2016-2017 College Basketball / '17 NBA Draft Thread

[LloydFree]

It's really surprising to me that many people see Markel Fultz as the no-doubt #1 pick in the draft. I like his skill level, but he is not impressive physically at all.

I agree. Don't get me wrong. If we drafted him I would be very happy. I just don't see him a tier above the rest. He's on the same plain as the other top prospect. If we got the number one pick as of today I'm not sure which way I would go. I think I would lean Fultz as of today but why not jackson especially if the Lakers pick conveys. If we get fortunate enough to get two top 10 picks there are about 4 PGs who are close. Fultz Ball DSJ Fox. Maybe go jackson then get whichever PG is remaining. I don't know. All I know I'd here is no clear cut number one at this time.

Yeah. This is the 2nd time I saw Fultz play against a quality opponent, and both times he didn't look good. It's not about his team getting blown out either. With players that are consensus top 1-3 picks, they usually look special and move a different way than the other players on the court. That's regardless of the teammates and score of the game. I don't see that with Fultz. He doesn't stand out from his competition. I know it sounds like I'm just being a contrarian, but I've seen at least 5 guys that look like they are better than Fultz (including Ball, Jackson, Dennis Smith and Monk). And even those guys have major question marks in their games.

[juice4080]

as i said all along that noel was a better fit for this team than okafor and didn't understand how people felt the opposite....the same thing is happening with ball and fultz...it boggles my mind how people can think that fultz would be a better fit than lonzo ball...sure fultz is a gifted very smooth and crafty scorer...but most of his effectiveness is when he has the ball in his hands... So this means you're taking the ball out of simmons hands? out of embiid hands? i don't understand people's logic tbh

[LloydFree]

as i said all along that noel was a better fit for this team than okafor and didn't understand how people felt the opposite....the same thing is happening with ball and fultz...it boggles my mind how people can think that fultz would be a better fit than lonzo ball...sure fultz is a gifted very smooth and crafty scorer...but most of his effectiveness is when he has the ball in his hands... So this means you're taking the ball out of simmons hands? out of embiid hands? i don't understand people's logic tbh

At 1st, I looked at it this way too. I thought it was clear that Ball was the better fit. But now, I look at it as regardless of fit, Fultz is no better than those other guys, so you may as well pick the best player for your team. For those that are concerned that the 76ers won't get Fultz if they don't get the 1st overall pick, I think they can relax. Fultz may drop right into their laps later.

[ProcessDoctor]

We are in a really good position because this draft has several players that are neck-and-neck. This gives us the freedom to FINALLY pick a player based on fit rather than talent. The way the top 8 fit around Simmons/Embiid is becoming clear IMO.

Definite fits: Jackson, Monk, Ball, Isaac

Iffy fits: Fultz, Tatum

Not fits: DSJ, Giles

[Arsenal]

As the season continues, the guy who is rising to the top is Dennis Smith. I think he can fit well with Simmons and Embiid because he can shoot and pass. He would run the show when Simmons is not playing, and they would share point duties when playing together, ala LeBron and Kyrie.

At this point, he's #1 on my board. Hopefully we can get him even if we miss out on a top 3 pick.

[Ericb5]

What I don't get are these Monk comparisons to offensive black holes. If anything,he's in the mold of Ray Allen or a 3pt shooting Richard Hamilton. He's finding ways to get himself open rather than pounding the rock. And when he dies get the ball, it's out of his hands in less than 4 seconds.

This. He's shooting very good percentages and is averaging a shade under 23 ppg on 16 shots/game. He's not a chucker and isn't forcing bad shots by any means. Plus, the role he would have on this team would primarily be to score points, which makes it ok that he isn't an all-world defender/facilitator/rebounder.

He plays so well off the ball, knows how to use screens to get open, can get his own shot with his handle, and can drive and pull up.

He is a terrific shooting guard prospect offensively, with the athleticism to guard the point.


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[Kolkmania]

as i said all along that noel was a better fit for this team than okafor and didn't understand how people felt the opposite....the same thing is happening with ball and fultz...it boggles my mind how people can think that fultz would be a better fit than lonzo ball...sure fultz is a gifted very smooth and crafty scorer...but most of his effectiveness is when he has the ball in his hands... So this means you're taking the ball out of simmons hands? out of embiid hands? i don't understand people's logic tbh

Did you see Markelle Fultz in high school and FIBA tournament last summer? I don't understand why people state that Markelle Fultz needs the ball in his hands all the time to be effective. He's better than that. On the other side, he's not the shooter his percentages indicate at the moment based on his high school production.

I'm a bit more skeptical about Ben Simmons than the general consensus here. His offensive repertoire was fairly limited at LSU, great in transition, good driver towards his right hand and some post-up skills. It's his quickness in combination with his strength that made him superior in college, that part will be less effective in the NBA.

A good secondary ball handler isn't redundant at all. That's why Dennis Smith jr. and Markelle Fultz shouldn't be passed on due to roster fit issues.

[cksdayoff]

A good secondary ball handler isn't redundant at all. That's why Dennis Smith jr. and Markelle Fultz shouldn't be passed on due to roster fit issues.

We need talent, as long as the positions don't overlap. Right now we have garbage at the guard positions. Fultz or DSJ automatically upgrades any one of our guard spots 10 fold.

[cksdayoff]

Watch on YouTube

can't pass up on this

[cksdayoff]

Watch on YouTube

DSJ looking quicker as the season goes on, elite athlete

[ProcessDoctor]

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

can't pass up on this

You sure?

Watch on YouTube

[phiphan]

Fultz + Embiid in the PnR would be devastating with Fultz's pull-up game and ability to finish around the rim and Joel's mid-range shot.

[sixerswillrule]

as i said all along that noel was a better fit for this team than okafor and didn't understand how people felt the opposite....the same thing is happening with ball and fultz...it boggles my mind how people can think that fultz would be a better fit than lonzo ball...sure fultz is a gifted very smooth and crafty scorer...but most of his effectiveness is when he has the ball in his hands... So this means you're taking the ball out of simmons hands? out of embiid hands? i don't understand people's logic tbh

Did you see Markelle Fultz in high school and FIBA tournament last summer? I don't understand why people state that Markelle Fultz needs the ball in his hands all the time to be effective. He's better than that. On the other side, he's not the shooter his percentages indicate at the moment based on his high school production.

I'm a bit more skeptical about Ben Simmons than the general consensus here. His offensive repertoire was fairly limited at LSU, great in transition, good driver towards his right hand and some post-up skills. It's his quickness in combination with his strength that made him superior in college, that part will be less effective in the NBA.

A good secondary ball handler isn't redundant at all. That's why Dennis Smith jr. and Markelle Fultz shouldn't be passed on due to roster fit issues.

Yup. I don't like the idea of not having anyone else on this team with the consistent ability to penetrate.

[juice4080]

as i said all along that noel was a better fit for this team than okafor and didn't understand how people felt the opposite....the same thing is happening with ball and fultz...it boggles my mind how people can think that fultz would be a better fit than lonzo ball...sure fultz is a gifted very smooth and crafty scorer...but most of his effectiveness is when he has the ball in his hands... So this means you're taking the ball out of simmons hands? out of embiid hands? i don't understand people's logic tbh

Did you see Markelle Fultz in high school and FIBA tournament last summer? I don't understand why people state that Markelle Fultz needs the ball in his hands all the time to be effective. He's better than that. On the other side, he's not the shooter his percentages indicate at the moment based on his high school production.

I'm a bit more skeptical about Ben Simmons than the general consensus here. His offensive repertoire was fairly limited at LSU, great in transition, good driver towards his right hand and some post-up skills. It's his quickness in combination with his strength that made him superior in college, that part will be less effective in the NBA.

A good secondary ball handler isn't redundant at all. That's why Dennis Smith jr. and Markelle Fultz shouldn't be passed on due to roster fit issues.

i happen to think that ball is as good or better than fultz is but it's debatable either way...what isn't debatable is that ball is a better fit for this team....he's better at everything than fultz except for isolation scoring

i understand that if you're not sold on ben simmons (i am) you might be inclined to think fultz is the best option
i happen to think simmons is a generational talent who'd go 1 in this draft so i don't want anyone interfering with his development and wanna draft the optimal option to complement he and embiid in this case fultz is way down the list of player i want

[Ericb5]

I think that Dennis Smith can be for Simmons, what Irving is for Lebron. A play maker on the perimeter, and secondary ball handler who can get his own shot.

[eagereyez]

There's too much concern with finding a 2-way PG. Only 13 PGs in the NBA have a positive DRPM. Only about 3 of them are actual difference makers defensively. It's a run and gun league. I want a PG who will take full advantage of the current rules and become an offensive juggernaut. Simmons as a facilitator will make that player even more effective. I don't want a 15 ppg pass first PG who only shoots open 3s.

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[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I really don't understand the intense desire for a 2-way PG. Only 13 PGs in the NBA have a positive DRPM. Only about 3 of them are actual difference makers defensively. It's a run and gun league. I want a PG who will take full advantage of the current rules and become an offensive juggernaut. Simmons as a facilitator will make that player even more effective. I don't want a 15 ppg pass first PG who only shoots open 3s.

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I personally like players that are willing and capable defenders....Crazy I know.
In Lonzo Balls case, I see a great defender who can easily guard three positions on the floor. You can match him up with opposing teams shooting guards and probably some small forwards. Having a guard capable of locking down the opposing teams best offensive player is a big deal in my opinion. I think Ball can be a great defensive player in the NBA. That's part of the reason he impresses me personally. I get what you're saying though. It's not vital that point guards specifically be great defenders, but still.....What a luxury it would be.

[sixerswillrule]

Ball could be a great defensive player in the NBA but so could Fultz.

[eagereyez]

I really don't understand the intense desire for a 2-way PG. Only 13 PGs in the NBA have a positive DRPM. Only about 3 of them are actual difference makers defensively. It's a run and gun league. I want a PG who will take full advantage of the current rules and become an offensive juggernaut. Simmons as a facilitator will make that player even more effective. I don't want a 15 ppg pass first PG who only shoots open 3s.

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I personally like players that are willing and capable defenders....Crazy I know.
In Lonzo Balls case, I see a great defender who can easily guard three positions on the floor. You can match him up with opposing teams shooting guards and probably some small forwards. Having a guard capable of locking down the opposing teams best offensive player is a big deal in my opinion. I think Ball can be a great defensive player in the NBA. That's part of the reason he impresses me personally. I get what you're saying though. It's not vital that point guards specifically be great defenders, but still.....What a luxury it would be.

He's not even the best PG defender in his own class. I'm not sure exactly how good he is defensively, but I don't think he's a transcendent defender like Kidd and CP3. He also has a lower total AST% than Smith and Fultz. Swap their places and maybe Smith or Fultz average more assists. It's difficult to tell because UCLA's offense is so quick.

I was team Russell in Russell v Mudiay. I was not a fan of Dunn coming out of the draft. Defense from the PG is not totally irrelevant, but it is last on the list.
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[sixerhp3]

Dennis Smith at #1 for me pls. The guy oozes star scorer/floor general and is the most explosive player in the draft