2019 NBA Draft Prep

[King Ken]

I forgot to add him back to the list. His would be 35t with JWF and Okeke

[Spud2nique]

You gotta put some spoiler brackets on that Lengthy scouting report.

That post is incredibly long.

He’s our grit n grind Tony Allen Supes tho..he do no wrong.

[Jamaaliver]

Brandon Clarke NBA Draft 2019 profile: Stats, bio, video of the Gonzaga forward

THE BRANDON CLARKE FILE

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 215 pounds

Draft projection: Lottery pick

NBA comparison: Shawn Marion

Watch on YouTube

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2018-19 stats: 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 68.7 field-goal percentage, 26.7 percent 3-point shooting and 69.4 percent free-throw shooting in 28.1 minutes per game.

What you should know: Clarke transferred after the 2016-17 season from San Jose State, sat out a year and played one season at Gonzaga. His is from Vancouver, Canada and will turn 23 on Sept. 19. Additionally …

• Clarke blocked as many shots on defense (117) as he missed on offense. He finished the season hitting 257-of-374 field goals. He had a significantly historic season, which The Ringer broke down in late March.

• Clarke was the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American, according to The Sporting News. He also was first-team All-WCC and the conference's Newcomer of the Year.

• At San Jose State, Clarke was first-team All-Mountain West in 2017. He also earned all-defensive team in 2017 and sixth man of the year in 2016.


“He’s getting lottery buzz because the (advanced stats) just love him,” an NBA scout told The Washington Post. "He will need to play with dynamic ballhandlers to set him up, but it’s easy to imagine him playing a supporting role for a contender because he has the right combination of energy and smarts.”

"Outstanding as a pogo-stick shot-blocker and finisher who also shows enough as a passer and perimeter shooter to pique the interest of NBA teams. His energy really sets the tone, and his switch ability and shot-blocking make him a perfect fit in the modern NBA," according to an ESPN scouting report.

Cleveland.com

[Jamaaliver]

Jarrett Culver NBA Draft 2019 profile: Stats, bio, video of the Texas Tech guard

THE JARRETT CULVER FILE

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 190 pounds

Draft projection: Top 10 pick

NBA comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Watch on YouTube

2018-19 stats: 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 47.1 field-goal percentage, 31.6 percent 3-point shooting and 70.3 percent free-throw shooting in 32.2 minutes per game.

What they're saying: "Excellent size for a guard prospect with a solid 6-9 wingspan. Strong legs. Greatly improved frame. Solid straight-line athlete who can play above the rim in space. Uses his size to score over smaller guards in the post," wrote ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz.

“I don’t think he has a weakness. He shoots from deep. He’s got a really good midrange game, much like Rui (Hachimura) has. That’s kind of rare in this day and age. He’s big and athletic. He’s a good finisher, and in that regard his body and game remind me of [Duke’s] RJ Barrett a little bit, who we have played against,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said.

“He will fit better (than R.J. Barrett) next to a young point guard because he won’t be playing tug-of-war for control of the offense,” a scout told The Washington Post.

Cleveland.com

[Jamaaliver]

2019 NBA Draft: For Atlanta Hawks, Nicolas Claxton Could Be a Steal

A quick look at a potential second round steal in the 2019 NBA Draft for the Atlanta Hawks

One player that is getting fairly little shine ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft is Nicolas Claxton out of the University of Georgia. Claxton put up some sterling numbers in his sophomore season and was awarded with a 2018-19 All-SEC Team berth at season’s end.

Despite those accolades, Claxton has fallen down drafts boards due to the vaguely “positionless” nature of his game and fairly unimpressive three-point shooting numbers.

However, a quick look at some of his highlights makes it clear that Claxton is a unique talent at the college level...

Watch on YouTube

Claxton often serves as Georgia’s offensive initiator in his second season, and he feasted in transition after grab-and-go scenarios off of missed buckets. Beyond that, Claxton was an excellent rim protector with his 6-foot-11, 220-pound frame and 7-foot-3 wingspan – so much so that he was 10th in the NCAA with 2.5 blocks per game. Only Claxton and projected lottery pick Brandon Clarke of Gonzaga featured a block rate of 8 percent or higher, an assist rate of 12 percent or higher, a usage rate of 22 percent or higher and a defensive box plus/minus of 5.5 or higher.

Soaring Down South

[Jamaaliver]

150?!?

Read on Twitter

[jayu70]

150?!?

Read on Twitter

150!! WOW!!! for 60 slots.
We'll see who withdraws from draft and return to school.
I see lots of GL signings.

[King Ken]

150?!?

Read on Twitter

150!! WOW!!! for 60 slots.
We'll see who withdraws from draft and return to school.
I see lots of GL signings.

The rule changes playing a big role especially for borderline guys

[marco102]

Just saw an interview with Cam Reddish discussing his knee injury.

Watch on YouTube

Apparently, he's had knee tendinitis for most of the college season. That may explain his struggles. From the high school highlights and low lights I've seen, he didn't have a problem finishing his two point shots. He was about 50%+ on his two point attempts in high school. His three pointer was low 30's but he took most of those off the dribble.

In a preseason interview, he said the plan with most schools was to put the ball in his hand and let him play-make. That didn't happen last season and maybe Coach K knew about the knee injury and made him a spot up shooter and not a distributor.

If Cam played with knee tendinitis most of the season, then he is much higher on my personal draft board. Actually in the tier below Zion when considering fit with the Hawks.

He was much more aggressive and explosive in high school than in college.

[Spud2nique]

Brandon Clarke NBA Draft 2019 profile: Stats, bio, video of the Gonzaga forward

THE BRANDON CLARKE FILE

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 215 pounds

Draft projection: Lottery pick

NBA comparison: Shawn Marion

Watch on YouTube

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2018-19 stats: 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 68.7 field-goal percentage, 26.7 percent 3-point shooting and 69.4 percent free-throw shooting in 28.1 minutes per game.

What you should know: Clarke transferred after the 2016-17 season from San Jose State, sat out a year and played one season at Gonzaga. His is from Vancouver, Canada and will turn 23 on Sept. 19. Additionally …

• Clarke blocked as many shots on defense (117) as he missed on offense. He finished the season hitting 257-of-374 field goals. He had a significantly historic season, which The Ringer broke down in late March.

• Clarke was the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American, according to The Sporting News. He also was first-team All-WCC and the conference's Newcomer of the Year.

• At San Jose State, Clarke was first-team All-Mountain West in 2017. He also earned all-defensive team in 2017 and sixth man of the year in 2016.


“He’s getting lottery buzz because the (advanced stats) just love him,” an NBA scout told The Washington Post. "He will need to play with dynamic ballhandlers to set him up, but it’s easy to imagine him playing a supporting role for a contender because he has the right combination of energy and smarts.”

"Outstanding as a pogo-stick shot-blocker and finisher who also shows enough as a passer and perimeter shooter to pique the interest of NBA teams. His energy really sets the tone, and his switch ability and shot-blocking make him a perfect fit in the modern NBA," according to an ESPN scouting report.

Cleveland.com

Let’s get Clarke from my alumn SJSU and Matisse Thybulle in round 2 and just suffocate folks on D while our offense 3 (Trae/Collins/Huerter) donthe work on O.

We come away with these two and I’m a happy camper. I realize we probably would have another high profile name with our own pick or the Mavs one as well.

Trae/FA
Huerter/Thybulle
Cam/Culver?
Clarke/Spell
Collins/Len

[Spud2nique]

BR lates got us nabbing DeAndre Hunter at 5 and Nas at 9...we can do better. Specially with the latter pick imo.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2832502-2019-nba-mock-draft-prospects-facing-major-fall-down-draft-boards

[Spud2nique]

What do you guys think about Schlenk going all Don Nellie on us and taking Coby White at 6’5” and running him in a small (run TMC) type lineup with Trae in the backcourt?

I didn’t realize Coby was 6’5”...initially thought 6’3”.

[Jamaaliver]

What do you guys think about Schlenk going all Don Nellie on us and taking Coby White at 6’5” and running him in a small (run TMC) type lineup with Trae in the backcourt?

I didn’t realize Coby was 6’5”...initially thought 6’3”.

I'd lean towards size and two way players. We gotta compete against Giannis and Ben Simmons for the next decade. (Presumably.)

We need some athletes to run with and defend against those guys...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s get Clarke from my alumn SJSU and Matisse Thybulle in round 2 and just suffocate folks on D while our offense 3 (Trae/Collins/Huerter) donthe work on O.

We come away with these two and I’m a happy camper. I realize we probably would have another high profile name with our own pick or the Mavs one as well.

Trae/FA
Huerter/Thybulle
Cam/Culver?
Clarke/Spell
Collins/Len

I'd be very okay with grabbing both Clarke and Thybulle. I might even endorse grabbing DeAndre Hunter first and using all three of them to smother opposing offenses.

NOTE: If we draft Brandon Clarke and keep J Collins, there's a good chance we'd have to bring Clarke off the bench as a super charged 6th man. He'd be exceedingly perfect in that role.

[CP War Hawks]

I'm starting to warm up to a secondary ball handler with the Dallas pick. They make the most difference in a playoff series. Guys like Clarke and Little are minimized in those settings.

You can't rely on Trae to handle the ball 247 cause when he gets hurt or misses games, there is no one on the roster to pick up the slack. The Portland model seems to be finally clicking for them.

[kg01]

I'm starting to warm up to a secondary ball handler with the Dallas pick. They make the most difference in a playoff series. Guys like Clarke and Little are minimized in those settings.

You can't rely on Trae to handle the ball 247 cause when he gets hurt or misses games, there is no one on the roster to pick up the slack. The Portland model seems to be finally clicking for them.

Eggsactly. That's why Culver is atop my list. Second-side playmaker is another term I keep hearing people use to describe what you mentioned.

After I got my eyes to stop bleeding from watching the Pacers ... offense(sic), I envisioned teams taking away Young as a means for stopping our offense. We definitely need someone else capable of generating points/facilitating offense.

I'm serious. There is no visine powerful enough to counteract the effects of watching the Pacers "attempt" to score. You almost want to just award them points periodically for just "trying". Yikes.

ETA: I mean really. Did anybody else see them down the stretch constantly getting Collison isolated on one of the Seltics' bigs. The result was either him poorly dribbling then panic-passing it to some other guy who wanted to shoot less than he did or he was poorly panic-dribbling into that awful jack-knife, slow arse jumpshot of his. Yuk.

[Spud2nique]

What do you guys think about Schlenk going all Don Nellie on us and taking Coby White at 6’5” and running him in a small (run TMC) type lineup with Trae in the backcourt?

I didn’t realize Coby was 6’5”...initially thought 6’3”.

I'd lean towards size and two way players. We gotta compete against Giannis and Ben Simmons for the next decade. (Presumably.)

We need some athletes to run with and defend against those guys...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s get Clarke from my alumn SJSU and Matisse Thybulle in round 2 and just suffocate folks on D while our offense 3 (Trae/Collins/Huerter) donthe work on O.

We come away with these two and I’m a happy camper. I realize we probably would have another high profile name with our own pick or the Mavs one as well.

Trae/FA
Huerter/Thybulle
Cam/Culver?
Clarke/Spell
Collins/Len

I'd be very okay with grabbing both Clarke and Thybulle. I might even endorse grabbing DeAndre Hunter first and using all three of them to smother opposing offenses.

NOTE: If we draft Brandon Clarke and keep J Collins, there's a good chance we'd have to bring Clarke off the bench as a super charged 6th man. He'd be exceedingly perfect in that role.

That’s the thing though you don’t always follow suit in the league..if they have dominant one on one type guys we zag and go “we will run you off the court with speed and skill” in Trae and Coby. Having said that, I’m only endorsing this if Coby is money from the perimeter and I mean money. Anything else is not gonna work.

I like Clarke as an energy 6th man. And Hunter to smother. Clarke should teach Hunter to be more angry too.

[Spud2nique]

I'm starting to warm up to a secondary ball handler with the Dallas pick. They make the most difference in a playoff series. Guys like Clarke and Little are minimized in those settings.

You can't rely on Trae to handle the ball 247 cause when he gets hurt or misses games, there is no one on the roster to pick up the slack. The Portland model seems to be finally clicking for them.

Eggsactly. That's why Culver is atop my list. Second-side playmaker is another term I keep hearing people use to describe what you mentioned.

After I got my eyes to stop bleeding from watching the Pacers ... offense(sic), I envisioned teams taking away Young as a means for stopping our offense. We definitely need someone else capable of generating points/facilitating offense.

I'm serious. There is no visine powerful enough to counteract the effects of watching the Pacers "attempt" to score. You almost want to just award them points periodically for just "trying". Yikes.

ETA: I mean really. Did anybody else see them down the stretch constantly getting Collison isolated on one of the Seltics' bigs. The result was either him poorly dribbling then panic-passing it to some other guy who wanted to shoot less than he did or he was poorly panic-dribbling into that awful jack-knife, slow arse jumpshot of his. Yuk.

Wait you like Culver now? Comon kg one side of the fence or the other let’s go!

[marco102]

What do you guys think about Schlenk going all Don Nellie on us and taking Coby White at 6’5” and running him in a small (run TMC) type lineup with Trae in the backcourt?

I didn’t realize Coby was 6’5”...initially thought 6’3”.

I'd lean towards size and two way players. We gotta compete against Giannis and Ben Simmons for the next decade. (Presumably.)

We need some athletes to run with and defend against those guys...
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s get Clarke from my alumn SJSU and Matisse Thybulle in round 2 and just suffocate folks on D while our offense 3 (Trae/Collins/Huerter) donthe work on O.

We come away with these two and I’m a happy camper. I realize we probably would have another high profile name with our own pick or the Mavs one as well.

Trae/FA
Huerter/Thybulle
Cam/Culver?
Clarke/Spell
Collins/Len

I'd be very okay with grabbing both Clarke and Thybulle. I might even endorse grabbing DeAndre Hunter first and using all three of them to smother opposing offenses.

NOTE: If we draft Brandon Clarke and keep J Collins, there's a good chance we'd have to bring Clarke off the bench as a super charged 6th man. He'd be exceedingly perfect in that role.

That’s the thing though you don’t always follow suit in the league..if they have dominant one on one type guys we zag and go “we will run you off the court with speed and skill” in Trae and Coby. Having said that, I’m only endorsing this if Coby is money from the perimeter and I mean money. Anything else is not gonna work.

I like Clarke as an energy 6th man. And Hunter to smother. Clarke should teach Hunter to be more angry too.

I'd take a flier on Kevin Porter Jr. with that pick before Colby. KPJ has way more two way potential and can be a secondary creator.

1. Trae Young - 6' 1.5" - 6' 3" wingspan
2. Kevin Heurter - 6' 7" - 6'7" wingspan - actually average for a two guard
3. Kevin Porter Jr. - 6' 6" - 6' 10" wingspan
4. Cam Reddish - - 6' 9" - 7' 1" wingspan
5. John Collins - 6'10" - 6'11" wingspan

That small ball line up can run teams out of the gym. You have 3 secondary creators in 2-4. They actually may be able to defend pretty well if you consider, 2 -4 are projected to be good defenders. John Collins showed a lot of improvement toward the end of the season. Trae would be able to gamble a bit more and get more steals. He would also only have to be bad on defense, cause that line up will score a TON!

[kg01]

I'm starting to warm up to a secondary ball handler with the Dallas pick. They make the most difference in a playoff series. Guys like Clarke and Little are minimized in those settings.

You can't rely on Trae to handle the ball 247 cause when he gets hurt or misses games, there is no one on the roster to pick up the slack. The Portland model seems to be finally clicking for them.

Eggsactly. That's why Culver is atop my list. Second-side playmaker is another term I keep hearing people use to describe what you mentioned.

After I got my eyes to stop bleeding from watching the Pacers ... offense(sic), I envisioned teams taking away Young as a means for stopping our offense. We definitely need someone else capable of generating points/facilitating offense.

I'm serious. There is no visine powerful enough to counteract the effects of watching the Pacers "attempt" to score. You almost want to just award them points periodically for just "trying". Yikes.

ETA: I mean really. Did anybody else see them down the stretch constantly getting Collison isolated on one of the Seltics' bigs. The result was either him poorly dribbling then panic-passing it to some other guy who wanted to shoot less than he did or he was poorly panic-dribbling into that awful jack-knife, slow arse jumpshot of his. Yuk.

Wait you like Culver now? Comon kg one side of the fence or the other let’s go!

I've always liked Culver. Hunter is the one I don't like.

[Spud2nique]

Eggsactly. That's why Culver is atop my list. Second-side playmaker is another term I keep hearing people use to describe what you mentioned.

After I got my eyes to stop bleeding from watching the Pacers ... offense(sic), I envisioned teams taking away Young as a means for stopping our offense. We definitely need someone else capable of generating points/facilitating offense.

I'm serious. There is no visine powerful enough to counteract the effects of watching the Pacers "attempt" to score. You almost want to just award them points periodically for just "trying". Yikes.

ETA: I mean really. Did anybody else see them down the stretch constantly getting Collison isolated on one of the Seltics' bigs. The result was either him poorly dribbling then panic-passing it to some other guy who wanted to shoot less than he did or he was poorly panic-dribbling into that awful jack-knife, slow arse jumpshot of his. Yuk.

Wait you like Culver now? Comon kg one side of the fence or the other let’s go!

I've always liked Culver. Hunter is the one I don't like.

Oh that’s right. My molestake sorry carry on!