The 2021 NBA Draft

[Machinator 32,103]

Official combine measurements for Texas players:

Greg Brown

6-7.25 without shoes
206.4 pounds
7'0.25" wingspan

Kai Jones

6-10 without shoes
221.4 pounds
7'1.75" wingspan

Jericho Sims

6-9 without shoes
250.2 pounds
7'3.25" wingspan

[HtownHorn 15,244]

22 hours ago, Machinator said:

 

13 shots for Jericho would have taken 4-5 games at Texas. Wieskamp is looking like this years version of Duncan Robinson.

[VirginiaLonghorn 4,888]

23 hours ago, Machinator said:

 

13 shots?  That’s at least a month’s worth in The Shit Show! 

Never mind that he made only 9 … 🤬

Edited June 26, 2021 by VirginiaLonghorn
Oops .. didn’t see HtH post

[ztejas 44,137]

5 hours ago, Machinator said:

Jericho Sims

6-9 without shoes
250.2 pounds
7'3.25" wingspan

Damn. If he was 6'11 he'd be a top 20 pick.

[Kermit 3,162]

24 minutes ago, ztejas said:

Damn. If he was 6'11 he'd be a top 20 pick.

My wife told me that two inches doesn’t really make that much of a difference. 

[Catdaddyhorn 3,463]

19 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

13 shots for Jericho would have taken 4-5 games at Texas. Wieskamp is looking like this years version of Duncan Robinson.

Wieskamp registered a 42" vert, exceptional speed and lane agility times, and a 6'11+" wingspan on a 6'5" frame. Duncan Robinson (and Miami for that matter) wishes he was Joe Wieskamp. 

[Trey3216 15,452]

On 6/25/2021 at 5:30 PM, Machinator said:

 

I'd hate to be going into the NBA and be named David Duke Jr.  

[Machinator 32,103]

(Jonathan Givony) 2021 NBA mock draft: Movement in the lottery after combine

Spoiler

The 2021 NBA draft combine is in the books, and with just one month to go before the July 29 draft, the boards of all 30 NBA teams are taking shape. Several prospects seemingly played their way into the first round with their exploits at the combine, and ESPN's projected lottery picks already look different than they did just after the pingpong balls were revealed on June 22.

Which teams will look to move up? Who's willing to part with a selection or two? Those questions will be answered, and more movement will undoubtedly take place in the days and weeks ahead, but here's how ESPN has all 60 picks shaking out based on our latest intel and scouting.

1. Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham
Oklahoma State
PG
Age: 19.6

The Pistons are said to be keeping an open mind in evaluating whom to select with the No. 1 pick, casting a net that includes Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley. Most NBA executives believe that Cunningham's outstanding combination of size, shooting prowess, court vision and two-way versatility will eventually earn him the nod after that process is complete. He's a strong fit with last year's top-10 pick, Killian Hayes, and will bring the type of leaguewide relevance and star power the team has lacked for much of the past decade. Detroit will surely have a plethora of trade offers on the table as well, with some teams thinking the option of the Pistons trading down one spot to select Green or Mobley would be something the team might be open to considering as well.

2. Houston Rockets
Jalen Green
G League Ignite
SG
Age: 19.2

NBA teams say they don't have a great pulse on the Rockets' plans because of their brand new front office's lack of track record, coupled with the franchise's early stage of rebuilding since the James Harden trade. With that said, most teams think the Rockets will end up prioritizing the shot creation and playmaking ability of Green over Mobley, the type of big man a front office groomed by previous GM Daryl Morey would seem less likely to covet. Green has the type of superstar upside the franchise lacks, making him an exciting prospect to build around long term, on and off the court.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley
USC
C
Age: 19.9

The Cavs are going through an extensive process to determine who is the best prospect available where they draft, while keeping an open mind to players who might not be an immediate positional fit on their current roster -- for example Jalen Suggs. With that said, Mobley's mobility, perimeter skill and defensive versatility could very well make him both the most intriguing long-term prospect on the board as well a strong fit to build around Cleveland's existing roster long term. He can coexist in supersized lineups with big man Jarrett Allen while shouldering backup center minutes as his frame continues to fill out.

4. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Suggs
Gonzaga
PG/SG
Age: 19.9

The Raptors are believed to be looking at each of the top six prospects in the draft to determine who will end up as the best player down the line, with Suggs, Scottie Barnes and Jonathan Kuminga all possessing compelling cases. Suggs has a great case to be considered the top prospect on the board, and the defensive versatility, competitiveness and transition scoring prowess he brings also would fit in very well with what Toronto already has in place on the court, giving the Raptors a potential star to build around in the backcourt as the Kyle Lowry era likely comes to an end.

5. Orlando Magic
Scottie Barnes
Florida State
SF/PF
Age: 19.8

With two picks in the top eight and a plethora of interesting young prospects scattered at every position, the Magic could go in several different directions in this draft. Barnes' winning spirit, toughness, work ethic, defensive versatility and playmaking ability would surely be interesting at this slot, as he could be the type of culture-setter the franchise needs to help elevate all of its young players. Playing for a team just starting its rebuild, one that can afford to take its time in building a strong foundation, Barnes could be given the type of leeway he needs to continue to expand his offensive arsenal and reach his full potential as a scorer.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jonathan Kuminga
G League Ignite
SF/PF
Age: 18.6

The Thunder would likely be thrilled to see Kuminga -- considered a real No. 1 pick candidate by some league observers earlier in the year -- at this stage of the draft. Sitting on the biggest war chest of draft picks the NBA has ever seen, the Thunder will likely have little hesitation to take a home run swing on a high-ceiling/lower-floor prospect like Kuminga as they desperately need some of those picks to pan out and become stars. Putting him in the right culture and giving him the type of usage he needs to expand his game could give Kuminga a chance to be a difference-maker long term.

7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota)
Davion Mitchell
Baylor
PG
Age: 22.6

The Warriors will likely feel some pressure created by Steph Curry's age and soon-to-expire contract to return to championship contention as quickly as possible. With that in mind, there will surely be factions of their decision-making circle, particularly in the coaching staff, attracted to Mitchell, arguably the best two-way player in the college game who is fresh off a national championship run at Baylor. Mitchell's strong playmaking, shot-making instincts and defensive versatility should allow him to operate in a variety of lineup configurations alongside Golden State's existing core.

8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
James Bouknight
Connecticut
SG
Age: 20.6

With the second of their top-10 picks, the Magic could seek upside in trying to add a prospect with real star power. Bouknight had a great showing at the NBA combine -- he measured well and posted an impressive performance in his pro day, also looking like one of the best shooters in the draft, an area in which Orlando could definitely stand to improve. Every NBA team is looking for the type of versatile scoring backcourt player Bouknight's ceiling suggests he can become if he reaches his full potential.

9. Sacramento Kings
Keon Johnson
Tennessee
SG
19.1

The Kings aren't particularly close to contention and would perhaps be willing to add a prospect who might not project as an immediate contributor but still possesses significant long-term upside. Johnson is a tenacious defender who showed enough promising glimpses of passing and shot-making to suggest outstanding things to come for a team that is willing to be patient with his development.

10. New Orleans Pelicans
Josh Giddey
Adelaide
PG
Age: 18.6

On paper, the Pelicans need to continue to add shooting to maximize the playmaking and slashing ability of Zion Williamson. In reality, the last thing the team needs is another rookie, and the No. 10 pick is believed to be one of the most available of any in the lottery, simply due to the team's expedited timeline. Giddey has a number of fans around the NBA, is getting looks much higher than this slot and could be a definite target for a team looking to move up in the draft.

11. Charlotte Hornets
Franz Wagner
Michigan
SF
19.8

Continuing to surround LaMelo Ball with versatile, instinctual players will likely be a priority for the next several years. Wagner is one of the best off-ball defenders in the draft and also brings promising passing and shooting indicators that suggest a very high floor. He's the type of two-way, role-playing combo forward every team desires.

12. San Antonio Spurs
Jalen Johnson
Duke
SF/PF
Age: 19.4

In the midst of a transition, the Spurs can afford to take a home run swing on a high-upside prospect in Johnson, who also fills a frontcourt help need. He is a 6-foot-9 forward with guard skills who brings the type of playmaking and defensive versatility that is difficult to find. The Spurs have the organizational strength, developmental track record and culture to help Johnson, who started the season as a projected top-five pick, reach his full potential both on and off the court.

13. Indiana Pacers
Corey Kispert
Gonzaga
SF
22.3

After two coaching changes in less than a year, the Indiana front office will likely feel some pressure to return to the playoffs next season. Drafting an older player in Kispert, who should come ready to play and can fill an immediate role as the type of big-wing shooter every team in the NBA would be happy to add to its rotation, would make sense.

14. Golden State Warriors
Kai Jones
Texas
PF
Age: 20.3

Adding length and upside to the frontcourt could be interesting for the Warriors after making a "safer" pick with their earlier selection. Jones is a versatile defender who showed some promise as a floor spacer to complement his rim-running, offensive rebounding and finishing prowess, giving him plenty of potential to grow in the long term.

15. Washington Wizards
Isaiah Jackson
Kentucky
PF/C
Age: 19.3

The fastest-paced team in the NBA would surely be attracted to the youth and upside offered by Jackson, a rim-running, lob-catching shot-blocker who dropped strong glimpses of offensive potential in his lone year at Kentucky.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)
Alperen Sengun
Besiktas
PF/C
Age: 18.8

Analytics models love Sengun, one of the most prolific and efficient teenagers in European basketball history. Some teams think Sengun's productivity suggests he should be a candidate for the top five as opposed to the late-lottery or teens range where he's normally ranked. With several dozen draft picks at their disposal the next few years, the Thunder could take a gamble on Sengun's upside, hoping they can help him improve defensively enough to be able to stay on the court in meaningful games.

17. Memphis Grizzlies
Usman Garuba
Real Madrid
PF
Age: 19.1

One of the deepest teams in the NBA and one with an already strong young core, the Grizzlies can go several different directions with this pick -- including making a trade with a team itching to get into the top 20. If they do stand pat, they might look to add some depth in the frontcourt with Garuba, one of the most intense and versatile defenders in this draft class and capable of playing either big-man spot.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)
Moses Moody
Arkansas
SG
Age: 18.9

The Thunder, like every team in the NBA, could stand to bolster their wing depth and will likely be attracted to the long-armed, sweet-shooting "3 and D" profile of Moody. He's one of the youngest players in the draft and is coming off a productive freshman season in the SEC.

19. New York Knicks
Sharife Cooper
Auburn
PG
Age: 19.9

Cooper's quickness, ballhandling ability, creativity and upside could make him an intriguing addition to the Knicks' backcourt rotation long term. The Knicks' front-office brass and head coach Tom Thibodeau were front and center in Chicago for Cooper's pro day, where he had a strong showing.

20. Atlanta Hawks
Jared Butler
Baylor
PG/SG
Age: 20.7

The Hawks are in the midst of an exhilarating playoff run that has showcased the star power of Trae Young alongside several outstanding complementary pieces. Adding another capable ball handler, shooter and defender to their backcourt could make sense, especially a player like Butler, the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament who knows how to play an efficient role alongside other good players as he did while winning a national championship with Baylor.

21. New York Knicks (from Dallas)
Trey Murphy III
Virginia
SG/SF
21.0

Murphy's stock has been skyrocketing in the pre-draft process as teams have gotten a close look at his combination of outstanding size, length and shooting prowess. The Knicks could surely stand to add more shooting to their wing/forward rotation, and the 6-foot-9 Murphy's 43% 3-point percentage stands out.

22. Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Duarte
Oregon
SG
Age: 23.9

The Lakers will be on the lookout for ready-made contributors ... if they decide to keep this pick, with much of their backcourt group about to enter free agency. With that in mind, an experienced player such as Duarte could make a lot of sense. He is one of the oldest players projected to be drafted and looks like a plug-and-play fit thanks to his strong perimeter shooting, passing and defensive playmaking instincts.

23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
Tre Mann
Florida
PG
Age: 20.2

The Rockets will surely be thinking of taking swings toward upside with their two first-rounders in the 20s -- Houston has few long-term keepers on the roster after cycling through dozens of players in a dismal season. Mann is a promising pick-and-roll ball handler whose size, fluidity and 40% 3-point shooting should allow him to play in a variety of lineup configurations.

24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
Ziaire Williams
Stanford
SG/SF
Age: 19.6

Williams came into last season projected much higher than this, and NBA teams say they don't know what to make of him, the disappointing year he had or his ultimate draft range after sitting out almost the entirety of the NBA combine. There's still a strong case to be made that the 6-foot-10, shot-making small forward has plenty of upside to tap into, making him an interesting option to consider in the 20s.

25. LA Clippers
Cameron Thomas
LSU
SG
Age: 19.5

With questions lingering around Kawhi Leonard's future, the Clippers will need to add scoring punch to their backcourt/wing rotation, either in the draft or free agency. Expecting a pick in the mid-20s to be an instant contributor is a tall ask, but if anyone can do it it's Thomas, who has been a certified bucket in every setting of his career. He is one of the best scorers in the draft and will likely need very little time to acclimate himself offensively thanks to the instincts he brings on that end of the floor.

26. Denver Nuggets
Joshua Primo
Alabama
SG
Age: 18.4

Adding depth on the wing will likely be a priority for the Nuggets, who are slated to be without Jamal Murray for all or most of next season and will see several rotation players enter free agency. Primo, the youngest player in the draft, might be a ways from becoming a consistent contributor, but he looked ahead of schedule at the NBA combine. Tim Connelly has never been afraid to take a high-upside prospect and be patient with his development, and Primo has everything NBA teams look for at his position long term

27. Brooklyn Nets
JT Thor
Auburn
PF
Age: 18.8

The Nets' timetable could very well cause them to explore trading out of the first round -- as they have in each of the past two years -- as it's difficult to project anyone in this range helping them compete for a championship next season. Thor is the type of player a patient team could trade into the first round to obtain, as he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft and shows an intriguing combination of size, length, shooting prowess and defensive versatility. He helped his stock considerably at the NBA combine this past week.

28. Philadelphia 76ers
Quentin Grimes
Houston
SG
Age: 21.1

The Sixers will be looking to surround their core with as much 3-point shooting as possible after a disappointing playoff exit. Enter Grimes, one of the best shooters in the college game, who showed a lot more versatility as a passer than he had previously gotten credit for in what was an outstanding week of play at the NBA combine. Grimes looks physically ready to help a team after playing a major role taking one of the best defensive teams in college basketball to the NCAA Final Four.

29. Phoenix Suns
Jaden Springer
Tennessee
PG/SG
Age: 18.6

In the midst of a memorable playoff run, the Suns' timetable could cause them to go in several different directions on draft night -- their window of contention is clearly right now. Springer could be the type of prospect a team trades into the first round for, as he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft and possesses significant upside thanks to the defensive intensity he displays, along with his outstanding scoring instincts.

30. Utah Jazz
Nah'Shon Hyland
VCU
PG
Age: 20.7

Coming off a phenomenal regular season, the Jazz might look to add backcourt depth after coming up short in the playoffs, partially due to injuries. Hyland's deep shooting range could be attractive here, along with his ability to play both on or off the ball in different lineup configurations. He had a strong showing at the NBA combine, boosting his stock firmly into first-round territory.

Second round
31. Bucks (from Rockets)

Day'Ron Sharpe | North Carolina | C | Age: 19.6

32. Knicks (from Pistons)

Ayo Dosunmu | Illinois | SG | Age: 21.4

33. Magic

Miles McBride | West Virginia | PG | Age: 20.5

34. Thunder

Josh Christopher | Arizona State | SG | Age: 19.5

35. Pelicans (from Cavaliers)

Charles Bassey | Western Kentucky | C | Age: 20.6

36. Thunder (from Timberwolves)

Marcus Bagley | Arizona State | SF/PF| Age: 19.6

37. Pistons (from Raptors)

Roko Prkacin | Cibona Zagreb | PF | Age: 18.5

38. Bulls (from Pelicans)

Juhann Begarin | Paris | SG | Age: 18.8

39. Kings

Filip Petrusev | Mega Bemax | PF/C | Age: 21.1

40. Pelicans (from Bulls)

David Johnson | Louisville | PG | Age: 20.3

41. Spurs

B.J. Boston | Kentucky | SG | Age: 19.5

42. Pistons (from Hornets)

Daishen Nix | G-League Ignite | PG/SG | Age: 19.3

43. Pelicans (from Wizards)

Jason Preston | Ohio | PG | Age: 21.8

44. Nets (from Pacers)

Austin Reaves | Oklahoma | PG/SG | Age: 23.0

45. Celtics

Kessler Edwards | Pepperdine | SF/PF | Age: 20.8

46. Raptors (from Grizzlies)

Rokas Jokubaitis | Zalgiris | PG | Age: 20.6

47. Raptors (from Warriors)

Herb Jones | Alabama | SF | Age: 22.7

48. Hawks (from Heat)

Isaiah Todd | G-League Ignite | PF | Age: 19.6

49. Nets (from Hawks)

Joel Ayayi | Gonzaga | PG/SG | Age: 21.3

50. 76ers (from Knicks)

Aaron Henry | Michigan State | SG | Age: 21.8

51. Grizzlies (from Trail Blazers)

Isaiah Livers | Michigan | SF/PF | Age: 22.9

52. Pistons (from Lakers)

Johnny Juzang | UCLA | SF | Age: 20.2

53. Pelicans (from Mavericks)

Greg Brown | Texas | PF | Age: 19.8

54. Pacers (from Bucks)

Joe Wieskamp | Iowa | SF | Age: 21.8

55. Thunder (from Nuggets)

Matthew Hurt | Duke | PF | Age: 21.1

56. Hornets (from Clippers)

Luka Garza | Iowa | C | Age: 22.4

57. Hornets (from Nets)

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | Villanova | | PF Age: 20.6

58. Knicks (from 76ers)

Jericho Sims | Texas | PF | Age: 22.6

59. Nets (from Suns)

McKinley Wright IV | Colorado | PG | Age: 22.6

60. Pacers (from Jazz)

Ariel Hukporti | Nevezis | C | Age: 19.2

 

[Aqua Buddha 14,802]

Put this in the other thread…..

 

After five minutes of exhaustive Internet research, I learned that Scottie Barnes and Kuminga have supposedly looked good at the combine in regards to their jump shots. If true, that lays quite the thirst trap for teams being that those two have the most NBA ready bodies of the draft.  
 

Will someone reach for the two of them at the expense of Mobley or Suggs?

[HookEm 2,509]

I had a dream last night that the NBA moved to an auction type of draft. Instead of the bad teams getting higher draft picks, they get more auction money to bid. I think it would be interesting to see the teams bid for different players. I know in fantasy sports I vastly prefer an auction draft.

[Herpa Derpa 6,342]

On 6/26/2021 at 6:04 PM, Kermit said:

My wife told me that two inches doesn’t really make that much of a difference. 

From 1" to 3", it really doesn't.

[shadow_operative 15,932]

[closetohumping 17,803]

On 6/30/2021 at 5:18 AM, HookEm said:

I had a dream last night that the NBA moved to an auction type of draft. Instead of the bad teams getting higher draft picks, they get more auction money to bid. I think it would be interesting to see the teams bid for different players. I know in fantasy sports I vastly prefer an auction draft.

Keep your racist dreams to yourself friend 

[shadow_operative 15,932]

if NO adds Keon Johnson to Jaxson Hayes and Zion, that's lb for lb the best trio of athletes in the league, and possibly/probably the three freakiest athletes to ever play together on one team. i mean Jaxson would be the least freaky, least athletic dude of the bunch. i would love to see those three running some fast breaks together.

 

 

Keon Johnson makes Kerwin Roach look like Brandy Perryman.

[closetohumping 17,803]

1 hour ago, shadow_operative said:

if NO adds Keon Johnson to Jaxson Hayes and Zion, that's lb for lb the best trio of athletes in the league, and possibly/probably the three freakiest athletes to ever play together on one team. i mean Jaxson would be the least freaky, least athletic dude of the bunch. i would love to see those three running some fast breaks together.

 

 

Keon Johnson makes Kerwin Roach look like Brandy Perryman.

Brandy Perryman makes most of us look like Brandy Perryman's less athletic younger brother.

[HookEm 2,509]

Since we are talking athletes, Jericho Sims is currently #59 on the CBS top-100 prospects and #58 by ESPN.  I would love to see New Orleans take him with either their #42 or #53 picks.  

[Message Board User 12,405]

Tankathon updated their big board yesterday and I like what they did in dividing up the prospects into tiers, even if I don't agree with them.

2021 NBA Draft Big Board | Tankathon

Tier 1 - Suggs, Mobley, Cade, Green

Tier 2 - Sengun, Barnes, Kuminga

Tier 3 - Jalen Johnson, Giddey

And then everyone else.

I'd move Suggs to Tier 2 and Sungun and maybe Kuminga to 3.

Been reading more and more that Houston is going to pick Green (assuming he's not taken at 1), which would be a bummer for Cavs fans - 5 years from now, I think we'll look back on this draft and Green will have established himself as the best of player among the top 3.  More than held up against grown men last year, shot 36% from 3, and plays the most valuable position.  Kind of a clunky fit with KPJ but when you're a bad team, you draft for talent and worry about fit later.

I've also been reading that Detroit is not sold on Cade at 1 - could be (hell, probably likely) a smokescreen, but I could also see Detroit go Green or Mobley, who some see as another AD.  Heard on a podcast last week that NBA people consider Mobley slightly more talented than Cade or Green...but Cade & Green play the more important positions.

 

 

[shadow_operative 15,932]

i love Suggs and Cunningham in this draft- you can draft either one and feel very secure about them panning out as bona fide starters in this league. Mobley looks awesome, but does anyone build around a center who isn't a point-center?  not so much any more. so with that said, if i had a top three pick i would work extremely hard at finding a trade partner who is in love with one of these three, because i don't think that any of them are going to become the kind of guy you build around, and future drafts will feature more high end talent. trade the top three pick this year players/picks and then try and hit on whichever other picks you have this year. i have zero doubt that we will see multiple guys outside the top 10-15 picks of this draft who become really good players in the league. the "sure things" are coming in future drafts.

Edited July 11, 2021 by shadow_operative

[Message Board User 12,405]

5 minutes ago, shadow_operative said:

and future drafts will feature more high end talent.

 

5 minutes ago, shadow_operative said:

the "sure things" are coming in future drafts.

Who?  Everything I've seen says the next couple drafts will be much worse than this one.  

Next year's presumptive #1 overall is Chet Holmgren and the 2023 is this dude from france and they both seem merely aw-ight to me.

Emoni Bates ain't it.

[Aqua Buddha 14,802]

Cade is NBA ready right now, both with his body and game.  You can't say that every year with high picks, even at #1.  

NBA draft picks are crap shoots at this point.  They play AAU ball where there's no real development then a year of college, G league, or Europe where there isn't much development.  All of these dues are 19 years old.  The draft is all projection at this point.  Only one in this draft that is a sure thing is Cade and maybe Green.  Barnes actually has zero bust potential but also a low ceiling risk.  He has an NBA body and instantly guard all five positions.  He can play 10 years on that alone.  If he develops a good shot, then he's a better and bigger version of Draymond.

 

[Mitch Cumsteen 18,943]

I'm a Mobley guy. I understand the need to for guys who can dominate in the pick and roll game and get their own shot at will, but there are lots of ways to generate offense nowadays. To me, the most scarce commodity in the league is bigs that you don't have to take off the floor against small ball lineups. If somebody wants to play a 6'8" dude at center, you need to be able to punish them while not giving up wide open shots everywhere 

Utah got bounced because the clips abused Gobert and they had no answer. Brook Lopez is getting played off the floor (and he did last round too). Ayton doesn't have to be pulled and he's gobbling up every rebound and killing it in the paint. Anthony Davis doesn't have to be pulled. Giannis doesn't have to be pulled but Bud is too stubborn to give him extensive minutes at the 5. Other than those, I can't really think of anybody that fits the bill. I guess there's Bam in Miami but he's not as big as those other guys. Am I missing anyone? Jokic and Embiid are theoretically too good offensively to get killed in small ball lineups, but then again both of them are sitting at home now - not necessarily through any fault of their own. 

With regard to the other guys in the draft, I haven't done much research but some initial impressions... Sengun is super intriguing to me. I've seen him anywhere from top 6ish to around 20ish. I'm praying he ends up at 12 for the spurs but I have a suspicion he will be gone by then. 

I'm not as high on Green as others are. He has all the tools but he doesn't strike me as a high bbiq player. In the right system he could develop it but if he goes to a place where he gets to chuck it 25 times a night right off the bat I could see him being a one dimensional black hole. 

There's not much to pick on with Suggs. He seems like the most sure thing but his ceiling may not be as high as some of the others. 

Jalen Johnson has bust written all over him. If he gets his shit together he could be awesome but seems like a head case. He needs to end up in the right situation.

Barnes shot is really broken. If it gets fixed, he could be the best player in the draft. If not he could be the next Ben Simmons. Giddey's shot is broken too but otherwise I like his playmaking. 

I like Moody from Arkansas. I'm not big on Mitchell from Baylor. He's another one that could go really high or really low. 

Kuminga I'm in on. Again, he's got big bust potential but he could be a dominant wing. He's another one who really needs to find the right situation to max his talent. 

[Aqua Buddha 14,802]

22 minutes ago, Mitch Cumsteen said:

I'm a Mobley guy. I understand the need to for guys who can dominate in the pick and roll game and get their own shot at will, but there are lots of ways to generate offense nowadays. To me, the most scarce commodity in the league is bigs that you don't have to take off the floor against small ball lineups. If somebody wants to play a 6'8" dude at center, you need to be able to punish them while not giving up wide open shots everywhere 

Utah got bounced because the clips abused Gobert and they had no answer. Brook Lopez is getting played off the floor (and he did last round too). Ayton doesn't have to be pulled and he's gobbling up every rebound and killing it in the paint. Anthony Davis doesn't have to be pulled. Giannis doesn't have to be pulled but Bud is too stubborn to give him extensive minutes at the 5. Other than those, I can't really think of anybody that fits the bill. I guess there's Bam in Miami but he's not as big as those other guys. Am I missing anyone? Jokic and Embiid are theoretically too good offensively to get killed in small ball lineups, but then again both of them are sitting at home now - not necessarily through any fault of their own. 

With regard to the other guys in the draft, I haven't done much research but some initial impressions... Sengun is super intriguing to me. I've seen him anywhere from top 6ish to around 20ish. I'm praying he ends up at 12 for the spurs but I have a suspicion he will be gone by then. 

I'm not as high on Green as others are. He has all the tools but he doesn't strike me as a high bbiq player. In the right system he could develop it but if he goes to a place where he gets to chuck it 25 times a night right off the bat I could see him being a one dimensional black hole. 

There's not much to pick on with Suggs. He seems like the most sure thing but his ceiling may not be as high as some of the others. 

Jalen Johnson has bust written all over him. If he gets his shit together he could be awesome but seems like a head case. He needs to end up in the right situation.

Barnes shot is really broken. If it gets fixed, he could be the best player in the draft. If not he could be the next Ben Simmons. Giddey's shot is broken too but otherwise I like his playmaking. 

I like Moody from Arkansas. I'm not big on Mitchell from Baylor. He's another one that could go really high or really low. 

Kuminga I'm in on. Again, he's got big bust potential but he could be a dominant wing. He's another one who really needs to find the right situation to max his talent. 

Agree on all that.  People obsess about small ball and "position less" basketball but that's until a big man makes them pay.  The Gobert example might be the best in years.  DPOY but can't make you pay for throwing out a 6'8" guy.  Can Mobley?  If yes, then he's an easy #2 in this draft and that's assuming he bulks up over the years.

Agree with all the other assessments, too.  I like Moody as well.  NBA body and can shoot.  Agree with Kuminga, too.  He could be an All Star in three years or he could be out of the league.

[Message Board User 12,405]

If you're real draft nerd, the French dude (2023 draft) is lighting up Team USA in the U19 game right now.  Getting the best of likely 2022 #1 overall Holmgren.

 

[Message Board User 12,405]

 

[Murfdogg21 4,563]

These prospects make KD look fat. 

[Loch Ness Monster 3,533]

21 hours ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Agree on all that.  People obsess about small ball and "position less" basketball but that's until a big man makes them pay.  The Gobert example might be the best in years.  DPOY but can't make you pay for throwing out a 6'8" guy.  Can Mobley?  If yes, then he's an easy #2 in this draft and that's assuming he bulks up over the years.

Agree with all the other assessments, too.  I like Moody as well.  NBA body and can shoot.  Agree with Kuminga, too.  He could be an All Star in three years or he could be out of the league.

Just too easy to score in today's game so if you're buying a one trick defensive pony with zero offense you will be in trouble unless you have a couple all-time offensive talents like Steph Curry and Klay surrounding him. Just my opinion but I think the Clippers small ball line up makes it to the Finals if Kawhi was healthy. Then they would probably lose to the Bucks because Giannis is a 1 of 1 dude.

Can throw guys like AD in there if healthy. Main point is gun to the head in a draft type situation I'm taking elite offense every day of the week with a top 5 pick whether he is 6'5 or 7'0.

 

[Aqua Buddha 14,802]

I’m down on these guys that can’t shoot at this point.  I get they’re only 19 but they’ve been playing basketball their entire lives, mostly at an elite level.  They know where the game is and where it’s going, you have to wonder what guys like Kuminga and Barnes have been doing the past five years.

[ztejas 44,137]

23 hours ago, Message Board User said:

If you're real draft nerd, the French dude (2023 draft) is lighting up Team USA in the U19 game right now.  Getting the best of likely 2022 #1 overall Holmgren.

 

Also took a fat L. 

[shadow_operative 15,932]

jericho and kai showing off their athleticism at the Klutch Sports pro day:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRSmTpIFx9x/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

 

[shadow_operative 15,932]

 

 

[shadow_operative 15,932]

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2021 by shadow_operative

[shadow_operative 15,932]

 

 

[shadow_operative 15,932]

 

[BigOrange1 6,611]

man, kai just may go top 10.

[shadow_operative 15,932]

8 minutes ago, BigOrange1 said:

man, kai just may go top 10.

being reported that he's legit measuring at 7 feet now. crazy athlete, former track star, just picked up the game a few years ago, seven feet tall, can run like a deer...he honestly seems like one of the safest picks in the entire draft. it'll be a few years before we really get a chance to see what his ceiling will be, but his floor is incredibly high. 

[Message Board User 12,405]

This is who I'd pick #1 ahead of Cade & Mobley.

 

[Aqua Buddha 14,802]

Mock draft here based not on which teams picked on what need but just who has the best upside.  Has Green at #2 and most consensus now seems to have him going to Houston, which I agree.  Interesting part is he has Barnes at #4.  Seen some videos of him and if he can develop a shot at all, he could easily be an All Star.  Shot is bad, though.  Otherwise, he can play all five positions really well.

#1 -- Cade

#2 -- GReen

#3 -- Mobley

#4 -- Barnes

#5 -- Kuminga

#6 -- Suggs

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2021-nba-mock-draft-8-0-jalen-green-no-2-evan-mobley-no-3-if-picks-based-on-highest-upside/

[Message Board User 12,405]

From Zach Harper's mock draft in The Athletic.

 

League sources have said Houston is heavily leaning toward Jalen Green there, but there are people within the Rockets’ decision-making process pushing for Jalen Suggs out of Gonzaga. Green’s potential as a star wing in this league has the Rockets’ focus, but the idea of Suggs grabbing the momentum at some point exists. Scouts and executives love his size at the point guard position, and believe he can be the leader of a young, rebuilding team.

Do you expect a trade here? I’d put it at about 75-25 that the Rockets keep this pick. I don’t think they’re married to a selection here, but they’re certainly engaged and planning the wedding.

However, a trade up remains a realistic possibility for the Rockets.

The Rockets have been infatuated with the Oklahoma State product. Missing out on him by “only” getting the No. 2 overall pick in the draft was a big blow to their dreams. As The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported earlier this week, they’re trying to get aggressive in talking to Detroit about a potential trade. What would it take for the Pistons to relinquish the top pick?

Houston owns a lot of draft picks over the next few years thanks to the James Harden trade, but they don’t really have a blue chipper they can offer up right now. The second pick in the draft would be the starting point, and then probably a few of their own draft picks and some of the potential picks/pick swaps with Brooklyn in the future. Maybe we throw in Kevin Porter Jr. as a cheap, young player on the roster. Considering Detroit passed on keeping Christian Wood, I’d assume he’s not the guy the Pistons want back in a deal. You can construct a trade that takes away a lot of the draft capital in the future for Houston, but I still don’t think it motivates Detroit to get a deal done.

My next question after this: if the Pistons are willing to consider a trade with Houston, then what does that mean for the rest of the league in opening up their chances at making an offer? Detroit would open the floodgates, but I don’t know if anything will energize the fan base like the idea of Cunningham there for a decade-plus.

Do you expect a trade here? I do not. Cade will be a Piston.

[Message Board User 12,405]

Fran Fraschilla offers his thoughts on the top prospects.  Hopefully @d2o has stocked up on liquor because I can see Orlando selecting Kuminga, who is probably the most likely of the top 10 to bust.

https://nypost.com/2021/07/17/espns-fran-fraschilla-breaks-down-knicks-collin-sexton-nba-draft-possibilities/

Q: Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham?

A: Cade Cunningham is not Luka Doncic, but he is a big, physical, power forward-looking point guard. Cade Cunningham was to the Big 12 what Luka Doncic was to the Euro League. He has the IQ of a smart, seven-year NBA veteran, he has great court vision, he can play in any system, he is tremendous in pick-and-roll, he will shoot it in the NBA at a high level. The question mark with him, like Doncic coming in: Is he going be athletic enough to dominate games? And Luka Doncic kind of put that to rest. Cade is the safest of the top four or five picks. It’s hard to see him failing because of his size, his skills and his unique basketball acumen.

Q: USC’s Evan Mobley?

A: He could be Chris Bosh’s little brother. Long, athletic, skilled two-way big man, shot-blocking ability, ability to face up, ability to score inside. The only thing he lacks is physical maturity. He’s 20 years old, he’s 215 pounds and he’s desperately in need of getting to 235. Then you’ll have a 7-foot, multi-skilled, two-way big man.

Q: Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs?

A: Mark Few told me he’s the most competitive kid he’s ever coached at Gonzaga. Jalen Suggs is a big point guard who can play off the ball, he defends, he can run a team, he can make shots. When you talk about mid-to-late career Chauncey Billups, you’re talking about borderline Hall of Famer, this kid has a lot of different areas of guard play to hang his hat on.

Q: Jalen Green out of the G-League?

A: Jalen Green could end up being the best player in this draft. I think he’s going be in that Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook, Dame Lillard, Zach LaVine area where he’s going be like a 28- to 30-point scorer once he hits his prime. He’s your classic bucket-getter. He should be an NBA All-Star wing player. There’s a chance for generational greatness here, like a once-every-15- years kind of greatness, but at worst he’s going be a high-level scorer in the league.

Q: The G-League’s Jonathan Kuminga?

A: Looks like Tarzan, but we’re not sure yet whether he’s gonna play like Tarzan or Jane. When they make the prototype of an NBA player, it’s Jonathan Kuminga. He’s athletic and agile, he has a good shooting stroke, the only thing he lacks right now to me is he is not a great ball handler. If there’s a question mark with him, [it] is, can he create his own shot? He has more of the fail factor than the other four, but he also has tremendous upside. He’s a feast-or-famine. Likely more feast than famine, but I wish he was a better ball handler and shot creator and play creator.

Q: Florida State’s Scottie Barnes?

A: One of the best kids you’ll ever meet. It worries me that he’s not a great shooter. I think he’s gonna be a good NBA player because he’s only 20 years old. He’s not as dynamic an athlete as Ben Simmons was, but a similar type of game.

Q: UConn’s James Bouknight?

A: I love James Bouknight, I think he’s got a chance to be a very good NBA scorer. Creating your own shot in the NBA is a skill, even more so than having someone set you up for a shot, because as Chuck Daly used to say: “What will the player do when the play breaks down? Because the play will break down.” And when the play breaks down, James Bouknight’s going be able to get his own shot. He’s going to get better and better. He loves the game, and he’s been coached tough by Dan Hurley, and he’s got a prototypical NBA go-get-your-own-shot type of game.

Q: Australian Josh Giddey?

A: He has literally come out of nowhere in the last 18 months from Down Under. He is a 6-foot-8 point guard, plays with lots of confidence, lots of moxie. He starred in a league that is a grown-up league. I don’t think he’s going be an All-Star, but I think he’ll be a very good play-making guard in the NBA. His outside shooting has to be more consistent, but to do what he did at 18 is very similar to what LaMelo [Ball] did in that league a year ago.

Q: Does Davion Mitchell remind you at all of Donovan Mitchell?

A: Yes. Donovan is a little bit more of a high-flyer. Davion is a little bit more of a speed merchant. But they’re both elite athletes. They both could masquerade as NFL All-Pro corners. Davion has incredible speed and incredible start-stop ability which makes him really effective both defensively and offensively. And he is a gym rat and an off-the-charts kid. Donovan’s a playmaking 2-guard, this kid’s a point guard who can shoot it hopefully like Donovan. He may be as good of a defensive player as we’ve seen in the draft in the last 3-5 years.

Q: Arkansas’ Moses Moody?

A: He has the potential to be a very good shooter, and right now his strength is his ability to score around the basket for a wing. Moses Moody reminds me of a less seasoned, less polished “Iso Joe” Johnson. Ironically, they both played at Arkansas.

Q: Texas’ Kai Jones?

A: The best running big man in this draft. He is boom or bust. He’s more projection than production. He’s a 6-11 string bean, a stretch-4 man who is a terrific athlete. Improving skills, especially away from the basket, and potential to be a multi-positional defender. He’s going to go anywhere between 8 and 20.

Q: Michigan’s Franz Wagner.

A: Jack of all trades, master of none. In the scheme of NBA athleticism, which is the best in the world, he’s an average athlete. He’s a smart player, he’s a reasonably skilled player but he only shot 34 percent from 3. He doesn’t really do it for me.

Q: Winthrop’s Keon Johnson?

A: He’s the second-best defender in this draft. A relentless, high-energy defender. He’s an elite wing athlete with a great motor. A chance to be a good offensive player in time. A lot of long-term potential because he just turned 19 and he also missed his senior year of high school with an injury.

Q: Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert?

A: Plug him in right away from Day 1 and he’ll be in your rotation making shots. I think he’s more advanced than Joe Harris was coming out of Virginia. I think Corey Kispert’s the best shooter in this draft. He’s more athletic than people realize, he’s got a great feel for the game, he’s high-character, great leader. That’s a kid that the Knicks would love to have him drop, but I don’t think he will. I think he could end up being a borderline NBA All-Star.

Q: Alperen Sengun from Turkey?

A: If you watch him play, you see big, slow Turkish kid. There were 30 former NBA players in the Turkish League this year. This was an 18-year-old kid who was the MVP of the league. He looks methodical, but he is a very crafty low-post scorer, has a great feel for the game, and he’s going to be a guy that can stretch the floor some day. If I had to compare him to somebody in the NBA I would say Nik Vucevic.

Q: Duke’s Jalen Johnson?

A: Not a fan, and not because he quit the team at Duke. He’s an NBA athlete, his skill level has to improve and his motor has to improve.

Edited July 17, 2021 by Message Board User

[Guest Lobo]

Predictions on how many Longhorns get drafted then and/or UDFA?  Jones seems like the first to get picked.  

[Message Board User 12,405]

2 minutes ago, Lobo said:

Predictions on how many Longhorns get drafted then and/or UDFA?  Jones seems like the first to get picked.  

Jones will go in the first round (maybe lottery).  Greg Brown & Jericho Sims will also likely get drafted but probably not til Round 2.  Coleman will be an UDFA.

[Aqua Buddha 14,802]

23 hours ago, Message Board User said:

Fran Fraschilla offers his thoughts on the top prospects.  Hopefully @d2o has stocked up on liquor because I can see Orlando selecting Kuminga, who is probably the most likely of the top 10 to bust.

https://nypost.com/2021/07/17/espns-fran-fraschilla-breaks-down-knicks-collin-sexton-nba-draft-possibilities/

Q: Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham?

A: Cade Cunningham is not Luka Doncic, but he is a big, physical, power forward-looking point guard. Cade Cunningham was to the Big 12 what Luka Doncic was to the Euro League. He has the IQ of a smart, seven-year NBA veteran, he has great court vision, he can play in any system, he is tremendous in pick-and-roll, he will shoot it in the NBA at a high level. The question mark with him, like Doncic coming in: Is he going be athletic enough to dominate games? And Luka Doncic kind of put that to rest. Cade is the safest of the top four or five picks. It’s hard to see him failing because of his size, his skills and his unique basketball acumen.

Q: USC’s Evan Mobley?

A: He could be Chris Bosh’s little brother. Long, athletic, skilled two-way big man, shot-blocking ability, ability to face up, ability to score inside. The only thing he lacks is physical maturity. He’s 20 years old, he’s 215 pounds and he’s desperately in need of getting to 235. Then you’ll have a 7-foot, multi-skilled, two-way big man.

Q: Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs?

A: Mark Few told me he’s the most competitive kid he’s ever coached at Gonzaga. Jalen Suggs is a big point guard who can play off the ball, he defends, he can run a team, he can make shots. When you talk about mid-to-late career Chauncey Billups, you’re talking about borderline Hall of Famer, this kid has a lot of different areas of guard play to hang his hat on.

Q: Jalen Green out of the G-League?

A: Jalen Green could end up being the best player in this draft. I think he’s going be in that Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook, Dame Lillard, Zach LaVine area where he’s going be like a 28- to 30-point scorer once he hits his prime. He’s your classic bucket-getter. He should be an NBA All-Star wing player. There’s a chance for generational greatness here, like a once-every-15- years kind of greatness, but at worst he’s going be a high-level scorer in the league.

Q: The G-League’s Jonathan Kuminga?

A: Looks like Tarzan, but we’re not sure yet whether he’s gonna play like Tarzan or Jane. When they make the prototype of an NBA player, it’s Jonathan Kuminga. He’s athletic and agile, he has a good shooting stroke, the only thing he lacks right now to me is he is not a great ball handler. If there’s a question mark with him, [it] is, can he create his own shot? He has more of the fail factor than the other four, but he also has tremendous upside. He’s a feast-or-famine. Likely more feast than famine, but I wish he was a better ball handler and shot creator and play creator.

Q: Florida State’s Scottie Barnes?

A: One of the best kids you’ll ever meet. It worries me that he’s not a great shooter. I think he’s gonna be a good NBA player because he’s only 20 years old. He’s not as dynamic an athlete as Ben Simmons was, but a similar type of game.

Q: UConn’s James Bouknight?

A: I love James Bouknight, I think he’s got a chance to be a very good NBA scorer. Creating your own shot in the NBA is a skill, even more so than having someone set you up for a shot, because as Chuck Daly used to say: “What will the player do when the play breaks down? Because the play will break down.” And when the play breaks down, James Bouknight’s going be able to get his own shot. He’s going to get better and better. He loves the game, and he’s been coached tough by Dan Hurley, and he’s got a prototypical NBA go-get-your-own-shot type of game.

Q: Australian Josh Giddey?

A: He has literally come out of nowhere in the last 18 months from Down Under. He is a 6-foot-8 point guard, plays with lots of confidence, lots of moxie. He starred in a league that is a grown-up league. I don’t think he’s going be an All-Star, but I think he’ll be a very good play-making guard in the NBA. His outside shooting has to be more consistent, but to do what he did at 18 is very similar to what LaMelo [Ball] did in that league a year ago.

Q: Does Davion Mitchell remind you at all of Donovan Mitchell?

A: Yes. Donovan is a little bit more of a high-flyer. Davion is a little bit more of a speed merchant. But they’re both elite athletes. They both could masquerade as NFL All-Pro corners. Davion has incredible speed and incredible start-stop ability which makes him really effective both defensively and offensively. And he is a gym rat and an off-the-charts kid. Donovan’s a playmaking 2-guard, this kid’s a point guard who can shoot it hopefully like Donovan. He may be as good of a defensive player as we’ve seen in the draft in the last 3-5 years.

Q: Arkansas’ Moses Moody?

A: He has the potential to be a very good shooter, and right now his strength is his ability to score around the basket for a wing. Moses Moody reminds me of a less seasoned, less polished “Iso Joe” Johnson. Ironically, they both played at Arkansas.

Q: Texas’ Kai Jones?

A: The best running big man in this draft. He is boom or bust. He’s more projection than production. He’s a 6-11 string bean, a stretch-4 man who is a terrific athlete. Improving skills, especially away from the basket, and potential to be a multi-positional defender. He’s going to go anywhere between 8 and 20.

Q: Michigan’s Franz Wagner.

A: Jack of all trades, master of none. In the scheme of NBA athleticism, which is the best in the world, he’s an average athlete. He’s a smart player, he’s a reasonably skilled player but he only shot 34 percent from 3. He doesn’t really do it for me.

Q: Winthrop’s Keon Johnson?

A: He’s the second-best defender in this draft. A relentless, high-energy defender. He’s an elite wing athlete with a great motor. A chance to be a good offensive player in time. A lot of long-term potential because he just turned 19 and he also missed his senior year of high school with an injury.

Q: Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert?

A: Plug him in right away from Day 1 and he’ll be in your rotation making shots. I think he’s more advanced than Joe Harris was coming out of Virginia. I think Corey Kispert’s the best shooter in this draft. He’s more athletic than people realize, he’s got a great feel for the game, he’s high-character, great leader. That’s a kid that the Knicks would love to have him drop, but I don’t think he will. I think he could end up being a borderline NBA All-Star.

Q: Alperen Sengun from Turkey?

A: If you watch him play, you see big, slow Turkish kid. There were 30 former NBA players in the Turkish League this year. This was an 18-year-old kid who was the MVP of the league. He looks methodical, but he is a very crafty low-post scorer, has a great feel for the game, and he’s going to be a guy that can stretch the floor some day. If I had to compare him to somebody in the NBA I would say Nik Vucevic.

Q: Duke’s Jalen Johnson?

A: Not a fan, and not because he quit the team at Duke. He’s an NBA athlete, his skill level has to improve and his motor has to improve.

I can see Okie City taking Bouknight at #6 if Orlando takes Barnes.  Kuminga is too much of a risk and they have a long history of steering away from potential busts.  They need a sure thing and/or scoring help and Kuminga is a guy who could be an All Star in five years or out of the league.  Would GS take him at #7 then?  Could also see OKC potentially taking Jones at #16 or maybe trading up to get him.

[Message Board User 12,405]

24 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Would GS take him at #7 then?

Doubtful that GS takes Kuminga as he's at least 2 years away from being 2 years away.  GS knows time is running short and their window of opportunity is closing so they'll want the most NBA-ready prospect...if they even keep the pick instead of trading it for an NBA vet.

GS taking Kuminga would be similar to Green Bay selecting Jordan Love in the first round.

Here's a write-up on a Kuminga workout from Cavs mouthpiece Chris Fedor - saying "he shot the better as the work out went on" is nice-speak for "he shot the ball like shit and a few went in towards the end."  The whole summary is actually really negative if you can navigate your way through the Baghdad Bob language.

 

[Mitch Cumsteen 18,943]

5 hours ago, Message Board User said:

Doubtful that GS takes Kuminga as he's at least 2 years away from being 2 years away.  GS knows time is running short and their window of opportunity is closing so they'll want the most NBA-ready prospect...if they even keep the pick instead of trading it for an NBA vet.

GS taking Kuminga would be similar to Green Bay selecting Jordan Love in the first round.

Here's a write-up on a Kuminga workout from Cavs mouthpiece Chris Fedor - saying "he shot the better as the work out went on" is nice-speak for "he shot the ball like shit and a few went in towards the end."  The whole summary is actually really negative if you can navigate your way through the Baghdad Bob language.

 

Quote

Fully expecting to be drafting in the 5-10 range before rare lottery luck, the Cavs did plenty of homework on players in that next tier. 

Rare lottery luck? How many times have those assholes gotten the number one pick? Off the top of my head... LeBron, Kyrie, Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. 

Also, if Kuminga has his head on straight and is willing to work and if someone thinks his jumpshot is fixable, he could be the best prospect in this draft. I get it that he's the most likely of the top tier prospects to drop and/or bust but that dude has freakish athleticism for his size and a real feel for the game. The league can feel free to let him drop to 12 if they are so wary. 

The worst part about projecting the draft is that you don't know how guys are going to work or what kind of person they are. All things being equal, there are about 15ish players in this draft who I really like. The difference between success and failure is what situation they find themselves in and how hard they are willing to work. 

[Spaceman Spiff 408]

The Cavs' lottery luck was rare in the sense that it only got them to #3, not first overall like usual.

[Message Board User 12,405]

19 minutes ago, Spaceman Spiff said:

The Cavs' lottery luck was rare in the sense that it only got them to #3, not first overall like usual.

Yeah I know.  *sigh*

[Bevo 13,847]

Kai Jones reminds me of LaMarcus Aldridge. Athletic without a lot of offensive game in college. However, when the game opened up at the NBA level, the athleticism shines. To me, he is a very safe pick.

[BigOrange1 6,611]

uh, lamarcus has a fuckton more of an offensive game in college than jones did.

[shadow_operative 15,932]

3 hours ago, BigOrange1 said:

uh, lamarcus has a fuckton more of an offensive game in college than jones did.

and jones has a shit-ton more athleticism than LA, who is known as being one of the less athletic guys at his position. just an all around puzzling take. 

relatedly, Kai Jones reminds me of Leandro Barbosa in the body of a young Giannis. he has insane athleticism, world class speed, and a really good looking jumper (in workouts) which portends well going forward. he doesn't remind me of LA at all. he's not as sure a thing as LA, but his ceiling is higher.

[Blotto 24,002]

On 7/17/2021 at 1:40 PM, Message Board User said:

Jones will go in the first round (maybe lottery).  Greg Brown & Jericho Sims will also likely get drafted but probably not til Round 2.  Coleman will be an UDFA.

Sounds like the kind of team that you could make some noise with in the tournament. You know, if the breaks fall your way, and you don't get matched up with an absolute juggernaut from abilene right out of the gates.