2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[KqWIN]

Feel for the game and hooper genes are the words you used… just weird. He does not go off script… doesn’t mean he lacks feel. On defense where it’s primarily about reaction and feel for the game he makes great rotations, protects the rim, etc.

I made up no fake words… you may as well have said Flip is gonna be good cuz he’s a baller and has that dawg in him. He has some kinks to work out but the biggest issue I saw when he played was he wasn’t as assertive as I would like but it was pretty clear he was running things the way he was asked to… not sure that it’s lacking feel for the game. Assist number aren’t amazing but if you watched him in actual games (not accusing here just stating it has to be more than YouTube analysis) he moves the ball quickly. With guys that lack feel there is more thinking and less ball movement. He’s decisive and I think it’s a strength and demonstrates feel but sure he I haven’t analyzed his dna to see if he has a hooper gene… haven’t checked the X-rays to see if he has that dawg in him… haven’t seen if he has the “it” factor.

I can directly quote the fake words you made up and argued against. I seriously do not care about these arguments you make up for yourself to argue against.

I can sit here and say "do you even watch the games hur durr". It doesn't matter. I know I watched the games and I know my opinion on it. Two people can watch the same show and have a different opinion on it. You say you have watched the games, it's a meaningless thing to hammer in on. When I watch Hendricks play, I do not see a natural feel to his offensive game...and by that I mean I don't think he's capable of making instinctive plays when things go off script. He can play within the flow of a game when there aren't many decisions to make and you don't ask him to make creative plays for himself. He is someone that looks better in a structured game rather than pick up style game where there is no structure and you more or less have to make plays on your own, hence the "hooper gene" comment. I really don't think this is controversial because you have said similar things several times over. You can say he plays this way because it's what he's being asked to do. The other side of this coin is that he's being asked to do this because it keeps him in positions to succeed and he's too raw to expand his game.

If you don't consider to be that "feel for the game".....ok. There's not a dictionary definition of this stuff, but I do not intend to answer for a dumb *** interpretation that you made up for himself. Never did I mention this and1 stuff or having that "dawg" in him. You made that up on your own.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I can directly quote the fake words you made up and argued against. I seriously do not care about these arguments you make up for yourself to argue against.

I can sit here and say "do you even watch the games hur durr". It doesn't matter. I know I watched the games and I know my opinion on it. Two people can watch the same show and have a different opinion on it. You say you have watched the games, it's a meaningless thing to hammer in on. When I watch Hendricks play, I do not see a natural feel to his offensive game...and by that I mean I don't think he's capable of making instinctive plays when things go off script. He can play within the flow of a game when there aren't many decisions to make and you don't ask him to make creative plays for himself. He is someone that looks better in a structured game rather than pick up style game where there is no structure and you more or less have to make plays on your own, hence the "hooper gene" comment. I really don't think this is controversial because you have said similar things several times over. You can say he plays this way because it's what he's being asked to do. The other side of this coin is that he's being asked to do this because it keeps him in positions to succeed and he's too raw to expand his game.

If you don't consider to be that "feel for the game".....ok. There's not a dictionary definition of this stuff, but I do not intend to answer for a dumb *** interpretation that you made up for himself. Never did I mention this and1 stuff or having that "dawg" in him. You made that up on your own.

Whatever man... when the NBA moves to a pickup style and the "hooper gene" is needed then I guess Taylor will struggle. If a guy isn't out there going yolo off script (especially as a frontcourt player) I am not going to question his feel... sorry. I also watched the guy in a broken play situation gather the ball... step back to the corner for a three, all while keeping his heels above the out of bounds line Steph Curry style... Definitively stating he has a lack of feel and is deficient in hooper gene because he has had a few misses is kinda funny sorry. He moves the ball fine and plays relatively mistake free.

I would also consider how effective he was on defense - where instincts and feel are really prevalent - and add that into my evaluation. Feel for the game is most obvious to see with passing and defense.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Hendricks biggest problems are his ball handling and playmaking ability. He also wasn’t very good at finishing around the rim (besides dunks).

Every guy has their faults I’m just pointing this out because everyone on here who likes him seems to think he is a lock to go top-8.

 

[KqWIN]

Whatever man... when the NBA moves to a pickup style and the "hooper gene" is needed then I guess Taylor will struggle. If a guy isn't out there going yolo off script (especially as a frontcourt player) I am not going to question his feel... sorry. I also watched the guy in a broken play situation gather the ball... step back to the corner for a three, all while keeping his heels above the out of bounds line Steph Curry style... Definitively stating he has a lack of feel and is deficient in hooper gene because he has had a few misses is kinda funny sorry. He moves the ball fine and plays relatively mistake free.

I would also consider how effective he was on defense - where instincts and feel are really prevalent - and add that into my evaluation. Feel for the game is most obvious to see with passing and defense.

Never said it's necessary, but it is a clear gap in his game at the moment. As I said before, it doesn't mean as much as far as his role player potential. I am going to question a player's feel for the game when he struggles to do anything off script. When a player hardly does anything off script, and when he does he struggles, I do not automatically assume he has a good feel for the game. IMO, that is something that has to be demonstrated. That's kinda how it works with any skill. If you don't demonstrate it well, I'm going to have it as a question mark and I do not believe he demonstrated these abilities well at the college level. Do you really believe he's the type of player you want to rely on his playmaking and shot creation on? I certainly do not think he's the make something out of nothing type of offensive player.

Defensively he's great. I wouldn't put him in the auto-Robert Covington territory as you have before, but this is the side of the court where he will make a living.

I also watched the guy in a broken play situation gather the ball... step back to the corner for a three, all while keeping his heels above the out of bounds line Steph Curry style... Definitively stating he has a lack of feel and is deficient in hooper gene because he has had a few misses is kinda funny sorry.

This quote is very funny indeed. At this point it's understood that you don't actually read any of the points I make and decide for yourself what you argue against. But yeah the irony is rich here in this quote.

 

[KqWIN]

Hendricks biggest problems are his ball handling and playmaking ability. He also wasn’t very good at finishing around the rim (besides dunks).

Every guy has their faults I’m just pointing this out because everyone on here who likes him seems to think he is a lock to go top-8.

You can acknowledge a player's faults and still like him. Well you should be able to, not on this forum though.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Never said it's necessary, but it is a clear gap in his game at the moment.

The only clear gap I see is between what you know and what you think you know.

As I said before, it doesn't mean as much as far as his role player potential. I am going to question a player's feel for the game when he struggles to do anything off script. When a player hardly does anything off script, and when he does he struggles, I do not automatically assume he has a good feel for the game. IMO, that is something that has to be demonstrated. That's kinda how it works with any skill. If you don't demonstrate it well, I'm going to have it as a question mark and I do not believe he demonstrated these abilities well at the college level. Do you really believe he's the type of player you want to rely on his playmaking and shot creation on?

In his role? Yes! I literally ****ing watched it. When he made plays out of the pick and roll. Do I want him running pg? nope. He does not always struggle off script my friend... and the fact that he doesn't freelance is not a knock at all.. in fact it will help him long term stay on the court.

I certainly do not think he's the make something out of nothing type of offensive player.

Defensively he's great. I wouldn't put him in the auto-Robert Covington territory as you have before, but this is the side of the court where he will make a living.

He will make his living all over the court. His two-way potential is what will make his living. The defense may end up being ahead of the offense... but I could see him being a great offensive player in the super John Collins type of role.

This quote is very funny indeed. At this point it's understood that you don't actually read any of the points I make and decide for yourself what you argue against. But yeah the irony is rich here in this quote.

Huh? Because in a broken play he didn't just take a long two but stepped back and had the awareness to keep his feet behind the line but not go out of bounds. That is an instincts/feel play.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

You can acknowledge a player's faults and still like him. Well you should be able to, not on this forum though.

I agree his faults are ball handling and playmaking... he may not be a guy that spends much time on ball. Those are skill and ability related... not feel and hooper gene related... lol

And honestly... he can be a star in his role even if those don't come around.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I agree his faults are ball handling and playmaking... he may not be a guy that spends much time on ball. Those are skill and ability related... not feel and hooper gene related... lol

And honestly... he can be a star in his role even if those don't come around.

His role being 3 and D?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

His role being 3 and D?

That might be too simplistic... like he's not PJ Tucker...

I think he can do some of the stuff Lauri does on offense. Lauri isn't a great ballhandler and isn't a big self creator. I think Taylor could be like a super John Collins... pick and roll, pick and pop, working in DHOs, and then when he isn't in the action he would be a floor spacer.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That might be too simplistic... like he's not PJ Tucker...

I think he can do some of the stuff Lauri does on offense. Lauri isn't a great ballhandler and isn't a big self creator. I think Taylor could be like a super John Collins... pick and roll, pick and pop, working in DHOs, and then when he isn't in the action he would be a floor spacer.

On defense he can switch a little, protect the rim, and may allow you to play 5 out with him and Lauri at the 4/5.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Duke 68-66 Miami (Jan 21, 2023) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Duke Blue Devils vs. Miami Hurricanes NCAAM game from January 21, 2023 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

Miami 66-64 UCF (Nov 27, 2022) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Miami Hurricanes vs. UCF Knights NCAAM game from November 27, 2022 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

Interesting

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Duke 68-66 Miami (Jan 21, 2023) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Duke Blue Devils vs. Miami Hurricanes NCAAM game from January 21, 2023 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

Miami 66-64 UCF (Nov 27, 2022) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Miami Hurricanes vs. UCF Knights NCAAM game from November 27, 2022 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

Interesting

lol... using a one game sample.. either you are full dumb or full troll... either way if I explain it to you then you won't get it.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Hendricks biggest problems are his ball handling and playmaking ability. He also wasn’t very good at finishing around the rim (besides dunks).

Every guy has their faults I’m just pointing this out because everyone on here who likes him seems to think he is a lock to go top-8.

If he measures out at like 6'8.5" w/o shoes (6'10" w/ shoes) and a 7'3" wingspan, those flaws will matter less. It would mean he projects as a bonafide big. If he measures more wing-sized, those issues are likely more pronounced.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

lol... using a one game sample.. either you are full dumb or full troll... either way if I explain it to you then you won't get it.

Just said it was interesting.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

If he measures out at like 6'8.5" w/o shoes and a 7'3" wingspan, those flaws will matter less. It would mean he projects as a bonafide big.

Length does not make one a big. If you are trying to play him at the 5 it takes away his best attributes to a large extent. Maybe he can develop into that down the road once his body matures out, but I don't think that's going to be his role during his rookie contract.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Just said it was interesting.

Its not. at all.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Length does not make one a big. If you are trying to play him at the 5 it takes away his best attributes to a large extent. Maybe he can develop into that down the road once his body matures out, but I don't think that's going to be his role during his rookie contract.

If he can play as a stretchy 4/5 with defensive versatility, that's appealing. That would be a player like Bobby Portis, for example. If he's a floor-spacing wing with limited creation, like Jerami Grant or Robert Covington, that's still appealing, but probably not a top-8 guy, imo.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

If he can play as a stretchy 4/5 with defensive versatility, that's appealing. That would be a player like Bobby Portis, for example. If he's a floor-spacing wing with limited creation, like Jerami Grant or Robert Covington, that's still appealing, but probably not a top-8 guy.

He isnt much like Portis though. Portis was tough, hard nosed and a guy who liked to mix it up in the paint and rebound. He also weighed 240+ lbs. Flip is much more of a comp for Portis than Hendricks is.

I do think he's closer to Grant/Covington. He's going to be a perimeter based guy. Maybe if he gets on the right team that has a more open paint (playing alongside a stretch 5) a team will be able to take advantage of his vertical rim pressure upside, but he isnt going to be a great playing in the paint at the NBA level early on.

Also, Filipowski has a much better looking shot. Hendricks shot better, but they were equal in FT%. If you take out an 8 game stretch for Hendricks where he was on fire from 3 (61%) he only shot 32% from 3 on the year.

 

[KqWIN]

The only clear gap I see is between what you know and what you think you know.

In his role? Yes! I literally ****ing watched it. When he made plays out of the pick and roll. Do I want him running pg? nope. He does not always struggle off script my friend... and the fact that he doesn't freelance is not a knock at all.. in fact it will help him long term stay on the court.

He will make his living all over the court. His two-way potential is what will make his living. The defense may end up being ahead of the offense... but I could see him being a great offensive player in the super John Collins type of role.

Huh? Because in a broken play he didn't just take a long two but stepped back and had the awareness to keep his feet behind the line but not go out of bounds. That is an instincts/feel play.

It's very funny that you rant about this one play, and then try to roast me for forming a definitive opinion "on a few missed shots". Like this one shot really matters, but how dare you care about these other shots haha.

The hooper gene, to me at least, is the shotmaking/shotcreating ability. If you don't think that's what hooper gene, whatever. Hooper gene is not a real thing, it is more or less what I use to describe the ability to shot make/ shot create. But please do not make up a version of it to disagree with. If you believe Hendo has shotmaking/shotcreating ability I would disagree. The most stereotypical hooper gene guy I can think of is CJ McCollum. Not every player is like CJ McCollum, you don't need to be like him, but he does have a very distinct skill and it's valuable. Hendo does not have this skill in my eyes. I really hope no one wants Hendo bc he does the things that CJ does on offense.

For me, feel for the game is the playmaking/ball handling version of this. Offensively I do not see this higher level playmaking that goes beyond just moving the ball in a normal way or much ball handling at all. Guys who have a good feel for the game offensively are players like Slomo and Ingles. These are guys you can really depend on and lean on their playmaking abilities. I do not see those characteristics from Hendricks. Once again, I do not care if you disagree with the definition of feel for the game. It is not a real term, it is just giving a name to skills that I do not think Hendricks has. If you want to say Hendricks has good feel for the game because defense is what = feel for the game, who really cares. Feel for the game is a made up term and what really matters is the skill he offers.

At the end of the day, I just don't see Hendricks as the player who you want to create for himself and others. Forget hooper gene and feel for the game if it hurts your feelings so much. I do not care to argue the semantics of these terms, and I especially do not care to argue for made up definitions from these terms that did not come from me. The skills I described are the weak points of Henricks as a prospect. This does not mean I hate Hendricks, I am simply describing what I see as his weakpoints. I love Robert Covington, I would never describe him as a guy who has the hooper gene or someone who has a great feel for the game on offense. It is possible to describe a player, flaws and all, and still appreciate the things he does well.

 

[whatthe]

It's very funny that you rant about this one play, and then try to roast me for forming a definitive opinion "on a few missed shots". Like this one shot really matters, but how dare you care about these other shots haha.

The hooper gene, to me at least, is the shotmaking/shotcreating ability. If you don't think that's what hooper gene, whatever. Hooper gene is not a real thing, it is more or less what I use to describe the ability to shot make/ shot create. But please do not make up a version of it to disagree with. If you believe Hendo has shotmaking/shotcreating ability I would disagree. The most stereotypical hooper gene guy I can think of is CJ McCollum. Not every player is like CJ McCollum, you don't need to be like him, but he does have a very distinct skill and it's valuable. Hendo does not have this skill in my eyes. I really hope no one wants Hendo bc he does the things that CJ does on offense.

For me, feel for the game is the playmaking/ball handling version of this. Offensively I do not see this higher level playmaking that goes beyond just moving the ball in a normal way or much ball handling at all. Guys who have a good feel for the game offensively are players like Slomo and Ingles. These are guys you can really depend on and lean on their playmaking abilities. I do not see those characteristics from Hendricks. Once again, I do not care if you disagree with the definition of feel for the game. It is not a real term, it is just giving a name to skills that I do not think Hendricks has. If you want to say Hendricks has good feel for the game because defense is what = feel for the game, who really cares. Feel for the game is a made up term and what really matters is the skill he offers.

At the end of the day, I just don't see Hendricks as the player who you want to create for himself and others. Forget hooper gene and feel for the game if it hurts your feelings so much. I do not care to argue the semantics of these terms, and I especially do not care to argue for made up definitions from these terms that did not come from me. The skills I described are the weak points of Henricks as a prospect. This does not mean I hate Hendricks, I am simply describing what I see as his weakpoints. I love Robert Covington, I would never describe him as a guy who has the hooper gene or someone who has a great feel for the game on offense. It is possible to describe a player, flaws and all, and still appreciate the things he does well.

Private workouts will be interesting. I would want to see if there is more there and if he can pick it up. Hand pads, balance tests and other voodoo.

Personally a lot these guys are going to flounder. Only Brandon Miller as freshman stood out and that trend might continue. The foreign guys just might perform better/sooner this year and the group think in the draft is deluding themselves.

In short, with two of the picks I want high floor guys that will at the same time fundamentally address the weakness of the team. Bench/Defense/point guard play - that's Hendricks and Wallace. And with the third I would then swing for the fences. I think the players near our range that a good percentage will bust and blow up so playing it is safe maybe the better move for this draft.