Anthony Edwards (I'm a big fan of Top Gun and E.R. and the most athletically gifted player in the draft, who might be able to do everything) James Wiseman (second lowest floor in the draft and a high ceiling) LaMello Ball (I realize his most likely destination is MCW but I just think there's this 1 out of 3 chance he's a game changing one of a kind all-star) Obi Toppin (highest floor in the draft and the only guy in the draft that seems to be a lock to be a starter for quite a while in the league) Killian Hayes (I could be wrong could be the start all of these comments but is important in this one, I think he has the highest floor of any guard in this draft and a high ceiling) Deni Avdija (love his game, think he has a really bright future but may have bust potential) Patrick Williams (love his versatility and toughness) Onyeka Okongwu (if you want a small ball 5 he's better than Toppin so maybe he should be higher but measuring his ceiling, this is where he lands for me) Aleksej Pokusevski (all I can see is a better shooting Porzingis, he's my favorite prospect in this draft but obviously has bust potential so this is where he falls for me, I hope we end up with him) Tyrese Halliburton (really battles Hayes for the highest floor among guards in the draft, I just don't see the high ceiling) Isaac Okoro (a really exciting prospect, so athletic and strong, should be a defensive stopper on the wing but his outside shooting just isn't there) Devin Vassell (Yikes, I hope he was just fucking around with that new shooting motion because he would have been a lot higher on my board if it weren't for that) Saddiq Bey (I think his lack of athleticism is being overstated, his shooting and effort can't be overstated... obviously his lack of elite athleticism is problematic or I'd have him higher) Aaron Nesmith (3 and D wings are important also he's the great great grandson of the inventor of basketball which is a pretty big deal) Pecisous Achiuwa (if he can hit the three this is way too low for him but that's a big if, he is a monster and will defend, rebound and score inside all at an elite level) Theo Maledon (his floor isn't super high but I just really like his game a lot and think he could be really good in the league) I am a Blazers fan so our needs may have factored into my board but the only guy I feel like might have made it that didn't if I weren't a little biased is Tyrese Maxey who might be the most gifted scorer in the draft and may also have the best character but I just can't think about putting a score first 6'3" player on my big board for some reason.
1 Anthony Edwards 2 James Wiseman 3 Onyeka Okongwu 4 Obi Toppin 5 Kira Lewis Jr. 6 Killian Hayes 7 Tyrese Haliburton 8 Deni Avdija 9 Lamelo Ball 10 Tyrese Maxey 11 Aleksej Pokusevski 12 Saddiq Bey 13 Aaron Nesmith 14 Patrick Williams 15 Jaden McDaniels 16 Isaac Okoro 17 Precious Achiuwa 18 Devin Vassell 19 Theo Maledon 20 Daniel Oturu 21 R.J. Hampton 22 Jalen Smith 23 Jahmi'us Ramsey 24 Elijah Hughes 25 Killian Tillie 26 Cole Anthony 27 Mason Jones 28 Isaiah Stewart 29 Desmond Bane 30 Nico Mannion 31 Leandro Bolmaro 32 Ty-Shon Alexander 33 Josh Green 34 Tyler Bey 35 Tyrell Terry 36 Jordan Nwora 37 Jalen Harris 38 Sam Merrill 39 Nick Richards 40 Robert Woodard II
1. James Wiseman 2. Obi Toppin 3. Onyeka Okongwu 4. Jalen Smith 5. Saddiq Bey 6. Vernon Carey 7. Daniel Oturu 8. Reggie Perry 9. Anthony Edwards 10. Killian Hayes 11. Aaron Nesmith 12. Tyrese Haliburton 13. Deni Avdija 14. Devon Dotson 15. Xavier Tillman 16. LaMelo Ball 17. Kira Lewis 18. Udoka Azubuike 19. Elijah Hughes 20. Isaiah Stewart
1. Edwards- Just cannot deny the potential this guy has 2. Wiseman- Should be an elite player around the rim on both ends of the floor with a chance to expand his game farther 3. Obi Toppin- He should a a solid starter for a time, maybe an all star at some point in his career 4. Okongwu- His defensive impact will be huge. His offense will come along eventually. He will be a lot like Bam 5. Avdija- With the right team and development he can be a star, potentially borderline all star 6. Hayes- A solid guard who can do a bit of everything, think he will be a lot like Dragic 7. Haliburton- Should be a solid combo guard for a long time. 8. Ball- Think he will be more of a bust, but I will admit he does have some intriguing stuff to his game 9. Saddiq Bey- Will be a solid forward for a very long time 10. Precious Achiuwa- His potential to guard 1-5 is very attractive. He is also very good in the pick and roll on offense. His potential to expand his game to the 3 point line is enticing 11. Maxey- Something about Kentucky guards that make them very good in the NBA 12. Nesmith- His potential to be an elite 3 point shooter can’t be overlooked 13. Patrick Williams- His ceiling is relatively high but it will take awhile for him to get there, if he get there at all 14. Kira Lewis- Speed kills, right? 15. Okoro- Should be a defensive stopper in the nba but will his offense be good enough? 16. Pokuseski- Gotta admit his potential is pretty high but his weight and strength could be what hold him back from fulfilling his potential 17. Jaden Mcdaniels- a 6 foot 10 wing who can create his shots is too hard to pass on, the real question is if he can mature on the court and off of the court. 18. Oturu- A big man who can block shots and knock down 3s. Should be valuable for any nba team. 19. Josh Green- He can defend really well. And his shooting should continue to improve. Likely a good 3D guy 20. Vassell- I don’t like the fact that he’s skinny. His floor is 3D guy and his ceiling is 3D guy, doesn’t seem like a guy who can improve much Barely missed the cut- Jalen Smith, Hampton, Bolmaro, and Ramsey
I don't know much about this kid....but I see he is only 18. I would not worry about his weight and strength. I understand it would be nice to draft someone who could play right away but I only see a few guys in this draft who are ready for that. Got to love his outside stroke for a guy with a 7'3" wingspan and a 9'1 standing reach.
Yeah but there’s more than just his weight and strength. He played at a low level in Europe. So he hasn’t played much against good competition. And in those lower level he hasn’t look exactly great. So that’s concerning too. Like if he can’t play well against them how can we expect him to play well in the nba. And I understand that he’s a few year away from being able to contribute and his potential is still high but there’s a lot of questions that come with him that make him lower on my board I guess
His shot is so sweet, his handle is sick, he moves quickly with fluidity and has great timing on blocks and boards. The kid is for real... his bust potential is kinda high but his upside is so much higher. I really hope he's there at 16 and we pick him up.
He looks like the kind of player who'd just be starting to look good when his rookie contract runs out.
Aleksej Pokusevski would scare me. He's a 7-footer playing against other young players in those highlights and can't seem to ever dunk the ball. Not a good sign for projecting to the NBA IMHO.
Jokic had 15 dunks in 73 games last year. That's not necessarily indicative of a player's skillset or how good they will be.
His build, range and way he moves around on the floor kind of reminds me of Bol Bol highlights from the draft last year.
He's projected as a perimeter player. I don't care if he ever dunks if he has a sweet stroke and moves well.
I agree. Not many players can dunk from 24 feet away from the basket, and that's where he will be playing most of the time IMO. Which is precisely what projects in the NBA these days. Although I totally understand the hesitation for this kid..... he would be drafted on pure potential. But it not like college kids these days play against great competition either. I do like that for a 7 footer he has a pure shot from deep. He can pass and he can handle the ball pretty well for his size too. Can he move quickly enough to cover the perimeter? That is key, but he does not appear to be slow. (or awkward)
I wanted the Blazers to draft Durant over Oden as when I watched them play in college, Durant had a sweet stroke and moved well. He had the eye of the Tiger where I did not see it in Oden. I though Greg would be decent but I love the competitive spirt KD had....
That same competitive spirit that led to him joining a 73 win team and taking the easy way to a title(*)?
I've never seen KD's "spirt" and despite my curious nature, I never want to see his "spirt". I know this is an open forum but for god's sake have a little decorum (that wasn't supposed to rhyme).
Figure a way to move up to get Toppin. I agree that he has the highest floor. The last time we got a player with the highest floor (albeit in a trade), a guy named Roy, Brandon Roy. JUST DON'T DRAFT Bolmaro. Got stiff written all over.
Um nobody said anything about KD's "spirit", that post had something to do with how well KD spirts and that being one of the reasons @Hoopguru honked twice.
