Around the NBA, 2020/21 Edition

[OrlChamps2030]

deadly sin: thinking Noah Vonleh was new Aldrige based on 15 mid range jumpers he made at college

that's how hype turns fans and scouts irrational.

I remember some posters here said Jaren Jackson Jr would turn out like Vonleh.. turns out that was wrong.. Guys who play limited minutes can be hard to project

[pepe1991]

deadly sin: thinking Noah Vonleh was new Aldrige based on 15 mid range jumpers he made at college

that's how hype turns fans and scouts irrational.

I remember some posters here said Jaren Jackson Jr would turn out like Vonleh.. turns out that was wrong.. Guys who play limited minutes can be hard to project

I like Jackson Jr. but still don't think he that much better than Myles Turner. Lot of stats come across inflated if you see how some teams play. Memphis, Pelicans, T wolves, Wizards are some of those teams who have players, who, on surface have big numbers.

He is better outside shooter than anybody could predict, but he is horrendus rebounder and extremely foul prone, and has negative assist to turnover ratio.

He is terrible, he is actually pretty damn solid, young ,and will improve a lot, because he has strong foundation already but there is something to be said about fact that Memphis is 5-11 in games where he takes over 15 shots.
This team goes as far as Morant can take them.

[SD2042]

deadly sin: thinking Noah Vonleh was new Aldrige based on 15 mid range jumpers he made at college

that's how hype turns fans and scouts irrational.

I remember some posters here said Jaren Jackson Jr would turn out like Vonleh.. turns out that was wrong.. Guys who play limited minutes can be hard to project

I like Jackson Jr. but still don't think he that much better than Myles Turner. Lot of stats come across inflated if you see how some teams play. Memphis, Pelicans, T wolves, Wizards are some of those teams who have players, who, on surface have big numbers.

He is better outside shooter than anybody could predict, but he is horrendus rebounder and extremely foul prone, and has negative assist to turnover ratio.

He is terrible, he is actually pretty damn solid, young ,and will improve a lot, because he has strong foundation already but there is something to be said about fact that Memphis is 5-11 in games where he takes over 15 shots.
This team goes as far as Morant can take them.

I don't know who thought that 3J was another Vonleh needs to kick rocks and then some. There is a difference between a player who is ready and a player who is a project. Although 3J was more ready than Vonleh ever was, 3J still has to improve his defense(more tactic, less reckless) and rebounds( stop pretending to be Brook Lopez's reb avges from the last three seasons)

For a player whose's idol is Kevin Garnett, he's doing ok, but he can get better. He needs to become smart when he plays defense. He too foul prone and takes himself out of rhythm when he finds himself in foul trouble too many times. That must end. He rebounds like he's Brook Lopez during the last three seasons. Bruh, you're 6'11 and have towering height! Crank them numbers up to double digits. My other concern is potential maturity. He cool as a player and perhaps as a person. He needs to turn down that playful nature of his and turn his demeanor to a razor sharp focus when he plays the game. He's playing with an upcoming star in Ja Morant. Dude is coming with the heat every game. He don't care if you're a friend or not. Superstar or not. When he's in the game, he's coming for your a**. Real talk. That's where I would like to see 3J get to when he returns to the hardwood. Get fierce. Get serious. Put in work. Play smart. Earn them wins. Respect will come tenfold.

[SD2042]

i do remember a few people calling for AG. saw the athleticism and thought he would develop more than he has. and yeah, that draft was a crapfest

I went back to check, i could have sworn i saw some people mention AG but not finding it. I did find some gems (sorry in advance)

I voted Exum. I'm confident that he will be a Superstar and I'm not even a little bit doubtful of that. He could easily be the best player to come out of this draft. Add in the fact that his position fits a bigger need for us than Parker (unless you project Parker at PF - which if you do - you can't love his defensive fit next to Vuc). I want progress and the best answer for that is Exum. One step closer to completing the puzzle. Parker puts us in a "what to do with Harris/Harkless" situation. I already love those 2 players and am happy where our future lies with them here.

Sign me up for Vonleh and Payton!

I'm all for Exum (or Parker and to a lesser degree, Smart) @ #4.

BUT we MUST package the #12 and an asset to move down to #8 if Vonleh is still there.

An absolute MUST.

and I will of course include myself

I fully endorse taking Payton at 12 no matter who we choose at 4

a hornets fan mentioned a Kemba for HArris +12 and got these responses, mostly no (wonder if we would change our mind now)

Not a fan of kemba... average in assists, below average 3pt shooter, below average mid-range shooter, below average within 5 ft, needs the ball way too much for the production he offers (easily led league in touches). That's enough for me to say no.

Hell no

Kemba is ok. Probably will never be an All Star, but he's steady.

Point guard is the deepest (by far) position in the league. Even more point guard prospects coming out this year.

Not happening. Not worth Walker.

DarthMerrick came really really close to Exum's future and a few others

4.Dante Exum- He was the most hyped overseas prospect. Exum proved to be less able to adapt to the NBA game then his other 2014 counterparts. After three dreadful years, he was out of the NBA and playing ball back in Australia. Comparison: Reese Gaines
5.Noah Vonleh- Having the elite intangibles that every GM loves, Noah Vonleh proved to be a tweener Forward like the Anthony Bennett, Thomas Robinson's of previous drafts. His defense was sub-par and many were suprised Dwayne Dedmon turned into the better NBA player. He was traded several times for potential but never lived up to it. Comparison: Anthony Randolph
6. Marcus Smart- A fierce leader and competitor. Smart never learned to shoot. He had suprising turn over issues early in his career but worked through it and became a solid point guard in the league, even making a few all star games. Comparison: Jason Kidd

and here was a poll with 4 days to go. Exum led, with Embiid and Smart right behind.
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1328964

and here is late discussion of Gordon
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1329141

and then, 3 days before the draft, Nemesis called it

I hope we draft him and Payton.

Nice to look back. It looked like most wanted us to take Exum, he had 28 votes, compared to 4 for AG, and 17 for Smart.

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I remember I was on the Smart train that year. He still brings that leadership and aggressiveness that the Magic still don't have today. I know his offense isn't always consistent. Defensively, he brought the noise and still to this day has been a Celtic. He's been in the playoffs all of his five seasons. The Magic only been in the playoffs just twice since he's been in the league. I'm not saying that Smart is the missing link. What I'm saying is that this franchise can do better with player acquisitions and moves that best help this franchise get out of the hell that is mediocrity. Because right now, the Orlando Magic are the Detroit Pistons of mediocrity.

When will their time come when this franchise will get this right?

[drsd]

When will their time come when this franchise will get this right?

Either Smart or Exum could be good targets to replace Augustin. Depends on where Carter-Williams lands.

But Exum on a one-year LLE and a resign of Carter-Williams to two-years 7M leads to a nice depth chart:
Fultz/Carter-Williams/Exum

I am really ok with that sort of notion for the 2020/21 PG depth chart.

..

[Xatticus]

I remember some posters here said Jaren Jackson Jr would turn out like Vonleh.. turns out that was wrong.. Guys who play limited minutes can be hard to project

I like Jackson Jr. but still don't think he that much better than Myles Turner. Lot of stats come across inflated if you see how some teams play. Memphis, Pelicans, T wolves, Wizards are some of those teams who have players, who, on surface have big numbers.

He is better outside shooter than anybody could predict, but he is horrendus rebounder and extremely foul prone, and has negative assist to turnover ratio.

He is terrible, he is actually pretty damn solid, young ,and will improve a lot, because he has strong foundation already but there is something to be said about fact that Memphis is 5-11 in games where he takes over 15 shots.
This team goes as far as Morant can take them.

I don't know who thought that 3J was another Vonleh needs to kick rocks and then some. There is a difference between a player who is ready and a player who is a project. Although 3J was more ready than Vonleh ever was, 3J still has to improve his defense(more tactic, less reckless) and rebounds( stop pretending to be Brook Lopez's reb avges from the last three seasons)

For a player whose's idol is Kevin Garnett, he's doing ok, but he can get better. He needs to become smart when he plays defense. He too foul prone and takes himself out of rhythm when he finds himself in foul trouble too many times. That must end. He rebounds like he's Brook Lopez during the last three seasons. Bruh, you're 6'11 and have towering height! Crank them numbers up to double digits. My other concern is potential maturity. He cool as a player and perhaps as a person. He needs to turn down that playful nature of his and turn his demeanor to a razor sharp focus when he plays the game. He's playing with an upcoming star in Ja Morant. Dude is coming with the heat every game. He don't care if you're a friend or not. Superstar or not. When he's in the game, he's coming for your a**. Real talk. That's where I would like to see 3J get to when he returns to the hardwood. Get fierce. Get serious. Put in work. Play smart. Earn them wins. Respect will come tenfold.

Lopez isn't actually a bad rebounder. Milwaukee has led the league in defensive rebound percentage the last two years. They were 29th the year before Lopez joined the team. Lopez boxes out and does so away from the rim. This allows teammates to clean up. You don't have to stand under the rim to help your team out on the boards, but a lot of guys would rather pad their numbers.

[tiderulz]

When will their time come when this franchise will get this right?

Either Smart or Exum could be good targets to replace Augustin. Depends on where Carter-Williams lands.

But Exum on a one-year LLE and a resign of Carter-Williams to two-years 7M leads to a nice depth chart:
Fultz/Carter-Williams/Exum

I am really ok with that sort of notion for the 2020/21 PG depth chart.

..

Exum? to be honest, i thought he was either hurt again or slunk off back to Australia.

[Kent]

I'm of the mind that we bring DJ back vs signing Exum or anyone else that can't produce offense.

Offense is what this team needs first and foremost.

[BlueBlazer]

I'm of the mind that we bring DJ back vs signing Exum or anyone else that can't produce offense.

Offense is what this team needs first and foremost.

He’s just so average it hurts, but we probably don’t have a choice. How about taking Anthony with 15, letting Augustin walk, and throwing the MLE at an offensive specialist?

[TheGlyde]

Dug this out from me from 2014:

I know you don't post much anymore but I'm curious on your thoughts of Exum. Did we miss out on a gem? Were you suicidal when the announced Gordon at 4?

Don't want to push this thread too far off topic, but yeah I think Exum is a stud.

Might be the Aussie goggles clouding my judgement, I admit, but I was pretty miffed at first when we passed him up. Having said that I do like Gordon and Payton, I think they fit well together and along with Dip and Vuc I think its a good foundation.

I blame the Aussie Goggles

Always fun to look back on this kind of stuff and see how wrong so many of us were, myself included.

Even for those who were right for that draft, there were plenty of other times you were wrong as well, you just stay quiet about those ones

But if you are the Magic GM and you didn't draft Mitchell/Bam in 2017, SGA/MPJ in 2018, and (BPA TBC) in 2019, then you suck.

The NBA Draft is such a swing and a miss game nowadays with players entering the league so young.

[PrimeThyme]

We could sure use a Tyler Herro. Or a Jimmy Butler. Or any guard with a modern offensive skillset.

[TheGlyde]

There have been some amazing games/finishes in the East side of the playoff bracket... But I do not want either of Miami or Boston (or the Lakers) to win another title...

C'mon Clips or Nugs...

[Optimus_Steel]

I remember wanting to draft Smart and making a thread Smart the beast. Everyone wanted Exum and then we drafted AG.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

i dont remember everyone wanting Exum.

I wanted Exum and was disappointed in AG. Magic made the right choice between those 2 in hindsight, just a shame how management decided to build the roster.

[Optimus_Steel]

Really jealous of Miami. They have a shark in Riley and we put poodles into management roles.

[ivDT]

same old clippers

[TheGlyde]

I feel like the Nuggets will get steamrolled by the Lakers, but I'm on the bandwagon in as far as who I would prefer to see win the 2020 NBA title.

I can't help thinking its going to be another damn Lakers/Celtics matchup though

[pepe1991]

Big props for Nuggets and their team spirit.

[MoMM]

Nuggets vs Heat in the finals, that's my guess.

[drsd]

Nuggets vs Heat in the finals, that's my guess.

And Adam Silver says:

[pepe1991]

Very good signing by Kings for president of basketball operations.

McNair graduated with a degree in computer since in 2006 from Princeton and has spent his entire professional career with the Rockets.