2020 2nd Round Draft Pick(s)

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The numbers might be similar but is Al Horford very similar to PJ Tucker has prose?

In the NBA I look at Al Horford is more of a primary type scorer. I realize that Horford was on back-to-back championship teams with Florida along with his he made it the French dude that is no longer in the league..
IC Horford making shots from distance that I never see PJ Tucker even attempt unless I'm just not watching closer. I think of Tucker as an elite defender a C even though he is around 6'6". Isn't Horford around six foot ten?

The Stepien I am sure is on.point with similarity analysis. Numbers don't lie HOWEVER role and context matter. Usage rate and team pace matter.

For whatever reason I am not liking Tillman as much as everybody else right now. To me he seems like a guy... but I know I have been wrong many times in the past

Makes perfect sense, doc -- & when I say that "I wouldn't take him as high as #37," I mean only that we should be able to get him & another asset by using that pick wisely.

Of course, a lot would depend on where you had him ranked, how many guys are on the same tier w/ him. I haven't gotten that far into it yet myself.

How would you compare Tillman to Draymond, doc? The latter being the most obvious example of a r2 uber-bargain out of Michigan State.

Izzo calls him a "Draymond-ish" defender.

The Stepien says his numbers are eerily similar to Al Horford/PJ Tucker.

I've been on him from last year on his ability to asphyxiate pick and rolls and to play bigger than his body underneath. Just a smart savvy mature low ego tough minded player.

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just for giggles I wonder if Brandon Clark put up the same kinds of numbers at San Jose State as he did Gonzaga?

Makes perfect sense, doc -- & when I say that "I wouldn't take him as high as #37," I mean only that we should be able to get him & another asset by using that pick wisely.

Of course, a lot would depend on where you had him ranked, how many guys are on the same tier w/ him. I haven't gotten that far into it yet myself.

How would you compare Tillman to Draymond, doc? The latter being the most obvious example of a r2 uber-bargain out of Michigan State.

Izzo calls him a "Draymond-ish" defender.

The Stepien says his numbers are eerily similar to Al Horford/PJ Tucker.

I've been on him from last year on his ability to asphyxiate pick and rolls and to play bigger than his body underneath. Just a smart savvy mature low ego tough minded player.

How did I not see that article? Anyone the Stepien is high on gets my immediate interest. Not only that, but Ben Rubin is just about my favorite analyst on the site -- you know who he had the 2d best prospect in the 2019 draft?

Sure you do! Otherwise, why would I bring it up! (i.e..... it was Brandon Clarke, of course)

Let's get this guy!!

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The way I see things there are so many good players. In the old days NBA used to have something like a sixth and seventh round in their drafts.

Some players from way late turned out to be really damn good.

I can remember and the Dwayne Wade draft another player that I already liked was named Marquis Daniels. This guy did not even get drafted but I do recall when he was on the Dallas Mavericks when they had a really good team. I still say Daniels could have helped that team in the playoffs but he ended up riding the pine the time the Heat beat the Mavericks in the finals. The big picture however is here is a guy that went undrafted on the biggest stage.

What does that have to do with anything? This Thread is about second round draft picks. I basically don't care who they draft in the second round because anybody could come in and contribute if they can play at a high level it.

I just got through watching David Caruso of the Lakers. I told this fella named webster-chan I believe in a tweet or in Instagram that I thought he could be a player who could actually do well in the NBA if he got a shot....

Most of the D1 prospects in my opinion could probably do okay if they were second-round NBA picks and people invested the time.

I like what the NBA is doing with the G League now. Tommy Shepherd is all over that. Sorry for the rant it's late at night.

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just because dude has a wife and kids in the college I don't think people should judge either way. Maybe he's just one of the few people to get married but he ain't the only player that got a couple of kids in my opinion...

I saw Tillman's wife and kids at the game but I was thinking of a guy I knew in college who had a son by his then-girlfriend. My friend might have been a dad at age 16 or so.

This dude went on to have a lot of corporate success in I believe the banking industry...

I bet Xavier Tillman stays for his senior year unless he has a killer tourney and there is solid interest in him as a first rounder. He will take the final year to smooth out his three ball, lead the team, and get his degree which seems to be a drive of his. If that's the case whoever gets him will land a solid pro, quickly productive. Attitude-wise he's a perfect fit for the basketball 'family' that Tommy is trying to build.

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

I don’t know, Tillman has a wife, a kid and another on the way. I’d imagine he’s anxious to get out of that college housing, plus start making some dough.

Tillie is my personal favorite for round 2, but I’d also be quite happy with Tillman, or Reed. All 3 are guys I think can come in and contribute right away.

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

In the words of Biggie Smalls if you don't know now you know you know.

I was aware of none of that. Thanks.

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

I don’t know, Tillman has a wife, a kid and another on the way. I’d imagine he’s anxious to get out of that college housing, plus start making some dough.

Tillie is my personal favorite for round 2, but I’d also be quite happy with Tillman, or Reed. All 3 are guys I think can come in and contribute right away.

Ordinarily I'd say so. But Tillman is a different breed of cat. And he is in a unique situation in Sparty, where they have minimized all distractions to make space for him on campus. First and foremost he is a family man. Playing in the NBA means many nights away from family. In interviews he has made it clear: this guy clearly loves coming home and parenting and changing diapers and doing chores and taking care of his girl. He is also a single-minded individual who focuses precisely on whatever he is doing when he is doing it. If he is in class he doesn't pay attention to texts or calls from family, when he is on court or in practice he devotes himself 100% to that, when he is at home he doesn't think about anything else but family time. A guy like that is not really looking ahead to the NBA game. He is dealing with today. Right now. The NBA will be his focus when it's time comes.

There's also the culture: Izzo's players tend to stay longer than other NBA talents. Something about Sparty nation or really Izzo himself means that they focus on a selfless sort of game that involves teammates and playing their roles and working for the win. It's the reason they advance deep into the Tourney every year and beat more talented teams: they play the game the right way, no ego, just gritty hard work. They're tough and smart. This may speak to the sort of players Izzo recruits, or the program itself, but if you don't plan to stay in college more than one year you don't pick Michigan State. His gladiator school makes NBA players out of second tier talents.

Tillman could have come out last year and gotten 2nd round money. He had a hellova tournament, and shut down Zion. Teams like the SPurs or GSW would have been happy to draft him late. IF he was going to go 2nd round then why not then? HIs team this year is struggling. His stock may slip even if his play has only improved. I suspect he'd bet on himself to earn more money next year, in the final year before baby ballers are let into the league again.

If however he has a tourney that puts his name in first round mocks, okay. Izzo has made it clear if his players have guaranteed money waiting he has no problem recommending they jump to the bigs.

Anyway. I'm dialed in on Tillman only because I like his grown man effect on court and his gran man affect off court. He would be a good teammate and easy guy to root for. I see him as a basketball lifer. Whether journeyman or roleplaying fixture on a winning team, he may not have the upside of many, but still, upside to me is always secondary to whether or not they love hard work and are willing to battle to win. Anyway. He's among my top picks this year, even with a late 1st rounder.

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[Ruzious]

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

I don’t know, Tillman has a wife, a kid and another on the way. I’d imagine he’s anxious to get out of that college housing, plus start making some dough.

Tillie is my personal favorite for round 2, but I’d also be quite happy with Tillman, or Reed. All 3 are guys I think can come in and contribute right away.

Ordinarily I'd say so. But Tillman is a different breed of cat. And he is in a unique situation in Sparty, where they have minimized all distractions to make space for him on campus. First and foremost he is a family man. Playing in the NBA means many nights away from family. In interviews he has made it clear: this guy clearly loves coming home and parenting and changing diapers and doing chores and taking care of his girl. He is also a single-minded individual who focuses precisely on whatever he is doing when he is doing it. If he is in class he doesn't pay attention to texts or calls from family, when he is on court or in practice he devotes himself 100% to that, when he is at home he doesn't think about anything else but family time. A guy like that is not really looking ahead to the NBA game. He is dealing with today. Right now. The NBA will be his focus when it's time comes.

There's also the culture: Izzo's players tend to stay longer than other NBA talents. Something about Sparty nation or really Izzo himself means that they focus on a selfless sort of game that involves teammates and playing their roles and working for the win. It's the reason they advance deep into the Tourney every year and beat more talented teams: they play the game the right way, no ego, just gritty hard work. They're tough and smart. This may speak to the sort of players Izzo recruits, or the program itself, but if you don't plan to stay in college more than one year you don't pick Michigan State. His gladiator school makes NBA players out of second tier talents.

Tillman could have come out last year and gotten 2nd round money. He had a hellova tournament, and shut down Zion. Teams like the SPurs or GSW would have been happy to draft him late. IF he was going to go 2nd round then why not then? HIs team this year is struggling. His stock may slip even if his play has only improved. I suspect he'd bet on himself to earn more money next year, in the final year before baby ballers are let into the league again.

If however he has a tourney that puts his name in first round mocks, okay. Izzo has made it clear if his players have guaranteed money waiting he has no problem recommending they jump to the bigs.

Anyway. I'm dialed in on Tillman only because I like his grown man effect on court and his gran man affect off court. He would be a good teammate and easy guy to root for. I see him as a basketball lifer. Whether journeyman or roleplaying fixture on a winning team, he may not have the upside of many, but still, upside to me is always secondary to whether or not they love hard work and are willing to battle to win. Anyway. He's among my top picks this year, even with a late 1st rounder.

Great post. He got some comps to Draymond Green for his defense and obvious college connection, but it's not just that. They are very similar all-around - with the same kind of rare focus and determination and coaching.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

If we miss on Okongwu with our top pick, some others worth a look later in the draft maybe in a trade down or possibly with our pick at 38...

Jalen Stix Smith
Paul Reed
Mamadi Diakite
Xavier Tillman
Tyler Bey
Makur Maker
Daniel Oturu
Vernon Carey Jr
Precious Achiuwa
Amar Sylla
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Robert Woodard
Patrick Williams
Isaiah Stewart

Stewart is a guy I'm gaining some renewed interest in specifically as an alternative to Okongwu if we just whiff and are not able to get him. I think he could bring a lot of the same attributes, albeit at a lower level...


From NBA DRAFT ROOM:

DOB 5/22/01
C - HT: 6-9 - WT: 247 - WING: 7-4 - FROM: Washington- Fr.

Stewart is destined for a long NBA career but he might not be an All Star level player. He should be able to contribute early thanks to his NBA ready frame and hard work on the boards.

Overview
Powerful, bouncy, explosive, tough; a few words to describe Isaiah Stewart, who has been rising up the rankings as he's grown physically and developed his game.

Strengths
Has a monster frame with great strength and powerful leaping ability
A defensive menace who controls the paint with his shot blocking, space-clearing and rebounding ability
An above the rim player who excels at scoring in close to the basket
Isn't afraid to do the dirty work
Dangerous on the offensive glass

Weaknesses
Isn't yet a polished offensive player and doesn't have great range on his jumper

Comparisons
Derrick Favors with extra flavor
a modern day Zach Randolph
a longer Elton Brand

Watch on YouTube

From BLEACHER REPORT:

Stewart is a physical presence around the basket who provides low-post scoring and offensive rebounding. And that may be enough for the right team, assuming it's picking in the teens or 20s... But he does seem to have a high floor that's propped up by a 250-pound frame, live motor, strong footwork in the paint and production to back everything up, including 16.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

But to be clear... My personal vision of our ideal draft is Okongwu in the 1st round and Killian Tillie in the 2nd round.

I love the idea of adding these 2 guys to our front court. Okongwu with his D and athleticism, and Tillie with his size and shooting skill. One a freshman and the other a senior. It would truly be a great draft.

The above list of players is the scenario we miss Okongwu and can't work a trade up, then take an offensive player like Hayes or Avdija for example, then maybe try to address interior defense with our 2nd pick.

[payitforward]

What does anyone know about Makur Maker?

"7-footer with guard skills"

Watch on YouTube

http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/makur-maker.html

Projected at #34 on nbadraftroom. Kid looks absolutely great....

[youngWizzy]

Pretty sure Cassius Winston (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cassius-winston-1.html) can be a solid pro for a long time. Again, don't care at all that he's a senior -- he's a player.

[Ruzious]

If we miss on Okongwu with our top pick, some others worth a look later in the draft maybe in a trade down or possibly with our pick at 38...

Jalen Stix Smith
Paul Reed
Mamadi Diakite
Xavier Tillman
Tyler Bey
Makur Maker
Daniel Oturu
Vernon Carey Jr
Precious Achiuwa
Amar Sylla
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Robert Woodard
Patrick Williams
Isaiah Stewart

Stewart is a guy I'm gaining some renewed interest in specifically as an alternative to Okongwu if we just whiff and are not able to get him. I think he could bring a lot of the same attributes, albeit at a lower level...


From NBA DRAFT ROOM:

DOB 5/22/01
C - HT: 6-9 - WT: 247 - WING: 7-4 - FROM: Washington- Fr.

Stewart is destined for a long NBA career but he might not be an All Star level player. He should be able to contribute early thanks to his NBA ready frame and hard work on the boards.

Overview
Powerful, bouncy, explosive, tough; a few words to describe Isaiah Stewart, who has been rising up the rankings as he's grown physically and developed his game.

Strengths
Has a monster frame with great strength and powerful leaping ability
A defensive menace who controls the paint with his shot blocking, space-clearing and rebounding ability
An above the rim player who excels at scoring in close to the basket
Isn't afraid to do the dirty work
Dangerous on the offensive glass

Weaknesses
Isn't yet a polished offensive player and doesn't have great range on his jumper

Comparisons
Derrick Favors with extra flavor
a modern day Zach Randolph
a longer Elton Brand

Watch on YouTube

From BLEACHER REPORT:

Stewart is a physical presence around the basket who provides low-post scoring and offensive rebounding. And that may be enough for the right team, assuming it's picking in the teens or 20s... But he does seem to have a high floor that's propped up by a 250-pound frame, live motor, strong footwork in the paint and production to back everything up, including 16.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

This probably doesn't belong in the 2nd round thread, but those comps to Randolph and Brand are bad. Favors is a better comp. He's got a great physique and strength, but he's lacking in skills and doesn't have much of a shooting touch. He's an old-school PF/C and isn't the kind of player I'd look for in today's game.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

This probably doesn't belong in the 2nd round thread, but those comps to Randolph and Brand are bad. Favors is a better comp. He's got a great physique and strength, but he's lacking in skills and doesn't have much of a shooting touch. He's an old-school PF/C and isn't the kind of player I'd look for in today's game.

Thanks Ruz. That's fine, I haven't watched a lot of him so I'm more just curious, he seems pretty mobile and I'm intrigued by his physicality and length. The question I have is how is he defensively, that's what we need.

Draft Room has him going 35 btw, probably for the reasons you mention.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

What does anyone know about Makur Maker?

"7-footer with guard skills"

Watch on YouTube

http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/makur-maker.html

Projected at #34 on nbadraftroom. Kid looks absolutely great....

Yeah not sure, he's apparently a HS Senior but has been ruled eligible for the draft. He's the cousin of Thom Maker on the Pistons.

He definitely looks intriguing.

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Jackson-Davis is another guy worth a look in 2nd round...

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/freshman-rankings-indianas-trayce-jackson-davis-is-freshman-of-the-week-rises-in-frosh-watch/

From Bleacher Report:

45. Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana, PF/C, Freshman)

Jackson-Davis may have moved the needle with a 27-point, 16-rebound effort against Minnesota last week. He's still more old-school than a modern NBA big. But at 6'9", 245 pounds, he demonstrates impressive fluidity on post-ups, cuts, rolls, putbacks, fast breaks and shot-blocking attempts.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[Ruzious]

What does anyone know about Makur Maker?

"7-footer with guard skills"

Watch on YouTube

http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/makur-maker.html

Projected at #34 on nbadraftroom. Kid looks absolutely great....

Yeah not sure, he's apparently a HS Senior but has been ruled eligible for the draft. He's the cousin of Thom Maker on the Pistons.

He definitely looks intriguing.

Watch on YouTube

Good project - I'd think. He seems to be more gifted than cousin Thon - While he's thin, he'd still got more meat on his bones. Thon's actually starting to look like an NBA player this season, btw. I did not see that coming. Too bad there's not more tape on him - he hasn't played a lot - that's part of the problem. He's going to need time to develop instincts - but there seems to be good raw skills. Hopefully he'll get a full healthy season in the G League - whether or not he's drafted. Maybe we'll get to see him vs Bol Bol.

[payitforward]

It's just highlights, but I love Jackson-Davis's game. Yet, what I really found convincing was the interview with him.

This kid has all the athleticism he needs, but he's young & lacks some shooting skills. The interview showed me a smart, determined young man. It would be no surprise to see him turn into a terrific NBA player.

[Ruzious]

Jackson-Davis is another guy worth a look in 2nd round...

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/freshman-rankings-indianas-trayce-jackson-davis-is-freshman-of-the-week-rises-in-frosh-watch/

From Bleacher Report:

45. Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana, PF/C, Freshman)

Jackson-Davis may have moved the needle with a 27-point, 16-rebound effort against Minnesota last week. He's still more old-school than a modern NBA big. But at 6'9", 245 pounds, he demonstrates impressive fluidity on post-ups, cuts, rolls, putbacks, fast breaks and shot-blocking attempts.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Out-playing Oturu certainly helps his stock - though I think I'd lean toward Oturu in the draft - figuring they both go somewhere in the 20's. Neither looks like a great defender to me.

[payitforward]

I can't warm up to Oturu, somehow. Obviously, there are things he does very well. Plenty of them. Anyway, isn't he likely to be gone by our R2 pick?

Interesting fact: Freshman Trayce J-D is only 3 months younger than Paul Reed who's a Junior.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I can't warm up to Oturu, somehow. Obviously, there are things he does very well. Plenty of them. Anyway, isn't he likely to be gone by our R2 pick?

Interesting fact: Freshman Trayce J-D is only 3 months younger than Paul Reed who's a Junior.

Reed is another worth a look as a potential 2nd rounder for us.

https://hoopshype.com/2019/12/09/depaul-paul-reed-scouting-report-nba-draft-analysis/

[pcbothwel]

I can't warm up to Oturu, somehow. Obviously, there are things he does very well. Plenty of them. Anyway, isn't he likely to be gone by our R2 pick?

Interesting fact: Freshman Trayce J-D is only 3 months younger than Paul Reed who's a Junior.

Reed is another worth a look as a potential 2nd rounder for us.

https://hoopshype.com/2019/12/09/depaul-paul-reed-scouting-report-nba-draft-analysis/

I've been on the Reed bandwagon for a while... he wont last past the early 20's. I think he is an even better pro because he is a great glue guy that probably has to do too much at DePaul and sometimes hurts himself doing so.

I love his agility/feet along with his length (Late growth spurt took him from 6'2 to 6'9).
There is something about the combo of late growth spurts, great analytics (Especially on defense), and being young for their class that always gets my attention.
Usually means they were under recruited and really had to scratch and claw to be noticed while being used to playing against guys bigger and stronger.