[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 According to reports, Malik Monk could be a huge riser in this upcoming NBA draft, I know the season haven’t started yet. But, according to both Chad Ford and Jonathan Goodwin, Malik Monk is now proected to go in the top 10 and with the potential to rise up the boards. Chad Ford also stated that a lot of GM’s believe he can translate to a point guard and will be a point guard in the NBA. They both reported that he’s been awsome in practice and in the preseason.

I always believed he was underrated when it comes to rankings and projections. He have what you want as a NBA point guard prospect, I was baffled when some sites have him going 15-25 in their mock draft. I know he’s a little reckless, shoots a little to much, and seems like a shooting guard. But, if you watched Westbrook in college people said the same thing. From what I’ve seen, he looks like a point guard and people that are lableing him a two guard need to wait and see.

He didn’t play at a powerhouse school or AAU program that was filled with D1 basketball players, so he had to be the primary scorer and score in bunches to win games. The crazy thing that I watched and by looking at his stats is that he shot 35-37% from 3 when people are literally doubling/triple teaming him. He have the best shot in his graduation class juding by what I’ve seen. He’s a natual jump shooter with a reported 42-45" vertical.

When I been ranking point guards I’ve had him at the number one spot, things changed due to Markelle Fultz rising. I like him a little more than I do Dennis Smith and De’Aaron Fox. He have the combo of great leaping ability, PnR play, and jump shooting ability. When watching him shoot jumpers you can see how he elevate with ease and the touch he have on his shot. He is unbelievable.

Yes, he have to be come in control. Yes, he needs more work to be a legit point guard prospect. But, the Lou Williams comparison was out of line, they don’t compare. I believe he can go top 5 depending on the team that picking in the top 5.

My top 5 prospects (as of now):

1. Markelle Fultz
2. Josh Jackson
3. Harry Giles
4. Malik Monk
5. Dennis Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 I’ve watched both UK preseason games.  Granted they were against inferior teams, and UK blew them out as expected.  The takeaways from the games I think are the following:

1.  De’Aaron Fox comparisons to John Wall are legit.  I scouted John Wall extensively in his year at UK, and I think Fox is a better defender, is probably about as fast, but not quite as strong as Wall.  But Fox can really move with the ball, and is a high level passer.  I think Fox will move up the board as the season progresses.  Top 7 pick I think ultimately.

2.  Malik Monk is is what I expected him to be: a gifted athlete with a solid feel for scoring in transition and in traffic.  Where I was surprised was in his smooth pull-up jumper, his defense, and his ball-handling.  It’s too early to tell but it does seem that he has excellent court vision and he made some really nice passes.  I can see him going top 10, or a bit higher if he convinces as a PG.  He is slightly undersized for 2, so he needs to be seen as a PG if he is to go higher than top 10.

3.  Isaiah Briscoe is shooting the ball better.  If he can run the offense, and shoot well this year then he could be a first rounder.  If his shooting woes continue then he may not come out as he will likely be projected in the 2nd round.

4.  Wenyen Gabriel is probably going to come out this year and be drafted in the first round.  His motor is high, he can defend multiple positions, can shoot the 3, and can score in transition.  He is still raw, and so his upside could be significant.

5.  Bam Adebayo is a rebounding beast, and is very athletic for a big man.  He plays well within himself, and has a great motor too.  These Kentucky bigs are out leading fast breaks.  Pretty cool to see.  Another first round Kentucky one and done player.  Probably lottery when all is said and done.

6.  Derek Willis has really developed into a nice offensive player.  His defense is still not great, but he has great range and hits the 3 routinely, and is deceptively athletic.  Although I think he has pro potential, unless UK a national championship I do not see Willis getting drafted.  It was great to watch him hit threes, and dunk lobs, and get up and done the court.  

7.  A surprise for me was Sacha Killeya-Jones.  I really didn’t know much about him but he caught my attention early in both games.  He is another extremely athletic Kentucky big, who also is very skilled for a freshman.  Good post moves, and court awareness, and scored off some nice moves.  Drop step, and hook shot were demonstrated.  He could be a draft sleeper.

8.  Lastly Brad Calipari can shoot the ball from deep.  Although he is an unathletic, too-short-and-unathletic-for-D1-ball-coach’s-son, he is a gritty player.  Once the season starts he will probably never leave the bench, but he still stuck some long shots in these two preseason games, and he has a good motor.  No NBA potential though lol.

ALthough it is very early, I have watched a demented amount of college hoops already.  I am saying it here loud and early that Kentucky is the #1 team in the nation.  By a significant margin.  This team is my pick for national champs next March.  There are some good teams this year, and there are no dominant superstar teams, but I like Kentucky a lot.  If they stay healthy, I think Kentucky winds up winning a championship this year.  

[Robb_CParticipant]

Everyone is high on Fultz I just dont see it , I question his ability to point guard in the NBA.. I watch him and see a guy thats a tweener.. He will not be picked before Lonzo Ball in this Draft mark my words.. 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 There’s no such thing as being a tweener as a point guard no more. You could say Westbrook, Curry, Irving, D’Angelo Russell and most of all the point guards in the NBA. That’s how the NBA is now, a bunch of combo guards.

The reason why people high on Fultz is that he will likely have a 37"-39" vertical, is 6’5". and have a boat load of potential. Take into this he just had growth spurt, one of the youngest in this class, an gotten better every event he’s been at. He was better than Michael Porter, the odds on #1 pick in the ’18 draft, and he was also better than Trae Young, Matt Coleman, Hami Diallo, and every other top prospect at the U18 world event. The hype is legit.

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

Ok, you defend Fultz by naming off  two all star point guards who actually have Point Guard skills (who went to college multiple years to refine them) Kyrie is a true PG.. The Jury is still out on Russell, hes another guy I wasnt sold on before he was drafted..

Im not a fan of one and done Point Guards, they historically are not very productive.. I like Fultz as a prospect and you’re right he does have a great blend of tools.. I dont like Fultz as a one and done prospect for the reasons I mentioned in the previous post.. I question his ability to run the point in the NBA and could use an extra year in college.. Physically hes underwhelming and I would be surprised if he was a legit 6’5 (that hightop fade might be giving him a couple of inches) 

I called out Skal last year and received the exact same response.. Though Fultz will produce in college, he will struggle in the NBA with the physical nature.. Hes a great athlete but not on Westbrooks level, he also doesnt have the strength Dangelo Russell has.. Thats what I meant by tweener Bud.

Its a bad move if he goes one and done.. Hes not ready

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 I’m really high on Monk and I remember when he lead his Midwest team to the Nike Global Challage title 2 years ago and he lead the event in both scoring and assists. I really believe he can be a high level point guard and will be a perfect fit to a team like philly. I’m not too high on Fultz I believe he’s more of a 2 and isn’t as explosive as people have labeled him as. I like Smith and even Monk more. I really like fox but to me he’s more of a Dennis Scheader then a John Wall level talent 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Isiah Briscoe is the best finisher in this year’s draft class. He has a way of feeling the defense with his body when he attacks and reacts accordingly, much like Harden. I see him being a top 20 pick if Kentucky well in the tourney

[holefillers1Participant]

 You can tell almost immediately who can make the jump from HS to the NBA.  Kinda like how I knew Jamal Murray would suck and all you guys except for dodo couldn’t see it.  So come Nov. 11 I will be able to help out…regards, Holefillers.

[mamadouParticipant]

 Fultz will go 1st pick, Sixers will draft both Fultz and Monk.

You don’t have to mark my words, though.

Kyrie ain’t a true point Robb, c’mon…

 

 

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 Kyrie is the best ball handler in basketball and is a much better shooter too

[Mike guytonParticipant]

 There’s nobody in this draft I’m high on right I’m just being honest to many injuries to many tweeners I’ll watch college basketball but I won’t expect much when they get to the NBA I’m jus being honest except Lonzo ball he is the only one I see who could be a difference maker his first year in the NBA 

[Mike guytonParticipant]

 Acl injuries I’ve never seen anyone bounce back from that and have a 15 year pro career unless they become journeyman no one can comeback from that not derrick rose not Adrian Peterson so we will see. I’ve made a mistake Gary Trent son can make it as well and contribute immidiatly that’s it

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