Moderators: HMFFL, Jamaaliver, dms269
King Ken wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:
This is and isn't true. This draft is deeper in terms of potential but worse in terms of NBA readiness and the top 10 is much weaker compared to last year.
The StepbackGoga Bitadze | C | Mega Bemax
Bitadze is a load inside, the type of hard-nosed European big man we’ve grown accustomed to watching over the last few years, sticking it out in the modern NBA by playing good defense and rebounding. These guys make opponents pay for going small...Just 19 and operating as a primary scoring option for the NBA development powerhouse Mega Bemax (Nikola Jokic, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Ivica Zubac all played here), Bitadze impressed ESPN's NBA overseas scouts:
“He can pop to 3 and the midrange or facilitate out of short rolls. He’s not the most polished post scorer or vertical finisher, but he’s improved his conditioning. He’s quick off his feet for his size and should continue adding more touch shots and craft to his game.”
If Bitadze can elevate his perimeter shooting and become a genuine threat inside like his primary comp, Jusuf Nurkic, then Bitadze is someone who will be a load in the regular season and still be able to stay on the court in the playoffs.
CBS SportsGonzaga's Rui Hachimura 'excited' for chance to be first Japanese player taken in first round
The Zags' Hachimura has a big opportunity to be a star on and off the court
Everyone, it seems, wants a piece of Hachimura.
That's because Hachimura is not your typical soon-to-be lottery pick. When Hachimura's name is called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, he'll become the first Japanese first-round pick in NBA history. There is an inordinate amount pressure on his shoulders. It's a sort of pressure that Hachimura welcomes. And you can see it as Japan prepares to be the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics, where Hachimura will almost certainly be the star player for the home country's men's basketball team.
His first year at Gonzaga was difficult. He didn't know the language. He didn't know the culture. The basketball was different, too, a much more physical game than he was used to.
But his coaches nudged him on: His second year would be easier than the first, especially as his language improved. He studied tape of Kawhi Leonard, the two-way player Hachimura most tries to emulate. He brought a positive spirit and a big smile, and he wasn't afraid to ask coaches to explain things he didn't understand.
Things got easier his second season. This season, he broke out as a star, averaging nearly 20 points and 6.5 rebounds while displaying a non-stop motor on both ends of the court. His trajectory at Gonzaga had him making massive improvements each year, capitalizing on his raw gifts – very good athleticism, a quick first step, a 6-foot-8 body that's well-built to go against NBA forwards and a wingspan that's well over 7 feet. He's a jack of all trades whose biggest area of improvement will likely need to be his 3-point shot; Hachimura shot an impressive 41.7 percent from 3-point range this season, but he only took one 3-pointer per game.
The other key is for Hachimura to be selective about his business opportunities outside of basketball. The demand on his time and to capitalize on his likeness will be huge because of his cultural pull in Japan and the historic nature of becoming the first Japanese first-round pick. He'll sign a deal for millions of dollars with an NBA team in a few months, and he'll have millions more in endorsements rolling in. He may have the biggest off-court business potential of any player in this draft not named Zion Williamson.
On the court, he could become a Wilson Chandler, a Boris Diaw, an Aaron Gordon, a Ron Artest. Or he could surpass all those players.
King Ken wrote:For us Hawk fans, TS is honest with us. Whatever you likely hear from our camp is likely true. This isn't the Bud/Ferry camp. It's nice to have transparency for once.
King Ken wrote:Atlanta which shouldn't surprise no one is willing to move up from #9.
King Ken wrote:For us Hawk fans, TS is honest with us. Whatever you likely hear from our camp is likely true. This isn't the Bud/Ferry camp. It's nice to have transparency for once.
_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:King Ken wrote:Atlanta which shouldn't surprise no one is willing to move up from #9.
Move up to 2019 #1, does not surprise.
Move up to anything less than a #1 for 2019 or a high-projection 2020 first rounder? That's a different story.King Ken wrote:For us Hawk fans, TS is honest with us. Whatever you likely hear from our camp is likely true. This isn't the Bud/Ferry camp. It's nice to have transparency for once.
I disagree on both counts.
1. TS has misled people on more than one occasion in his two years here. Most glaringly, the tank-itude was kept hidden from us until shortly after he traded Dwight.
2. But I don't understand why we should feel good about a FO that would be open and honest, particularly where a draft is concerned. Information is power. Don't hand any of your power off that your competition can use against you.
NBADraft.netSituational Analysis: Cameron Reddish
Reddish possesses every single physical attribute one would want in an NBA forward. It's almost as if he was created on NBA2K with all the restrictions turned off.
At 6-8, 220 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan and a surprising combination of strength and agility, Reddish doesn't have to do much more than put on a uniform and lace up a pair of sneakers in order to draw comparisons to Paul George or a young Carmelo Anthony.
Reddish is a natural scorer. He can get his points from any level on the floor – at the rim, at the line, off the dribble, spotting up. He's best described as a streaky outside shooter, but he has shown the ability to knock down NBA-line 3-pointers. He has soft hands, nice touch, and nimble feet.
His physical attributes also theoretically translate on the defensive end, where Reddish optimists see a versatile wing quick enough to slide his feet in front of guards and strong enough to hang with bruising roll men.
[But] for every game where Reddish looked unstoppable, there were three more where Reddish was essentially invisible. For all of his physical gifts, intensity is not yet among them. Far too often, Reddish seems content to jog between 3-point lines, work up a sweat, and let his height/wingspan keep him rated highly on various mock drafts.
Reddish needs to find a situation that lights a fire under his butt. Everything else is there for him to achieve NBA success.
Jamaaliver wrote:NBADraft.netSituational Analysis: Cameron Reddish
Reddish possesses every single physical attribute one would want in an NBA forward. It's almost as if he was created on NBA2K with all the restrictions turned off.
At 6-8, 220 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan and a surprising combination of strength and agility, Reddish doesn't have to do much more than put on a uniform and lace up a pair of sneakers in order to draw comparisons to Paul George or a young Carmelo Anthony.
Reddish is a natural scorer. He can get his points from any level on the floor – at the rim, at the line, off the dribble, spotting up. He's best described as a streaky outside shooter, but he has shown the ability to knock down NBA-line 3-pointers. He has soft hands, nice touch, and nimble feet.
His physical attributes also theoretically translate on the defensive end, where Reddish optimists see a versatile wing quick enough to slide his feet in front of guards and strong enough to hang with bruising roll men.
[But] for every game where Reddish looked unstoppable, there were three more where Reddish was essentially invisible. For all of his physical gifts, intensity is not yet among them. Far too often, Reddish seems content to jog between 3-point lines, work up a sweat, and let his height/wingspan keep him rated highly on various mock drafts.
Reddish needs to find a situation that lights a fire under his butt. Everything else is there for him to achieve NBA success.
Jamaaliver wrote:NBADraft.netSituational Analysis: Cameron Reddish
Reddish possesses every single physical attribute one would want in an NBA forward. It's almost as if he was created on NBA2K with all the restrictions turned off.
At 6-8, 220 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan and a surprising combination of strength and agility, Reddish doesn't have to do much more than put on a uniform and lace up a pair of sneakers in order to draw comparisons to Paul George or a young Carmelo Anthony.
Reddish is a natural scorer. He can get his points from any level on the floor – at the rim, at the line, off the dribble, spotting up. He's best described as a streaky outside shooter, but he has shown the ability to knock down NBA-line 3-pointers. He has soft hands, nice touch, and nimble feet.
His physical attributes also theoretically translate on the defensive end, where Reddish optimists see a versatile wing quick enough to slide his feet in front of guards and strong enough to hang with bruising roll men.
[But] for every game where Reddish looked unstoppable, there were three more where Reddish was essentially invisible. For all of his physical gifts, intensity is not yet among them. Far too often, Reddish seems content to jog between 3-point lines, work up a sweat, and let his height/wingspan keep him rated highly on various mock drafts.
Reddish needs to find a situation that lights a fire under his butt. Everything else is there for him to achieve NBA success.
Jamaaliver wrote:CBS SportsGonzaga's Rui Hachimura 'excited' for chance to be first Japanese player taken in first round
The Zags' Hachimura has a big opportunity to be a star on and off the court
Everyone, it seems, wants a piece of Hachimura.
That's because Hachimura is not your typical soon-to-be lottery pick. When Hachimura's name is called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, he'll become the first Japanese first-round pick in NBA history. There is an inordinate amount pressure on his shoulders. It's a sort of pressure that Hachimura welcomes. And you can see it as Japan prepares to be the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics, where Hachimura will almost certainly be the star player for the home country's men's basketball team.
His first year at Gonzaga was difficult. He didn't know the language. He didn't know the culture. The basketball was different, too, a much more physical game than he was used to.
But his coaches nudged him on: His second year would be easier than the first, especially as his language improved. He studied tape of Kawhi Leonard, the two-way player Hachimura most tries to emulate. He brought a positive spirit and a big smile, and he wasn't afraid to ask coaches to explain things he didn't understand.
Things got easier his second season. This season, he broke out as a star, averaging nearly 20 points and 6.5 rebounds while displaying a non-stop motor on both ends of the court. His trajectory at Gonzaga had him making massive improvements each year, capitalizing on his raw gifts – very good athleticism, a quick first step, a 6-foot-8 body that's well-built to go against NBA forwards and a wingspan that's well over 7 feet. He's a jack of all trades whose biggest area of improvement will likely need to be his 3-point shot; Hachimura shot an impressive 41.7 percent from 3-point range this season, but he only took one 3-pointer per game.
The other key is for Hachimura to be selective about his business opportunities outside of basketball. The demand on his time and to capitalize on his likeness will be huge because of his cultural pull in Japan and the historic nature of becoming the first Japanese first-round pick. He'll sign a deal for millions of dollars with an NBA team in a few months, and he'll have millions more in endorsements rolling in. He may have the biggest off-court business potential of any player in this draft not named Zion Williamson.
On the court, he could become a Wilson Chandler, a Boris Diaw, an Aaron Gordon, a Ron Artest. Or he could surpass all those players.
Spud2nique wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:NBADraft.netSituational Analysis: Cameron Reddish
Reddish possesses every single physical attribute one would want in an NBA forward. It's almost as if he was created on NBA2K with all the restrictions turned off.
At 6-8, 220 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan and a surprising combination of strength and agility, Reddish doesn't have to do much more than put on a uniform and lace up a pair of sneakers in order to draw comparisons to Paul George or a young Carmelo Anthony.
Reddish is a natural scorer. He can get his points from any level on the floor – at the rim, at the line, off the dribble, spotting up. He's best described as a streaky outside shooter, but he has shown the ability to knock down NBA-line 3-pointers. He has soft hands, nice touch, and nimble feet.
His physical attributes also theoretically translate on the defensive end, where Reddish optimists see a versatile wing quick enough to slide his feet in front of guards and strong enough to hang with bruising roll men.
[But] for every game where Reddish looked unstoppable, there were three more where Reddish was essentially invisible. For all of his physical gifts, intensity is not yet among them. Far too often, Reddish seems content to jog between 3-point lines, work up a sweat, and let his height/wingspan keep him rated highly on various mock drafts.
Reddish needs to find a situation that lights a fire under his butt. Everything else is there for him to achieve NBA success.
Good god that’s pretty. I don’t agree with any Melo comparisons in any way shape or form. Im also somewhat concerned and have been about his jogging between the lines and doggin it. Ultimately he’s the best fit but I don’t want a guy that thinks he’s made it. I want a hungry kid that loves basketball like Trae.
The StepbackNickeil Alexander-Walker | G | Virginia Tech
...one reason we believe Alexander-Walker will rise into the lottery before this draft process is finished is because of his comfort and consistency hitting pull-up 3s.
The primary point of growth from last season to this one for the Hokie product is knowing what to do with the ball in his hands creating offense off screens. Fortunately for scouts, Alexander-Walker was still rarely Virginia Tech’s primary initiator. Instead, he was operating in a role similar to that which he will occupy in the NBA as a second-side attacker and floor-spacer. Virginia Tech reached new heights this year in part because Alexander-Walker’s ceiling was higher in those situations, facing a broken defense that didn’t know what he would do.
Alexander-Walker is better getting downhill and pulling up from midrange. Often, he shoots from a step or two inside the line to get the muscle memory and momentum going in the right direction. However, when the defense sags (either by mistake or because they can’t execute more aggressive pick-and-roll defense), Alexander-Walker can make them pay.
He also has a nice spin move to create space for closer jumpers as all as the smarts to kick back out and reset when nothing’s open. All this shows just how special Alexander-Walker can be as a starting NBA guard.
The Stepback2019 NBA Mock Draft:
7. Atlanta Hawks
De'Andre Hunter | F | Virginia
Hunter is slow, methodical, tactical. He doesn’t jump out as an athletic specimen or a precognitive playmaker who reads things seconds before they happen. He reacts, responds and attacks. He takes what’s given and makes the most of it.
This is what the Hawks have focused on and will continue to covet. Their general manager, Travis Schlenk, hails from Golden State, where high-IQ players and team players came together to form a surprise dynasty. The Warriors can shoot the lights out and lock down on defense, but more than anything they buy in and read each other when they need to.
Hunter would help bring that ethos to Atlanta at a position of need.
10. Atlanta Hawks
Brandon Clarke | F/C | Gonzaga
With a defensive-minded assistant coach at the helm and someone like Clarke in the middle, the Hawks’ long-term outlook on that end of the floor would improve dramatically with just this one pick. Clarke’s value is in the adaptability he provides with his unique combination of quickness, length and IQ.
Clarke blocked his share of jumpers this year and maintains the quick reaction time and foot speed necessary to corral ball-handlers headed toward the rim. Gonzaga had few prototypical defenders but still finished fourth in the country in defensive efficiency, in large part thanks to Clarke.
Spud2nique wrote:Jamaaliver wrote:NBADraft.netSituational Analysis: Cameron Reddish
Reddish possesses every single physical attribute one would want in an NBA forward. It's almost as if he was created on NBA2K with all the restrictions turned off.
At 6-8, 220 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan and a surprising combination of strength and agility, Reddish doesn't have to do much more than put on a uniform and lace up a pair of sneakers in order to draw comparisons to Paul George or a young Carmelo Anthony.
Reddish is a natural scorer. He can get his points from any level on the floor – at the rim, at the line, off the dribble, spotting up. He's best described as a streaky outside shooter, but he has shown the ability to knock down NBA-line 3-pointers. He has soft hands, nice touch, and nimble feet.
His physical attributes also theoretically translate on the defensive end, where Reddish optimists see a versatile wing quick enough to slide his feet in front of guards and strong enough to hang with bruising roll men.
[But] for every game where Reddish looked unstoppable, there were three more where Reddish was essentially invisible. For all of his physical gifts, intensity is not yet among them. Far too often, Reddish seems content to jog between 3-point lines, work up a sweat, and let his height/wingspan keep him rated highly on various mock drafts.
Reddish needs to find a situation that lights a fire under his butt. Everything else is there for him to achieve NBA success.
Good god that’s pretty. I don’t agree with any Melo comparisons in any way shape or form. Im also somewhat concerned and have been about his jogging between the lines and doggin it. Ultimately he’s the best fit but I don’t want a guy that thinks he’s made it. I want a hungry kid that loves basketball like Trae.
EazyRoc wrote:Spud2nique wrote:Jamaaliver wrote: NBADraft.net
Good god that’s pretty. I don’t agree with any Melo comparisons in any way shape or form. Im also somewhat concerned and have been about his jogging between the lines and doggin it. Ultimately he’s the best fit but I don’t want a guy that thinks he’s made it. I want a hungry kid that loves basketball like Trae.
This is my thing and it kind of nullifies any potential he has. He gives off a “just happy to be here” vibe..
King Ken wrote:EazyRoc wrote:Spud2nique wrote:
Good god that’s pretty. I don’t agree with any Melo comparisons in any way shape or form. Im also somewhat concerned and have been about his jogging between the lines and doggin it. Ultimately he’s the best fit but I don’t want a guy that thinks he’s made it. I want a hungry kid that loves basketball like Trae.
This is my thing and it kind of nullifies any potential he has. He gives off a “just happy to be here” vibe..
He does have the just happy to be here vibe which is the same exact vibe Kevin has. There is a difference between that and I feel like i already made it. The two couldn't be further apart.
If his personality is an issue to you, you need to trade Kevin Huerter for a bag of chips. He has the same exact personality. D. Wade even has that personality
