2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[NUMBERICA]

Playmaking/feel is a concern for Cam, but I like that he doesn't take mid range shots.

We also need worthy high usage players with our hyper-efficient front court.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I can’t tell if OKC is sweet on Bilal or Bufkin… Bilal makes more sense but Bufkin was working with SGA in OKC and the Down to Dunk guys seem to have planted their flag on Kobe.

I think if you want Kobe you plan on getting him in front of OKC. I would support drafting him at 9 a lot more than JHS who is a meh choice at 16 imo.

I think both Bufkin and JHS are gone by 16. I think Cason is the most likely guard at 16 and if he's there at 16 it might be due to medicals.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think being a midrange hater is dated. The midrange game is back and it's hyper important to have guys who can get and hit those shots in the playoffs.

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[NUMBERICA]

Because it's part of his game. He's a solid midrange shooter.

It’s the worst shot in basketball unless you’re elite at it. Actually elite. He’s not elite at it and he’s not going to be elite at it.

 

[Elizah Huge]

No Ceilings is a conglomerate of individuals. The two guys who do the film podcast (Corey and Andy?) have him at 9.

I know. Everyone else must love them for them to be that high.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Saw someone mention that with Podz. It makes sense to me. 1) Rebounding reflects some degree of functional athleticism + hustle + intelligence 2) rebounding is just overrated in general for defense. Many times a player is a net positive/negative on defense just on the basis of rebounding.

I think there is a lot to rebounding… similar to passing it requires reading what is going on all over the court and making fast decisions. Athleticism and size are obviously factors but also commitment to winning plays. Steals and high rebound rates are typically the most reliable statistical markers.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I think being a midrange hater is dated. The midrange game is back and it's hyper important to have guys who can get and hit those shots in the playoffs.

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Who are shooting those shots at any significant rate that aren’t 1st or 2nd options?

You’re doing the Teflon thing again.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think there is a lot to rebounding… similar to passing it requires reading what is going on all over the court and making fast decisions. Athleticism and size are obviously factors but also commitment to winning plays. Steals and high rebound rates are typically the most reliable statistical markers.

I think rebounding is just a good indicator for how engaged you are. Sometimes they can be kind of inflated in a Westbrooky sense where your team is letting you get those X amount of uncontested rebounds per game so you can lead breaks, but that still takes a high level of engagement.

And I think Podz is an engaged defender, he's just slow as **** laterally and can't make multiple defensive moves. If he has to close out and shuffle his feet, he's getting burnt more times than not. Combine that with poor length and he's going to be a target. His smarts can help him survive off ball, but he's going to be a target

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Who are shooting those shots at any significant rate that aren’t 1st or 2nd options?

You’re doing the Teflon thing again.

I think there is a decent chance the guy we draft this year could be that guy for us. It's a skill I would like to have on the team and is worth developing and not ignoring like the Quin era did.

I don't have a super high interest in doing the highly optimized math offense again.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Is this the longest draft thread? Does it pass Exum, Kanter, or Haywood years? I'm pretty sure those were the most hyped for us before this. Also where's @colton 's compilation draft threads?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Is this the longest draft thread? Does it pass Exum, Kanter, or Haywood years? I'm pretty sure those were the most hyped for us before this. Also where's @colton 's compilation draft threads?

Probably. There's just 100x the amount of draft content now compared to back then. Back then it was like DX and Chad Ford and not much else.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I think there is a decent chance the guy we draft this year could be that guy for us. It's a skill I would like to have on the team and is worth developing and not ignoring like the Quin era did

Then that’s a shot a prospect should work on once they’ve bagged their more NBA-relevant/fundamental shot like the 3.

I can totally see the utility of him as a high-level glue guy, but what he’s practicing is not what is asked of that role nor should it.

Any team that is featuring Walker as a creator and off-the-dribble midrange scorer is gonna have pole position for the top of the ‘24 draft.

Maybe this goes in the hot takes thread but I don’t think he’s comfortable shooting from 3 even at standstill which is why he’s showcasing this weird workout. But I don’t think that’s a hot take.