2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[Saint Cy of JFC]

This one felt like a mock where he wanted to shake things up a little... I think I heard him say as much in a pod. So Rupert, JHS, and some others might be higher than where they ultimately end up. I think we end up in the 8/9 range and picking between Ausar/George/Smith Jr./Wallace/Black.. I think a top 6 is kinda firming up.

Rupert's highlights are intriguing. I liked the context Sam added of him being a starter on one of the better teams. I ranked him in the top 20 of my last big board just because I liked the tools and the age.

I would be seriously pissed if we took Lively over Fili. I need to see a lot more from Lively before I think he is any different than Dok and Damian Jones.

I think mocks just generally do better numbers than big boards do. I doubt Sam is actually thinking too hard about team fit.

But Lively is very freaking good. He could be better than Kessler in 4 years. He's an elite shot blocker with elite size and elite athleticism who seems to be a worker. I probably wouldn't draft him, certainly not over Flip, but after that name there aren't a ton of high level talents to draft and Lively is a high level talent.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Rupert's highlights are intriguing. I liked the context Sam added of him being a starter on one of the better teams. I ranked him in the top 20 of my last big board just because I liked the tools and the age.

I think mocks just generally do better numbers than big boards do. I doubt Sam is actually thinking too hard about team fit.

But Lively is very freaking good. He could be better than Kessler in 4 years. He's an elite shot blocker with elite size and elite athleticism who seems to be a worker. I probably wouldn't draft him, certainly not over Flip, but after that name there aren't a ton of high level talents to draft and Lively is a high level talent.

Rupert is more a guy I'd look at in the 20s or with the Minny pick. I don't think we actually end up 13th and will take a swing on a higher tier more upside prospect.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I would be seriously pissed if we took Lively over Fili. I need to see a lot more from Lively before I think he is any different than Dok and Damian Jones.

I'd prefer Lively... highly ranked prospect who hasn't sucked. I think Duke as a program may end up really struggling now that Coach K is gone. I just have a hard time projecting what Fili is in the NBA. Lively would have a clear role as a rim protector and rim roller.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Rupert is more a guy I'd look at in the 20s or with the Minny pick. I don't think we actually end up 13th and will take a swing on a higher tier more upside prospect.

Yeah, 13 would be high for my taste, but the writeup on him is a very good sales job. 18 year old with potentia/elite length to be an elite defender who wants to work and be a team first guy who is already contributing to winning on a professional level for a competitive team? Sign me up.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Yeah, 13 would be high for my taste, but the writeup on him is a very good sales job. 18 year old with potentia/elite length to be an elite defender who wants to work and be a team first guy who is already contributing to winning on a professional level for a competitive team? Sign me up.

I'd be happy to take him with the Minny pick... if Hendo isn't there.

 

[Bodhi]

I'd be happy to take him with the Minny pick... if Hendo isn't there.

Barf emoji

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Barf emoji

Not a Rupert fan huh.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Gobert and Rupert rhyme so he has to be good

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Gobert and Rupert rhyme so he has to be good

Don't draft anyone that rhymes with Bradley or Azubuike.

 

[Bodhi]

Not a Rupert fan huh.

I see the tools but even before his injury he shot poorly, but after, dude couldnt hit the broad side of a barn, from almost any distance. Again, I'd be interested late (only if we had dudes like Wallace or other dudes ready to go before him) but not with other projects picked in the same draft.

I think he could be a really good defender and he has flashes as a facilitator but im just not sold he wont be a liability on the offensive side of the ball if he cant shoot.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

One thing I recently noticed about OTE: they don't use refs to inbound the ball. So if a turnover or made basket happens, the players can just get it and go. That's a big reason why on the highlights you will see a ton of fastbreeaks without players back

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I see the tools but even before his injury he shot poorly, but after, dude couldnt hit the broad side of a barn, from almost any distance. Again, I'd be interested late (only if we had dudes like Wallace or other dudes ready to go before him) but not with other projects picked in the same draft.

I think he could be a really good defender and he has flashes as a facilitator but im just not sold he wont be a liability on the offensive side of the ball if he cant shoot.

He at least looks OK/natural ball in hand. I wanted to be a Jordan Walsh truther but after watching him it's just all kinds of awkward to the point where I don't see a ton of room for growth. I see room for growth with Rupert.