2018 Draft Thread #6

[IcemanGervin]

I haven't heard or seen Mikal Bridges do jack in this first half.

[CoreyVillains]

C'mon guys, of course I'm not basing my entire opinion on this performance, we're just having fun over some confirmation bias after a game. Also, as I have said before, I'd be completely fine with Mikal, it's very reasonable to argue that he has a higher chance of having a more productive NBA career.

Perfectly reasonable. I just think there is a notable gap between Mikal and Miles. However, I think there is a notable gap between the guys I have as the top 8 and then from 9 on down. Miles is in that second category for me.

So while I wouldn't entertain taking him over Mikal, I would entertain drafting him with our pick.

Don't worry, GarPax would take Mikal over Miles 99/100 days. I think Miles has a significantly higher ceiling (and floor for that matter). Maybe I'll change my opinion as the tournament goes on and I dive deeper into scouting them, but I want the high ceiling guy over the safer pick right now. This team needs a home run, not a single. My 2 cents.

That’s the thing though, Miles isn’t a home run upside guy. Not even close.

[3noD]

It should be fun today if Villanova sticks Bridges on Sexton today. I know Nova switches a lot on D but it should be interesting.

That would be a bad idea on Nova's part. Bridges can't stay in front of Sexton....

If Collin Sexton is the "fallback plan" I'm completely comfortable with that. No such thing as a sure thing but I think he's going to be a star.

He’s a gamer. I’d be more excited about him than Mikal.


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[3noD]

I wonder how many people even watched the MSU game. If anyone seriously thinks the way he got his points transfers to the NBA then I’ve got a bridge to sell them. He literally just bullied underdeveloped kids. Mikal remains a significantly better pro prospect.

My thoughts exactly when I was watching the game. He's a tweener power player. He's not fluid, he doesn't have a defensive frame at all, he doesn't have ball skills and he shoots from a low release point.

I'm not suggesting you have to pass on him at #9 if Mikal Bridges is gone. But when I watch him, I don't see much of an NBA game there. You'd be taking him based on the hope that his strength and explosiveness will somehow lead to the development of more.

I do like his attitude though. But it doesn't push him ahead, because Mikal Bridges might be the biggest "gamer" in this draft behind Doncic.

Exactly. Only way Miles does anything great at the next level is if he slims down to play SF and learns how to dribble really well. Don’t see either happening.

I think this is a harsh assessment. Amazing athlete and good shooter. Those are two attributes that are key for success in the NBA. I agree he needs to work on his BH and do more on the move, but he’s shown a bit more recently.


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[Grodoboldo]

This game is highlighting the main concern about Mikal, he can't create anything right now.
Of course that is a known issue, if he could he'd probably go top 5.

[CoreyVillains]

My thoughts exactly when I was watching the game. He's a tweener power player. He's not fluid, he doesn't have a defensive frame at all, he doesn't have ball skills and he shoots from a low release point.

I'm not suggesting you have to pass on him at #9 if Mikal Bridges is gone. But when I watch him, I don't see much of an NBA game there. You'd be taking him based on the hope that his strength and explosiveness will somehow lead to the development of more.

I do like his attitude though. But it doesn't push him ahead, because Mikal Bridges might be the biggest "gamer" in this draft behind Doncic.

Exactly. Only way Miles does anything great at the next level is if he slims down to play SF and learns how to dribble really well. Don’t see either happening.

I think this is a harsh assessment. Amazing athlete and good shooter. Those are two attributes that are key for success in the NBA. I agree he needs to work on his BH and do more on the move, but he’s shown a bit more recently.


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He jumps high but I’m not sold on his athleticism beyond that. He doesn’t move around well enough for a wing. He’s a pretty good college shooter but he is shooting shots that no NBA team will have him shoot (unless you’re tanking and are trying to lose). He can’t get by anyone off the dribble so he throws up inefficient step back mid range jumpers. When watching these players in the tournament, we need to scout them on their future NBA skills and not scout them based on their numbers against college guys. People won’t like to hear this but there’s a lot of McDermott in Bridges in regards to how people are judging them off their play against college kids. Miles is going to be used as a low usage garbage man who doesn’t have a true position. He doesn’t project as a high upside pro.

[johnnyvann840]

That was the first time I've seen Porter in a game setting and my first impression was that he is absolutely not a 3 at the pro level. He's definitely a 4. He's bigger than I expected and not particularly quick.

Having a frontcourt of Porter/Markkanen seems…sub-optimal.

Respectfully disagree. If you want to take MPJ off your board because of health, I get that. Personally I'd absolutely roll the dice on him even if the Bulls wound up drafting #1. But if others like yourself knock him because of his injury that's a reasonable choice.

His game, however, is not a question mark from what I've seen. First, I definitely think he projects as a 3 at least early in his career similar to Durant. He has the handle and the perimeter game for it. His understanding of the game is unparalleled in this draft with the possible exception of Luka. If he somehow winds up a Bull next to Lauri, and they can stay reasonably healthy, you're looking at an Eastern conference champ in 6 or 7 years. He's going to be that kind of guy.

His game? What game he's never really played a game other than the one yesterday. If you're talking about playing a bunch of high school kids I wouldn't put too much stock in any of that stuff.