2019 NBA Draft Prep

[CP War Hawks]

Thybulle def has some assurance from a playoff team. A potential harden container has more value than your circa 35% 3 point shooter from my pov.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

So why would that matter, though? I don't get the rationale, never have. Even if some team has "guaranteed" to select you at some slot, that doesn't mean you don't want to go higher if you can.

[personanongrata]

So why would that matter, though? I don't get the rationale, never have. Even if some team has "guaranteed" to select you at some slot, that doesn't mean you don't want to go higher if you can.

Those guarantees are BS. What if another more desired player falls to them? I don't understand why teams tell players that.

[Spud2nique]

So why would that matter, though? I don't get the rationale, never have. Even if some team has "guaranteed" to select you at some slot, that doesn't mean you don't want to go higher if you can.

Ya but then you might end up with the Knicks and out of the league in 2 years vs with a Rockets team and have a specific role that suits your skills.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

And you would definitely end up with a higher salary and a better opportunity to log significant minutes on such a team.

I don't get the rationale, never have.

[Spud2nique]

And you would definitely end up with a higher salary and a better opportunity to log significant minutes on such a team.

I don't get the rationale, never have.

I just answered it above. You can continue to wonder though that’s all you.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I understood you answered it, and my response answered that answer, no?

Higher salary > Lower salary

Better opportunity to log more minutes > Less opportunity to log more minutes

The latter is especially pertinent to your answer, Spud.... where is a rookie naturally going to get better opportunity, on the Knicks roster where several roles are open or on the Rockets where there is maybe one?... from which roster, then, is he more likely to be dropped in two years... the Knicks or the Rockets?

[Geaux_Hawks]

If it's a for sure, no doubt guarantee that a playoff team with aspirations to use him specifically what he is meant to do, he's better off just letting them take him over being drafted by the Knicks, who will certainly be looking to use guys that have more upside.

He's limited as is being a perimeter defender only. He's not going to develop much more than that. I don't care how many opportunities he gets. If the rumors are true that OKC is the team targeting him, then it's fitting as they only need him to defend and hit a 3 every now and then. He easily slides between Russ & PG in the starting lineup.

Matisse is for the teams that can't get their hands on a Deandre Hunter level prospect to be that Harden defender. Those kind of teams guarantee a spot on their team, and take him earlier than where he should be in the 20's. Players like Matisse jump on that to find themselves in a better situation having a for sure role, minutes, much better org to be apart of, and possibility of getting a ring a lot sooner.

Going to the Combine gives him nothing more than what he has already showcased. It's usually a showcase of athleticism and things you can do. We know he's a super athlete that can defend. We know he has nothing to show on offense really. We know what he is. At this point, he could lose that promise just by going to the combine and tearing something trying to do to much to prove he's more than he is.

The NBA combine is really for someone like Romeo Lanford who would look better if he showcased more promise as a shooter, and dribbling.

[atlantabbq99]

Only 3 days left.....

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

If it's a for sure, no doubt guarantee that a playoff team with aspirations to use him specifically what he is meant to do, he's better off just letting them take him over being drafted by the Knicks, who will certainly be looking to use guys that have more upside.

The inference is that Thybulle himself regards himself as limited in what he is meant to do.

I highly, highly, highly doubt any player you interview who expects to be taken in the first round regards himself as limited in what he is meant to do. They all believe they are so much more capable than what some people think they are, and they're all of-the-mind that they're just looking for the opportunity to prove that.

It might be a different story if you talk to Thybulle's agent, of course. If Thybulle is allowing his agent to have that degree of influence, for me anyway, that brings up new questions about Thybulle's determination to succeed.

[Geaux_Hawks]

If it's a for sure, no doubt guarantee that a playoff team with aspirations to use him specifically what he is meant to do, he's better off just letting them take him over being drafted by the Knicks, who will certainly be looking to use guys that have more upside.

The inference is that Thybulle himself regards himself as limited in what he is meant to do.

I highly, highly, highly doubt any player you interview who expects to be taken in the first round regards himself as limited in what he is meant to do. They all believe they are so much more capable than what some people think they are, and they're all of-the-mind that they're just looking for the opportunity to prove that.

It might be a different story if you talk to Thybulle's agent, of course. If Thybulle is allowing his agent to have that degree of influence, for me anyway, that brings up new questions about Thybulle's determination to succeed.

Of course any player will think he is a first round talent with the ability to do more. Thybulle just so happens to be a player that has a promise based off what is known of him to this date. Because of that promise, he has chosen to not be further evaluated, and risking that promise to be drafted by whoever gave him that promise in the first round. If his agent his steering him to not go to combine as well, that shouldn't make you question his determination to succeed.

To me, that sounds like a guy who knows and understands who he is. Otherwise, why not go and show the other 29 teams that you're better than what the current scouting report is saying? For all we know, his agent may be hearing that he is a 2nd round pick(rightfully so), with little chance of being selected in the first until the recent promise. His agent would be foolish to tell his guy to go out there and risk his promise of being a first round pick.

Again, he's 22 years old with very limited upside on offense, and he's got plenty of tape over the last 4 years to back that up. He's not going to suddenly show signs of being a threat on offense, and being an older prospect, he doesn't have a lot of time to really develop that offense either beyond showing consistency as a shooter.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I agree with most of what you just said, and we're both waiting to see if this was a choice made because he sees no value in attempting to move up by having a solid combine performance, or if... as I am more inclined to suspect... there's an injury of some kind or some recent surgery rehab that common sense says makes showing up for the combine disadvantageous... and/but that won't get in the way of him working out for teams as we get closer to the draft.

Otoh, if there's no health consideration, we simply disagree that avoiding the combine on the basis of advice of his agent and just a predisposition that he can't expect to help himself suggests reason for question about his drive. That's a yellow flag, and one that I'd have to take into consideration if it's me. Still might choose him just because of the yellow and red flags seen among the others on the shopping list, but it definitely doesn't help. I don't assume the best. Skepticism is merited.

[CP War Hawks]

Didn't even realize until earlier today MT had a rumored promise from OKC. I mean, they don't have a defense problem. They need a guy that can hit spot up jumpshots period. I would try to trade back with Philly and target Cam Johnson or Jerome, etc.

At the 21 spot, I'd happily shut it down too in his shoes. That's a meteoric rise from his perspective. For us, we have Bembry so it's kind of redundant.

[Geaux_Hawks]

I agree with most of what you just said, and we're both waiting to see if this was a choice made because he sees no value in attempting to move up by having a solid combine performance, or if... as I am more inclined to suspect... there's an injury of some kind or some recent surgery rehab that common sense says makes showing up for the combine disadvantageous... and/but that won't get in the way of him working out for teams as we get closer to the draft.

Otoh, if there's no health consideration, we simply disagree that avoiding the combine on the basis of advice of his agent and just a predisposition that he can't expect to help himself suggests reason for question about his drive. That's a yellow flag, and one that I'd have to take into consideration if it's me. Still might choose him just because of the yellow and red flags seen among the others on the shopping list, but it definitely doesn't help. I don't assume the best. Skepticism is merited.

I get what you're saying, and if it was a guy with question marks about him, then I would for sure agree. I just think Thybulle doesn't have much left to showcase. He would basically be going just to go. Like CP Warhawk stated, a jump to 21 is huge for him. Anybody considering him higher than 21, will certainly schedule him a private workout. Time will tell, but I can't help but think he's made the right choice.

[Jamaaliver]

Matisse Thybulle | Washington | Sr | SG | 6-5 | 200

An elite and versatile defender, the new Pac-12 career record holder for steals averaged 3.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game this season in Washington's zone defense. He can shoot it from deep, too, shooting 36 percent from 3-point range in his career.

CBS Sports

Spoiler:

In-depth look at defensive wizard prospect Matisse Thybulle

It’s difficult to use defensive stats to evaluate how good a player is on that end of the floor. However, Washington’s Matisse Thybulle’s stats are so good that they’re hard to ignore

Although Thybulle might still be a little under the radar, it seems that NBA teams have taken notice of him. Projections seem to have him going late first round, but based on these unprecedented defensive stats, wouldn’t one think he might go even higher?

Although he clearly has a lot to offer on defense, offense is more of a question. Thybulle’s defensive ability could profile him as a great “3-and-D” candidate in the NBA, a role player that specializes on defense and providing solid three-point shooting. The “D” seems to be there, but what about the “3”? NBA teams might be a bit concerned about the “3,” as Thybulle only shot 46-151 (30.5%) from long range in 2018-19. But it’s not as if Thybulle has never shot the ball well. Look at how Matisse shot from downtown throughout his collegiate career:

• Freshmen Year: 34-93 (36.6%)
• Sophomore Year: 53-131 (40.5%)
• Junior Year: 58-159 (36.5%)
• Senior Year: 46-151 (30.5%)

His poor shooting senior season is definitely not ideal, but I think there’s plenty of reason for teams to be optimistic about his shooting down the road. He even shot 85.1% from the line his senior season, and many think a good free throw percentage can be a positive predictor of long term shot development in the NBA.

Defensively, there’s no reason he shouldn’t produce in the NBA. The only potential concern is his height at 6-5. Thybulle definitely isn’t “small,” but for an NBA forward, I think NBA teams would prefer he were an inch or two taller. But if Thybulle’s defense indeed translates and he is able to hit shots, I think he’s worth a pick closer to 20 than 30 in the upcoming draft.

Busting Brackets

[Jamaaliver]

Goga Bitadze NBA Draft 2019 profile

THE GOGA BITADZE FILE

Watch on YouTube

Height: 6-foot-11

Weight: 250 pounds

2018-19 stats: 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 54.8 field-goal percentage, 31.3 percent shooting on 3s and 71.4 percent free-throw shooting in 23.6 minutes per game.

NBA comparison: Jusuf Nurkic

Bitadze was awarded the EuroLeague Rising Star, voted by the league’s head coaches to recognize the best player in each EuroLeague season who was younger than 22 years old on July 1 of the previous summer.

“He posted the highest PER in Euroleague history for a teenager, exceeding that of Luka Doncic’s last season,” wrote ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony.

"On the heels of an extremely impressive season overseas, Bitadze looks like a viable late-lottery option and is pretty clearly the most polished big man in the draft," wrote Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo. "Noting his statistical productivity at a high level as a teenager, there’s a fairly safe baseline floor that comes attached with him."

Cleveland.com

[Jamaaliver]

Mfiondu Kabengele NBA Draft 2019 profile

THE MFIONDU KABENGELE FILE

Watch on YouTube

Height: 6-foot-10

Weight: 250 pounds

2018-19 stats: 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 50.2 field-goal percentage, 36.9 percent shooting on 3s and 76.1 percent free-throw shooting in 21.6 minutes per game.

NBA comparison: Serge Ibaka

Kabengele is 21 years old and will turn 22 on Aug. 14. He scored a career-high 26 points Jan. 20 against Boston College and three times hauled in 12 rebounds. Additionally, Kabengele won the Atlantic Coast Conference's sixth man of the year award and also earned All-ACC tournament honors in 2019.

"Kabengele’s productivity and willingness to play a role has made him one of the more intriguing guys to follow," wrote Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated. "He checks the right boxes for an energy big, and if the jump shot translates, there’s an interesting player here."

Cleveland.com

[Jamaaliver]

Syracuse's Jim Boeheim thinks Zion Williamson won't dominate like he did at Duke

For as much as Zion Williamson, the presumed No. 1 pick in next month's NBA draft, dominated in college, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim thinks he'll face some tougher challenges at the professional level.

"He's physical and you can't match him. I think the NBA will match him a little bit better," Boeheim said on MSG Network, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "I think he won't be able to do some of the things he did in college."

...at the NBA level, Boeheim thinks Williamson will need to do more than make explosive dunks and highlight-reel blocks on a regular basis.

"Over the course of the regular season, [Williamson will] be a hard guard to defend and handle,'' Boeheim said. "I think when it comes to playoff basketball, he's going to have to expand his game a little bit. There's a lot of size in the NBA, people forget there's a lot of big, strong guys in the NBA. In college, he was by far the strongest, toughest guy to me in college basketball."

For as dynamic a star as he was with Duke, he did shoot just 33.8 percent from 3-point range and had a 64 percent free-throw percentage. Perhaps those are aspects he looks to build upon.

sny.tv

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[socialsavant]

Want to know what you guys think of Sekou Doumbouya? I wasn't very high on him several months ago but his latest tape really looks good to me. He's got that rare combo of size (he looks 6' 10" to me and he just turned 18), speed, and nimbleness. I don't know what his percentages are but I love the arc and spin he gets on his shot and his form looks good enough. What really stands out to me is his passing and court vision. He's making some high level passes (at least in his highlights) from all over the court and he's a monster in transition. He's only been playing ball for about 6+ years and he's very clearly a lotto pick to me. I don't like making player comparisons because the best players have no comp but he really reminds me of Lamar Odom in transition. I think his game fits incredibly well with Trae, Kevin Huerter, and John Collins because he's so versatile. Defense might be his best skill when it's all said and done and we could definitely use a shot of that. Any who, let me know what you guys think. Obviously I like him lol.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Want to know what you guys think of Sekou Doumbouya? I wasn't very high on him several months ago but his latest tape really looks good to me. He's got that rare combo of size (he looks 6' 10" to me and he just turned 18), speed, and nimbleness. I don't know what his percentages are but I love the arc and spin he gets on his shot and his form looks good enough. What really stands out to me is his passing and court vision. He's making some high level passes (at least in his highlights) from all over the court and he's a monster in transition. He's only been playing ball for about 6+ years and he's very clearly a lotto pick to me. I don't like making player comparisons because the best players have no comp but he really reminds me of Lamar Odom in transition. I think his game fits incredibly well with Trae, Kevin Huerter, and John Collins because he's so versatile. Defense might be his best skill when it's all said and done and we could definitely use a shot of that. Any who, let me know what you guys think. Obviously I like him lol.

(See the thread someone recently started.)