(06-02-2022, 08:00 AM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]To me if you are a big who can rebound, defend and has the footspeed to switch on guards you take him even if his offense is limited to only dunks.
The footspeed to switch onto guards is the key.
In my estimation, Mark Williams, Walker Kessler, and Christian Koloko do NOT have that footspeed and footwork (I personally think Koloko because of his soccer playing might have the best chance to get there).
But Tari Eason absolutely does (which is why I am so high on him) and if you play EJ Liddell as a small ball center, he absolutely does as well.
(06-01-2022, 08:43 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Not a fan of him as a prospect. The shooting could be special, but the athleticism is TERRIBLE. The only way he makes it in the NBA IMO is as a stretch 5. He has a 9' 2" standing reach, so he has the length for it. But again, his athleticism is really bad. Super slow, poor lateral movement, and no lift.
Not sure I see him as a small ball center, but again my sample size on him is small. One of the strengths I saw on him is his defense. It said smart defender, solid build and long arms. His best spot may be paired with a center who defends the rim to form a super long defense.
He will be a clear 20/20 hindsight guy either way. If he fails, it will be obvious due to his tape this past year. If he succeeds the dominant theme will be how could you pass on a top 5 recruit with his build and it was clear he was in a bad spot in his shortened college run.
(06-02-2022, 08:25 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Not sure I see him as a small ball center, but again my sample size on him is small. One of the strengths I saw on him is his defense. It said smart defender, solid build and long arms. His best spot may be paired with a center who defends the rim to form a super long defense.
He will be a clear 20/20 hindsight guy either way. If he fails, it will be obvious due to his tape this past year. If he succeeds the dominant theme will be how could you pass on a top 5 recruit with his build and it was clear he was in a bad spot in his shortened college run.
His defense is only good in the sense that he has that 9'2" standing reach and gets blocks because of that length and he is an attentive team defender. But he cannot keep anyone in front of him and his explosiveness is basically zero. He is not an NBA athlete. He has NBA length, but his athleticism on tape and from measurements is really, really poor.
I just don't see anyway he is not a huge defensive negative in the NBA unless he can be hidden as a center and used there for his length.
Ill take Liddell since he can shoot the 3ball and seems to be hungry to block shots. Hes only 6'5.5 though.
(06-02-2022, 09:33 AM)dynamicalVoid Wrote: [ -> ]Ill take Liddell since he can shoot the 3ball and seems to be hungry to block shots. Hes only 6'5.5 though.
His 8' 7.5" standing reach is my biggest concern with him. The 7' wingspan is good.
Draymond Green has 7' 1.25" wingspan and 8' 9" standing reach. So Liddell is even undersized compared to DG, but what Liddell has in spades is STRENGTH. He can keep guys from getting into the lane in the first place and displace them when they drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUK97j2dTH4
Just real intriguing. The negatives are he is a heavy legged and pretty much plays below the rim and that is concerning. He is still 19 (turns 20 this month). He just does a lot of the small things that help teams win. I am not sure if he is a late first or early second but just someone who has caught my eye.
I wonder if Mavs workouts will be released this year? The Mavs have always been quiet on this. In fact, sometimes i feel they try to protect who they will pick/workout over getting the pick right. Sort of kidding. Some teams are pretty transparent. I have no problem of being secret but I also think it has hid our inaction leading up to the draft as well. Per instagram, it appears several prospects are in Memphis now. They have two picks in the first round, but I will continue to check to see who is in Dallas over the next few weeks.
I keep seeing "positional strength" cited on different players, but I'm not sure what that means. Is it some kind of new buzzword?
(06-03-2022, 12:58 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdySIKBAgzw
16) Jalen Williams
18) Mark Williams
19) EJ Liddell
21) Marjon Beauchamp
22) Dalen Terry
23) Tari Eason (!!!!)
24) Christian Braun
25) Nikola Jovic
26) Jake LaRavia
27) Josh Minott
28) Wendell Moore
30) Christian Koloko
37) Kendall Brown (!!)
40) Walker Kessler
43) Patrick Baldwin
44) Jaylin Williams
45) Trevor Keels
Locked On Mav’s today had a guy who’s handle is Mav’sDraft on their podcast. He thought LaRavia was the guy also. I think he’d rather we trade down into two high seconds and stash Kamagate with one and take one of several guys who could fall to the early 30’s. But, if he had to make a single bet on one guy for them to take at 26, it would be LaRavia. Like the guy on the video above indicates, maybe not the BPA, but a good situational fit.
(06-03-2022, 02:22 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]Why is this guy not ranked higher? Seems to be the type of guy SA will draft. Lanky , fairly athletic, but seems to have a feel for the game:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nsPQ_MTcMVA
My brother is a Memphis alum and still stays close to the athletics. He says the primary reason is that Minott played next to Jalen Duren, who is likely a top 12 pick, and got lost in the glare somewhat. Don't know much else about him, but the highlight video is electric!
I haven’t come to any final conclusions on my top 4-5 wishlist but I am pretty sure Jaden Hardy will be on my final list. I understand his shortcomings and he may not be the best fit with the current team but I am buying the skill level and his HS track record. While he was not efficient in the g league he is a pro level scorer.
(06-03-2022, 02:22 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]Why is this guy not ranked higher?
Josh Minott can't shoot, that's why. He does have 75% on FT so that is promising. Also he is thin and kind of a tweener. I like him as a modern center though. Incredibly athletic and absolutely can guard 1-5. But his wingspan is only 6'11" and he is weak, so he would probably get bullied a lot as a center. And if he cannot shoot how can you get by playing him anywhere else?
(06-03-2022, 03:24 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]Locked On Mav’s today had a guy who’s handle is Mav’sDraft on their podcast. He thought LaRavia was the guy also. I think he’d rather we trade down into two high seconds and stash Kamagate with one and take one of several guys who could fall to the early 30’s. But, if he had to make a single bet on one guy for them to take at 26, it would be LaRavia. Like the guy on the video above indicates, maybe not the BPA, but a good situational fit.
I like LaRavia period, not just as a situational fit. My big question is whether his athleticism will hold up. He tested well there, so I am "in" with him and like him almost as much as anyone who might be there at #26. He feels like the perfect kind of swiss-army knife role player in the NBA.
(06-03-2022, 03:48 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]The more you watch Christian Braun the more he looks like a late first candidate. Sort of does a lot of the similar things that Josh Green does.
He is 100% a guard though in the NBA. He is too weak and does not have enough length to be a wing IMO. I love his competitive fire and think he could be a Caruso type player. But I also think he could bust. I personally am "out" on him for the Mavs.
(06-03-2022, 06:32 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]I like LaRavia period, not just as a situational fit. My big question is whether his athleticism will hold up. He tested well there, so I am "in" with him and like him almost as much as anyone who might be there at #26. He feels like the perfect kind of swiss-army knife role player in the NBA.
That's pretty much where I am.
He's one of those guys that I expect to stick in the NBA just based on the fact that he's pretty big, can pass, and shoots well on the perimeter - among other things. So if he were in a Mavs uniform he's likely to be given a long look. The potential fit with Doncic looks almost ready-made.
(06-03-2022, 06:32 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]I like LaRavia period, not just as a situational fit. My big question is whether his athleticism will hold up. He tested well there, so I am "in" with him and like him almost as much as anyone who might be there at #26. He feels like the perfect kind of swiss-army knife role player in the NBA.
Totally, totally agree. Nothing flashy, but he seems to do everything well. I see some Dario Saric and Chandler Parsons, but he’s stronger than both of those guys and more athletic than Saric.