The Official 2020 NBA Draft Talk Thread (11/18)

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I agree with you on Deni. My #4 overall prospect behind Ball, Toppin, and Edwards. He's the most projectable player in the top 5. People who don't like him will harp on his stats especially in the 1st half of the season but post COVID, he was a beast and he was a beast in the limited workout video I saw. I think he's what we wanted Gordon Hayward to be.

A lot of these cats hang their arguments on the stats without knowing how shyt works overseas.

Maccabi Tel Aviv had one of the best rosters in Europe last season, where it's hard for young cats, like Deni, to really break into the rotation to get consistent minutes and claim a main role, especially as it typically differs from domestic leagues and then the Euroleague. He won the Israeli league MVP last season after establishing himself as the star of the team gradually throughout the season; in the Euroleague, he came off the bench, playing a complementary role in limited minutes.

You'll find it's the same across the board for all players - #s from games in your domestic league to Euroleague are all dependent on your role.

 

[FaTaL]

My #2 overall prospect in the draft.
Elite rim runner with elite finishing skills.
Then you add his elite movement and passing skills ala Al Horford
His perimeter chops where you see some Kyle Kuzma
His elite efficiency and PPP impact. Easily the most impactful player day 1 in this class by a mile.

The ideal modern big man offensively.

Defensively, he has a ton of questions but he's young, smart, and has good instincts defending in space so he's not a lost cause.

Offensively he looks great, is his lack of defense about effort or is he just not good at moving his feet?

 

[TUA TAGOVAILOA]

A lot of these cats hang their arguments on the stats without knowing how shyt works overseas.

Maccabi Tel Aviv had one of the best rosters in Europe last season, where it's hard for young cats, like Deni, to really break into the rotation to get consistent minutes and claim a main role, especially as it typically differs from domestic leagues and then the Euroleague. He won the Israeli league MVP last season after establishing himself as the star of the team gradually throughout the season; in the Euroleague, he came off the bench, playing a complementary role in limited minutes.

You'll find it's the same across the board for all players - #s from games in your domestic league to Euroleague are all dependent on your role.

Yea Luka's #s weren't great in Euroleague either, he was a 28% 3 pt shooter his last season before coming to the NBA. Definitely a higher level of play and more pressure on those guys playing in Euroleague at that age as opposed to highschool/college. Not worried about Deni's shooting he has good form and is working hard to get better there. But honestly I'm not sure his defense is going to translate to the NBA. I know that's supposed to be one of his strengths but I saw him look bad on defense more than a few times watching Yam Madar highlights. He still needs to bulk up to be able to guard the post in the NBA and I'm not sure if he'll be able to stay with the great wings in the league.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Yea Luka's #s weren't great in Euroleague either, he was a 28% 3 pt shooter his last season before coming to the NBA. Definitely a higher level of play and more pressure on those guys playing in Euroleague at that age as opposed to highschool/college. Not worried about Deni's shooting he has good form and is working hard to get better there. But honestly I'm not sure his defense is going to translate to the NBA. I know that's supposed to be one of his strengths but I saw him look bad on defense more than a few times watching Yam Madar highlights. He still needs to bulk up to be able to guard the post in the NBA and I'm not sure if he'll be able to stay with the great wings in the league.

One of the most encouraging factors to me about Deni’s defense is how he steadily won over the favor of his coaching staff. He went from getting DNPs/single-digit minute outings to being a key fixture in the rotation as the EuroLeague season moved on. Whenever a 19-year-old is routinely subbed in for crucial defensive possessions (especially when this someone is a more offensive-oriented player), it should raise a few eyebrows. Maccabi even went so far as to having him check Euro-superstar Shane Larkin in the closing seconds of a game.

He has the BBIQ and temperament to mitigate whatever deficit he may find himself in against more athletic wings in the NBA on defense (not too dissimilar to Ingles).

 

[TUA TAGOVAILOA]

He has the BBIQ and temperament to mitigate whatever deficit he may find himself in against more athletic wings in the NBA on defense (not too dissimilar to Ingles).

Lol nothing impressive about that first clip, everyone on the team should be calling out those switches. And yea he looks solid on defense against those guys but like I said not sure how well it'll translate to the NBA. Not saying he'll be a totally liability or anything just average, especially early on. Should have a chance to be a high steal+block guy on that Warriors team though hopefully

 

[TUA TAGOVAILOA]

If Yam Madar can bulk up he's gonna be a great defender w/ 2+ steals per game

• Displays very active and quick hands on the defensive end of the floor, coming up with steals. Madar needs to add strength to be more effective in defending stronger opponents down the lane and to keep improving his defensive presence on the floor.
  

• In 21 games in the Israeli league last season, Madar contested the perimeter well, limiting his opponents to 23-for-69 makes from long distance. He has the potential to be a good man-on-man defender thanks to his quickness, active hands and competitive spirit.
  

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Lol nothing impressive about that first clip, everyone on the team should be calling out those switches.

Given the context of him being 18/19, telling grown-ass men who have years of experience on him, what to do, is impressive (especially given the fact he's a wing and not a defensive anchor). Most young cats are just worried about their own defensive assignment and/or let vets on the team tell them what to do. It shows that he's just not worried about his own man, but has the foresight and selflessness to think about the team defense.

That's a great trait for someone so young.

 

[TUA TAGOVAILOA]

Tel-Aviv PG Scottie Wilbekin is really nice too he'd be a good backup in the NBA

 

[TUA TAGOVAILOA]

Given the context of him being 18/19, telling grown-ass men who have years of experience on him, what to do, is impressive (especially given the fact he's a wing and not a defensive anchor). Most young cats are just worried about their own defensive assignment and/or let vets on the team tell them what to do. It shows that he's just not worried about his own man, but has the foresight and selflessness to think about the team defense.

That's a great trait for someone so young.

Eh rather see clips of him getting a ton of blocks/steals lol

 

[TUA TAGOVAILOA]

Yam showing off his full repertoire in a game a few days ago. That block at :32then the and 1 from behind the back board at the end

 

[42 Monks]

Yes, he can shoot. I literally just dispelled this false talking point in the thread.

Based on what? He hits shots when he hits shots? But when he doesn't, its not really his fault?

His %s are not good. Its okay to say his %s are not good.

 

[TOAD99]

Yam showing off his full repertoire in a game a few days ago. That block at :32then the and 1 from behind the back board at the end

This kid has game, seems to have good vision and passing too

who do you see taking him?

 

[Left.A1]

Based on what? He hits shots when he hits shots? But when he doesn't, its not really his fault?

His %s are not good. Its okay to say his %s are not good.

Remember... His Makes are to be taken at face value but only his misses need "CONTEXT"

 

[42 Monks]

Remember... His Makes are to be taken at face value but only his misses need "CONTEXT"

I always liked Deni too. Especially when I thought we would've ended up picking 8-12 or something... His shooting, especially at the FT line, being a clear risk factor are just part of the package. I still wouldn't trip if we took him at 3 either tbh.

Those shots he missed don't count the competition was crazy shyt don't even need to be happening like that. Its bad enough when people say some guys CAN play defense but choose not to - but its not their fault either. I hope that argument never finds its way into shooting.

 

[Left.A1]

Yea Luka's #s weren't great in Euroleague either, he was a 28% 3 pt shooter his last season before coming to the NBA. Definitely a higher level of play and more pressure on those guys playing in Euroleague at that age as opposed to highschool/college. Not worried about Deni's shooting he has good form and is working hard to get better there. But honestly I'm not sure his defense is going to translate to the NBA. I know that's supposed to be one of his strengths but I saw him look bad on defense more than a few times watching Yam Madar highlights. He still needs to bulk up to be able to guard the post in the NBA and I'm not sure if he'll be able to stay with the great wings in the league.

And yet Luka is still only a 31.6 % 3 point shooter now ... he didn't magically turn into Steph Curry once he put an NBA jersey on ... Luka also didn't suffer from a pathetic 58% FT conversion rate either ... That nikka has a Lonnnnnggg way to go before anyone compares him to Luka