2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[Ruzious]

One big guy we haven't talked much about is Charles Bassey. He passes the eye test - at 6'11 235ish with a powerful frame - looks like he'll be around 250 eventually - with a slim waste. Good length, doesn't look like he jumps high, but he gets off the floor quickly for easy blocks and a rebounding advantage. Good foul shooter, and he's starting to take 3's but missing them. I think he has the long-term potential to become a 3 point threat. Poor passer, but why pass when you can score like he can? Still, gotta watch the turnovers. He was highly rated as a freshman but had a bad knee injury, and he's come back fully as a 20 year old junior. Strictly a center. Probably a mid 1st rounder, but if he gets on a roll, who knows?

[pcbothwel]

One big guy we haven't talked much about is Charles Bassey. He passes the eye test - at 6'11 235ish with a powerful frame - looks like he'll be around 250 eventually - with a slim waste. Good length, doesn't look like he jumps high, but he gets off the floor quickly for easy blocks and a rebounding advantage. Good foul shooter, and he's starting to take 3's but missing them. I think he has the long-term potential to become a 3 point threat. Poor passer, but why pass when you can score like he can? Still, gotta watch the turnovers. He was highly rated as a freshman but had a bad knee injury, and he's come back fully as a 20 year old junior. Strictly a center. Probably a mid 1st rounder, but if he gets on a roll, who knows?

Love Bassey, but he's not a defensive anchor or generational offensive talent. And you need to be one or the other to be a lotto pick as a Center to me.
You laid it out pretty well. Very quick and agile that imposes his will and rebounds like a mad man. His shot is fine, he just needs to pull the trigger from the perimeter.

[NatP4]

I think the short list at center would be:

1. Mobley
2. Queta
3. Bassey

And when I figure out what the heck Sengun even is, I’m sure he will factor in there..

[Ruzious]

I think the short list at center would be:

1. Mobley
2. Queta
3. Bassey

And when I figure out what the heck Sengun even is, I’m sure he will factor in there..

Right, I like Sengun a lot, but what is he in the NBA? Dude will score no matter what league he's in. His offense and rebounding reminds me of Enes Kanter already and can add range. He's gotten a good amount of blocks and steals, but he's going to have issues defensively. Probably best to have him as your 6th man.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I think the short list at center would be:

1. Mobley
2. Queta
3. Bassey

And when I figure out what the heck Sengun even is, I’m sure he will factor in there..

I'd have Garuba high on my list. I'd also certainly have Badji as worth consideration.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[payitforward]

One big guy we haven't talked much about is Charles Bassey. He passes the eye test - at 6'11 235ish with a powerful frame - looks like he'll be around 250 eventually - with a slim waste. Good length, doesn't look like he jumps high, but he gets off the floor quickly for easy blocks and a rebounding advantage. Good foul shooter, and he's starting to take 3's but missing them. I think he has the long-term potential to become a 3 point threat. Poor passer, but why pass when you can score like he can? Still, gotta watch the turnovers. He was highly rated as a freshman but had a bad knee injury, and he's come back fully as a 20 year old junior. Strictly a center. Probably a mid 1st rounder, but if he gets on a roll, who knows?

Love Bassey, but he's not a defensive anchor or generational offensive talent. And you need to be one or the other to be a lotto pick as a Center to me.
You laid it out pretty well. Very quick and agile that imposes his will and rebounds like a mad man. His shot is fine, he just needs to pull the trigger from the perimeter.

Bassey is posting eye-popping numbers. He was a highly-rated recruit out of HS -- how come he wound up at Western Kentucky?

[prime1time]

Does anybody recall what happened to our 2nd round pick?

[NatP4]

Does anybody recall what happened to our 2nd round pick?

Probably traded it for Trey Burke

[NatP4]

Watching these late pac-12 games is so rough with Bill Walton on the telecast. Such an idiot.

There was some conversation on this board about Duarte from Oregon, he’s legit. He has that competitive basketball IQ like Pritchard. Going up against another NBA prospect Josh Christopher and just dominating. 18 points on 10 shots. 6 rebounds and 4 assists also, just halfway through.

McKinley Wright didn’t shoot all that well, but led Colorado to a blowout of Stanford (Zhaire Williams is awful and had no impact on the game). Wright almost had a triple double. Finished with 14-9-9, was an absolute stud. The pac-12 has some legit NBA prospects.

Time to watch Mobley

[NatP4]

Mobley is pretty much affecting every single shot in the paint.

Edit: Mobley just made a ridiculous block halfway up the backboard that will be posted in this thread tomorrow.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

One big guy we haven't talked much about is Charles Bassey. He passes the eye test - at 6'11 235ish with a powerful frame - looks like he'll be around 250 eventually - with a slim waste. Good length, doesn't look like he jumps high, but he gets off the floor quickly for easy blocks and a rebounding advantage. Good foul shooter, and he's starting to take 3's but missing them. I think he has the long-term potential to become a 3 point threat. Poor passer, but why pass when you can score like he can? Still, gotta watch the turnovers. He was highly rated as a freshman but had a bad knee injury, and he's come back fully as a 20 year old junior. Strictly a center. Probably a mid 1st rounder, but if he gets on a roll, who knows?

Love Bassey, but he's not a defensive anchor or generational offensive talent. And you need to be one or the other to be a lotto pick as a Center to me.
You laid it out pretty well. Very quick and agile that imposes his will and rebounds like a mad man. His shot is fine, he just needs to pull the trigger from the perimeter.

Bassey is posting eye-popping numbers. He was a highly-rated recruit out of HS -- how come he wound up at Western Kentucky?

Bassey, Garza, Kofi Cockburn, Trevion Williams, Trayce Jackson-Davis

Lotta wide bodied dudes with game in this draft. Who's NBA-ready?

[NatP4]

Mobley is the best player in this draft. Wow.


One of the best prospects I have ever seen in college basketball.

Washington just quit going into the paint in the 2nd half because Mobley was swatting everything. There were some ridiculous sequences in that game where Mobley would closeout to a shooter, force him to put it on the floor and then pass to a teammate, then Mobley would help over and force the teamate to miss the shot. His defensive impact is as good as you will see. When he switches onto guards, it’s a mismatch for the guards, they have NO chance. His finishing at the rim is actually ridiculous. His wingspan has to be like 7’6 or something, and he has pogo stick athleticism. Anthony Davis like. He dunks everything around the basket. You guys will see the absurd highlight reel block he made tonight. He took off for a dunk from almost the free throw line and actually almost killed a guy. His demeanor is excellent, very unselfish and calm. He does remind you of a Tim Duncan out there in terms of intangibles. Watched an interview as well, seemed like an awesome dude. You would say “he just gets it”

The only reason this draft isn’t “Mobley and everyone else” is because Suggs is so good. I’m done watching Mobley for the rest of the year. He’s the real deal. Generational talent.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't know anything about Day'ron Sharpe, but he's ranked ahead of all the above.

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2021-2nd-round/

[prime1time]

The greatness just oozes off of Mobley. Touch around the rim. Fluid movement. Finishing with both hands. Defensive presence. He reminds me of a mix between Towns and AD. There really isn't much to say. Even if he doesn't put on more muscle/weight he could be an effective player. If he can get to 250-255, he's going to be a force because then you have a guy that can finish through contact and use his body weight to move people out the way. I like Cunningham, but I will be ecstatic if get a chance to draft Mobley. Evan Mobley is the closest thing to a lock I've seen since KD. Even more than Cunningham, Mobley's game easily translates. With Cunningham, you have to project growth in terms of seeing the game and running an offense. You also have to wonder what position Cunningham plays in the NBA.

Mobley could play in the NBA right now and be effective. IN a league that's switch happy, an Evan Mobley with added muscle will be a force. If he can add weight, assuming he stays healthy, he will compete with Jokic, Embiid and KAT for best center in the league. Unlike Jokic and KAT, Mobley projects as an elite defensive anchor that can also switch out and adequately defend smaller guards. I really like Cade but if things continue as they are currently going, I think you have to take Mobley over him. Not because Mobley will end up better, but because there is simply less uncertainty in Mobley's success.

[Ruzious]

Mobley is pretty much affecting every single shot in the paint.

Edit: Mobley just made a ridiculous block halfway up the backboard that will be posted in this thread tomorrow.

Read on Twitter

That one's... not bad.

[pcbothwel]

Jaden Springer reminds me so much of Zhaire Smith. 30 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals on 11 shots tonight. Plays elite defense. You can probably pencil him in as a quality 3&D combo guard at the next level, and he will still only be 18 years old on draft night.

Maybe an Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart level player that will probably be available in the 10-15 range.

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

Gotta like Springer - how many 18 year old freshmen guards get a TS% over 60 and get criticized for not taking enough 3's. He's made 54% of his 3's, so maybe he should be more aggressive in hunting 3's. An above the rim player who's earned more responsibility on a veteran TN team and seems to be thriving on the trust. I like him better than Bouknight - I think Springer's more of a team player.

Here's a fun article from Bullets Forever https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/1/31/22230988/2021-nba-draft-lottery-wizards-jonathan-kuminga-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-jalen-green I agree with him that Kai Jones is a better prospect than teammate Greg Brown.

Im telling you. Springer is legit. He just demolished Georgia last night:
30 points on 11 FGA...TS of 92%

Watch on YouTube

He's not a natural passer nor is he an elite athlete. But he can do it all and is a DOG. Youngest college player in the draft. This kid is Kyle Lowry and will be the Haliburton of this draft. I wouldnt hesitate to take him in the 5-7 range.

[Ruzious]

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

Gotta like Springer - how many 18 year old freshmen guards get a TS% over 60 and get criticized for not taking enough 3's. He's made 54% of his 3's, so maybe he should be more aggressive in hunting 3's. An above the rim player who's earned more responsibility on a veteran TN team and seems to be thriving on the trust. I like him better than Bouknight - I think Springer's more of a team player.

Here's a fun article from Bullets Forever https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/1/31/22230988/2021-nba-draft-lottery-wizards-jonathan-kuminga-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-jalen-green I agree with him that Kai Jones is a better prospect than teammate Greg Brown.

Im telling you. Springer is legit. He just demolished Georgia last night:
30 points on 11 FGA...TS of 92%

Watch on YouTube

He's not a natural passer nor is he an elite athlete. But he can do it all and is a DOG. Youngest college player in the draft. This kid is Kyle Lowry and will be the Haliburton of this draft. I wouldnt hesitate to take him in the 5-7 range.

Nice. I think he's strictly a 2. He needs to get stronger, but what 18 year old doesn't, and he's got the frame to add a fair amount of muscle - so that shouldn't be a problem after his rookie year. Notice a couple times he double-pumped after jumping - he's a good athlete.

[nate33]

Watching these late pac-12 games is so rough with Bill Walton on the telecast. Such an idiot.

Indeed.

[nate33]

Mobley is the best player in this draft. Wow.


One of the best prospects I have ever seen in college basketball.

Washington just quit going into the paint in the 2nd half because Mobley was swatting everything. There were some ridiculous sequences in that game where Mobley would closeout to a shooter, force him to put it on the floor and then pass to a teammate, then Mobley would help over and force the teamate to miss the shot. His defensive impact is as good as you will see. When he switches onto guards, it’s a mismatch for the guards, they have NO chance. His finishing at the rim is actually ridiculous. His wingspan has to be like 7’6 or something, and he has pogo stick athleticism. Anthony Davis like. He dunks everything around the basket. You guys will see the absurd highlight reel block he made tonight. He took off for a dunk from almost the free throw line and actually almost killed a guy. His demeanor is excellent, very unselfish and calm. He does remind you of a Tim Duncan out there in terms of intangibles. Watched an interview as well, seemed like an awesome dude. You would say “he just gets it”

The only reason this draft isn’t “Mobley and everyone else” is because Suggs is so good. I’m done watching Mobley for the rest of the year. He’s the real deal. Generational talent.

There's a full video of the game on youtube at the moment. I don't know how long it will stay up:

Watch on YouTube

NatP4 speaks the truth. I just watched the first half and Mobley basically shut down their entire offense. He had at least 4 blocks and there were two or three times when he got switched onto the guard and he forced the guard into a turnover. By the end of the half, whenever a guard saw Mobley switched out onto them, they just passed the ball away. They didn't want any part of him.

Mobley also had a couple of very nice dimes. He has a nice midrange shot and I could definitely see him operating on offense in a manner similar to Bam Adebayo. Just put him at the high post and let him pass to cutters. If the defender backs off to stop the cutters, Mobley will hit the foul line jumper all day.

I also see the Tim Duncan comparisons. Much of it is due to Mobley's economy of motion. He's not a jitterbug out there. He wastes no motion when he is on the court, but still ends up in the right spot.

The only weakness I see is that Mobley doesn't seem like he enjoys contact that much. His brother Evan was always in the scrum for a rebound. Mobley kind of waits for rebounds to fall in his area. I'd like to see him be more aggressive on the glass. Hopefully that will come as he gets stronger.

[nate33]

Mobley didn't even commit his first foul until there was 5 minutes left in the game.

By the end of the game, the Washington guards were waiving off screens from their big man because it only brought Evan Mobley into the play.