Kasparas has been going off against Indiana. He has 19 pts and 4 asts at halftime.
Following Potential 2025 Draftees
- Thread starter Elizah Huge
- Start date
Wolf is gonna rise.
Kasparas in the "big prize" tier for me.
Listened to a podcast on draft philosophy recently (not going to recommend, because it was way too meandering), but I though the guest's larger points were interesting:
- Too often we judge (esp. potential high) draft picks on how much talent we think they have as a #1 option. Yet for the majority, these skills are not going to really affect winning much, even if they end up as a #1 option (often on sub-par teams). Very, very few players are of the caliber to affect winning as a #1. Argued that Demar Derozan is likely better at scoring than most draftees we're trying to shoehorn in as a #1, yet his effect on winning is relatively small. Seemed to apply this even to Harper this year. He'd rather have players that are just good and well rounded than someone who can get their own (unless the latter is also a clear superstar).
- Made an argument that psychology has to be important in (professional) player observation. (Obviously this is something that we have novices have virtually no access to.)
- Seemed to be arguing that the wave of the future is getting as many players with no real weaknesses in their games, especially those with superior BBIQs.
- Made a strong argument that these types of no/few-weakness, strong BBIQ, quick processing players are really the types that have staying power and have real trade value (if an opportunity ever comes around to swap for the few generational types, for example). Gave example of Josh Hart (and someone else I'm forgetting now, maybe Marcus Smart? -- EDIT: it was Derrick White, not Smart).
- Generally argued that processing speed/ability is too underrated when applied to draft prospects.
- Too often we judge (esp. potential high) draft picks on how much talent we think they have as a #1 option. Yet for the majority, these skills are not going to really affect winning much, even if they end up as a #1 option (often on sub-par teams). Very, very few players are of the caliber to affect winning as a #1. Argued that Demar Derozan is likely better at scoring than most draftees we're trying to shoehorn in as a #1, yet his effect on winning is relatively small. Seemed to apply this even to Harper this year. He'd rather have players that are just good and well rounded than someone who can get their own (unless the latter is also a clear superstar).
- Made an argument that psychology has to be important in (professional) player observation. (Obviously this is something that we have novices have virtually no access to.)
- Seemed to be arguing that the wave of the future is getting as many players with no real weaknesses in their games, especially those with superior BBIQs.
- Made a strong argument that these types of no/few-weakness, strong BBIQ, quick processing players are really the types that have staying power and have real trade value (if an opportunity ever comes around to swap for the few generational types, for example). Gave example of Josh Hart (and someone else I'm forgetting now, maybe Marcus Smart? -- EDIT: it was Derrick White, not Smart).
- Generally argued that processing speed/ability is too underrated when applied to draft prospects.
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I have Ace at 4 currently, but it would really be difficult for me to get too excited about him on the Jazz. His passing and decision making are so bad right now.
H
He's quite good
My totally uninformed opinion is he is easily the most likely player that wildly outperforms his draft position, goes supernova, everyone in hindsight can’t believe they didn’t see it. I’m already of the position that if he’s there with the Wolves pick that I’d just take him and run.
I also have 0 players to compare him to. Maybe that 7 foot PG from the USSR that played for BYU 50 years ago and passed on playing in the NBA.
If you look at the Celtics, they have multiple players who can make decisions with the ball, shoot well enough to space the floor, and also be plus-defenders. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White aren't super explosive or high scorers themselves, but they are perfect complements to the Celtics' wing scorers. I think the Jazz want to install a similar system, and Jakucionis should be the type of player who could work in a system like that.
It's a reason why the Jazz would unload a player like Ochai Agbaji, since he wasn't much of a ball handler or decision-maker, and his shooting was iffy to boot.
Kasparas would be great with Zion/Lauri/Kessler
Yeah, I like that. Add in an elite 3 and D guy, and that's a pretty good team.