Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Spud2nique]

This kid is special:

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Young sets Big 12 record with 22 assists in Oklahoma win

Freshman Trae Young had 26 points and a Big 12 Conference-record 22 assists as No. 17 Oklahoma rolled past Northwestern State 105-68 on Tuesday night in the Sooners' first game since moving into the Top 25.

ESPN

Wow 22 dimes...is he gonna climb into a top 7 pick? You can't really teach instincts and vision in basketball and 22 dimes indicates both.

[kg01]

Just playing devils advocate here...

I love Bagley. I think he's gonna be a stud. But sometimes when I watch him I see a very very rich man's Michael Beasley. If Bagley busts, could he bust as bad as Beas? Beasley went #2 in 2008 after D Rose.

I honestly think none of the top 3 projected picks of 2018 will bust but just thought about this a tiny bit.

You're not wrong to be a lil shook about bust potential. To me, all these dudes have elements that'd make me afraid they'll bust.

[MaceCase]

Didn't we have a trade in place to get Milwaukee's 2013 first round pick for Josh Smith at the trade deadline that year? iirc everything was in place (The Bucks even traded Tobias Harris for JJ Redick to really kickstart their "run" expecting Josh Smith to completely their core along with Jennings and Ellis) but Ferry changed his mind at the last minute.

We actually don't know the specifics of that pick to say whether or not it was the 2013 pick. It's just a widely loved assumption.

[Jamaaliver]

This kid is special:

Young sets Big 12 record with 22 assists in Oklahoma win

Freshman Trae Young had 26 points and a Big 12 Conference-record 22 assists as No. 17 Oklahoma rolled past Northwestern State 105-68 on Tuesday night in the Sooners' first game since moving into the Top 25.

ESPN

Wow 22 dimes...is he gonna climb into a top 7 pick? You can't really teach instincts and vision in basketball and 22 dimes indicates both.

He is rapidly climbing up draft boards. He was a fringe first rounder at the start of the college season. Then a definite top 20 pick.

Now I hear that he's a likely top 10 selection.

At some point, his potential becomes undeniable.

NBAdraft.net has him going as high as #5:

11 - Trae Young

NBA Comparison: Mike Bibby

He may be the best shooter in college basketball since Stephen Curry played at Davidson ... What separates Young from other great shooters is that, like Curry, he has the ability to knock down shots from distance off a variety of dribble moves and not just off the catch or off of simple one-dribble pull ups ... He has a quick, compact release with minimal wasted motion that allows him to get his shot off even in tight space ... Young’s jumper unlocks numerous other options offensively for him ... Although he is not the most explosive athlete, the threat of his jumper forces defenders to guard him way out on the perimeter, making it easier for him to get by his man and into the paint.

Young does not have ideal size at 6-2 or length with just a 6-2 wingspan for an NBA guard ... These physical limitations can become apparent once he gets all the way to the rim ... He lacks the length and vertical explosiveness to finish through NBA length and athleticism and does not project as an efficient scorer at the basket in the NBA ... He will have to rely much more on craft to be successful inside at the next level ... He has been a bit turnover prone at times this season due to his tendency to make some risky passes at times.

NBADraft.net

[Spud2nique]

Just playing devils advocate here...

I love Bagley. I think he's gonna be a stud. But sometimes when I watch him I see a very very rich man's Michael Beasley. If Bagley busts, could he bust as bad as Beas? Beasley went #2 in 2008 after D Rose.

I honestly think none of the top 3 projected picks of 2018 will bust but just thought about this a tiny bit.

You're not wrong to be a lil shook about bust potential. To me, all these dudes have elements that'd make me afraid they'll bust.

I hear you kg...but let me go on record as saying the top 3 of this draft will NOT bust or even disappoint...THIS IS THE YEAR..top 3 or bust..

[kg01]

Just playing devils advocate here...

I love Bagley. I think he's gonna be a stud. But sometimes when I watch him I see a very very rich man's Michael Beasley. If Bagley busts, could he bust as bad as Beas? Beasley went #2 in 2008 after D Rose.

I honestly think none of the top 3 projected picks of 2018 will bust but just thought about this a tiny bit.

You're not wrong to be a lil shook about bust potential. To me, all these dudes have elements that'd make me afraid they'll bust.

I hear you kg...but let me go on record as saying the top 3 of this draft will NOT bust or even disappoint...THIS IS THE YEAR..top 3 or bust..

I'm leaning the other way. I think only 1 will shine. Just not sure which 1.

[Spud2nique]

Top 5!!!!!! Danggggg he is rising up..so whose out ...Porter or Bamba?

[MaceCase]

Just playing devils advocate here...

I love Bagley. I think he's gonna be a stud. But sometimes when I watch him I see a very very rich man's Michael Beasley. If Bagley busts, could he bust as bad as Beas? Beasley went #2 in 2008 after D Rose.

I honestly think none of the top 3 projected picks of 2018 will bust but just thought about this a tiny bit.

Well Beasley busted because he lost like 6 inches off his height from his college listings to the combine. Went from a dominant rebounding/scoring PF to a tweener with the worst of both worlds: not enough speed to guard wings, too small to guard bigs. That and he had massive maturity issues dating to his time in high school where him and Ty Lawson were like the prank squad of Oak Hill... before getting kicked out.

I haven't focused in enough on Bagley's background but he goes to Duke...so that's all I'll say on K's preferences in young afro-american men... I do have similar concerns with Bagley as with Beasley in terms of their positions. I don't think Bagley will measure out shorter than he's listed but he seems clearly like a PF even though his game doesn't scream NBA PF. He's the rawest of the top 3 and I can't find a decent comp. Like Doncic looks at worst as being Hedo Turkoglu and Ayton looks at worst as being LaMarcus Aldridge but what is Bagley?

[Spud2nique]

Just playing devils advocate here...

I love Bagley. I think he's gonna be a stud. But sometimes when I watch him I see a very very rich man's Michael Beasley. If Bagley busts, could he bust as bad as Beas? Beasley went #2 in 2008 after D Rose.

I honestly think none of the top 3 projected picks of 2018 will bust but just thought about this a tiny bit.

Well Beasley busted because he lost like 6 inches off his height from his college listings to the combine. Went from a dominant rebounding/scoring PF to a tweener with the worst of both worlds: not enough speed to guard wings, too small to guard bigs. That and he had massive maturity issues dating to his time in high school where him and Ty Lawson were like the prank squad of Oak Hill... before getting kicked out.

I haven't focused in enough on Bagley's background but he goes to Duke...so that's all I'll say on K's preferences in young afro-american men... I do have similar concerns with Bagley as with Beasley in terms of their positions. I don't think Bagley will measure out shorter than he's listed but he seems clearly like a PF even though his game doesn't scream NBA PF. He's the rawest of the top 3 and I can't find a decent comp. Like Doncic looks at worst as being Hedo Turkoglu and Ayton looks at worst as being LaMarcus Aldridge but what is Bagley?

Hmmmm tough one...more aggressive Bosh?

[ATL Boy]

Didn't we have a trade in place to get Milwaukee's 2013 first round pick for Josh Smith at the trade deadline that year? iirc everything was in place (The Bucks even traded Tobias Harris for JJ Redick to really kickstart their "run" expecting Josh Smith to completely their core along with Jennings and Ellis) but Ferry changed his mind at the last minute.

We actually don't know the specifics of that pick to say whether or not it was the 2013 pick. It's just a widely loved assumption.

Either way, the Bucks would've probably ended up with a better record had that trade gone through, and wouldn't have been in position to take Giannis one pick before us.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[kg01]

Just playing devils advocate here...

I love Bagley. I think he's gonna be a stud. But sometimes when I watch him I see a very very rich man's Michael Beasley. If Bagley busts, could he bust as bad as Beas? Beasley went #2 in 2008 after D Rose.

I honestly think none of the top 3 projected picks of 2018 will bust but just thought about this a tiny bit.

Well Beasley busted because he lost like 6 inches off his height from his college listings to the combine. Went from a dominant rebounding/scoring PF to a tweener with the worst of both worlds: not enough speed to guard wings, too small to guard bigs. That and he had massive maturity issues dating to his time in high school where him and Ty Lawson were like the prank squad of Oak Hill... before getting kicked out.

I haven't focused in enough on Bagley's background but he goes to Duke...so that's all I'll say on K's preferences in young afro-american men... I do have similar concerns with Bagley as with Beasley in terms of their positions. I don't think Bagley will measure out shorter than he's listed but he seems clearly like a PF even though his game doesn't scream NBA PF. He's the rawest of the top 3 and I can't find a decent comp. Like Doncic looks at worst as being Hedo Turkoglu and Ayton looks at worst as being LaMarcus Aldridge but what is Bagley?

Hmmmm tough one...more aggressive Bosh?

Bosh in college was a legit perimeter threat. And could take it off the bounce.

Bagley is just out-athleting dudes out there.

Bosh was less aggressive though. You're right on that point.

[Spud2nique]

Well Beasley busted because he lost like 6 inches off his height from his college listings to the combine. Went from a dominant rebounding/scoring PF to a tweener with the worst of both worlds: not enough speed to guard wings, too small to guard bigs. That and he had massive maturity issues dating to his time in high school where him and Ty Lawson were like the prank squad of Oak Hill... before getting kicked out.

I haven't focused in enough on Bagley's background but he goes to Duke...so that's all I'll say on K's preferences in young afro-american men... I do have similar concerns with Bagley as with Beasley in terms of their positions. I don't think Bagley will measure out shorter than he's listed but he seems clearly like a PF even though his game doesn't scream NBA PF. He's the rawest of the top 3 and I can't find a decent comp. Like Doncic looks at worst as being Hedo Turkoglu and Ayton looks at worst as being LaMarcus Aldridge but what is Bagley?

Hmmmm tough one...more aggressive Bosh?

Bosh in college was a legit perimeter threat. And could take it off the bounce.

Bagley is just out-athleting dudes out there.

Bosh was less aggressive though. You're right on that point.

Yup ...taller too...I dunno this Bagley kid is like Michael J Fox in Teen Wolf..lol...he's just looking like a crazy all out no position star..

[MaceCase]

Well Beasley busted because he lost like 6 inches off his height from his college listings to the combine. Went from a dominant rebounding/scoring PF to a tweener with the worst of both worlds: not enough speed to guard wings, too small to guard bigs. That and he had massive maturity issues dating to his time in high school where him and Ty Lawson were like the prank squad of Oak Hill... before getting kicked out.

I haven't focused in enough on Bagley's background but he goes to Duke...so that's all I'll say on K's preferences in young afro-american men... I do have similar concerns with Bagley as with Beasley in terms of their positions. I don't think Bagley will measure out shorter than he's listed but he seems clearly like a PF even though his game doesn't scream NBA PF. He's the rawest of the top 3 and I can't find a decent comp. Like Doncic looks at worst as being Hedo Turkoglu and Ayton looks at worst as being LaMarcus Aldridge but what is Bagley?

Hmmmm tough one...more aggressive Bosh?

Bosh in college was a legit perimeter threat. And could take it off the bounce.

Bagley is just out-athleting dudes out there.

Bosh was less aggressive though. You're right on that point.

My thinking as well but I don't want to put out my real comp..... well fine okay you twisted my arm. Taller Kenneth Faried.

I jokes, I jokes.








.......Or do I?

[kg01]

Hmmmm tough one...more aggressive Bosh?

Bosh in college was a legit perimeter threat. And could take it off the bounce.

Bagley is just out-athleting dudes out there.

Bosh was less aggressive though. You're right on that point.

My thinking as well but I don't want to put out my real comp..... well fine okay you twisted my arm. Taller Kenneth Faried.

I jokes, I jokes.








.......Or do I?

Middle class man's Faried? No, no, wait ...

Cul de sac Faried?

Boom.

Honestly, I'm thinking Porter could be the best get. He has a position, is athletic, has an offensive skillset that translates, etc.

That said, he may also have the back of a 43 year-old ditch digger.

[Jamaaliver]

Honestly, I'm thinking Porter could be the best get. He has a position, is athletic, has an offensive skillset that translates, etc.

That said, he may also have the back of a 43 year-old ditch digger.

As a 42 year old ditch digger, I have to ask:

"What exactly do you mean?"

[kg01]

Honestly, I'm thinking Porter could be the best get. He has a position, is athletic, has an offensive skillset that translates, etc.

That said, he may also have the back of a 43 year-old ditch digger.

As a 42 year old ditch digger, I have to ask:

"What exactly do you mean?"

C'mon, Brad.

We know you're too dainty to be diggin ditches.

[Jamaaliver]

[kg01]

Brad would know how to respond.

Seriously though, you'd expect a guy doing hard work to have back problems later in life. You wouldn't expect an 18yo NBA prospect to have back problems like Porter seems to have.

Hope he heals up quickly .. and permanently.

[Jamaaliver]

Honestly, I'm thinking Porter could be the best get. He has a position, is athletic, has an offensive skillset that translates, etc.

That said, he may also have the back of a 43 year-old ditch digger.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Seriously though, you'd expect a guy doing hard work to have back problems later in life. You wouldn't expect an 18yo NBA prospect to have back problems like Porter seems to have.

Hope he heals up quickly .. and permanently.

Yeah, I think Doncic will be a great 2nd banana and Ayton is the most talented draftee in years.

Porter was my top choice going into the college season and see a healthy MPJ capable of being our first 20ppg scorer in years.

The injury (and his apparent injury history) clearly has me concerned.

I kinda hope we get #1 and can trade back to #4, still get this kid but load up on other assets in the process.

[kg01]

Honestly, I'm thinking Porter could be the best get. He has a position, is athletic, has an offensive skillset that translates, etc.

That said, he may also have the back of a 43 year-old ditch digger.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Seriously though, you'd expect a guy doing hard work to have back problems later in life. You wouldn't expect an 18yo NBA prospect to have back problems like Porter seems to have.

Hope he heals up quickly .. and permanently.

Yeah, I think Doncic will be a great 2nd banana and Ayton is the most talented draftee in years.

Porter was my top choice going into the college season and see a healthy MPJ capable of being our first 20ppg scorer in years.

The injury (and his apparent injury history) clearly has me concerned.

I kinda hope we get #1 and can trade back to #4, still get this kid but load up on other assets in the process.

I've thought Doncic is kind of a male version of Al Horford in a small forward's body .. in terms of impact, not actual game. If that makes sense. Excellent for a support role, miscast as the guy.