2024 NBA Draft Mega Thread

[Bawse Dawg]

The biggest thing for me is it just doesn’t go in. Of course he can improve and become respectable. He is a hesitant shooter too which doesn’t bode well for his confidence shooting the ball.

I waited all night for him to take a shot yesterday. Then he took two in quick succession. Both were dead on target, one swish, one was halfway down and came back out. The mechanics looked solid to me.

It was just very easy for me to imagine that this kid has never once in his life needed to rely on a jumpshot. Every stage of basketball of his life before getting to UCONN I'm sure he could drive to the hoop and make a good play. It simply is not ingrained in him yet to look for an open three ball. And I highly doubt his UCONN coaches made it a focus for him, which is the first thing NBA coaches will beat into him. The question is can he be coached, and will he get better at it? And based on what we know and have seen of him so far, he's a guy I will bet on.

 

[Elizah Huge]

We really using any excuse for Castle now… huh. He’s playing within the team that’s why he passed up wide open threes. Maybe it’s the fact he shot 26.7% from three on the year and isn’t confident shooting it.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I waited all night for him to take a shot yesterday. Then he took two in quick succession. Both were dead on target, one swish, one was halfway down and came back out. The mechanics looked solid to me.

It was just very easy for me to imagine that this kid has never once in his life needed to rely on a jumpshot. Every stage of basketball of his life before getting to UCONN I'm sure he could drive to the hoop and make a good play. It simply is not ingrained in him yet to look for an open three ball. And I highly doubt his UCONN coaches made it a focus for him, which is the first thing NBA coaches will beat into him. The question is can he be coached, and will he get better at it? And based on what we know and have seen of him so far, he's a guy I will bet on.

He also air balled a floater and bricked two free throws in succession.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

Seems like people are acting like he's a top 5 lock and don't see his shooting as a concern at all. I might actually have him in the top 5 of my board, but I still think it's an oversight to see the obvious concern. Most players that are extremely hesitant to shoot and shoot 27% from 3 do not turn into above average shooters. Please do not pull up some anecdotal name that did, that's not how it works. Like I said, there's always a chance a bad shooter turns into a good one, but the extreme confidence people have in him either improving or that it doesn't matter is a bit much for me.

I'm more convinced when people can acknowledge both sides to a topic. Seems like people are just turning a blind eye on Castle's shooting.

What are you reading? His shooting is all people are talking about. Some believe in his development more than others but that is like the topic when discussing him. And what everyone agrees will make or break him in the league?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I don’t agree at all. We should not be worrying about fit this early in the rebuild. Take the best player possible. Tony just said last night Lauri is the only player he would guarantee getting 30 mins on opening night next year.

Like I said... it may not be Keyonte. It might be another guard you put next to Topic. If he doesn't shoot or defend (I think one is fixable) then its going to be a tough fit with any backcourt mate. It may not be a Keyonte thing... it might be a he doesn't fit with Collin thing... or any other guard who is offense first.

I just worry you can't develop two guys with the profiles Keyonte and Topic have. I would have really like to see Topic against the better competition. You are right that you don't draft fit as much as you do talent... but Key would be in the same draft tier as Topic for me... and since you already have him then you factor that in. If he is the last guy in that tier or the best fit of the last guys in that tier... then by all means take him.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

He also air balled a floater and bricked two free throws in succession.

Okay?

This is like Melo's thing where somehow not playing at all is better for your draft stock than playing in the biggest games at the college level and sometimes making mistakes.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Like I said... it may not be Keyonte. It might be another guard you put next to Topic. If he doesn't shoot or defend (I think one is fixable) then its going to be a tough fit with any backcourt mate. It may not be a Keyonte thing... it might be a he doesn't fit with Collin thing... or any other guard who is offense first.

I just worry you can't develop two guys with the profiles Keyonte and Topic have. I would have really like to see Topic against the better competition. You are right that you don't draft fit as much as you do talent... but Key would be in the same draft tier as Topic for me... and since you already have him then you factor that in. If he is the last guy in that tier or the best fit of the last guys in that tier... then by all means take him.

Topic at least has the tools to become a better defender with his size. 6’7 in shoes with a 7’0 wingspan. I’m willing to bet on a guy with those measurables.

 

[KqWIN]

What are you reading? His shooting is all people are talking about. Some believe in his development more than others but that is like the topic when discussing him. And what everyone agrees will make or break him in the league?

People know it's the obvious concern, but then they go on to say they have extreme confidence he will either become a good shooter or that it doesn't matter. I'm saying that when it comes to this topic, people are way too tilted in one direction.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Okay?

This is like Melo's thing where somehow not playing at all is better for your draft stock than playing in the biggest games at the college level and sometimes making mistakes.

Bro I’m just playing devils advocate here because you mentioned two shots (one he didn’t even make) as a reason you think he could be a better shooter.

 

[Elizah Huge]

People know it's the obvious concern, but then they go on to say they have extreme confidence he will either become a good shooter or that it doesn't matter. I'm saying that when it comes to this topic, people are way too tilted in one direction.

Right, no chance Topic can become a better defender but Castle FOR SURE can become a better shooter.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

People know it's the obvious concern, but then they go on to say they have extreme confidence he will either become a good shooter or that it doesn't matter. I'm saying that when it comes to this topic, people are way too tilted in one direction.

People planting their flag on draft prospects they like is nothing new.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Seems like people are acting like he's a top 5 lock and don't see his shooting as a concern at all. I might actually have him in the top 5 of my board, but I still think it's an oversight to see the obvious concern. Most players that are extremely hesitant to shoot and shoot 27% from 3 do not turn into above average shooters. Please do not pull up some anecdotal name that did, that's not how it works. Like I said, there's always a chance a bad shooter turns into a good one, but the extreme confidence people have in him either improving or that it doesn't matter is a bit much for me.

I'm more convinced when people can acknowledge both sides to a topic. Seems like people are just turning a blind eye on Castle's shooting.

Please tell me how it works then. You should generally look to the past to find examples where it did and didn't work? Can't turn a blind eye to the bad ones but there are plenty of guys who had his shooting profile that developed... and plenty who didn't. I'd say its close to 50/50 whether he will develop as an average to slightly above average shooter.