2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[KqWIN]

Another young and inefficient player to compare him to would be Jonathan Kuminga, who struggled as an 18 y.o. with GLI. GG has shown more shooting and self-creation flashes than Kuminga did. I think most people view GG as a high-upside prospect.

Maybe....I think we're still figuring out to evaluate GLeague players. I think that was the covid year right? Kuminga didn't fall very far and was much more of "toolsy" player than GG imo. Kuminga was one of the best athletes in the NBA the day he got drafted and he's making his way as a non shot creator. Even if he was struggling to score in the G-League, that was not his entire game like it is with GG. Maybe Jaden Hardy is the better reference point from the G-League as someone who truly lost a lot of draft stock.

I'm definitely away from the crowd as what I view as "potential". I personally just find that most of the guys who really pop later in the draft are not the traditional "high potential" types. For GG, I think that even if he figures out the shotmaking stuff he has a million other things to work on besides that to be a high end player. There's not really a star out there who is only a star because he can get buckets. They either have a much more complete offensive game that makes them truly elite or are much stronger on defense. I think he can be Tobias Harris, for example, but he will never be someone like Siakam who has a lot more to offer besides scoring.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Maybe....I think we're still figuring out to evaluate GLeague players. I think that was the covid year right? Kuminga didn't fall very far and was much more of "toolsy" player than GG imo. Kuminga was one of the best athletes in the NBA the day he got drafted and he's making his way as a non shot creator. Even if he was struggling to score in the G-League, that was not his entire game like it is with GG. Maybe Jaden Hardy is the better reference point from the G-League as someone who truly lost a lot of draft stock.

I'm definitely away from the crowd as what I view as "potential". I personally just find that most of the guys who really pop later in the draft are not the traditional "high potential" types. For GG, I think that even if he figures out the shotmaking stuff he has a million other things to work on besides that to be a high end player. There's not really a star out there who is only a star because he can get buckets. They either have a much more complete offensive game that makes them truly elite or are much stronger on defense. I think he can be Tobias Harris, for example, but he will never be someone like Siakam who has a lot more to offer besides scoring.

We'll disagree on this. I think GG can readily become a bouncier version of Siakam on offense. Defense is a complete ?? though.

 

[KqWIN]

We'll disagree on this. I think GG can readily become a bouncier version of Siakam on offense. Defense is a complete ?? though.

I don't think he's close to the athlete Siakam is and that plays a big part to his offense. Siakam is also a much better playmaker. But lets see he makes massive improvement as a scorer and playmaker to be Siakam's level on offense. Defense isn't just an afterthought. You can be very, very good on offense and still not make it onto the floor for starter minutes in the NBA. Siakam is a complete player, the scoring might match up but GG is nowhere near Siakam in the other parts of the game.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I think Ferg hyping up GG and being a massive hater on Miller soured me on GG early on. I am starting to warm up to GG more now.

First of all, I don't consider myself a hater on Brandon Miller. When I compare him to Otto Porter and Nic Batum, those are intended to be compliments. Otto Porter was Big East POTY as a freshman, put up 48/42/78 shooting splits and went #3 in his draft.

Second, I've been watching GG closely since last summer when he originally jumped his class and committed to UNC. I think he can be really good. He's not the sharpest tack, but he's a good kid, he works, and he can be a mis-match scorer. I'm hoping he measures out at over 6'8" without shoes, his wingspan comes in at 6'11" and comes into workouts close to 220 lbs. The issue for the Jazz is that they already have a super-sized wing in Lauri who can score 30+ points on high efficiency. So I'm not sure how high a priority GG would be to the Jazz compared to a team like Atlanta or Golden State.

 

[Bodhi]

I think GG has the raw talent. I don’t worry about the skill, size etc. I think he has all the tools.

My worry is between his ears. He’s shown some serious immaturity and lack of awareness. BUT the kid is barely 18 yo.

I’m nowhere near Ferg level on him, but I’d seriously consider him with the Minny pick if it lands 15-18 ish.

 

[Bodhi]

First of all, I don't consider myself a hater on Brandon Miller.

Well that makes one of us.

 

[Miggs]

I’m not advocating taking him with our pick or the Wolves one, and I’m not sure he’ll even declare for the draft, but I really like Johnell Davis on FAU. Can’t tell what sort of athleticism he has but he just always seems in control out there. His dribble drive reminds me a bit of Wade and Oladipo. Not saying he’s their caliber player though.

17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals in the four tourney games.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I don't think he's close to the athlete Siakam is and that plays a big part to his offense. Siakam is also a much better playmaker. But lets see he makes massive improvement as a scorer and playmaker to be Siakam's level on offense. Defense isn't just an afterthought. You can be very, very good on offense and still not make it onto the floor for starter minutes in the NBA. Siakam is a complete player, the scoring might match up but GG is nowhere near Siakam in the other parts of the game.

Siakam wasn't close to where GG is at the same age. It sounds like you're trying to compare the skillsets of an 18 year-old to someone who blossomed when he was 25. GG was widely considered the #1 prospect in his HS class before he jumped a year.

In terms of physical ability, even now GG has better balance, better body control, a better handle, better bounce and is shiftier than Siakam. It enables GG to score in more situations, including mid-range and off movement. Siakam's defense is aided in large part due to his length. He as a 7'3" wingspan, which GG won't ever have. GG is going to come into the league needing to learn how to play defense pretty much from scratch, but that's the case with a lot of one-and-done.

In any case, I've seen your takes on GG all year, and I don't agree them. Quite frankly, I'm trying to remember the last time I was impressed with one of your takes in this thread and nothing is coming to mind.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Well that makes one of us.

Clearly, you must have noticed how self-restrained I've been in not criticizing Miller's tournament performance. If GG went out and shot 3-19, he'd be getting skewered.

 

[Bodhi]

I think GG has the raw talent. I don’t worry about the skill, size etc. I think he has all the tools.

My worry is between his ears. He’s shown some serious immaturity and lack of awareness. BUT the kid is barely 18 yo.

I’m nowhere near Ferg level on him, but I’d seriously consider him with the Minny pick if it lands 15-18 ish.

I love quoting my own posts.

Maybe I have an irrational trust in Hardy but he’s the perfect kind of coach for GG imo.

 

[Bodhi]

Clearly, you must have noticed how self-restrained I've been in not criticizing Miller's tournament performance. If GG went out and shot 3-19, he'd be getting skewered.

Criticize away. I put so little stock into tourney performances.

I like ya man, I just don’t buy for a second you’re being intellectually honest about Miller.

 

[KqWIN]

Siakam wasn't close to where GG is at the same age. It sounds like you're trying to compare the skillsets of an 18 year-old to someone who blossomed when he was 25. GG was widely considered the #1 prospect in his HS class before he jumped a year.

In terms of physical ability, even now GG has better balance, better body control, a better handle, better bounce and is shiftier than Siakam. It enables GG to score in more situations, including mid-range and off movement. Siakam's defense is aided in large part due to his length. He as a 7'3" wingspan, which GG won't ever have. GG is going to come into the league needing to learn how to play defense pretty much from scratch, but that's the case with a lot of one-and-done.

In any case, I've seen your takes on GG all year, and I don't agree them. Quite frankly, I'm trying to remember the last time I was impressed with one of your takes in this thread and nothing is coming to mind.

To be clear, when I say he can't be Siakam I mean he can't be the same kind of complete player. Scoring is only one aspect of Siakam. Siakam would be a good player if he was a 10% usage player. There's more to being a high end player than just scoring, but that's all GG can do and he did it horribly at the college level. Despite being so bad at the college level, I can see it coming around, but I don't see the other parts coming around as well. Like I said, you can be a very very good offensive player, not just scorer, and still not be a high end player. GG is not even close to being a good scorer and that's his only offering.

I'm glad you mentioned the #1 prospect thing as well, because that is often cited but I don't think people look at the history of the #1 prospect in their class. It's not exactly a silver bullet, especially in recent years.

I appreciate the personal attack, because that is totally relevant to GG Jackson. Maybe if I made up some things out of my imagination like Saint I could impress, but quite frankly I feel comfortable with being on the wrong side of your evaluation If I impressed you I might have to reconsider my takes.