I don't know, watching Mobley right now against Orlando, I can't help but think he plays better next to Allen. He is probably a better comparison to Sarr than JJJr. Mobley is just too thin right now. Cleveland would be better off with Mobley guarding Banchero who is killing the Cavs at the moment. Not sure Sarr is worth the top pick but we will need a quick long defender to guard tall players on the perimeter like Wemby, Towns, and Holmgren
The first time watching Sarr move reminded me of a defensive version of LMA — who came in slender but heavier at 234 at age 21 and a lot less physical. LMA was 6’10 no shoes and long with a 7’4.75” wingspan. The tall, slender players — Chet, Wemby (and the less successful Poku) — aren’t getting muscled up by playing inside. Not yet. Outside in. They need 3-4 years of health to build core strength and put on good weight with flexibility that won’t overburden their frame and feet. Abdul-Jabbar is the template for physicality at 7’2. Around 225. Strong. Durable. Played only 65 games once. All the rest were in the 70s and above. Played 30+ minutes thru age 39 with his first 7 seasons at 40+ minutes per.
This. You aren't the first person I've seen make the Mobley-Sarr comparison, and I posted a few weeks ago that I think the tiebreaker that makes Sarr the way to go over a bunch of other top prospects with question marks is he is the one player in this draft that could be able to make Wemby have to work harder for his shots, and in a couple of years to make the finals Wemby is who you're probably going to have to go through.
If we draft a SF (instead of Sarr) Tyler Smith might be worth taking despite how raw he is defensively. Is he really 6'10? The combine should clear that up. From what I saw in his Gleague videos, at least he has the tools to be a good defender....even if he isn't now. At least he already has a solid 3pt shot.
Someone going to make a lottery game thread? @Chris Craig Probably worthy of its own thread, and more important than any game last season. 2024 NBA draft lottery - Sunday 5/12 5:30pm PT ESPN Draft Combine with be 5/13-5/19 Draft will be June 26-27 over two nights for the first time. In theory could lead to more trades.
Interesting that it is over two nights. Are they expanding the time between each pick for the 2nd round? I think the NFL needed to spread it out, but I am not sure the NBA does. But I guess it doesn't matter.
Unless he destroys pre draft workouts he should be available at 14. Could be a steal, but a player should slide for some unknown reason like Whitmore last season.
I haven't paid that much attention but when I saw it was being expanded, my first though was 'that's stupid' and my 2nd thought was 'that's just ESPN wanting to sell more commercials'. Talking heads and bloviators will love it. I don't think many fans will
I need last years or 2 or 3 years ago’s DRAFT threads bumped to see how all the experts did on here with their professional scouting reports.
I hear the Spurs want Topic and are willing to take him at #1. Who are some other possibilities who would skip over drafting Sarr because of fit/need? Perhaps the Pistons. It's feasible Portland could use both picks to move up to get Sarr. Or their pick plus both 2nds. Blazers insiders suggest they don't want to use both lottery picks anyways.
Here are Kevin Pelton's rankings, which uses the WARP stat - which is supposed to factor in the player's impact. It's not foolproof but it does accurately highlight certain players against the consensus. 2022: https://archive.md/z2Rjq - Chet is ranked number one and Jabari is number two, Kessler and Eason make it into a Top 10 (which they do deserve imo), no Paolo in top 10 (but Sharpe is). Jalen Williams absolutely disregarded. 2023: https://archive.md/OMS2S - Vic, Miller, and Whitmore take Top 3. No Thompsons since they played in OTE. Derrick Lively II finds himself being #7. Keyonte George (#12) is ranked above Scoot (#13), who "advanced stats" somewhat didn't favor even back then. 2024: https://archive.md/N71MJ - Current rankings are in the order of Clingan, Sheppard, Sarr, Edey, Risacher. Previous rankings: https://archive.md/J7grM It's not bad as a reference for cross-checking but I notice it's friendlier to quality big men and guards that score than all-around forwards and shooting guards. Hence, Edwards slipped and so did Banchero.
We talk about how bad this draft is and it may be. But comparatively speaking is it that different from the last 4 drafts? There is no star but other than that one player in each draft, it looks the same to me. 20' Antony Edwards.....star and difference-maker.....the rest of that draft was not that good https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_draft 21' Cade, Green, Mobley, Suggs, Giddy......any difference-makers so far? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_draft 22' Banchero was rated pretty high in this forum, but many mocks had him going 3rd. He is a stud, but how many others in that top 10 are "difference makers"? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_draft 23' After Wemby? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_draft It is still early, but just looking at the top 10 picks in the last 4 drafts there are 3 total franchise difference makers that I see. So is this draft really that bad or just about average?
