Raps 2020 Picks (Prospect Watch, Update: Vecenie Mock Released)

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

This higher ceiling thing is where evaluators have to be careful because it ignores the intangibles at times. Nnaji has a lot of good skills, but he doesn't always run hard down the floor, and gets beaten to rebounds due to effort. I think he feels like more of a finesse big - just judging by how he finishes in traffic. Of all guys he reminds me Chris Bosh with his artistic temperament and niceness. Not sure that he translates well to the NBA.

Look at the video of Nnaji against Okongvu where there are quite a few issues with getting into better spots and being late to recover:

I agreed, and I mentioned a bit more risk because of that. Stewart is definitely the better player right now, it is up to the team who drafts them based on immediate need plus risk tolerance.

Meanwhile, I don't see how Steward outplayed Okongwu, they looked pretty even.

In Seattle in their only Pac-12 matchup (Okongwu didn't play in their second meeting) UW beat USC 72-40 while both McDaniels & Stewart where blocking Okongwu's shots all over the place had him scared (& USC) to shoot in the paint.

For the game Stewart had 18pts/10rebs while Okongwu had 10pts/9rebs. Stewart shot 6-12. Okongwu shot 4-13.

Watch on YouTube

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

Okongwu would be closer to Ibaka, thus a top 10 pick. Stewart is like Biyombo with potential for a jumper.

Sadly Biyombo was a top 10 pick as well. Stewart is not like Biyombo, Stewart does not have the vertical to be the shot block, perhaps closer to Patterson or Amir Johnson with a jump shot instead.

Stewart is like a bigger Montrezl Harrell with a better jump shot. Vertical jumping is not all that it takes to block shots. Positioning and IQ play a part. Stewart's long arms will help him block shots as well.

Stewart will be just fine in the NBA. Stewart is a better player than Okongwu straight up and down. I believe that Stewart will have a better NBA career than Okongwu.

Btw- Stewart already has a consistent mid-range jump shot he doesn't need potential for one...but if haven't watched him play this season you might not be aware of that fact.

Watch on YouTube

[Indeed]

This higher ceiling thing is where evaluators have to be careful because it ignores the intangibles at times. Nnaji has a lot of good skills, but he doesn't always run hard down the floor, and gets beaten to rebounds due to effort. I think he feels like more of a finesse big - just judging by how he finishes in traffic. Of all guys he reminds me Chris Bosh with his artistic temperament and niceness. Not sure that he translates well to the NBA.

Look at the video of Nnaji against Okongvu where there are quite a few issues with getting into better spots and being late to recover:

I agreed, and I mentioned a bit more risk because of that. Stewart is definitely the better player right now, it is up to the team who drafts them based on immediate need plus risk tolerance.

Meanwhile, I don't see how Steward outplayed Okongwu, they looked pretty even.

In Seattle in their only Pac-12 matchup (Okongwu didn't play in their second meeting) UW beat USC by 32 (72-40) points while both McDaniels & Stewart where blocking his shots all over the place had him scared (& USC) to shoot in the paint.

For the game Stewart had 18pts/10rebs while Okongwu had 10pts/9rebs. Stewart shot 6-12. Okongwu shot 4-13.

That is not the whole story, please look at how poor USC shot from 3 on the first game. It has more to do with spacing to me.

[Dalek]

Really interested in what I a seeing with Nate Hinton from Houston. He is 6-6 but he plays bigger than his size. A special defender who can do everything on the court including dribbling and finishing with either hand, shoots threes at a decent rate, and is a high energy player. He reminds me of RHJ, but with a bit more skill.

Video highlights:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

10 points (38% three); 8.7 rebounds (these are often tough in traffic boards); 1.4 steals (however he is brilliant at deflections); Ast-Turnover ratio: 2-1. He just plays with a ton of passion on the court, guarding everyone, switching, making shot difficult. I'd love to get this guy at the back-end of the draft, but he is my guy who will surprise people about where they will be picked.

[Psubs]

Really interested in what I a seeing with Nate Hinton from Houston. He is 6-6 but he plays bigger than his size. A special defender who can do everything on the court including dribbling and finishing with either hand, shoots threes at a decent rate, and is a high energy player. He reminds me of RHJ, but with a bit more skill.

Video highlights:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

10 points (38% three); 8.7 rebounds (these are often tough in traffic boards); 1.4 steals (however he is brilliant at deflections); Ast-Turnover ratio: 2-1. He just plays with a ton of passion on the court, guarding everyone, switching, making shot difficult. I'd love to get this guy at the back-end of the draft, but he is my guy who will surprise people about where they will be picked.

He a better rebounding, stronger version of McCaw?

Watch on YouTube

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

I agreed, and I mentioned a bit more risk because of that. Stewart is definitely the better player right now, it is up to the team who drafts them based on immediate need plus risk tolerance.

Meanwhile, I don't see how Steward outplayed Okongwu, they looked pretty even.

In Seattle in their only Pac-12 matchup (Okongwu didn't play in their second meeting) UW beat USC by 32 (72-40) points while both McDaniels & Stewart where blocking his shots all over the place had him scared (& USC) to shoot in the paint.

For the game Stewart had 18pts/10rebs while Okongwu had 10pts/9rebs. Stewart shot 6-12. Okongwu shot 4-13.

That is not the whole story, please look at how poor USC shot from 3 on the first game. It has more to do with spacing to me.

It has to do with the fact that the UW was swatting their shots all over the court from the start of the game until the end of the game. Intimidation factor. I am very well versed when it comes to Pac-12 basketball, friend. I follow Pac-12 basketball and it's players very closely. The UW ran USC out of the gym in that game in Seattle...and Stewart dominated all of USC's big men. And McDaniels had 6 blocks in the first half of that same game. The video doesn't lie...

[Dalek]

Really interested in what I a seeing with Nate Hinton from Houston. He is 6-6 but he plays bigger than his size. A special defender who can do everything on the court including dribbling and finishing with either hand, shoots threes at a decent rate, and is a high energy player. He reminds me of RHJ, but with a bit more skill.

Video highlights:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

10 points (38% three); 8.7 rebounds (these are often tough in traffic boards); 1.4 steals (however he is brilliant at deflections); Ast-Turnover ratio: 2-1. He just plays with a ton of passion on the court, guarding everyone, switching, making shot difficult. I'd love to get this guy at the back-end of the draft, but he is my guy who will surprise people about where they will be picked.

He a better rebounding, stronger version of McCaw?

Watch on YouTube

Ha ha. You have to watch the tape on Hinton. He is a gamer with no fear.

McCaw could be a better player but I think he mentally cannot bring himself to the level he needs to play at.

[nivisi9]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

[Psubs]

Ha ha. You have to watch the tape on Hinton. He is a gamer with no fear.

McCaw could be a better player but I think he mentally cannot bring himself to the level he needs to play at.

McCaw came into the league and has been on the best team in the league 3 straight years. I think he's been trying not to screw things up and just being Beta.

[God Squad]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

Ive pretty much settled om Jalen Smith. To a lesser degree Paul Reed and Jay scrubb. But If someone falls I'd be all over it, and or consider it.

[casual_raps_fan]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

I want to agree with you but I'm not seeing it. Which part of his game reminds you of Siakam? Siakam's gift is his combination of his balance, speed, and lanky build. I don't see that with Jalen Smith.

For a 28th pick, I guess he's fine but I don't really understand what people expect his role to be at the next level. To me, he looks at best an undersized center with range, solid mobility, and shot blocking ability. That sounds like a replaceable player in free agency.

[nabbs]

Isaiah Stewart is a perfect guy to take a flier on. A younger Trez with arguably better physical tools and more upside given his youth and mid range jumper. Dude runs the floor well, is an elite rebounder and has good touch around the basket. We don’t have that at all. We need some physicality at the 5.

I’m also a bit fan of Jalen Smith

[Psubs]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

I want to agree with you but I'm not seeing it. Which part of his game reminds you of Siakam? Siakam's gift is his combination of his balance, speed, and lanky build. I don't see that with Jalen Smith.

For a 28th pick, I guess he's fine but I don't really understand what people expect his role to be at the next level. To me, he looks at best an undersized center with range, solid mobility, and shot blocking ability. That sounds like a replaceable player in free agency.

I think he could top out as Nerlens Noel with a 3pt shot?

I'm fine with a starter that doesn't think he deserves Max money like Drummond, because we need to pay other players.

[Psubs]

Isaiah Stewart is a perfect guy to take a flier on. A younger Trez with arguably better physical tools and more upside given his youth and mid range jumper. Dude runs the floor well, is an elite rebounder and has good touch around the basket. We don’t have that at all. We need some physicality at the 5.

I’m also a bit fan of Jalen Smith

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2893374-nba-draft-2020-1st-round-mock-draft-and-predictions-for-top-underrated-players

BR has us JUST missing out on Smith and Stewart and ending up drafting Paul Reed.

Knicks come out looking pretty good with Avdija and Stewart! Let Portis walk. With all of their expirings trade for a big 2 year contract player? Rozier and #56 for DSJ (from NC and went to NC State), Ellington (went to UNC) and #38

PG Rozier - Payton
SG Barrett - Ntilikina
SF Avdija - Knox
PF Randle - Stewart
C Robinson - Gibson

Charlotte could pickup Okongwu #8, Tre Jones at #32 and Cassius Stanley at #38!

PG Graham - Jones
SG Bacon - Ellington - Monk
SF Bridges - Bacon - Stanley
PF Washington - Batum
C Zeller - Okongwu

[Mark_83]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

I want to agree with you but I'm not seeing it. Which part of his game reminds you of Siakam? Siakam's gift is his combination of his balance, speed, and lanky build. I don't see that with Jalen Smith.

For a 28th pick, I guess he's fine but I don't really understand what people expect his role to be at the next level. To me, he looks at best an undersized center with range, solid mobility, and shot blocking ability. That sounds like a replaceable player in free agency.

I think he could top out as Nerlens Noel with a 3pt shot?

I'm fine with a starter that doesn't think he deserves Max money like Drummond, because we need to pay other players.

Noel is longer (7'4 wingspan) and better at guarding in space on the peremiter. Smith would be more like a rich man's Boucher.

[nivisi9]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

I want to agree with you but I'm not seeing it. Which part of his game reminds you of Siakam? Siakam's gift is his combination of his balance, speed, and lanky build. I don't see that with Jalen Smith.

For a 28th pick, I guess he's fine but I don't really understand what people expect his role to be at the next level. To me, he looks at best an undersized center with range, solid mobility, and shot blocking ability. That sounds like a replaceable player in free agency.

Yeah I have completely changed my view on Smith after listening to some scouting reports and podcasts on him. When you watch footage he appears to be pretty agile similar to Siakam but there are alot of concerns regarding his overall athleticism, movements, and lower body strength. I'm off the train, don't think he would be able to cut it as an NBA center.

I am all in for Isaiah Stewart, even though he's abit of an old school big he is very polished and the type of overachiever who won't be stopped from succeeding at the next level. Great motor, size, and smarts I think at worse he becomes a very good backup Centre and more likely a perfectly capable starting C of the future.

He would also be able to take alot of pressure off Siakam which we saw was abit of a concern earlier in the season with Gasol when he was not giving us much in terms of rebounding, rim protection, quickness.

Stewart would really free up Siakam and he has a good motor, polished skills, and capable shooting. He is also the type of worker who will probably evolve his game further, like think of him in a couple yrs already being as productive as he's been in college. Also the 7'4 wingspan is nice.

I definitely could see Stewart fitting in as our long term Centre next to Siakam and could realistically evolve into a steal at 28.

[Dalek]

Isaiah Stewart is a perfect guy to take a flier on. A younger Trez with arguably better physical tools and more upside given his youth and mid range jumper. Dude runs the floor well, is an elite rebounder and has good touch around the basket. We don’t have that at all. We need some physicality at the 5.

I’m also a bit fan of Jalen Smith

I still have a hard time getting over the fact we could have drafted Harrell in 2015. I was campaigning hard for him because he was the toughness Toronto needed. We get a second chance with Stewart.

I'd also like a do-over for Jerami Grant. He was the guy I wanted with our first pick, and then we even flubbed the second rounder when Toronto took Deandre Daniels ahead of him. If Precious Achiuwa is available at 28, you have to take him as he is liek Jerami Grant all over again.

The moral is you always draft guys that are high motor, high character guys. The jumpshot will come in time, but playing hard is not a skill you can develop.

[nivisi9]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

Ive pretty much settled om Jalen Smith. To a lesser degree Paul Reed and Jay scrubb. But If someone falls I'd be all over it, and or consider it.

Further on the concerning scouting reports on Jalen Smith..

"He is not a lob threat due to his athleticism, he requires the perfect pass every time to finish lobs. He is also projects as a below average defender especially with almost every team running pick and roll. He will get bullied in the post and if he gains muscle he'll lose what little athleticism he has and get destroyed in pick and roll. The Ibaka comparisons are a stretch, Ibaka is alot more athletic

Smith also takes too long to reach his Apex vertically. He has virtually no quick twitch muscles. He gets dislodged from his spot easily due to his high center of gravity. Most bigs will have the leverage advantage on him. He will get destroyed by smaller players on a switch.

He will get destroyed by players with quick twitch muscles, if he is not always ready to jump and block shots he'll get scored on alot, and players with quick twitch muscles cam easily pump fake and go up strong.

These are the biggest issues with Smith. Defensive footwork on closeouts and decision making can be fixed with right coaching. Quick twitch muscles are strengths you are born with"


I've heard similar concerns brought up on a few podcasts as well, Hollinger mentioned alot of these same issues and isn't in love with him as a prospect.

[Mark_83]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

Ive pretty much settled om Jalen Smith. To a lesser degree Paul Reed and Jay scrubb. But If someone falls I'd be all over it, and or consider it.

Further on the concerning scouting reports on Jalen Smith..

"He is not a lob threat due to his athleticism, he requires the perfect pass every time to finish lobs. He is also projects as a below average defender especially with almost every team running pick and roll. He will get bullied in the post and if he gains muscle he'll lose what little athleticism he has and get destroyed in pick and roll. The Ibaka comparisons are a stretch, Ibaka is alot more athletic

Smith also takes too long to reach his Apex vertically. He has virtually no quick twitch muscles. He gets dislodged from his spot easily due to his high center of gravity. Most bigs will have the leverage advantage on him. He will get destroyed by smaller players on a switch.

He will get destroyed by players with quick twitch muscles, if he is not always ready to jump and block shots he'll get scored on alot, and players with quick twitch muscles cam easily pump fake and go up strong.

These are the biggest issues with Smith. Defensive footwork on closeouts and decision making can be fixed with right coaching. Quick twitch muscles are strengths you are born with"


I've heard similar concerns brought up on a few podcasts as well, Hollinger mentioned alot of these same issues and isn't in love with him as a prospect.

I'd rather have Diakite than Smith, stats not withstanding.

[Psubs]

I think Jalen Smith would be a nice pick, he reminds me abit of a bigger Siakam with more shot blocking and better rebounding but with less shot creation.

already has a nice looking 3pt shot for a 20 yr old big.

Ive pretty much settled om Jalen Smith. To a lesser degree Paul Reed and Jay scrubb. But If someone falls I'd be all over it, and or consider it.

Further on the concerning scouting reports on Jalen Smith..

"He is not a lob threat due to his athleticism, he requires the perfect pass every time to finish lobs. He is also projects as a below average defender especially with almost every team running pick and roll. He will get bullied in the post and if he gains muscle he'll lose what little athleticism he has and get destroyed in pick and roll. The Ibaka comparisons are a stretch, Ibaka is alot more athletic

Smith also takes too long to reach his Apex vertically. He has virtually no quick twitch muscles. He gets dislodged from his spot easily due to his high center of gravity. Most bigs will have the leverage advantage on him. He will get destroyed by smaller players on a switch.

He will get destroyed by players with quick twitch muscles, if he is not always ready to jump and block shots he'll get scored on alot, and players with quick twitch muscles cam easily pump fake and go up strong.

These are the biggest issues with Smith. Defensive footwork on closeouts and decision making can be fixed with right coaching. Quick twitch muscles are strengths you are born with"


I've heard similar concerns brought up on a few podcasts as well, Hollinger mentioned alot of these same issues and isn't in love with him as a prospect.

Dedmon with a 3pt shot?

Watch on YouTube