2023 NBA Draft – Thurs, 8PM, June 22

[Hal14]

Warming up to TJD as a second round pick for this team. Suddenly a ton of big man depth but nice to get an infusion of athleticism especially with size.

The combination of athleticism, ability to be a rim runner + shot blocker along with his passing ability at 6'9 with a 7'2" wingspan. He could give us a lot of what Rob gives us. And he's showing more grab and go ability (like Al). And even some flashes of facing up and taking his man off the dribble from the high post or from perimeter. I also like that he plays with a swagger.

Really the only downside with Jackson-Davis is being old (23 on draft night), lack of shooting and I'm not sure if he can switch defensively and defend in space. Then again, if he could check those boxes he'd be going much higher in the draft and out of our range.

There's a few bigs who could be a good fit for us. Jackson-Davis, Hawkins, Sanogo. Perhaps Ware or if Clowney or Lively somehow falls to us. Or a younger rim runner like Nnaji or Bona.

We haven't drafted a big man since Timelord. With his injuries and Al's age, wouldn't surprise me if we grab 1 in the 2nd round this year. Perhaps 1 big and 1 wing with our 2 picks..I also wouldn't be surprised if 1 of our picks is a draft and stash. Since we might not have enough roster spots for 2 2nd round guys. There just doesn't seem to be that many draft and stash prospects in this draft - perhaps Vukcevic..

Yeah I think the age is almost a positive at this stage. Not a lot of roster spots for projects and there will be a need for cost-effective contributors. Get a guy through his mid-20s who is ready to hold some bench minutes, that could work. They’ve got a couple young projects in the back court already.

Not sure if they could swing it but would be fine with trading pick 60 for a future second. Otherwise like you said it’s likely just a two-way or draft+stash guy.

Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if 1 of our 2 2nd round picks is either traded, or is a draft and stash. Who knows, maybe Brad trades 1 of the picks and uses the other on a draft and stash..

[return2glory]

I was at the Pepperdine game vs Gonzaga yesterday. Such a fun game to attend. Pepperdine has to be one of the most scenic campuses in the entire country.

There were reportedly about 50 NBA scouts at the game, most of them were there to watch Julian Strawther and Maxwell Lewis. These two for two of the best SFs in the country.

Strawther had a really good 1st half, scoring 19 at the half. Pepperdine did a better job containing him in the 2nd half. He still finished with 28. Lewis had an off game but still played well. He missed a couple of easy shots in the paint that he normally would make. He still had 20 points but could have easily had about 26-28.

Drew Timme was the best player on the court. He started slow but took over in the 2nd half. He had about 22 of his game high 32 in the 2nd half.

I fist bumped Timme at half time. He is a really cool dude. I briefly spoke to Lewis after the game. Lewis is a legit 6'7, 6'8. He was only really nice. I saw Michael Porter Jr at the game too. He was there to watch his brother, who plays for Pepperdine. His brother had a really good game. Overall, it was a great time. All 3 (Strawther, Lewis and Timme should be in the NBA next season). Jevon Porter has a shot too, in a year or two. Strawther and Lewis' game translate more at the next level, but Timme is a better player than both at the college level. His hands and footwork are at another level. He just needs to extend his range and get a little quicker.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

There will always be a place for him on the Celtics and it will make Bob happy...

Read on Twitter

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

I was at the Pepperdine game vs Gonzaga yesterday. Such a fun game to attend. Pepperdine has to be one of the most scenic campuses in the entire country.

There were reportedly about 50 NBA scouts at the game, most of them were there to watch Julian Strawther and Maxwell Lewis. These two for two of the best SFs in the country.

Strawther had a really good 1st half, scoring 19 at the half. Pepperdine did a better job containing him in the 2nd half. He still finished with 28. Lewis had an off game but still played well. He missed a couple of easy shots in the paint that he normally would make. He still had 20 points but could have easily had about 26-28.

Drew Timme was the best player on the court. He started slow but took over in the 2nd half. He had about 22 of his game high 32 in the 2nd half.

I fist bumped Timme at half time. He is a really cool dude. I briefly spoke to Lewis after the game. Lewis is a legit 6'7, 6'8. He was only really nice. I saw Michael Porter Jr at the game too. He was there to watch his brother, who plays for Pepperdine. His brother had a really good game. Overall, it was a great time. All 3 (Strawther, Lewis and Timme should be in the NBA next season). Jevon Porter has a shot too, in a year or two. Strawther and Lewis' game translate more at the next level, but Timme is a better player than both at the college level. His hands and footwork are at another level. He just needs to extend his range and get a little quicker.

Lucky you... I always think of Timme as being a Stevens' guy. He could be much better than people think,
rather than a complete stiff at the NBA level.

I opt for the much better part of the equation...

[return2glory]

I was at the Pepperdine game vs Gonzaga yesterday. Such a fun game to attend. Pepperdine has to be one of the most scenic campuses in the entire country.

There were reportedly about 50 NBA scouts at the game, most of them were there to watch Julian Strawther and Maxwell Lewis. These two for two of the best SFs in the country.

Strawther had a really good 1st half, scoring 19 at the half. Pepperdine did a better job containing him in the 2nd half. He still finished with 28. Lewis had an off game but still played well. He missed a couple of easy shots in the paint that he normally would make. He still had 20 points but could have easily had about 26-28.

Drew Timme was the best player on the court. He started slow but took over in the 2nd half. He had about 22 of his game high 32 in the 2nd half.

I fist bumped Timme at half time. He is a really cool dude. I briefly spoke to Lewis after the game. Lewis is a legit 6'7, 6'8. He was only really nice. I saw Michael Porter Jr at the game too. He was there to watch his brother, who plays for Pepperdine. His brother had a really good game. Overall, it was a great time. All 3 (Strawther, Lewis and Timme should be in the NBA next season). Jevon Porter has a shot too, in a year or two. Strawther and Lewis' game translate more at the next level, but Timme is a better player than both at the college level. His hands and footwork are at another level. He just needs to extend his range and get a little quicker.

Lucky you... I always think of Timme as being a Stevens' guy. He could be much better than people think,
rather than a complete stiff at the NBA level.

I opt for the much better part of the equation...

Yeah, it was a great time. Four NBA prospects, an NBA player at the game, hanging out around fans and students. The Pepperdine gym is the size of a high school gym, so you are up close any where you sit.

As far as Timme, I hope he makes it to the NBA and does well. There is a lot in his game. His footwork in the post is next level but I don't how about how his rebounding and defense will translate.

[Hal14]

Timme will have a pro career somewhere. I'm not convinced it will be in the NBA, though. If you're a PF/C type guy in the modern NBA, you gotta check more of these boxes than he checks:

-Good athleticism
-Can really get up and down the floor quick for a dude that size
-Good rim protector
-Good lob threat
-Good outside shooter
-Can switch defensively and defend in space

He doesn't really check any of them. I can see him having a good career in Europe..

[Hal14]

Some draft and stash options to keep an eye on:

James Nnaji - C
Sidy Cissoko - Wing
Tristan Vukcevic - Stretch Big
Bilal Coulibaly - Guard/Wing
Berke Büyüktuncel - PF
Paulius Murauskas - Big Wing / PF
Fedor Zugic - Small Wing
Leonardo Okeke - C
Ege Demir - C
Eli N’Diaye - Big Wing / PF
Ousmane N'Diaye - Stretch 4
Juan Nunez - PG
Zsombor Maronka - Big Wing / PF

I don't think all of these guys will get drafted. The top 3 or 4 are the only ones getting lots of buzz in mock drafts. But they're all worth keeping an eye on. Last year there was 8 draft and stash guys taken in the 2nd round I think.

[165bows]

Timme will have a pro career somewhere. I'm not convinced it will be in the NBA, though. If you're a PF/C type guy in the modern NBA, you gotta check more of these boxes than he checks:

-Good athleticism
-Can really get up and down the floor quick for a dude that size
-Good rim protector
-Good lob threat
-Good outside shooter
-Can switch defensively and defend in space

He doesn't really check any of them. I can see him having a good career in Europe..

These sound good but tbf this team doesn’t bring in big men that aren’t at least above average passers for their position.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Bilal Coulibaly looks like a classic Stevens pick. Draft and stash guy, super young (doesn't turn 19 until July), plus size for his position (6'6, listed at 230lbs although that feels generous, 7'3 wingspan) and pretty raw.

He's starting to get minutes with the first team at Boulogne Levallois and he had his best game last week.

Watch on YouTube

Someone to keep an eye on.

Hard to put too much stock into mock drafts this far out but ESPN just came out with their 2024 mock draft and they have projected Coulibaly to go 8th in 2024 if he doesn't declare this year. I'm liking this pick more and more for the Celtics. Hopefully I still feel that way after watching him play live next week

[Kalela]

This draft has a lot of athletic 6'7" to 6'8" wings. It would have been nice to have a 1st round draft pick this year.

[zoyathedestroya]

Heard on a pod that 2024 Draft class is the weakest we’ve had in a while. Any truth to this? Brad could trade that pick again haha and just bank on 2nd rounders and minimum FAs for deep bench.

[165bows]

Heard on a pod that 2024 Draft class is the weakest we’ve had in a while. Any truth to this? Brad could trade that pick again haha and just bank on 2nd rounders and minimum FAs for deep bench.

Sounds like 26 is the bomb.

Edit: anyway if Brad takes the Portland pick this year it will be his highest pick at #39 or so, and highest pick overall in three years.

[165bows]

Bilal Coulibaly looks like a classic Stevens pick. Draft and stash guy, super young (doesn't turn 19 until July), plus size for his position (6'6, listed at 230lbs although that feels generous, 7'3 wingspan) and pretty raw.

He's starting to get minutes with the first team at Boulogne Levallois and he had his best game last week.

Watch on YouTube

Someone to keep an eye on.

Hard to put too much stock into mock drafts this far out but ESPN just came out with their 2024 mock draft and they have projected Coulibaly to go 8th in 2024 if he doesn't declare this year. I'm liking this pick more and more for the Celtics. Hopefully I still feel that way after watching him play live next week

Nice write up of this guy:

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/.amp/newsfeed/international-spotlight-the-rise-of-bilal-coulibaly

I put it in one of the other threads but heard a good podcast this weekend with one of their international scouts.

[jfs1000d]

If Zach Edey falls past the early second round, a lot of GMs are going to regret not taking him. I hope we take him if we end up with that early 2nd round pick from Houston. Edey taken his game to another level this season because he is a hard worker. His confidence is also growing this season with each game.

If I'm Brad, I'm trying somehow to move up in the late 1st round to get him.

Edey can e a starting center in nba. If he isn't in the first round nba folks need to be fired.

He can rebound, defend, protects rim and score. He isn't going to be an all star. But, he's a player.

[BostonCouchGM]

Heard on a pod that 2024 Draft class is the weakest we’ve had in a while. Any truth to this? Brad could trade that pick again haha and just bank on 2nd rounders and minimum FAs for deep bench.

I'd stop listening to that podcast then. 2024 is loaded. Legit one of the better draft classes ever. I remember feeling this way about 2017 and 2018 too. And that's just counting the one and done plus G-League and overseas. Because so many supposed lottery guys disappointed this season I think a couple will be forced to return and if they develop they'll be the players making up the back half of the first round.

[Hal14]

Brad doesn't seem to like older prospects but I like this guy as a 2nd rounder or UDFA.

Arguably the best, most versatile defender in college basketball. Good size for a wing at 6'9". Has improved his offensive game this season as well.

Read on Twitter

Could be a Matisse Thybulle / Herb Jones type of guy.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Bilal Coulibaly looks like a classic Stevens pick. Draft and stash guy, super young (doesn't turn 19 until July), plus size for his position (6'6, listed at 230lbs although that feels generous, 7'3 wingspan) and pretty raw.

He's starting to get minutes with the first team at Boulogne Levallois and he had his best game last week.

Watch on YouTube

Someone to keep an eye on.

Hard to put too much stock into mock drafts this far out but ESPN just came out with their 2024 mock draft and they have projected Coulibaly to go 8th in 2024 if he doesn't declare this year. I'm liking this pick more and more for the Celtics. Hopefully I still feel that way after watching him play live next week

Nice write up of this guy:

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/.amp/newsfeed/international-spotlight-the-rise-of-bilal-coulibaly

I put it in one of the other threads but heard a good podcast this weekend with one of their international scouts.

Coulibaly ended up not playing (neither did Besson or Kamagate) which was a bummer but it was nice to see old friend Tremont Waters knock down a couple long threes. The play of the game was Begarin blocking a Wembanyama three. Can't imagine that has happened too often in his life.

It was just a friendly so Wembanyama only played llike 14-15 minutes (and certainly not at full intensity) and still he was the game's highest scorer and there were like half a dozen plays where all you could do is laugh. I mean what do you do when some 7'4 dude comes into the game and the first time he touches the ball he swishes through a baseline turnaround despite getting fouled. Some of his finishes at the rim were just filthy too and he's a better passer than people give him credit for.

He was fairly automatic in warm ups from midrange which was nice to see. The shot looks clean, it's still probably slower than it should be but considering how hard it is to contest his shot anyway I'm not sure it matters too much. He was working on Dirk-like one legged shots from three in warmups and he worked out with Dirk's shooting coach last summer so that's clearly something he's trying to add to his game.

[Hal14]

yeah, no way this guy makes it to the 2nd round. it would be nice, though. And I doubt Brad trades up..

Read on Twitter

[playa-hater]

I forget, we need Houston to not be a top 3 worst teams to get 31 to 33??

[Hal14]

I forget, we need Houston to not be a top 3 worst teams to get 31 to 33??

If they finish bottom 3, they keep their 2nd round pick and we possibly get their 2nd rounder next year. But if they don't finish bottom 3, we get their 2nd round pick, which would likely be the 34th pick. I believe that's how it works.

So we want them to win games because 34th pick could be a pretty good player.