Official 2020 Nba Draft Thread

[mattao313]

Who we have talked to is interesting with players that I think wouldn't take at 7 other then Haliburton. They talked to RJ Hampton and Precious Achiuwa. Who else have we talked to? could be look into trade down

Also on the moving up side Golden State interviewed Haliburton they could get him at 7 I'm not a fan of moving up this year

Yeah maybe but also I think a lot of these guys are close together talent/value wise perhaps us fans put too much stock in big boards and mock drafts. Im trying to keep an open mind this year but its definitely hard not be influenced but them.

[BJK1]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Hampton goes higher than the range that current mock drafts show (typically just outside of the lottery to around 20). Watch the highlights and you see a player who already possesses outstanding open court speed, athleticism, and the first step burst / quickness in the half court to get into the paint pretty much at will. Shooting is considered his biggest weakness, but he’s spent the last few months working with Mike Miller and Penny Hardaway to clean up some technical issues and to become more efficient in his movement. According to Miller, he’s done that. Pair those traits with the fact that he’s considered a good kid with a strong work ethic and a supportive family, and I think you have a guy who’s potentially “rising” in the draft.

[Pharaoh]

If I'm our FO I'm interviewing as many dudes as possible (think there is a limit tjis year due to Covid) as it's the best time to learn who they are mentally.

Once they're in the league you'll have all the film you need, or stories from guys on their teams but breaking someone down psychologically is much different.



Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[Pharaoh]

For advanced stat guys (not me at all):

Okoro:

TS% 587
eFG% 556

Stanimal's numbers were 551 & 501

Winslow 572 & 551

Jaylen Brown 518 & 471

All those guys are/were similar in that they're supposed to have all these intangibles, "the dog" in them and be gym rats.

I'm willing to agree that Okoro could end up being another SJ or Winslow

IF

People are also willing to agree he could be another Jaylen Brown.

We just won't know until it's too late.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[mattao313]

For advanced stat guys (not me at all):

Okoro:

TS% 587
eFG% 556

Stanimal's numbers were 551 & 501

Winslow 572 & 551

Jaylen Brown 518 & 471

All those guys are/were similar in that they're supposed to have all these intangibles, "the dog" in them and be gym rats.

I'm willing to agree that Okoro could end up being another SJ or Winslow

IF

People are also willing to agree he could be another Jaylen Brown.

We just won't know until it's too late.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

IMO he doesnt compare to Stanley or Jaylen both those guys showed much more on offense than OKoro while being high usg% guys.

Okoro was low usg% and limited on offense he is in the MKG, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson,OG Anunoby realm.

[Crymson]

All those guys are/were similar in that they're supposed to have all these intangibles, "the dog" in them and be gym rats.

I'm willing to agree that Okoro could end up being another SJ or Winslow

IF

People are also willing to agree he could be another Jaylen Brown.

We just won't know until it's too late.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

By all indications, he's considerably more likely to go the way of Johnson than he is to develop into the likes of Brown. Drafting is a matter of probabilities. Okoro's shot does not look good. For that matter, it looks outright bad. Similarly, Johnson had poor shooting mechanics upon entering the league; he never fixed them. Brown had no such issues.

Why should the Pistons take a risk on yet another potentially bad shooter? Their primary downfall over the past 12 years has been terrible shooting.

[Pharaoh]

All those guys are/were similar in that they're supposed to have all these intangibles, "the dog" in them and be gym rats.

I'm willing to agree that Okoro could end up being another SJ or Winslow

IF

People are also willing to agree he could be another Jaylen Brown.

We just won't know until it's too late.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

By all indications, he's considerably more likely to go the way of Johnson than he is to develop into the likes of Brown. Drafting is a matter of probabilities. Okoro's shot does not look good. For that matter, it looks outright bad. Similarly, Johnson had poor shooting mechanics upon entering the league; he never fixed them. Brown had no such issues.

Why should the Pistons take a risk on yet another potentially bad shooter? Their primary downfall over the past 12 years has been terrible shooting.

Why should we take Okoro = Jaylen Brown

Why we shouldn't = Stanley Johnson

We have no idea how these kids are built mentally. We have no idea what work they do on all aspects.

What we do know is that not every elite player in the league needs to shoot 38% from 3 to be a winning player.

Okoro can arguably guard 1 through 4. Can handle a bit, initiate a bit, score a bit.

I posted SJ, Winslow and Brown to make the point that:

1 - Brown's numbers are the worst of the 3

2 - Brown is by far the better player however many years later.

We just don't know how much these guys work on things or if that work translates to actual games.

From all reports Stanley Johnson worked really **** hard to improve. It just never translated to the game.

Imma find some Okoro clips causr initially he was my first choice but there's been so much negativity around his offensive game I'm now on the fence.

Maybe that's me reading too much noise or maybe the process has been so long I'm forgetting what sold me on him to start with?

I believe I posted Okoro with our pick and the Luke to Phoenix for their pick (Vassell) late Feb, early March. Seems like a lifetime ago

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[Pharaoh]

https://youtu.be/iATlCqxmRi0

https://youtu.be/a1uz00Rsh04

https://youtu.be/I_qrUwe62QI

https://youtu.be/YZgmUrH8ev4

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[vic]

Look at Free throw Attempts/40

Jaylen Brown significantly better than all 3. But Okoro comes in 2nd.

Then look at 2pt%. Okoro is significantly better than all 3.

The ability to get to the rim and actually finish is the difference that gives you the room to work on your jumper.

[MotownMadness]

Look at Free throw Attempts/40

Jaylen Brown significantly better than all 3. But Okoro comes in 2nd.

Then look at 2pt%. Okoro is significantly better than all 3.

The ability to get to the rim and actually finish is the difference that gives you the room to work on your jumper.

I probably got to sit and watch him play 5 times throughout the college season. He doesn't pop out at you cause he likes to be more of a glue guy type. He usually does some playmaking or takes it inside like you said.

Hes needs to be more aggressive to be a big scorer at the next level. Even Auburn's coach would say that's a issue is getting him to wanna take over. Could develop into a Brown type if all goes well cause he is the best perimeter defender in the class in my opinion.

I like the Winslow comp for him cause you can let him score in side, defend and do some ball handling.

[vic]

Look at Free throw Attempts/40

Jaylen Brown significantly better than all 3. But Okoro comes in 2nd.

Then look at 2pt%. Okoro is significantly better than all 3.

The ability to get to the rim and actually finish is the difference that gives you the room to work on your jumper.

I probably got to sit and watch him play 5 times throughout the college season. He doesn't pop out at you cause he likes to be more of a glue guy type. He usually does some playmaking or takes it inside like you said.

Hes needs to be more aggressive to be a big scorer at the next level. Even Auburn's coach would say that's a issue is getting him to wanna take over. Could develop into a Brown type if all goes well cause he is the best perimeter defender in the class in my opinion.

I like the Winslow comp for him cause you can let him score in side, defend and do some ball handling.

Yes I agree with that, and that's the feedback from his coach as well, his main problem is just trying to win and be a team guy rather than taking the lead. His star potential is going to come from the team forcing the issue, his coach drawing plays for him, or him just getting hungrier for buckets rather than being a glue guy.

But towards the end of his season he became the leader and the closer for his team. He actually trains with Jaylen Brown as well.

[Pharaoh]

Okoro is only 19 too, turns 20 on the 26th of January. Think most people know that date (Kobe).

Sekou turns 20 this December.

Put those 2 dudes on the floor a lot togerher and in a couple of years who knows what we have

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[vic]

Just a dude focused on winning. Won at every level. Focused on winning not on self. That's why his stats aren't as gaudy. But the win loss record is there.

If this isn't Pistons DNA then I dont know what is!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2020/10/03/auburns-isaac-okoro-says-he-deserves-to-be-the-no-1-pick-in-the-nba-draft/#144925dc1139

[vic]

Okoro is only 19 too, turns 20 on the 26th of January. Think most people know that date (Kobe).

Sekou turns 20 this December.

Put those 2 dudes on the floor a lot togerher and in a couple of years who knows what we have

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

That's one of the reasons I'm slightly higher on Okoro than Vassell even though Vassell's floor is higher. Okoro's defensive mindset and ability to get to the rim at will is a perfect match for Luke and Sekou who both like to shoot. His higher ceiling is a perfect fit.

[mattao313]

About Okoro:

Cooper, who also coached Okoro with the Athletes of Tomorrow team on Nike’s NKE 0.0% EYBL circuit, says what makes Okoro unique is the ability to play and guard multiple positions.

“Isaac can play the one through the four on offense and guard the one through the five on defense,” Cooper said. “And then being a kid who only played for one AAU team, one high school, one college, for his whole life he’s only played locally. So he’s not looking for the best team, the best situation. Even in open gym, he’ll tell me, ‘Just give me whoever you want on my team.’ He doesn’t say, “I want to play with this guy, this guy, this guy.’ He says, ‘Coach, just put me wherever you want to put me.’ And he finds a way to win with less.”

“He’s not interested in the spoils of life, the money, the cars, the jewelry, the women, he’s not interested in that,” Cooper said. “He’s interested in competing at the next level. That’s why he wants to make it to the NBA and that’s why I feel he should be the No. 1 pick.”

“Isaac has separated himself with his winning culture from early on in life with what it takes to win,” Cooper added. “One thing he does, he likes to win but not more than he hates to lose. Isaac can’t sleep at night if he loses a game, so he puts everything he has into winning that game just so he can go to sleep at night. There’s been not many sleepless nights, but there’s been a few and he [doesn’t] like the feeling.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2020/10/03/auburns-isaac-okoro-says-he-deserves-to-be-the-no-1-pick-in-the-nba-draft/#425366371139

[DBC10]

Eh, Okoro looks like a classic tweener that will most likely not really have an offensive game at all at the NBA level. His shot mechanics are kind of all over the place with a weird two motion shot instead of the fluid one motion shot that all great shooters have. I think he can get there since it's not Kidd Gilchrist or LaMelo Ball level bad but still.

But he is explosive vertically, but he's not beating any one with his 1st step. Kind of reminds me of Jordan Bell and rookie Aaron Gordon? Maybe a hint of young Josh Smith and Gerald Wallace in there too?

[Pharaoh]

Eh, Okoro looks like a classic tweener that will most likely not really have an offensive game at all at the NBA level. His shot mechanics are kind of all over the place with a weird two motion shot instead of the fluid one motion shot that all great shooters have. I think he can get there since it's not Kidd Gilchrist or LaMelo Ball level bad but still.

But he is explosive vertically, but he's not beating any one with his 1st step. Kind of reminds me of Jordan Bell and rookie Aaron Gordon? Maybe a hint of young Josh Smith and Gerald Wallace in there too?

Gerald Wallace is used as a comp for Okoro often.

I'm hoping that with all this down time Okoro has been locked away in a gym working on his offensive game.

Easier to do that in iso than anything else.



Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[Pharaoh]

I'll say it:

Jimmy Butler, 40 point triple double, didn't even attempt a 3 pointer.

What I'd give to have guys like Butler on this team. It's been too damn long.

Could Okoro end up being that guy? Maybe, but I'm starting to believe he won't be there at 7:

MIN - Edwards: put him at the 3, team im with KAT, D'Lo & Beasley

GSW - Ball - trade with Knicks cause the Knicks are desperate for buzz after Brooklyn has taken the city.

CHA - Wiseman - BPA and fills a need

CHI - Okoro - need some toughness, the right mentality and fills a position of need

CLE - Deni - play making combo forward

ATL - Hayes - Hawks need guard help more than anything.

Leaves Obi, Okongwu, Haliburton and Vassell on the board for us.

In that situation I'm choosing between Okongwu and Vassell.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[vic]

I'll say it:

Jimmy Butler, 40 point triple double, didn't even attempt a 3 pointer.

What I'd give to have guys like Butler on this team. It's been too damn long.

Could Okoro end up being that guy? Maybe, but I'm starting to believe he won't be there at 7:

MIN - Edwards: put him at the 3, team im with KAT, D'Lo & Beasley

GSW - Ball - trade with Knicks cause the Knicks are desperate for buzz after Brooklyn has taken the city.

CHA - Wiseman - BPA and fills a need

CHI - Okoro - need some toughness, the right mentality and fills a position of need

CLE - Deni - play making combo forward

ATL - Hayes - Hawks need guard help more than anything.

Leaves Obi, Okongwu, Haliburton and Vassell on the board for us.

In that situation I'm choosing between Okongwu and Vassell.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

Okoro is definitely cut from the same cloth. Same winning heart, don't care about flash, competitive glue guy.

If hes gone I definitely go with Vassell. Vassell is perfect super 3, super D rich mans role player who already has a pull-up game, with potential to get all the way to the rim as he gets stronger.

[MotownMadness]

I'll say it:

Jimmy Butler, 40 point triple double, didn't even attempt a 3 pointer.

What I'd give to have guys like Butler on this team. It's been too damn long.

Could Okoro end up being that guy? Maybe, but I'm starting to believe he won't be there at 7:

MIN - Edwards: put him at the 3, team im with KAT, D'Lo & Beasley

GSW - Ball - trade with Knicks cause the Knicks are desperate for buzz after Brooklyn has taken the city.

CHA - Wiseman - BPA and fills a need

CHI - Okoro - need some toughness, the right mentality and fills a position of need

CLE - Deni - play making combo forward

ATL - Hayes - Hawks need guard help more than anything.

Leaves Obi, Okongwu, Haliburton and Vassell on the board for us.

In that situation I'm choosing between Okongwu and Vassell.

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

Hopefully Hawks would take Haliburton if it goes that way giving us Hayes. Haliburton is a good fit for them cause they really need defense as well. Could play behind Trae or next to him off the ball.