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2023 NBA Draft Megathread

Wade too. Rose makes the Finals if LeBron doesn’t join Miami. I just hate that narrative. Give me dudes regardless of their size.

There is significant evidence at this point, that if your best player and lead scorer is a small guard (e.g., 6'3"), it is very rare and very difficult to win at the highest level. The reason is that the guard can usually be slowed down, if not stifled, by long defensive wings, and they are forced to take low-percentage shots. Examples include: Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, ... and I think it's going to be the same for other younger guys like Ja Morant.

Ideally, a small guard is your #2 guy, like Kyrie playing next to Lebron or Tony Parker playing next to Tim Duncan. However, there cases where the small guard can be the lead guy if there's enough support around him. Examples would be Dwayne Wade with support from Shaq, or Isiah Thomas with support from Joe Dumars and Bill Laimbeer.

Today's league is dominated by big, dynamic, athletic wings who can't be stopped from getting where they want on the floor and making a play. That said, I'd have no problem taking Scoot if the Jazz had the opportunity, but the goal would be to pair him with a game-changing big or big wing.
 
There is significant evidence at this point, that if your best player and lead scorer is a small guard (e.g., 6'3"), it is very rare and very difficult to win at the highest level. The reason is that the guard can usually be slowed down, if not stifled, by long defensive wings, and they are forced to take low-percentage shots. Examples include: Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, ... and I think it's going to be the same for other younger guys like Ja Morant.

Ideally, a small guard is your #2 guy, like Kyrie playing next to Lebron or Tony Parker playing next to Tim Duncan. However, there cases where the small guard can be the lead guy if there's enough support around him. Examples would be Dwayne Wade with support from Shaq, or Isiah Thomas with support from Joe Dumars and Bill Laimbeer.

Today's league is dominated by big, dynamic, athletic wings who can't be stopped from getting where they want on the floor and making a play. That said, I'd have no problem taking Scoot if the Jazz had the opportunity, but the goal would be to pair him with a game-changing big or big wing.
So Steph isn't enough evidence. There have also been a lot of star wings that didn't get the job done. The issue is the measuring stick... if you are just going to say titles then you need to get a top 5 player in the league... sometimes that looks like Steph, sometimes like Lebron, sometimes like Shaq or Duncan or Giannis. It isn't just a wing, guard, big man thing. The wing is an advantage because it allows for some additional flexibility and 2 way impact. But the small guards haven't been stifled in the playoffs by these big wings. Steph just buried the Celtics for hells sake.

Every title team needs support and lots of things. MJ had Pippen, Kukoc and Rodman for hells sakes and he's seen as the GOAT. Scoot is a couple talent levels above the guys behind him imo... its a no brainer if you land at #2.

Winning a title requires talent across the board and a fair amount of luck.
 
So Steph isn't enough evidence. There have also been a lot of star wings that didn't get the job done. The issue is the measuring stick... if you are just going to say titles then you need to get a top 5 player in the league... sometimes that looks like Steph, sometimes like Lebron, sometimes like Shaq or Duncan or Giannis. It isn't just a wing, guard, big man thing. The wing is an advantage because it allows for some additional flexibility and 2 way impact. But the small guards haven't been stifled in the playoffs by these big wings. Steph just buried the Celtics for hells sake.

Every title team needs support and lots of things. MJ had Pippen, Kukoc and Rodman for hells sakes and he's seen as the GOAT. Scoot is a couple talent levels above the guys behind him imo... its a no brainer if you land at #2.

Winning a title requires talent across the board and a fair amount of luck.

Steph is such an outlier. I mean, sure, if you can get a guard who singlehandedly stretches the defense and draws a double-team 35 feet out go ahead and grab him. He makes things easier for everyone else. But even that Warriors team doesn't beat Lebron's Cavs without Kevin Durant. FWIW, I don't think the Ws would have beaten Giannis and the Bucks this past year either. Middleton's injury probably stopped the Bucks from repeating, imo.

The Warriors run a unique system that actually relies on Draymond as the fulcrum. They're very much a system team. You saw a few years ago that even when Steph played at an MVP level the Warriors were still eliminated in the Play-in by the Lakers and Grizzlies. Steph can't carry a team by himself. The Warriors need all cylinders firing for their system to work. The Ws' defense was the biggest reason the Ws beat the Celtics this year.

If you asked me whether I'd rather have Steph Curry or Giannis, I'm taking Giannis. Giannis can break the paint, draw defenders and make plays at the rim against just about anyone. Then there's his defense as well.

At the end of the day, you want a guy who is unstoppable, or as close to it as you can get.
 
I want the Jazz to target two way players, even if they are thought to be lower ceiling players. If there has to be a compromise I would prefer we target a defensive player with some offensive upside vs the other way around.
 

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kr_3VFFsDc


Keegan has been a disappointment in the NBA for being a 4th pick, but if you could get him in the 15-20 range it's a solid pick.

Also wonder if Kris might translate a bit better to the NBA since his game is a bit more basic than Keegan's.

i'm convinced keegan has the yips. he looked like one of if not the best rookies in the class throughout summer league and preseason, but it's in his head. if you can get Keegan, but without the yips (that would be Kris), you take that all day long.
 
i'm convinced keegan has the yips. he looked like one of if not the best rookies in the class throughout summer league and preseason, but it's in his head. if you can get Keegan, but without the yips (that would be Kris), you take that all day long.
I just think he isn't that good, at least not 4th pick in a draft good. He will probably settle out and be a solid starter at some point
 
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