2019 NBA Draft

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

It’s more sad than funny.

Silver is a joke and he hurts the teams that truly need help. We need the first overall pick. We are truly bad.

I don't think they really looked deep enough into the implications of the change they were making. They were more making a change just for PR's sake after the "trust the process" stuff in Philly.

It's one thing to flatten out the odds, but they also increase the range of outcomes. Not only will the worst record have a lesser chance at a higher pick than they used to, they now also can fall further in the draft.

I really think it was a bit of an overreaction to the publicity the 6ers tanking got. When in reality, that type of plan will fail more often than not. Just for example, if Embiid doesn't get hurt prior to the draft, the Cavs would have likely taken him #1, and the 76ers would be building around Andrew Wiggins and Ben Simmons.

I have a feeling this will end up just forcing teams to be in the lottery continually year after year, without having the best chances possible to get back to the playoffs. The Kings for example... they've certainly done alot of the damage to themselves with poor player evaluation, but look at what they've gotten by being stuck in the lottery every year. Prior to the Bagley draft, when was the last time they picked inside the top 3?

It'll be interesting. I think it will get talked about more if the team with the worst record ends up dropping to 5th, and a team like Minnesota for example ends up with the top pick.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I don't think they really looked deep enough into the implications of the change they were making. They were more making a change just for PR's sake after the "trust the process" stuff in Philly.

It's one thing to flatten out the odds, but they also increase the range of outcomes. Not only will the worst record have a lesser chance at a higher pick than they used to, they now also can fall further in the draft.

I really think it was a bit of an overreaction to the publicity the 6ers tanking got. When in reality, that type of plan will fail more often than not. Just for example, if Embiid doesn't get hurt prior to the draft, the Cavs would have likely taken him #1, and the 76ers would be building around Andrew Wiggins and Ben Simmons.

I have a feeling this will end up just forcing teams to be in the lottery continually year after year, without having the best chances possible to get back to the playoffs. The Kings for example... they've certainly done alot of the damage to themselves with poor player evaluation, but look at what they've gotten by being stuck in the lottery every year. Prior to the Bagley draft, when was the last time they picked inside the top 3?

It'll be interesting. I think it will get talked about more if the team with the worst record ends up dropping to 5th, and a team like Minnesota for example ends up with the top pick.

I think you hit on the key misstep here in logic......which is this new lottery system is actually designed to perpetuate mediocrity for truly bad teams. Not teams tanking with talent (Sixers).....just ones that don't have talent.

The system works great in a world where everyone starts from the same place.....but that's not the reality of where teams are. The Cavs are unequivocally awful.....even a few teams up, Dallas....they have a cornerstone player already. Those are the teams that this new system is bound to catapult forward. Teams like the Cavs could just plunge in to 10 years worth of nothing. That's why missing on the odds of that BK pick sting so bad in hindsight.

You mention Minnesota....or just imagine the NBA season where a really important guy gets hurt (Giannis for examples) and the Bucks stumble to 9/10 ish odds and win the lottery. I think everyone will look back on this and say "this was dumb".

 

[Nathan S]

If you want to watch a Eurokid this year one that could be interesting is Deividas Sirvydis. He is 6'8 and a really really skilled lefty shooter, also has some on ball / P & R skills. Doesn't have an NBA bod yet but wouldn't be a bad look late 1st or early 2nd


IIRC he is 17 in the clip below but is currently 18

https://youtu.be/QH9IXGwhVlc

This is more recent from his Eurocup debut, iirc he finished with 17pts

https://youtu.be/0auvWOl1vU4

Helpful international player summary posted by TheStepien today; they have Sirvydis in Tier 1 with Doumbouya, which I think is reasonable.

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/11/11/catching-2019-eligible-international-class/

I'd say that, roughly, the Tier 1 guys (Sirvydis and Doumbouya) are worth a pick in the late lottery-late teens, the Tier 2 guys (Bitadze and Zoosman) are worth a pick in the late teens-late first, and the Tier 3 guys (Bleijenbergh, Samanic, Radoncic) could be good 2nd round stashes.

 

[CavsFan07]

I wanna make a bet too.

And Reddish actually reminds me of Paul George the most.

Word, $25? This one just between us and not donated to RCF. We can venmo/PayPal whoever loses

 

[Crosby_Cavs]

Has anyone tried to run the Tankathon tank lottery simulator? it's brutal. God damnit Silver.

First try, first pick

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

First try, first pick

Do 99 more and post the results!

 

[Tubs023]

Dang...I forgot they changed the draft lottery...BS

 

[ajz20]

Let's make a bet.

I think Barrett is overrated and a flawed player. You know who he reminds me of if we are doing this weird Cavaliers comparison contest? he reminds me of Rodney Hood if he had Clarkon's mindset.

He is a me first type of player that gets down on himself when he struggles and can't get his. His impact so far looks to be very reliant on his scoring, and not much impact from everywhere else on the court.

I'm sorry, but I can't see how he provides better value offensively and defensively than Zion certainly, and EVEN Reddish??? While he is considered a good slasher (this is most of his game), he can't create any separation on his drives. He doesn't create defensive rotations, and it seems like the end result is always a shot attempt, and a lot of times it is heavily contested...he is predictable. He forces a lot.

That's not what 'm looking for as our saviour. Give me the energetic wrecking ball that plays the right way. He has a chance to change the culture of this team all by himself. How he handles himself on the court is contagious.

This is now the second time an RCF member has done this.

Please please stop comparing Hood to these Duke prospects .

 

[ajz20]

How much you wanna bet they have to change the lottery odds again when they realize how badly the worst teams need help?

What is the lowest the team with the worst record can fall 5th?

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Darius Garland has pretty special potential.

How do you think he compares with Sexton as a prospect? I think I have to go with Garland here.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Darius Garland has pretty special potential.

How do you think he compares with Sexton as a prospect? I think I have to go with Garland here.

I'd give the edge to Sexton. I think they'll measure out at a similar height (6'1.5" with shoes). Sexton is the better athlete and the much more explosive player. He also has nice length for a small guard (6'7"+ wingspan). Garland is the better pure ball handler.

With Garland, the biggest concern is does he have the necessary athleticism to guard at the NBA level? His frame is just OK, so without that burst, it's going to be tough for him to stick as a lead guard if he can't show an ability to guard more athletic players.

I also would doubt he's going to finish at the next level, from what he has shown so far. Collin was a really electric player off the dribble, especially through contact. He is strong enough to fend off his man and athletic enough to then elevate over bigger players. As he's (Collin) gotten more minutes, he's shown the ability to already get to the rim as a smaller player....which is not a trivial skill for someone his size at the NBA level.

I also don't like his release (Garland) for a small guard.....it's a little low and in front of his face....and he couples it with only moderate lift. Is he going to be able to shoot over contests with it? Might be tough. Collin has a high, quick release and a bit better elevation against contest. That is why he has been able to get his shot off at the next level.

I think they're close but Sexton is more athletic and longer with an adequate handle. To me, he's the better prospect.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

I'd give the edge to Sexton. I think they'll measure out at a similar height (6'1.5" with shoes). Sexton is the better athlete and the much more explosive player. He also has nice length for a small guard (6'7"+ wingspan). Garland is the better pure ball handler.

With Garland, the biggest concern is does he have the necessary athleticism to guard at the NBA level? His frame is just OK, so without that burst, it's going to be tough for him to stick as a lead guard if he can't show an ability to guard more athletic players.

I also would doubt he's going to finish at the next level, from what he has shown so far. Collin was a really electric player off the dribble, especially through contact. He is strong enough to fend off his man and athletic enough to then elevate over bigger players. As he's (Collin) gotten more minutes, he's shown the ability to already get to the rim as a smaller player....which is not a trivial skill for someone his size at the NBA level.

I also don't like his release (Garland) for a small guard.....it's a little low and in front of his face....and he couples it with only moderate lift. Is he going to be able to shoot over contests with it? Might be tough. Collin has a high, quick release and a bit better elevation against contest. That is why he has been able to get his shot off at the next level.

I think they're close but Sexton is more athletic and longer with an adequate handle. To me, he's the better prospect.

I disagree. Garland's handle is light years further along than Sexton's. Also I'm pretty sure he's 6'3". Don't think his issue is athleticism, more just an overall lack of length and strength. I do like his frame though to add more weight.

I do think that finishing will be a big issue with Garland, but his ability to find openings in the paint far surpasses Sexton (who is pretty much all change of speeds). His floater and pull up game is also better. Sexton is actually a pretty bad finisher himself, but is able to get to the FT line... Garland's always going to have trouble finishing, but I think his floater game will make up for it some.

My biggest concern with Garland is his decision making. Guy makes the most wild passes, it's infuriating. He can beat any P&R coverage, but still manages to make the simple play far more difficult than it needs to be. Will expect his AST/TOV ratio to improve, but it definitely won't be impressive at year end.

As far as his shot goes, he's well past Sexton there as well. No rigidity whatsoever... can already hit NBA range catch and shoots in his sleep. Also has far more balance to shoot off the dribble moving left/right. Have noticed Sexton REALLY struggles to pull up when moving off side to side movement. Garland gets to his shot smoother as well. He's probably the best shooter in the top 10 to me right now.

Garland has more passing vision, but Sexton has the better decision making imo. Also nobody can match Sexton's intangibles/burst of course.

If you liked Trae Young last year, I think you'll enjoy watching Garland more. He's a similar archetype player to him. Just does a lot of the things I'd want out of a PG, so I'll typically lean towards that sort of player. Sexton's weaknesses, if unimproved, will hamper him more than Garland's imo.

I'd take Garland as a prospect over Sexton. At worst I think he's a Reggie Jackson type player with a little less length.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

I recommend everyone go watch Kevin Porter Jr from USC. Have brought him up, but now after two games I think he's a safe bet to be top 10. I could even see him in the 5-6 range when it's all said and done. Great measurables as an SG, very athletic. Has a great handle & burst. Shot is a little questionable, but he gets to it easily and it's been solid so far. Defensively he needs to play under more control, but probably a plus there as well. I know Pac12 network can be annoying to get access to (at least for me), but you can see some of what he can do in the highlight videos if you can't watch full games.

I know it's easy to get set on a top 4-5 guys, but I really think he has a chance to slide into the second tier. He's not that far off of Nassir Little for me, who I've been disappointed with defensively some in the 2-3 games I've watched.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I disagree. Garland's handle is light years further along than Sexton's. Also I'm pretty sure he's 6'3". Don't think his issue is athleticism, more just an overall lack of length and strength. I do like his frame though to add more weight.

I do think that finishing will be a big issue with Garland, but his ability to find openings in the paint far surpasses Sexton (who is pretty much all change of speeds). His floater and pull up game is also better. Sexton is actually a pretty bad finisher himself, but is able to get to the FT line... Garland's always going to have trouble finishing, but I think his floater game will make up for it some.

My biggest concern with Garland is his decision making. Guy makes the most wild passes, it's infuriating. He can beat any P&R coverage, but still manages to make the simple play far more difficult than it needs to be. Will expect his AST/TOV ratio to improve, but it definitely won't be impressive at year end.

As far as his shot goes, he's well past Sexton there as well. No rigidity whatsoever... can already hit NBA range catch and shoots in his sleep. Also has far more balance to shoot off the dribble moving left/right. Have noticed Sexton REALLY struggles to pull up when moving off side to side movement. Garland gets to his shot smoother as well. He's probably the best shooter in the top 10 to me right now.

Garland has more passing vision, but Sexton has the better decision making imo. Also nobody can match Sexton's intangibles/burst of course.

If you liked Trae Young last year, I think you'll enjoy watching Garland more. He's a similar archetype player to him. Just does a lot of the things I'd want out of a PG, so I'll typically lean towards that sort of player. Sexton's weaknesses, if unimproved, will hamper him more than Garland's imo.

I'd take Garland as a prospect over Sexton. At worst I think he's a Reggie Jackson type player with a little less length.

Is Reggie Jackson supposed to be a good comp?

I think you're really discounting how important athleticism is for smaller guards. I think Garland will measure smaller than his 6'3" list is why I say that.

Kyrie is the only player in recent memory who has turned in to an elite player without it.....and he has next stratosphere handle, footwork and finishing skills.

Garland is just a talented reserve guard to me, on a good team. I'd take him in the back half of the first round as a floor spacer and reserve scorer.

I'm not an NBA GM, so maybe I can be really wrong about Garland but I would take both Morant and Hands over him.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Is Reggie Jackson supposed to be a good comp?

I think you're really discounting how important athleticism is for smaller guards.

Kyrie is the only player in recent memory who has turned in to an elite player without it.....and he has next stratosphere handle, footwork and finishing skills.

Garland is just a talented reserve guard to me, on a good team. I'd take him in the back half of the first round as a floor spacer and reserve scorer.

I'm not an NBA GM, so maybe I can be really wrong about Garland but I would take both Morant and Hands over him.

I said at worst, he's similar to Reggie Jackson imo - which I would take over Sexton.

Not saying athleticism isn't important for smaller guards, just saying it hasn't been functional for Sexton imo besides drawing fouls & in transition. His burst will help once he gets to finally play with a spaced out floor...but even still, ball handling is far more important to me with PGs - which Garland has to go along with a great pull up.

And with that said there are plenty of elite PGs that have comparable athleticism to Garland.