2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

Serious question -- Is there a huge difference between this kid and Jarrett Culver?

Neither is a true #1 option and both seem like they'll produce pretty comparably. But NAW is clearly the superior shooter.

Thoughts?

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22. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Virginia Tech | Sophomore

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 205 | Age: 20 | Last Rank: 18

There’s little questioning how much Alexander-Walker has improved this season, from his slimmed-down build to his consistent offensive contributions. Although he clearly profiles as a two-guard at the next level given his ongoing issues playing downhill and in the paint, he has the passing feel, shooting ability and size to be a nice complement alongside a more explosive playmaker. He’s not an alpha dog and can be turnover prone when asked to do too much, but it’s telling that he’s been at his best with Justin Robinson playing point guard. While Alexander-Walker doesn’t have incredible upside, the likelihood he becomes a useful rotation player has him as a mid-to-late first round selection in the eyes of most scouts.

SI.com

[King Ken]

Serious question -- Is there a huge difference between this kid and Jarrett Culver?

Neither is a true #1 option and both seem like they'll produce pretty comparably. But NAW is clearly the superior shooter.

Thoughts?

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Not at all. Both are in the same range. NAW has more potential as a starter.

[Jamaaliver]

Serious question -- Is there a huge difference between this kid and Jarrett Culver?

Neither is a true #1 option and both seem like they'll produce pretty comparably. But NAW is clearly the superior shooter.

Thoughts?

Not at all. Both are in the same range. NAW has more potential as a starter.

And this is why I'm starting to cool on Jarrett Culver as a top-6 pick. If we can get a guy who's 85% as good later in the draft, seems like we should probably go with the a player with more upside with our first selection.

In a head-to-head comparison, Culver grades out higher in advanced stats while NAW has the advantage in scoring efficiency.


NOTE: I really like Culver's potential fit in our locker room, though.

[King Ken]

I’m sorry Supes your comparison of Culver to Evan Turner isn’t sitting well with me. I’m having a hard time understanding how the are similar. Now, Troy Brown jr. from last year’s draft had a lot of Evan Turner but I’m really having a hard time seeing this comparison. Please advise.

Explain why? I'll get to Culver this weekend but why do you feel Turner is a bad comparison for Culver?

Well, what I see with Culver is a guy that plays with purpose, whether it’s to pass, dribble or shoot I feel like he makes the right plays based on high BBIQ. To me, Turner doesn’t have that now nor did he back in college. I wouldn’t say Turner has an great BBIQ, matter of fact it’s somewhat poor for a guard. Now, they both have quirky shots, Turner’s is downright ugly if I may, whereas Culver just has a mini Lonzo Ball sweep of the ball from his rights hip to his left as he goes up for the shot. I think a shooting coach can eliminate that hesitation and make hit more of a single movement shooter thus resulting in better form and results (like Huerter). Culver has three point range than Evan does not which sets up everything else. He shot 38% I believe from distance last year.

Again, I still prefer Cam but this guy to me is a tad more humble and might equate into more of a gym rat type. (Like Trae). Practice and work might be the difference in a bunch of guys will similar traits.

Turner had and still has high BBIQ. I don't see an advantage in either direction. It's his shot selection due to just not having the ability to get his shot off at this level that is his issue. I suspect Jarrett will have the same issue without the first step, burst or explosiveness around the basket.

That Lonzo Ball pun doesn't give anyone confidence. His shot didn't translate at this level and he was a superior shooter with superior athletic ability out of college.

Kevin always has been a tremendous shooter. He has a much better base just due to his ability alone.

I agree, he does have better 3pt shooting ability but it's not significant, just better which doesnt cover the fact that in college Evan was a better ball handler and passer than Jarrett. High usage wings who lack a first step and explosiveness at the basket better be 225+ and have great footwork and shooting potential like Joe or Luka or I don't want them. How are they going to beat anyone off the dribble and they don't have the strength to bully defenders at the next level which is a big reason why Turner who used to have a bully game struggled in the NBA. He didn't have the size for his game to translate. He did add some weight in the NBA but he needed 235-245. Joe and Luka weight for his game. Culver has a great frame but not 235-245 one. I wish he had a growth spurt. Culver at 6'10 or 6'11 is the 1st overall pick. He would just be able to shoot over anyone. Then again. I could say the same for Turner. Those two inches are a game changer in a margins league like the NBA.

[King Ken]

Serious question -- Is there a huge difference between this kid and Jarrett Culver?

Neither is a true #1 option and both seem like they'll produce pretty comparably. But NAW is clearly the superior shooter.

Thoughts?

Not at all. Both are in the same range. NAW has more potential as a starter.

And this is why I'm starting to cool on Jarrett Culver as a top-6 pick. If we can get a guy who's 85% as good later in the draft, seems like we should probably go with the a player with more upside with our first selection.

In a head-to-head comparison, Culver grades out higher in advanced stats while NAW has the advantage in scoring efficiency.


NOTE: I really like Culver's potential fit in our locker room, though.

If you watch Culver, he is clearly the 2nd or 3rd best player in college hoops. But if you watch his skill-set with his body type and how he does it. It's clear you are not looking at a top 10 pick but more of a high end backup wing who offers versatility and a high character and work ethic approach

[Jamaaliver]

Sekou is in white, wearing 45 and a headband defending the paint.

He has a chance to be a special defender who can also push the ball in transition, hit open shots from three and take slower big men off the dribble.

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Spoiler:

Watch the instincts at work here by Doumbouya, who fills the lane on the weak side to cover for CSP Limoges’ aggressive blitzing defense (think the Big Three Miami Heat or last year’s Milwaukee Bucks), negates the layup from the rolling big man and then moves back to his man after a cut into the lane. Doumbouya finishes the play by blocking his original man’s shot and ending the possession. Again: he’s 18.

Fansided

[Jamaaliver]

Weekly Mock Draft from Fansided:

2019 NBA Mock Draft: The Lakers are finished


5. Atlanta Hawks

Jarrett Culver | G/F | Texas Tech

Culver is quickly becoming one of the more interesting prospects in this entire class. He may well be the best wing defender in the 2019 class, which makes sense considering his size and that he is older than most of his counterparts. His hips and lower body move with the strength and looseness of an NBA stopper already, but his steal numbers aren’t quite at the level.

Watching Culver’s career-high 31-point outburst against Iowa State over the weekend, we came away even more enthralled by the sophomore’s development offensively. His transition from stationary 3-and-D role player to lead playmaker is one of the most fascinating in college basketball...

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...multiple times late in that game, pull-up jumpers inside the arc flopped around like fish out of water. It’s not pretty — yet. At the NBA level, it’s more likely Culver will become a two-dribbles-and-a-good-decision type of player — the smart secondary playmaking coaches want out of the other guys on the court next to dominant scorers. He just doesn’t have the shot creation ability to be that player at the NBA level, but a lesser role would ideally allow him to maintain consistent defensive impact and do what he’s good at off the ball on offense.

The Stepback

[Jamaaliver]

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De’Andre Hunter, F, Virginia | Sophomore

Height: 6’7” | Weight: 225 | Age: 21 | Last Rank: 14

Hunter has had a stellar individual season, and is one of the few lottery-caliber options where you more or less know exactly what you’re getting. He’s an unflashy all-around player who can defend a variety of positions, has proven he can knock down open jumpers, and won’t hurt you in any one area. While you won’t funnel a ton of offense through him, Hunter has improved his individual game facing up in the mid-post and should be able to take advantage of mismatches. It’s easy to see him thriving playing next to quality playmakers without needing his number called. He should be a bankable NBA role player at worst, and a positive lineup cog with a chance to contribute immediately.

SI.com

Spoiler:

De'Andre Hunter | F | Virginia

Atlanta’s offense is not fully fleshed out. This won’t be Virginia, where young players fit in or fit out. Fortunately, Hunter was good enough in college to carve out a sizable role for one of the best programs in the nation, but he will have an easier time making his presence felt with the Hawks, who desperately need another core piece who can settle in as a smart, versatile role player. The fit between team and player makes too much sense here.

The Stepback

[Spud2nique]

Hunter to me is the flat out safe pick 5-10! I’m not sure how high his ceiling is but this kid is an animal. Talk about NBA ready body. Lebron had it, Oden, before him guys like Corey Maggette and a few others I’m forgetting, Jaylen Brown, Stanley Johnson. This kid is a rock. Good thing is he won’t need much time in the gym working out so he can double up doing basketball skill drills!

I can’t wait till teams work these kids out. Showtime!

[LunchBox21]

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I saw an interesting question. Is Cam Reddish a better prospect than Kevin Knox? I say no. Among other things, Reddish's athleticism has been a big letdown.

[Nathan2331]

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I saw an interesting question. Is Cam Reddish a better prospect than Kevin Knox? I say no. Among other things, Reddish's athleticism has been a big letdown.

I think it depends on how much you attribute Reddish's struggles to playing at Duke. I'm of the opinion that Reddish's poor play isn't indicative of how good he actually is, but rather he's in a bad situation at Duke. Both Zion and RJ committed after him, and to my knowledge he wasn't trying to convince them to come to Duke. He's always been the lead guard on his teams and now he's had to adjust to playing behind RJ who we know has tunnel vision.

He started the year injured and I could see how maybe he's been trying to catch up to expectations with all the eyes on this Duke team. Obviously he has not met expectations. I think Cam is aware of all these things and has probably let it get to him. I would like to think that after an off-season recalibrating, he can walk into a new situation and be productive. He's a better player than he's shown, he's not gonna be a star Day 1, but he's also not offensively inept like he's played sometimes. From what I've seen, he doesn't get the chance to be the primary ball handler much, and while the NBA isn't going to be any easier, within an offense I think he'd have more opportunities to play to his strengths.

[King Ken]

Culver was tough in the 2nd half but they lost to WVU. Watching the game, you just see him struggling at the next level. He will be a player but like Turner and Malik Monk, he doesn't translate college ball as well as the NBA

He is in my 2nd tier of wings with Little, Langford and NAW going from 10-20 range.

He just doesn't make the cut for the top 10 prospects or tier 1 wings which is Hunter, Clarke and Reddish

[atlantabbq99]

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I saw an interesting question. Is Cam Reddish a better prospect than Kevin Knox? I say no. Among other things, Reddish's athleticism has been a big letdown.

I think it depends on how much you attribute Reddish's struggles to playing at Duke. I'm of the opinion that Reddish's poor play isn't indicative of how good he actually is, but rather he's in a bad situation at Duke. Both Zion and RJ committed after him, and to my knowledge he wasn't trying to convince them to come to Duke. He's always been the lead guard on his teams and now he's had to adjust to playing behind RJ who we know has tunnel vision.

He started the year injured and I could see how maybe he's been trying to catch up to expectations with all the eyes on this Duke team. Obviously he has not met expectations. I think Cam is aware of all these things and has probably let it get to him. I would like to think that after an off-season recalibrating, he can walk into a new situation and be productive. He's a better player than he's shown, he's not gonna be a star Day 1, but he's also not offensively inept like he's played sometimes. From what I've seen, he doesn't get the chance to be the primary ball handler much, and while the NBA isn't going to be any easier, within an offense I think he'd have more opportunities to play to his strengths.

This is why the Hawks should look at Bol or Sekou Doumbouya or Fernando at #5.

[Jamaaliver]

Culver was tough in the 2nd half but they lost to WVU. Watching the game, you just see him struggling at the next level.

He just doesn't make the cut for the top 10 prospects...

Ummm

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[King Ken]

Culver was tough in the 2nd half but they lost to WVU. Watching the game, you just see him struggling at the next level.

He just doesn't make the cut for the top 10 prospects...

Ummm

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I have to disagree with him. Watching the game, I wasn't seeing a lot that could translate.

[personanongrata]

Give me the guy that knows how to play. Measurables are overrated.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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