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Following 2016 potential draftees

I think it's hard to accurately project Ellenson. He has great size and length to do a lot of stuff, but his body has so much potential to get optimized.
Will be interesting to follow him in the first couple of years and check if and how his mobility progresses.

That's been my impression too. He's really productive already... has rid himself of some of the baby fat, but could take a big leap if he makes a few easy natural steps.

I don't think he gets past Toronto... unless Chriss is still there and they go that route.
 
Maybe, but after playing 31 games last season at 34 minutes per, and looking great at the combine, it sure looks like he's past those.

Here is a little about his injury history:

"One reason Blossomgame has been in college for four seasons is a rash of injuries. He first broke his leg in 2012 as a senior in high school. Another surgery in the summer of 2013, after taking a redshirt his freshman year at Clemson, got him well enough to start 30 games. However, during the NIT tournament he suffered another fracture and missed the last three games of Clemson's season. Two years of leg injuries, three fractures, and two surgeries."

https://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/...s-pelicans-prospect-preview-jaron-blossomgame

But his upside sounds very appealing:

"During Friday's game (and the shooting drills) the Alpharetta native certainly did everything he could to prove that his stroke is far from broken and could turn into a weapon in time. Blossomgame knocked down all three of his 3-point attempts, two of which were heavily contested. The ball came out of his hand smoothly with a slightly higher release point than we've seen in the past.

Blossomgame also did a solid job attacking in a straight line both in the half court and in transition. He's not much of a ball handler, and isn't comfortable pulling up or distributing on the move, but the shooting stroke and straight-line slashing was certainly encouraging for the 22-year-old redshirt junior.

Blossomgame has the tools to play some small-ball four and defend multiple positions. He checked three different positions on Friday with mixed results, but it's hard to find guys with his size, length, frame and bounce who can make an open shot. He's a plus-rebounder for his position and does some of the little things you like to see from a potential role player."

https://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Combine-Day-Two-and-Event-Recap-5480/


As of right now though, I think I have Bembry slightly ahead of Blossomgame.
 
I agree with that. He really has no weakness other than some would say his age. Good size and length, great athlete, one of the best shooters in the draft. I'd have a hard time taking Luwawu ahead of him. Not saying I wouldn't, but it's close.

Luwawu's team on a live stream from Serbian League Basketball site right now, but I believe he must have been injured last game. Have not heard the severity. However Zagorac and Zubac who are first round possibilities are playing. Stream is pretty bad though.
 
Skal terrifies me... if Chriss or Ellenson is there I make the pick. Those guys are a tier above the other guys. I wouldn't take Skal until the late teens or 20s. Lack of production and work ethic are too scary for me.

I think Ellenson is a center in the NBA... not a great fit with Lyles in the second unit, but I'm not sure that if we keep Hayward that Favors will be around forever. Ideally you'd mix and match so that Lyles/Ellenson play with one of Gobert/Favors.

I think this draft is so 'meh' that I don't see much opportunity cost to drafting anybody really and them busting. And in this case I see Skal's skillset and physical profile as something I'd put my money on. If I'm gonna bust on a pick, it better be a high-upside one. Also If he fixes his body, I think Skal can play with pretty much anybody on our roster. He can play with Gobert, he can play with Favors, he can play with Lyles... and with all of them we will have good to amazing rim-protection and at least one of them will be able to stretch the floor. He is a projection pick, but the projection to me is extremely appealing, when you have in mind the blandness of the draft in the 10-12 range.
 
Luwawu's team on a live stream from Serbian League Basketball site right now, but I believe he must have been injured last game. Have not heard the severity. However Zagorac and Zubac who are first round possibilities are playing. Stream is pretty bad though.

Zubac with 23 at the half. Not to shabby.
 
Never agree with this strategy unless you really hate everyone. If you like a guy you don't risk it, just draft him.

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Never is strong... Last few times this has happened it has worked out well for the team getting two picks. Us and minny and the Denver Chicago trade where Denver got nurkic and Harris for McDermott. Trying to think of more example but drawing a blank.
 
I think this draft is so 'meh' that I don't see much opportunity cost to drafting anybody really and them busting. And in this case I see Skal's skillset and physical profile as something I'd put my money on. If I'm gonna bust on a pick, it better be a high-upside one. Also If he fixes his body, I think Skal can play with pretty much anybody on our roster. He can play with Gobert, he can play with Favors, he can play with Lyles... and with all of them we will have good to amazing rim-protection and at least one of them will be able to stretch the floor. He is a projection pick, but the projection to me is extremely appealing, when you have in mind the blandness of the draft in the 10-12 range.

He just scares me... I get the intrigue. I don't like the argument that we should just swing for the fences blindly looking for upside. I think that is where most mistakes are made. The Greek freak has been an exception. If he was known as a hard worker or passionate about the game I'd be in.

I don't think this draft is meh just flat. From 8 to 13 it's kind of an eye of the beholder... From 16 to 25 there are some great gambles. If I'm gambling I want two chances if possible.
 
Hope I'm wrong, but I've never been less interested in a draft.

It reminds me of 2011... that draft from 11-30 was amazing. You could tell me 10 guys projected from 10-30 are the steal of the draft and have a pretty legitimate case. Getting a contributor on this rookie salary scale will be a huge benefit to us in 2-4 years when money gets really tight. We kind of need to nail this.
 
Never is strong... Last few times this has happened it has worked out well for the team getting two picks. Us and minny and the Denver Chicago trade where Denver got nurkic and Harris for McDermott. Trying to think of more example but drawing a blank.
But who did they miss out on?

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But who did they miss out on?

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Does it matter? You can play the "hindsight they should have drafted this guy" game at any draft position to make a strategy look bad.

The times it's happened it has worked out. I do agree that if you have one guy you love you don't get cute just take the guy. If you have 5-10 guys you like and are somewhat indifferent I'd rather get two of those guys.

Looking at the draft and how it could pay out... If Skal is taken ahead of our spot we could get Ellenson, Chriss, Poetl, or maybe Brown... I'd stay put if that were the case.
 
Does it matter? You can play the "hindsight they should have drafted this guy" game at any draft position to make a strategy look bad.

The times it's happened it has worked out. I do agree that if you have one guy you love you don't get cute just take the guy. If you have 5-10 guys you like and are somewhat indifferent I'd rather get two of those guys.

Looking at the draft and how it could pay out... If Skal is taken ahead of our spot we could get Ellenson, Chriss, Poetl, or maybe Brown... I'd stay put if that were the case.

You started the hindsight game....

Have 5-10 guys you like and being indifferent sounds like ****ty scouting. I get it from fans like us, because we don't have complete information, but I expect more out of teams.
 
You started the hindsight game....

Have 5-10 guys you like and being indifferent sounds like ****ty scouting. I get it from fans like us, because we don't have complete information, but I expect more out of teams.

My hindsight is actual scenarios not hypothetical "we should have taken this guy" garbage. If you want to play that game go ahead. In the actual scenarios where this has happened it has worked out well for the team moving back and acquiring multiple picks. It may not be on the table though... if it was I'd consider it with how this draft could shake out.

Being somewhat indifferent is different than being completely indifferent. That's why they have the draft tiers... if you have a draft tier that is 10 players long and you can trade a pick within that tier and have a good shot at getting two players in that tier you wouldn't do it. Scouts have prospects that are neck and neck all the time... doesn't mean they are ****ty scouts.
 
My hindsight is actual scenarios not hypothetical "we should have taken this guy" garbage. If you want to play that game go ahead. In the actual scenarios where this has happened it has worked out well for the team moving back and acquiring multiple picks. It may not be on the table though... if it was I'd consider it with how this draft could shake out.

Being somewhat indifferent is different than being completely indifferent. That's why they have the draft tiers... if you have a draft tier that is 10 players long and you can trade a pick within that tier and have a good shot at getting two players in that tier you wouldn't do it. Scouts have prospects that are neck and neck all the time... doesn't mean they are ****ty scouts.
Lmao

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I'm on my cell phone. Don't like typing long responses to bad post on it.

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I think it's hard to accurately project Ellenson. He has great size and length to do a lot of stuff, but his body has so much potential to get optimized.
Will be interesting to follow him in the first couple of years and check if and how his mobility progresses.

Those who say you should not draft him because he is not a great athlete should look up Nikola Jokic. Also almost a year younger than Skal. Seems like some similarities with Jokic. Even heard the Nuggets with Nurkic at C are trying to slim Jokic down a bit so he can play more 4.
 
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