2021 NBA Draft Safari

[Randolphkeys]

.can anyone guess who the other is? It's not Scottie Barnes (just short on rebounds at 9.8 per 100).

Wild guess: Trevion Williams of Purdue? The kid seems like a great passer, haven't looked at his advanced stats.

EDIT - Doesn't have nearly the assists I thought he has. I'll switch to Suggs of Gonzaga.

 

[Nathan S]

Wild guess: Trevion Williams of Purdue? The kid seems like a great passer, haven't looked at his advanced stats.

EDIT - Doesn't have nearly the assists I thought he has. I'll switch to Suggs of Gonzaga.

Suggs is a good guess, he falls just short on assists.

It's actually Jason Preston of Ohio. He put himself on the radar earlier this year with 31/6/8 in a 2-point road loss to Illinois. I like Preston as a possible 2nd-round pick who could provide useful backcourt minutes right away next to Sexton or Garland.

 

[Nathan S]

McBride dominating his matchup with Cade so far, capped by a poster dunk just before halftime. Looking more and more like an elite 2-way guard prospect.

EDIT: Cade just blew an open fast-break dunk because he couldn't get any lift...I dunno if it's an injury or what, but he's really struggling athletically and it seems like it's getting worse as the season goes on.

EDIT: McBride cooled off in the second half and OK State took advantage. Cade somewhat better, but lucky his late turnovers didn't prove costly.

 

[Nathan S]

I hate on Cade a lot, but Mobley hasn't had a good game in ages.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

Hey I know the actually draft this year is in November but I can’t see to find when the draft lottery is being held! Anybody know?

 

["MVP"]

Hey I know the actually draft this year is in November but I can’t see to find when the draft lottery is being held! Anybody know?

Where did you hear that? I thought I heard (maybe from Zach Lowe's podcast??) the expectation around the league is for the draft to be held at some point in late July. The lottery is typically held during the second round of the playoffs, which would be sometime in June.

 

[Nathan S]

Some kinda prospect showcase in Tennessee-Florida...who was the best of the bunch?

Mann with an efficient 30 points

Pons with 11 points, 8 boards, and a school-record 9 blocks

Keon with 13 points, 9 boards, and 6 assists

James with 10 points, 9 boards, 6 assists, and 0 turnovers

 

[Nathan S]

Preston looking pretty at home so far in Cleveland...just saying...

 

[MD13]

I hate on Cade a lot, but Mobley hasn't had a good game in ages.

Nathan, please keep talking down on each of the top prospects. You're on fire with the reverse jinxes.

 

[Nathan S]

Nathan, please keep talking down on each of the top prospects. You're on fire with the reverse jinxes.

Loved how Mobley hit his stride as the game went on. He has such a good-looking stroke, I just wish he'd use it more from the 3-point line.

 

[MD13]

Loved how Mobley hit his stride as the game went on. He has such a good-looking stroke, I just wish he'd use it more from the 3-point line.

Probably would've had a much bigger game too if his coach didn't auto-sub him with 2 fouls in the 1st half. I do agree that his stroke looks very projectable with more reps.

So who's up next, Scottie Barnes?

 

[Nathan S]

Probably would've had a much bigger game too if his coach didn't auto-sub him with 2 fouls in the 1st half. I do agree that his stroke looks very projectable with more reps.

So who's up next, Scottie Barnes?

Yeah, he's the kind of big who really *can* defend without fouling, so I don't think it was necessary to pull him.

Out of all the top prospects, the only guy I really dislike is Cade. I have more minor issues with other guys (Green's defense, Mobley can be passive for stretches, Barnes needs a jumpshot, etc.), but with Cade, I don't think he looks as good as advertised at the college level, and I think he'll be overwhelmed by the pace and athleticism of the NBA. Obviously this is a bold call given that he's the consensus #1 guy still, and if I turn out to be wrong I'll own up to it.

 

[kriegs]

Is Cade actually good? Looks pretty average tonight

 

[MD13]

Yeah, he's the kind of big who really *can* defend without fouling, so I don't think it was necessary to pull him.

Out of all the top prospects, the only guy I really dislike is Cade. I have more minor issues with other guys (Green's defense, Mobley can be passive for stretches, Barnes needs a jumpshot, etc.), but with Cade, I don't think he looks as good as advertised at the college level, and I think he'll be overwhelmed by the pace and athleticism of the NBA. Obviously this is a bold call given that he's the consensus #1 guy still, and if I turn out to be wrong I'll own up to it.

If we're talking top prospects, then I'd say I'm lower on Cade and Suggs than consensus by a bit, about the same for Mobley, and higher on Green, Kuminga, and Barnes.

Cade- athleticism is obviously the biggest concern, he's the least athletic #1 overall pick since... Bargs? Even Bennett was a freaky athlete when in shape. Also seems to be a bit of a dissonance with how everyone says his teammates aren't very good but they seem to perform extremely well whenever he misses a game.

Suggs- How well can he shoot? The Suggs that shot near 40% from 3 for half the season is absolutely a top 5 pick, the Suggs that shot 25% for the other half isn't for me. Normally he'd still be a top 3 pick in other years even if he wasn't shooting well, but the top of this draft is so stacked.

 

[Nathan S]

I like the way Cade's playing today: 10 3-point attempts, and not getting himself in trouble overdribbling against quicker defenders. I don't think that style of play is a blueprint for him to develop into a #1-option guy in the NBA, but it is a blueprint for him to be a positive-impact offensive player.

EDIT: there it is, gets the switch onto the slower defender, and then attacks off the dribble. Perfect.