Keeping our pick? This might be a Lottery year

Spurs. They tanked for Duncan and won a title in his 2nd season. Won 4 more after that

 

they had no choice, they had multiple major injuries. Robinson missed essentially the whole season. That’s not tanking that’s just being shit. Portland isn’t even close to being as bad as they were.

anyways that goes back to my main point. The only time tanking makes sense is when you’re a bottom 3 type team and there’s a generational talent in the draft. Neither is the case now.

 

Interestingly, one of the knocks on Duren is his inconsistent motor. When he's on, he is tenacious. But he has stretches where he tends to check out.

 

I’m really torn on tank, I want Simon to get as much pressure basketball this year so that next year he knows what to expect in the playoffs. A play in game wouldn’t be the end of the world.

if we lose the pick at least we’ll be able to trade future 1st round picks.

 

Not a fan of guys who’s motor shuts on and off

 

I hate people who comment on their own comment but screw it I’m doing it. I think we are most likely trading one or two of the picks away anyways

 

I’d be shocked if they ended up using both picks on rookies, assuming they get two picks of course. They also have a second don’t they?

edit: they also have two seconds.

 

I think that might be why he has fallen in some Mock Draft projections, He was in the 5-7 range in some of them. He has now fallen to the late Lottery. Could be lethal if he can find a consistent motor and hone his offensive skills.

On the other hand, Nzosa is someone who was projected very highly, and then fell off due to an injury. I don't think he forgot how to be a defensive menace. I expect him to start climbing back up.

 

Im Team Chet but the #1 spot is firmly in the Jabari camp.

Jabari = Peja Stojakovic with defense. His elite shot and smooth in-between game would flourish in the Billupsball system.

Ivey may leap Banchero at #3 IMO

 

probably true

the thing is though, whether it was an unintentional tank by circumstance, or a tank by design (IIRC there was some of that), the result is still the same: the #1 draft pick. With a lottery, each loss can be a building block to a high pick

that said, I'm not in favor of Portland taking an intentional dive in games the rest of the way

 

I hate people in general

 

He’s my mid-lotto target if we miss out on Smith/Chet/Banchero/Ivey

 

If he is available, I like Badji in the 2nd round. This piece at The Stepien, has Badji ranked as the #1 'Stay at Home' big, and the #2 'Help Big'. (Duren is #1 as a Help Big). It is a very involved, lengthy piece, but there is a lot of good analysis in there.

https://www.thestepien.com/2021/12/29/a-taxonomy-of-rim-protectors/

 

Another mid/late lotto target

 

lol at the Peja comparison. 2 completely different styles.

 

I think Agbaji from Kansas is a very underrated prospect. Kid can ball.

 

Robinson’s injury healed but they held him out.

 

Cleveland 2002-03 wasn’t a great team but they intentionally tanked the end of that season to get LeBron. I think John (Jerry?) Lucas even admitted it.

 

that's kind of how I remember it, but I could have bad RAM

 

Really like his shooting. Looks pretty comfortable pulling up too or making the next pass if he's ran off the line.

He doesn't feel like great value in the lotto though. His defense, handle and overall passing don't stand out as positives to me. Just ok size.