Hal’s Draft Thread

[Hal14]

Spinella's updated big board:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

So he actually has Wieskamp pretty low, at 52 which is probably because of the defensive struggles (see Wieskamp's defensive struggles in video in above post) He said on the podcast (linked in earlier post up on this page) that he sees around 36 or 37 guys as legit 1st round talents. So if you look at the top 37 guys he has ranked on his big board, the following are guys who could potentially be there at 45, with Spinella's ranking of the player in parenthesis:

Todd (20)
Robinson-Earl (25)
Grimes (32)
Greg Brown (33)
Jokubaitis (34)
Queta (35)

[Hal14]

I actually see a lot of value in drafting role players. Certainly you would hope to find a diamond in the rough like Jokic but I also like finding a Shake Milton or a Duncan Robinson or a Pat Connaughton or a Devonte Graham type.

I would love a Grant Williams-type.....The problem with Grant is that he fits the "type" but isn't delivering at the level we need.

But the odds of being able to draft a player who can come in right away from day 1 and contribute to a good NBA as a solid role player with the 45th pick are slim to none.

Mine as swing for the fences and see if you can land a guy who can potentially be a star down the road, which this article talks about:

https://www.thestrick.land/strick/how-to-draft-with-data-should-mid-first-round-teams-knicks-draft-polished-raw-prospects

More content here, this podcast talks about who we should go for with 45th pick, featuring guest Adam Spinella, the guy who makes those in depth scouting report videos on each prospect: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/celticsblog-for-boston-celtics-fans/id1448785876

Spinella says, "you're not likely to get anyone who will contribute in year 1 in the 2nd round - especially not this deep in the 2nd round"

Later in the podcast Spinella says "rather than going for the home run, draft a guy who can hit singles and doubles" when talking about why his top picks for the C's are: 1) Robinson-Earl 2) Quentin Grimes 3) Jason Preston

Those are 3 guys are probably the 3 most accomplished players that will be available in the second round and the most likely to contribute in the NBA right away. Agree on those 3 guys especially Grimes.

Robinson-Earl - I like him, but my only concern is, if his primarily role on offense is as a shooter (since he's not a great passer, not a great finisher above the rim, can't create separation off the dribble, can he really shoot? he shot a poor % from 3 and that was his 3rd year in college

Grimes - I just feel like a 3 and D guy who's only 6'5" with a 6'8" wingspan, can't create off the dribble or pass, so just a spot up shooter, i see him as being literally the same guy we drafted last year in Nesmith. I just think there's too much redundancy with Grimes when you look at the other guys on the roster, he might just get lost in the shuffle - or he is taking mins away from Nesmith/Langford and therefore stunting their growth/development

Preston - maybe if we had more picks, but where we only have 1 draft pick I really don't want to pick a PG. Let's see what we have first with the 2 PGs we just took in last year's draft, especially where there's no guarantee at 45th pick you're getting a PG who's any better than Pritchard or Madar

The other issue with all 3 of these guys is, they project as a solid role player off the bench (or possibly your 5th starter) but do we want to swing for the fences and aim higher with this pick, for a guy with a higher ceiling?

[Half-Full]

Aaron Henry - 6'6" with a 6'11" wingspan. Good defender, and good rebounder.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/aaron-henry-scouting-report/

This scouting report is based on his freshman year...

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/07/21/draft-notes-aaron-henry-shouldnt-sleeper/

[playa-hater]

The key for me is always to upgrade the roster when ever possible. A good veteran may be more ready than a young player, But young players are talented and cheap and available

The talent pool in this draft is a little overrated because it is presently filled with accomplished talents. They look great on paper but unfortunately if they were so great they probably would have been drafted years ago. I may be overstating it but lots of guys 20+ years old in this draft after the first 8 or 9 picks your looking upper classmen there is literally a 23 year old projected in the lottery. I love to buy into the guy who works hard and hones his craft like Pritchard but mostly they are going to be Grant Williams. Good guy, plays hard and you can use him but a future journeymen not a future star. Currently I need to develop stars and buy role players the roster is too young as it is.

I actually see a lot of value in drafting role players. Certainly you would hope to find a diamond in the rough like Jokic but I also like finding a Shake Milton or a Duncan Robinson or a Pat Connaughton or a Devonte Graham type.

I would love a Grant Williams-type.....The problem with Grant is that he fits the "type" but isn't delivering at the level we need.

Joe Weiskamp can end up better than all 3 players. A quality role player who allows the team's star player to excel more can not be understated. Also feel he can step in right away. I mean Grant Williams was given a rotation spot his rookie year and JW is a pretty big notch in talent/ability above GW IMO.

[playa-hater]

I’m sort of meh, on Brown. Seems under skilled/lower BBIQ. Todd just strikes me as a guy who has a massive ego/shot selection issues but yeah there is potential there.

What I like about Gray is he is so fluid and has really intriguing ball handling/passing skills. And he’s very explosive for his frame. If he can keep the weight under control and become a more consistent shooter he could be a problem sort of like a Zion type.

while I do agree with the above bold, not to the point where getting these 2 players at 45 wouldn't be bad. In fact would e a steal.

Also how much "Skill" and IQ does John Collins have?? I think both J Collins and Gregg Brown are near identical. And One may actually get maxed this summer.

I Todd has real nice combo of size and skill set for a 2nd rd talent. even with his "issues"

[playa-hater]

I actually see a lot of value in drafting role players. Certainly you would hope to find a diamond in the rough like Jokic but I also like finding a Shake Milton or a Duncan Robinson or a Pat Connaughton or a Devonte Graham type.

I would love a Grant Williams-type.....The problem with Grant is that he fits the "type" but isn't delivering at the level we need.

But the odds of being able to draft a player who can come in right away from day 1 and contribute to a good NBA as a solid role player with the 45th pick are slim to none.

Mine as swing for the fences and see if you can land a guy who can potentially be a star down the road, which this article talks about:

https://www.thestrick.land/strick/how-to-draft-with-data-should-mid-first-round-teams-knicks-draft-polished-raw-prospects

More content here, this podcast talks about who we should go for with 45th pick, featuring guest Adam Spinella, the guy who makes those in depth scouting report videos on each prospect: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/celticsblog-for-boston-celtics-fans/id1448785876

Spinella says, "you're not likely to get anyone who will contribute in year 1 in the 2nd round - especially not this deep in the 2nd round"

Later in the podcast Spinella says "rather than going for the home run, draft a guy who can hit singles and doubles" when talking about why his top picks for the C's are: 1) Robinson-Earl 2) Quentin Grimes 3) Jason Preston

I don't mind drafting a high upside guy like a Bagarin but I think when we look back at this draft we are going to see players that contributed from day one.

For me, that's what makes this draft so interesting. There are players that have the ability of a Payton Pritchard in the second round this year and he contributed day 1.

I like PP a lot, but still see many 2nd rd talents that can do the same or better.

[playa-hater]

Aaron Henry - 6'6" with a 6'11" wingspan. Good defender, and good rebounder.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/aaron-henry-scouting-report/

This scouting report is based on his freshman year...

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/07/21/draft-notes-aaron-henry-shouldnt-sleeper/

his description sounds like what Grant Williams is supposed to be. He is OK in my eyes. Just too many others I like more.

[playa-hater]

Read on Twitter

so you're saying trade J Brown for Green?

kidding..

[playa-hater]

[quote="Hal14"]Spinella's updated big board:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

Using his list note all the talent that falls in RD2. in fact at least half these players have been mocked in RD1 at times.

Green represents my wish list not in order.


BJ Boston
Quentin Grimes
Greg Brown
Rokas Jokubaitis
Neemias Queta
Jaden Springer
Trey Murphy III
Filip Petrusev
Herb Jones
Jason Preston
Nah'shon Hyland
JT Thor
Vrenz Bleijenbergh
Daishen Nix
Charles Bassey
McKinley Wright
Mitch Ballock
Jericho Sims
David Johnson
Day'Ron Sharpe
Justin Champagnie
Joe Wieskamp
Aaron Henry
Moses Wright
Trendon Watford
RaiQuan Gray
Kessler Edwards
Joel Ayayi
Sandro Mamukelasvili
Isaiah Livers

[Hal14]

Oh man, my boy Makur Maker withdrew from the draft:

Read on Twitter

[Hal14]

The talent pool in this draft is a little overrated because it is presently filled with accomplished talents. They look great on paper but unfortunately if they were so great they probably would have been drafted years ago. I may be overstating it but lots of guys 20+ years old in this draft after the first 8 or 9 picks your looking upper classmen there is literally a 23 year old projected in the lottery. I love to buy into the guy who works hard and hones his craft like Pritchard but mostly they are going to be Grant Williams. Good guy, plays hard and you can use him but a future journeymen not a future star. Currently I need to develop stars and buy role players the roster is too young as it is.

I actually see a lot of value in drafting role players. Certainly you would hope to find a diamond in the rough like Jokic but I also like finding a Shake Milton or a Duncan Robinson or a Pat Connaughton or a Devonte Graham type.

I would love a Grant Williams-type.....The problem with Grant is that he fits the "type" but isn't delivering at the level we need.

Joe Weiskamp can end up better than all 3 players. A quality role player who allows the team's star player to excel more can not be understated. Also feel he can step in right away. I mean Grant Williams was given a rotation spot his rookie year and JW is a pretty big notch in talent/ability above GW IMO.

You might want to check out this scouting report video on Wieskamp, looks like he is really bad defensively:

Watch on YouTube

If he is that bad defensively, it'll be hard for him to see the floor for an NBA team with hopes of being a contender. That's probably why Adam Spinella has Wieskamp so low (52nd) on his big board: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

[Curmudgeon]

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

He's also the best pick setter on the team now that Theis is gone. But haters gonna hate.

[playa-hater]

I actually see a lot of value in drafting role players. Certainly you would hope to find a diamond in the rough like Jokic but I also like finding a Shake Milton or a Duncan Robinson or a Pat Connaughton or a Devonte Graham type.

I would love a Grant Williams-type.....The problem with Grant is that he fits the "type" but isn't delivering at the level we need.

Joe Weiskamp can end up better than all 3 players. A quality role player who allows the team's star player to excel more can not be understated. Also feel he can step in right away. I mean Grant Williams was given a rotation spot his rookie year and JW is a pretty big notch in talent/ability above GW IMO.

You might want to check out this scouting report video on Wieskamp, looks like he is really bad defensively:

Watch on YouTube

If he is that bad defensively, it'll be hard for him to see the floor for an NBA team with hopes of being a contender. That's probably why Adam Spinella has Wieskamp so low (52nd) on his big board: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

Joe Wieskamp is better than Duncan and Graham and could end up better than Connaughton, all while being a versatile multi-positional player with a make you pay (for doubling up) jump shot. Tatum-Brown need that on this team.

Grant Williams is NOT a good defender. He has good defensive moments and is a try hard.

[playa-hater]

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

He's also the best pick setter on the team now that Theis is gone. But haters gonna hate.

Dude Grant Williams is one level up from a scrub. please stop it.. someone doesn't agree it's hating???

stop it.

[playa-hater]

Oh man, my boy Makur Maker withdrew from the draft:

Read on Twitter

thought that day passed already.

[Hal14]

Joe Weiskamp can end up better than all 3 players. A quality role player who allows the team's star player to excel more can not be understated. Also feel he can step in right away. I mean Grant Williams was given a rotation spot his rookie year and JW is a pretty big notch in talent/ability above GW IMO.

You might want to check out this scouting report video on Wieskamp, looks like he is really bad defensively:

Watch on YouTube

If he is that bad defensively, it'll be hard for him to see the floor for an NBA team with hopes of being a contender. That's probably why Adam Spinella has Wieskamp so low (52nd) on his big board: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

Joe Wieskamp is better than Duncan and Graham and could end up better than Connaughton, all while being a versatile multi-positional player with a make you pay (for doubling up) jump shot. Tatum-Brown need that on this team.

Grant Williams is NOT a good defender. He has good defensive moments and is a try hard.

C'mon man, you're better than comments like this. You're showing that you're super biased for Wieskamp and super biased against Grant.

1) No way in hell you can say for certainty that Wieskamp is better than Duncan Robinson. C'mon now. Wieskamp was a lights out shooter in college and it remains to be seen whether his shooting can translate to the NBA with bigger, faster defenders, more switching schemes and a 3 point line that's further away. Robinson meanwhile has proven at the NBA level for the past 2 yrs in a row that he's one of the elite shooters in the NBA - other than Curry and Klay, Robinson is probably the best shooter in the game.

And defensively, I'm not saying Robinson is an elite defender but he's at least solid, he's decent, he's at least average. Do you not remember the ECF last year vs Miami? I was going into that series thinking "ok, whoever Robinson is guarding, whether it's Tatum or Brown is going to dominate" but nope, it didn't happen. Robinson was on Tatum most of the time and did a surprisingly good job of defending Tatum and making him work for pretty much every shot he took. Meanwhile, Wieskamp at this point looks like he is likely to be a defensive liability (based on the scouting report video I just posted which shows him getting burned and exposed time on D time and time again).

2) We might just have to agree to disagree on this, but Grant Williams is a good defender. He's good defensively, not great. Last season I had him ranked as our 6th best defender (after Smart, Rob, Langford, Tatum and barely behind Thompson). Grant is arguably our most versatile defender - he can guard 4's and 5's down low pretty well and on the perimeter he does a solid job defending quicker/smaller wings. Tatum can't defend bigs down low, neither can Langford. Smart can defend really well 1-4, not so good defending 5's.

I know many people complain about the amount of mins Grant has gotten these past 2 yrs but the reason he's gotten mins is because a) we have run a switch on everything defense and he's arguably our most switchable defender b) he's played more mins because of all the injuries/COVID and c) Clearly Brad likes his hustle, effort and how he's a rah rah type of guy cheering from the bench and always the first one off the bench to high 5 his teammates as they come to the bench for a timeout

With that being said, he does have some limitations. Not very good dribbling or creating any type of offense off the bounce. Sometimes too slow to defend in space vs really quick guards like a Kyrie combined with being undersized in the paint at 6'6" and not a high leaper. Those things combined and yes, if we can find someone who's better than him I'm all for it - but he's not terrible as a 9th or 10th guy on the roster. And I'm not sure Wieskamp is the guy who would replace him in the rotation, as it looks like at this point Wieskamp is likely to be a defensive liability. We already have 1 guy who is a good shooter but defensive liability and not great at handling the ball or creating off the bounce (Pritchard)

[Hal14]

Oh man, my boy Makur Maker withdrew from the draft:

Read on Twitter

thought that day passed already.

It passed for a player to withdraw and keep their college eligibility.

Maker now will have to either go to a G-League team (where a good amount of NBA scouts will be watching) or sign with a pro team overseas somewhere. Some people are saying he might go to the NBL, the pro league in australia that Lamelo and Giddey played in. Plus, Maker played some of his high school ball in Australia. Either way, if he works on his game and works on his body I think he could be a lottery pick next year.

[winsomme2]

You might want to check out this scouting report video on Wieskamp, looks like he is really bad defensively:

Watch on YouTube

If he is that bad defensively, it'll be hard for him to see the floor for an NBA team with hopes of being a contender. That's probably why Adam Spinella has Wieskamp so low (52nd) on his big board: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

Joe Wieskamp is better than Duncan and Graham and could end up better than Connaughton, all while being a versatile multi-positional player with a make you pay (for doubling up) jump shot. Tatum-Brown need that on this team.

Grant Williams is NOT a good defender. He has good defensive moments and is a try hard.

C'mon man, you're better than comments like this. You're showing that you're super biased for Wieskamp and super biased against Grant.

1) No way in hell you can say for certainty that Wieskamp is better than Duncan Robinson. C'mon now. Wieskamp was a lights out shooter in college and it remains to be seen whether his shooting can translate to the NBA with bigger, faster defenders, more switching schemes and a 3 point line that's further away. Robinson meanwhile has proven at the NBA level for the past 2 yrs in a row that he's one of the elite shooters in the NBA - other than Curry and Klay, Robinson is probably the best shooter in the game.

And defensively, I'm not saying Robinson is an elite defender but he's at least solid, he's decent, he's at least average. Do you not remember the ECF last year vs Miami? I was going into that series thinking "ok, whoever Robinson is guarding, whether it's Tatum or Brown is going to dominate" but nope, it didn't happen. Robinson was on Tatum most of the time and did a surprisingly good job of defending Tatum and making him work for pretty much every shot he took. Meanwhile, Wieskamp at this point looks like he is likely to be a defensive liability (based on the scouting report video I just posted which shows him getting burned and exposed time on D time and time again).

2) We might just have to agree to disagree on this, but Grant Williams is a good defender. He's good defensively, not great. Last season I had him ranked as our 6th best defender (after Smart, Rob, Langford, Tatum and barely behind Thompson). Grant is arguably our most versatile defender - he can guard 4's and 5's down low pretty well and on the perimeter he does a solid job defending quicker/smaller wings. Tatum can't defend bigs down low, neither can Langford. Smart can defend really well 1-4, not so good defending 5's.

I know many people complain about the amount of mins Grant has gotten these past 2 yrs but the reason he's gotten mins is because a) we have run a switch on everything defense and he's arguably our most switchable defender b) he's played more mins because of all the injuries/COVID and c) Clearly Brad likes his hustle, effort and how he's a rah rah type of guy cheering from the bench and always the first one off the bench to high 5 his teammates as they come to the bench for a timeout

With that being said, he does have some limitations. Not very good dribbling or creating any type of offense off the bounce. Sometimes too slow to defend in space vs really quick guards like a Kyrie combined with being undersized in the paint at 6'6" and not a high leaper. Those things combined and yes, if we can find someone who's better than him I'm all for it - but he's not terrible as a 9th or 10th guy on the roster. And I'm not sure Wieskamp is the guy who would replace him in the rotation, as it looks like at this point Wieskamp is likely to be a defensive liability. We already have 1 guy who is a good shooter but defensive liability and not great at handling the ball or creating off the bounce (Pritchard)

I'm with playa on this Hal.

We need an upgrade over Grant. He is getting WAY too many minutes considering his limitations as a player.

The good thing is I think we can grab someone in FA or with this 45 pick that will be an immediate upgrade.

[Hal14]

Joe Wieskamp is better than Duncan and Graham and could end up better than Connaughton, all while being a versatile multi-positional player with a make you pay (for doubling up) jump shot. Tatum-Brown need that on this team.

Grant Williams is NOT a good defender. He has good defensive moments and is a try hard.

C'mon man, you're better than comments like this. You're showing that you're super biased for Wieskamp and super biased against Grant.

1) No way in hell you can say for certainty that Wieskamp is better than Duncan Robinson. C'mon now. Wieskamp was a lights out shooter in college and it remains to be seen whether his shooting can translate to the NBA with bigger, faster defenders, more switching schemes and a 3 point line that's further away. Robinson meanwhile has proven at the NBA level for the past 2 yrs in a row that he's one of the elite shooters in the NBA - other than Curry and Klay, Robinson is probably the best shooter in the game.

And defensively, I'm not saying Robinson is an elite defender but he's at least solid, he's decent, he's at least average. Do you not remember the ECF last year vs Miami? I was going into that series thinking "ok, whoever Robinson is guarding, whether it's Tatum or Brown is going to dominate" but nope, it didn't happen. Robinson was on Tatum most of the time and did a surprisingly good job of defending Tatum and making him work for pretty much every shot he took. Meanwhile, Wieskamp at this point looks like he is likely to be a defensive liability (based on the scouting report video I just posted which shows him getting burned and exposed time on D time and time again).

2) We might just have to agree to disagree on this, but Grant Williams is a good defender. He's good defensively, not great. Last season I had him ranked as our 6th best defender (after Smart, Rob, Langford, Tatum and barely behind Thompson). Grant is arguably our most versatile defender - he can guard 4's and 5's down low pretty well and on the perimeter he does a solid job defending quicker/smaller wings. Tatum can't defend bigs down low, neither can Langford. Smart can defend really well 1-4, not so good defending 5's.

I know many people complain about the amount of mins Grant has gotten these past 2 yrs but the reason he's gotten mins is because a) we have run a switch on everything defense and he's arguably our most switchable defender b) he's played more mins because of all the injuries/COVID and c) Clearly Brad likes his hustle, effort and how he's a rah rah type of guy cheering from the bench and always the first one off the bench to high 5 his teammates as they come to the bench for a timeout

With that being said, he does have some limitations. Not very good dribbling or creating any type of offense off the bounce. Sometimes too slow to defend in space vs really quick guards like a Kyrie combined with being undersized in the paint at 6'6" and not a high leaper. Those things combined and yes, if we can find someone who's better than him I'm all for it - but he's not terrible as a 9th or 10th guy on the roster. And I'm not sure Wieskamp is the guy who would replace him in the rotation, as it looks like at this point Wieskamp is likely to be a defensive liability. We already have 1 guy who is a good shooter but defensive liability and not great at handling the ball or creating off the bounce (Pritchard)

I'm with playa on this Hal.

We need an upgrade over Grant. He is getting WAY too many minutes considering his limitations as a player.

The good thing is I think we can grab someone in FA or with this 45 pick that will be an immediate upgrade.

I agree that we should try and find an upgrade over Grant. I've mentioned (perhaps in other threads) that adding a guy similar to a Ariza/Marcus Morris/Nance/Crowder/PJ Tucker/Bobby Portis/Thaddeus Young, a dude in that type of mold would be ideal. Or maybe you go big and try and sign John collins (i doubt that is realistic money-wise though) or you draft someone like Aldama, who will probably need 1 yr of seasoning either in g-league or overseas but after that could be just what we need at the 4 spot..

Just saying that I'm not sure Wieskamp would be a good replacement for Grant, since it appears Wieskamp is a defensively liability, especially defending bigger guys inside which Grant is good at..

[playa-hater]

You might want to check out this scouting report video on Wieskamp, looks like he is really bad defensively:

Watch on YouTube

If he is that bad defensively, it'll be hard for him to see the floor for an NBA team with hopes of being a contender. That's probably why Adam Spinella has Wieskamp so low (52nd) on his big board: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fme6CPT7F66EcV_n9YzS1-oB_IszYus9Wa2AcxdWw_0/edit#gid=0

Grant Williams has his faults, but he's one of our best, most versatile defenders and shot 37.2% from 3 this season (league average is just over 36%).

Joe Wieskamp is better than Duncan and Graham DEFENSIVELY and could end up better than Connaughton, all while being a versatile multi-positional player with a make you pay (for doubling up) jump shot. Tatum-Brown need that on this team.

Grant Williams is NOT a good defender. He has good defensive moments and is a try hard.

C'mon man, you're better than comments like this. You're showing that you're super biased for Wieskamp and super biased against Grant.

1) No way in hell you can say for certainty that Wieskamp is better than Duncan Robinson. C'mon now. Wieskamp was a lights out shooter in college and it remains to be seen whether his shooting can translate to the NBA with bigger, faster defenders, more switching schemes and a 3 point line that's further away. Robinson meanwhile has proven at the NBA level for the past 2 yrs in a row that he's one of the elite shooters in the NBA - other than Curry and Klay, Robinson is probably the best shooter in the game.

And defensively, I'm not saying Robinson is an elite defender but he's at least solid, he's decent, he's at least average. Do you not remember the ECF last year vs Miami? I was going into that series thinking "ok, whoever Robinson is guarding, whether it's Tatum or Brown is going to dominate" but nope, it didn't happen. Robinson was on Tatum most of the time and did a surprisingly good job of defending Tatum and making him work for pretty much every shot he took. Meanwhile, Wieskamp at this point looks like he is likely to be a defensive liability (based on the scouting report video I just posted which shows him getting burned and exposed time on D time and time again).

2) We might just have to agree to disagree on this, but Grant Williams is a good defender. He's good defensively, not great. Last season I had him ranked as our 6th best defender (after Smart, Rob, Langford, Tatum and barely behind Thompson). Grant is arguably our most versatile defender - he can guard 4's and 5's down low pretty well and on the perimeter he does a solid job defending quicker/smaller wings. Tatum can't defend bigs down low, neither can Langford. Smart can defend really well 1-4, not so good defending 5's.

I know many people complain about the amount of mins Grant has gotten these past 2 yrs but the reason he's gotten mins is because a) we have run a switch on everything defense and he's arguably our most switchable defender b) he's played more mins because of all the injuries/COVID and c) Clearly Brad likes his hustle, effort and how he's a rah rah type of guy cheering from the bench and always the first one off the bench to high 5 his teammates as they come to the bench for a timeout

With that being said, he does have some limitations. Not very good dribbling or creating any type of offense off the bounce. Sometimes too slow to defend in space vs really quick guards like a Kyrie combined with being undersized in the paint at 6'6" and not a high leaper. Those things combined and yes, if we can find someone who's better than him I'm all for it - but he's not terrible as a 9th or 10th guy on the roster. And I'm not sure Wieskamp is the guy who would replace him in the rotation, as it looks like at this point Wieskamp is likely to be a defensive liability. We already have 1 guy who is a good shooter but defensive liability and not great at handling the ball or creating off the bounce (Pritchard)

for starters I failed to use the word DEFENSIVELY better than Duncan and Graham. all while providing inside and outside scoring + better rebounding. he can step in for a few positions and be a solid complimentary role player that any team that wants to win a title needs. Example Connaughton, played a big role in winning for the Bucks. Wieskamp has a chance to be the better version of Connaughton.

*Grant Williams should never be a part of a rotation for a team trying to win a ring.