Official 2021 NBA Draft Thread

[RookieStar]

You guys make an interesting comparison.. what really differentiates Barnes and Kuminga. Both are suppoaedly wings butnin reality are PFs.. at the same time, what really differentiates Green from bouknight and moody?

I need to watch more of Bouknight, so I’ll skip him for now.

As a few others pointed out, the knock of Moody which is glaring once you know to look for it is that he doesn’t really create for himself. He doesn’t have much of an off the dribble game. Can he expand to a lead scorer at the NBA level? Moody is a great shooter which will translate but we need a super star and he can’t be that if he can’t create for himself.

Green is much more explosive and an all around threat. True, he is also more erratic. That gives him more bust potential. The super star potential however is real with him. Moody lacks it entirely.

I admit Green is more explosive and athletic but for comparison sake, the reason why Green looks more explosive in going to the rim is because his primary defenders are mostly giving single coverage only.. and the fact that its GL where defense is not really played that well compared to college ball where players dive and eat elbows for the sake of D. I mean when Moody drives, teams collapse on him. When Green drives and gets by his man, its an open lane to the rim usually. Although to be honest I dont know if that becasue he is just waaaay faster than everybody else or Moody is just slow as heck lol

[Knightro]

I mean Luka wasn't even on the megastar level prospect. I thought he was easily the best player in that draft, but I never imagined he would be this good, particularly this fast. I remember when Lebron was coming up, and all the hype, I just couldn't even wrap my head round what he was going to become.

I certainly don't think Cade is in the Lebron/Doncic class, but even if he's more Paul George or Jimmy Butler, what are we talking about top 15/20 player. Borderline best player on a championship team. I think the passing and vision can be better than those two. What is Jimmy Butler if he shot 3s at 38%, he's probably top 5, and I am not saying Cade will be better at all the things Butler is great at. He won't.

I think the path for Cade to be a top 20 player is easier to see than any of the other guys in this draft. 6'7" with good vision and passing is why. Look at Lamelo, and he's probably 6'6, that's why he was the number one prospect last year, even with all the question marks. Ball's passing is much better, at least flashier, than Cade, but Cade excels in other areas over Ball.

I'd say he is a tier or half tier below Doncic coming in, but knowing that Doncic has clearly exceeded expectations on that tier since coming into the league.

I dunno, man. Luka was the freaking MVP of the EuroLeague, the second best level of basketball competition in the world, as a teenager.

He was the best European prospect in NBA history and the best player in his draft class by a mile and most people knew it. Can't blame Luka for Phoenix, Sacramento and Atlanta all being really stupid and deciding to pass on him.

[basketballRob]

Not sure if I don't take Barnes 2 or 3. You can clearly see he's a pro. I'd take Cade and Suggs ahead of him possibly.



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[pepe1991]

Some of Barnes "playmaking" is gimmicky, forced and unnatural. His ballandling, in fashion he is doing right now , flat out won't work in nba. His dribble is super high, smaller guards will have field day in terms of steals and deflactions.

But you can't argue somewhat solid vision and guy has energy to run for days. Would be refreshing to see somebody young that doesn't look like he will fall asleep on the court after being punished to watch Bamba for 3 years.

Is Ben Simmons best comp? I guess?

Simmons,whoever, was very fluid and elite atlete, were i find Barnes little bit of uncordinated with his movment. ofc he is 19, other than inability to shoot, there is no much red flags in his game .

[PrimeThyme]

It doesn’t matter if fans feel that way. Does the FO feel that way? Their money says differently.

I would tend to agree with you on Isaac. At least in terms of the contract suggesting he's more of a long-term piece for this team. The nature of Fultz's contract, with the last year being a team option makes him much less of one. Fultz is an overpaid backup point guard at this stage. A player like him wouldn't stop me from selecting someone like Barnes.

His fit with Isaac would be an interesting one. You would need elite shooting at one of the guard spots and the other guard would need to be more than capable of stretching the floor as well. Fultz certainly doesn't fit that description. But I'm ready to move off of him anyways.

I'm one more Isaac injury away from giving up completely. For the time being, I'm still factoring him in as a core piece. I like a lot about his fit next to Barnes, though I think it could present similar issues that the AG/Isaac pairing did.

Barnes's more evolved playmaking, && his ability to truly guard all 5 positions makes me more intrigued than I was with AG/Isaac tho.

[jonbob17]

I dunno, man. Luka was the freaking MVP of the EuroLeague, the second best level of basketball competition in the world, as a teenager.

He was the best European prospect in NBA history and the best player in his draft class by a mile and most people knew it. Can't blame Luka for Phoenix, Sacramento and Atlanta all being really stupid and deciding to pass on him.

He was the clear #1 that draft in a tier all alone. It’s on those teams that passed, same with lamelo last year. Being the MVP of the Euroleague should have meant more to everyone.

BUT I don’t think anyone could have ever imagined he was going to go 29/9/9 as a 20 yo.

[RookieStar]

I really need to see more complete FSU games especially against quality teams. Everything you guys said were observable EXCEPT this so-called play making/court general skill ala Ben Simmons/Magic Johnson like. I just don't see it. I mean if you meant passing, sure he can but that's different than directing plays.

Hopefully they go deep in the ncaat so I can see his skill you guys hype about.

[MagicFan101]

I really need to see more complete FSU games especially against quality teams. Everything you guys said were observable EXCEPT this so-called play making/court general skill ala Ben Simmons/Magic Johnson like. I just don't see it. I mean if you meant passing, sure he can but that's different than directing plays.

Hopefully they go deep in the ncaat so I can see his skill you guys hype about.

Are you watching highlights are full games?

[RookieStar]

I really need to see more complete FSU games especially against quality teams. Everything you guys said were observable EXCEPT this so-called play making/court general skill ala Ben Simmons/Magic Johnson like. I just don't see it. I mean if you meant passing, sure he can but that's different than directing plays.

Hopefully they go deep in the ncaat so I can see his skill you guys hype about.

Are you watching highlights are full games?

As I clearly mentioned... "need more COMPLETE FSU games" I saw only 1-2 more or less complete games. I never put a stock in mix tapes/clips or highlights. The one I remember most was against UNC

In those games, I was surprised that Barnes wasn't even the starter. although he played a lot.

[jonbob17]

I really need to see more complete FSU games especially against quality teams. Everything you guys said were observable EXCEPT this so-called play making/court general skill ala Ben Simmons/Magic Johnson like. I just don't see it. I mean if you meant passing, sure he can but that's different than directing plays.

Hopefully they go deep in the ncaat so I can see his skill you guys hype about.

I heard someone make that Magic Johnson comp recently, and they were suggesting Magic was a bad shooter. The NBA was just so different back then. He had a career 85% FT rate. Maybe that Magic was so tremendous in transition, and Barnes looks very good too.

I like Barnes, but I don't see that Magic one at all or Ben Simmons. I have probably only caught a handful of FSU games. I think he has upside, but I don't think he is going to shoot it unless he rebuilds it. He should have a reasonable floor too.

[Knightro]

Don't look now, but the Wolves have won 2 of their last 3 and are threatening double digit wins!

If they can get their guys back from injury and suspension and actually get to play the Russell/Beasley/Edwards/Towns foursome together, they might be able to win some games down the stretch. Not sure if they can win 5 more than the Magic, but that's why they play the games.

Because of injuries and suspensions those top four for Minnesota have only played together 4 times the entire season. Wolves are 2-2 in those games.

[RookieStar]

I really need to see more complete FSU games especially against quality teams. Everything you guys said were observable EXCEPT this so-called play making/court general skill ala Ben Simmons/Magic Johnson like. I just don't see it. I mean if you meant passing, sure he can but that's different than directing plays.

Hopefully they go deep in the ncaat so I can see his skill you guys hype about.

I heard someone make that Magic Johnson comp recently, and they were suggesting Magic was a bad shooter. The NBA was just so different back then. He had a career 85% FT rate. Maybe that Magic was so tremendous in transition, and Barnes looks very good too.

I like Barnes, but I don't see that Magic one at all or Ben Simmons. I have probably only caught a handful of FSU games. I think he has upside, but I don't think he is going to shoot it unless he rebuilds it. He should have a reasonable floor too.

Thats what really confuses me. I dont see the Magic/Ben comparison because those guys can and do run the team. Well.. maybe we will see it when games get real and Barnes might show it.

[No-Man]

Scottie Barnes' is Bobo Diaw/Slo-mo, at best (those guys were far better scorers anyway), not Simmons lol

A guy you take top20-25, but do not touch top5-10 jesus, no chance

[tiderulz]

I really need to see more complete FSU games especially against quality teams. Everything you guys said were observable EXCEPT this so-called play making/court general skill ala Ben Simmons/Magic Johnson like. I just don't see it. I mean if you meant passing, sure he can but that's different than directing plays.

Hopefully they go deep in the ncaat so I can see his skill you guys hype about.

I heard someone make that Magic Johnson comp recently, and they were suggesting Magic was a bad shooter. The NBA was just so different back then. He had a career 85% FT rate. Maybe that Magic was so tremendous in transition, and Barnes looks very good too.

I like Barnes, but I don't see that Magic one at all or Ben Simmons. I have probably only caught a handful of FSU games. I think he has upside, but I don't think he is going to shoot it unless he rebuilds it. He should have a reasonable floor too.

he was a bad outside shooter. shouldnt be debatable.

[Def Swami]

Some of Barnes "playmaking" is gimmicky, forced and unnatural. His ballandling, in fashion he is doing right now , flat out won't work in nba. His dribble is super high, smaller guards will have field day in terms of steals and deflactions.

But you can't argue somewhat solid vision and guy has energy to run for days. Would be refreshing to see somebody young that doesn't look like he will fall asleep on the court after being punished to watch Bamba for 3 years.

Is Ben Simmons best comp? I guess?

Simmons,whoever, was very fluid and elite atlete, were i find Barnes little bit of uncordinated with his movment. ofc he is 19, other than inability to shoot, there is no much red flags in his game .

Maybe young Boris Diaw is the better comp.

[RookieStar]

Some of Barnes "playmaking" is gimmicky, forced and unnatural. His ballandling, in fashion he is doing right now , flat out won't work in nba. His dribble is super high, smaller guards will have field day in terms of steals and deflactions.

But you can't argue somewhat solid vision and guy has energy to run for days. Would be refreshing to see somebody young that doesn't look like he will fall asleep on the court after being punished to watch Bamba for 3 years.

Is Ben Simmons best comp? I guess?

Simmons,whoever, was very fluid and elite atlete, were i find Barnes little bit of uncordinated with his movment. ofc he is 19, other than inability to shoot, there is no much red flags in his game .

Maybe young Boris Diaw is the better comp.

Hmmm wwould you even take young prime Boris Diaw in the top 8 in this draft?

[VFX]

It doesn’t matter if fans feel that way. Does the FO feel that way? Their money says differently.

I would tend to agree with you on Isaac. At least in terms of the contract suggesting he's more of a long-term piece for this team. The nature of Fultz's contract, with the last year being a team option makes him much less of one. Fultz is an overpaid backup point guard at this stage. A player like him wouldn't stop me from selecting someone like Barnes.

His fit with Isaac would be an interesting one. You would need elite shooting at one of the guard spots and the other guard would need to be more than capable of stretching the floor as well. Fultz certainly doesn't fit that description. But I'm ready to move off of him anyways.

I'm one more Isaac injury away from giving up completely. For the time being, I'm still factoring him in as a core piece. I like a lot about his fit next to Barnes, though I think it could present similar issues that the AG/Isaac pairing did.

Barnes's more evolved playmaking, && his ability to truly guard all 5 positions makes me more intrigued than I was with AG/Isaac tho.

I’d be more intrigued to have a player like Barnes over Isaac and AG. However, I wouldn’t want Orlando to draft that player if they don’t have a plan on how to utilize him in the future. Bamba was drafted “high” because he was considered by the FO as BPA with zero plan in place. I have no issue with Barnes on paper. It’s the situation I dislike because he has obvious deficiencies and the FO always has no post-draft plan.

I’m coupling this with the fact that Fournier is gone and Orlando’s back court is still garbage no matter how many backup point guards they accumulate.

[Def Swami]

Some of Barnes "playmaking" is gimmicky, forced and unnatural. His ballandling, in fashion he is doing right now , flat out won't work in nba. His dribble is super high, smaller guards will have field day in terms of steals and deflactions.

But you can't argue somewhat solid vision and guy has energy to run for days. Would be refreshing to see somebody young that doesn't look like he will fall asleep on the court after being punished to watch Bamba for 3 years.

Is Ben Simmons best comp? I guess?

Simmons,whoever, was very fluid and elite atlete, were i find Barnes little bit of uncordinated with his movment. ofc he is 19, other than inability to shoot, there is no much red flags in his game .

Maybe young Boris Diaw is the better comp.

Hmmm wwould you even take young prime Boris Diaw in the top 8 in this draft?

I would, but just not for our team since we're so saturated with forwards. I think Prime Boris Diaw is a pretty valuable guy in the NBA in 2021. I think 2014-2018 Draymond Green in a lot of ways was that player with elite defense. 3x all-star and DPOY-level seasons are worthy of a pick in the top 10. Maybe not top 5 this year, but I think it's reasonable for that player to go 6-9. I think in a 2012 redraft, Green probably goes top 5.

[RookieStar]

Hmmm in the past yes but in the new modern nba where you need scorers then there are a lot of players in this draft I would probably take ahead of Boris. Same reason I personally wouldnt take Barnes in my top 10

[No-Man]

Some of Barnes "playmaking" is gimmicky, forced and unnatural. His ballandling, in fashion he is doing right now , flat out won't work in nba. His dribble is super high, smaller guards will have field day in terms of steals and deflactions.

But you can't argue somewhat solid vision and guy has energy to run for days. Would be refreshing to see somebody young that doesn't look like he will fall asleep on the court after being punished to watch Bamba for 3 years.

Is Ben Simmons best comp? I guess?

Simmons,whoever, was very fluid and elite atlete, were i find Barnes little bit of uncordinated with his movment. ofc he is 19, other than inability to shoot, there is no much red flags in his game .

Maybe young Boris Diaw is the better comp.

young Bobo was way more athletic, and Diaw could shoot also