https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10109994-2024-nba-mock-draft-latest-full-2-round-projections I would love for their latest mock to be true. Not necessarily because I want Holland, but I like that they have him before Williams. I I know a lot of you are not high on the two Ignite players, Buzelis (19) and Holland (18) but I don't think many of you are very good at projecting how a player will be in another two years. So here is to hoping that the 5 forwards in the top 6 are legitimately good. We just need one. I admit that Holland is a tough one to predict because his shooting stats are not great. Some great athletes improve their shooting, some do not. And although I would much rather draft the ones who can shoot now (i.e. Risacher) Holland could turn out to be a star. We need Buzelis to continue to get better as well. The more the merrier.
I haven't watched Holland enough but I have both Cody Williams and Buzelis higher. Sam Vecenie and his partner just said Ryan Dunn on defense is significantly ahead of Ausar Thompson but Ausar is significantly ahead on offense. There's no way we can use all our picks. We should target guys and use our picks to move up.
Dunn’s offensive game scares me. Virginia also had 16 points at halftime yesterday (!). I’d love to stick Dunn on the remix and mandate he gets 16 shots up a night—because that Virginia system makes offensive projection a tick cloudy.
Love Dillon Jones. The GS pick has a few intriguing options: Jones, George, McCuller, Missi, Holmes, Knecht. We don't have to go with a SF with our 1st pick. The tier mentioned above is not that far off from Buzelis, Risacher, Williams and Holland, but the 1st tier are younger with more pressure to perform and some concerning red flags.
Reed Sheppard is an absolute dog. I think he can be an elite 6th man immediately. Intangibles are off the charts. Ceiling: starting guard on a championship level team
So your most recent suggestions are a 6'6" PF/C and a 6'3" SG. . Feels like you lose the right to criticize Olshey's team building with those.
In his defense, Reed is just different. I can totally see him coming in and immediately leading our bench unit. IQ and feel are off the charts. However, he's not a great fit unless someone gets moved. I still might have to consider it if I'm Cronin. DraftExpress is full of hot takes. Go look at their mock and try not to laugh. Nobody is using Jones as a center thats ridiculous.
Reed Sheppard is going to struggle defensively in the NBA but holy cow is he fun to watch. I wish we could have our size and Reed it too somehow.
Agreed. In my limited scouting if prospects - I think I have Holland at #3. Primarily because he plays hard and is far ahead of the other prospects in everything other than shooting. If he develops an above average 3pnt shot watch out
Sarr C/PF Rissacher SF/PF Williams SF Buzelis SF/PF The position for the above 4 depends on development, fit, and D. The only top-ranked player not “needed” is Topic at PG. There is always one all star in a draft. And top 10 at their positions. Portland can get a real starting forward in this draft which is what is MOST missing. Not exactly a high bar — I admit — but it’s about need. Schmitz and Cronin need to be lucky and smart. The GST pick range is a mixed bag — shooting: Sheppard, Furphy, Knecht / defense George, Dunn / prospect at PF Salaun / athleticism Holland. Other non-guard picks may be your favorite. Take the pick and be happy about it. Sheppard is my only exception as a 6’3 guard as a guard and Knecht at 6’6 is pretty sturdy. Everyone else has positional size and an NBA talent/skill.
I’ve never seen ANY of these players play in person except Holland….so I have no way of giving a proper breakdown of their games.
Kind of excited…..March 10th the @MRSTHEHCP and I will be courtside for the REMIX game. My first one. Told Cronin I’d be doing some intense scouting! Most likely have a sign heckling Coach Moran too….HA!
