2019 NBA Draft Prep

[personanongrata]

Work outs will be important. That's what raised Kevin's stock.

[Jamaaliver]

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On the biggest stage possible, Virginia forward De'Andre Hunter had arguably the best game of his career. Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver, who is currently projected to go higher in the draft, decidedly did not.

And in a game where the small things really mattered, on a night that would have left what-ifs for whichever team lost, it was Hunter getting the better of that confrontation by a wide margin that made all the difference for Virginia.

What happened Monday night — Hunter scoring a career-high 27 while playing the biggest part defensively in holding Culver to 5-of-22 shooting — doesn’t mean Hunter will have the better NBA career. It might not even mean much with respect to a draft that is more than two months away.

But for one night, in a game that had two legitimate first-round wing prospects who were guarding each other often and took the game’s biggest shots, the initial verdict could not have been clearer.

Hunter’s defense had reduced Culver to a hopeless chucker, and he had obliged by missing everything from 3-pointers (0-for-6) to short-armed fadeaways within 10 feet of the basket. It got so desperate that Texas Tech, as the game went on, tried more and more actions and multiple screens in an attempt to get anyone else onto Culver one-on-one. The few times he had any success getting easy baskets, Hunter had been forced to switch onto someone else.

Hunter found his rhythm in the second half against Texas Tech, stroking a pair of threes right after halftime and swishing a pressure-packed 17-footer with 2:20 left to put Virginia up 63-61.

as Virginia closed out the championship with a superb effort in overtime, it was impossible not to view Hunter’s dominance of that matchup on both ends of the court as the factor that carried the Cavaliers to the finish line.

[Jamaaliver]

A deep dive on Jarrett Culver from the Stepien:

Projecting Jarrett Culver



There are questions about whether or not Culver is worthy of the #2 overall pick because of potential lack of primary creation, his jump shot and his overall athleticism. His athleticism, however, is not a concern. Yes, his first step is lacking, and he isn’t a top tier vertical threat. But he has really good athletic traits that aren’t easy to come by.

First, let me say I think the separation between Barrett, Culver and Morant as the best secondary creator in the class is very small, and there are arguments for and against all 3 prospects. There are a few reasons why I’m leaning Culver, and some have already been stated earlier on. Why I’m going Culver > Barrett is based on me trusting Culver’s mentality and IQ more, along with better finishing and higher shooting upside.

His handle needs improvement to reach the level of a really good secondary creator, but I do believe that will happen. Again, his handle will definitely need to improve, as it still is loose and high at times, but he can still create his own shot without vast improvement. It just isn’t your typical aesthetic shot-creation.

Spoiler:

Another reason I’m high on Culver as a secondary creator is his ability to set up drives off passes and his ability to cut off-ball. Culver excels at off-ball cutting and slipping.

Culver has seen a dip in his 3-point percentage compared to last year, but I don’t believe it’s strictly due to volume and difficulty increase. There were mechanical changes from last year to this year as well, but he still wavers from the improved form in certain situations. This is likely due to muscle memory...Ultimately, I trust his shot because I trust the mechanical issues to continue to improve and be more consistent, along with Culver’s very good touch and tough shot-making ability.

This year he’s at 31 usage while still being asked to defend at a high level. Scale the usage back and the defense will get even better, along with the shot selection and efficiency (more catch-and-shoot attempts instead of so much offense coming off the dribble).

Punishing mismatches will also be something Culver can consistently do. He has a pretty legit post-game with an arsenal that’s continuing to expand.

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When you go to Culver and watch his drives, he’s much more reactive and uses great body control and counters. The ability to almost avoid all contact on this drive is wildly impressive.

Defensively, Culver should be talked about more. I know that he gets praise, but I think Culver has potential to be very, very good on that side of the ball. He has ideal measurements and should continue to fill out with muscle. He wasn’t tested very often in isolation or pick-and-roll, but Culver held opponents to 0.63 points-per-possession in isolation (46 possessions) and 0.558 points-per-possession guarding pick-and-roll possessions. Along with that, opponents scored only 0.675 points-per-possesion on spot-ups with him as the main defender, and only 0.727 points-per-possession in the post. To put it simply, Culver is a stud defender who has legitimate All-NBA defensive upside. I see no issue with him being able to guard 2-4, and the occasional lead guard spot.

Culver’s lateral quickness is solid, and he has the strength to take the bump in space and not move much. And he’s almost always disciplined. The other positive with Culver being a good off-ball defender and steals guy is he’s scoring 1.169 points-per-possession in transition. He uses long strides and really good finishing ability to be very good in the open floor, converting defense to offense.

At the end of the day, I fully believe Culver is worth the #2 pick in the draft. Culver’s rare combination of size, strength, lower body flexibility and offbeat rhythm could be just as successful as first step explosion or vertical explosion. He’s also shown flash plays of handling, shooting touch and improved mechanics, and the willingness to adjust and learn.He’ll need to improve his shooting and ball-handling, but after a giant improvement between high school and his freshman year of college, along with another step forward before his sophomore season, there’s reason to feel comfortable betting on Culver’s improvement and upward trajectory.

[King Ken]

There are a lot of wishful thinking statements in that Culver piece from Ross Holman. I tend to agree with Ben Rubin article a lot more on Culver. Ross one was basically if you see, he has done this, although not often and rarely v. Good competition but he does it.

In the same breath they won't give that credit to Reddish or Little who have more talent but just are raw at this stage.

It wouldn't surprise me if Little was a top 10 pick. Like Jaylen Brown, these guys are mid 1sts and what not but once workouts come, teams will just go with the talent as they always do.

[observer1995]

Personally, I really don't think you're going to need a top 5 pick for Reddish, but maybe I'm being too dubious here. I'm thinking that he goes somewhere between 6-10 and leaning, not totally, but leaning towards nbadraftroom's mock being closer to correct. Even despite last night, I don't think he moves up unless he impresses in interviews and workouts and I'm just very dubious he does.

[Jamaaliver]

It wouldn't surprise me if Little was a top 10 pick. Like Jaylen Brown, these guys are mid 1sts and what not but once workouts come, teams will just go with the talent as they always do.

If Nas Little were to somehow fall out of the lottery this year, I'd be willing to offer our 2020 1st round draft pick unprotected in a bid to move back into the 1st round and grab him.

His potential is that high.

[Jamaaliver]

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Spoiler:

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[Spud2nique]

There is zero chance we pass on Cam Reddish at this point. I just hope we get the #4 or #5 pick to lock him down.

Supes ain’t lyin! I’d be happy with Cam and Hunter. Solid A- draft!

https://thebiglead.com/2019/04/09/2019-nba-mock-draft-zion-williamson-ja-morant-rj-barrett-knicks/

[Jamaaliver]

2019 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Projecting All 60 Picks After March Madness




5. Atlanta Hawks | Cam Reddish | SF | Duke

Height: 6'8" | Weight: 220 | Freshman

With Trae Young locked in as Atlanta’s long-term centerpiece, don’t expect the Hawks to bother targeting a guard high in the draft. Reddish is a tricky player to peg, and nobody has fallen in love with him after an overall disappointing individual season at Duke. His approach can be lackadaisical, and his game-to-game production inconsistent, two things that tend to go hand in hand. The fact he made just 39% of two-point attempts is alarming. Still, noting what the Hawks have in place, they’re an ideal landing spot for Reddish, as they would not need him to create a ton of offense, and allow him to develop into a more consistent shooter who can add a little bit extra on both ends. His size and defensive potential are still enticing. Expectations for Reddish should be reconfigured by now, but choosing to try and develop him into a versatile contributor, not a star, would be a defensible decision by Atlanta here.


7.Atlanta Hawks Hawks| Jaxson Hayes | C | Texas

Height: 6’11” | Weight: 220 | Freshman

If this pick jumps into the top five on lottery night, the Mavericks get to keep it. If not, the Hawks will pick twice in the Top 10. This range of the draft is going to be a tricky place to pick, and after Atlanta flipped last year’s first to move down, take Trae Young and add this pick from Dallas, that precedent could again make sense if they can add asset value. If not, they’re probably looking at another project in this range, and Hayes fits well with their assembled personnel and youth movement. He appears to be on track recovering from a late-season knee injury — he was sitting on the bench at the NIT without a brace on — and does offer an appealing blank slate at center. Hayes’ unusual agility and athleticism will make him a worthwhile investment, although he has a long way to go in terms of skill polish and on-court habits before making a significant NBA impact.

Sports Illustrated

[Spud2nique]

Cam and Hunter would be excellent

Ken did u do this draft! Good lookin out!

https://thebiglead.com/2019/04/09/2019-nba-mock-draft-zion-williamson-ja-morant-rj-barrett-knicks/

[Spud2nique]

2019 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Projecting All 60 Picks After March Madness




5. Atlanta Hawks | Cam Reddish | SF | Duke

Height: 6'8" | Weight: 220 | Freshman

With Trae Young locked in as Atlanta’s long-term centerpiece, don’t expect the Hawks to bother targeting a guard high in the draft. Reddish is a tricky player to peg, and nobody has fallen in love with him after an overall disappointing individual season at Duke. His approach can be lackadaisical, and his game-to-game production inconsistent, two things that tend to go hand in hand. The fact he made just 39% of two-point attempts is alarming. Still, noting what the Hawks have in place, they’re an ideal landing spot for Reddish, as they would not need him to create a ton of offense, and allow him to develop into a more consistent shooter who can add a little bit extra on both ends. His size and defensive potential are still enticing. Expectations for Reddish should be reconfigured by now, but choosing to try and develop him into a versatile contributor, not a star, would be a defensible decision by Atlanta here.


7.Atlanta Hawks Hawks| Jaxson Hayes | C | Texas

Height: 6’11” | Weight: 220 | Freshman

If this pick jumps into the top five on lottery night, the Mavericks get to keep it. If not, the Hawks will pick twice in the Top 10. This range of the draft is going to be a tricky place to pick, and after Atlanta flipped last year’s first to move down, take Trae Young and add this pick from Dallas, that precedent could again make sense if they can add asset value. If not, they’re probably looking at another project in this range, and Hayes fits well with their assembled personnel and youth movement. He appears to be on track recovering from a late-season knee injury — he was sitting on the bench at the NIT without a brace on — and does offer an appealing blank slate at center. Hayes’ unusual agility and athleticism will make him a worthwhile investment, although he has a long way to go in terms of skill polish and on-court habits before making a significant NBA impact.

Sports Illustrated

This one is nice too! Wow, I think I’d be happy with about 70% of mocks out there right now for us. Schlenk has made us flexible indeed.

[Spud2nique]

If we draft him I’m not callin him dad! Or the L word...

via the sports illustrated mock.


https://www.si.com/nba/2019/04/09/2019-nba-mock-draft-march-madness-zion-williamson-jarrett-culver-deandre-hunter


35. HAWKS: LUKA SAMANIC, F, OLIMPIJA

[Jamaaliver]

via the sports illustrated mock.


https://www.si.com/nba/2019/04/09/2019-nba-mock-draft-march-madness-zion-williamson-jarrett-culver-deandre-hunter

They have us grabbing Jontay at #41. That would be a real coup!!!

Code: Select all

41. Hawks (via Lakers): Jontay Porter, C, Missouri

[Jamaaliver]

Zion will get to a more manageable size in the nba.

Holy cow!!! Charles was huuuuge.

Was Barkley doubling as a Defensive Tackle for the Football team, too?

Daaaaaaaaamn

[Jamaaliver]

Re-posting as it seems likely we will end up with (at least) one of these young men from the draft:

NBA Comparisons for the Top Players in the Sweet 16

Spoiler:

De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Virginia



Pro comparison: DeMarre Carroll

Switchability is one of the most important traits for a modern NBA wing, and De'Andre Hunter has that. He can defend in the post and on the perimeter, which allows him to match up well at both forward positions. He's also knocked down three-pointers at a 44.6 percent clip this season.

DeMarre Carroll has many of the same attributes as Hunter, and that's exactly the kind of reliable three-and-D wing he should look to emulate as he carves out a role for himself in the Association. With limited athleticism, he will need to rely on his defensive smarts and shooting stroke to be effective.

Bleacher Report

Cam Reddish, SG/SF, Duke



Pro comparison: Stanley Johnson

Coming into the 2015 draft after his freshman season at Arizona, Stanley Johnson had every desired attribute for a future two-way star on the wing. But it just hasn't happened for him yet. He still hasn't learned to finish at the rim and doesn't shoot well enough to make up for that deficiency.

Cam Reddish's college career and physical profile (6'8", 218 lbs) suggest he could either become the player Johnson was supposed to be (something closer to Paul George) or be similarly disappointing when he reaches the professional level. He'll certainly be one of the most polarizing players taken in the lottery.

Bleacher Report

Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech



Pro comparison: Khris Middleton

Jarrett Culver isn't flashy, but he's a solid, do-it-all wing who can create his own shot, facilitate for teammates and defend his position. He's the kind of contributor who can slot in right away and be an effective role player on any team, and some squads may feel he's the second-best player on the board after Zion Williamson.

Culver is not quite the outside shooter Khris Middleton has become for the Milwaukee Bucks, but he has the same kind of smooth and versatile all-around game that would help a variety of teams. His floor is lofty, and he's almost certain to carve out a solid career for himself in the league.

[observer1995]

My downside comp for Reddish would still most certainly not be Stanley Johnson. It'd probably be what Robert Covington would've been for his whole career if he was not on those 76'ers teams that tanked hard. I think he'd put up a 35% three point shot next year and has the ability to get up to 38-40%. I like Huerter's shot better than his. I think Huerter will have top years at 40-42%.

I'm really going to talk myself into taking him being perfectly fine. But still, I don't think anybody that's directly below the Hawks unless you're talking about the Wizards will take him unless he impresses in workouts and interviews. Honestly the only three teams that are in the top 10 or could get there that will give him serious thought are the Hawks, Wizards, and Lakers IMHO. I think everyone else would pass unless he completely blows them away.

[King Ken]

via the sports illustrated mock.


https://www.si.com/nba/2019/04/09/2019-nba-mock-draft-march-madness-zion-williamson-jarrett-culver-deandre-hunter

They have us grabbing Jontay at #41. That would be a real coup!!!

Code: Select all

41. Hawks (via Lakers): Jontay Porter, C, Missouri

They got us killing the draft. These are all A+ plus values

[Buzzard]

Travis thinks outside the box. Last season he had Trae ranked higher than any of the experts. I am sure he has at least one player in a similar boat. If he thinks this is a draft full of role players at the wing position, I'd not be surprised if we took a PG like White and a big. BPA all day is how I think Travis will draft, regardless of position.

[Spud2nique]

via the sports illustrated mock.


https://www.si.com/nba/2019/04/09/2019-nba-mock-draft-march-madness-zion-williamson-jarrett-culver-deandre-hunter

They have us grabbing Jontay at #41. That would be a real coup!!!

Code: Select all

41. Hawks (via Lakers): Jontay Porter, C, Missouri

They got us killing the draft. These are all A+ plus values

That’s what I’m sayin Supes. What Schlenk did is allow a franchise like us that quite often drops the ball (pun intended or not ur choice) to have a huge margin for error. We can go in a number of directions due to this roster flexibility and well let’s face it, Trae. The options are endless.


Cam+Hunter
Cam+Hayes
Culver+Hunter
Culver+Hayes
Zion+ (fill in the blank)


Again, let’s wait and see how the lottery pans out, the odds are in our favor though and that’s the truth, no optimism.

[shakes0]

At this point I would guess that the 2 players ATL ends up with in the lottery will be from the group of Cam, Hunter, Culver, Hayes and Bol. 2 of those 5 assuming we don't get a top 3 pick.