[valentine]

This Top 100 has me realizing how few dominant players there are in the league. Mostly one way players, or guys who are great defenders and get the star label for being slightly above average offensively, guys like Kawhi and Draymond.

Well guess what? This past draft was FILLED with guys who project to be that level of star.

Who are some of the most likely candidates to break out as the next Draymond, Kawhi, (and Paul George, a superstar version of those guys)

 

Portis as a rookie will be better than Noah. Near the same level as a defender, but way way better offensively, with a complete scoring game including NBA 3.

Smart will be better than Wade. Smart the much better defender at this point, and while he probably won’t be better than prime Wade, Smart is good enough offensively to make him better overall than old Wade. Smart is already a much better 3 point shooter than Wade ever was too.

Myles Turner will be better than Hibbert. Not a super-bold prediction, but Paul George is going to be even better offensively with a floor-stretching center like Turner, and Joe Young is going to really, really thrive driving into those empty lanes. Turner is a much quicker defender than Hibbert, with about the same rim protection. Man defense against centers will be Turner’s challenge.

Oubre will be better than Otto. But that’s beside the point, because the Wizards will probably not overpay Beal, and Oubre and Porter will start together long-term. Oubre has clear Paul George upside. All arguments the contrary rely not on talent, but in declaring that Oubre won’t mature past the age of 18-19. What a bunch of jealous, beauty-challenged trolls.

Victor Oladipo is another young guy who could rocket into the NBA top 20 player rankings with a big year.

Aaron Gordon looks like he’s revolutionized his jump shot, and he might revolutionize the game this year. Like a stronger, better passing version of Paul George. And that’s top 20 material.

 

Who am I missing for young, two way players who are going to break out like the guys before them, Draymond, Kawhi, Leonard, George, etc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 If you think Kawhi is only "slightly above average" offensively, there’s not much we can really do here for you.  Then you went and said Smart will have a better career than Wade… and just… What?  Really?  You’re projecting him already as a top 25-ish player ever?

And the Greek Freak is going to be a two way star.

 

 

[T Rex]

 man, slow down with your reading, or you misunderstand most everything.

Nuance, learn it. 

I said Smart is already a better 3 point shooter than Wade ever was. That’s a fact. Higher % as a rookie than Wade ever shot in his prime. I explicitly said Smart probably won’t be a better overall player than Wade.

Greek Freak is a good one.

 

 

 

 

 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

"Smart will be better than Wade. Smart the much better defender at this point, and while he probably won’t be better than prime Wade, Smart is good enough offensively to make him better overall than old Wade. Smart is already a much better 3 point shooter than Wade ever was too."

I mean, your very first sentence, and then not better than prime, but still better overall.  That’s directly what you said.

 

 

[T Rex]

 My bad, apologies. All of them are "as rookies", like I started saying with Portis. I was just too lazy to clarify, "as rookies"

Apologies again

 

[T Rex]

 My bad, apologies. All of them are "as rookies", like I started saying with Portis. I was just too lazy to clarify, "as rookies"

Apologies again

 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

"Smart will be better than Wade. Smart the much better defender at this point, and while he probably won’t be better than prime Wade, Smart is good enough offensively to make him better overall than old Wade. Smart is already a much better 3 point shooter than Wade ever was too."

I mean, your very first sentence, and then not better than prime, but still better overall.  That’s directly what you said.

 

 

[T Rex]

 man, slow down with your reading, or you misunderstand most everything.

Nuance, learn it. 

I said Smart is already a better 3 point shooter than Wade ever was. That’s a fact. Higher % as a rookie than Wade ever shot in his prime. I explicitly said Smart probably won’t be a better overall player than Wade.

Greek Freak is a good one.

 

 

 

 

 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 If you think Kawhi is only "slightly above average" offensively, there’s not much we can really do here for you.  Then you went and said Smart will have a better career than Wade… and just… What?  Really?  You’re projecting him already as a top 25-ish player ever?

And the Greek Freak is going to be a two way star.

 

 

[T Rex]

 I forgot Porzingis and Towns, and Stanley Johnson

[T Rex]

 I forgot Porzingis and Towns, and Stanley Johnson

[T Rex]

 These players seem to emerge in the playoffs. That means Portis will probably get plenty of time to shine with the Bulls.

Montrezl Harrell is another name I’ll add. He might end up starting next to Dwight, and backing him up. Lots of time in the playoff limelight in Houston.

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 but it’s common sense that 95% of all rookies hit a wall when entering the NBA. The good ones start to show promise early, but make no mistake about it, if you want to win in the NBA, you do not rely heavily on rookies.

There is NO WAY Harrell beats out Jones or Donatas. It is possible Harrell gets some back up minutes at the 4 next to Donatas since he can fill in at the 4 and 5 spots, but honestly, I have a hard time seeing him take minutes from Clint Capela… let alone anyone else.

I love that we got Portis, but I am more excited to have Mirotic. He is going to be a stud and is our future at the 4. Portis will be a nice back up as the trio of Taj/Noah/Pau continues to age…

 

 

[T Rex]

 Your frontcourt is looking very good going forward. I think Portis’ offense is going to surprise you, and help him leap over most/all of those old vets at some point in the regular season.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Your frontcourt is looking very good going forward. I think Portis’ offense is going to surprise you, and help him leap over most/all of those old vets at some point in the regular season.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Harrell is a little longer, a little stronger, a little more explosive, a better rebounder, and generally tougher than Jones. Defensively, Harrell’s feet are just as quick in space, if not quicker.

Jones and DMo just don’t bring the toughness and defense/rebounding that Harrell does. He’s like what they hoped TRob would be.

And the Rocket have shooters and guys who can create their own perimeter shot off the dribble to compliment a Harrell/Dwight frontcourt. Harrell and Howard might be the best rebounding duo in the league, cleaning up the misses of Lawson, Harden, Parsons, Ariza, and Dekker.

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 Harrell is a little longer, a little stronger, a little more explosive, a better rebounder, and generally tougher than Jones. Defensively, Harrell’s feet are just as quick in space, if not quicker.

Jones and DMo just don’t bring the toughness and defense/rebounding that Harrell does. He’s like what they hoped TRob would be.

And the Rocket have shooters and guys who can create their own perimeter shot off the dribble to compliment a Harrell/Dwight frontcourt. Harrell and Howard might be the best rebounding duo in the league, cleaning up the misses of Lawson, Harden, Parsons, Ariza, and Dekker.

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 but it’s common sense that 95% of all rookies hit a wall when entering the NBA. The good ones start to show promise early, but make no mistake about it, if you want to win in the NBA, you do not rely heavily on rookies.

There is NO WAY Harrell beats out Jones or Donatas. It is possible Harrell gets some back up minutes at the 4 next to Donatas since he can fill in at the 4 and 5 spots, but honestly, I have a hard time seeing him take minutes from Clint Capela… let alone anyone else.

I love that we got Portis, but I am more excited to have Mirotic. He is going to be a stud and is our future at the 4. Portis will be a nice back up as the trio of Taj/Noah/Pau continues to age…

 

 

[T Rex]

 These players seem to emerge in the playoffs. That means Portis will probably get plenty of time to shine with the Bulls.

Montrezl Harrell is another name I’ll add. He might end up starting next to Dwight, and backing him up. Lots of time in the playoff limelight in Houston.

 

 

 

 

 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Kawhi was 35th in ppg in the regular season and 13th in ppg in the playoffs. there’s 450 roster spots in the nba… and hes a slightly above average scorer? If our school systems went by your standards, we would never make it past high school lol.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Kawhi was 35th in ppg in the regular season and 13th in ppg in the playoffs. there’s 450 roster spots in the nba… and hes a slightly above average scorer? If our school systems went by your standards, we would never make it past high school lol.

[T Rex]

If Kawhi was a student, he’d be sick half the time, but he’d still probably win the perfect attendance award.

[T Rex]

If Kawhi was a student, he’d be sick half the time, but he’d still probably win the perfect attendance award.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I agree with all of your statements except the Marcus Smart one. I mean, Wade is top 3 SG of all time. Smart isn’t going to be that. I don’t see him even being top 20. However, I do agree that Smart will be good. But, I don’t think that he’ll be Wade-good.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I agree with all of your statements except the Marcus Smart one. I mean, Wade is top 3 SG of all time. Smart isn’t going to be that. I don’t see him even being top 20. However, I do agree that Smart will be good. But, I don’t think that he’ll be Wade-good.

[JR RyderParticipant]

Anthony Davis anyone?

[JR RyderParticipant]

Anthony Davis anyone?

[Author]

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