Can’t wait! This is going to be our first full year as season ticket member (it would have been last had not for covid). The wife and I went to spectrum center last night for the Hornets draft party and it was so funny seeing a lot fans reacting like “who is James Bouknight?” Haha 😂 they have no clue what could happen this season with Bouk and Kai!
Warriors hands down are winners. It’s a win win situation—if Beal becomes available then great, swap Kuminga, Moody and Wiggins for him. If not, oh well Kuminga will be borderline elite. Warriors invested big into development this year(grabbed longtime Raptors developmental coach and grabbed a renowned teacher credited with training Jokic) Draymond loves both picks(according to report) and if he loves them that pretty much guarantees Steph will love them(Draymond and Steph are EXTREMELY CLOSE plus Draymond is persuasive 😉). The best teams go BPA worry about other stuff later. I bet Kuminga has more trade value then Giddey and maybe on par with Barnes trade value. Warriors A+(extremely biased fan)
I really liked the picks (see my grades) but ... it's also fair to acknowledge that for the second year in a row the Warriors tried to use those assets to get a star and for the second year in a row they had to end up going with their back-up plan. So, they didn't get what they wanted which is why I ding them a bit in the grades.
On second thought…. I’m not buying Draymond texting Myers during draft. Myers revealing that anecdote was all fluff. He knows Dub fans eat that shit up. IMO he is telling us fans what we want to hear because we fans think it’s important that Draymond, Klay and Steph approve mainly due to some fear that Curry could leave after this season, which I think would NEVER happen, Steph is a God in Nor Cal.
Chad -- I just want to say thank you so much for all of the fantastic content during this draft cycle. It has been so great getting to read/listen to all of your stuff, and interacting with you in the live Zooms. You also were first on some HUGE calls like Barnes at 4, Ziaire top 10, and more. Great job, and thanks again!
Wow thank you so much Anthony. I really appreciate that. I saw some of your analytics stuff you were posting. Let's talk some time. I want to build out some analytics for the site. Curious what you've been working on.
Chad - congrats on calling Barnes to the Raps immediately after the lottery. I know you caught a lot of crap for that but you were on it!
It sounds like part of why the Raps took Barnes over Suggs was because Suggs had a bad workout. You’ve talked about instances where late risers had great workouts like Dame and Donovan Mitchell, or where guys who busted had deceivingly great workouts like Darko. Can you think of examples where an eventual all star had bad pre-draft workouts? Trying to figure out what this buzz might indicate about Suggs. Thanks!
I've heard that, but I was hearing Barnes way before that. I think those are sometime floated to help when the push back is hard. I don't think one bad workout pushed them towards Barnes. I can't think of a bad workout off the top of my head that led a player to pass. If that happens, typically the team will just invite them back for a second if they like them.
That all makes sense, and you obviously called it before any of these guys worked out for teams. I guess my question is: let’s assume Suggs did have bad predraft workout(s). Does that change your opinion of him as a prospect/ how you’re thinking about him going forward at all?
Happy that Cavs....drafted and kept Mobley!..Rubio should help further the development of Garland. Chad i think the SPURS are now officially in rebuild mode...Primo at 12 was a shocker and as much as i like Weiskamp in round 2....NOT a fit withSPURS...I would have included Spurs and Grizzlies in your draft losers last night.
I can see the reaction to the Spurs. I had an initial one. But as I wrote in my draft grades, I've learned over the years that when I think the Spurs have screwed up the draft, I've been the one that's been wrong. They've earned the benefit of the doubt for me. Just respect them too much. Grizzlies is fair depending on how you feel about Ziaire. I liked him so the grade was good. All my Western Conference draft grades are up now.
Hey Chad ..just wanted to say great job with the draft.!!!.. Kept flipping back and forth with you on you tube and espn...last night....look forward to 2022 draft rankings and in depth reports!
How many times, though, have we heard about a player that “this pick will be seen as a steal if he can improve his shooting” or that “he’s very raw but if he develops he could be the best player in this draft”? I’m a longtime Spurs fan and they have perhaps the best record of draft “steals” over the last 25 years. They also have Chip Engelland, the best shooting coach in the league, and a very strong developmental program. And I’m here to tell you this: Don’t bet on it. For every Kawhi Leonard or Manu Ginobili there are ten or more Kendrick Nunns, Emmanuel Mudiays, Mario Hezonjas, and Tyrus Thomases. All these guys have already HAD great shooting coaches and been in developmental programs—especially the ones from the top NCAA conferences or overseas teams like Real Madrid. Even the Spurs haven’t been able to turn Lonnie Walker into a lights-out shooter or Dejounte Murray into a true point guard. Maybe Scottie Barnes will be like Kawhi, will learn to shoot, and become a superstar. Maybe Keon Johnson will learn to make an impact on offense or Kai Jones will learn to play basketball. But I wouldn’t count on it. And if somebody offered me a proven young star like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander AND the #6 AND maybe a lower draft pick for Cade Cunningham? I’d take it. No question.
You're right Tim. Lots of prospects don't develop. Some do however and the ones that do, like Giannis, have everyone second guessing. The draft, at the end of the day, is about understanding risk versus reward and how to maximize reward while minimizing risk. Busts happen all over the board, even at No. 1 where the reward risk ratio should be the highest. But ... you are right that sometimes we overvalue it like the GM that told me Evan Mobley would be better than Shai when Shai is proven to be a great NBA player and Mobley hasn't played a minute. Sometimes we devalue what we have and are always looking and projecting for what we don't. That's what makes the draft so tricky.
@Tim. Lonnie is going to be legit. I really think he’s going to take off this year. I saw some stat that showed Lonnie has nearly identical numbers to Jaylen Brown in his first couple years in the league. The shot looks good. Even if Kuminga isn’t a stud and is more of a role player that’s fine too(although obviously you want more from 7th pick). Last thing, even though SGA is a beast I would still take Cade, Mobley and Toronto Barnes over him(if Barnes goes to any other team then I would like SGA more but I feel so strongly about Toronto development staff). SGA only has 1 more year on rookie deal where as the 3 players i mentioned have 4 years left. They will be cheaper for longer. Cade is a beast, at worst IMO he’s Shawn Livingston(pre injury)
They do. So does every other team. A potential generational talent that would've likely gone No. 1 in this draft and No. 1 in 2022. He'll only have a 14 percent chance of getting him, even if the Thunder tank. Those odds aren't great.
Very true, but only 14 of those teams get a lottery ticket.
History has shown that the teams with the worst record don’t always get the prize, but it’s better than the team with the 10th worst record, they only gets a 3 percent chance at getting that #1 pick.
Motown also drafted Iowa big Garza...Luka may not be athletically explosive yet has a more complete game than Marc Gasol, Kendrick Perkins. Luc Longeley, and Stephan Adams etc...Garza at the least can eat space in the post and be a reasonable backup with offensive capabilities...great 2nd round pick and no pressure for Garza to find immediate footing...plus Garza can play a little pick and pop due to his soft touch
One question about Garuba - when is he coming over? I read he has a 3 million euro buyout that increases 1 million per year. Roughly $3.5 mil USD at this point. Even if Tillman was to actually be interested in paying for something and contribute to his buyout, Garuba's first year salary will still only be $2,353,320 (and that's assuming he gets the full 120% of the rookie scale). Is he going to pay to play for the Rockets? An installment buyout contract? Some other solution?
These things can typically be negotiated. The Rockets are limited by the CBA to paying a little under a million. Typically good clubs will find a way to make it work. They want to preserve relationships with players and the NBA. I don't have any inside info, but I'm sure the Rockets did their homework and there's a path forward that doesn't leave Garuba broke.
Buzz City 🐝🏙 !!!! Big wins tonight! Bouknight,Kai,Thor & Lewis!!
Yeah A+ for Charlotte. Buzz City gonna be Lob City
Can’t wait! This is going to be our first full year as season ticket member (it would have been last had not for covid). The wife and I went to spectrum center last night for the Hornets draft party and it was so funny seeing a lot fans reacting like “who is James Bouknight?” Haha 😂 they have no clue what could happen this season with Bouk and Kai!
No kidding, they had a really strong draft. Bright future for the Hornets!
Yes!!!
Warriors hands down are winners. It’s a win win situation—if Beal becomes available then great, swap Kuminga, Moody and Wiggins for him. If not, oh well Kuminga will be borderline elite. Warriors invested big into development this year(grabbed longtime Raptors developmental coach and grabbed a renowned teacher credited with training Jokic) Draymond loves both picks(according to report) and if he loves them that pretty much guarantees Steph will love them(Draymond and Steph are EXTREMELY CLOSE plus Draymond is persuasive 😉). The best teams go BPA worry about other stuff later. I bet Kuminga has more trade value then Giddey and maybe on par with Barnes trade value. Warriors A+(extremely biased fan)
I really liked the picks (see my grades) but ... it's also fair to acknowledge that for the second year in a row the Warriors tried to use those assets to get a star and for the second year in a row they had to end up going with their back-up plan. So, they didn't get what they wanted which is why I ding them a bit in the grades.
If it were me picking for the Knicks
19. Jaden Springer
21. Josh Christopher
32. Miles McBride
Yep, I would've liked that better
Last night was rough.
On second thought…. I’m not buying Draymond texting Myers during draft. Myers revealing that anecdote was all fluff. He knows Dub fans eat that shit up. IMO he is telling us fans what we want to hear because we fans think it’s important that Draymond, Klay and Steph approve mainly due to some fear that Curry could leave after this season, which I think would NEVER happen, Steph is a God in Nor Cal.
Missed that anecdote. I don't really see Bob as a BS guy. But you're right, fans do love that stuff.
Chad -- I just want to say thank you so much for all of the fantastic content during this draft cycle. It has been so great getting to read/listen to all of your stuff, and interacting with you in the live Zooms. You also were first on some HUGE calls like Barnes at 4, Ziaire top 10, and more. Great job, and thanks again!
Wow thank you so much Anthony. I really appreciate that. I saw some of your analytics stuff you were posting. Let's talk some time. I want to build out some analytics for the site. Curious what you've been working on.
I’d love that, shoot me an email or dm on Twitter anytime! Means a lot for you to be interested in my work.
Chad - congrats on calling Barnes to the Raps immediately after the lottery. I know you caught a lot of crap for that but you were on it!
It sounds like part of why the Raps took Barnes over Suggs was because Suggs had a bad workout. You’ve talked about instances where late risers had great workouts like Dame and Donovan Mitchell, or where guys who busted had deceivingly great workouts like Darko. Can you think of examples where an eventual all star had bad pre-draft workouts? Trying to figure out what this buzz might indicate about Suggs. Thanks!
I've heard that, but I was hearing Barnes way before that. I think those are sometime floated to help when the push back is hard. I don't think one bad workout pushed them towards Barnes. I can't think of a bad workout off the top of my head that led a player to pass. If that happens, typically the team will just invite them back for a second if they like them.
That all makes sense, and you obviously called it before any of these guys worked out for teams. I guess my question is: let’s assume Suggs did have bad predraft workout(s). Does that change your opinion of him as a prospect/ how you’re thinking about him going forward at all?
Happy that Cavs....drafted and kept Mobley!..Rubio should help further the development of Garland. Chad i think the SPURS are now officially in rebuild mode...Primo at 12 was a shocker and as much as i like Weiskamp in round 2....NOT a fit withSPURS...I would have included Spurs and Grizzlies in your draft losers last night.
I can see the reaction to the Spurs. I had an initial one. But as I wrote in my draft grades, I've learned over the years that when I think the Spurs have screwed up the draft, I've been the one that's been wrong. They've earned the benefit of the doubt for me. Just respect them too much. Grizzlies is fair depending on how you feel about Ziaire. I liked him so the grade was good. All my Western Conference draft grades are up now.
Hey Chad ..just wanted to say great job with the draft.!!!.. Kept flipping back and forth with you on you tube and espn...last night....look forward to 2022 draft rankings and in depth reports!
Thank you so much Andy. Really appreciate it.
How many times, though, have we heard about a player that “this pick will be seen as a steal if he can improve his shooting” or that “he’s very raw but if he develops he could be the best player in this draft”? I’m a longtime Spurs fan and they have perhaps the best record of draft “steals” over the last 25 years. They also have Chip Engelland, the best shooting coach in the league, and a very strong developmental program. And I’m here to tell you this: Don’t bet on it. For every Kawhi Leonard or Manu Ginobili there are ten or more Kendrick Nunns, Emmanuel Mudiays, Mario Hezonjas, and Tyrus Thomases. All these guys have already HAD great shooting coaches and been in developmental programs—especially the ones from the top NCAA conferences or overseas teams like Real Madrid. Even the Spurs haven’t been able to turn Lonnie Walker into a lights-out shooter or Dejounte Murray into a true point guard. Maybe Scottie Barnes will be like Kawhi, will learn to shoot, and become a superstar. Maybe Keon Johnson will learn to make an impact on offense or Kai Jones will learn to play basketball. But I wouldn’t count on it. And if somebody offered me a proven young star like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander AND the #6 AND maybe a lower draft pick for Cade Cunningham? I’d take it. No question.
You're right Tim. Lots of prospects don't develop. Some do however and the ones that do, like Giannis, have everyone second guessing. The draft, at the end of the day, is about understanding risk versus reward and how to maximize reward while minimizing risk. Busts happen all over the board, even at No. 1 where the reward risk ratio should be the highest. But ... you are right that sometimes we overvalue it like the GM that told me Evan Mobley would be better than Shai when Shai is proven to be a great NBA player and Mobley hasn't played a minute. Sometimes we devalue what we have and are always looking and projecting for what we don't. That's what makes the draft so tricky.
@Tim. Lonnie is going to be legit. I really think he’s going to take off this year. I saw some stat that showed Lonnie has nearly identical numbers to Jaylen Brown in his first couple years in the league. The shot looks good. Even if Kuminga isn’t a stud and is more of a role player that’s fine too(although obviously you want more from 7th pick). Last thing, even though SGA is a beast I would still take Cade, Mobley and Toronto Barnes over him(if Barnes goes to any other team then I would like SGA more but I feel so strongly about Toronto development staff). SGA only has 1 more year on rookie deal where as the 3 players i mentioned have 4 years left. They will be cheaper for longer. Cade is a beast, at worst IMO he’s Shawn Livingston(pre injury)
Also, I think Thunder have eyes toward 2023 draft for Victor Wembanyama. They just need to keep stock piling picks and tanking.
They do. So does every other team. A potential generational talent that would've likely gone No. 1 in this draft and No. 1 in 2022. He'll only have a 14 percent chance of getting him, even if the Thunder tank. Those odds aren't great.
Very true, but only 14 of those teams get a lottery ticket.
History has shown that the teams with the worst record don’t always get the prize, but it’s better than the team with the 10th worst record, they only gets a 3 percent chance at getting that #1 pick.
Motown also drafted Iowa big Garza...Luka may not be athletically explosive yet has a more complete game than Marc Gasol, Kendrick Perkins. Luc Longeley, and Stephan Adams etc...Garza at the least can eat space in the post and be a reasonable backup with offensive capabilities...great 2nd round pick and no pressure for Garza to find immediate footing...plus Garza can play a little pick and pop due to his soft touch
Complete game reference is speaking to Garza rookie readiness compared to the aforementioned bigsas 1st year players
One question about Garuba - when is he coming over? I read he has a 3 million euro buyout that increases 1 million per year. Roughly $3.5 mil USD at this point. Even if Tillman was to actually be interested in paying for something and contribute to his buyout, Garuba's first year salary will still only be $2,353,320 (and that's assuming he gets the full 120% of the rookie scale). Is he going to pay to play for the Rockets? An installment buyout contract? Some other solution?
These things can typically be negotiated. The Rockets are limited by the CBA to paying a little under a million. Typically good clubs will find a way to make it work. They want to preserve relationships with players and the NBA. I don't have any inside info, but I'm sure the Rockets did their homework and there's a path forward that doesn't leave Garuba broke.