2020 NBA Draft

[King Ken]

Is it a reach to say Obi Toppin is the best player in this draft?

Can take you off the dribble and shoot like Kyle Kuzma

Fast and can screen and finish with tremendous explosiveness like John Collins

Has excellent feet and lateral quickness which is why he is so good in switches and offers defensive versatility.

How is he not the best guy in this draft? He has everything you want from a modern PF. Shooting, finishing, athleticism, and defensive versatility. Sheesh!

[Ruzious]

Is it a reach to say Obi Toppin is the best player in this draft?

Can take you off the dribble and shoot like Kyle Kuzma

Fast and can screen and finish with tremendous explosiveness like John Collins

Has excellent feet and lateral quickness which is why he is so good in switches and offers defensive versatility.

How is he not the best guy in this draft? He has everything you want from a modern PF. Shooting, finishing, athleticism, and defensive versatility. Sheesh!

Is it a good thing to compare a player to Kuzma? I don't think Kuzma's a good player. Collins is probably a better comp, but I don't see Obi being as good a finisher or quite the inside scorer in the NBA. I also don't see the lateral quix on d or defensive versatility. It's hard to guage Obi's athleticism, because he's not a smooth fluid athlete, but he is effective.

[The-Power]

Jaden McDaniels always showing something that makes you say ‘wow, this guy has great potential’. Love that seemingly each game, a different part of his game shines – one nights it is smooth shooting, then shot blocking, then making plays off the dribble. If he ever manages to do that in combination and somewhat consistently, we're looking at a great player. Already looks more comfortable than to start the season. Hopefully he can at least manage to add some functional weight with his frame.

Isaiah Stewart, I don't know. I love him as a college player but in the NBA I still see him as an undersized 5 who plays around the rim and provides mediocre rim protection. He can and should be a valuable player in the NBA but I just don't see great upside.

Regarding Toppin, I've already said some things yesterday. Not only is he a rather old prospect but a pedestrian rebounder, mediocre defender due to poor awareness, a bit stiff on both ends, skilled for a big but nothing extraordinary either. His vertical athleticism pops out, of course, but he cannot rely on that against good defenses as the main part of his game. Nonetheless, his most intriguing strengths lie in his size+verticality combination and his versatility. But I don't see how that translates to top-tier prospect. Frankly, I don't even see how that translates to definitely being better than Paul Reed, who is worse on offense but better on defense.

Grimes with excellent back-to-back games but he has to improve from the line. He should be better and more consistent by now than he is. Still encouraging to see games in which his driving game is on point and causes defenses problems. Just has to hit his shots when they foul him and be able to hit 3's when defenses give him that shot, although that's easier said than done.

And of course, Haliburton is a top 5 prospect. I should probably put that in my signature.

This class looks weak at the very top but I'm more and more confident that you can have lottery board where it doesn't feel like non-lottery prospects have to be squeezed in. The mid-/end-lottery talent seems to be there at least.

[No-Man]

Stewart is nowhere near the athlete Trez is imo, Isaiah may shoot it from 3, I just don't see him as much more than an energy big, he is overpowering people basically, and he won't be able to do that, plus his defense is very meh

I think he is a fringey guy

[No-Man]

Toppin has 0 suddeness, his movement pattern from standstill is bad, it affects his D as well, bad reaction time

I am low on McDaniels because I don't see how he adds any weight and his game is Brandon Ingram-ish with less skills

He is still a F with some outlier traits so you take him by default in the 1st, but meh

[King Ken]

Is it a reach to say Obi Toppin is the best player in this draft?

Can take you off the dribble and shoot like Kyle Kuzma

Fast and can screen and finish with tremendous explosiveness like John Collins

Has excellent feet and lateral quickness which is why he is so good in switches and offers defensive versatility.

How is he not the best guy in this draft? He has everything you want from a modern PF. Shooting, finishing, athleticism, and defensive versatility. Sheesh!

Is it a good thing to compare a player to Kuzma? I don't think Kuzma's a good player. Collins is probably a better comp, but I don't see Obi being as good a finisher or quite the inside scorer in the NBA. I also don't see the lateral quix on d or defensive versatility. It's hard to guage Obi's athleticism, because he's not a smooth fluid athlete, but he is effective.

He isn't a fluid athlete at all. He has the Al Horford robotic movement which doesn't seem to negatively effect Al since he's a big which is why I didn't mark Toppin down for it.

I always seen Kuzma as a good shooter and dribbler for a young 4. Part of the reason I used his name.

Collins is probably the best roller and finisher in the NBA. Teams scheme to stop him in that area so when I mention Collins, I don't mean that to be literal, more of a name to the skillset face. Same for Kuzma.

Out of everyone on this site posting in the last couple of days, I think I need to check out more tape on Toppin defensive movements. I actually liked it a ton for a 4 due to his switching. I didn't pay too much attention to the other parts as I just value lateral quickness and switching from a modern 4 since it's critical but even with that said, maybe I need to make sure Toppin is that from that area. It's early in the process. If I am wrong, I am not hardheaded. I'll change it quickly like I did with guys like DeVonta Davis and Miles Bridges who at one point I was extremely high on.

[Ruzious]

Seems like this draft falls off a cliff after the top-4...or am I just underestimating Okongwu and Avdija?

It's looking like Okongwu belongs. Here's one of those cool comparison charts that tankathon.com provides - comparing him with other bigs: http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=onyeka-okongwu--obi-toppin--jalen-smith--isaiah-stewart--paul-reed. He turned just 19 recently, and he's... better than the others - who are older than he is. His combo of blocks and steals, efficient scoring with a low to rate, and he's now listed at 245 - though I would have guessed 230 to 235. His FT% has dipped some, but he's still above 70%, so there's hope for his jump shot. His presence really helps this draft.

[MotownMadness]

Jaden McDaniels always showing something that makes you say ‘wow, this guy has great potential’. Love that seemingly each game, a different part of his game shines – one nights it is smooth shooting, then shot blocking, then making plays off the dribble. If he ever manages to do that in combination and somewhat consistently, we're looking at a great player. Already looks more comfortable than to start the season. Hopefully he can at least manage to add some functional weight with his frame.

Isaiah Stewart, I don't know. I love him as a college player but in the NBA I still see him as an undersized 5 who plays around the rim and provides mediocre rim protection. He can and should be a valuable player in the NBA but I just don't see great upside.

Regarding Toppin, I've already said some things yesterday. Not only is he a rather old prospect but a pedestrian rebounder, mediocre defender due to poor awareness, a bit stiff on both ends, skilled for a big but nothing extraordinary either. His vertical athleticism pops out, of course, but he cannot rely on that against good defenses as the main part of his game. Nonetheless, his most intriguing strengths lie in his size+verticality combination and his versatility. But I don't see how that translates to top-tier prospect. Frankly, I don't even see how that translates to definitely being better than Paul Reed, who is worse on offense but better on defense.

Grimes with excellent back-to-back games but he has to improve from the line. He should be better and more consistent by now than he is. Still encouraging to see games in which his driving game is on point and causes defenses problems. Just has to hit his shots when they foul him and be able to hit 3's when defenses give him that shot, although that's easier said than done.

And of course, Haliburton is a top 5 prospect. I should probably put that in my signature.

This class looks weak at the very top but I'm more and more confident that you can have lottery board where it doesn't feel like non-lottery prospects have to be squeezed in. The mid-/end-lottery talent seems to be there at least.

Im very intrigued with McDaniels. Didnt realize how much he gets after it defensively.

[remi_222]

No words on Ayayi ?? the PG of the number 1 team of the country ??

Watch on YouTube

;t=600s

[MotownMadness]

Watch on YouTube

6'9 with a 7'6 wingspan with that build and motor to attack the rim has to be able to produce at the next level i would think

[clyde21]

Stewart is an NBA player but much more of a 3rd big than a starter, Harrell role/type is possible but Harrell really developed well in terms of his mechanics, footwork and moves in the post...Stewart can get there but he's not there right now

[clyde21]

Jared Butler is the most underrated PG prospect

[Duke4life831]

Is it a reach to say Obi Toppin is the best player in this draft?

Can take you off the dribble and shoot like Kyle Kuzma

Fast and can screen and finish with tremendous explosiveness like John Collins

Has excellent feet and lateral quickness which is why he is so good in switches and offers defensive versatility.

How is he not the best guy in this draft? He has everything you want from a modern PF. Shooting, finishing, athleticism, and defensive versatility. Sheesh!

I don't see the excellent feet and lateral quickness with him. One of the things that stand out the most to me is his heavy feet and bad lateral movement. I don't see the tremendous explosion like a John Collins either.

I said it the other page, I think he's Kuzma 2.0 with probably a better jumper. I think that's a fine player, but im not seeing a super versatile player with him.

To be clear, I like him as a prospect.

[clyde21]

Jared Butler is the most underrated PG prospect

i'll one up that, i think he's a 1st rounder

[Roddy B for 3]

Watch on YouTube

6'9 with a 7'6 wingspan with that build and motor to attack the rim has to be able to produce at the next level i would think

I forgot he had the freak wingspan. He jumps straight up very high too. A great guy to set in the paint who can just vertically go up.

[Illmatic12]

Is it a reach to say Obi Toppin is the best player in this draft?

Can take you off the dribble and shoot like Kyle Kuzma

Fast and can screen and finish with tremendous explosiveness like John Collins

Has excellent feet and lateral quickness which is why he is so good in switches and offers defensive versatility.

How is he not the best guy in this draft? He has everything you want from a modern PF. Shooting, finishing, athleticism, and defensive versatility. Sheesh!

I don't see the excellent feet and lateral quickness with him. One of the things that stand out the most to me is his heavy feet and bad lateral movement. I don't see the tremendous explosion like a John Collins either.

I said it the other page, I think he's Kuzma 2.0 with probably a better jumper. I think that's a fine player, but im not seeing a super versatile player with him.

To be clear, I like him as a prospect.

Agreed Toppins movement ability seems on the stiff side due to having high hips .. that's just the way his body is, players who are built like that will struggle to change direction and mirror the quick perimeter players of the NBA level. You look at his height + wingspan and say maybe he can be a small ball 5, but watching him his help instincts/movement I don't see that being a successful experiment.

As far as John Collins, he is a poor defender himself . Incredible stat-compiler in the regular season but not sure how we will view him 5-6 years from now when judging whether he's the type of player you can win with in the playoffs. But Collins at least has the athletic potential to be better than what Toppin is, and is an excellent rebounder (although moreso offensive than def reb)

[Roddy B for 3]

Happy Holidays

[Justwar]

Stewart is more 6'7" 7'4" wingspan. Nice player but more a 4th big. Great college player.

[Justwar]

Also Harrell is a freak power athlete. Nothing freak about Stewart

[Justwar]

Murray is a different level of an athlete come on now, rangier, longer, bigger, Hagans is a fine athlete but he is not special by NBA standards

I think he can be a solid back-up PG, but I have a hard time seeing anything special

Murray's jumper is not going, not sure what you are talking about, he is very trashy on offense for a NBA starting PG

I do think ashton has a similar wingspan but stronger. I don't consider Murray a freak by any means. Hagans thing is his anticipation. Now shooting is a issue but after a slow first 4 games, he's 7 for 16 from 3. Let's see what happens.