in college basketball’s 25th-best conference. He’s putting up historically great stats, he may be the first Division I college basketball player ever to average 20 points and 10 assists per game for a whole season.

Absolutely hate labeling kids as busts but I don’t love this kid’s game. It’s a ton of street ball to me...it might not fly in the association.

[Spud2nique]

A rich man’s Steve Smith works for me. Heck that is probably a HOFer! I see a less athletic better shooting Tmac.

Not sure he’s a Schlenk guy but maybe. Culver seems more Schlenky I dunno.

I don't see Schlenk ever drafting a poor shooter like Culver. Just look at last year's draft when Schlenk ONLY drafted shooters. Only way TS drafts a poor shooter is if they fall really hard in the draft like Collins or Looney.

Reddish as a rich man's steve is pretty disrespectful to smitty. He was a guy that could go toe to toe with Jordan on any given game.

I'll give him poor man's pg or richer batum which is all star caliber.

I loved Smitty as well. One of our greats no doubt. His career speaks for itself.

[Hazer]

I don't see Schlenk ever drafting a poor shooter like Culver. Just look at last year's draft when Schlenk ONLY drafted shooters. Only way TS drafts a poor shooter is if they fall really hard in the draft like Collins or Looney.

Reddish as a rich man's steve is pretty disrespectful to smitty. He was a guy that could go toe to toe with Jordan on any given game.

I'll give him poor man's pg or richer batum which is all star caliber.

I loved Smitty as well. One of our greats no doubt. His career speaks for itself.

One of my favorite Hawks of all time.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

A NOT very in-depth look...

Meet Sekou Doumbouya, the possible lottery pick expected to be the first international player drafted

Doumbouya is an 18-year-old phenom from France who could go as high as the top 5 in this year's draft



Doumbouya is still just a teenager -- he turned 18-years-old two days before Christmas -- but the French sensation has been turning heads on the hardwood for several years in the pro ranks. He's a projected lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and still only scratching the surface of stardom his talent level and potential suggest he might reach.

"I like guys who are versatile and can do a lot of different things, someone who fits modern day basketball," said coach Kyle Milling, who recruited Doumbouya to play for Limoges CSP. "Does he really have a position? These days, a lot of guys can play multiple positions. Sekou is very raw, but he can defend 1, 2, 3 and 4, he can play the 3, play the 4. He can do a lot of different things."

Doumbouya's roots and upbringing motivate him. Coming from France, he had a role model to look up to, a clear path to follow.

"Tony Parker opened the door for all international players," Ndiaye said.

That door that he is on the verge of plowing down has been plowed down plenty of late, too, with international players like Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis among many whose footsteps he hopes to follow.

CBS Sports

[Jamaaliver]

From Cleveland.com:

2019 NBA lottery mock draft 3.0

5. Atlanta Hawks (19-38): Romeo Langford, guard, Indiana

Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 215 pounds

Stats per game: 17.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 46.1 field-goal percentage, 26.8 3-point percentage, 72.4 free-throw percentage

Spoiler:

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The Hawks seem like they’re off to a good start in their rebuilding. John Collins has broken out nicely in his second season, and the duo of Trae Young and Kevin Huerter has shown great potential. So they can afford to go for the best available player here and add to their growing wing depth with an outstanding scorer in Langford.

He has the wingspan to potentially be a good defender. His 3-point percentage is not very good. But he can be a complementary offensive piece that could have opportunity to attack the basket with Atlanta’s new floor-spacers.

The only downside to this season for Langford has been the mediocre play of his team, as Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star wrote.




10. Atlanta via Dallas Mavericks (26-31): Jaxson Hayes, center, Texas

Height, weight: 6-foot-11, 220 pounds

Stats per game: 10.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 2.4 blocks, 74.6 field-goal percentage, 72.7 free-throw percentage

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The Hawks have done plenty to get some scoring with their previous first-round picks. It’s time to address defense and depth at center with Dewayne Dedmon in the final year of his contract.

Hayes is not going to provide much in offense. But that’s not what whoever drafts him will try to get. His game is defense and shot-blocking. He is the prototypical rim protector that could also score easy baskets with the extra space available to him because of Atlanta’s 3-point shooters.

Corey Elliot of Burnt Orange Nation details the rapid rise of Hayes into a lottery prospect.

[Jamaaliver]

^cont.

6. Memphis Grizzlies (23-36): Jarrett Culver, guard, Texas Tech

Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 195 pounds

Stats per game: 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 50.3 field-goal percentage, 33.0 3-point percentage, 67.2 free-throw percentage

Spoiler:

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The rebuild in Memphis is underway after dealing away Marc Gasol before the trade deadline. Grit and Grind appears to be long gone, and the Grizzlies need to add scoring to try and keep up with the modern NBA. They got a good start last year with Jaren Jackson Jr. and could add more assets by dealing Mike Conley in the offseason.

So either way, they could use a talented scoring guard in Culver, who has progressed so much as a sophomore. His 3-point percentage took a hit after a poor January. But he still knows how to score at an efficient clip, and has done so while taking almost 13 shots per game.

9. Orlando Magic (26-32): Keldon Johnson, forward, Kentucky

Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 211 pounds

Stats per game: 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 48.3 field-goal percentage, 40.7 3-point percentage, 74.3 free-throw percentage

Spoiler:

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The Magic were one of the teams that might have needed a point guard. But they are giving Markelle Fultz a second chance. They’ve played well, winning six of their last seven prior to Thursday night’s game against Charlotte.

Their needs are a little less defined, but I have Johnson falling to them here just as I did in my second mock draft. The Julius Erving Award finalist still leads the Wildcats in scoring despite going scoreless against Georgia on Jan. 15. He can give Orlando more depth in the form of a wing player with good athleticism and shooting ability.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-30): Sekou Doumbouya, forward, France

Height, weight: 6-foot-9, 210 pounds

Stats per game: 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 53.0 field-goal percentage, 29.7 3-point percentage, 73.7 free-throw percentage

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

The Timberwolves, despite having one of the best young players in the game in Karl-Anthony Towns, are stuck in the late lottery following the Jimmy Butler trade at the start of the season.

With veterans Taj Gibson and Anthony Tolliver entering free agency, Minnesota could use more depth in the frontcourt. Doumbouya makes the most of the limited minutes he plays overseas, getting just 15 minutes per game in all competitions. He has three-point range and is good from the line as well.

[macd-gm]

Why would we take Langford over Culver? I'm asking because i know nothing about these guys but seems like I've heard that Culver is the better prospect.

[Jamaaliver]

Why would we take Langford over Culver? I'm asking because i know nothing about these guys but seems like I've heard that Culver is the better prospect.

Langford is projected to have a higher ceiling. He's a more natural scorer and has been projected as a lottery pick since high school. Culver wasn't even a first round lock at the start of the season.


Culver only recently emerged in his sophomore season and is projected as an above average starter while Romeo (if he can get his 3-pt shot to fall) has All Star potential.

[Jamaaliver]

Anyone got some Fernando content to add

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For the advanced analytics crowd: he leads the Big Ten in true shooting percentage and player efficiency rating (PER), and is second in win shares. Nationally, he sits sixth in field goal percentage and seventh in rebounding percentage. The Website NBADraft.net projects Fernando as the No. 7 pick in this year's Draft, which might be overzealous given he's not a 7-foot center or a face-up player who's shown he can shoot 3-pointers, although he has flashed perimeter skill and a soft jumper at times. Regardless, from a hopeful second-rounder last year to a near-lock to go in the first-round a year later, there's no debate about whether he should've returned.

[Jamaaliver]

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5. Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter (F, Virginia)

Hunter probably isn’t the 5th-best talent in this class. He isn’t an elite athlete and it is hard to see him as a primary scoring option in the NBA. What he does bring, though, is perfectly translatable skill set to the modern NBA, with the ability to defend multiple positions (at a high level) and space the floor offensively. At some point, the Hawks need to find players with defensive talent to pair with their core of Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. Hunter would be a great fit under that guise.


6. Memphis Grizzlies – Jarrett Culver (G/F, Texas Tech)

Culver has cooled off as a three-point shooter and that is potentially concerning, if only because he’s going to need to make shots at the NBA level. There is still a ton to like about his game, though, with a smooth scoring style and an impressive feel for the game. Concerns about his overall burst athletically are justified but he has the look of a two-way player at the NBA level and the Grizzlies should be in best player available mode.


8. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas) – Keldon Johnson (F/G, Kentucky)

Johnson is exactly the kind of player that won’t inspire fans but should intrigue front offices. He brings a (very) high floor to the table with the ability to contribute on both ends and, if his shooting (41 percent from three this season) proves to be real, Johnson is an even better role player than originally thought. There isn’t off-the-charts upside but the Hawks add two exceptionally intriguing role players in this scenario. They could do worse.



9. Miami Heat – Romeo Langford (F/G, Indiana)

Scouts are all over the place on Langford, with some still viewing him as a potential top-five pick and others seeing him sliding beyond this point. We’ll take the middle approach of cautious optimism. He isn’t shooting the ball at the level he needs to and Langford has been frustratingly ball-dominant in college. He still has tools on both ends that will make you see the positive side but Langford is in a weird spot with how he’s playing.

[Jamaaliver]

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[King Ken]

I really dislike Keldon Johnson as a high draft pick. He just doesn't have star or high role player qualities for me. I don't dislike him but it's like Malik Monk for me. I can like you on the college level and just not like you as a pro. For me, he is not a top 18 guy in this draft but 6-25 is wide open on my board so I can see him being that for others.