2019 NBA Draft

[I'mWithDan]

I think I pointed out upthread that he has a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses as Cedi...would you agree?

Obviously I like Cedi, but Reddish would have to show the potential to be a much higher impact player if we're thinking about taking him top-3. I'm not sure he's quite that good, so I see him more as the kind of guy I'd target in the 4-8 range.

Yes, today....he looks like a more talented Cedi. Which is a good player but not a high impact guy you would take in the top 3.

I'm not going for a hot take here, as people get a little fired up about what I am saying.....I just think think he made a really poor college choice for his own personal development (when looking to the NBA).

He can be a good NBA player but it's really hard for me to imagine him as a #1 offensive option when you look at his current tape. And I think that is the criteria for wings specifically in the modern NBA.

Who are your top 3? Zion, RJ, Nassir? what's your top 5?

I really struggle with a top 5 because I think, right now, this is a one player tier 1 draft (Barrett). There's probably 8-9 other guys who could fall anywhere from 2-10.

I don't know I would rank these as a top 4, in terms of mock drafts but my 4 favorite NBA prospects from this draft are Barrett, Little, Langford and Grimes.

It is really early though, a lot can change but those are my pre-season guys when assessing HS tape / performance stepping up in higher profile events / NBA skill assessment.

I certainly think Reddish can break in to that group but I just think he has a long way to go, in a year where he will likely float around on offense.

 

[Nathan S]

Yes, today....he looks like a more talented Cedi. Which is a good player but not a high impact guy you would take in the top 3.

I'm not going for a hot take here, as people get a little fired up about what I am saying.....I just think think he made a really poor college choice for his own personal development (when looking to the NBA).

He can be a good NBA player but it's really hard for me to imagine him as a #1 offensive option when you look at his current tape. And I think that is the criteria for wings specifically in the modern NBA.



I really struggle with a top 5 because I think, right now, this is a one player tier 1 draft (Barrett). There's probably 8-9 other guys who could fall anywhere from 2-10.

I don't know I would rank these as a top 4, in terms of mock drafts but my 4 favorite NBA prospects from this draft are Barrett, Little, Langford and Grimes.

It is really early though, a lot can change but those are my pre-season guys when assessing HS tape / performance stepping up in higher profile events / NBA skill assessment.

I certainly think Reddish can break in to that group but I just think he has a long way to go, in a year where he will likely float around on offense.

Definitely a tricky draft to rank...agree that there are a lot of guys I might have in "Tier 2" in a typical draft, but I'm struggling to settle on any of them at "Tier 1" talents. I've had at least 4 different players at #1 on my mental big board over the last month. Also agree that it's gonna be an awkward fit at Duke for that trio, with Reddish in serious danger of getting the short end of the stick.

 

[Los216]

Didn't watch the video at all, but literally Reddish's strengths are his playmaking abilities, both for himself and others.

He'll likely share point guard duties with Tre Jones.

Cam had 9 assist in their first game

 

[I'mWithDan]

Definitely a tricky draft to rank...agree that there are a lot of guys I might have in "Tier 2" in a typical draft, but I'm struggling to settle on any of them at "Tier 1" talents. I've had at least 4 different players at #1 on my mental big board over the last month. Also agree that it's gonna be an awkward fit at Duke for that trio, with Reddish in serious danger of getting the short end of the stick.

With Barrett specifically, I just believe someone with his mix of 2-way motor, production and youth (-.5/.75 in age relative to his class) is a tier 1 player. Barrett turned 18 after he graduated HS.....Reddish is already 19 prior to the college season starting.

I could end up being wrong on that but players like him (RJ) typically take a noticeable leap from 18-19. As their bodies mature, they gain confidence and really start to focus solely on stepping up to the next level. I don't think he's a perfect prospect but when projecting him 12-24 months from now, I think he has elite two-way potential, that he is more likely to realize on a typical development curve.

 

[Los216]

With Barrett specifically, I just believe someone with his mix of 2-way motor, production and youth (-.5/.75 in age relative to his class) is a tier 1 player. Barrett turned 18 after he graduated HS.....Reddish is already 19 prior to the college season starting.

I could end up being wrong on that but players like him (RJ) typically take a noticeable leap from 18-19. As their bodies mature, they gain confidence and really start to focus solely on stepping up to the next level. I don't think he's a perfect prospect but when projecting him 12-24 months from now, I think he has elite two-way potential, that he is likely to realize on a typical development curve.

RJ Barrett can't shoot and he has a loose handle. Andrew Wiggins vibes.

 

[I'mWithDan]

RJ Barrett can't shoot and he has a loose handle. Andrew Wiggins vibes.

If Barrett has a loose handle, what does Reddish have? Universally, scouts rate Barrett as a better ball handler.

Barrett does too many things well for his shot to slow down his development. His shot improving will merely be the thing that ratchets him up to the next level.

Comparing him to Andrew Wiggins is laughable. He literally is nothing like Andrew Wiggins.....who's complacency, attitude and effort is what has sunk him. Barrett competes like Draymond, while possessing elite athletic skill. If Wiggins had his intangibles, he'd be an All-Star.

 

[Nathan S]

If Barrett has a loose handle, what does Reddish have? Universally, scouts rate Barrett as a better ball handler.

Barrett does too many things well for his shot to slow down his development. His shot improving will merely be the thing that ratchets him up to the next level.

Comparing him to Andrew Wiggins is laughable. He literally is nothing like Andrew Wiggins.....who's complacency, attitude and effort is what has sunk him. Barrett competes like Draymond, while possessing elite athletic skill. If Wiggins had his intangibles, he'd be an All-Star.

Source(s) for the bolded? My biggest reservation about him is that from what I've seen he looks like a clumsy ballhandler compared to Zion and Reddish. If that's not the case I'd feel a lot better about having him #1 on my board.

 

[Derek]

I think everybody needs to take a step back and actually let these guys play some actual regular season games at the college level.

I see a lot of opinions that are clearly based on highlight tapes and nothing else. These guys are each good prospects, and some of the knocks people are making on each of them are wildly off base.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I see a lot of opinions that are clearly based on highlight tapes and nothing else. These guys are each good prospects, and some of the knocks people are making on each of them are wildly off base.

There's already full game tapes of them on the same floor (both HS / AAU / earl college). Has nothing to do with highlights. Barrett has looked like the superior player and is nearly a year younger. And if early returns are any indication, Barrett will be the offensive engine for Duke and their emotional leader.

I agree assessments will change, as they play.....but today, Barrett is in a tier by himself, until other people prove they should be in it with him IMO. Handful of other players in this class have the chance to emerge as a top 3 pick but he's the only player I would put there at this point.

 

[TyGuy]

Source(s) for the bolded? My biggest reservation about him is that from what I've seen he looks like a clumsy ballhandler compared to Zion and Reddish. If that's not the case I'd feel a lot better about having him #1 on my board.

I saw a nice clip of him(college pre season) using a ball screen in the half court and attacked, used a euro step, finished while going right (his weak hand). That's some great stuff at his size.

 

[Derek]

There's already full game tapes of them on the same floor (both HS / AAU / earl college). Has nothing to do with highlights. Barrett has looked like the superior player and is nearly a year younger. And if early returns are any indication, Barrett will be the offensive engine for Duke and their emotional leader.

I agree assessments will change, as they play.....but today, Barrett is in a tier by himself, until other people prove they should be in it with him IMO. Handful of other players in this class have the chance to emerge as a top 3 pick but he's the only player I would put there at this point.

Never said anything about Barrett not being the best player. Trust me, I’ve seen the EYBL, and Adidas Gauntlet games. They haven’t even played college games yet though. You don’t have to tell me what’s out there.

I’m just saying the knocks on Reddish are incorrect, so are some of the knocks I’ve seen on Barrett.

I honestly have no idea where those critiques are coming from because they’re not based in reality.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Source(s) for the bolded? My biggest reservation about him is that from what I've seen he looks like a clumsy ballhandler compared to Zion and Reddish. If that's not the case I'd feel a lot better about having him #1 on my board.

Esthetically, it may not look as nice but his ball handling charts are both more diverse and more effective. I'll have to bug my friend to see if I can share at least the numbers from them but he charts film for the handful of elite NBA prospects, from as early as their sophomore year of high school and they rate each dribble move both in frequency and effectiveness.

Even when you watch film, you'll see two things that stand out with Barrett. His willingness to go and finish in either direction, off either foot (or both) and his willingness to attack in a variety of ways (cross over, behind the back, hesitation, euro step, step back, spin). That is what the scouts I talk to truly care about.....ability to execute scoring variety in a game, at an early age. The added plus for Barrett is he is athletic off all the jumping types (one foot moving, two feet moving, two feet stand still, etc.)

I completely agree that the esthetics of how other players dribble certainly look better or tighter but Barrett's dribbling football equivalent is like Phillip Rivers release. It's maybe not be as pretty as many others but it is very effective.

 

[Nathan S]

There's already full game tapes of them on the same floor (both HS / AAU / earl college). Has nothing to do with highlights. Barrett has looked like the superior player and is nearly a year younger. And if early returns are any indication, Barrett will be the offensive engine for Duke and their emotional leader.

I agree assessments will change, as they play.....but today, Barrett is in a tier by himself, until other people prove they should be in it with him IMO. Handful of other players in this class have the chance to emerge as a top 3 pick but he's the only player I would put there at this point.

What makes you say this? Reddish and Williamson both had higher usage than Barrett in their exhibition game the other day, for instance.

I saw a nice clip of him(college pre season) using a ball screen in the half court and attacked, used a euro step, finished while going right (his weak hand). That's some great stuff at his size.

That may be true, but that's one play. Virtually every scouting report I've read about the guy talks about how he has no right hand.

 

[Nathan S]

Esthetically, it may not look as nice but his ball handling charts are both more diverse and more effective. I'll have to bug my friend to see if I can share at least the numbers from them but he charts film for the handful of elite NBA prospects, from as early as their sophomore year of high school and they rate each dribble move both in frequency and effectiveness.

Even when you watch film, you'll see two things that stand out with Barrett. His willingness to go and finish in either direction, off either foot (or both) and his willingness to attack in a variety of ways (cross over, behind the back, hesitation, euro step, step back, spin). That is what the scouts I talk to truly care about.....ability to execute scoring variety in a game, at an early age.

I completely agree that the esthetics of how other players dribble certainly look better or tighter but Barrett's dribbling football equivalent is like Phillip Rivers release. It's maybe not be as pretty as many others but it is very effective.

Sounds good when you put it that way; thanks for following up. I know less than nothing about football though, so that analogy is completely lost on me

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Honestly, kind of shocked Nazir Little isnt getting more love.

Hes basically the wing version of Sexton but with a more advanced shot. I sort of question whether he is a 3 or a 4, but I really like his game. A little stiff but not horrible. Kind of like what MPJr was supposed to be.

Going to be fun to watch him at UNC, IMO. Dude is gonna run all over the gym.