Top 5 Prediction

 I think Bender is pretty much a lock to go top 5.

 I think Bender is pretty much a lock to go top 5.

1. Ingram- had the length to guard either wing position and the offensive package to be a 2 way franchise player. If he develops correctly he should be the best player in the draft.

2. Simmons- Best combination of size, handle and all around game in the draft. He will be a top 3 candidate for ROY in just about any situation.

3. Jamal Murray- Best scoring guard in the draft. Looks like a 6’5 version of Monte Ellis with more outside scoring ability should make a few Allstar appearances if he reaches his potential.

4. Kris Dunn- Best all around guard in the draft. Has the size and athleticism to defend either guard position and looks hungry to get better offensively should be a stud from day 1.

5. Jaylen Brown- His 3 point shot will need work on the nba level but his mid range game should create issues early. When his IQ catches up to his athleticism we could have a better version of Jimmy Butler.

1. Ingram- had the length to guard either wing position and the offensive package to be a 2 way franchise player. If he develops correctly he should be the best player in the draft.

2. Simmons- Best combination of size, handle and all around game in the draft. He will be a top 3 candidate for ROY in just about any situation.

3. Jamal Murray- Best scoring guard in the draft. Looks like a 6’5 version of Monte Ellis with more outside scoring ability should make a few Allstar appearances if he reaches his potential.

4. Kris Dunn- Best all around guard in the draft. Has the size and athleticism to defend either guard position and looks hungry to get better offensively should be a stud from day 1.

5. Jaylen Brown- His 3 point shot will need work on the nba level but his mid range game should create issues early. When his IQ catches up to his athleticism we could have a better version of Jimmy Butler.

 Does anybody know the deal with Benders buy out situation?  I always assumed, largely because it’s what people mentioned that he would have to stay over seas or risk dipping deep into his own wallet for his buy out.  

I believe it was Steve Kyler (not a fan at all) of basketballinsiders that said GM’s believe that Benders buy out is actually very reasonable, essentially saying that the team who drafts him would be able to pay almost the entirety of it (I believe he said ($675,000).

Obviously depending on who falls where, but I think ultimately he will ride the Porzingis wave and be the 3rd player selected, unless it’s the 76ers drafting in that spot.  Not saying that he will be Porzingis, because I don’t think he’ll come close in year one, but recency bias suggests that someone will try to grab the next unicorn.  

I do like Bender as a prospect, and if the Lakers were to fall to 3rd, and the buyout was reasonable I would be on board with him at 3rd.  He can shoot, is insanely mobile for a 7 footer and has a great motor.  Plus, he has Jeff Hornacek hair that bounces in place every gallop of the floor.  He’s skinny, but another 20 to 25 lbs and I don’t think he’ll have a problem playing a 5 in todays game.  Nice standing reach too.

1) Simmons – I still have him number one, I think the jump shot will come with time.  More concerning to me than the jump shot is how little he seemed to care at LSU.  I think it’s understandable, giving he knew it was a small detour, but I hate losing at rock paper scissors, let alone basketball.  I love his game, but I think it’s fair to question the way he approached the last half of the season, but I also don’t think it is something that should detour him from the top spot.

2) Ingram – Solllliiid.  One of those weird situations where his 3P% would say that he should be a better free throw shooter.  Similar to D Russ last year.  I see him slightly different than most.  I see him as a 3/4 in the league.  I think he’s a decent athlete, but he seems much slower than people are saying.  Never really see him with a shoulder past someone on the way to the hoop.  Ultimately I think he will be lethal as a small ball 4.

3) Bender – For reasons I mentioned above, if his buy out means he can come over this year than I think that he is the pick here.  Risk vs Reward is extremely high.  Could be a better shooting version of Jan Vessely, or he could be one of the most unique players the game has ever seen.

4) Murray – Sweet stroke, decent athlete, but what I like most about him is he is a competitor.  Gives good effort and I love to see that out of high skill guys, not just energy players.  He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, but I believe that he is better with the ball in his hands right now than Hield and obviously even more so than Hield at the same age.

5) Brown – Same with Simmons, I think his shot will eventually come around.  What is more concerning to me is his lack of an idea on what he is going to do when he has the ball.  Seems to get by mostly on his athleticism, but I believe the open game of the NBA will benefit him more than college.  Once he learns to shoot, I think he will be a dynamic scorer, but not so sure that he will ever do anything else at an elite level. 

Next few up – Heild, fun college player to watch but he is just eerily similar to Jodie Meeks in my opinion.  Poeltl, Saboner, Dunn.

 Does anybody know the deal with Benders buy out situation?  I always assumed, largely because it’s what people mentioned that he would have to stay over seas or risk dipping deep into his own wallet for his buy out.  

I believe it was Steve Kyler (not a fan at all) of basketballinsiders that said GM’s believe that Benders buy out is actually very reasonable, essentially saying that the team who drafts him would be able to pay almost the entirety of it (I believe he said ($675,000).

Obviously depending on who falls where, but I think ultimately he will ride the Porzingis wave and be the 3rd player selected, unless it’s the 76ers drafting in that spot.  Not saying that he will be Porzingis, because I don’t think he’ll come close in year one, but recency bias suggests that someone will try to grab the next unicorn.  

I do like Bender as a prospect, and if the Lakers were to fall to 3rd, and the buyout was reasonable I would be on board with him at 3rd.  He can shoot, is insanely mobile for a 7 footer and has a great motor.  Plus, he has Jeff Hornacek hair that bounces in place every gallop of the floor.  He’s skinny, but another 20 to 25 lbs and I don’t think he’ll have a problem playing a 5 in todays game.  Nice standing reach too.

1) Simmons – I still have him number one, I think the jump shot will come with time.  More concerning to me than the jump shot is how little he seemed to care at LSU.  I think it’s understandable, giving he knew it was a small detour, but I hate losing at rock paper scissors, let alone basketball.  I love his game, but I think it’s fair to question the way he approached the last half of the season, but I also don’t think it is something that should detour him from the top spot.

2) Ingram – Solllliiid.  One of those weird situations where his 3P% would say that he should be a better free throw shooter.  Similar to D Russ last year.  I see him slightly different than most.  I see him as a 3/4 in the league.  I think he’s a decent athlete, but he seems much slower than people are saying.  Never really see him with a shoulder past someone on the way to the hoop.  Ultimately I think he will be lethal as a small ball 4.

3) Bender – For reasons I mentioned above, if his buy out means he can come over this year than I think that he is the pick here.  Risk vs Reward is extremely high.  Could be a better shooting version of Jan Vessely, or he could be one of the most unique players the game has ever seen.

4) Murray – Sweet stroke, decent athlete, but what I like most about him is he is a competitor.  Gives good effort and I love to see that out of high skill guys, not just energy players.  He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, but I believe that he is better with the ball in his hands right now than Hield and obviously even more so than Hield at the same age.

5) Brown – Same with Simmons, I think his shot will eventually come around.  What is more concerning to me is his lack of an idea on what he is going to do when he has the ball.  Seems to get by mostly on his athleticism, but I believe the open game of the NBA will benefit him more than college.  Once he learns to shoot, I think he will be a dynamic scorer, but not so sure that he will ever do anything else at an elite level. 

Next few up – Heild, fun college player to watch but he is just eerily similar to Jodie Meeks in my opinion.  Poeltl, Saboner, Dunn.

 b/c that gets ratings……. People luv Drama & Controversy…… & if there is none, these Sports Sites – in massive competition for Content & Views…… Will Create Drama even if none exists…… 

 b/c that gets ratings……. People luv Drama & Controversy…… & if there is none, these Sports Sites – in massive competition for Content & Views…… Will Create Drama even if none exists…… 

 I love Hield but I think people are getting wrapped in the hype for his NBA potential.. he’s only 6’4, though he does have a great wingspan, but a below average defender regardless. Can he really create his own shot at a high level? Yes, he’s a fantastic shooter and he can hit a pull up here and there, but at the next level his lack of a handle is going to limit him getting to the rack, and he’s not incredibly dynamic in the inbetween game. 

I saw the other day on the forum someone compare him to Michael Redd and while I think this is some what of an apt description, I think a lot of people forget that what got Redd drafted was his defense, and besides that, he averaged 20+ for 6 seasons.. I just don’t see Buddy having that kind of upside. A Michael Redd light perhaps, a better version of Jodie Meeks, a guy who can smoke a team from beyond the arc but isn’t going to break anyone down off the dribble and is just an okay defender on a good night.. is that really a top 3 pick? 

Clearly one of the best college players in recent memory but I think his lack of a handle and average athleticism will limit his offensive game to mostly a spot up shooter and unless he starts really picking it up on defense, I don’t think he’ll be adding immense value to a team by being on the floor, unless he gets plugged into a great system that he doesn’t need to star in. The only team I see that could provide that environment that is picking in the top 10 where he’s pushed his stock to, is Boston. But outside of that, if a team like the Lakers take him at 3, is he really going to be much more effective than Lou Williams or Nick Young could be in those same minutes? 

 I love Hield but I think people are getting wrapped in the hype for his NBA potential.. he’s only 6’4, though he does have a great wingspan, but a below average defender regardless. Can he really create his own shot at a high level? Yes, he’s a fantastic shooter and he can hit a pull up here and there, but at the next level his lack of a handle is going to limit him getting to the rack, and he’s not incredibly dynamic in the inbetween game. 

I saw the other day on the forum someone compare him to Michael Redd and while I think this is some what of an apt description, I think a lot of people forget that what got Redd drafted was his defense, and besides that, he averaged 20+ for 6 seasons.. I just don’t see Buddy having that kind of upside. A Michael Redd light perhaps, a better version of Jodie Meeks, a guy who can smoke a team from beyond the arc but isn’t going to break anyone down off the dribble and is just an okay defender on a good night.. is that really a top 3 pick? 

Clearly one of the best college players in recent memory but I think his lack of a handle and average athleticism will limit his offensive game to mostly a spot up shooter and unless he starts really picking it up on defense, I don’t think he’ll be adding immense value to a team by being on the floor, unless he gets plugged into a great system that he doesn’t need to star in. The only team I see that could provide that environment that is picking in the top 10 where he’s pushed his stock to, is Boston. But outside of that, if a team like the Lakers take him at 3, is he really going to be much more effective than Lou Williams or Nick Young could be in those same minutes? 

I was at a carnival fare last night and saw a gypsy woman who claimed to read the future…I was skeptical…but his is what she said.

Top 5

#1 Simmons to Phoenix. She had a strong feeling the Suns are going to win the lottery. She said they’ve generally not had much lottery luck, and I think a few pieces are going to fall their way. Remarkably, she knew nothing about basketball, which made these predictions all the more profound. 

#2 Ingram to New Orleans: When it came to revealing the number 2 pick, smoke entered the room and spirits took over her body. Suddenly, she started flapping her wings like a Pelican and swallowing fish whole. I knew then, it was Ingram to New Orleans. 

#3 Murray to Lakers: She prepared me for a shock. Murray would be selected, followed by a draft-day trade of D’Angelo Russell for Jahlil Okafor. At this point I wanted a refund…but she said it was against her policy. 

#4 Hield to Philly: Thunder roared simultaneously, and she said Fortuna – The Roman Goddess of Luck, shall not be kind to the 76ers in the lottery. However, greater fortunes await, and the rain that poured was symbolic of the buckets dropped by the dynamic backcourt of Murray and Hield.

#5 Bender to Boston: She turned her final tarot card, and it revealed…a Dragon. 

I wanted more…but she said picks 6-10 would cost extra and the guy operating the whack-a-mole closed in 5 minutes. 

I was at a carnival fare last night and saw a gypsy woman who claimed to read the future…I was skeptical…but his is what she said.

Top 5

#1 Simmons to Phoenix. She had a strong feeling the Suns are going to win the lottery. She said they’ve generally not had much lottery luck, and I think a few pieces are going to fall their way. Remarkably, she knew nothing about basketball, which made these predictions all the more profound. 

#2 Ingram to New Orleans: When it came to revealing the number 2 pick, smoke entered the room and spirits took over her body. Suddenly, she started flapping her wings like a Pelican and swallowing fish whole. I knew then, it was Ingram to New Orleans. 

#3 Murray to Lakers: She prepared me for a shock. Murray would be selected, followed by a draft-day trade of D’Angelo Russell for Jahlil Okafor. At this point I wanted a refund…but she said it was against her policy. 

#4 Hield to Philly: Thunder roared simultaneously, and she said Fortuna – The Roman Goddess of Luck, shall not be kind to the 76ers in the lottery. However, greater fortunes await, and the rain that poured was symbolic of the buckets dropped by the dynamic backcourt of Murray and Hield.

#5 Bender to Boston: She turned her final tarot card, and it revealed…a Dragon. 

I wanted more…but she said picks 6-10 would cost extra and the guy operating the whack-a-mole closed in 5 minutes. 

1. Sixers….Ingram.

2. Lakers…Simmons

3. Celts….Murray.

4. Suns….Bender.

5.Wolves….Hield.

Ingram obvious 1st pick for unbiased scouts….

Simmons asked for the lakers, he’s served, good luck with that bunch of no D/on ball/tweeners as building blocks….

The shooting is my last knock on him, while some are thinking it’s his only weakness…

He’s not a 3, he’s not a stretch 4, i get it…i’m ok with it.

Your gypsy woman is quite pragmatic HM, the suns are the best fit by a mile, he’s ROY easily, stat stuffing like a Josh Smith without shotblocking….woot woot.

Murray the last piece of the backcourt for the celts, Turner is gone(shooting range), Thomas-Bradley-Murray-Smart, 2 strong defenders, 2 scorers, 3 capables shooters, 3 capables playmakers waiting on the star power of the perfect match KD(his scoring, shooting, size, length, athleticism, versatility).

Bender is an 18YO (4,7 pts in 12 minutes  back up player in israel)….can we stop the Porzingo comp for a second, he started at 17YO, he was already a good ACB player at 19 YO(2nd league in the world).

Bender will be fine but he’s 2 years away ala rubio, pekovic, mirotic, bogdanovic and co, he’s way younger than them, let him be an impact player in europe more than an nba scrub in a losing team.

Hield not because he’s the 5th best prospect in this draft, just because the wolves are a terrible shooting team(29th in 3pts attempted, made and %, they’re concretely the hornets of last season, see what shooting did for them this season), rubio is a pass first PG(so no Dunn), Wiggins and shabazz are there at the 3(so no Brown).

Rubio at the 1, Lavine at the 2 and 1, Hield strictly at the 2, Wiggins at the 3 and 2.

If they want a 3rd big, it’s a reach at 5, they should simply trade down and collect something in the process(maybe with the nuggz for the same…buddy hield).

1. Sixers….Ingram.

2. Lakers…Simmons

3. Celts….Murray.

4. Suns….Bender.

5.Wolves….Hield.

Ingram obvious 1st pick for unbiased scouts….

Simmons asked for the lakers, he’s served, good luck with that bunch of no D/on ball/tweeners as building blocks….

The shooting is my last knock on him, while some are thinking it’s his only weakness…

He’s not a 3, he’s not a stretch 4, i get it…i’m ok with it.

Your gypsy woman is quite pragmatic HM, the suns are the best fit by a mile, he’s ROY easily, stat stuffing like a Josh Smith without shotblocking….woot woot.

Murray the last piece of the backcourt for the celts, Turner is gone(shooting range), Thomas-Bradley-Murray-Smart, 2 strong defenders, 2 scorers, 3 capables shooters, 3 capables playmakers waiting on the star power of the perfect match KD(his scoring, shooting, size, length, athleticism, versatility).

Bender is an 18YO (4,7 pts in 12 minutes  back up player in israel)….can we stop the Porzingo comp for a second, he started at 17YO, he was already a good ACB player at 19 YO(2nd league in the world).

Bender will be fine but he’s 2 years away ala rubio, pekovic, mirotic, bogdanovic and co, he’s way younger than them, let him be an impact player in europe more than an nba scrub in a losing team.

Hield not because he’s the 5th best prospect in this draft, just because the wolves are a terrible shooting team(29th in 3pts attempted, made and %, they’re concretely the hornets of last season, see what shooting did for them this season), rubio is a pass first PG(so no Dunn), Wiggins and shabazz are there at the 3(so no Brown).

Rubio at the 1, Lavine at the 2 and 1, Hield strictly at the 2, Wiggins at the 3 and 2.

If they want a 3rd big, it’s a reach at 5, they should simply trade down and collect something in the process(maybe with the nuggz for the same…buddy hield).