2023 NBA Draft Thread 4

[JoshuaPotter]

Amen over Ausar is interesting. The main difference I pick up between them is personality. Amen seems more social, Ausar more reserved.

If we get Amen and Gradey or Ausar and Gradey I'm ecstatic.

I think KOC also moved Ausar ahead of Amen on his Big Board.

How does everyone actually evaluate the Thompson Twins? I'll admit, I watched zero of the OTE league and every time I watch the clips on YouTube, I'm always amused by how unstructured most of the games look. Can they play in a half court offense? They look like pick up games. I've liked both in interviews I've seen. I just don't know what to make of these guys as prospects.

My eye test says they suck. But if they suck this draft is hopeless. So I drink the Kool-Aid.

No, we drink the home made lemonade with Stevia.

Oh and my response generally after reading your post. Courtesy of Aldi Brands.





Please don't suck 2023 draft.

[Skybox]

mentioned on the trade boards. but i would look at #11 for Simons. Simons has shown he can shoot and score in the NBA, willing passer and looking around the league his contract isnt bad at all. yes, defense not great, but that can be improved on. his age aligns well with the core.

Could then trade back from #6 if were not sold on a player and pick up another couple of picks. Convince Utah for #9 and #16.

I'd love that series of moves...come out of the summer with Simons, guaranteeing immediate offensive improvement and then grab a couple of guys like JHS and Lively or Bilal for a big swing for future awesomeness in front and backcourts

[tiderulz]

Big UCF guy here. Hendricks is not a 3 and anyone will be very disappointed if they try and play him there. He is a 4 who will be able to play some small ball 5.

He's 6'8" 214. Can he defend SFs? Absolutely. If he can shoot and guard SFs, he can play SF.

A small ball 5? Jerace Walker gets called that. He' 6'7 250.

Hendricks is lighter than Aaron Gordon was at combine.
He may be more Jerami Grant, they were almost identical in size. Grant started off as a SF, but eventually moved to PF because he couldn't defend the position. But Grant was never a good defender.
I guess it just comes down to who can Hendricks defend? I buy Hendricks as switchable defender but he may end up being more of PF if he can't defend.

Hendricks can absolutely defend 3's. However he completely lacks the ball skills to do anything that a successful SF needs to do on offense. Think Jabari Smith from last year who struggles to take more than 2 consecutive dribbles, but probably worse. It's just not his game.

can he shoot the 3? there are 2 types of SF nowadays. the creative ones like Durant, Kawhi, PG, etc. and then the 3 & D ones. sounds like Hendricks could be the latter.

[bigdogdylan5]

He measured pretty well with his wingspan.

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He was like 6’2” with his height that actually has me more spooked then the shooting

Why are you pretending like you were ever high on him?

Wasn't he "just another Suggs"?

I have a signed Suggs basketball on display in my office trust me I am not down on Suggs and me saying he is another Suggs is not the negative you think it is. I am very high on both I just think it doesn’t makes sense to have them both. That was always my point with him.

[MAGICian619]

He's 6'8" 214. Can he defend SFs? Absolutely. If he can shoot and guard SFs, he can play SF.

A small ball 5? Jerace Walker gets called that. He' 6'7 250.

Hendricks is lighter than Aaron Gordon was at combine.
He may be more Jerami Grant, they were almost identical in size. Grant started off as a SF, but eventually moved to PF because he couldn't defend the position. But Grant was never a good defender.
I guess it just comes down to who can Hendricks defend? I buy Hendricks as switchable defender but he may end up being more of PF if he can't defend.

Hendricks can absolutely defend 3's. However he completely lacks the ball skills to do anything that a successful SF needs to do on offense. Think Jabari Smith from last year who struggles to take more than 2 consecutive dribbles, but probably worse. It's just not his game.

can he shoot the 3? there are 2 types of SF nowadays. the creative ones like Durant, Kawhi, PG, etc. and then the 3 & D ones. sounds like Hendricks could be the latter.

Possibly. To me he is more of a 3 and D PF. Maybe there really is no difference. He’s much bigger (very broad shoulders) than some of you guys are giving him credit for however. He looks like a PF despite his weight.

[eyriq]

I think KOC also moved Ausar ahead of Amen on his Big Board.

How does everyone actually evaluate the Thompson Twins? I'll admit, I watched zero of the OTE league and every time I watch the clips on YouTube, I'm always amused by how unstructured most of the games look. Can they play in a half court offense? They look like pick up games. I've liked both in interviews I've seen. I just don't know what to make of these guys as prospects.

My eye test says they suck. But if they suck this draft is hopeless. So I drink the Kool-Aid.

No, we drink the home made lemonade with Stevia.

Oh and my response generally after reading your post. Courtesy of Aldi Brands.





Please don't suck 2023 draft.

[zaymon]

I would prefer to gamble on the cheap rookie contract than expensive extension for limited player. His defense wont get much better, he has awful size and strength for a point guard, and he is not a point guard. He would have to guard wings, good luck with that. Portland was 28 in defensive ranking. 28 !!!!!!! Even pre allstar they were 27. Simons destroyed their defense and on offense he is nothing special. We want to put the ball in Franz hands or Simons ? He is even not that good off sceens.

What's annoying is that Simons has the tools to be an above average defender, he just needs to be taught OR want to do it

considering Portland hasnt had a good defense for a long time, i would say it is more on scheme and coaching

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

[basketballRob]

What's annoying is that Simons has the tools to be an above average defender, he just needs to be taught OR want to do it

considering Portland hasnt had a good defense for a long time, i would say it is more on scheme and coaching

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

He's probably better guards PGs, but he's bigger than Lillard. If he played with Fultz, I'd assume he'd guard PGs.

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[zaymon]

considering Portland hasnt had a good defense for a long time, i would say it is more on scheme and coaching

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

He's probably better guards PGs, but he's bigger than Lillard. If he played with Fultz, I'd assume he'd guard PGs.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

but do we want worst defender on most teams best player ?

[DiplomaticMagic]

I get the appeal of Bilal Coulibaly but still rather have Thompson twins. Theyre better athletes and actually shown ability to put the ball on the floor.

Im a big fan of Jarace Walker but see him doing a lot of things Wendell already does. Dont think I like using a high pick on him. And he will come off the bench.

Not really a fan of Hendricks. He's nowhere near the defender of Isaac. And Isaac might even be a better on putting ball on floor too. Hendricks ceiling in my opinion is role player. Im not using #6 on him, rather just keep praying Isaac stays healthy.

Not a fan of Whitmore either, his assist numbers are really low. And his best position if Franz and Paolos position. Dont think he can guard 2'S.

Im really hoping for a Thompson twin at #6. There are a lot of options at #11 I like (Bufkin, Dick, etc) but if we draft a Thompson earlier, I dont think we will draft a guard/wing at #11, too much overlap. So I would love a Ausar/Lively draft. Lively will bring in some much needed rim protection and could even overtake Wendell as starting C. Im not 100% sure Wendell is our starting center. His contract is good enough that he can still be our backup if we were to decide that.

[The Effect]

mentioned on the trade boards. but i would look at #11 for Simons. Simons has shown he can shoot and score in the NBA, willing passer and looking around the league his contract isnt bad at all. yes, defense not great, but that can be improved on. his age aligns well with the core.

Could then trade back from #6 if were not sold on a player and pick up another couple of picks. Convince Utah for #9 and #16.

I'd love that series of moves...come out of the summer with Simons, guaranteeing immediate offensive improvement and then grab a couple of guys like JHS and Lively or Bilal for a big swing for future awesomeness in front and backcourts

Nah im good on both of those
We have a small window to add a star to paolo and franz before they are up for extensions and not sure simons 25m per year deal is the right one to push this team towards its goal

as for 6 vs 9/16, i dont think utah does this. Also, id rather take my shot on Ausar if hes available at 6 than

[The Effect]

I get the appeal of Bilal Coulibaly but still rather have Thompson twins. Theyre better athletes and actually shown ability to put the ball on the floor.

Im a big fan of Jarace Walker but see him doing a lot of things Wendell already does. Dont think I like using a high pick on him. And he will come off the bench.

Not really a fan of Hendricks. He's nowhere near the defender of Isaac. And Isaac might even be a better on putting ball on floor too. Hendricks ceiling in my opinion is role player. Im not using #6 on him, rather just keep praying Isaac stays healthy.

Not a fan of Whitmore either, his assist numbers are really low. And his best position if Franz and Paolos position. Dont think he can guard 2'S.

Im really hoping for a Thompson twin at #6. There are a lot of options at #11 I like (Bufkin, Dick, etc) but if we draft a Thompson earlier, I dont think we will draft a guard/wing at #11, too much overlap. So I would love a Ausar/Lively draft. Lively will bring in some much needed rim protection and could even overtake Wendell as starting C. Im not 100% sure Wendell is our starting center. His contract is good enough that he can still be our backup if we were to decide that.

I dont think jarace=wendell, they have much different skill sets. Ive said it before but to me Jarace=draymond as far as the type of player and skillset (especially the passing and vision). Also, i think that no matter who we draft at 6 and 11, they will be backups next year unless its Gradey or Jordan Hawkins who i think both can start right away just by their shooting ability alone, but to me they have lower upside than say thompsons or whitmore etc.

Ill be very surprised if our starting lineup isnt Wendell | Paolo | Franz | Suggs | Fultz with 6, 11, Cole, Mo, Harris, Chuma off the bench (and isaac for about 12 games) and personally would love if we can find a way to get ausar and either Walker or Hendricks (trade up?)

[VFX]

Absolutely no to Walker. There couldn’t be a worse use of the #6 than him. Sorry.

Is the idea to get a smaller Center next to Paolo? 6’10 PF and a 6’8 Center? Or is the idea to get a guy come off the bench in the limited minutes Paolo won’t be on the court. Just no.

So many better uses of that pick.

[tiderulz]

What's annoying is that Simons has the tools to be an above average defender, he just needs to be taught OR want to do it

considering Portland hasnt had a good defense for a long time, i would say it is more on scheme and coaching

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

Allen Iverson say hi

[The Effect]

What's annoying is that Simons has the tools to be an above average defender, he just needs to be taught OR want to do it

considering Portland hasnt had a good defense for a long time, i would say it is more on scheme and coaching

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

Simons really is just Cole with more of a green light and slightly better shot. DOnt get me wrong, i love cole, but i dont think we need 2 of him ESPECIALLY if it requires a trade and 25m of cap space

[tiderulz]

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

He's probably better guards PGs, but he's bigger than Lillard. If he played with Fultz, I'd assume he'd guard PGs.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

but do we want worst defender on most teams best player ?

there will always be mismatches. Miami won with Jamal Murray at PG and Gabe Vincent giving up 4-5". defense is more team concept/schemes than always individual play

[tiderulz]

considering Portland hasnt had a good defense for a long time, i would say it is more on scheme and coaching

They were also awful defensively with Stotts. Problem with Simons is strength, he is weak, and he is not good with positioning. Thats deadly combination. Team with 6'2 SG with weak frame is not even making playoffs, let alone getting minutes.

Simons really is just Cole with more of a green light and slightly better shot. DOnt get me wrong, i love cole, but i dont think we need 2 of him ESPECIALLY if it requires a trade and 25m of cap space

Simons longer to, better above the rim finisher and more athletic imo. and people worried about $25mil ?? better strap in for some of these new contracts. Just look at Herro.

[Petre1978]

Agreed.
He is

Bro i live in middle of f*** Europe so who knows more about Europien baketball? Somebody who heared about french league month ago or somebody who follows Euro basketball for 20 years? I assume you right?

Cedric made 14 000 posts and majority of them are "Ur wrung g' magic" . Guy has one of the worst +1 to post ratios on this forum because he can't elaborate nor articulate his own opinion to save his life.

If you have something to argue against me- argue with facts and arguments not with whatever you think you are doing ( tbh 99% of time you just spam youtube videos like nobody else can use youtube and write : "XY highlight video" )

You two are now head over heels about player you never seen single full basketball game in your lifes, because some twitter head told you he has " Jimmy Butler/ OG written all over him" and that he "outscored Wemby in one game" .

I can help you if you actually want to WATCH him play. in 4 days, you can catch stream on Spotklub ( Croatian/serbian tv channel, you know, place i'm from ) and they will have game 1 finals. Or i can provide stream of that game in inbox if you need.

You will be very shocked once you learn your favorite flavor of a month is 6'6 but apsolutley never puts ball on the floor nor tries to attack off dribble, yet those internet wannabe "scouts" are trying to sell you as "shooting guard" and than just smam you with percentages instad of volumen of his actual shots. Guy makes 0,5 threes a game as "shooter", in league where 3 point line stands at 20,5 feet. But who needs facts when guy on twitter wrote he is great? Who needs critical thinking? Who needs own head to make own opinons when twitter can provide one for you?

btw pss don't let Evan haters, hear you, but in league where Culibaliy averages 5 ppg, Evan averaged 14

Stop trolling, I live in France, you are clueless about French basketball or any basketball for that matter.
You just a hater.

For those speaking french, here is a nice video about people would followed Bilal since he is 15

Watch on YouTube

Video super intéressant a propos de Bilal
Merci

Yes, he is a hater.
Hard to believe he is a Magic Fan.

[VFX]

Bro i live in middle of f*** Europe so who knows more about Europien baketball? Somebody who heared about french league month ago or somebody who follows Euro basketball for 20 years? I assume you right?

Cedric made 14 000 posts and majority of them are "Ur wrung g' magic" . Guy has one of the worst +1 to post ratios on this forum because he can't elaborate nor articulate his own opinion to save his life.

If you have something to argue against me- argue with facts and arguments not with whatever you think you are doing ( tbh 99% of time you just spam youtube videos like nobody else can use youtube and write : "XY highlight video" )

You two are now head over heels about player you never seen single full basketball game in your lifes, because some twitter head told you he has " Jimmy Butler/ OG written all over him" and that he "outscored Wemby in one game" .

I can help you if you actually want to WATCH him play. in 4 days, you can catch stream on Spotklub ( Croatian/serbian tv channel, you know, place i'm from ) and they will have game 1 finals. Or i can provide stream of that game in inbox if you need.

You will be very shocked once you learn your favorite flavor of a month is 6'6 but apsolutley never puts ball on the floor nor tries to attack off dribble, yet those internet wannabe "scouts" are trying to sell you as "shooting guard" and than just smam you with percentages instad of volumen of his actual shots. Guy makes 0,5 threes a game as "shooter", in league where 3 point line stands at 20,5 feet. But who needs facts when guy on twitter wrote he is great? Who needs critical thinking? Who needs own head to make own opinons when twitter can provide one for you?

btw pss don't let Evan haters, hear you, but in league where Culibaliy averages 5 ppg, Evan averaged 14

Stop trolling, I live in France, you are clueless about French basketball or any basketball for that matter.
You just a hater.

For those speaking french, here is a nice video about people would followed Bilal since he is 15

Watch on YouTube

Video super intéressant a propos de Bilal
Merci

Yes, he is a hater.
Hard to believe he is a Magic Fan.

Will you guys calm down.

Pepe isn't a hater because he dislikes using a pick on a player from a French league that hasn't produced a ton of great NBA talent.

It's a valid argument for an extremely raw player that just came out of nowhere with obvious flaws.

[cedric76]

Bro i live in middle of f*** Europe so who knows more about Europien baketball? Somebody who heared about french league month ago or somebody who follows Euro basketball for 20 years? I assume you right?

Cedric made 14 000 posts and majority of them are "Ur wrung g' magic" . Guy has one of the worst +1 to post ratios on this forum because he can't elaborate nor articulate his own opinion to save his life.

If you have something to argue against me- argue with facts and arguments not with whatever you think you are doing ( tbh 99% of time you just spam youtube videos like nobody else can use youtube and write : "XY highlight video" )

You two are now head over heels about player you never seen single full basketball game in your lifes, because some twitter head told you he has " Jimmy Butler/ OG written all over him" and that he "outscored Wemby in one game" .

I can help you if you actually want to WATCH him play. in 4 days, you can catch stream on Spotklub ( Croatian/serbian tv channel, you know, place i'm from ) and they will have game 1 finals. Or i can provide stream of that game in inbox if you need.

You will be very shocked once you learn your favorite flavor of a month is 6'6 but apsolutley never puts ball on the floor nor tries to attack off dribble, yet those internet wannabe "scouts" are trying to sell you as "shooting guard" and than just smam you with percentages instad of volumen of his actual shots. Guy makes 0,5 threes a game as "shooter", in league where 3 point line stands at 20,5 feet. But who needs facts when guy on twitter wrote he is great? Who needs critical thinking? Who needs own head to make own opinons when twitter can provide one for you?

btw pss don't let Evan haters, hear you, but in league where Culibaliy averages 5 ppg, Evan averaged 14

Stop trolling, I live in France, you are clueless about French basketball or any basketball for that matter.
You just a hater.

For those speaking french, here is a nice video about people would followed Bilal since he is 15

Watch on YouTube

Video super intéressant a propos de Bilal
Merci

Yes, he is a hater.
Hard to believe he is a Magic Fan.

He isn't, just a troll that want attention