2019 NBA Draft

[Nathan S]

I think Goga will stay out of the first just because there's always going to be shooting questions after last season... but even more so because he's just a little bit undersized and not very athletic. He looked pretty brutal vs Kentucky's size about a month ago.

The possible roster fit issues you guys brought up reminded me of this picture I saw of Gudaitis last week lol.

He's not undersized lol...measured a 9'2" standing reach just before his 18th birthday, and he's probably grown at least an inch since then. Did you watch the game against Kentucky? I didn't, but I notice he barely played so I don't know how much to read into it. Kentucky looks really good this year for sure.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

He's not undersized lol...measured a 9'2" standing reach just before his 18th birthday, and he's probably grown at least an inch since then. Did you watch the game against Kentucky? I didn't, but I notice he barely played so I don't know how much to read into it. Kentucky looks really good this year for sure.

Yes, the athleticism gap was extremely noticeable. 6'11" with a 7'2" wingspan isn't undersized my bad. But I would want my center to have more length than that. I think he gets off the floor okay, but I know in watching him in the past in depth that he played soft around the rim and really relied on size advantage.

 

[Nathan S]

Yes, the athleticism gap was extremely noticeable. 6'11" with a 7'2" wingspan isn't undersized my bad. But I would want my center to have more length than that. I think he gets off the floor okay, but I know in watching him in the past in depth that he played soft around the rim and really relied on size advantage.

Yeah, his body is definitely a work in progress. Hopefully the big minutes load he's playing this season will help him in that regard; he probably won't gain much in terms of vertical athleticism, but if he could improve his conditioning/motor that would go a long way toward making him look like a potential starter type rather than a likely bench roleplayer.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Yeah, his body is definitely a work in progress. Hopefully the big minutes load he's playing this season will help him in that regard; he probably won't gain much in terms of vertical athleticism, but if he could improve his conditioning/motor that would go a long way toward making him look like a potential starter type rather than a likely bench roleplayer.

I think he's got one of those body types that will always have at least a little extra weight. I'm pretty sure he's had issues with it in the past and has actually dropped a lot of weight since when he first turned pro. I like his motor a lot already. For me it just comes down to his jump shot.

 

[Nathan S]

I think he's got one of those body types that will always have at least a little extra weight. I'm pretty sure he's had issues with it in the past and has actually dropped a lot of weight since when he first turned pro. I like his motor a lot already. For me it just comes down to his jump shot.

That's true...I guess it's more about showing that he can maintain that level of energy in ~30 minutes per game. His jump shot is certainly interesting. He's not a great foul shooter, which typically makes me skeptical, but he has that naturally soft touch and he's not afraid to shoot it. If he's still at 30%+ by the end of the season, he's leagues ahead of most other 19-year-old centers.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

New ESPN mock draft.

1. ATL - RJ Barrett
2. CLE - Nassir Little
3. PHX - Zion Williamson
4. ORL - Cam Reddish
5. CHI - Romeo Langford
6. ATL - Quentin Grimes (From DAL)
7. NYK - Keldon Johnson
8. BKN - Sekou Doumbouya
9. WAS - Darius Garland
10. BOS - Bol Bol (From MEM)
11. BOS - De'Andre Hunter (From SAC)
12. MIN - Rui Hachimura
13. DET - Eric Paschall
14. MIA - Daniel Gafford

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

New ESPN mock draft.

1. ATL - RJ Barrett
2. CLE - Nassir Little
3. PHX - Zion Williamson
4. ORL - Cam Reddish
5. CHI - Romeo Langford
6. ATL - Quentin Grimes (From DAL)
7. NYK - Keldon Johnson
8. BKN - Sekou Doumbouya
9. WAS - Darius Garland
10. BOS - Bol Bol (From MEM)
11. BOS - De'Andre Hunter (From SAC)
12. MIN - Rui Hachimura
13. DET - Eric Paschall
14. MIA - Daniel Gafford

Are you high on Little?

He looks like a 4 to me.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I don't watch college basketball, and really don't know much about it other than what I read here. So...what position does Zion play in the pros? Is he athletic/strong enough to play the 4 despite his lack of length/wingspan?

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I don't watch college basketball, and really don't know much about it other than what I read here. So...what position does Zion play in the pros? Is he athletic/strong enough to play the 4 despite his lack of length/wingspan?

Yes, he is.

I think he will be able to play 1, 4 and 5 in spurts. Hopefully some 3 as well...hopefully.

 

[Derek]

Yes, he is.

I think he will be able to play 1, 4 and 5 in spurts. Hopefully some 3 as well...hopefully.

Are you just talking defensively, because I think he needs to be a 4 or 5 almost exclusively on offense.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Are you just talking defensively, because I think he needs to be a 4 or 5 almost exclusively on offense.

Hmm, both sides actually. I'm not saying that I see him playing the 3 currently...just that hopefully in time he will be able.

I see him playing the 1 ala Simmons(not all the time of course). He has a much better shot, and I feel like he is a very capable, willing passer and a playmaker. I think he will be a problem for PGs because of his size, post up game, finishing ability, burst and just sheer force. Defensively, I see him guarding PGs with the intention of switching ball screens. That's how I view his value defensively ( either 1-4/5 or 4/5 to 1 switching ).

This obviously is only from the brief videos/games I have seen.

 

[Derek]

Hmm, both sides actually. I'm not saying that I see him playing the 3 currently...just that hopefully in time he will be able.

I see him playing the 1 ala Simmons(not all the time of course). He has a much better shot, and I feel like he is a very capable, willing passer and a playmaker. I think he will be a problem for PGs because of his size, post up game, finishing ability, burst and just sheer force. Defensively, I see him guarding PGs with the intention of switching ball screens. That's how I view his value defensively ( either 1-4/5 or 4/5 to 1 switching ).

This obviously is only from the brief videos/games I have seen.

Hmm, I haven't seen anything that makes me think Zion would do well in Simmons-type role. His perimeter game, especially in the halfcourt, leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Hmm, I haven't seen anything that makes me think Zion would do well in Simmons-type role. His perimeter game, especially in the halfcourt, leaves a lot to be desired.

Simmons half court offense is good? did I miss anything?

There are tons of transition opportunities nowadays, and I don't see anyone stopping him in that scenario. I can see him do well in PnR situations and post ups in the half court.

 

[Derek]

Simmons half court offense is good? did I miss anything?

There are tons of transition opportunities nowadays, and I don't see anyone stopping him in that scenario. I can see him do well in PnR situations and post ups in the half court.

A lot better than Zion's.

I just don't see Zion having the ability to create for anyone. To date, he's been nothing but bully ball in the halfcourt, and a fastbreak scorer. He has shown no perimeter skills, and his jumper blows.

Just because I think he can run a fastbreak, doesn't mean I'd ever make him my primary creator.

Julius Randle is a way better passer than Zion, and can lead a fastbreak really well, but I wouldn't ever slot him in at the 1.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

A lot better than Zion's.

I just don't see Zion having the ability to create for anyone. To date, he's been nothing but bully ball in the halfcourt, and a fastbreak scorer. He has shown no perimeter skills, and his jumper blows.

Just because I think he can run a fastbreak, doesn't mean I'd ever make him my primary creator.

Julius Randle is a way better passer than Zion, and can lead a fastbreak really well, but I wouldn't ever slot him in at the 1.

We will see.

Julius Randle had 1.4 assists per game in college...how can you say that? Zion with 2 other great ball handlers will average much more assists.

I don't see them as similar players, definitely not in the NBA. So you know...