2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

Collins needs someone next to him who can both protect the rim and hit spot up perimeter jumpers.

may I introduce you to Mfiondu Kabengele? The lottery is too high to grab him, but he should be available in the mid-20s.

Kabengele drew more attention to his breakout season by averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds through three NCAA tournament games. A physical standout at 6'10" and 250 pounds, he improved his perimeter shot making and consequently his draft case as an inside-out big.

Bleacher Report

Mfiondu Kabengele

6-10 center, redshirt sophomore, Florida State

On a per-minute basis, few players in college basketball were as valuable as Kabengele. He averaged 24.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes while shooting 50 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3, and 76 percent from the line. Defensively, he fouls a bit too often, but he also has pretty good feet to move on the perimeter. His feel for the game is extremely high, and has the look of a potential small-ball NBA center.

The Athletic

[Ball4life32]

Look at our own roster as a microcosm of the whole league.

Deadmon, Collins, Len, Bazemore are all guys who’ve made big improvements in their perimeter shooting.

Bembry is the only poor shooter we have that doesn’t look like he will be better.

Bazemore shot 32% from 3 last year. Len/Dedmon made improvements but they’re still streaky shooters. It’s not like they’ve turned into elite shooters. Those two guys are stopgaps and were never the future next to Collins anyway. Hayes can improve his shot and still be a low % / low efficient shooter.

The idea isn’t about going from bad to elite but bad to avg-above avg. Baze shot damn near 40% with a vet. PG, coach, and defined role. I bring those other guys up to show it is more likely that a player can develop into an avg shooter than it is that they won’t. In Hayes case, I think he could become an above avg. shooter with time & reps. There’s nothing that indicates he cannot be in my eyes.

So hoping he can become an average shooter, below average rebounder, no passing ability. Yeah i understand trying to add defense to Trae/Huerter/Collins but it’s a bad fit offensively imo and Collins/Hayes aren’t even playable in the playoffs right now outside of short stretches.

[EazyRoc]

Collins needs someone next to him who can both protect the rim and hit spot up perimeter jumpers.

may I introduce you to Mfiondu Kabengele? The lottery is too high to garb him, but he should be available in the mid-20s.

Kabengele drew more attention to his breakout season by averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds through three NCAA tournament games. A physical standout at 6'10" and 250 pounds, he improved his perimeter shot making and consequently his draft case as an inside-out big.

Bleacher Report

I honestly like every big in this draft

Hayes, Bruno, Goga, Kabengele, and Porter. I like them all. Porter has the best fit as far as skill set. Followed by Goga, then Bruno. I think Hayes and Bruno have the highest potential.

[King Ken]

Bazemore shot 32% from 3 last year. Len/Dedmon made improvements but they’re still streaky shooters. It’s not like they’ve turned into elite shooters. Those two guys are stopgaps and were never the future next to Collins anyway. Hayes can improve his shot and still be a low % / low efficient shooter.

The idea isn’t about going from bad to elite but bad to avg-above avg. Baze shot damn near 40% with a vet. PG, coach, and defined role. I bring those other guys up to show it is more likely that a player can develop into an avg shooter than it is that they won’t. In Hayes case, I think he could become an above avg. shooter with time & reps. There’s nothing that indicates he cannot be in my eyes.

So hoping he can become an average shooter, below average rebounder, no passing ability. Yeah i understand trying to add defense to Trae/Huerter/Collins but it’s a bad fit offensively imo and Collins/Hayes aren’t even playable in the playoffs right now outside of short stretches.

Hayes isn't starting year 1. It will be Len or Dedmon. He will have to earn his minutes.

[jayu70]

Collins needs someone next to him who can both protect the rim and hit spot up perimeter jumpers.

may I introduce you to Mfiondu Kabengele? The lottery is too high to grab him, but he should be available in the mid-20s.

Kabengele drew more attention to his breakout season by averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds through three NCAA tournament games. A physical standout at 6'10" and 250 pounds, he improved his perimeter shot making and consequently his draft case as an inside-out big.

Bleacher Report

Mfiondu Kabengele

6-10 center, redshirt sophomore, Florida State

On a per-minute basis, few players in college basketball were as valuable as Kabengele. He averaged 24.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes while shooting 50 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3, and 76 percent from the line. Defensively, he fouls a bit too often, but he also has pretty good feet to move on the perimeter. His feel for the game is extremely high, and has the look of a potential small-ball NBA center.

The Athletic

How do we get another pick in the 20s (while keeping 8 and 10) - which team might be looking to sell their pick?
SAS has #19, just saying.

[Ball4life32]

The idea isn’t about going from bad to elite but bad to avg-above avg. Baze shot damn near 40% with a vet. PG, coach, and defined role. I bring those other guys up to show it is more likely that a player can develop into an avg shooter than it is that they won’t. In Hayes case, I think he could become an above avg. shooter with time & reps. There’s nothing that indicates he cannot be in my eyes.

So hoping he can become an average shooter, below average rebounder, no passing ability. Yeah i understand trying to add defense to Trae/Huerter/Collins but it’s a bad fit offensively imo and Collins/Hayes aren’t even playable in the playoffs right now outside of short stretches.

Hayes isn't starting year 1. It will be Len or Dedmon. He will have to earn his minutes.

Dedmon is a FA and I really hope Len isn’t starting all year. There’s a C (not Hayes) we could probably get in the top 10, that’s good enough to start day 1 imo if he’s healthy. Obviously they’ll have to earn their minutes.

[Spud2nique]

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.

Watch on YouTube

I got this Jamalo. Uhuhuihhihh (clearing throat) May IIIIIIII,

Introduce Mr. Kabengele...

I’m always watching ur work Jamalo.

[Spud2nique]

Collins needs someone next to him who can both protect the rim and hit spot up perimeter jumpers.

may I introduce you to Mfiondu Kabengele? The lottery is too high to grab him, but he should be available in the mid-20s.

Kabengele drew more attention to his breakout season by averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds through three NCAA tournament games. A physical standout at 6'10" and 250 pounds, he improved his perimeter shot making and consequently his draft case as an inside-out big.

Bleacher Report

Mfiondu Kabengele

6-10 center, redshirt sophomore, Florida State

On a per-minute basis, few players in college basketball were as valuable as Kabengele. He averaged 24.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes while shooting 50 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3, and 76 percent from the line. Defensively, he fouls a bit too often, but he also has pretty good feet to move on the perimeter. His feel for the game is extremely high, and has the look of a potential small-ball NBA center.

The Athletic

Watch on YouTube

[Spud2nique]

Who made the player poll above? That’s all the options of player to vote in. Outside of Cam and Clarke that list makes me kind of sad.


Man, fck you Adam Silver you hand puppet. I hope ur ventriloquist treats you like $hit tonight for that rigged a$$ lotto.

[Jamaaliver]

How do we get another pick in the 20s (while keeping 8 and 10) - which team might be looking to sell their pick?

SAS has #19, just saying.

Travis has already stated that bringing 5 rookies is not realistic, so I expect the 2nd rounders to be dangled.

I also expect Taurean to be placed back on the trade block.



Between you and me, I'd be very okay with trading back from #10 and getting multiple picks now and in the future.

[Spud2nique]

How do we get another pick in the 20s (while keeping 8 and 10) - which team might be looking to sell their pick?

SAS has #19, just saying.

Travis has already stated that bringing 5 rookies is not realistic, so I expect the 2nd rounders to be dangled.

I also expect Taurean to be placed back on the trade block.



Between you and me, I'd be very okay with trading back from #10 and getting multiple picks now and in the future.

Ya I got your organic peanut butter right here.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Am I wrong to say that Bol Bol looks like a tall version of Kevin Durant just coming out of Texas... I mean, in terms of frame, handles, ability to score?

Watch on YouTube

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

How do we get another pick in the 20s (while keeping 8 and 10) - which team might be looking to sell their pick?

SAS has #19, just saying.

Travis has already stated that bringing 5 rookies is not realistic, so I expect the 2nd rounders to be dangled.

I also expect Taurean to be placed back on the trade block.



Between you and me, I'd be very okay with trading back from #10 and getting multiple picks now and in the future.

Liver, I agree on all of that, fwiw.

#35, #40 and #41 seemingly ought to provide the possibility of getting you somewhere in the mid 20s... where I'd take Jerome.

I'm one of Prince's best fans, and wouldn't want to see him traded if we can work a one-year extension so we can get past that RFA year and can anticipate possibly resigning him with Bird rights... but that would need to happen now, not later, and if he and his agent aren't amenable to that, then I think you have to let him go to the highest draft night bidder.

And I'm very tempted to trade back, but the conservative in me is winning that internal argument right now. In my wildest dreams, we send #10 to BOS for #14 (Bouya) and #20 (Bruno), and if we have to part with Prince, end up with Bol in the exchange... and then, Jerome.

Might let Bouya spend another year in Europe, too, both for development reasons, and just to have his contract clock start later.

[Spud2nique]

Am I wrong to say that Bol Bol looks like a tall version of Kevin Durant just coming out of Texas... I mean, in terms of frame, handles, ability to score?

Watch on YouTube

Durant was smoother and could come off screens faster on catch n shoots as well as faster putting the ball on the floor. Having said that, Bol has a few inches on Durant. He’s very versatile I’m just afraid of the big man Rik smits injuries that lay ahead.

[Jamaaliver]

Am I wrong to say that Bol Bol looks like a tall version of Kevin Durant just coming out of Texas... I mean, in terms of frame, handles, ability to score?

Durant was smoother and could come off screens faster on catch n shoots as well as faster putting the ball on the floor. Having said that, Bol has a few inches on Durant. He’s very versatile I’m just afraid of the big man Rik smits injuries that lay ahead.

Man, that video has been expertly edited to make bol look like a star. It's a bit misleading watching him abuse undersized, non-athletic non-NBA prospects.

Rik Smits as a floor for healthy Bol Bol seems reasonable.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Am I wrong to say that Bol Bol looks like a tall version of Kevin Durant just coming out of Texas... I mean, in terms of frame, handles, ability to score?

Watch on YouTube

Durant was smoother and could come off screens faster on catch n shoots as well as faster putting the ball on the floor. Having said that, Bol has a few inches on Durant. He’s very versatile I’m just afraid of the big man Rik smits injuries that lay ahead.

I'll agree with "come off screens faster"... though, it's more assumption than it is visually-confirmed, b/c that's just not anything you see Oregon try to do with Bol. But yeah, you'd have to think in catch-and-shoot, Durant is in his own separate class as far as the mechanics of setting up for the shot... the shot accuracy, though, is definitely comparable.

Handles-wise, and able to get where he wants to go on the court, that's what actually caused me to think of Durant.

Seems he's a better passer than Durant at that stage, too.

Early rumor-mongering out of Boston media has it that Ainge is salivating for this one, and I see why.

[Spud2nique]

Am I wrong to say that Bol Bol looks like a tall version of Kevin Durant just coming out of Texas... I mean, in terms of frame, handles, ability to score?

Watch on YouTube

Durant was smoother and could come off screens faster on catch n shoots as well as faster putting the ball on the floor. Having said that, Bol has a few inches on Durant. He’s very versatile I’m just afraid of the big man Rik smits injuries that lay ahead.

I'll agree with "come off screens faster"... though, it's more assumption than it is visually-confirmed, b/c that's just not anything you see Oregon try to do with Bol. But yeah, you'd have to think in catch-and-shoot, Durant is in his own separate class as far as the mechanics of setting up for the shot... the shot accuracy, though, is definitely comparable.

Handles-wise, and able to get where he wants to go on the court, that's what actually caused me to think of Durant.

Seems he's a better passer than Durant at that stage, too.

Early rumor-mongering out of Boston media has it that Ainge is salivating for this one, and I see why.

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Man, that video has been expertly edited to make bol look like a star. It's a bit misleading watching him abuse undersized, non-athletic non-NBA prospects.

Well, of course, the editor had a grand total of 9 games total to work with.



Point is well taken, though... I'd like to study the Iowa and Houston games in particular to see how he did beyond the stats... his stats, of course, were consistently good.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

Spud, pardon the observation, but I think you need to spend some time watching some Bol tape... this kid's an absolute deer gracefully dashing down the floor, and moreover, can handle the ball even as he's doing that, too.

[Spud2nique]

One question I have with any lumbering Big we take...can they run in a transition offense with Trae?

I don’t see Bol’s strength’s shining in an offense like Lloyd’s where you get out and run. Maybe he can I just don’t see it.

Spud, pardon the observation, but I think you need to spend some time watching some Bol tape... this kid's an absolute deer gracefully dashing down the floor, and moreover, can handle the ball even as he's doing that, too.

No pardons needed. I do believe I’m having some issues understanding the strengths of some prospects here... Sekou and Bol to be specific.


I’ll work on that Sturt, along with my giant forehead. Next time you see my I’ll have a three head and be a Bol fanatic! Woo hoo