If the Draft Were Today...
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Your question got me looking again at Saddiq Bey who is likely to be available at 12. He is a a player that I felt fits the latter, hence I wasn’t to keen on him.
After listening to Bey interview where he discussed philosophy and Villanova’s coach Jay Wright preparation of players I would be fine if he were the pick. He doesn’t appear explosive but has solid size and diverse skills.
If we were picking higher I think the question might get me thinking a bit more, for example would we go with a high potential player like Poku or Hampton with the 8th pick.
At 12 in this draft I feel the talent blurs a lot, an unlikely player or two will fall and rise. Fortunately I already have a lot more confidence in our new GM to make a sound decision.
After listening to Bey interview where he discussed philosophy and Villanova’s coach Jay Wright preparation of players I would be fine if he were the pick. He doesn’t appear explosive but has solid size and diverse skills.
If we were picking higher I think the question might get me thinking a bit more, for example would we go with a high potential player like Poku or Hampton with the 8th pick.
At 12 in this draft I feel the talent blurs a lot, an unlikely player or two will fall and rise. Fortunately I already have a lot more confidence in our new GM to make a sound decision.
I have to say the premise of the “high upside” pick collapses pretty quickly into impressions about how “athletic” someone is. Fred Van Vleet is a good example. Too small and not a superior athlete - may turn into a good floor general on the second unit, etc. Some guys just know how to ball, maximize their strengths, knockdown shots with range, and aren’t scared to compete. Draft me that guy please.
from DX: Although VanVleet may not have prototypical size and athleticism for his position, he is a winning point guard who has plenty of intangibles a team could fall in love with, which could help easily help him earn a roster spot. He has a number of attributes NBA teams look for in backups, with his ability to make shots, find the open man, defend with toughness and keep mistakes to a minimum. Those are skills NBA teams value, and VanVleet could certainly play his way onto a NBA team when it's all said and done. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/fred-vanvleet-58750/ ©DraftExpress
from DX: Although VanVleet may not have prototypical size and athleticism for his position, he is a winning point guard who has plenty of intangibles a team could fall in love with, which could help easily help him earn a roster spot. He has a number of attributes NBA teams look for in backups, with his ability to make shots, find the open man, defend with toughness and keep mistakes to a minimum. Those are skills NBA teams value, and VanVleet could certainly play his way onto a NBA team when it's all said and done. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/fred-vanvleet-58750/ ©DraftExpress
You are correct. Athletisim has surprisingly little to do with players "potential". Better way to look at it is to ask questions like: "what is the most probable outcome of this player", "how valuable is the players skillset in todays nba", "what role would the player play in a championship contender if you realistically evaluate his developement", "how easily can you obtain a player like him in a free agency", "how likely will the player have a star level impact on winning", how scalable is his skillset (can he be impactful off the ball aka spacing the floor AND making smart cuts) and how can you gameplan defensively with said player".
Players jumping ability or straight line speed are extremely insignificant abilities compared to basketball iq for example. If you are a superb athlete but have a low basketball iq, you wont have a big impact on winning. Defense is a good example. Per one possession there are so many different things happening: rotations, switches and pick'n roll coverages that a player MUST execute instinctively all the time. A regular fan wont notice majority of those situations but if you dont have that knowledge/understanding/instinct as a player, you will be a net negative for your team.
Same goes offensively. There are so many situations where player absolutely needs to move correctly, cut when its beneficiall and move the ball according to defensive rotations that its extremely important to have high basketball iq in order to contribute to winning more than an average player in your position.
Athletisism is important when you are trying to determine if a player has the highest level of upside defensively. Its extremely rare to be A+defender without elite measurables, laterall quickness ect. But still the IQ comes first. You have it, then it can be discussed if you can become the guy that alone will improve a teams defense. Even then the IQ is the skill that makes that possible, without it you wont be good even if you were the fastest and most explosive guy in the league.
I might get in to the value of different skillsets more later but lets just say that when Kings had the #2 pick, I loudly advocated before the draft that it should not be used on a big man that operates near the rim who isnt absolutely elite defensively because they are not so valuable considering their effect to winning. Plus the market is oversaturated with players that can fill that type of role. That means you find players like Holmes, Baynes ect for nearly minimum salary.
What you never get in the free agency as a small market team is elite ball handling creator. Those guys get maxed out always. Other valuable player type is sizeable wing that can shoot and defend. Harrison Barnes is an average player at his position and costs a fortune. If you have a guy that moves the ball smartly, makes smart passes/cuts and can create even some, you have a max salary player. Dont go for guys that you can easily obtain in the free agency. Go for guys that you either wouldn't get in the free agency or guys that would be too expensive in the open market. Last time I really spent time studying a draft class through these principles were the Bagley draft. My "big board" was:
Since the Kings have a bad pick this year I'm probably not going to bother studying the whole draft class that closely. That being said I have my own principles when I do that. When I play the game of who should we draft I always ask myself those questions that I said above and consider the value of the players skillset.
Ps: The point of bringing up my old big board wasnt to congratulate myself of a job well done. It serves as an example of my thought process on how I value the prospects and at least that draft evaluation turned out very well. I wont bring up my older big boards since I have not posted them here so they wouldnt be of any value as examples of certain thought process.
Players jumping ability or straight line speed are extremely insignificant abilities compared to basketball iq for example. If you are a superb athlete but have a low basketball iq, you wont have a big impact on winning. Defense is a good example. Per one possession there are so many different things happening: rotations, switches and pick'n roll coverages that a player MUST execute instinctively all the time. A regular fan wont notice majority of those situations but if you dont have that knowledge/understanding/instinct as a player, you will be a net negative for your team.
Same goes offensively. There are so many situations where player absolutely needs to move correctly, cut when its beneficiall and move the ball according to defensive rotations that its extremely important to have high basketball iq in order to contribute to winning more than an average player in your position.
Athletisism is important when you are trying to determine if a player has the highest level of upside defensively. Its extremely rare to be A+defender without elite measurables, laterall quickness ect. But still the IQ comes first. You have it, then it can be discussed if you can become the guy that alone will improve a teams defense. Even then the IQ is the skill that makes that possible, without it you wont be good even if you were the fastest and most explosive guy in the league.
I might get in to the value of different skillsets more later but lets just say that when Kings had the #2 pick, I loudly advocated before the draft that it should not be used on a big man that operates near the rim who isnt absolutely elite defensively because they are not so valuable considering their effect to winning. Plus the market is oversaturated with players that can fill that type of role. That means you find players like Holmes, Baynes ect for nearly minimum salary.
What you never get in the free agency as a small market team is elite ball handling creator. Those guys get maxed out always. Other valuable player type is sizeable wing that can shoot and defend. Harrison Barnes is an average player at his position and costs a fortune. If you have a guy that moves the ball smartly, makes smart passes/cuts and can create even some, you have a max salary player. Dont go for guys that you can easily obtain in the free agency. Go for guys that you either wouldn't get in the free agency or guys that would be too expensive in the open market. Last time I really spent time studying a draft class through these principles were the Bagley draft. My "big board" was:
Since the Kings have a bad pick this year I'm probably not going to bother studying the whole draft class that closely. That being said I have my own principles when I do that. When I play the game of who should we draft I always ask myself those questions that I said above and consider the value of the players skillset.
Ps: The point of bringing up my old big board wasnt to congratulate myself of a job well done. It serves as an example of my thought process on how I value the prospects and at least that draft evaluation turned out very well. I wont bring up my older big boards since I have not posted them here so they wouldnt be of any value as examples of certain thought process.
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You have best player available and you have positional need. Sometimes those two things can be the same, and that's more likely in a draft like this one where there isn't a lot of difference talent wise from one player to the other. In that case, I would suggest the Kings try and fill a need, which in my opinion, is more size on the wing first, and a legit center second. Which is why I lean toward Saddiq Bey, but would be happy with Vassell as well. I also like Patrick Williams, but feel he's not as court ready as the first two mentioned.
Every time the Kings went to a small lineup last season by moving Barnes to the PF position, we were seriously undersized at SF. Of course you could approach the problem the other way and draft a young PF like Precious Achiuwa, who I really like, but like Williams, don't think he's quite ready to contribute on a regular basis just yet.
Or you could throw caution to the wind and shoot for the stars with mystery men like Hampton, or Pokusevski. My idea of shooting for the stars would be to take Maxey at 12. I would bet a meal on me at Burger King that he'll be a better overall player than Hampton. Hang on, I need to check my wallet..
Every time the Kings went to a small lineup last season by moving Barnes to the PF position, we were seriously undersized at SF. Of course you could approach the problem the other way and draft a young PF like Precious Achiuwa, who I really like, but like Williams, don't think he's quite ready to contribute on a regular basis just yet.
Or you could throw caution to the wind and shoot for the stars with mystery men like Hampton, or Pokusevski. My idea of shooting for the stars would be to take Maxey at 12. I would bet a meal on me at Burger King that he'll be a better overall player than Hampton. Hang on, I need to check my wallet..
Heard from the Kings RealGM draft thread that the Kings are really high on Kira Lewis. Yes, please. Rumors came out of NY.
See here: https://nypost.com/2020/10/28/kira-lewis-on-knicks-radar-as-2020-nba-draft-approaches/
"In mock drafts, Lewis is pegged in the 12-17 range — probably because of his defensive shortcomings. According to a source, the Kings, at No. 12, are very interested."
Hamilton, Poku, Lewis... Don't care. Give me the highest upside dude at #12.
See here: https://nypost.com/2020/10/28/kira-lewis-on-knicks-radar-as-2020-nba-draft-approaches/
"In mock drafts, Lewis is pegged in the 12-17 range — probably because of his defensive shortcomings. According to a source, the Kings, at No. 12, are very interested."
Hamilton, Poku, Lewis... Don't care. Give me the highest upside dude at #12.
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Picking 12 is a tough one, not sure who will be there and for now it appears a talent blur amongst players in that range.
I was just reading that Calipari believes Maxey his next NBA guard success story. He has had a string of guards that appear real good once in the pros.
So today I’m leaning move on from Buddy and Bogdan unless he’s willing to eventually play the sixth man role and take Maxey at 12.
I recon in short time we will have one of the more exciting backcourts.
I was just reading that Calipari believes Maxey his next NBA guard success story. He has had a string of guards that appear real good once in the pros.
So today I’m leaning move on from Buddy and Bogdan unless he’s willing to eventually play the sixth man role and take Maxey at 12.
I recon in short time we will have one of the more exciting backcourts.
I simply don't like the chances of drafting a backup PG looking good in the long run considering next to Fox that's been a position of total DOA for all involved. If players like Bey, Nesmith, Achiuwa are there and there's no movement, just go the easy route. Those are players that you can always use in the modern NBA. Personally, I'm still going with the defensive upside and athletic ability of Achiuwa if it's a choice. He could be a safety net at PF if Bagley proves unable to transition to center since he's such a versatile defender. He's got lateral foot speed like Rodman.
There have been trade rumors with Bogdan and Hield for both Bucks and Rockets - Rockets one included 12th pick. Thinking if the Kings want to keep the same team and the pick (in other words stand pat), go for the best rated defender in the draft regardless of position. They have enough offensive players. Their inept defense needs a shot in the arm; they need someone who will get after it.
Yup. It’s gotta be Maxey, Okoro, Williams, Vassel or a couple others but this team desperately needs more wing defenders. I tend to lean towards Maxey because if we are looking for combo guards who can defend 1-3 and run the point in some instances, I think he’s about as close to Jrue Holiday you’re gonna get (in this draft atleast)
Unless there is another team involved I can’t figure a scenario where we would include our 12th and Buddy or Bogdan to pull a deal with the Rockets. If they picked ahead of us then yes but we are not getting Hardin or Westbrook ?.... are we. It’s early here in Australia.
The Bucks have been rumoured a lot, Donte and their 24th for Bogdan makes some sense.
The Bucks have been rumoured a lot, Donte and their 24th for Bogdan makes some sense.
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We need to pick the player that will be the most valuable in three years from now. Wether his value comes from offense or defense or both doesnt matter. Whoever will be the best player in three years, that should be our pick. It doesnt matter at all if the rookie can contribute to winning with us or not in his first year (most rookies cant). We wont be competing anyway so draft the player that will be the best in three years. We are not in a position to draft for a need (position, defense/offense). We wont be competing for at least three years anyway so try to get the guy that is the most valuable asset in the long run.
Some say Saddiq Bey can as well.
Link—> https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pe...va-shooting-evaluation-analysis-atlanta-hawks
Link—> https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pe...va-shooting-evaluation-analysis-atlanta-hawks