The 2022 NBA Draft Thread Part 2

[tiderulz]

This argument is probably worse than the Chet is too skinny argument.

Strength of Schedule last season:

Gonzaga: 18
Duke: 22
Auburn: 31

https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other

Since when did the SEC "we da best" argument carry over to basketball? This is not college football. Good ball players go all over. You can have the opinion that the WCC is weaker than the SEC, but at the end of the day, Gonzaga had the toughest strength of schedule when compared to Duke and Auburn.

his production vs P5 conferences is pretty scary if you ask me. It's less a strength of schedule thing and P5 conferences have a lot more bigger better athletic dudes who can play vs WCC conference teams who might have 2. His game stats have been posted 10000 times as well if you want to look them up.

You do realize the P5 term was made up like 3-4 years ago right? And literally was only used in football and now for some reason its creeping into basketball.

You do realize the term Power 5 conference has been around for over a decade right? used back in the mid-2000's.

[MAGICian619]

his production vs P5 conferences is pretty scary if you ask me. It's less a strength of schedule thing and P5 conferences have a lot more bigger better athletic dudes who can play vs WCC conference teams who might have 2. His game stats have been posted 10000 times as well if you want to look them up.

You do realize the P5 term was made up like 3-4 years ago right? And literally was only used in football and now for some reason its creeping into basketball.

You do realize the term Power 5 conference has been around for over a decade right? used back in the mid-2000's.

It's never been used basketball.

"The term is also occasionally used in other college sports, although in many non-football sports, most notably basketball, anywhere from six to eight conferences may be considered "high-major"."

We clearly have too many good ole SEC boys in here. Get over yourselves and your conference. These are all D1 hoopers.

[Xatticus]

When there are 2 guys so close and every reason listed to not take Jabari is a basketball reason and every reason listed not to take Chet is a non basketball reason.

It's like you guys are trying to talk yourself into not taking the best player.

This is how it has always been. Marvin Williams was taken over Chris Paul because he looked more like what people envision their perfect prospect should appear to be. Atlanta took him despite Chris Paul having attended Wake Forest and expressing an interest in playing for Atlanta. Chris Paul was obviously a better basketball player, but Marvin Williams had potential.

Every cycle, some team talks themselves into taking a Marvin Bagley over a Luka Doncic. This doesn't surprise me. What I have never figured out is why some are so steadfast in their positions despite their historical inability to forecast outcomes and why those same people are so often excessively dogmatic and hyperbolic in expressing their opinions.

[thelead]

Your first two questions are valid. The last two, not so much. His midrange game is fine today.... sans the improved handle. And his defense was very good even when Kessler was not in the game. I'm not worried one bit about his defense. He may not be top-tier elite on defense but that definitely isn't what this team is lacking.

I completely agree with your response...the midrange concern is baseless, IMO. Might be among his strongest spots. His defense is superb, every large person doesn't have to be a shot-blocking specialist-especially as he'll play more perimeter D. If Isaac is healthy, they could form a fearsome defensive duo - Wagner and WCJ make for a potent frontline rotation, IMO. I'd love to upgrade our backup center spot (maybe even move up for Kessler?) and let Bamba go - or, just keep Bamba on a team-friendly deal and hope he accepts the bench role and contributes at least as well as he did this past season.

Jabari is an easy choice for me...the future of our backcourt is a bigger concern, 3 decent prospects who need the ball-somethings gotta give. Hopefully, a significant trade for a legit SG or, at least, keep Gary Harris and take draft swings at possible replacements.

Everyone 100% healthy. Last minutes of the game with the game on the line, who is your starting 5 and at what positions?

WCJ (Possibly JI)
Jabari
Franz
Suggs on defense, Harris on offense
Fultz or Cole is we need a 3

We'll likely suck enough to get another top pick next year and we'll be adding to that group.

[Def Swami]

Even if Chet had a functional human body to compete with 300 other physical freaks of nature, his game is no more complete than Jabari's. Chet is a fantastic instinctual shot blocker but he can't move his feet or switch on the perimeter like Jabari. Calling Chet a ball handler is like the people calling Barnes the next Magic Johnson last summer-good handle for a big guy, but more sideshow than truly an effective NBA "handle". Paolo also has some tremendous traits and weaknesses...For me, I'm skipping the guy with the great likelihood of being shown to be physically overmatched and ineffective against NBA athletes-that's clearly Chet. He may be the best player in the draft, but I can't stand another Bamba situation where an "amazing shot blocker" gets bounced out of the painted area and ends up listlessly roaming the perimeter or another Isaac story where we cheer signs of greatness between injuries. Just my take...I'll take (debatably) slightly less upside over so much greater likelihood of contributing early and for a long time. Personally, I don't think anyone has greater upside than Jabari due to his shooting, but even if I didn't believe that, I just can't bet on Chet not getting brutalized by opposing players a foot shorter.

Chet's left nut has more BBIQ than Bamba will ever grasp. Also their motor is polar opposite. One is letargic slob, other is high edge competitior that gets feisty even at practices but people don't see it because of his frame.

Whole body/frame talk to me is silly at this stage. NBA's drug testing is such a stupid thing that you can bet almost everything that majority of players who are willing to do so, are on HGH at least over summer to heal. I have friend who at age of 19 went with steroid compounds from 176 pounds on 6'8 body to 235 pounds over 5 months on some underground shady stuff. Am I advertisting PEDs? No. But fitness has been part of my life for 15 years so i'm not fool and idiot and some nba examples are so damn obvious steroid takes. From Howard to Giannis and other "freaks". Fitness industry in general is the shadiest industry out there. Scams , fake natties, untracable new compounds, sarms being sold and advertised on tik tok, kids taking trenbolon, 23 years old kid on prescription TRT ( let's not even get into TRT and US regulation of it, you crush your natural testosteron, get tested, get presciption from doctor to take TRT, he says one dosage, you do it double and you have , legally , 3 times more free flowing testosterone than anybody normal, but it's legal , because doctor said so).

The frame part isn't silly, how many times have we seen this "unicorn" player who just needs to add weight and keep it. It's why in every review you read of Chet his biggest issue is strength/adding & keeping the needed weight..

On top of that dude look at Chet seriously and tell me that he can gain & KEEP 20-30lbs and still move the way he does. There's more chance of me winning the lotto vs. that happening. If anything he'll likely gain the weight and slow down even more, so playing him on the perimeter will be ever more of an issue and then we've got what a bit better Isaac? On top of that what from this FO & medical staff & strength department has shown you we're capable of developing a player in terms of strength/bulk.

The way I look at it seems like Chet & Jabari are 1a 1b and if I'm a GM whose got to show something over the next 2-3 years I'm taking the more NBA ready body who might have a smaller ceiling but his starting floor is much higher.

I don't know that the shortcomings of a front office or franchise in developing players or keeping them healthy is a reason to NOT draft someone. If we can't even trust the front office to do the bare minimum with player development and health, then let's just pack it up and move the team to Louisville.

[tiderulz]

You do realize the P5 term was made up like 3-4 years ago right? And literally was only used in football and now for some reason its creeping into basketball.

You do realize the term Power 5 conference has been around for over a decade right? used back in the mid-2000's.

It's never been used basketball.

"The term is also occasionally used in other college sports, although in many non-football sports, most notably basketball, anywhere from six to eight conferences may be considered "high-major"."

We clearly have too many good ole SEC boys in here. Get over yourselves and your conference. These are all D1 hoopers.

and yet, the majority of the top athletes go to the power conferences.

[MAGICian619]

You do realize the term Power 5 conference has been around for over a decade right? used back in the mid-2000's.

It's never been used basketball.

"The term is also occasionally used in other college sports, although in many non-football sports, most notably basketball, anywhere from six to eight conferences may be considered "high-major"."

We clearly have too many good ole SEC boys in here. Get over yourselves and your conference. These are all D1 hoopers.

and yet, the majority of the top athletes go to the power conferences.

And Tiderulz is a Bama fan…so surprising.

[tiderulz]

It's never been used basketball.

"The term is also occasionally used in other college sports, although in many non-football sports, most notably basketball, anywhere from six to eight conferences may be considered "high-major"."

We clearly have too many good ole SEC boys in here. Get over yourselves and your conference. These are all D1 hoopers.

and yet, the majority of the top athletes go to the power conferences.

And Tiderulz is a Bama fan…so surprising.

not just a fan, i went there.

[RookieStar]

Just a rant.

All the top picks have flaws. No questions about it. There are also reasons or explanations that can "potentially" address those flaws.

However, making false statements about strengths of their choice while highlightinf the flaws of their rivals is just stupid. At the end of the day we are Magic fans, we should prioritize more on what makes our team reach the chip rather than trying to convicne others their choice is right over them.

Examples :
1.) JS is a good defender yet those who stan for him downplay the fact that the aruably best/2nd best shotblocker in the league was always in his back to cover for him. They also downplay the fact that Chet had to cover a lot for his frontcourt mate in Timme ,who even at 6'10, always bring a smile to the offensive players when they see him as the last line of defense.

2. Chet really has a body-weight problem. His shoulders are too narrow that we can't realistically expect him to to have a GA or ADavis growth trajectory. Yet that isn't really his only option. As i recall there are guys named KD and BI who are in the 230lbs above range who are doing just fine.

3. Paolo supposedly sucks at defense. Yet no one questions whether that might be Dukes gameplan to funnel everything to M.Williams who is the other contender fpr the best shotblocker in college? We downplay his offense and blow up JS yet during their deeprun in the tourney the team dumped every offensive play to PB and he delivered? Whether from the perimeter, drives to the rim or lowpost footwork he has it all.

Our FO has a tough job ahead of them. Thats why i am still so flexible in my choice and won't commit 100% to any of them. YET. I am still waiting for more smoke to come out about their interviews.

[tiderulz]

Just a rant.

All the top picks have flaws. No questions about it. There are also reasons or explanations that can "potentially" address those flaws.

However, making false statements about strengths of their choice while highlightinf the flaws of their rivals is just stupid. At the end of the day we are Magic fans, we should prioritize more on what makes our team reach the chip rather than trying to convicne others their choice is right over them.

Examples :
1.) JS is a good defender yet those who stan for him downplay the fact that the aruably best/2nd best shotblocker in the league was always in his back to cover for him. They also downplay the fact that Chet had to cover a lot for his frontcourt mate in Timme ,who even at 6'10, always bring a smile to the offensive players when they see him as the last line of defense.

2. Chet really has a body-weight problem. His shoulders are too narrow that we can't realistically expect him to to have a GA or ADavis growth trajectory. Yet that isn't really his only option. As i recall there are guys named KD and BI who are in the 230lbs above range who are doing just fine.

3. Paolo supposedly sucks at defense. Yet no one questions whether that might be Dukes gameplan to funnel everything to M.Williams who is the other contender fpr the best shotblocker in college? We downplay his offense and blow up JS yet during their deeprun in the tourney the team dumped every offensive play to PB and he delivered? Whether from the perimeter, drives to the rim or lowpost footwork he has it all.

Our FO has a tough job ahead of them. Thats why i am still so flexible in my choice and won't commit 100% to any of them. YET. I am still waiting for more smoke to come out about their interviews.

very well put. great observations

[ChosenSavior]

We're at 100 pages so y'all know the drill. The Part 3 thread is up. I must say that there has been some really good conversation going on in regards to our pick.