Raps 2020 Picks (Prospect Watch, Update: Vecenie Mock Released)

[Dalek]

Nanji is answering a lot of questions for me. If he really has an outside game he could be a pretty fun player to draft. Great motor and a high character guy. Also has age on his side.

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[Kevin Willis]

He's the next Norm Powell as far as im concerned.

Nah. He's not Norm.

- lacks explosiveness
- short wingspan
- higher IQ
- Norm is pretty quick laterally

Don't draft him, pick him up if he goes undrafted which he might.

He defends and shoots well and has a high BBIQ. He's not falling out of the first round let alone going undrafted. His lack of explosive athleticism will limit his upside, but he has great role player potential.

I meant Bane has a higher IQ than Norm. It's a guard heavy draft, I have a hard time seeing him being drafted in the first round. But if he does someone else will drop to us. I like him as a player but we have some good guards on this team to use a draft pick on.

[Indeed]

I am unsure he has the vertical of Gibson, and the reason he is unlikely to be anything Al Horford (Horford has a great vertical for being a rim protector). He could be Patterson if he can improve his shot.

And if you just want a point forward, there are Naji Marshall, who is probably quicker and more perimeter oriented defensively. Vision/passing is definitely above Tillman.

I mean if you want a passing PF who cannot play at C, why not draft a passing PF who can play at SF?

Watch on YouTube

Naj Marshall looks like James Johnson out there.

As for Tillman, he just lost a lot of weight. Give him another year or 2 to get stronger.

Don’t think he needs to get stronger, already an elite post defender. (One of the few to be able to cover Zion 1v1). Questions with him are length and hops in terms of being able to protect the rim. NBA will improve his lateral quickness too, which is important at his size.

I do think he can play 5 fine though, not sure as a starter. Would compare him to Theis.

Problem is NBA is getting bigger again, so going with small ball 5 doesn’t seem great to me, at least in terms of starting lineups.

Perhaps it ime that I just don't see Tillman as a 5 in a contending team due to his vertical and length. If he measured with a 7'3 wingspan or more, then that would be a different story. As for Theis, I think Robert Williams would be the better 5 than Theis when he has an offensive game.

As for Marshall, he is not as athletic as Johnson. His finishing may not be as good as Johnson. But if Marshall can be a consistent 3 point shooter, he could be impactful on both end. Being a bit old may not help his case though.

[provecy15]

Nanji is answering a lot of questions for me. If he really has an outside game he could be a pretty fun player to draft. Great motor and a high character guy. Also has age on his side.

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I've been saying for a few months now Nnanji being a viable option at where we are picking, and the potential upside he brings. To me he looks to be a more polished version of Serge Ibaka (offensively) at the same stage, but not the same defensively. Although in this NBA, I think he can move into a spot where he can average a block or 2 a game.

[Psubs]

Perhaps it ime that I just don't see Tillman as a 5 in a contending team due to his vertical and length. If he measured with a 7'3 wingspan or more, then that would be a different story. As for Theis, I think Robert Williams would be the better 5 than Theis when he has an offensive game.

As for Marshall, he is not as athletic as Johnson. His finishing may not be as good as Johnson. But if Marshall can be a consistent 3 point shooter, he could be impactful on both end. Being a bit old may not help his case though.

James Johnson developed a 3 pt shot around age 29. Maybe, poor man's JJ.

He's the next Norm Powell as far as im concerned.

Who can already run a team. I get that you mean that level of player. But Bane can run a team more like a combo-guard than Norm can right now.

[Dalek]

Nanji is answering a lot of questions for me. If he really has an outside game he could be a pretty fun player to draft. Great motor and a high character guy. Also has age on his side.

Read on Twitter

I've been saying for a few months now Nnanji being a viable option at where we are picking, and the potential upside he brings. To me he looks to be a more polished version of Serge Ibaka (offensively) at the same stage, but not the same defensively. Although in this NBA, I think he can move into a spot where he can average a block or 2 a game.

I am pretty hot and cold on Nnaji. He isn't a C as his length/reach are not elite, so it will be hard to call him a rim protector like Ibaka (Ibaka's wingspan is 7'4" while Nnaji is 7'1"). But, like Ibaka I think he can switch onto smaller players, show on pick and rolls and just bring good energy on defense. On offense, if he can space the floor a bit with outside shooting and pick and pop, we are talking about a valuable role player. He seems like he has a good feel for the game and he doesn't back down from challenges. His body really looks night and day different.

[Indeed]

Perhaps it ime that I just don't see Tillman as a 5 in a contending team due to his vertical and length. If he measured with a 7'3 wingspan or more, then that would be a different story. As for Theis, I think Robert Williams would be the better 5 than Theis when he has an offensive game.

As for Marshall, he is not as athletic as Johnson. His finishing may not be as good as Johnson. But if Marshall can be a consistent 3 point shooter, he could be impactful on both end. Being a bit old may not help his case though.

James Johnson developed a 3 pt shot around age 29. Maybe, poor man's JJ.

Most likely a poor man's James Johnson regardless of JJ ever developed a 3 point shot.
Meanwhile, more of a Hedu with defense to me. Marshall is a bit unique in terms of what he brings.

[Psubs]

I am pretty hot and cold on Nnaji. He isn't a C as his length/reach are not elite, so it will be hard to call him a rim protector like Ibaka (Ibaka's wingspan is 7'4" while Nnaji is 7'1"). But, like Ibaka I think he can switch onto smaller players, show on pick and rolls and just bring good energy on defense. On offense, if he can space the floor a bit with outside shooting and pick and pop, we are talking about a valuable role player. He seems like he has a good feel for the game and he doesn't back down from challenges. His body really looks night and day different.

Nnaji looked soft at Arizona. He looks stronger now but did he lose agility like JV did?

[Indeed]

Nanji is answering a lot of questions for me. If he really has an outside game he could be a pretty fun player to draft. Great motor and a high character guy. Also has age on his side.

Read on Twitter

I've been saying for a few months now Nnanji being a viable option at where we are picking, and the potential upside he brings. To me he looks to be a more polished version of Serge Ibaka (offensively) at the same stage, but not the same defensively. Although in this NBA, I think he can move into a spot where he can average a block or 2 a game.

I am pretty hot and cold on Nnaji. He isn't a C as his length/reach are not elite, so it will be hard to call him a rim protector like Ibaka (Ibaka's wingspan is 7'4" while Nnaji is 7'1"). But, like Ibaka I think he can switch onto smaller players, show on pick and rolls and just bring good energy on defense. On offense, if he can space the floor a bit with outside shooting and pick and pop, we are talking about a valuable role player. He seems like he has a good feel for the game and he doesn't back down from challenges. His body really looks night and day different.

I got the same thought, as his lack of wingspan puts him towards PF than C.
The biggest thing is probably you have Paul Reed and other prospects where Nnaji does not seem to stand out enough to make me feel he is ahead of the other ones.

[YelloC]

Nanji is answering a lot of questions for me. If he really has an outside game he could be a pretty fun player to draft. Great motor and a high character guy. Also has age on his side.

Read on Twitter

I've been saying for a few months now Nnanji being a viable option at where we are picking, and the potential upside he brings. To me he looks to be a more polished version of Serge Ibaka (offensively) at the same stage, but not the same defensively. Although in this NBA, I think he can move into a spot where he can average a block or 2 a game.

He seems to be a lot like Christian Wood.

[provecy15]

Watch on YouTube

Workout of Nnaji. It's an open gym, but at least he can stretch the floor!

[Dalek]

He seems to be a lot like Christian Wood.

Nnaji actually trains with C.Wood at Impact, so that could be him observing some of Wood's shooting and movement. Honestly, Wood is a comparison for Nnaji.

[nabbs]

RE: Desmond Bane


There is no real comparison for him honestly. He is built like a mack track but is probably a top 3-2 shooter in this draft, has tremendous IQ and has enough of a handle to be a secondary pick and roll playmaker. That's an incredibly valuable player.

It's really tough to find a current comparison but I'll do my best..... Take the bulk of Grant Williams and put him on Davis Bertans. That's roughly what Bane is. He can literally shoot the three every type of way there is (isn't great at the pullup but is capable).

He has tremendous ball IQ and has good playmaking chops. If he can develop the handle and improve the lateral quickness, you legit have a WEAPON. Imagine a top 5 three point shooter in the league that can defend 2-4 and be your secondary playmaker in lineups. That's Desmond Bane

[casual_raps_fan]

RE: Desmond Bane


There is no real comparison for him honestly. He is built like a mack track but is probably a top 3-2 shooter in this draft, has tremendous IQ and has enough of a handle to be a secondary pick and roll playmaker. That's an incredibly valuable player.

It's really tough to find a current comparison but I'll do my best..... Take the bulk of Grant Williams and put him on Davis Bertans. That's roughly what Bane is. He can literally shoot the three every type of way there is (isn't great at the pullup but is capable).

He has tremendous ball IQ and has good playmaking chops. If he can develop the handle and improve the lateral quickness, you legit have a WEAPON. Imagine a top 5 three point shooter in the league that can defend 2-4 and be your secondary playmaker in lineups. That's Desmond Bane

You think he can defend 2-4? I like his offence a lot but his defence is a big question mark for me. A combination of weak lateral quickness and short wingspan makes me think he will have very limited defensive versatility.

[WeTheNorth123]

Nanji is answering a lot of questions for me. If he really has an outside game he could be a pretty fun player to draft. Great motor and a high character guy. Also has age on his side.

Read on Twitter

I've been saying for a few months now Nnanji being a viable option at where we are picking, and the potential upside he brings. To me he looks to be a more polished version of Serge Ibaka (offensively) at the same stage, but not the same defensively. Although in this NBA, I think he can move into a spot where he can average a block or 2 a game.

I am pretty hot and cold on Nnaji. He isn't a C as his length/reach are not elite, so it will be hard to call him a rim protector like Ibaka (Ibaka's wingspan is 7'4" while Nnaji is 7'1"). But, like Ibaka I think he can switch onto smaller players, show on pick and rolls and just bring good energy on defense. On offense, if he can space the floor a bit with outside shooting and pick and pop, we are talking about a valuable role player. He seems like he has a good feel for the game and he doesn't back down from challenges. His body really looks night and day different.

Keep in mind those measurements were taken in 2018...what was he? around 17 years old back then....his wingspan for sure increased. it's probably round 7-3 or so now

we will see win the official measurements come out

[nabbs]

RE: Desmond Bane


There is no real comparison for him honestly. He is built like a mack track but is probably a top 3-2 shooter in this draft, has tremendous IQ and has enough of a handle to be a secondary pick and roll playmaker. That's an incredibly valuable player.

It's really tough to find a current comparison but I'll do my best..... Take the bulk of Grant Williams and put him on Davis Bertans. That's roughly what Bane is. He can literally shoot the three every type of way there is (isn't great at the pullup but is capable).

He has tremendous ball IQ and has good playmaking chops. If he can develop the handle and improve the lateral quickness, you legit have a WEAPON. Imagine a top 5 three point shooter in the league that can defend 2-4 and be your secondary playmaker in lineups. That's Desmond Bane

You think he can defend 2-4? I like his offence a lot but his defence is a big question mark for me. A combination of weak lateral quickness and short wingspan makes me think he will have very limited defensive versatility.

I think his size and IQ will allow him to get by. Don't think he can guard quick, athletic 2s and 3s. However, the big lineups and more power guards and wings.... he can definitely defend. In iso he allowed 0.143 ppp. He competes and uses his physical strengths well.

[YelloC]

RE: Desmond Bane


There is no real comparison for him honestly. He is built like a mack track but is probably a top 3-2 shooter in this draft, has tremendous IQ and has enough of a handle to be a secondary pick and roll playmaker. That's an incredibly valuable player.

It's really tough to find a current comparison but I'll do my best..... Take the bulk of Grant Williams and put him on Davis Bertans. That's roughly what Bane is. He can literally shoot the three every type of way there is (isn't great at the pullup but is capable).

He has tremendous ball IQ and has good playmaking chops. If he can develop the handle and improve the lateral quickness, you legit have a WEAPON. Imagine a top 5 three point shooter in the league that can defend 2-4 and be your secondary playmaker in lineups. That's Desmond Bane

Did Raja Bell have a short wingspan?
I don’t remember Raja having much of a passing game so Bane might be more advanced out of the gates.
Bane seems to have a similar skill set to Josh Hart but bigger and stronger.

[Mark_83]

RE: Desmond Bane


There is no real comparison for him honestly. He is built like a mack track but is probably a top 3-2 shooter in this draft, has tremendous IQ and has enough of a handle to be a secondary pick and roll playmaker. That's an incredibly valuable player.

It's really tough to find a current comparison but I'll do my best..... Take the bulk of Grant Williams and put him on Davis Bertans. That's roughly what Bane is. He can literally shoot the three every type of way there is (isn't great at the pullup but is capable).

He has tremendous ball IQ and has good playmaking chops. If he can develop the handle and improve the lateral quickness, you legit have a WEAPON. Imagine a top 5 three point shooter in the league that can defend 2-4 and be your secondary playmaker in lineups. That's Desmond Bane

It's not a perfect comparison but he has a lot of similarities to Dillon Brooks. Better shooter but less handle.

Junior Stats
Bane, 6'6 w/ 6'4 wingspan:
15.2pts 5.7reb 2.4ast 1.1stl 50(fg%) 42.5(3pt%) 86.7(ft%)
Brooks: 6'6 w/ 6'6 wingspan 16.7pts 3.2reb 2.7ast 1.1stl 48.8(fg%) 40.1(3pt%) 75.4(ft%)

[BoyzNTheHood]

Even if Sam Merrill is 30 by the time the draft comes around I'd take him at 59. I don't think he deserves to go that low if you base it completely on his game, but his age puts him there. If he were 20 he'd be worthy of a first round pick.

[Syd-TK3]

If Bane was a pg I'd get behind the pick but we already got so many sg if that's the plan I'd just go with Joe

Naji's selling point is gonna have to be him proving he can hit 3s, cause he's not really elite at any other important center qualities other than rim running and hustle