A football player can still train without getting hit. But if Zion stops playing to train for the draft, won’t that training include a lot of...playing basketball?
2019 Draft Megathread
- Thread starter nighthob
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I'm not sure that's true. Barrett is still an alpha scorer that will get to stretch things out if Zion's injured. And anything that costs the 6'7" 280lb guy lift is going to give GMs pause. No one wants to completely Fultz up a #1 pick.
EDIT: I will agree, though, that barring injury he's destined to be an annual all star.
I agree with this. I have pause taking Zion #1 as it is with that body. The kid is 18 years old. Would it surprise anyone to see him with a max contract at 25 and being one road trip away from returning home looking like John "Hot Plate" Williams?
I don't really think that's the danger so much as that with that much mass the knee injury's more a matter of when than if. He can be a legitimately great player for the length of his rookie deal and extension and still be out of the NBA before his third contract ends.
He seems pretty motivated and a hard worker, and plays with an incredible motor. Would you really take someone else because this might happen?
Sam Vecenie over at The Athletic mocked KZ Okpala to Boston with their first #1. Not sure what I think of that yet. If the Kings landed the eight seed and we were talking a pick in the 17-19 range I suppose I’d be OK gambling on upside.
I don’t love his jumper, the release point’s too low, so he’s going to be limited to catch & shoot treys. And he’s so skinny that I’m not sure how effectively he can attack close outs or finish though contact.
That being said he has Inspector Gadget arms, great defensive footwork and anticipation, and a real talent for disrupting the passing lanes. In another 30lbs he could be a pretty good player.
I don’t love his jumper, the release point’s too low, so he’s going to be limited to catch & shoot treys. And he’s so skinny that I’m not sure how effectively he can attack close outs or finish though contact.
That being said he has Inspector Gadget arms, great defensive footwork and anticipation, and a real talent for disrupting the passing lanes. In another 30lbs he could be a pretty good player.
I'll double down on this post. Completely agree with Scottie Pippen.
Zion should shut it down and prepare himself for the draft. Ironic that it's a pair of Nike's that will be the catalyst here
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/scottie-pippen-thinks-dukes-zion-williamson-should-shut-it-down-and-prepare-for-draft/
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I'm sure that he still is, but I'd love to get magic ping pong ball bounce to #2 and test that theory.
Brad got a full helping of Markus Howard last night.
I'd like to see Markus or Cam Johnson as the Celtics 2nd round pick
I'd like to see Markus or Cam Johnson as the Celtics 2nd round pick
Memphis owns Boston's 2nd round pick this year, but it's 31-55 protected. This is the pick that Boston traded in exchange for Zoran Dragic (who was waived shortly thereafter) to give Pat Riley some cap relief. The pick was subsequently traded by the Heat to the Grizz.
If the draft were held today, the pick would be #53, so Boston would have it. But if the Celtics play well the rest of they way, it might convey.
If the draft were held today, the pick would be #53, so Boston would have it. But if the Celtics play well the rest of they way, it might convey.
This kid at UNC, Coby White, seems interesting as a mid/late first rounder. Lightening quick, decent size for a PG, can shoot, defend. Not a bad guy to develop off the bench next season behind Kyrie (or Rozier).
Lots of NBA draft picks in today's Duke/UNC game and in the ACC this season.
Lots of NBA draft picks in today's Duke/UNC game and in the ACC this season.
He broke Michael Jordan's school record for points in a season by a freshman. Always notable passing MJ, even for a semi-random stat like that.
I do not watch much college basketball, but somehow I have managed to catch 3 or 4 Seton Hall games. I don't see the dudes name on any mocks, but each time I have come away highly impressed with Myles Powell
Good player. Another South Kent alum. There are some skilled little guards out there. Ky Bowman is one, Tre Jones is another, and if you liked Dana Barros, you'll love Markus Howard. I have not watched Garland, the kid from Vanderbilt, or Matt Morgan. I did watch Shamorie Ponds and was unimpressed. Erratic player.
Yeah I like White as well. Much more so than Tre Jones, who usually gets mocked higher. Jones really struggles offensively, which makes him a tough sell as a smaller point guard.
Tre Jones comes with a huge defensive rep/BB-IQ (via Jay Bilas). I know he mocks high but I'm not a buyer either. I like Jerome from UVA better than Jones.
White being the top scoring freshman Tar Heel ever is a huge accomplishment with all the talent that has gone through Chapel Hill PLUS he plays with upperclassmen that want their points (Maye/Johnson).
The Celts should be in the market for a PG this off-season...like BigJohn, I'd really like Markus Howard in the 2nd round
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Tre Jones is an absolute beast defensively. But his shooting is poor. Not young Rondo poor. But poor.
I’m the biggest Howard homer here, but then there’s a long running Port Cellar joke about me and the Marquette guys (Vander Blue is going to have his big breakout next year, damnit!!!).
I watched the Tankathon videos on Marcus Howard. He certainly can shoot the basketball, which, at 5'11" is essential. I hate to draw the obvious parallel, but he might turn out to be a redeux of IT. For the sake of a second round pick, that would be a great return.
5'9" Chris Clemons at Campbell is IT redux...another very late 2nd that may be in play
putting up 45pts, albeit on an also-ran, mid-major DC program
I've decided that if the Celtics keep their own pick I want Kyle Guy. I also want Jack Salt to be the next Aron Baynes.
Howard is just not a good enough athlete + has no NBA-level moves whatsoever. I might be biased but I LOVE Eric Paschal as a 2nd round flyer. Crazy athlete, great defender, can shoot.
Alex Schiffer @TheSchiffMan 5h5 hours ago
BREAKING: Multiple sources tell me Missouri forward Jontay Porter retore his ACL while out in Denver this week. Missouri confirms the injury:
BREAKING: Multiple sources tell me Missouri forward Jontay Porter retore his ACL while out in Denver this week. Missouri confirms the injury:
Looks like it's changed quite a bit in recent mocks.
White mocks at 9, Jones at 17
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2019-nba-mock-draft-top-three-of-zion-williamson-rj-barrett-ja-morant-a-virtual-lock-and-then-things-get-interesting/
If Kyrie takes his talent's elsewhere I want the Celtics to just let Terry walk (unless we get him on a Smart deal) and use their draft picks to start a mini-rebuild around Tatum/Brown/Smart
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There's a chance the Celtics could wind up drafting at 9, if the Memphis picks happens to convey this year, and if they're mini-rebuilding, presumably they're keeping that pick rather than dealing it; White could be a nice piece to grab there.
If Kyrie, Horford, Morris, Theis, Baynes, Wanamaker and Rozier walk, they would have seven players under contract (Williams, Hayward, Tatum, Brown, Smart, Ojeleye and Yabusele), 3-4 first round picks and nearly $40mm under the cap (less the cost of the draft picks).
Obviously, if Horford opts in, they'd have eight under contract but not much cap room at all.
Johnny Dawkins kid Aubry sure looks the part of an NBA shooting guard, and I'd take a shot with Tacko Fall in the late 2nd.
Yeah, he does look like he has serious long term potential as a 3&D wing. I wouldn't be opposed to Boston using their second rounder on him.
I’ve only caught him a few times. His shooting stroke is nice and clean, there’s the tiniest bit of a hitch in his release (you see it especially when he’s shooting free throws) that I think prevents him from being an elite shooter (i.e. it looks like he’ll be more of a catch & shoot specialist than pure shooter).
His defensive concentration needs a lot of work, too. But I do think he has a long future in the league as a 3&D guy because when he’s wide open he’s deadly out to around 25’-28’.
His defensive concentration needs a lot of work, too. But I do think he has a long future in the league as a 3&D guy because when he’s wide open he’s deadly out to around 25’-28’.
He might want to work on his putback game.
Seriously, that was a heroic effort against Duke, and Dawkins was amazing. When you're up three with one possession remaining, giving up four points in that one possession is ridiculous.
Grant Williams from TN is a guy that's starting to grow on me. He reminds me of one of those classic Doc Rivers PFs. Strong, good touch, has some athleticism and skill but you wish he were longer and more dynamic. He's a junior and maxed out physically, but only 20 so there's still some skill projection. I think he'll be what they wanted Yabu to be, and I think he'd be a nice fit with their own pick around 20. I see him as a legit rotational player. Probably nothing too exciting, but an energy big who can knock down shots, grab rebounds and play physically. He's the kind of guy who kills Tatum and Morris off the glass, so it'd be nice to have one of those guys on the team for a change.
They eat raw as well. That's a huge dietary constraint because it means many of the nutrients in food are not bioavailable.
What's the consensus on Rui Hachimura's NBA future? Tankathon has him at ~17, so probably will be on the board for one or more of the Cs picks. One of the more dominant college players with length and great shooting, but not ranked as highly as I thought he would be. Are the knocks on him just athleticism/age?
I like him. I think the knock is that he doesn't have much range but if he can make strides there, I see a very useful rotation piece. He's athletic and gets to the hole. His style kind of reminds me of a (very) poor man's Greek Freak. I would strongly consider him with one of our picks.
I like him as well. He's strong, skilled and pretty athletic. He's not really a playmaker, but I think he fits well on most teams.
Clarke is super interesting as well. Better leaper but not as strong. Great finisher aroung the rim but not much range, I think if he adds the range he's a better player.
He's a classic Power 3, meaning a PF in the pace & space era. But he needs to extend his range, PFs that can't shoot the three are somewhat limited in rotational utility. I like him and I'd consider him at 14 if Boston were drafting there.
The tools are all there, and yet he’s a mess on defense. Upside is maybe prime Wilson Chandler, which good for a mid first, I suppose. Not a particularly heady player, and he disappears way too often. Or maybe I just miss him because I only have eyes for Brandon Clarke when I’m watching Gonzaga. At the risk of becoming a broken record in this thread, I really love that guy and think he has All-NBA defense potential. And so does the kid on the other end of the state, Matisse Thybulle, who may be available late. In a weak-looking draft, I’d be pretty psyched with Clarke, wherever we pick.
With a late 2nd I'd give my Grandmother, RIP, a shot if I thought it'd be fun to watch. Kid had a great game.