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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 17, 2016 22:01:55 GMT -5
Not according to draft sites, not according to what scouts and execs say, but these are the top prospects according to me. These are the guys I feel are the top of their draft class.
I'll start this list with Lonzo Ball. Right now, this is the guy who I think can make the most impact in the NBA among this upcoming draft class. Reminds me so much of Jason Kidd -- little bit taller and little bit less pizzazz. Ugly shot, but somehow goes in. Very comfortable running a team, and easily fires passess all over the court, with accuracy.
There will never, ever, ever be another Larry Bird
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 20, 2016 4:29:26 GMT -5
Another player at the top of this draft is Markelle Fultz. At 6'4", he has good size for a Point. I don't consider him a pure PG, even though he is capable of making of making impressive passes.
He reminds me of a taller Kevin Johnson; a complete backcourt player who can man the Point, and also be the scorer.
Maybe the biggest compliment I can give Fultz is he makes the game look easy.
I completely re-did my post about this kid. Really impressed with this guy. Easy athlete, slick dribbler, fluid movements, quick thinking, highly instinctive, hardly gets phased.
Constantly moves, doesn't pound the ball into the ground.
He makes the right plays, makes correct reads, knows when to pass and when to score.
Good defender with quick hands and anticipation.
I don't know if he'll be the first overall pick, though I'd consider him worthy of it. But whichever team lands him will be getting a fantastic kid.
There will never, ever, ever be another Larry Bird
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Nov 23, 2016 20:28:58 GMT -5
In my opinion, Dennis Smith Jr finally had his coming out game a couple of days ago vs. St Joseph. He had been putting up solid numbers up until then, but it was the way in which he played, and the swagger that he began to show that told me he's becoming that top player he was billed to be.
In his other games, he didn't attack and cut to the basket like he's capable of doing. He didn't exude the moxie that's lurking inside of him. But it's starting to emerge, and once it's fully out, this kid is going to display some exciting stuff.
For me, it's a toss up between Markelle Fultz and Smith Jr for the #2 PG spot (Lonzo Ball is the top PG prospect in college).
There will never, ever, ever be another Larry Bird
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 1, 2016 4:08:28 GMT -5
Update, as I watch more of these guys.
Dennis Smith Jr has been solid, but playing nowhere near what he is capable of. I wish he'd attack the paint more; he's electric when he's the aggressor. 3's aren't going down too well, but his shooting form is good so it's a matter of getting reps in.
Lonzo Ball, an incredible passer who not only racks up assists, but influences the team to be pass happy too. Really instinctive, which helps him get steals and blocks. I don't know if his shooting will pass in the NBA, but if you're looking for a pure passing PG, Ball is your guy.
Markelle Fultz is a versatile scorer. Though he's an excellent and creative passer, his scoring is probably where he'll have a greater impact. He's an elusive guy who can slither into traffic, and with his long strides, can do damage near the basket. Nice looking prospect.
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Post by jrmzt on Dec 3, 2016 18:54:29 GMT -5
Just been watching Malik Monk again and wow!! he sure can score...needs a quicker release but he is definitely a scoring machine
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 4, 2016 3:08:45 GMT -5
Quicker release? Seems quick enough to me.
I got him listed on my "not so highly touted" list, and I'm just as impressed with Monk as you are. When i watch UK, he's the guy who I end up watching the most (though Briscoe impressess me as well, but I doubt he gets taken in the 1st round).
My question with Monk is what position he's going to play in the NBA. Haven't seem much of his Point skills, and he's short for a true SG.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 4, 2016 5:23:03 GMT -5
TJ Leaf is a guy who is climbing up on my board. 6'10" 225 lbs. Needs to add more muscle, but even though he's no heavy weight, he's an excellent rebounder due to a sense for the boards, really good hands, and he's good at high pointing the ball (grabbing the ball at its highest point).
He's also a versatile scorer and underrated ball handler. Nice touch on his shots, is crafty near the basket, and can even extend to three's. Can also put the ball on the floor and dribble penetrate. Deceivingly quick and agile.
Don't know if he's a good defender or not -- will have to wait and see him play more.
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Post by Roadrunner on Dec 4, 2016 15:00:26 GMT -5
This draft is top PG/SG & freshmen heavy. Ball, and Fultz.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 5, 2016 11:24:42 GMT -5
Jayson Tatum finally got to play for Duke, after coming off a preseason foot injury.
I like his shooting stroke, but my concern with him is he's not explosive laterally. Going from side to side, he's pretty average, which means he could struggle to shake off defenders.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 7, 2016 3:46:25 GMT -5
Got my first look at Jayson Tatum tonight, as he played against really good competition (#21 Florida). He didn't start the game, and when he first saw time on the floor, he looked a bit rigid. But it wasn't long before he got comfortable and started having an impact on the game.
He was doing so well that Coach K started him in the second half, and by the end of the game, Tatum's confidence was sky high.
My impression of Tatum:
- not afraid of the limelight. This was good to see. He looked very comfortable, and even fed off the spotlight that was cast upon him.
- his shooting stroke is legit.
- has a quick first step
- excellent ball handler (for a 6'8" SF).
- can attack the basket (but needs to convert)
- needs to take care of the ball when he drives. Got stripped a few times.
- pretty good rebounder. doesn't mind camping out in the paint and fighting among the bigs.
Seems like a really good kid. A competitor. Needs to get stronger.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 8, 2016 5:36:13 GMT -5
Watched Fultz play Gonzaga tonight. Disappointed that he didn't try to take over the game when his team was getting crushed. Would have really impressed me if he showed an alpha dog mentality and took the scoring load upon himself (cause no one on his team could get anything going).
He still displayed his creativity, and showcased some nice things.
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Post by jrmzt on Dec 29, 2016 21:24:45 GMT -5
Watched Fultz play Gonzaga tonight. Disappointed that he didn't try to take over the game when his team was getting crushed. Would have really impressed me if he showed an alpha dog mentality and took the scoring load upon himself (cause no one on his team could get anything going). He still displayed his creativity, and showcased some nice things. Its going to be disappointing to not see Fultz in the NCAA tourney if they dont make it...that tourney can make or break players, especially ones who cant handle the pressure. Against top team after top team, thats where Fultz will get a chance to really standout...though most analysts already have him as the no.1 pick (no surprise). |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 6, 2017 20:56:19 GMT -5
Fultz is playing on a bad team. I hear blame on their coach, and not much on Fultz.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 6, 2017 21:10:07 GMT -5
Danny said the top of this draft is spaced out among a handful of players. I think he's right. There might not be a trancendant player, but there are a bunch of players who may make All-Star teams in the future.
Harry Giles is finally ready to play and got some action recently. Looked good on the boards and made himself available near the basket for quick passes and alley oops.
His knees are the huge question, and NBA teams will need to determine if his potential outweighs the risk.
Lonzo Ball continues to make the case for being the #1 pick. If you remove him from UCLA's lineup, no way does that team make the postseason. With him, they are currently a top 5 team in the country!!! That's all due to this amazing freshman.
Tatum continues to look like a legit prospect. He's more involved in the orchestration of Duke's offense than Brandon Ingram was last year. He might turn out to be a better pro as well.
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Post by jmost on Jan 13, 2017 9:53:18 GMT -5
Saw Fultz for the second time and came away with the same impression - which is that I don't see the fire I want in a top pick. The greats have it in their eyes. They are hunting you. They demand the ball and make things happen. He just seems passive to me. Only two games, but still ...
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