LPKingsFan
All-Star
A case for drafting Anunoby in the top 10:
https://medium.com/@jzmazlish/why-o...pick-but-should-go-in-the-top-10-564dd7408037
https://medium.com/@jzmazlish/why-o...pick-but-should-go-in-the-top-10-564dd7408037
OG ANUNOBY
- Thread starter upinsmoke
- Start date
I like a lot of what Anunoby brings but 10th overall for a wing player coming off ACL surgery who projects as a defensive role-player seems awfully high. It's hard to get a read on his outside shooting when he's only taken 74 threes in his college career. I'd feel better about it if he were a decent free throw shooter but he's been really bad from the line. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was a standout defender at Arizona a couple years ago with questions about his offensive projection and he was taken in the early 20s without the injury concern that Anunoby has. There's upside there that might be worth the gamble but I think we'll have better options with our second lotto pick. I would certainly consider him if we can buy a pick lower in the first round though or get multiple picks in a trade down.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I'm a big Anunoby fan, or I should say, I was before he got injured. I think you bring up legit concerns. Prior to the injury, he reminded me a lot of Ron Artest, not only in appearance, but in how he played the game. I do wonder about his poor free throw percentage. I mean he wouldn't be the first player that could hit the outside jumper who was a poor free throw shooter, but it's not the norm.
Let me put it this way. If he proves to be healthy and the Doc's say he'll regain all his athleticism, then I think he's a great prospect. The shooting is a bit of a risk, and, he may not be the best player available at 10. However, I firmly believe that in order to be a lottery pick, you should be really good at something, and he is. Defense! For what that's worth. At this point in time, if I had to choose between Anunoby and Justin Jackson, I'd probably take Jackson. He's just the safer pick. That said, I probably wouldn't take either of them. I lean toward Collins or Markkanen over either of them right now.
That's assuming that Ntilikina, Smith, Isaac, and Monk are all off the board.
Kingsfan23
All-Star
And only Monk over Collins/Markannen if there is a shot he can be a primary handler for me
OG is a very interesting player. He has a build of a bull, but the lateral quickness to guard out in the perimeter. His ACL is very worrisome because if he's lost any quickness, he'll be more of a PF than a SF. Even though he played some of his college minutes at PF, he was a poor rebounder. Don't think he'd be worth the #10 pick as a PF. I think he's worth the #10 pick as a SF though. I see him becoming more of a combo-forward in the NBA.. and maybe even small ball C. His defensive versatility is his biggest asset.
If the Kings are drafting him, it would be for SF. His stroke doesn't look that great, and his FT% is extremely underwhelming, but he does show the capability to make...some. Once he's drafted, the only thing he should be working on is his 3pt shot. Could be a great 3&D, but doesn't have the 3 part.
If the Kings are drafting him, it would be for SF. His stroke doesn't look that great, and his FT% is extremely underwhelming, but he does show the capability to make...some. Once he's drafted, the only thing he should be working on is his 3pt shot. Could be a great 3&D, but doesn't have the 3 part.
You bring up a good point: having one elite skill is better than having no elite skills and when you're picking down at 10 you're either going to get a complete project or a player with some significant flaws. He's the type of guy who could make a lot of teams regret passing on him if he becomes a knockdown shooter without losing any defensive intensity (and if he still has his athleticism post knee surgery). And it could be argued that teaching a mediocre shooter to add range and consistency to his stroke is an easier task than turning a mediocre defender into an elite one.
I buy the logic, I'm not totally sold on the risk/reward here when there are so many other directions we can go with that pick but I also wouldn't be mad if we pick him. We've needed a defensive specialist on the wing since Ron Artest was traded and I'd welcome a defense-first pick at any part of the draft and cross my fingers that they can at least be competent on offense. Assuming we're not passing on an All-Star to do it, getting our own version of Tony Allen to lead by example and push the personality of this young team in a grit n grind direction doesn't sound like a bad idea.
Suicide King
Starter
I like OG a lot. I had been wanting us to draft him since before the Cousins trade. His injury definitely gives one pause. His shooting concerns, both FT and 3pt are hard to ignore. He also took very few of either. 3 FTA's per game making 1.6. I really thought adding him to what we had in Boogie was going to be ideal.
I am still very high on him if he is cleared 100% medically. I just had that feeling watching interviews with him. He knows defense is his bread and butter. He relishes opportunities to shut players down.
His weaknesses on offense would be working on his shot. He looked good given time and space. Good release and rotation. Still needs a lot of work though. His handles would need to improve as well as passing while on the move.
OG's defense is extremely tantalizing though. He could slot in at the 3/4 or even 5 in small line-ups. If he is healthy and makes improvements on his shot and handles, someone is going to have a hell of a player.
I am still very high on him if he is cleared 100% medically. I just had that feeling watching interviews with him. He knows defense is his bread and butter. He relishes opportunities to shut players down.
His weaknesses on offense would be working on his shot. He looked good given time and space. Good release and rotation. Still needs a lot of work though. His handles would need to improve as well as passing while on the move.
OG's defense is extremely tantalizing though. He could slot in at the 3/4 or even 5 in small line-ups. If he is healthy and makes improvements on his shot and handles, someone is going to have a hell of a player.
ParniValjak
All-Star
I think this kid has a lot of tools and Ron Artest type potential. The ACL injury is a worry because no one really knows how he is recovering from it or whether or not he has lost some of that insane athleticism. At least with Smith Jr. he has a body of work in his one year of college basketball. OG has nothing other than what he was like before the injury.
I think 10 might be a touch too high for him but if Kings get their hands on pick 15 from Portland in a trade then I think this kid might be a legitimate chance to be picked there is he is still on board. If he recovers from the ACL without any issues, he could be a pretty darn good two way player and one of the best defenders in the NBA in time.
I think 10 might be a touch too high for him but if Kings get their hands on pick 15 from Portland in a trade then I think this kid might be a legitimate chance to be picked there is he is still on board. If he recovers from the ACL without any issues, he could be a pretty darn good two way player and one of the best defenders in the NBA in time.
Blob
Starter
This guy is outstanding in his draft analysis. The best I have seen. Thanks for sharing this. He conveyed my feelings on Tatum vs Isaac perfectly. And he confirmed my post we will have to have #4 and #5 pick to net Isaac and Fox. And even that may not be good enough. All his reports are worth a read:
Tatum
Jayson Tatum Fits a Classically Overrated Player Archetype
Isaac
Jonathan Isaac is the best big man in this draft class
Fox:
De’Aaron Fox and winning with a point guard who can’t shoot
I haven't read the ones yet on Frank N, Ball, or Jackson but plan to. Link to all here
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
When did Isaac become a big man? Just because he is 6'11 doesn't make him a big man. He is under 210 pounds...I suppose we should start calling Giannis & Durant big men too because they are tall and lengthy.
roasthawg
Starter
Read the article... He's suggesting that Isaac has the most value as a center.
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
What happened to having the most value at the 4 spot? Playing Isaac at the 5 works, maybe, if you compliment him with some shooters and other good to average defenders, what lottery team that drafts him have the luxury of doing so? He is a hybrid player IMO, 3/4 interchangeable.
roasthawg
Starter
The guy is saying that as a three he has top twenty talent. Not enough offensive upside to ever be an all star.
As a four he has top ten talent, stretch four with excellent defense.
As a center he's a top five pick... Nerlens Noel with a jump shot.
Not saying I agree but that's the gist of the article. Interesting take I thought.
Suicide King
Starter
@LPKingsFan
Don't know how I missed your link. Thanks for posting that.
When we had Boogie and 1 potential pick, I wanted OG. He got hurt and this may change what could have been. Or it may not.
The link above points out why, and I agree, OG warants serious top 10 consideration. I still think if healthy and reaches even close to his potential he could be a game changer.
If he is healthy and we keep our 10th pick, I want OG.
Don't know how I missed your link. Thanks for posting that.
When we had Boogie and 1 potential pick, I wanted OG. He got hurt and this may change what could have been. Or it may not.
The link above points out why, and I agree, OG warants serious top 10 consideration. I still think if healthy and reaches even close to his potential he could be a game changer.
If he is healthy and we keep our 10th pick, I want OG.
Blob
Starter
I like these comparisons:
Far better shot blocker and rebounder than Igram and comparable to Durant.
I am not too worried if Fox goes Top 4 since we will just draft Isaac at #5.
There's no way we can lose
We are getting Fox or Isaac. 
Blob
Starter
I agree he's a 3/4 but can play spot minutes at 5 down the road against certain teams and as he bulks up. He pretty much has the same physique as Willie. He's just quicker and better coordinated.
Comparing him to Ingram kinda out there but ok. Comparing him to Durantula = lose all credibilityI like these comparisons:
Far better shot blocker and rebounder than Igram and comparable to Durant.
I am not too worried if Fox goes Top 4 since we will just draft Isaac at #5.
There's no way we can lose
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ParniValjak
All-Star
I think I would like to see the Kings take a shot on this kid even possibly at 10 unless of course they trade up to 4 to have picks 4 and 5 which is probably far fetched.
OG has tremendous defensive potential, could guard at least 4 if not 5 positions and if he ever becomes a knock down 3pt shooter he will be the ultimate role player, glue guy on a winning team. It gets scarier if the Kings also get Fox at 5!
OG has tremendous defensive potential, could guard at least 4 if not 5 positions and if he ever becomes a knock down 3pt shooter he will be the ultimate role player, glue guy on a winning team. It gets scarier if the Kings also get Fox at 5!
roasthawg
Starter
Interesting comparisons but neither Ingram nor Durant is known for defense... So not a big help really.I like these comparisons:
Far better shot blocker and rebounder than Igram and comparable to Durant.
I am not too worried if Fox goes Top 4 since we will just draft Isaac at #5.
There's no way we can lose
View attachment 6734 View attachment 6735
Blob
Starter
It is a big help! The superficial (and poor) analysis is to look at Isaac and compare him to Ingram, based on physique. Then you look at how Igram struggled much of the year with physicality of the NBA and become hesitant to draft Isaac on similar concerns. Isaac projects as better floor game, defender and rebounder independent of his offense being inferior or not. The bottom line IMHO : A team like the Suns can use this type of data and analysis to justify taking Isaac at #4 so we can land Fox at #5.
Of course like I have said my ideal scenario is dealing for 4th and 5th pick to draft both. I don't think trading for a pick #6-#9 gets us Isaac. Possible but improbable.
Suicide King
Starter
Is this the OG thread still?
bajaden
Hall of Famer
Most NBA scouts like Isaac more than you think. He's a better ball handler than people think, and he's more capable of creating his own shot than people think, and the scouts know that. I think what most scouts would tell you is that he's able to guard multiple positions, and will probably be able to play at least two positions offensively. I've not heard many say anything about him playing center, but in today's NBA, I'm sure he'd be able to guard some of the small ball centers, but they might have trouble guarding him.
Offensively he's ahead of Noel. He already has quite a bit in his offensive tool box. He just didn't get much of a chance to show it off at Florida St. It was weird how Hamiliton called Isaac his best player, but hardly showcased his talent. Maybe he was hoping he wouldn't be a one and done if he didn't get the minutes or the touches.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I think Durant is showing in the playoffs that he can play defense.
roasthawg
Starter
He definitely can... But that's not his calling card. What kind of player would Durant be if he was limited on the offensive side like Isaac appears to be? If defense was his calling card what type of player would he be? We'll never know because on reality he might be the most lethal offensive force in the game.
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
Where was this defense when he played for OKC?
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
I would put Davis & Westbrook up there with him to be honest.
