I've been watching the 2024 NBA Draft class and it's been... weaker than usual

[NBASupes]

Kentucky might have had its best performance of the year today. Damn! 

 

Since I've been watching a lot more games. College Basketball at the lower D1 is worse than it was within the last 10 years. In the middle, better. At the top, this is the best I've seen the game. I see many teams with upperclassmen. They are better than they ever been since the 90s. This is by far the best I've seen upperclassmen in ages. This underclassmen have been fairly disappointing and raw but oh well. 

[bird_dirt]

17 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Kentucky might have had its best performance of the year today. Damn! 

 

Since I've been watching a lot more games. College Basketball at the lower D1 is worse than it was within the last 10 years. In the middle, better. At the top, this is the best I've seen the game. I see many teams with upperclassmen. They are better than they ever been since the 90s. This is by far the best I've seen upperclassmen in ages. This underclassmen have been fairly disappointing and raw but oh well. 

NIL $$ helps to keep fringe players to stay an extra year or two, improving upperclassmen in general. 
 

3 hours ago, terrell said:

That Ivisic kid on Kentucky is intriguing.....

Hawks may need to go all Wildcats this draft.. 

Reed Shephard and Ivisic ......

Dillingham and Bradshaw

Whichever.. lol

 

 

If we walk away from this draft without adding any size (7’er ideally, would settle for 6’11”), I am going to be pissed. 

Edited February 25 by bird_dirt

[aali34]

What's the deal with Ryan Dunn, guy was projected late lottery and now looks like he'll be lucky not to go in the 2nd round? His shooting can't be the only reason can it?

 

[Gray Mule]

Read a couple of draft guesses.  If they are anywhere close, looks like some pretty good big men will be left when it's our turn.

Seems that most hot picks are either guards or shooters.  Hawks need size.

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, aali34 said:

What's the deal with Ryan Dunn, guy was projected late lottery and now looks like he'll be lucky not to go in the 2nd round? His shooting can't be the only reason can it?

 

It's his shooting. 

[h4wkfan]

7 hours ago, aali34 said:

What's the deal with Ryan Dunn, guy was projected late lottery and now looks like he'll be lucky not to go in the 2nd round? His shooting can't be the only reason can it?

 

His shooting always been a ?, but he’s  found a way to go “cold” these last few weeks. Shooting himself into needing to return to UVA. 

[NBASupes]

I wrote this on RealGM:

On the main board, they were talking about Jokic and asking why he fell to the 2nd round. 

The conversation has shifted towards the psychological aspects of basketball. Here’s my take on it:

In my view, the mental game comprises awareness, basketball IQ (BBIQ), game sense (feel for the game), and intangibles. While some may see these as interconnected, I view them as distinct elements.

Drawing from my personal connections with past and present Hawks players and coaches, I’ll use their experiences to illustrate my point. When I inquired about the smartest player on the team, Josh Smith’s name consistently came up. Al Horford even vouched for Smith unequivocally. Woody provided further insights about Smith.

Smith had a comprehensive understanding of his role and that of his teammates on both offense and defense. He could easily grasp the game plan. Not surprisingly, he was an academic scholar who got admitted to Indiana University for his academic prowess, not just his basketball skills. Rajon Rondo also acknowledged him as one of the smartest players he’s played with. However, Smith’s excellent BBIQ didn’t necessarily translate into recognizing his limitations or improvising beyond the game plan. While BBIQ is important, I believe general intelligence is more crucial to BBIQ.

Al Horford, on the other hand, had an exceptional game sense (feel for the game). As a highly successful college player and multiple-time champion, Horford’s game sense was unparalleled among the league’s great bigs like Tim Duncan. He consistently made the right plays or decisions, even when our play was anticipated by the defense. This is why he remains a highly effective player in his late 30s. However, I don’t believe that game sense is the most critical aspect. It is vital for longevity and consistency. A high-level understanding of the game in terms of winning is essential to game sense. If you don’t understand the value of each possession, it’s hard to develop a good game sense.

Trae Young exemplifies elite awareness. Some label him a serial baiter, but in reality, he has mastered the game at an incredible mental level. To me, awareness is the most crucial attribute. This is where players like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Trae Young, James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokić excel. Awareness is a must-have for any aspiring star. It involves understanding how the defender is playing you, understanding coverages, and knowing how to attack them.

While awareness can be developed to some extent, it requires a lot of hard work. You must have a passion for the game and what it can offer you and what you can offer to the game. This is where players like Dwyane Wade bridge the mental gap. Most coaches believe that anyone can develop awareness with enough dedication.

Intangibles are the hardest to discern. They reflect a person’s character. And intangibles aren’t like the others. One person’s terrible intangibles could be another person’s elite intangibles. It’s subjective. For instance, some might view Jordan Poole as having poor intangibles, while others might argue that his killer instincts, his willingness to take and make shots in the Finals, and his confidence give him elite intangibles.

I appreciate intangibles, but I acknowledge that they can be perceived differently by different people. I recall a conversation about Luka Dončić’s intangibles where we had two completely different perspectives. I was annoyed by his constant complaints about calls and his poor sportsmanship, fearing the potential damage to the locker room. However, my friend saw this as passion and believed it would translate well to the NBA for Luka. He didn’t worry about the locker room dynamics, arguing that any player not vibing well with Luka could simply be removed. As it turned out, he was right.

Evaluating intangibles is challenging. Some might say LeBron James has elite intangibles, while others might argue they’re nowhere near Michael Jordan’s. Some might say Jordan’s teammates despised him, while others might argue that’s what winners do - they set a high bar and expect everyone to meet it. In essence, evaluating intangibles is complex and often depends more on a player’s role, situation, and placement on the team than anything else. Russell Westbrook’s intangibles were seen as a massive strength until his stints with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, where he was viewed as problematic.

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

9. Atlanta Hawks: Kyle Filipowski

9 OF 58

 

 

Kyle Filipowski, DukeLance King/Getty Images

Previous mock draft spot: No. 9

School: Duke

Nationality: American

Position: PF/C

Size: 7'0", 248 lbs

Age: 20

Pro comparison: Santi Aldama

Scoring mismatch isn't the draw to Kyle Filipowski anymore. It's the versatility—a specific combination of shooting, passing, physical finishing and switchable defense that separates him from most 7-footers and can give a frontcourt a different feel or advantage.

The flashes of transition ball-handling or half-court face-up moves into drives are a bonus and allow Filipowski to generate his own offense in space. But his real value comes from making his lineup better with floor-spacing, post passing, cleaning up inside and his ability to slide and guard around the perimeter.

 

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Kings): Johnny Furphy

18 OF 58

 

 

Johnny Furphy, KansasJohn E. Moore III/Getty Images

Previous mock draft spot: No. 10

School/Team: Kansas

Nationality: Australian

Position: Small forward

Size: 6'9", 202 lbs

Age: 19

Pro comparison: Trey Murphy

Teams looking to fill off-ball positions with efficient shotmaking, play-finishing and activity will be drawn to Johnny Furphy. While he hasn't flashed much creation or passing, his 37.3 three-point mark and 80.8 field-goal percentage at the rim feel ideal for a spot-up and transition-heavy role. He's the type of player whose off shooting nights won't hurt, given the automatic spacing and energy he brings.

 

2024 NBA Mock Draft: Full 2-Round Predictions and Pro Comparisons | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

[bird_dirt]

1 hour ago, JayBirdHawk said:

9. Atlanta Hawks: Kyle Filipowski

9 OF 58

 

 

Kyle Filipowski, DukeLance King/Getty Images

Previous mock draft spot: No. 9

School: Duke

Nationality: American

Position: PF/C

Size: 7'0", 248 lbs

Age: 20

Pro comparison: Santi Aldama

Scoring mismatch isn't the draw to Kyle Filipowski anymore. It's the versatility—a specific combination of shooting, passing, physical finishing and switchable defense that separates him from most 7-footers and can give a frontcourt a different feel or advantage.

The flashes of transition ball-handling or half-court face-up moves into drives are a bonus and allow Filipowski to generate his own offense in space. But his real value comes from making his lineup better with floor-spacing, post passing, cleaning up inside and his ability to slide and guard around the perimeter.

 

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Kings): Johnny Furphy

18 OF 58

 

 

Johnny Furphy, KansasJohn E. Moore III/Getty Images

Previous mock draft spot: No. 10

School/Team: Kansas

Nationality: Australian

Position: Small forward

Size: 6'9", 202 lbs

Age: 19

Pro comparison: Trey Murphy

Teams looking to fill off-ball positions with efficient shotmaking, play-finishing and activity will be drawn to Johnny Furphy. While he hasn't flashed much creation or passing, his 37.3 three-point mark and 80.8 field-goal percentage at the rim feel ideal for a spot-up and transition-heavy role. He's the type of player whose off shooting nights won't hurt, given the automatic spacing and energy he brings.

 

2024 NBA Mock Draft: Full 2-Round Predictions and Pro Comparisons | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

I could live with this. 
One 7 footer and one wing. Yes please. 

[terrell]

On 2/24/2024 at 8:11 PM, NBASupes said:

Kentucky might have had its best performance of the year today. Damn! 

 

Since I've been watching a lot more games. College Basketball at the lower D1 is worse than it was within the last 10 years. In the middle, better. At the top, this is the best I've seen the game. I see many teams with upperclassmen. They are better than they ever been since the 90s. This is by far the best I've seen upperclassmen in ages. This underclassmen have been fairly disappointing and raw but oh well. 

Kentucky-Tennessee going at it right now..

Reed Shephard and Dalton Knecht going back and forth....

[bird_dirt]

29 minutes ago, terrell said:

Kentucky-Tennessee going at it right now..

Reed Shephard and Dalton Knecht going back and forth....

Great game. University of Tang really need someone else that can step up beyond Knecht. He played practically the whole game and I think he just got tired at the end. 

[NBASupes]

44 minutes ago, terrell said:

Kentucky-Tennessee going at it right now..

Reed Shephard and Dalton Knecht going back and forth....

It was a hell of a game. 

[Diesel]

1 hour ago, bird_dirt said:

Great game. University of Tang really need someone else that can step up beyond Knecht. He played practically the whole game and I think he just got tired at the end. 

It was a great shootout.   Some of the dunks that Knecht tried though...

[NBASupes]

16 minutes ago, Diesel said:

It was a great shootout.   Some of the dunks that Knecht tried though...

Thunder Dan type attempts 

[bird_dirt]

1 hour ago, NBASupes said:

It was a hell of a game. 

A block party 

[NBASupes]

Watching my 21st full Edey game (Wisconsin), didn't watch Illinois win yet. I feel extremely confident with my scouting report on Edey. He's a movement specialist who's relentless who scores off BBIQ and strength. Lacks fluidity which clearly impacts his post up game. He's a tremendous finisher. Elite screener. In fact, he had a tremendous screen that was called an offensive foul because he clean the clock of the defender. A Steven Adams like screener. Yeah, I really feel like the last scouting report is most accurate. 

Anyway, that's not why I posted. Had my chance to watch my 1st full UCONN game possession by possession on Castle and Clingan on Providence senior night and Anthony Carter son is a legit NBA player. 

Anyhow, Clingan is not as good offensively as I may have thought but he's more talented than I preceived. 

His screens are tremendous. While Edey is more impactful with screens. Clingan is more springy like OO but unlike OO, his screens are good. His movement is like OO, he's athletic but he doesn't read the ball handler well. elite rim runner. That shit translates. He plays with so much energy. He plays around 20-27 minutes but he gives it his all. 

If I had a comp for him, it would be OO. While he's a poor FT shooter, he actually has a nice shooting touch. He's not as polished as OO was and he's not as athletic as OO, or shoot as well as OO, he probably a lot more impactful than OO just due to his sheer size and how athletic he is for his size. I think he's a top 5 pick at this point. A supersized OO is a stud. He doesn't have good stamina but he plays so damn hard. 

I like him a ton. He's not a movement specialist like the data may read but he's a good actions guy like Steven Adams. I like his screens more than OO but not on Capela, Gobert, Edey, Sabonis level. His defense is legit. He can move his feet for a super large man. He's fluid and coordinated too. Just an excellent athlete for his size. 

[Mikey]

11 hours ago, NBASupes said:

Watching my 21st full Edey game (Wisconsin), didn't watch Illinois win yet. I feel extremely confident with my scouting report on Edey. He's a movement specialist who's relentless who scores off BBIQ and strength. Lacks fluidity which clearly impacts his post up game. He's a tremendous finisher. Elite screener. In fact, he had a tremendous screen that was called an offensive foul because he clean the clock of the defender. A Steven Adams like screener. Yeah, I really feel like the last scouting report is most accurate. 

Anyway, that's not why I posted. Had my chance to watch my 1st full UCONN game possession by possession on Castle and Clingan on Providence senior night and Anthony Carter son is a legit NBA player. 

Anyhow, Clingan is not as good offensively as I may have thought but he's more talented than I preceived. 

His screens are tremendous. While Edey is more impactful with screens. Clingan is more springy like OO but unlike OO, his screens are good. His movement is like OO, he's athletic but he doesn't read the ball handler well. elite rim runner. That shit translates. He plays with so much energy. He plays around 20-27 minutes but he gives it his all. 

If I had a comp for him, it would be OO. While he's a poor FT shooter, he actually has a nice shooting touch. He's not as polished as OO was and he's not as athletic as OO, or shoot as well as OO, he probably a lot more impactful than OO just due to his sheer size and how athletic he is for his size. I think he's a top 5 pick at this point. A supersized OO is a stud. He doesn't have good stamina but he plays so damn hard. 

I like him a ton. He's not a movement specialist like the data may read but he's a good actions guy like Steven Adams. I like his screens more than OO but not on Capela, Gobert, Edey, Sabonis level. His defense is legit. He can move his feet for a super large man. He's fluid and coordinated too. Just an excellent athlete for his size. 

Clingan and castle are two guys that are just wow on defense. Fun watches on that end of the floor

[TheNorthCydeRises]

On 3/9/2024 at 5:00 PM, terrell said:

Kentucky-Tennessee going at it right now..

Reed Shephard and Dalton Knecht going back and forth....

If NBA scouts don't think that Dalton Knecht is a top 7 player in this draft, they need to find a new hobby.

He has a NBA ready game that could instantly make him a rotation player from Day 1.

Can score at all levels. Can spot up shoot from 25+ feet. Can drive to the basket with ferocity. And he can take and make difficult shots.

They're going to use his age against him and pass him up. If he's there at 10 - 14, Landry bet not pass him up.

[NBASupes]

14 minutes ago, TheNorthCydeRises said:

If NBA scouts don't think that Dalton Knecht is a top 7 player in this draft, they need to find a new hobby.

He has a NBA ready game that could instantly make him a rotation player from Day 1.

Can score at all levels. Can spot up shoot from 25+ feet. Can drive to the basket with ferocity. And he can take and make difficult shots.

They're going to use his age against him and pass him up. If he's there at 10 - 14, Landry bet not pass him up.

It's his age and upside. You know teams in the top 10 want a star but if he's a top 5-7 SG in his 2nd season, why pass on him