2019 NBA draft part deux

[wolfen]

Mfiondu Kabengele is rising. Up to 14 on nbadraft.net mock. Is he a PF? Is he a C? He's listed at PF and he'll probably be that in the nba but he could absolutely get minutes at C in the big leagues too. So versatility is just another asset of his. I'm starting to think that he's now included in my "ok to draft at 11" group. I mean, if we're looking for a defensive-minded PF to put next to Towns, why the h@ll aren't we including Kabengele? Super high motor, great athlete, rim protection, and guess what - he can hit the 3 and score in the post as well.



At the combine he performed athletically better than many high profile SFs:

Better lane agility than guys like O'Shae Brissett, Jalen McDaniels, Terance Mann, Nassir Little...

Three quarter sprint? He tied for the 3rd fastest time among forwards/wings, ahead of guys like Bazely, Okpala, Mann, Grant Williams, Admirial Schofield

He's getting some Serg Ibaka comps. How nice would a young and strong Ibaka be next to Towns? The dude is a rock and can move. 6-10 250 with 7-2 wingspan. He'll has a real chance of being a better defender of PF's over Clarke (size), Hachimura (awareness), Doumboya (youth), PJ Washington (explosiveness). I just think his energy would light up Target Center like Ogokie does...

Defense & Hustle Oriented Highlights (love the swatting of Zion's shot!)

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Watch on YouTube

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Offensive Oriented Highlights

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Watch on YouTube

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Workout video to see his form:

https://youtu.be/ZUHKzb9U-QA?t=127

[minimus]

After watching unathletic, but very smart Marc Gasol directing TOR defense in NBA Finals, I want us to scout Bitadze as much as possible.

Bitadze is an extraordinarily smart positional defender, with plus reactions. Of the bigs in this draft, Jaren Jackson and Jontay Porter are the only two that really compare, and Bitadze has more traditional center size than either of them.

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/03/26/prospect-breakdown-goga-bitadze/

Trade down, get NAW and Bitadze

KAT/Bitadze/Dieng
Satic/KBD/KAT
RoCo/Reynolds/Wiggins
Wiggins/Okogie/NAW
Teague/Tyus/NAW

[KGdaBom]

I'd even think about Nic Claxton @ #11 if defense is our firsT priority

That would be Clarke.

[wolfen]

I'd even think about Nic Claxton @ #11 if defense is our firsT priority

That would be Clarke.

That would be Kabengele...

[KGdaBom]

I'd even think about Nic Claxton @ #11 if defense is our firsT priority

That would be Clarke.

That would be Kabengele...

I don't recall many Defensive players entering the draft with the defensive abilities of Clarke. MK isn't on that level.

[Klomp]

Mfiondu Kabengele is rising. Up to 14 on nbadraft.net mock. Is he a PF? Is he a C? He's listed at PF and he'll probably be that in the nba but he could absolutely get minutes at C in the big leagues too. So versatility is just another asset of his. I'm starting to think that he's now included in my "ok to draft at 11" group. I mean, if we're looking for a defensive-minded PF to put next to Towns, why the h@ll aren't we including Kabengele? Super high motor, great athlete, rim protection, and guess what - he can hit the 3 and score in the post as well.

Interesting....

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[thinktank]

I’m intrigued. He definitely checks off a lot of boxes. Can’t wait to see what Rosas does. As Wolves fans know, a new GM’s first draft can make or break him.

[Krapinsky]

I’m intrigued. He definitely checks off a lot of boxes. Can’t wait to see what Rosas does. As Wolves fans know, a new GM’s first draft can make or break him.

“I truly believe Jonny Flynn will be defensively, and I mean this sincerely,” Kahn said, “one of the great on-the-ball defenders in our league in due time.”

https://www.twincities.com/2009/06/25/minnesota-timberwolves-love-jonny-flynn-president-david-kahn-says/

[wesleyt95]

I'd even think about Nic Claxton @ #11 if defense is our firsT priority

That would be Clarke.

Yes but we're not drafting for today, were projecting for the future and Clarke isn't the one

[wesleyt95]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

He averaged those numbers off the bench too, I think he could provide what Saric does and more

[wesleyt95]

I'd even think about Nic Claxton @ #11 if defense is our firsT priority

That would be Clarke.

That would be Kabengele...

It's crazy what hype does to some people's perception of prospects, I don't see him being too far off of a prospects from Doumbouye

[wolfen]

I’m intrigued. He definitely checks off a lot of boxes. Can’t wait to see what Rosas does. As Wolves fans know, a new GM’s first draft can make or break him.

Ya we'll learn a lot for sure from what happens in the draft as to the kind of direction the team is going as far as style and makeup. With Kabengele the only thing lacking is passing, ball handling, and playmaking. If you look at the 4 PF's worthy of being picked at 11 and rank them in those areas as one trait, I'd go: PJ Washington, Hachimura, Clarke, Kabengele. Frankly, if my PF is a little low on those traits but quite high on others, and in some cases much higher than the other 3 prospects, who freaking cares?

I just wonder if it's smart at all to draft either Clarke or Hachimura with their major question marks. To me it's PJ Washington first, Kabengele second. If the wolves draft PJ, that tells me they are looking to build a team of players that can do everything at every position, especially on offense. If they draft Kabengele, it would signal building a team with toughness, defense, grit, and size. The energy and tenacity of Okogie and Kabengele on the floor at the same time would be ridonkulous.

[wolfen]

That would be Clarke.

That would be Kabengele...

It's crazy what hype does to some people's perception of prospects, I don't see him being too far off of a prospects from Doumbouye

It's not recent hype for me. I've been on him for several weeks. Coincidentally, he's rising on draft boards, as he should in my opinion. Jim Boeheim thinks he's pretty good:

"He’s just really good. He shoots it, he gets it inside, he’s a good passer and a good defensive player. You realize the guy is only playing about 18 to 19 minutes a game and still scoring 13 to 14 points per game. If he played 30 minutes a game, he’d be averaging close to 30 points per game. He’s really good."

Nice review from The Hive from a couple days ago....

https://www.atthehive.com/2019/5/28/18642379/charlotte-hornets-2019-nba-draft-prospect-scouting-report-mfiondu-kabengele

[gandlogo]

That would be Clarke.

That would be Kabengele...

I don't recall many Defensive players entering the draft with the defensive abilities of Clarke. MK isn't on that level.

Not picking on what you see in Clarke because he was a great college player and we all see something different in every player. Just the tale of the tape.

Kab’s standing reach is 7.5 inches higher.
He outweighs Clarke by 49 pounds (I’m still not sure of Clarke’s position) The Wolves are often bullied in the paint
Like Clarke, tested very well athletically
Kab shot 10% better from three and FT (and his jump shot isn’t broken)
A year younger
Played very well in the best basketball conference
ACC Sixth Man of the Year - finishing top 10 in boards and blocks
Floor may not be at Clarke’s level, but ceiling appears higher, possibly much higher
Plus I believe Mutombo is his uncle!

I’m in the “swing for the fences” mode with the Wolves. Not saying it’s right, just desperate for a winner at Target Center.

[TheProdigy]

That would be Kabengele...

I don't recall many Defensive players entering the draft with the defensive abilities of Clarke. MK isn't on that level.

Not picking on what you see in Clarke because he was a great college player and we all see something different in every player. Just the tale of the tape.

Kab’s standing reach is 7.5 inches higher.
He outweighs Clarke by 49 pounds (I’m still not sure of Clarke’s position) The Wolves are often bullied in the paint
Like Clarke, tested very well athletically
Kab shot 10% better from three and FT (and his jump shot isn’t broken)
A year younger
Played very well in the best basketball conference
ACC Sixth Man of the Year - finishing top 10 in boards and blocks
Floor may not be at Clarke’s level, but ceiling appears higher, possibly much higher
Plus I believe Mutombo is his uncle!

I’m in the “swing for the fences” mode with the Wolves. Not saying it’s right, just desperate for a winner at Target Center.

Kabengale should be in play for our pick at 11. The more I hear about him the more I like. He would fit great with KAT.

[wolfen]

I don't recall many Defensive players entering the draft with the defensive abilities of Clarke. MK isn't on that level.

Not picking on what you see in Clarke because he was a great college player and we all see something different in every player. Just the tale of the tape.

Kab’s standing reach is 7.5 inches higher.
He outweighs Clarke by 49 pounds (I’m still not sure of Clarke’s position) The Wolves are often bullied in the paint
Like Clarke, tested very well athletically
Kab shot 10% better from three and FT (and his jump shot isn’t broken)
A year younger
Played very well in the best basketball conference
ACC Sixth Man of the Year - finishing top 10 in boards and blocks
Floor may not be at Clarke’s level, but ceiling appears higher, possibly much higher
Plus I believe Mutombo is his uncle!

I’m in the “swing for the fences” mode with the Wolves. Not saying it’s right, just desperate for a winner at Target Center.

Kabengale should be in play for our pick at 11. The more I hear about him the more I like. He would fit great with KAT.

Totally agree about the fit with KAT, for numerous reasons. I would be fine with him at 11 but as we've discussed before, if we got in the trade-down market, he'd probably be there at 14 if we dealt with Boston, and likely would be there at 17 if we dealt with Brooklyn. Imagine trading back and landing a stud PF like Kabengele as well as Nickiel Alexander-Walker? You never know, maybe Boston has a secret hard-on for the unknown - Sekou Doumbouya and he's there at 11. They offer picks 14 and 20. We take NAW at 14 and Kabengele somehow is there at 20 and we nab him. Pfffhhh...

[TheProdigy]

Not picking on what you see in Clarke because he was a great college player and we all see something different in every player. Just the tale of the tape.

Kab’s standing reach is 7.5 inches higher.
He outweighs Clarke by 49 pounds (I’m still not sure of Clarke’s position) The Wolves are often bullied in the paint
Like Clarke, tested very well athletically
Kab shot 10% better from three and FT (and his jump shot isn’t broken)
A year younger
Played very well in the best basketball conference
ACC Sixth Man of the Year - finishing top 10 in boards and blocks
Floor may not be at Clarke’s level, but ceiling appears higher, possibly much higher
Plus I believe Mutombo is his uncle!

I’m in the “swing for the fences” mode with the Wolves. Not saying it’s right, just desperate for a winner at Target Center.

Kabengale should be in play for our pick at 11. The more I hear about him the more I like. He would fit great with KAT.

Totally agree about the fit with KAT, for numerous reasons. I would be fine with him at 11 but as we've discussed before, if we got in the trade-down market, he'd probably be there at 14 if we dealt with Boston, and likely would be there at 17 if we dealt with Brooklyn. Imagine trading back and landing a stud PF like Kabengele as well as Nickiel Alexander-Walker? You never know, maybe Boston has a secret hard-on for the unknown - Sekou Doumbouya and he's there at 11. They offer picks 14 and 20. We take NAW at 14 and Kabengele somehow is there at 20 and we nab him. Pfffhhh...

I am very impressed with his athleticism. His max vertical reach (standing reach + vertical) is 12'1, which is VERY good. Then when you consider the fact he's 255 pounds... you can see why he's flying up the draft boards now.

[Killboard]

Kabengale should be in play for our pick at 11. The more I hear about him the more I like. He would fit great with KAT.

Totally agree about the fit with KAT, for numerous reasons. I would be fine with him at 11 but as we've discussed before, if we got in the trade-down market, he'd probably be there at 14 if we dealt with Boston, and likely would be there at 17 if we dealt with Brooklyn. Imagine trading back and landing a stud PF like Kabengele as well as Nickiel Alexander-Walker? You never know, maybe Boston has a secret hard-on for the unknown - Sekou Doumbouya and he's there at 11. They offer picks 14 and 20. We take NAW at 14 and Kabengele somehow is there at 20 and we nab him. Pfffhhh...

I am very impressed with his athleticism. His max vertical reach (standing reach + vertical) is 12'1, which is VERY good. Then when you consider the fact he's 255 pounds... you can see why he's flying up the draft boards now.

I didnt watch much of him, but the question somebody his size is if he is a 4 or a 5. His athletic profile is very similar to KBD, Chek Diallo or Bobby Portis. Paired with his 3pt shot and is intriguing.

[wesleyt95]

That would be Kabengele...

It's crazy what hype does to some people's perception of prospects, I don't see him being too far off of a prospects from Doumbouye

It's not recent hype for me. I've been on him for several weeks. Coincidentally, he's rising on draft boards, as he should in my opinion. Jim Boeheim thinks he's pretty good:

"He’s just really good. He shoots it, he gets it inside, he’s a good passer and a good defensive player. You realize the guy is only playing about 18 to 19 minutes a game and still scoring 13 to 14 points per game. If he played 30 minutes a game, he’d be averaging close to 30 points per game. He’s really good."

Nice review from The Hive from a couple days ago....

https://www.atthehive.com/2019/5/28/18642379/charlotte-hornets-2019-nba-draft-prospect-scouting-report-mfiondu-kabengele

No I mean because of hype no one considers Kabengele and Doumbeye the same tier