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2021 NBA Draft Preview (new thread)

I like Roko's physically over Vrenz's skill. I have more confidence that Roko's game translates to the NBA level than I do Vrenz's. Plus I think Roko can fit in more as a role player earlier on compared to Vrenz, who I think won't be as useful off-ball as Roko and his on-ball game might not translate to NBA size/speed.
 
You may be right. My feeling from watching some video is that Vrenz is more of a wing, whereas Roko seems more of a 4 than a wing. My preference for Vrenz is mostly positional.
 
David Locke has started draft coverage. He hasnt gotten in Utah's prospects yet, but he thinks Mobley should be #1.
 
If we are 100% running it back, Herb Jones needs to be acquired. He's going to be a defensive beast, and I think he'll be ready much sooner than a lot of these other guys.
 
Trey Murphy, IMO, is the easy choice. If he’s not there, Thor, Brown, Primo, Dosunmo are respectable picks. If none of those guys are there, I’d try to trade down for two early/mid second rounders and nab like Herb Jones and BJ Boston.
 
Ineptimusprime said:
I like Brown in the abstract, but he didn’t leave Texas on the best terms and didn’t have the greatest season.
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He was an 18 year old kid that played during the covid season. 6'9" 210 guys with 7'1" wingspans and elite athleticism don't grow on trees. He also flashed as a shooter, wasn't great but 33% from 3/71% FT and being 65th percentile in C&S situations is encouraging. The entire Texas program was in a weird spot because Shaka Smart was on his way out.
 
JayExotic said:
He was an 18 year old kid that played during the covid season. 6'9" 210 guys with 7'1" wingspans and elite athleticism don't grow on trees. He also flashed as a shooter, wasn't great but 33% from 3/71% FT and being 65th percentile in C&S situations is encouraging. The entire Texas program was in a weird spot because Shaka Smart was on his way out.
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He has the worst feel in the draft. He's a project for sure. Not a pick at 30 at all.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
He has the worst feel in the draft. He's a project for sure. Not a pick at 30 at all.
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The worst feel? Meh. You're not going to find a superstar, perfect prospect at #30. At that point of the draft you have to look for traits and trust your player development.

Shaka Smart recruited as well as anyone in the country during his 5 years at Texas and left the school with a losing record in conference and 0 wins in the NCAA tournament. Mo Bamba was regarded as a special prospect coming out of HS and had his development stunted by Shaka at UT, his system simply didn't translate to major college basketball.

Why do you think that 7 players from their team last season transferred or entered the draft? There was a mass exodus even after Smart was fired because guys realized the program isn't in a great place.

I mean even look at Kai Jones who's a projected lottery pick, he was only playing 22 minutes a night for them because Shaka wanted to use his full court press defense that helped them win 0 NCAA tournament games in half a decade. He had an emotional moment during one game because he was frustrated with Smart, the school also seemed to be frustrated with Smart as well because he was no longer their coach a couple of weeks later.

Brown clearly has talent as he came in the #8 recruit in the country. And if you've heard David Locke speak about what we need what has he said? 6'8 220 guys that can shoot the 3 at a 35%+ clip and switch defensively, sounds awfully a lot like Brown. I mean Brown flashed even out playing the guy who's considered the best player in the class.

 
JayExotic said:
The worst feel? Meh. You're not going to find a superstar, perfect prospect at #30. At that point of the draft you have to look for traits and trust your player development.

Shaka Smart recruited as well as anyone in the country during his 5 years at Texas and left the school with a losing record in conference and 0 wins in the NCAA tournament. Mo Bamba was regarded as a special prospect coming out of HS and had his development stunted by Shaka at UT, his system simply didn't translate to major college basketball.

Why do you think that 7 players from their team last season transferred or entered the draft? There was a mass exodus even after Smart was fired because guys realized the program isn't in a great place.

I mean even look at Kai Jones who's a projected lottery pick, he was only playing 22 minutes a night for them because Shaka wanted to use his full court press defense that helped them win 0 NCAA tournament games in half a decade. He had an emotional moment during one game because he was frustrated with Smart, the school also seemed to be frustrated with Smart as well because he was no longer their coach a couple of weeks later.

Brown clearly has talent as he came in the #8 recruit in the country. And if you've heard David Locke speak about what we need what has he said? 6'8 220 guys that can shoot the 3 at a 35%+ clip and switch defensively, sounds awfully a lot like Brown. I mean Brown flashed even out playing the guy who's considered the best player in the class.

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Greg Brown had 10 assist all season and 4 of those came in one game. And despite all that athletic ability and size, he only shot 42% from the field. I like him as a pick, but no way in hell would I take him 30. He's more of a 40-50 range player.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
Greg Brown had 10 assist all season and 4 of those came in one game. And despite all that athletic ability and size, he only shot 42% from the field. I like him as a pick, but no way in hell would I take him 30. He's more of a 40-50 range player.
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JT Thor shot 44% and only had 23 assists in more minutes played, should we cross him off the board as well? Do we need more playmakers or do we need guys that can play defense with upside?

Donovan Mitchell as a freshman averaged 7.4 points, 1.7 assists, and shot 25% from 3. Should've definitely crossed him off of our board.
 
Udidthizz said:
Very informative video. He’s an intriguing prospect, but the questions about his defense worry me a bit. Obviously he’s very young, but they seem to stem mostly from physical limitations. All things being equal, I think I’d prefer Vrenz. His shot seems more fluid and he seems to move a bit better. Based on nothing but my own imagination, I feel he’d fit into what the Jazz are doing a bit better than Roko. My concern is that OKC and their million draft picks are going to be very interested too.
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Yeah, the question is whether he can move laterally better than Georges Niang. He's more explosive vertically, obviously, and he's a bit bigger. The appeal is that at his size, he can get into the paint and make a variety of plays, like the brawny version of Hayward. He's got measurables, competitive toughness and motor that you can't teach. He looks like he's going to be able to score in a variety of ways and get his own.

In today's league, Roko is likely a 4, while Vrenz is a 3. Vrenz would be a natural to do things Joe Ingles does, especially running high screen/rolls as a secondary initiator. I'm projecting Vrenz to fill out to around 220 lbs.
 
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JayExotic said:
JT Thor shot 44% and only had 23 assists in more minutes played, should we cross him off the board as well? Do we need more playmakers or do we need guys that can play defense with upside?

Donovan Mitchell as a freshman averaged 7.4 points, 1.7 assists, and shot 25% from 3. Should've definitely crossed him off of our board.
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1. 0.9 apg is more than double 0.4
2. 44% is more than 42%
3. Donovan Mitchell wasnt in the draft as a Freshman
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
I like Roko's physically over Vrenz's skill. I have more confidence that Roko's game translates to the NBA level than I do Vrenz's. Plus I think Roko can fit in more as a role player earlier on compared to Vrenz, who I think won't be as useful off-ball as Roko and his on-ball game might not translate to NBA size/speed.
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Roko has more ways he can develop his game, for sure. As an 18 year-old, he should be able to improve his defense.
 
Udidthizz said:
You may be right. My feeling from watching some video is that Vrenz is more of a wing, whereas Roko seems more of a 4 than a wing. My preference for Vrenz is mostly positional.
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I think you draft Roko to play a role like Marcus Morris and see how much he can expand his game.
 
JayExotic said:
JT Thor shot 44% and only had 23 assists in more minutes played, should we cross him off the board as well? Do we need more playmakers or do we need guys that can play defense with upside?

Donovan Mitchell as a freshman averaged 7.4 points, 1.7 assists, and shot 25% from 3. Should've definitely crossed him off of our board.
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Both Thor and Brown are young projects at this stage. They each need two years of development. Both are athletic, have good measurables and play with energy. Both can have an impact on the defensive end and should be able to switch on the perimeter. I think you take the one who projects to be a better shooter, rebounder and ball mover. You take the one who is more willing to work hard to improve and play a role.

Right now, both of them have somewhat disappointing steal rates and rebound rates considering their tools.
 
JayExotic said:
28% career 3P shooter including 7% during his Jr season, lol.
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If we "run it back", we don't need a 3 point threat. We need a fantastic switch defender. Almost every draftee in our range is an athlete with potential. I believe that Herb Jones will bring NBA quality perimeter defending right away. We desperately need that.
 
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