2022 NBA Draft

[retrobro90]

after Chet who's the #2 center? it's Chet and a cloud of dust right now.

I think Edey is still getting overlooked and is going to be a legitimate defensive anchor at the next level but overall not a ton of C talent after Chet/Williams.

[retrobro90]

Jabari didn't really impress me defensively yesterday against Syracuse. Caught a few times where the effort or communication wasn't there. First time catching a full game from him though and the shot making at his size was his most impressive attribute. Looks like a guy who's gonna have a diverse shot selection. 4 dimes too but none off a live dribble as far as I could tell. Looked like they were dumping it into him at the FT line when Syracuse would run their 2-3 zone and Bari would just make reads from a stand still.

[The-Power]

after Chet who's the #2 center? it's Chet and a cloud of dust right now.

I think Edey is still getting overlooked and is going to be a legitimate defensive anchor at the next level but overall not a ton of C talent after Chet/Williams.

I lack the imagination where he's anything close to a defensive anchor. He's not even particularly dominant at the college level. He'd most certainly going to be played off the floor in the NBA. I think his best bet would be following the Boban mold, hoping that the sheer size on offense combined with a solid touch around the rim can buy him some minutes every now and then.

I also struggle to see Chet as a C at this point. Maybe (well, hopefully or else it'll be a problem) a 4/5 down the road but I think for the time being he has to play the 4 in the NBA.

It's a weird class so far. There's not much at Center, there's hardly any good PG prospect, and there isn't a great wing prospect either. But it's a really good class for 4s at the top, though mostly players I'd consider strictly 4s for the time being (which is a bit anachronistic, as the NBA seemed to have mostly evolved past this type of player). That's why I wouldn't be surprised if we're going to be talking a lot about chances for players to play multiple positions down the road.

[eminence]

Anybody spent any time watching the Gleague guys? Thoughts there?

I’ve only caught the one game, had Daniels and Hardy as lotto guys after that. Hardy with a lot of tools but lacking decision making, Daniels just looked solid overall, Haliburton like.

[CptCrunch]

I have Mark Williams above Chet on defense.

So now if we are drafting Chet on offense, he has to be Durant to work out? How many Durant have we drafted. Chet scares me with question marks

Paolo is a basically a Melo. I don't see him being a superstar top 5 in the league unless he pulls an outlier developmental path. Good to great player just not amazing.

[Saints14]

This might be a weird comp but Paolo reminds me a bit of Devin Booker in terms of how his role on a winning team in the NBA might look like. Booker didn't really move the needle on bad teams but once he had Chris Paul to orchestrate the offense and other solid role players around him he emerged as a really valuable bucket-getter that can play within a team construct or get you an iso basket in a pinch. Maybe a bigger Booker is just Carmelo but unlike Melo, Booker and Paolo don't give me ball hog vibes

[The-Power]

Anybody spent any time watching the Gleague guys? Thoughts there?

I’ve only caught the one game, had Daniels and Hardy as lotto guys after that. Hardy with a lot of tools but lacking decision making, Daniels just looked solid overall, Haliburton like.

I've only watched the condensed game, and I've watched the previous game in full.

Hardy has to start being at least semi-efficient soon. He takes bad shots (and has a shot profile I don't like), he takes them at a frequency that is just too high, his effort has been underwhelming, and there's not much of a desire (or ability) to be a playmaker besides some flashes. If he's not scoring efficiently either due to not being as good as hoped or just wanting to chuck all day, then what's his value really? I still think he's a lottery pick in this draft on hope alone but I've been really disappointed so far.

Daniels has shown nice flashes but Haliburton-like? That's too rich for me. He's definitely more physical but an important part of Haliburton's appeal was his ability to shoot from distance when he was open, even though the shooting form was unorthodox, and to just know how to be efficient from all over the floor on low usage. I haven't seen that from Daniels yet. Haliburton was also a special kind of playmaker in college for someone who couldn't really break down defenses off the dribble consistently, just the ultimate cerebral guy. He has Haliburton's approach perhaps, with a bit more physicality, but not his shooting or efficiency and he'd have to show me more to believe he's in Haliburton's class as a passer or playmaker. Still, he has some intriguing tools. If that's enough for a lottery pick remains to be seen but for me he doesn't quite look like that kind of prospect in a solid draft (which this one doesn't really seem to be, so that could help him) – or maybe he looks like a fringe lottery prospect, I'd have to see more of him.

I liked what I've seen from Beauchamp. I think he can be a really good role player if his shot can become consistent. He plays efficiently on offense and is active on defense with legit wing size. NBA teams like players like him, I'd imagine. He's a bit older, though, so he should be able to consistently play solid minutes at this level at this point in his current role – and obviously the appeal with him is not as some great upside pick high in the draft.

But I will say that Scoot Henderson looks like the best prospect by some distance in the minutes he's played thus far. That's all the credit to him at his age, he looks like a legit top pick in 2023 – but it's also not a great sign for someone like Hardy, who himself was/is thought of as a potential top 5 pick, that a guy who's a year and a half younger than him looks quite a bit better already on the court.

[eminence]

Anybody spent any time watching the Gleague guys? Thoughts there?

I’ve only caught the one game, had Daniels and Hardy as lotto guys after that. Hardy with a lot of tools but lacking decision making, Daniels just looked solid overall, Haliburton like.

I've only watched the condensed game, and I've watched the previous game in full.

Hardy has to start being at least semi-efficient soon. He takes bad shots (and has a shot profile I don't like), he takes them at a frequency that is just too high, his effort has been underwhelming, and there's not much of a desire (or ability) to be a playmaker besides some flashes. If he's not scoring efficiently either due to not being as good as hoped or just wanting to chuck all day, then what's his value really? I still think he's a lottery pick in this draft on hope alone but I've been really disappointed so far.

Daniels has shown nice flashes but Haliburton-like? That's too rich for me. He's definitely more physical but an important part of Haliburton's appeal was his ability to shoot from distance when he was open, even though the shooting form was unorthodox, and to just know how to be efficient from all over the floor on low usage. I haven't seen that from Daniels yet. Haliburton was also a special kind of playmaker in college for someone who couldn't really break down defenses off the dribble consistently, just the ultimate cerebral guy. He has Haliburton's approach perhaps, with a bit more physicality, but not his shooting or efficiency and he'd have to show me more to believe he's in Haliburton's class as a passer or playmaker. Still, he has some intriguing tools. If that's enough for a lottery pick remains to be seen but for me he doesn't quite look like that kind of prospect in a solid draft (which this one doesn't really seem to be, so that could help him) – or maybe he looks like a fringe lottery prospect, I'd have to see more of him.

I liked what I've seen from Beauchamp. I think he can be a really good role player if his shot can become consistent. He plays efficiently on offense and is active on defense with legit wing size. NBA teams like players like him, I'd imagine. He's a bit older, though, so he should be able to consistently play solid minutes at this level at this point in his current role – and obviously the appeal with him is not as some great upside pick high in the draft.

But I will say that Scoot Henderson looks like the best prospect by some distance in the minutes he's played thus far. That's all the credit to him at his age, he looks like a legit top pick in 2023 – but it's also not a great sign for someone like Hardy, who himself was/is thought of as a potential top 5 pick, that a guy who's a year and a half younger than him looks quite a bit better already on the court.

Sounds pretty similar on Hardy, potential was there, but the player currently was not very impressive. Agreeing that Haliburton like was on the generous side, but really do see some similarities there. Tough to tell from one game how consistent the shooting is or isn’t will let the stats continue to settle there. Beauchamp was kinda quite in the one I watched. Wing defenders some of the toughest for me to evaluate, just such a huge gap between who they’re going up against now vs who they’ll need to match up with to be useful.

I was very impressed by Scoots limited minutes in the game I saw. I’d be watching to consider him at #1 in this draft if he were eligible.

[clyde21]

after Chet who's the #2 center? it's Chet and a cloud of dust right now.

I think Edey is still getting overlooked and is going to be a legitimate defensive anchor at the next level but overall not a ton of C talent after Chet/Williams.

I also struggle to see Chet as a C at this point. Maybe (well, hopefully or else it'll be a problem) a 4/5 down the road but I think for the time being he has to play the 4 in the NBA..

has to be a C, creative coach needs to use him as a slashing/cutting stretch 5 to really scale what Chet does well, defensively as a help defense guy who'll be your primary shot blocker.

[yoyoboy]

I don’t think there are 10 players in this draft I take ahead of Mark Williams. I need to do more research into the class to really determine that, but I was really impressed with his defense yesterday. He’s more than just a shotblocker. For an athletic dude with a 7’7 wingspan to also have a good understanding of positioning, knowing when to jump and when to just use his length to bother the shot, and even switching onto guards pretty well yesterday (I want to watch more to see his potential in that area), that’s valuable stuff. So far, he’s also been incredibly low turnover wise, which I like to see from bigs, and he’s also low in foul rate despite contesting so many shots.

Maybe he doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but I think drafting with only consideration for best case scenario is a faulty strategy anyways. I’m fairly confident Mark Williams’ median outcome is like a Robert Williams-level player with the upside to be a Capela-level player. There won’t be 10 players in this draft who turn out better than Williams.

[TraBuch]

After the Gonzaga game, I’m 100% on board the Wendell Moore train. It’s always nice to see a 5 star prospect that struggled really badly for two years persevere and get better.

[Duke4life831]

I don’t think there are 10 players in this draft I take ahead of Mark Williams. I need to do more research into the class to really determine that, but I was really impressed with his defense yesterday. He’s more than just a shotblocker. For an athletic dude with a 7’7 wingspan to also have a good understanding of positioning, knowing when to jump and when to just use his length to bother the shot, and even switching onto guards pretty well yesterday (I want to watch more to see his potential in that area), that’s valuable stuff. So far, he’s also been incredibly low turnover wise, which I like to see from bigs, and he’s also low in foul rate despite contesting so many shots.

Maybe he doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but I think drafting with only consideration for best case scenario is a faulty strategy anyways. I’m fairly confident Mark Williams’ median outcome is like a Robert Williams-level player with the upside to be a Capela-level player. There won’t be 10 players in this draft who turn out better than Williams.

I dont necessarily disagree with this. Im a fan of Mark's and its not just a flash he is showing either. Once K was forced to give him minutes last year when Jalen left the team, Mark was a 4 block per 40 guy in the middle of ACC play. And again its not just the blocked shots number, he actually plays legit high end defense to go with the blocked shots number.

I actually think Mark can be a more mobile Whiteside with his head screwed on right. I think if Whiteside was more mobile and actually bought into team defense and didnt just hunt blocked shots and had good defensive awareness. I kind of think that can be Mark Williams. I think that is his ceiling and his floor is a good defensive big off the bench.

But with that said, I still dont think you take him in the top 10 of this draft or any draft. I think if youre a completely bought into him, you can trade down and still get him. I just dont think taking raw big men with very little offensive upside is worth a top 10 pick in the draft. And Mark has very little offensive upside.

[Duke4life831]

After the Gonzaga game, I’m 100% on board the Wendell Moore train. It’s always nice to see a 5 star prospect that struggled really badly for two years persevere and get better.

As a Duke fan I wont lie, Ive been shocked with how Wendell has played. He has been one of the worst players in the ACC the last 2 seasons. I dont put much if any stock into games 2-6 of this season (crap opponents). But he was very impressive last night against legit competition.

Between the UK and Gonzaga game:

16/5/4 on 60% shooting from the floor and very good defense.

Ya if he keeps that up, he will be a lotto pick. A strong 6'5 guard/wing with a 6'11 wingspan with good athleticism and ball skills and really good defense. Great seeing him put it all together and ya if he keeps up his play, he will be a lotto pick most likely.

[BigGargamel]

Made my first extended mock draft of the season if anyone is interested in reading

https://sportsgamingrosters.com/2021/11/27/2022-nba-mock-draft-extended-version-v-1/

I try not to overreact or underreact. It was tough to put Hardy ahead of Ivey right now, but he still has a really long time to figure things out. I also seem to like this center class more than moste (Duren, Williams, Tubelis, Dickinson)

[Marcus]

Also won’t lie. Chet isn’t in my top 3 anymore. Just has too big of question marks. He has skills, just don’t think he has the physical attributes that will allow those skills to translate against NBA size and athleticism.

Who you replacing him with?

[clyde21]

I don’t think there are 10 players in this draft I take ahead of Mark Williams. I need to do more research into the class to really determine that, but I was really impressed with his defense yesterday. He’s more than just a shotblocker. For an athletic dude with a 7’7 wingspan to also have a good understanding of positioning, knowing when to jump and when to just use his length to bother the shot, and even switching onto guards pretty well yesterday (I want to watch more to see his potential in that area), that’s valuable stuff. So far, he’s also been incredibly low turnover wise, which I like to see from bigs, and he’s also low in foul rate despite contesting so many shots.

Maybe he doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but I think drafting with only consideration for best case scenario is a faulty strategy anyways. I’m fairly confident Mark Williams’ median outcome is like a Robert Williams-level player with the upside to be a Capela-level player. There won’t be 10 players in this draft who turn out better than Williams.

in the lotto you draft for upside, not median outcomes. even if Williams has a higher chance of reaching his best case scenario, you don't pull the trigger that high on this archetype, im sorry.

this is why a dude like Joshua Primo went 12th last year...everyone was surprised, I wasn't...you draft for upside in the lotto. that's just how it should be. you can find players like Mark Williams in FA every year.

no disrespect to Williams either I like him for what it is, but yea no way lotto.

[Duke4life831]

I don’t think there are 10 players in this draft I take ahead of Mark Williams. I need to do more research into the class to really determine that, but I was really impressed with his defense yesterday. He’s more than just a shotblocker. For an athletic dude with a 7’7 wingspan to also have a good understanding of positioning, knowing when to jump and when to just use his length to bother the shot, and even switching onto guards pretty well yesterday (I want to watch more to see his potential in that area), that’s valuable stuff. So far, he’s also been incredibly low turnover wise, which I like to see from bigs, and he’s also low in foul rate despite contesting so many shots.

Maybe he doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but I think drafting with only consideration for best case scenario is a faulty strategy anyways. I’m fairly confident Mark Williams’ median outcome is like a Robert Williams-level player with the upside to be a Capela-level player. There won’t be 10 players in this draft who turn out better than Williams.

in the lotto you draft for upside, not median outcomes. even if Williams has a higher chance of reaching his best case scenario, you don't pull the trigger that high on this archetype, im sorry.

this is why a dude like Joshua Primo went 12th last year...everyone was surprised, I wasn't...you draft for upside in the lotto. that's just how it should be. you can find players like Mark Williams in FA every year.

no disrespect to Williams either I like him for what it is, but yea no way lotto.

Yup, Im a Mark fan but ya this is the thing I keep repeating. You can find these kind of players late 1st and early 2nd every draft. If Im taking a 5 in the lotto they need to be a true freak offensive player (KAT) or a freak 2 way player (Mobley/AD).

Because in today's NBA for a 5 to be a high impact player, they need to be freaks. If your 5 isn't a freak talent, youre best off getting a low offensive volume, high defensive potential big. There really is no middle ground in today's NBA at the 5. And to be clear and using Mobley and AD probably wasn't the best example earlier in my post. But Im talking strict 5s. Not 4s that can be 5s as well.

So again I like Mark a lot, but ya he isn't a freak offensive talent or freak 2 way talent. You can find bigs that fit Mark's potential impact late 1st - early 2nd every year.

[Duke4life831]

Also won’t lie. Chet isn’t in my top 3 anymore. Just has too big of question marks. He has skills, just don’t think he has the physical attributes that will allow those skills to translate against NBA size and athleticism.

Who you replacing him with?

You know that's the thing, Im not sure. No one has really played himself above Chet. Its more along the lines of the more I watch Chet, the more I question how much of his skillset will translate to the next level. So its more along the lines of me feeling less and less confident taking Chet with a top 3 pick.

If you were to ask me right now what situation I would prefer

taking Chet at 3
or
taking Ivey at 5

Id rather be the team taking Ivey at 5.

[yoyoboy]

I don’t think there are 10 players in this draft I take ahead of Mark Williams. I need to do more research into the class to really determine that, but I was really impressed with his defense yesterday. He’s more than just a shotblocker. For an athletic dude with a 7’7 wingspan to also have a good understanding of positioning, knowing when to jump and when to just use his length to bother the shot, and even switching onto guards pretty well yesterday (I want to watch more to see his potential in that area), that’s valuable stuff. So far, he’s also been incredibly low turnover wise, which I like to see from bigs, and he’s also low in foul rate despite contesting so many shots.

Maybe he doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but I think drafting with only consideration for best case scenario is a faulty strategy anyways. I’m fairly confident Mark Williams’ median outcome is like a Robert Williams-level player with the upside to be a Capela-level player. There won’t be 10 players in this draft who turn out better than Williams.

in the lotto you draft for upside, not median outcomes. even if Williams has a higher chance of reaching his best case scenario, you don't pull the trigger that high on this archetype, im sorry.

this is why a dude like Joshua Primo went 12th last year...everyone was surprised, I wasn't...you draft for upside in the lotto. that's just how it should be. you can find players like Mark Williams in FA every year.

no disrespect to Williams either I like him for what it is, but yea no way lotto.

In a weaker draft like this though? I’m not sure there are players around 10-11 who have outrageously more upside than Williams. Realistically you’re looking at slightly more upside with significantly worse median outcomes. I can agree in the upper half of the lotto you shoot mainly for upside but after that, especially when the draft class isn’t impressive, I’d be perfectly comfortable drafting a player with a good chance of being a high-level role player. It’s why I was so adamant on the Cavs picking Mikal Bridges in 2018. You knew he wouldn’t be a star yet I’m pretty sure half the teams in the lotto are now kicking themselves for passing up on him. Also I’m really not sure there are plenty of players in FA like Mark Williams every year. There are a lot of teams who need defensive bigs right now that can’t seem to find them. And how many of them have 7’7 wingspans?

[Marcus]

That was such a great game. Maybe it would be nice to have a dedicated NCAA game thread

We can throw it in the non draft thread or if you want to start a college thread I'll sticky it.