2021 NBA Draft

[clyde21]

Green's first step, hang time, and layup package really do remind me of a young Jordan. And yet I'm still not sure he's in my top 5 due to the fact that I don't think he projects to be much more than a scorer in the NBA. I don't like his frame size for the SG position either, and I don't think he has PG ability.

that's crazy talk

[The-Power]

And yet I'm still not sure he's in my top 5 due to the fact that I don't think he projects to be much more than a scorer in the NBA.

Who do you have ahead, and what do these players project to be in the NBA?

[babyjax13]

Am I the only one who isn't particularly interested in Moses Moody? He appears to be a good spot-up shooter, but he (imo) also has some weird looking biomechanical issues with absolutely bowling people over on his drives because he struggles to stop, has a basic handle, and isn't super explosive. I'm not saying I don't think he will be a good pro - I actually thing he will be a very nice roleplayer with the ability to attack a bent defense off the dribble - but I'd rather bet on James Bouknight or Ayo Dosunmu becoming 40% three point shooters with their larger package of handles, etc. - than bet on Moody to be anything but a mostly off-ball player (and there are teams who would prefer this, so...).

[DCasey91]

Am I the only one who isn't particularly interested in Moses Moody? He appears to be a good spot-up shooter, but he (imo) also has some weird looking biomechanical issues with absolutely bowling people over on his drives because he struggles to stop, has a basic handle, and isn't super explosive. I'm not saying I don't think he will be a good pro - I actually thing he will be a very nice roleplayer with the ability to attack a bent defense off the dribble - but I'd rather bet on James Bouknight or Ayo Dosunmu becoming 40% three point shooters with their larger package of handles, etc. - than bet on Moody to be anything but a mostly off-ball player (and there are teams who would prefer this, so...).

He’s gives me Josh Richardson vibes, so much of their game is apparent. 6”6” straight down the line game without much wiggle in it. I mean for hyper usage/offensive guards it’s nice to pair around a wing player like that and is very young in this year’s age group.

From picks 5-25 there’s alot depth of Guards/Wings that in the end could be overdrafted/Underdrafted.

[LSandersBong]

Moody's defence is elite and will be his calling card , top 5 as far as freshman scorers . I'd draft him mid lottery

[Duke4life831]

Green's first step, hang time, and layup package really do remind me of a young Jordan. And yet I'm still not sure he's in my top 5 due to the fact that I don't think he projects to be much more than a scorer in the NBA. I don't like his frame size for the SG position either, and I don't think he has PG ability.

Okay lets say he ends up being just a scorer, he still projects to be a really good scorer. Lets just go with the laziest comp with Zach LaVine (a freak athlete that is mainly just a scorer), do you take Zach LaVine top 5 in this draft? I sure as hell do. I know he has the "empty stats" narrative with him, but that has far more to do with the crap rosters he has been placed on. Elite athletes that can score from all 3 levels don't grow on trees. And Green is much further along as a player than LaVine was at the same age.

I dont know, I just see an insane athlete that has legit 3 level scoring potential. I think you would be getting to the point of over analyzing if you get to the point where Green slips out of the top 5.

[clyde21]

JG's ancillary skills are getting understated at this point, his handle, ability to create in transition, defensively he's turned into a +, should be able to guard most 1s/2s with no issues, and, Green isn't just a great athlete, he's an outlier in that aspect, he'll have the best first step in the NBA day one, will be able to get anywhere he wants on the court and get his shots off, elite stop-go ability, he's also not just a power finisher but his body control and athleticism really allows him to pull off some crazy finesse finishes as well, good touch at the rim

yea, outside the top5 is just crazy, I have him 4th right now and even that feels too low to me, and it's only because Mobley, Cade and Suggs are such studs and offer a bit more specialization for their positions.

[yoyoboy]

And yet I'm still not sure he's in my top 5 due to the fact that I don't think he projects to be much more than a scorer in the NBA.

Who do you have ahead, and what do these players project to be in the NBA?

I have to think about it a little bit in terms of my NBA projections. It's also worth mentioning that I'm lower on this class in general than seemingly everyone else and don't see any can't miss elite prospects, outside of maybe Mobley. As far as my big board, I'm currently thinking:

1. Mobley
2. Suggs
3. Cunningham
4. Barnes
5. Green
6. Kuminga
7. Sengun (really changed my tune on him actually after doing some more research and thinking because I wasn't sure he was lottery worthy a couple days ago)
8. Moody

I would have to think more about who I would have next. So as of right now, Green is still technically in my top 5 I guess.

[yoyoboy]

Green's first step, hang time, and layup package really do remind me of a young Jordan. And yet I'm still not sure he's in my top 5 due to the fact that I don't think he projects to be much more than a scorer in the NBA. I don't like his frame size for the SG position either, and I don't think he has PG ability.

Okay lets say he ends up being just a scorer, he still projects to be a really good scorer. Lets just go with the laziest comp with Zach LaVine (a freak athlete that is mainly just a scorer), do you take Zach LaVine top 5 in this draft? I sure as hell do. I know he has the "empty stats" narrative with him, but that has far more to do with the crap rosters he has been placed on. Elite athletes that can score from all 3 levels don't grow on trees. And Green is much further along as a player than LaVine was at the same age.

I dont know, I just see an insane athlete that has legit 3 level scoring potential. I think you would be getting to the point of over analyzing if you get to the point where Green slips out of the top 5.

I honestly don't know if I take a LaVine-type "prospect" in the top 5, no. It's not guaranteed Green becomes one of the best 3 point shooters in the league like LaVine who's shooting nearly 42% from range on 8+ attempts per game. Furthermore, I like Zach's frame for the SG position more than Green's, who's just built with a rail thin bone structure. It's good that he still seeks out contact and of course he can put on some weight, but your frame ultimately limits your power, strength, and sturdiness. He got pushed around on defense constantly in the G-League, and I have a very difficult time seeing him become an even average defender in the NBA.

I expect him to develop into one of the best pure scorers in the league since he's efficient, he's crazy athletic, and he can score on all three levels, but I don't think the impact will be there because of his other shortcomings.

[The-Power]

I'm not as high on this draft as a lot of other posters either, and I've recently become more skeptical about the top 5 as well (still really good, but I'm not sure it's exceptional any longer). As I've soured on some prospects, Green has risen for me with what he has shown in the G-League bubble as he seemed to have overcome some of the concerns I had about him in HS (mostly related to how he approaches the game, not so much in terms of skill).

Right now, I'd have it:

1. Cade
*solid gap*
2. Green
3. Mobley
*smaller gap*
4. Suggs
5. Kuminga

With Suggs I'm concerned about long-term health/durability and I'm not sure how high his impact will be in half-court sets if he doesn't develop a reliable outside shot. Kuminga has shown that he has a lot to improve in order to be the type of wing you need him to be to draft him higher – he might get there, but it's a gamble.

After that, I have no idea how to fill out the top 10. I don't really see any player I'm fully confident taking in that range – prospects considered in that range are players I'd normally view more as late lottery picks.

[The-Power]

I honestly don't know if I take a LaVine-type "prospect" in the top 5, no.

Even if you don't like that type of player, there's no way this player doesn't provide a top-5 return in a trade (compared to his draft peers) if you decide to deal him after two or three years.

[Duke4life831]

Green's first step, hang time, and layup package really do remind me of a young Jordan. And yet I'm still not sure he's in my top 5 due to the fact that I don't think he projects to be much more than a scorer in the NBA. I don't like his frame size for the SG position either, and I don't think he has PG ability.

Okay lets say he ends up being just a scorer, he still projects to be a really good scorer. Lets just go with the laziest comp with Zach LaVine (a freak athlete that is mainly just a scorer), do you take Zach LaVine top 5 in this draft? I sure as hell do. I know he has the "empty stats" narrative with him, but that has far more to do with the crap rosters he has been placed on. Elite athletes that can score from all 3 levels don't grow on trees. And Green is much further along as a player than LaVine was at the same age.

I dont know, I just see an insane athlete that has legit 3 level scoring potential. I think you would be getting to the point of over analyzing if you get to the point where Green slips out of the top 5.

I honestly don't know if I take a LaVine-type "prospect" in the top 5, no. It's not guaranteed Green becomes one of the best 3 point shooters in the league like LaVine who's shooting nearly 42% from range on 8+ attempts per game. Furthermore, I like Zach's frame for the SG position more than Green's, who's just built with a rail thin bone structure. It's good that he still seeks out contact and of course he can put on some weight, but your frame ultimately limits your power, strength, and sturdiness. He got pushed around on defense constantly in the G-League, and I have a very difficult time seeing him become an even average defender in the NBA.

I expect him to develop into one of the best pure scorers in the league since he's efficient, he's crazy athletic, and he can score on all three levels, but I don't think the impact will be there because of his other shortcomings.

Lavine is 26 years old and is dropping 27/5/5 on 50/41/85 shooting. Scoring is still the most important skill set there is. If you flip LaVine with say Booker or Mitchell, those teams are still 1 or 2 when it comes to league record and Lavine would be scoring 27 a game for those teams.

Dont get me wrong, Im not saying LaVine is a franchise player. But there are what 5-8 true franchise players in the league right now. So youre not going to get 5 in a single draft. So again even if you think Green's really only elite potential is as a scorer. Well, we're looking at one of the better pure scoring prospects from the guard position we have seen in a while when we talk about elite athleticism to go with 3 level scoring ability. The athleticism/scoring potential itself is top 5 pick worthy.

The next question is, who on the outside of the top 5 is going to hop in front of Green? Who has an easier track to stardom, plus who has a higher franchise player potential than Green outside of the top 5 guys? Does he have flaws? For sure 100%. But that is the reason he isnt talked about like freak prospects like a Luka or Zion. Hell its why he isnt even really in too much of the discussion for 1st overall pick this year. Again if you're picking 4 or 5, you're most likely aren't looking at sure fire franchise cornerstone type players.

I dont know I just dont see an argument for anyone outside of the top 5 to go ahead of him. Plus in the last 10 drafts how many prospects were better coming into the draft that were taken at #5 that were viewed as a better prospect than Green? Maybe Trae Young, that is about it. Green going at #4 or #5 is damn good value.

[Don7]

Garuba is a easy top 10 pick.

[fteru6uhre54ew]

No way in the world that there are 10 kids better than this man Garuba. What a **** monster he has dominated the game.

[FelixD]

What a game from Garuba against the best team from Europe. I love him

[clyde21]

Garuba just locked himself into the top10

[CptCrunch]

Y'all just posting without referencing games/stats. Had to Twitter this:

Read on Twitter

So this is a NBA adjusted stat of 35/18ish right?

[fteru6uhre54ew]

I never saw a 19 years old kid make the games he has been doing in those playoffs games in the Euroleague only Luka. We knew that this kid was especial since 14 years old a much more mature kid that his age says he has a special mind playing this game. Literally dominating grown mans.

Read on Twitter

[No-Man]

Usman is a competitive beast and a really smart guy, with his quicks and physical tools, there is no way he is not a good pro

[GSWFan1994]

Isn't Lavine 6'6''?

Doesn't Green seem like way smaller than Lavine?