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2023 NBA Draft Megathread

The most obvious source of great NBA players is can't miss prospects that get drafted at the top. But what about the others? I recommend going through the other players, looking at their scouting reports before they were drafted, and trying to find the answer as to why they weren't drafted higher (or lower). You will find many players that were drafted lower due to "low ceiling" but not many great players (if any at all) who weren't drafted higher because their performance sucked.

Consider two players:

1. Good player, but not a high draft pick because of lower potential for whatever reason (age, athleticism, playstyle).
2. Plays "like" a star, but not a high draft pick because he wasn't good at it.

There are a good amount of players in the first group that went on to be some of the better players in the league, not many if at all in the second group. Looking back you'd be surprised about some of the things said about current stars during their draft evaluation process. This isn't to say that guys in the second group can't make it in the NBA, but if they do it's usually by being a role player and by doing the thing that made everyone think they have super high potential. You have to find a way onto the court to give yourself any chance to develop in the first place.

What scares me about GG is that the thing that people laud him for (shot making/creating) is also something he sucked at and I'm struggling to see what other NBA skills he has. He is a bad defender, bad rebounder, bad passer, bad teammate, and does not have elite physical tools. If he just sticks to spot up shooting and finishing at the basket I could see him carve out a role, but I am a total non believer in the idea that he can be a high level, self creating scorer at the next level. Even if he has a massive development on offense, there are many good offensive players that can't be starters because the rest of their game is so bad.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
I hate watching HS stuff, but I've watched some of Whitehead's stuff and it really feels like all his stuff was just injury related. Looks like the stuff he had should have translated way better. Wish he had a better standout Duke game that I could really hang my hat on.
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I've been telling you guys that for a while. He never had his legs last year after fracturing his ankle in late August and then getting injured again right when he seemed to be shaking off some of the rust. The funny part though is that he came into the season with his primary weakness being a spot up shooter but was forced into that role a lot because of health and really improved his shot. If he can get back to his old self attacking the basket with now elite spot up shooting then his ceiling is really high and he is still really young.
 
sip said:
I've been telling you guys that for a while. He never had his legs last year after fracturing his ankle in late August and then getting injured again right when he seemed to be shaking off some of the rust. The funny part though is that he came into the season with his primary weakness being a spot up shooter but was forced into that role a lot because of health and really improved his shot. If he can get back to his old self attacking the basket with now elite spot up shooting then his ceiling is really high and he is still really young.
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He was just so invisible early in the year.
 
If we're comparing two #1 HS prospects in this class, I much prefer Whitehead. I don't think either really has high end potential, but Whitehead has an NBA skill that will allow him to get on the court and give him the chance to develop.

It is kinda interesting how his some of his strengths/weaknesses has flipped due to his injury.
 
Re: the Thompsons, I may be weird but I just don’t trust twins in this or any draft. Remember all the mental issues and separation anxiety of the Morris twins?
 
I don’t have really any concern with the competition for the Twins. When you are that good it just doesn’t matter. I think they are going to be fantastic, with shooting being a minor issue long term. I watched a kind of video bio of them and it showed that they are extremely hard working, humble, and modest (didn’t care about material things, had really old phones). It showed them getting ready for the draft and working like 12 hour days on all aspects of their game with personal coaches. Their play style reminds me of Ja Morant. Athletically, very similar but obviously less basketball skill. Shot isn’t as good as Ja yet, but it will definitely get there. Their defense I think is already better than Ja.

I would be EXTREMELY surprised if the Jazz took GG Jackson at 16, but there is no way they will draft him at 9. In fact, I’m willing to bet $100 that the Jazz don’t draft him period
 
slc said:
Thinking if either Thompson is there at #9 Jazz should take him
They are both 6' 7" and spectacular athletes that can guard just about anyone and do a lot
Maybe they can't shoot but you have to take your chances and hope they can figure that out
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Who was that dude from kentucky who went way way early many years ago? This reminds me of him.
 
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