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2024 NBA Draft Mega Thread

My first impression of Topic is that I would be scared to draft him top 5. I really like his playmaking, but worry that a lot of the things he does well would not work against better competition. His defense, in the very limited clips I've seen is worrisome as well. Again this is just my initial impression.
 
SoberasHotRod said:
Ok, I had a lazy Saturday today and just watched about 2hrs of 2024 draft stuff, which is about twice as long as I've spent on the draft so far. Here are the guys I like right now:

Collier, Castle, Dunn, Williams, Proctor, Wooga, Buzelis, Jones, Watkins
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Oh yeah, almost forgot Sheppard, but he's already gotten a ton of love here.
 
FWIW, I don't think Detroit, Memphis or Charlotte would draft Topic if they were picking ahead of the Jazz. Topic really needs to be the lead on-ball guard, and those teams are heavily invested in PGs already. However, I do think San Antonio or Washington would take him.
 
SoberasHotRod said:
My first impression of Topic is that I would be scared to draft him top 5. I really like his playmaking, but worry that a lot of the things he does well would not work against better competition. His defense, in the very limited clips I've seen is worrisome as well. Again this is just my initial impression.
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My take is that he needs to shoot well. He needs his jumper, he needs to shoot off the dribble and he needs to make his floater. But if he can do those things, he has the potential to be the next James Harden. I think his size, ability to take defenders off the dribble, and the passing all will translate. And actually, he should look even better with NBA spacing, imo. The defense is a question, but that's not what you're drafting him for.
 
Holland is definitely a low IQ player.

Dude shot a bad 3 and airballed it, then hung his head in shame and just stood there for a second or two (not getting back on D) and let Brice get an open 3 on the other end. Then comes down the next possession and shoots a contested 3 early in the clock and misses badly again.
 
Buzelis just doesn't have much of a physical presence on either end. To be a star-level player, he needs to be able to impose his will on defenders, get where he wants to go with the ball and make a high-efficiency play. I just struggle to see him having the ability to do that. He doesn't back anyone down, he doesn't take defenders off the bounce, and he doesn't much create separation for his jumper. He does make fade-aways though.
 
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It's the season where every possible choice is harmful. It's the season where you start the momentum and you don't see the big results until next season or thereafter. It's the season of the hot mess.
 
I just went down a rabbit hole watching Stephon Castle's high school tape and damn his overall game is impressive. He does everything well and despite his poor 3pt shooting so far this year he looked great shooting the 3 ball in the tape I watched. He has a smooth compact shooting stroke that should translate just fine to the college and nba level. What really stood out to me though was the tempo he played with which reminded me of SGA. He was just smooth and had no problem getting where he wanted on the court. Unfortunately he was injured a few games into the season and missed a month but he is slowly being worked back into more minutes and I can't wait to watch his progression.

 
Jazz have a pile of players who can make open shots -- Lauri, Hendricks, Fontecchio, Brice, Ochai, Keyonte. I think they're looking for a wing-sized player who can be a triple-threat and who is adept at creating open shots. That's why Topic looks like a no-brainer if he's attainable.

Otherwise, I don't think there's a player in this draft with the potential to be a top 5 - 10 offensive player in the league. Normally, that's what you'd be looking for at the top of a draft.
 
I have more confidence in Keyonte George putting up 40-point games than anyone in this draft right now. Maybe Ron Holland can go off on some weak team, or maybe Ja'Kobe Walter or Reed Sheppard can do it on a good night. If Topic really hits, then maybe he's the guy. I'm just not seeing much high-end offensive firepower in this draft.
 
Wow the 2025 draft is getting better

NBA Academy Africa big man Khaman Maluach, the only undecided center on the Duke basketball recruiting wishlist, is reclassifying from 2025 to 2024, ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported on Sunday evening. The 17-year-old will be eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft.16 hours ago
 
sip said:
He may end up being a top 5 guy. I think teams are going to look at what his brother is doing in OKC and feel that he can be the same type of player.
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How often have a pair of brothers been the same type of player? That's the dumbest line of logic.

If he gets picked high it's because teams like him for who he is. Being someone's brother isnt getting you picked in the top 5.
 
Topic plays today at 11 am.

One of the better players on the opposing team is DJ Funderburk. You may recognize him as a former Utah Jazz SL player. Top 3 players on their team are Americans which is seemingly unique for the Adriatic League.
 
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