Post by Braz on Mar 1, 2021 18:58:08 GMT -8
After several years turning the Raptors franchise around Braz turned his eye to the draft once again. Braz did 0 prep for his draft pick at 5 so a reflection from him on the draft and these picks could be really nice or just BAD TAKES. It has been a while since I wrote an article and I will have a bunch more time over the next 3 weeks so hopefully more to come boys. Anyway the first pick looked great so let's kick it off here.
1. New Orleans Hornets- Luka Doncic- SF 20 6'7'' 230 B- B- A- C B- A
Grade: A+
Luka was a great pick and the only pick. Spencer's Notes stated Luka Doncic is the best player in this draft. He's amazing. And he can play PG. If you get the first pick this is who you take. Spencer never tries to give anything away so him being the top pick was that obvious. I imagine Luka was a fun player for Spencer to make and he should be a star from day 1. Pig goes from a bottom franchise to a top contender right away if he decides to put talent around Luka's small salary. He will likely play multiple positions his rookie year since they just acquired Dame. Interesting!
2. Indiana Pacers (viaSuns) - Mitch Robinson C 20 7'0'' 240 B+ D C- B B- B
Grade: B+
Everyone is going to keep on saying how this was a 1 man draft with the next 6 maybe 10 picks being the same but in a good way. This was an NBA draft where most of the sure studs did not pan out but are still developing where you have a lot of studs pop up who were second rounder or late first in real life. That makes the class a bit deeper as it may be harder for Spencer to pick and choose who is good considering the story is not fully told on most guys, except knox he sucks IRL. Anyway Mitch seems to be a very good player on day one as Spencer states Mitchell Robinson is a good inside scorer. He can block and steal. Good rebounder. Very athletic. I did not expect Mitch to be much of a scorer so that could make him a very good player vs just D and Reb. Question is how inflated are his stats by athetlics? guess we shall see. Starting with B+ inside is optimistic regardless
3. Golden State Warriors - Trae Young PG 20 6'1'' 180 C+ A- B- C C A
Grade: A
I love this pick for Lumz as he already has some young guys and he can see what pans out. Lums has to eat Wall as well has has a few big question marks on his roster. I think Trae is the shorest thing as he is what he is a Steph Lite but at least you know that. Everyone else is a square peg in a round hole or under developed. Trae gives him a solid option 1 for the next 10 years too. Since Lumz doesnt like to trade lol. Trae Young is a very good offensive player. Can shoot and score from inside and out. Very good volume. Might have some handling issues. May be a SG more long term because of it. Let's look at good volume as a rookie. My player comp is Lou Williams 2.0
4. Sacramento Kings- Deandre Ayton C 20 6'11'' 250 B C- C- C+ B- A
Grade: A+
For me Ayton is the favorite in the class besides Luka. I just have a feeling since he was top IRL and has been good. Coming in with B inside and B- reb with A pot means good things for Ayton. Spencer spoke highly of him stating Deandre Ayton is a good young big man. He can score inside and should get some blocks and steals. rebounding is also very good. He is not only getting blocks but steals. I could see Drummond 2.0 maybe even a bit better of a scorer. Sign me up for sure.
5. Toronto Raptors (from Pacers via PHX)- Michael Porter Jr. SF 20 6'10'' 218 C+ C+ C C+ C+ A
Grade: B
Well shit I will give myself a B. for Boring. I will preface this with I was not into the draft too much aside from some random semi troll comments on some guys i expected to be later I could trade in for. Notes looked great on Porter where Spencer said Michael Porter Jr. is an athletic player with some upside. Can score inside and out. Pretty solid stock and rebounding potential. To me this just means please be patient. If he is fringe any of those ratings he could have a good TC. I could also be completely off. I 100% was victim of there being too many PGs and ended up with Harrison who is better than anyone here sans Luka anyway.
6. Los Angeles Clippers- Shai Gilgeous Alexander PG 20 6'6'' 180 C+ B C B C B
Grade: A+
We can kick this off with Spencer saying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a very polished PG spect. Can do a little bit of everything. Can score, handle and defend. Also a solid rebounder. Very good player. He is an nba ready pg and with the B pot he may have limited upside but that is fine if he can ball day 1. Being a good defender has him reminding me of a young Jrue. The West will likely flip to tough sooner then later and that will leave Laws needing to stay competitive. By that time Shai can likely be carrying the load for LAC. Good pick. I might regret that one.
7. Dallas Mavericks- Jaren Jackson Jr PF 19 6'11'' 242 B- B- C- C+ C A
Grade: A
So this is going to be the one I regret no matter how it pans out. I was a huge Michigan State and JJJ fan but right as I was about to pick him I rememembered I only liked MSU bc my ex went there and then I had about 2 mins to find another player and went MPJ. Sucks JJJ Can not play SF to start but seems to work out just fine for Love and those type of guys. At worst JJJ is an 8 Reb per game high volume PF with blocks which can be complicated well by a good rebounding C like....Bam! Spencer's notes stating Jaren Jackson Jr. is a very good shooter who can get some blocks too. Rebounding needs help. Can only start at PF/C, weren't as kind with the position like and poor rebs but I think upside is through the roof.
8 Milwaukee Bucks (from Hawks)- Isaac Bongo SF 18 6'8'' 180 C+ C+ C+ B C+ B
Grade: B
Honestly this grade is a bit skewed given that I have no idea who this guy is. His notes were solid but I actually liked his next two picks a lot more but hey it works for him it works for me. Spencer said he can score inside, block and steal and rebound well for a wing. Which makes him seem to be an all around stud. Dude comes in with guaranteed slocks. Inside scoring means volume but he will bad in an outside focus. Maybe he is like Manny Harris? Would be solid if he is that with better rebounding. More I write the more I like it.
9. Chicago Bulls - Wendell Carter Jr. C 19 6'10'' 270 B- C+ D+ C+ B- A
Grade A+
At times I will give a higher grade if it is a good pick AND it also is a pick that matters to the GM personally. Seems like those are the best win wins. Carter reminds me of Rolo. And I think that with a bit of scoring is a good outcome. Spencer said Wendell Carter Jr. is pretty good. Can score inside some. Solid shooter. Good rebounder. Will get some steals. And Play is a bulls fan. Now he just needs to over pay for Lauri and he is set! I could see Carter being a stud.
10 & 11 Milwaukee Bucks - Marvin Bagley III + MO BAMBA
Grades:A+ + +
This was an amazing 1, 2 punch pick for the Bucks. When you look at the below ratings you get the feeling if Andy was on the clock with 1 pick he would have a hard time deciding between the 2 and at 8 he was likely just hedging one of the 3 bigs would be there. He hit the lotto getting both a young high risk high reward big in Bagley and a very ready polished blocking machine in Bamba. Bagley is mentioned to have upside and already be a good shooter. He has the base stats to stock and board which is nice. If he pans out he will be a complete player. Bamba on the other hand is a VERY good defender that is a capital V folks. He can not only block and steal but he can also defend the post and slow down players outside the stats. A duo for years to come in MIL.
Mo Bamba C 20 7'0'' 231 C+ C C- B+ C+ B
Marvin Bagley III PF 19 6'11'' 235 C+ C+ D+ C+ C+ A
12. Indiana Pacers (from Jazz)- Robert Williams PF 21 6'8'' 237 B- D+ C- B- B+ C
Grade: A
I feel I gave out a lot of high grades but this was a deep class so far. Williams is no better or worse then the past bigs. He is a bit under sized in a league where that does not matter and should come in as an elite rebounder day 1. Williams did not have initial notes and this is where I start to hate the format. I personally did not look at all the questions (my fault) but might have missed a stud! The dude checks out. Good pick for Pacers as they have had most of their success when they have stock piled big men who all panned out. Not long before Sargo is going for it again but this time he has a fav player in MITCH. KnicksTAPE
13 New York Knicks - Mikal Bridges SF 22 6'6'' 209 C+ B C B C B
Grade: B
I mean I like Bridges but I actually like his name brother Miles more. Bridges could be a great Skillz player and score the rock well with already B outside. His B defense indicates he will potentially be a stats defender as well. He will likely be best suited at SG but that is one of this missing cogs in NYC.
1. New Orleans Hornets- Luka Doncic- SF 20 6'7'' 230 B- B- A- C B- A
Grade: A+
Luka was a great pick and the only pick. Spencer's Notes stated Luka Doncic is the best player in this draft. He's amazing. And he can play PG. If you get the first pick this is who you take. Spencer never tries to give anything away so him being the top pick was that obvious. I imagine Luka was a fun player for Spencer to make and he should be a star from day 1. Pig goes from a bottom franchise to a top contender right away if he decides to put talent around Luka's small salary. He will likely play multiple positions his rookie year since they just acquired Dame. Interesting!
2. Indiana Pacers (viaSuns) - Mitch Robinson C 20 7'0'' 240 B+ D C- B B- B
Grade: B+
Everyone is going to keep on saying how this was a 1 man draft with the next 6 maybe 10 picks being the same but in a good way. This was an NBA draft where most of the sure studs did not pan out but are still developing where you have a lot of studs pop up who were second rounder or late first in real life. That makes the class a bit deeper as it may be harder for Spencer to pick and choose who is good considering the story is not fully told on most guys, except knox he sucks IRL. Anyway Mitch seems to be a very good player on day one as Spencer states Mitchell Robinson is a good inside scorer. He can block and steal. Good rebounder. Very athletic. I did not expect Mitch to be much of a scorer so that could make him a very good player vs just D and Reb. Question is how inflated are his stats by athetlics? guess we shall see. Starting with B+ inside is optimistic regardless
3. Golden State Warriors - Trae Young PG 20 6'1'' 180 C+ A- B- C C A
Grade: A
I love this pick for Lumz as he already has some young guys and he can see what pans out. Lums has to eat Wall as well has has a few big question marks on his roster. I think Trae is the shorest thing as he is what he is a Steph Lite but at least you know that. Everyone else is a square peg in a round hole or under developed. Trae gives him a solid option 1 for the next 10 years too. Since Lumz doesnt like to trade lol. Trae Young is a very good offensive player. Can shoot and score from inside and out. Very good volume. Might have some handling issues. May be a SG more long term because of it. Let's look at good volume as a rookie. My player comp is Lou Williams 2.0
4. Sacramento Kings- Deandre Ayton C 20 6'11'' 250 B C- C- C+ B- A
Grade: A+
For me Ayton is the favorite in the class besides Luka. I just have a feeling since he was top IRL and has been good. Coming in with B inside and B- reb with A pot means good things for Ayton. Spencer spoke highly of him stating Deandre Ayton is a good young big man. He can score inside and should get some blocks and steals. rebounding is also very good. He is not only getting blocks but steals. I could see Drummond 2.0 maybe even a bit better of a scorer. Sign me up for sure.
5. Toronto Raptors (from Pacers via PHX)- Michael Porter Jr. SF 20 6'10'' 218 C+ C+ C C+ C+ A
Grade: B
Well shit I will give myself a B. for Boring. I will preface this with I was not into the draft too much aside from some random semi troll comments on some guys i expected to be later I could trade in for. Notes looked great on Porter where Spencer said Michael Porter Jr. is an athletic player with some upside. Can score inside and out. Pretty solid stock and rebounding potential. To me this just means please be patient. If he is fringe any of those ratings he could have a good TC. I could also be completely off. I 100% was victim of there being too many PGs and ended up with Harrison who is better than anyone here sans Luka anyway.
6. Los Angeles Clippers- Shai Gilgeous Alexander PG 20 6'6'' 180 C+ B C B C B
Grade: A+
We can kick this off with Spencer saying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a very polished PG spect. Can do a little bit of everything. Can score, handle and defend. Also a solid rebounder. Very good player. He is an nba ready pg and with the B pot he may have limited upside but that is fine if he can ball day 1. Being a good defender has him reminding me of a young Jrue. The West will likely flip to tough sooner then later and that will leave Laws needing to stay competitive. By that time Shai can likely be carrying the load for LAC. Good pick. I might regret that one.
7. Dallas Mavericks- Jaren Jackson Jr PF 19 6'11'' 242 B- B- C- C+ C A
Grade: A
So this is going to be the one I regret no matter how it pans out. I was a huge Michigan State and JJJ fan but right as I was about to pick him I rememembered I only liked MSU bc my ex went there and then I had about 2 mins to find another player and went MPJ. Sucks JJJ Can not play SF to start but seems to work out just fine for Love and those type of guys. At worst JJJ is an 8 Reb per game high volume PF with blocks which can be complicated well by a good rebounding C like....Bam! Spencer's notes stating Jaren Jackson Jr. is a very good shooter who can get some blocks too. Rebounding needs help. Can only start at PF/C, weren't as kind with the position like and poor rebs but I think upside is through the roof.
8 Milwaukee Bucks (from Hawks)- Isaac Bongo SF 18 6'8'' 180 C+ C+ C+ B C+ B
Grade: B
Honestly this grade is a bit skewed given that I have no idea who this guy is. His notes were solid but I actually liked his next two picks a lot more but hey it works for him it works for me. Spencer said he can score inside, block and steal and rebound well for a wing. Which makes him seem to be an all around stud. Dude comes in with guaranteed slocks. Inside scoring means volume but he will bad in an outside focus. Maybe he is like Manny Harris? Would be solid if he is that with better rebounding. More I write the more I like it.
9. Chicago Bulls - Wendell Carter Jr. C 19 6'10'' 270 B- C+ D+ C+ B- A
Grade A+
At times I will give a higher grade if it is a good pick AND it also is a pick that matters to the GM personally. Seems like those are the best win wins. Carter reminds me of Rolo. And I think that with a bit of scoring is a good outcome. Spencer said Wendell Carter Jr. is pretty good. Can score inside some. Solid shooter. Good rebounder. Will get some steals. And Play is a bulls fan. Now he just needs to over pay for Lauri and he is set! I could see Carter being a stud.
10 & 11 Milwaukee Bucks - Marvin Bagley III + MO BAMBA
Grades:A+ + +
This was an amazing 1, 2 punch pick for the Bucks. When you look at the below ratings you get the feeling if Andy was on the clock with 1 pick he would have a hard time deciding between the 2 and at 8 he was likely just hedging one of the 3 bigs would be there. He hit the lotto getting both a young high risk high reward big in Bagley and a very ready polished blocking machine in Bamba. Bagley is mentioned to have upside and already be a good shooter. He has the base stats to stock and board which is nice. If he pans out he will be a complete player. Bamba on the other hand is a VERY good defender that is a capital V folks. He can not only block and steal but he can also defend the post and slow down players outside the stats. A duo for years to come in MIL.
Mo Bamba C 20 7'0'' 231 C+ C C- B+ C+ B
Marvin Bagley III PF 19 6'11'' 235 C+ C+ D+ C+ C+ A
12. Indiana Pacers (from Jazz)- Robert Williams PF 21 6'8'' 237 B- D+ C- B- B+ C
Grade: A
I feel I gave out a lot of high grades but this was a deep class so far. Williams is no better or worse then the past bigs. He is a bit under sized in a league where that does not matter and should come in as an elite rebounder day 1. Williams did not have initial notes and this is where I start to hate the format. I personally did not look at all the questions (my fault) but might have missed a stud! The dude checks out. Good pick for Pacers as they have had most of their success when they have stock piled big men who all panned out. Not long before Sargo is going for it again but this time he has a fav player in MITCH. KnicksTAPE
13 New York Knicks - Mikal Bridges SF 22 6'6'' 209 C+ B C B C B
Grade: B
I mean I like Bridges but I actually like his name brother Miles more. Bridges could be a great Skillz player and score the rock well with already B outside. His B defense indicates he will potentially be a stats defender as well. He will likely be best suited at SG but that is one of this missing cogs in NYC.
