The Official 2018 NBA Draft Talk Thread 6/21

[tremonthustler1]

@Poitier @Frump @tremonthustler1 give me your honest assessment about Jaren Jackson Jr. @#1 pick and I are pretty much on the same page as not wanting him to the Hawks at #3, but I'd like to get some different opinions from non Hawks fans who follow prospects closely

And also what do y'all think about Bagley at #3?

I’m more of a proponent of Bamba over either of them, but for Atlanta, Bagley has more superstar upside than Jackson. My one concern is that Bagley is not a 5 and I think a Bagley /Collins pairing is bad defensively. Him and Bagley are super young. Personally I’d prefer Jackson but that’s because I feel he’ll be a better offensive player than Bagley will on defense, and Jackson will be a C in the NBA.

 

[god shamgod]

 

[Poitier]

@Poitier @Frump @tremonthustler1 give me your honest assessment about Jaren Jackson Jr. @#1 pick and I are pretty much on the same page as not wanting him to the Hawks at #3, but I'd like to get some different opinions from non Hawks fans who follow prospects closely

And also what do y'all think about Bagley at #3?

Agree with Tremont on Bagley/Collins.
I think JJJ is further along defensively than Bamba but a lot of it comes down to who you think has a better projectable stroke out to 3 between them.

 

[#1 pick]

I’m more of a proponent of Bamba over either of them, but for Atlanta, Bagley has more superstar upside than Jackson. My one concern is that Bagley is not a 5 and I think a Bagley /Collins pairing is bad defensively. Him and Bagley are super young. Personally I’d prefer Jackson but that’s because I feel he’ll be a better offensive player than Bagley will on defense, and Jackson will be a C in the NBA.

If you look at the metrics, Bagley and Collins would rival a young Josh Smith and Al Horford with switching. With those squads, we were always near the bottom of post defense but at the top of the league in defense in general. Now they might never be the passers those two were but if Bagley is as good at scoring as I believe he is and can be. This could change the course of the NBA. Collins is a plus lateral quickness guy for a PF and Bagley is inhumane athletically especially laterally. They could change the game. Maybe I see it differently obviously rookie Al was much better defensively than Bagley is now and Collins has aways to go as well but dont count these guys out.

Once I started rewatching full games, I became far more impressed defensively in Bagley than I was on the outset and I say that as a Duke fan where I am kinda harsh on our guys.

Look at this for example:
We also have an 18 year old that is 6'11 that is the definition of a freak athlete, the dude runs and moves around like he is a guard. Then when diving into his defensive stats:
0.79 ppp for his overall defense (74th percentile)
0.85 ppp for his spot up defense (69th percentile)
0.56 ppp for his isolation defense (83rd percentile)
0.46 ppp for his post-up defense (96th percentile)

 

[El Jefe]

Bulls breehs we need Mo bamba

 

[AVXL]

Agree with Tremont on Bagley/Collins.
I think JJJ is further along defensively than Bamba but a lot of it comes down to who you think has a better projectable stroke out to 3 between them.

My thought has always been since were so devoid of talent, BPA is more important than fit and let them develop together. JJJ, is potentially the most talented prospect on both sides of the ball, but he's also inconsistent. I also look at the makeup of these kids...can JJJ handle the pressure of being the potential face of the franchise? Like me & @#1 pick have said, he's projects to be a taller Marvin Williams

 

[MooseMouthMthafuga]

Who wants that junk?

Warren's a 20 ppg guy.They also own a couple Miami Heat/Milwaukee Bucks 1st rd picks(One of the Miami picks being unprotected)

the # 16/31 picks in the draft this year, and their own next year.If Trae Young falls down to the 8th/9th pick

I think Warren, #16, and a future 1st might entice a team to bite on a trade.I get the feeling they already have a deal in place

with a team in the mid to late lottery.It all depends on if Trae Young falls past the Orlando Magic/Bulls.The Suns are notorious for trying to

trade back into the top 10.They did it a few years back when they drafted Dragan Bender 4th & Marquese Chriss 8th overall.

They definitely have the assets to get it done.Just depends on how much they like Trae and how much they're willing to give up.

 

[Poitier]

My thought has always been since were so devoid of talent, BPA is more important than fit and let them develop together. JJJ, is potentially the most talented prospect on both sides of the ball, but he's also inconsistent. I also look at the makeup of these kids...can JJJ handle the pressure of being the potential face of the franchise? Like me & @#1 pick have said, he's projects to be a taller Marvin Williams

BPA or highest ceiling? Bagley has the highest ceiling of the 3 but is less likely to reach it than Bamba imo and JJJ will fill more needs quicker than the other 2.

Honestly tho, the draft is much more of a crap shoot than we would like to portray...

 

[AVXL]

I’m more of a proponent of Bamba over either of them, but for Atlanta, Bagley has more superstar upside than Jackson. My one concern is that Bagley is not a 5 and I think a Bagley /Collins pairing is bad defensively. Him and Bagley are super young. Personally I’d prefer Jackson but that’s because I feel he’ll be a better offensive player than Bagley will on defense, and Jackson will be a C in the NBA.

It won't be great defensively but i like Bagley's upside offensively and think he and Collins can be dynamic together. I see JJJ getting overwhelmed and being at best a serviceable big. I don't watch JJJ's game and see a star. The Hawks need #3 to be a star player

 

[AVXL]

BPA or highest ceiling? Bagley has the highest ceiling of the 3 but is less likely to reach it than Bamba imo and JJJ will fill more needs quicker than the other 2.

Honestly tho, the draft is much more of a crap shoot than we would like to portray...

BPA. I like Bamba...I think he's gonna work his ass off to be a good player in this league. I think Bagley is more NBA ready than Bamba or JJJ. For me it's between either Bagley or Bamba and I think we go Bagley because of his offensive skillset. I don't see Bamba ever truly developing an offensive game or JJJ ever developing into a star

 

[#1 pick]

It won't be great defensively but i like Bagley's upside offensively and think he and Collins can be dynamic together. I see JJJ getting overwhelmed and being at best a serviceable big. I don't watch JJJ's game and see a star. The Hawks need #3 to be a star player

JJJ is clearly a poor fit as we do not have a Harden or CP3 to create for him and carry the offensive load on our roster.

I just think Collins-Bagley will be much better defensively long term than it's been giving credit. It's not Bamba but damn sure isn't that bad. We would have the best switching squad of bigs since Smoove-Horford. The way the game is going, it can work. Bagley is longer than Horford and is laterally superior to rookie Al. I think it's unfair to say this wont work if we develop their defensive ability and focus on their combination strengths.

 

[MooseMouthMthafuga]

Bamba seems too nice.Reminds me of Off The Wall era Michael Jackson.

I think he'll be one of those guys who're ultra talented, but ends up being a just ok type player.

A guy you'd like to have on your team, but nowhere close to being a franchise player.

Like a bigger version of Shane Battier.Intelligent glue guy......I could see him being a HOF

level commentator one day, tho.Going to make for a great broadcaster when he's done playing.

 

[Poitier]

BPA. I like Bamba...I think he's gonna work his ass off to be a good player in this league. I think Bagley is more NBA ready than Bamba or JJJ. For me it's between either Bagley or Bamba and I think we go Bagley because of his offensive skillset. I don't see Bamba ever truly developing an offensive game or JJJ ever developing into a star

I think Bagley's offensive game has a lot of question in terms of his shooting, vision and the extent of his face up ability.

I could see him being a #2 but if you think he is going to be your offensive anchor then I can't buy that tbh

Nothing shows that Bagley can switch well...

 

[AVXL]

JJJ is clearly a poor fit as we do not have a Harden or CP3 to create for him and carry the offensive load on our roster.

I just think Collins-Bagley will be much better defensively long term than it's been giving credit. It's not Bamba but damn sure isn't that bad. We would have the best switching squad of bigs since Smoove-Horford. The way the game is going, it can work. Bagley is longer than Horford and is laterally superior to rookie Al. I think it's unfair to say this wont work if we develop their defensive ability and focus on their combination strengths.

I think the fact that Coach Pierce will develop a defensive identity will help to get Bagley and Collins to embrace and hone that aspect of their game. As long as they're giving max effort I think we'll be fine

 

[#1 pick]

Bamba seems too nice.Reminds me of Off The Wall era Michael Jackson.

I think he'll be one of those guys who're ultra talented, but ends up being a just ok type player.

A guy you'd like to have on your team, but nowhere close to being a franchise player.

Like a bigger version of Shane Battier.Intelligent glue guy......I could see him being a HOF

level commentator one day, tho.Going to make for a great broadcaster when he's done playing.

He doesn't play nice. I think you are confusing his personality with his Basketball personality. We all made this mistake in the past with Steph Curry. The tape is their real personality. Whatever you see in interviews are good for organizational assessments but not for evaluating prospects.