[TheGuyParticipant]

 So lets get this straight first off, this is a mock draft on how I would draft. I’m not expert, no GM so these are just my opinions. That said, it’s not like I’m 100% set on this is how I feel, while GM’s make the call, the draft process is a group effort with a lot people that come together to the choice and I’m just one dude that isn’t probably qualified to be an actual scout/personal director. What I’m trying to say is, some of the choices I had a hard time wrestling with, so don’t look at this thinking I’m saying with convection this player is better blah blah.

So here are some notes

-Simmons/Ingram are the clear 2 prospects. I think Simmons is the better prospect but it’s close for me, really close. I can see the arguement for Ingram being better.

-Murray and Ellenson are the next 2 best players. I really like both, I’ve thought of Murray as the 3rd player in the class for a while, but Ellenson is growing on me.

-Dunn is also growin on me, I watched more of him, he’s all around really good at everything and a better shooter than I gave him credit for. Maybe not the most upside but very good. Hield is another very good player, not the most upside but should be a quality pro.

-Bender is a tantalizing prospect for me, but still a lot of unknown for me why I have him a little lower than most, but I do love his profile and upside. I would need a well informed scout to push me to pick him higher.

-Beasley/Richardson/Brown are all very talented freshmen wing players. Based on their draft order you can see how I rank them. Brown’s poor shooting and out of control feel for the game turns me off, but I understand why he’s thought of highly and too talented to fall out of the lotto and probably too much potential (in this draft) for out of the top 10.

-Really falling in love with Wade Baldwin, good defender, shoots the ball well, great measurements makes him an automatic high riser for me. Combo guard, not the best feel for the game but still averaged 5 APG.

 

I could go on with this worthless drivel I’m sputing out but I’m not sure if anyone cares or puts any weight to it but I figured I’d share. Any other comments or questions please reply, I like having a discusion and enganging with anyone else on this subject since nobody else I know really cares about the draft like me. I’m such a nerd.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I’m not for the Malachi Richardson lotto hype. I think he could be a servicable 3′ and D guy with upside going forward though and could carve a niche quickly although I don’t think he is a scorer he is more of a shooter and his limitations were hidden in Syracuse system. I like him as a late 1st guy though and do like him as a prospect.

I don’t think many teams will pass on Brown. He’s a lock for Top 10 and likely will not fall past the Kings.

Baldwin is also growing on me. He is young experienced and proven, great measurements for a combo gaurd, good athlete that understands how to use his athletisism in games unlike a guy like Marcus Paige. For some reason I feel like the Spurs are going to somehow move up to pick him.

 

 

 

 

[TheGuyParticipant]

I can understand that, I never really noticed him until late in the season. I have him and Brown right next to each other, so there’s not any real seperation. 8-15 all of those players are in the same tier for me and very mumbled up as their isn’t really a difference. I do like Brown’s abilty to defend, he’s very athletic and very strong.

 I have no clue or insight on what teams will do at this point. I do think Brown will be a top 10 pick on draft night, but I’m not trying to project what will happen. This is just me picking for the teams at their allotted spots without doing any trades.

[TheGuyParticipant]

I can understand that, I never really noticed him until late in the season. I have him and Brown right next to each other, so there’s not any real seperation. 8-15 all of those players are in the same tier for me and very mumbled up as their isn’t really a difference. I do like Brown’s abilty to defend, he’s very athletic and very strong.

 I have no clue or insight on what teams will do at this point. I do think Brown will be a top 10 pick on draft night, but I’m not trying to project what will happen. This is just me picking for the teams at their allotted spots without doing any trades.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I’m not for the Malachi Richardson lotto hype. I think he could be a servicable 3′ and D guy with upside going forward though and could carve a niche quickly although I don’t think he is a scorer he is more of a shooter and his limitations were hidden in Syracuse system. I like him as a late 1st guy though and do like him as a prospect.

I don’t think many teams will pass on Brown. He’s a lock for Top 10 and likely will not fall past the Kings.

Baldwin is also growing on me. He is young experienced and proven, great measurements for a combo gaurd, good athlete that understands how to use his athletisism in games unlike a guy like Marcus Paige. For some reason I feel like the Spurs are going to somehow move up to pick him.

 

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

I like how you have Stephen Zimmerman. I think he’s being very slept on and I don’t see a lot wrong with his game.

Ellenson though, I really, really don’t get the hype. He should be solid, but #4? He’s bankable from mid-range, has good form, and fights hard for rebounds. His post game leaves a lot to be desired, he can barely leave the ground, will be a liability on defense, and has barely started on his post game. Maybe if he shot well from 3, I’d be with you, but he hasn’t even conquered the college 3. That means he’s a whole nother step from the pro 3. He won’t even really spread the floor they want.

I’d rather take Brice Johnson whom you have at #43. Brice can also hit the mid-range. No slouch as a shooter. Brice shot better from the field and free throw line, had more rebounds per minute (by a lot), and is an excellent leaper with a lot more defensive upside. The only place Ellenson beats him is age.

Even this website ranks them as the #17 and #18 picks. I could see Ellenson creeping into the lottery, but let’s not get crazy.

[MopgrassParticipant]

I like how you have Stephen Zimmerman. I think he’s being very slept on and I don’t see a lot wrong with his game.

Ellenson though, I really, really don’t get the hype. He should be solid, but #4? He’s bankable from mid-range, has good form, and fights hard for rebounds. His post game leaves a lot to be desired, he can barely leave the ground, will be a liability on defense, and has barely started on his post game. Maybe if he shot well from 3, I’d be with you, but he hasn’t even conquered the college 3. That means he’s a whole nother step from the pro 3. He won’t even really spread the floor they want.

I’d rather take Brice Johnson whom you have at #43. Brice can also hit the mid-range. No slouch as a shooter. Brice shot better from the field and free throw line, had more rebounds per minute (by a lot), and is an excellent leaper with a lot more defensive upside. The only place Ellenson beats him is age.

Even this website ranks them as the #17 and #18 picks. I could see Ellenson creeping into the lottery, but let’s not get crazy.

[TheGuyParticipant]

I just like his overall game, I don’t what to tell you about hype, are other people saying he’s a top 5 prospect or will be a top 5 pick? So I’m not on any hype train. He’s very skilled/versitle on offense. I think he has a good chance to develop a dependable shot from deep, there have been plenty poor 3 point shooters in college who became good the NBA. I think he’s fine as an athlete not a standout but you make it sound like he has an anchor tied to him. He may have struggles in pick and rolls against quick guards, but slower bigs like Gasol can hold their own in those moments with good footwork. I think he has the frame to become very strong and defend the post well and has the length to be a good rim protector. You don’t need to be a pogo stick to be an elite rim protecter ie: Marc Gasol, Andrew Bogut. His post game is developing and has shown plenty of skill inside. The dude is pretty huge and has the chance to be a true Center with extreme versatility who can shoot from deep, handle, pass along with great reboudning and interior presence. I’m not saying he will max out at all of this or this is fact and a sure thing but I feel like I’ve seen fairly concrete showings that prove he has the ability and that if he continues to work hard (probably the biggest factor for every player) he has a good chance at developing his game and turning into a good-great pro. 

I will note there are a lot of other big men who have a lot upside as well and could be very great. I have Ellenson rated highest because I think he has the best combo of versatilty, potential and consitently displayed it the most over anyone else (a little unfair to Bender & Maker, since I just don’t have the chance to watch him like college players).

Brice Johnson, just sorta seems like the classic good 4 year college player that probably won’t be anything special in the pro’s. I worry about his weight and strength, he’s already a senior. I think you might be over valuing the fact he had more board per minute since UNC had one of the more fast paced teams, so it’s not like Johnson is clearly a better rebounder per say. I think he could be a nice role player like a Haslem but more athletic.

[TheGuyParticipant]

I just like his overall game, I don’t what to tell you about hype, are other people saying he’s a top 5 prospect or will be a top 5 pick? So I’m not on any hype train. He’s very skilled/versitle on offense. I think he has a good chance to develop a dependable shot from deep, there have been plenty poor 3 point shooters in college who became good the NBA. I think he’s fine as an athlete not a standout but you make it sound like he has an anchor tied to him. He may have struggles in pick and rolls against quick guards, but slower bigs like Gasol can hold their own in those moments with good footwork. I think he has the frame to become very strong and defend the post well and has the length to be a good rim protector. You don’t need to be a pogo stick to be an elite rim protecter ie: Marc Gasol, Andrew Bogut. His post game is developing and has shown plenty of skill inside. The dude is pretty huge and has the chance to be a true Center with extreme versatility who can shoot from deep, handle, pass along with great reboudning and interior presence. I’m not saying he will max out at all of this or this is fact and a sure thing but I feel like I’ve seen fairly concrete showings that prove he has the ability and that if he continues to work hard (probably the biggest factor for every player) he has a good chance at developing his game and turning into a good-great pro. 

I will note there are a lot of other big men who have a lot upside as well and could be very great. I have Ellenson rated highest because I think he has the best combo of versatilty, potential and consitently displayed it the most over anyone else (a little unfair to Bender & Maker, since I just don’t have the chance to watch him like college players).

Brice Johnson, just sorta seems like the classic good 4 year college player that probably won’t be anything special in the pro’s. I worry about his weight and strength, he’s already a senior. I think you might be over valuing the fact he had more board per minute since UNC had one of the more fast paced teams, so it’s not like Johnson is clearly a better rebounder per say. I think he could be a nice role player like a Haslem but more athletic.

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Ellenson has crept up in mock drafts all over the place. I’ve seen him as high as 7th before. This site lists him as going lower than most other mock sites. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Ellenson has crept up in mock drafts all over the place. I’ve seen him as high as 7th before. This site lists him as going lower than most other mock sites. 

[kobyzParticipant]

 Ellenson = Iliasova 

[kobyzParticipant]

 Ellenson = Iliasova 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

Switch Bender for Murray and I would love your picks for Boston draft. They do not need yet another guard. Bender+Thon +the rest of your picks gives Boston a ton of high upside talent at the positions of need.

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

Switch Bender for Murray and I would love your picks for Boston draft. They do not need yet another guard. Bender+Thon +the rest of your picks gives Boston a ton of high upside talent at the positions of need.

[kobyzParticipant]

 Bender not ready to enter an nba game for at least the next 2-3 years…

[kobyzParticipant]

 Bender not ready to enter an nba game for at least the next 2-3 years…

[OhCanada-Participant]

His shooting percentages scare me but alot of successful international pros struggled in their 1st year of competition. Its different from Makers situation and more like Labissiere. Thon hasn’t played at any legitimate level of basketball. Like Skal Dragan has played at a level scouts are familiar with yet failed to have success. I think he will be fine and could likely play 15-mpg as a rookie.

[OhCanada-Participant]

His shooting percentages scare me but alot of successful international pros struggled in their 1st year of competition. Its different from Makers situation and more like Labissiere. Thon hasn’t played at any legitimate level of basketball. Like Skal Dragan has played at a level scouts are familiar with yet failed to have success. I think he will be fine and could likely play 15-mpg as a rookie.

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