Put your time where your mouth is. Have an informed opinion by watching hours of film on the 2024 NBA prospects

[Dejounte]

I challenge everyone to find time to watch these. Being able to see both highlights and lowlights will bring enhanced insights.


https://youtu.be/ykYnZKPh-f4?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/XTFWV5qLGKw?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/rPxURNxsxzA?feature=shared

[Dejounte]

https://youtu.be/SxWW4QsA9Tc?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/9yyMAq51EfE?feature=shared

[Splits]

https://youtu.be/SxWW4QsA9Tc?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/9yyMAq51EfE?feature=shared


lmao this kid has bust written all over him

[Dejounte]

lmao this kid has bust written all over him

I made a thread minutes ago with hour long videos encouraging people to watch them to have an informed opinion.

you typed a response to the thread minutes after it was made.

you clearly have no interest in educating yourself to have a better, more insightful opinion. If that opinion was still a negative one after investing your time watching the videos, fine. At least it would be an opinion where real basketball discussion can happen instead of shallow, edgelord statements that contribute nothing. But if you’re only interested in posting one sentence garbage, good for you I guess?

[Seventyniner]

I made a thread minutes ago with hour long videos encouraging people to watch them to have an informed opinion.

you typed a response to the thread minutes after it was made.

you clearly have no interest in educating yourself to have a better, more insightful opinion. If that opinion was still a negative one after investing your time watching the videos, fine. At least it would be an opinion where real basketball discussion can happen instead of shallow, edgelord statements that contribute nothing. But if you’re only interested in posting one sentence garbage, good for you I guess?

The one-sentence knee-jerk response is equivalent to the "your mom" comeback from middle school.

[Ariel]

Not going to watch hours of film on Dillingham, Castle and JaKobe Walter because I think I've already have formed an opinion on them, but will watch the Risacher and Topic ones. Thanks.

[NASpurs]

Could I get the tl;dr version of these 2 hr long videos? Thanks.

[JPB]

How about watching them live for a.whole season in game situation, knowing the level of competition they're playing in.

2 hours of indiscriminate highlights or lowlights are still just 2 hours of.highlights and lowlights...Michael Jordan missed half of his shots in career...

[Ariel]

How about watching them live for a.whole season in game situation, knowing the level of competition they're playing in.

2 hours of indiscriminate highlights or lowlights are still just 2 hours of.highlights and lowlights...Michael Jordan missed half of his shots in career...
Well, most of us can't do that for every prospect, so I guess this is as good as it gets. Doesn't replace watching actual full games, but at least gives you a better idea than a 5' clip of made catch and shoot 3s, dunks and blocks, which is what most vids out there are.

[taps]

Could I get the tl;dr version of these 2 hr long videos? Thanks.

:lol

[Russo21]

Does anyone here have jobs? Familes? Who has time for that shit?

[spurraider21]

As the spurstalk March madness bracket champion of 2024 i am the forum authority on all things draft related until next year

[ismael-robert]

Does anyone here have jobs? Familes? Who has time for that shit?

My argument all along...curious if these people trying to get journalist jobs, if not move on

[MultiTroll]

I've done about 5 minutes of Topic.

Not impressed as far as spending a lottery pick.

Does he get measurably better?

[baseline bum]

As the spurstalk March madness bracket champion of 2024 i am the forum authority on all things draft related until next year

What do you think of Topic based on the NCAA tournament?

[Dex]

I'll probably just wait until the night of the draft, be like "the Spurs drafted who?", and then come on here to bitch about it.

[itzsoweezee]

Can we just get a list of the people who cheered the Primo and Samanic picks so I can know who to ignore?

[rascal]

Can we just get a list of the people who cheered the Primo and Samanic picks so I can know who to ignore?

Very few liked the pick at first but the Homers soon got on board with the pick.

Go back into the Primo thread in the first few pages to see who they are.

[KobesAchilles]

We are drafting Topic. I don’t think we should but that’s who we are drafting. I hope we get a legit shooting coach next year bc that dude can’t shoot.

Btw money where my mouth prediction is that we only get one pick this year. We get the 5th pick. Its Topic. And we make no other quality signings of vets on this team and roll out with the same 7 guys on our roster plus Topic. It’s gonna be brutal

[itzsoweezee]

Very few liked the pick at first but the Homers soon got on board with the pick.

Go back into the Primo thread in the first few pages to see who they are.

Oh man, that thread (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302519&page=53) is comedy (the search function on this site sucks btw)

[Splits]

I made a thread minutes ago with hour long videos encouraging people to watch them to have an informed opinion.

you typed a response to the thread minutes after it was made.

you clearly have no interest in educating yourself to have a better, more insightful opinion. If that opinion was still a negative one after investing your time watching the videos, fine. At least it would be an opinion where real basketball discussion can happen instead of shallow, edgelord statements that contribute nothing. But if you’re only interested in posting one sentence garbage, good for you I guess?

yes, I really need to watch a fucking hour of Ja'kobe Walter against Mississippi Valley State and Cornell highlights to understand he's a bust when I watched every game Baylor played this season (hint: I'm an alum). the kid is a piece of shit player and any team that drafts him is stupid. he is a bust. get back to me in 3 years when he's playing in China

[Splits]

Ja'Kobe's career:

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/01/21/USAT/b9a31b27-3529-4f12-be23-2e79c1e9f5d6-AP_YE_Sports_Deaths.jpg?crop=3108,2072,x0,y0

[sfernald]

Ja’Kobe it is then!

[Ariel]

The channel that published those videos uploaded a lot more, basically on all major prospects: https://www.youtube.com/@hardwoodhoopscentral/videos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8mn7jDL4nY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbel2wl3YgU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypg2nqoVMZQ

Lots of interesting stuff. The more I watch, the flatter it looks, but I'd still like Dillingham the most out of this bunch. Have to say Topic's passing looked better than I thought so I'm higher on him than I was, and Risacher's all around game isn't impressive enough if his shot isn't going down, but I'd still consider him a bit later. All in all, if the Spurs find themselves with a top pick, the best scenario is likely to trade down and pick up extra assets (future picks / swaps, players, dump Collins, etc).

[Ariel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvMGT9RyR5s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vatiyjG1LSg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxtgWJwLWR0

[Ariel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9B1bw2L9YU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfo2suDZJjc


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0fsaap83TA

[Ariel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Hbf_e2oU8

[Mr. Body]

Can we just get a list of the people who cheered the Primo and Samanic picks so I can know who to ignore?

These takes are always so stupid.

Samanic was a pretty good pick. If he had anything but his shit attitude, he could have become at least a decent player.

Primo pick should have been Sengun. Regardless, you're making a mental error -- a very obvious, kind of kindergarten-level one -- of not realizing his development was torpedoed by his behavior. Like Samanic there's no way of knowing what actual progress would have been.

You're welcome.

[Mr. Body]

Risacher -- always seemed overvalued to me, only projecting as a good 3 & D player. That's not what I want to spend a top pick on. He has good speed and seems to hustle, but doesn't look like the 6'10" he's listed and is kind of a mess everywhere on offense. Now that his shooting has returned to normal? I'd look at him late lottery, but not top of the draft.

Topic -- hard to project at all. His league is so slow and unimpressive. He spams getting to the rim, which is great. He makes good reads. But isn't this what Tre Jones can do? Are we using a top draft pick to not really upgrade the spot? Jones plays better defense, his shot is coming around, he does the same exact things otherwise, and he costs nothing. You'd have to believe Topic can really control games in the future with more than straight line drives and can be effective off-ball. Not sure he can. I still think he'll draw a lot of attention from the FO though.

[The Truth #6]

I say draft SFs and figure out PG after that.

[The Truth #6]

Team was 11-16 post ASG. Despite end of season statistical noise, still solid improvement. 30-33 wins next season is in the range of possibilities. If they do get a PG, who has the highest upside, Castle, Collier? Hard to say.

[spurraider21]

i believe enough in sheppard's defense to think he can be a net positive on that end. and i think he can do enough on offense to be a lead guard, especially since wemby has gotten more and more comfortable handling the ball and having the offense flow through him (assist numbers at the end of the season)

but the offensive skill gap between him and dillingham is VERY noticeable. even w/ the 3 point shooting. dillingham gets his shots off more easily, different angles, off movement, and generally with more volume, while still shooting a very high %

[Dejounte]

Thanks Ariel. Was planning to post these when the site finally settled down.

[RC_Drunkford]

I challenge everyone to find time to watch these. Being able to see both highlights and lowlights will bring enhanced insights.


https://youtu.be/ykYnZKPh-f4?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/XTFWV5qLGKw?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/rPxURNxsxzA?feature=shared

so what does your draft board look like? I don't really have the time to watch all of this film, just curious who you'd like us to pick. The playing field seems very even with every player having some kind of major flaw.

[Knoxxx]

Worst the Spurs can draft is 9th though I think the odds are pretty low of that. When you look 1-5 or 6-10 the tiers don’t arguably change much due to a broad lack of consensus in the rankings.

Risacher I thought was 6-8 and recently saw an article hyping him as the possible #1 overall pick and that he was 6-10 did he grow a bit? If I can find the article again will post the link.

[objective]

Fwiw, the host of Locked on UConn was a guest on Locked on Blazers and claimed Castle's upside potential is SGA. I don't typically trust college focused media people to have a firm grasp of the NBA game, but I thought it was interesting. I still haven't any of his tape.

[Uriel]

Asking people to watch hourslong film sessions is the basketball equivalent of asking people to read a book. And I seriously doubt most people in this forum nowadays can be bothered to do that.

[Dejounte]

Asking people to watch hourslong film sessions is the basketball equivalent of asking people to read a book. And I seriously doubt most people in this forum nowadays can be bothered to do that.

Finding a couple good apples among many bad ones makes it all worth it, IMO

[JPB]

Worst the Spurs can draft is 9th though I think the odds are pretty low of that. When you look 1-5 or 6-10 the tiers don’t arguably change much due to a broad lack of consensus in the rankings.

Risacher I thought was 6-8 and recently saw an article hyping him as the possible #1 overall pick and that he was 6-10 did he grow a bit? If I can find the article again will post the link.

He's 2.07m (6'8) without shoes. That's 6'9-6'10 in NBA size (and what he should be listed at in the combine).

"Interesting" ITV he gave to ESPN after he officially declared for the draft. He's remaining my guy.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39995286/projected-no-1-pick-zaccharie-risacher-enter-nba-draft

Projected No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to enter NBA draft

Jonathan Givony, ESPN
Apr 22, 2024, 09:29 AM ET

Zaccharie Risacher, the projected No. 1 pick, has submitted paperwork to the league office making him eligible for the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Monday.

"It's always been my dream to get to the best league in the world," Risacher told ESPN. "I've been putting the work in for this since I was a kid. JL Bourg has given me an incredible opportunity to showcase what I can do. It's been the perfect place to start my young career. I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to play for this organization."

Risacher, 19, is in the midst of a productive season in France, as his JL Bourg team is in third place in Pro A and reached the EuroCup Finals. He is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23 minutes per game, shooting 39% for 3.

"I'm proud of being part of this journey with my teammates and what we accomplished in the EuroCup. We definitely want to do something special the rest of the season. It's been a long season and long process with a lot of ups and downs."

Since August, Risacher has played in over 60 games across several competitions, more than any other player in this draft class, with possibly two more months still in store as the French playoffs kick off in mid-May.

"I'm feeling good physically," Risacher said. "I always make sure my body feels right for playing games at the highest level. There were some moments in the season where I felt a little more tired due to the number of games, which sometimes include two or three per week, with difficult travel. And that doesn't include the additional development work I'm doing at the same time. That is complicated for a young body. But that's never been an excuse. It's just a long season."

The son of former Olympian and EuroLeague player Stephane Risacher, Zaccharie was identified as possibly the top international prospect in his age group from an early stage. He represented France at the FIBA level at the under-16, U17 and U19 levels and made his senior national team debut this past February at the age of 18.

Risacher has taken his game to another level this season playing against some of the highest level competition in international basketball. At 6-foot-10, he shows deep range and dynamic shot-making prowess running off screens and pulling up off the dribble from beyond the arc. He is often tasked with defending the other team's best player, alternating between point guards and power forwards in his team's switching schemes. He plays a mistake-free, intelligent style with outstanding instincts on both ends of the floor, making him an easy player to fit into virtually any NBA team's roster with his versatility, but still has significant potential to grow into with his developing frame and youthful demeanor.

"There are a lot of things I can bring an NBA team," Risacher said. "First of all -- my No. 1 strength is my shooting. Then my defensive ability after that. And lastly, my ability to do what's asked of me, using my versatility -- I can rebound, handle the ball if needed, finish above the rim, pass the ball. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it and do it well."

Risacher, who says he grew up idolizing Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, said he's not as concerned about what pick he's drafted with as much as finding the right fit for his NBA career.

"My goal at the beginning of the season was to get drafted as high as possible, like any competitor. But I won't be angry or disappointed if I'm not No. 1 or No. 2. I want to be the best, but I also want to achieve my dreams. I know the NBA draft is not the end, it's just the beginning. That's why I pay less attention to being the highest pick. "

The NBA draft will be held in New York on June 26 and 27. The first round will be conducted at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, followed by the second round the next day at ESPN's studio in lower Manhattan.

[Pauleta14]

Salaun amazing athleticism/NBA body and 3pts shooting are growing in me tbh

Like Cody Williams, he's far from ready but both have massive upside (with Castle as well) to me

[Dejounte]

so what does your draft board look like? I don't really have the time to watch all of this film, just curious who you'd like us to pick. The playing field seems very even with every player having some kind of major flaw.

Every successful team has three high volume (capable) scorers.

We already have two who we know will be having a lot of shot attempts next year in Wemby and Vassell.

We’ve been saying all year that we want Vassell to take more of a backseat on ball handling opportunities while making sure the ball still gets to him to take advantage of his shooting prowess.

Both of those points mean our biggest need is a player with:
1) Natural ball handling skills
2) Decent potential on offense (this doesn’t mean strictly shooting)
3) Some passing ability

Players who meet this criteria, IMO:
-Reed Sheppard
-Dillingham
-Castle
-Buzelis
-Collier

Players who do not:
-Sarr - There is no consistent shooting mechanic to be found. Every jumpshot of his is wildly different. He won’t be spacing the floor for Wemby and will only get in his way.
-Risacher - His offensive ability inside the 3-pt line is no better than Sochan's. His touch around the rim is awkward and he throws up circus shots that have no chance of going in. This is like when people thought Jabari Smith would become a Kevin Durant-lite based on his height and shooting ability alone and forgot that offense is more than those two. Like Jabari, Risacher has poor speed with the ball and doesn’t get by anyone. This hampers his offense significantly.
-Cody Williams - There are 10 college basketball players on the floor and usually you can tell which 1 or 2 are going to be draft prospects. Cody looks like just another college basketball player on the floor.
-Salaun - Oh man. After watching this guy’s film, he has no basketball feel at all. Honestly looks like a player who would spend ten years in the g-league.

There are others I haven’t watched enough of but that’s my takeaway so far.

[MultiTroll]

Asking people to watch hourslong film sessions is the basketball equivalent of asking people to read a book. And I seriously doubt most people in this forum nowadays can be bothered to do that.
He's making the good point that if one does not want to do the hours (or even minutes) of sessions then don't have an uninformed take on a potential.

[JPB]

If you can't shoot as a guard/wing, you're useless in today's NBA, specially as an undersized player. Colleges defenses are not NBA or ABA league defenses...

Long, versatile players (both on offense and defense) who can shoot (or can learn to) is what every team is first looking for, reason why Miller went above Scoot. Spurs don't have that player and they are are hard to get, specially by trade.

Risacher is the closest player to that in that possibly meh draft (time will tell). there's never any guarantees but his first great part of the season should be seen as his potential, and that's what drafts are all about... If spurs can build on that, he's the best possible pick if you ask me. I do'nt see any other guy whose potential is worth passing on Risacher's potential which a the minimum gives you length and defense.

[JPB]

He's making the good point that if one does not want to do the hours (or even minutes) of sessions then don't have an uninformed take on a potential.

Sorry but it's not those 2 hour, edited vids, out of context, level of competition and opponents who will really give an informed opinion about a prospect. That would be too simple, and scouts would be all fired... Only a full season, watching live full games, several directly at the arenas, aware of the quality of the competition and opponents, what the player is asked to do by his coach, his place on the team's hierarchy (specailly in pro teams with high paid, older vets...) will somehow give an opinion that might ultimately not even be on point regarding his fit in the NBA.

[MultiTroll]

Sorry but it's not those 2 hour, edited vids, out of context, level of competition and opponents who will really give an informed opinion about a prospect. That would be too simple, and scouts would be all fired... Only a full season, watching live full games, several directly at the arenas will somehow give an opinion that might ultimately not even be on point regarding his fit in the NBA.
Ok i guess none of us can give an opinion then.:lol

This vids are not all inclusive but certainly are helpful.

[Dejounte]

Sorry but it's not those 2 hour, edited vids, out of context, level of competition and opponents who will really give an informed opinion about a prospect. That would be too simple, and scouts would be all fired... Only a full season, watching live full games, several directly at the arenas will somehow give an opinion that might ultimately not even be on point regarding his fit in the NBA.

Just say that it’s more effort than you’re willing to put in and prefer to keep yapping about players who are frequently hyped up in articles written by scouts who are way off year in and year out. It’s stupid to criticize people who try to educate themselves about players so they could have their own personalized view instead of the echo chamber you’d find with other people who all they go by is what other folks say. I don’t know why you’re putting down people who want to invest time in this. Just say you’re lazy and that’s it.

[JPB]

Ok i guess none of us can give an opinion then.:lol



We can, and that's the game every year, plus those vids have the merit of making you more familar with those prospects, but yeah let's be honest, we are all just pretending here, and are basically routing for players we like more than anything but didn't know or never thoroughly watched 3 months ago for most of them...

Checking draft threads from previous years, and how their prospects are perceived retrospectively can be quite funny :lol There's always a natural tendency to overrrate these kids, even this year, the more the draft approaches. And don't get me wrong, that's the same for pundits and media.

[Limguogolo]

Every successful team has three high volume (capable) scorers.

We already have two who we know will be having a lot of shot attempts next year in Wemby and Vassell.

We’ve been saying all year that we want Vassell to take more of a backseat on ball handling opportunities while making sure the ball still gets to him to take advantage of his shooting prowess.

Both of those points mean our biggest need is a player with:
1) Natural ball handling skills
2) Decent potential on offense (this doesn’t mean strictly shooting)
3) Some passing ability

Players who meet this criteria, IMO:
-Reed Sheppard
-Dillingham
-Castle
-Buzelis
-Collier

Players who do not:
-Sarr - There is no consistent shooting mechanic to be found. Every jumpshot of his is wildly different. He won’t be spacing the floor for Wemby and will only get in his way.
-Risacher - His offensive ability inside the 3-pt line is no better than Sochan's. His touch around the rim is awkward and he throws up circus shots that have no chance of going in. This is like when people thought Jabari Smith would become a Kevin Durant-lite based on his height and shooting ability alone and forgot that offense is more than those two. Like Jabari, Risacher has poor speed with the ball and doesn’t get by anyone. This hampers his offense significantly.
-Cody Williams - There are 10 college basketball players on the floor and usually you can tell which 1 or 2 are going to be draft prospects. Cody looks like just another college basketball player on the floor.
-Salaun - Oh man. After watching this guy’s film, he has no basketball feel at all. Honestly looks like a player who would spend ten years in the g-league.

There are others I haven’t watched enough of but that’s my takeaway so far.
Lots of words for a z-league scout watching hightlights.

[Knoxxx]

Well Dejounte’s top 5 seems like will have a couple players that will drop into the 6-9 range so we should be sitting pretty. If we had the 1 or 2 and the 7, we could probably get one of those while also rolling the dice on a more developmental “project” such as a Sarr that if it paid off would potentially create the best twin towers since Olajuwon/Sampson or Duncan/Robinson. Sarr at 7-1 can defend the rim and perimeter but is raw on offense.

Otherwise with two picks I’d be thinking one of KY guards and then Castle/Buzelis/Risacher.

If we picked all the way back to 9, the Knecht option remains as a player many regard as a “can’t miss” sharpshooter prospect, which if true taking him at 9 when he projects more like 13 would not be terrible reach by any stretch IMO.

[Ariel]

Ok i guess none of us can give an opinion then.:lol

This vids are not all inclusive but certainly are helpful.
This. No one here is trying to get hired in place of Spurs' scouting, we're a bunch of Spurs fans from all over trying to get a better reading on the possible picks. If we set the bar to NBA scout level then might as well not have anyone say anything since none of us has the time to watch in full and live every game of every prospect. Why on Earth would anyone take offense with an opinion on a message board is beyond me, just don't click on the thread if you can't handle the feedback.

[SpursBills]

I wanted to talk through the rationale for Stephon Castle - I previously thought that as long as his shot pans out, he's the prospect in the draft based on his two way ability. But recently I'm not so sure that I'd take him that high even if he becomes a league average or slightly above average shooter.

Most of Castle's upside tail lies in his ability to play lead guard. The ability to dominate other guards with size and create a mismatch while being able to guard other lead guards is a powerful combination. But for Castle, what is his avenue to generating easy offense? You can see an avenue for creating easy buckets with most of the other lead guard prospects if they develop correctly:

Dillingham - no explanation needed
Sheppard/McCain - utilize their shooting gravity to give them driving lanes, use their touch to develop their floater and runner game once in the lane
Topic/Collier - rim pressure

What exactly is Castle's path? In HS at Newton, he played as a lead guard and basically controlled the pace and played a very deliberate style. His playstyle is almost reminiscent of Cade Cunningham, and I absolutely see the Jimmy Butler comps stylistically. But a smaller Jimmy Butler who isn't a foul merchant is just a hard way to live in terms of generating consistent offense (seriously, look up Butler's FTR in college, it was bonkers). With regards to Cade, I don't watch pistons games that often but from the few that I caught seemed to me that their offense actually ran better with Cade out and Ivey running the point, as a lot more guys got involved and it wasn't just one guy trying to survey the defense and make plays. I think it's unlikely that Castle is as good offensively as Cade (defense obviously much better), so that's pretty concerning if you're projecting him as a lead guard.

Maybe you draft him as a utility wing who can do a little bit of everything like his current role at UConn, but I worry that he's going to be undersized at 6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan and would prefer a little bit more size. He's got ideal size for the 2 guard, but then what do you do Vassell? Either way if you play him as a wing, is that really worth a high lottery pick for someone who has a very questionable shot AND has suboptimal size? Regardless, Castle's just one of those guys whose game I love, I just don't know if he fits the Spurs as a high lottery pick.

[itzsoweezee]

These takes are always so stupid.

Samanic was a pretty good pick. If he had anything but his shit attitude, he could have become at least a decent player.

Primo pick should have been Sengun. Regardless, you're making a mental error -- a very obvious, kind of kindergarten-level one -- of not realizing his development was torpedoed by his behavior. Like Samanic there's no way of knowing what actual progress would have been.

You're welcome.

lol. Thanks, you’re on the list

[Ariel]

Salaun - Oh man. After watching this guy’s film, he has no basketball feel at all. Honestly looks like a player who would spend ten years in the g-league.
Of what I've watched, Salaun is by far who impressed me the least. We all know there are not many accomplished or sure fire players in this draft, so I've been kind of settling for glimpses of upside here and there, at least some path towards success. But honestly, watching Salaun's video he looks stiff and even clumsy, his handle is very loose, seems like a willing passer but his delivery is often bad, and overall doesn't look like the coordinated and fluid athlete who could make you overlook some things hoping he could put it together later on. He's big, athletic, has a high motor and his shot is okayish, and maybe he could eventually turn all of that into a solid 3&D stretch 4, but it's tough to project a higher ceiling than that going by the available film. Really not someone I'd feel confident taking with a top 10 pick.

[itzsoweezee]

https://youtu.be/9yyMAq51EfE?feature=shared

This guy is a projected lottery pick? wtf. I heard there were Josh Giddy comparisons, but this guy is nowhere close to what giddy was.

[Dejounte]

Here’s another nice channel that breaks the type of plays by prospect into separate videos:


https://youtu.be/8FUn68P2t94?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/jX0I1gOUC_M?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/noYGkBFmDBs?feature=shared

[alfahdlan]

This is the PG that we're looking for.

[spurraider21]

I’ve watched 187 hours of tape and have come away assured that Risacher is #1

[heyheymymy]

I wanted to talk through the rationale for Stephon Castle - I previously thought that as long as his shot pans out, he's the prospect in the draft based on his two way ability. But recently I'm not so sure that I'd take him that high even if he becomes a league average or slightly above average shooter.

Most of Castle's upside tail lies in his ability to play lead guard. The ability to dominate other guards with size and create a mismatch while being able to guard other lead guards is a powerful combination. But for Castle, what is his avenue to generating easy offense? You can see an avenue for creating easy buckets with most of the other lead guard prospects if they develop correctly:

Dillingham - no explanation needed
Sheppard/McCain - utilize their shooting gravity to give them driving lanes, use their touch to develop their floater and runner game once in the lane
Topic/Collier - rim pressure

What exactly is Castle's path? In HS at Newton, he played as a lead guard and basically controlled the pace and played a very deliberate style. His playstyle is almost reminiscent of Cade Cunningham, and I absolutely see the Jimmy Butler comps stylistically. But a smaller Jimmy Butler who isn't a foul merchant is just a hard way to live in terms of generating consistent offense (seriously, look up Butler's FTR in college, it was bonkers). With regards to Cade, I don't watch pistons games that often but from the few that I caught seemed to me that their offense actually ran better with Cade out and Ivey running the point, as a lot more guys got involved and it wasn't just one guy trying to survey the defense and make plays. I think it's unlikely that Castle is as good offensively as Cade (defense obviously much better), so that's pretty concerning if you're projecting him as a lead guard.

Maybe you draft him as a utility wing who can do a little bit of everything like his current role at UConn, but I worry that he's going to be undersized at 6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan and would prefer a little bit more size. He's got ideal size for the 2 guard, but then what do you do Vassell? Either way if you play him as a wing, is that really worth a high lottery pick for someone who has a very questionable shot AND has suboptimal size? Regardless, Castle's just one of those guys whose game I love, I just don't know if he fits the Spurs as a high lottery pick.

Been enjoying your write-ups, thanks for your time and interesting thoughts. Probably the reality check I needed to hear on Castle who I am high on. What a roller coaster, think I'm all the way back to Dillingham now lol

[heyheymymy]

edit: not sure why it double posted sorry

[Mr. Body]

I wanted to talk through the rationale for Stephon Castle - I previously thought that as long as his shot pans out, he's the prospect in the draft based on his two way ability. But recently I'm not so sure that I'd take him that high even if he becomes a league average or slightly above average shooter.

Most of Castle's upside tail lies in his ability to play lead guard. The ability to dominate other guards with size and create a mismatch while being able to guard other lead guards is a powerful combination. But for Castle, what is his avenue to generating easy offense? You can see an avenue for creating easy buckets with most of the other lead guard prospects if they develop correctly:

Dillingham - no explanation needed
Sheppard/McCain - utilize their shooting gravity to give them driving lanes, use their touch to develop their floater and runner game once in the lane
Topic/Collier - rim pressure

What exactly is Castle's path? In HS at Newton, he played as a lead guard and basically controlled the pace and played a very deliberate style. His playstyle is almost reminiscent of Cade Cunningham, and I absolutely see the Jimmy Butler comps stylistically. But a smaller Jimmy Butler who isn't a foul merchant is just a hard way to live in terms of generating consistent offense (seriously, look up Butler's FTR in college, it was bonkers). With regards to Cade, I don't watch pistons games that often but from the few that I caught seemed to me that their offense actually ran better with Cade out and Ivey running the point, as a lot more guys got involved and it wasn't just one guy trying to survey the defense and make plays. I think it's unlikely that Castle is as good offensively as Cade (defense obviously much better), so that's pretty concerning if you're projecting him as a lead guard.

Maybe you draft him as a utility wing who can do a little bit of everything like his current role at UConn, but I worry that he's going to be undersized at 6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan and would prefer a little bit more size. He's got ideal size for the 2 guard, but then what do you do Vassell? Either way if you play him as a wing, is that really worth a high lottery pick for someone who has a very questionable shot AND has suboptimal size? Regardless, Castle's just one of those guys whose game I love, I just don't know if he fits the Spurs as a high lottery pick.

Adding two things -- he is so deliberate getting to the rim, it's not really effortless due to a lack of quickness. He utilizes spins and strength. Also, his lack of stocks bothers some, although his defensive style is more walking up and denying clear looks. His stocks are pretty close to Kawhi got in his sophomore year.

The appeal to Castle to me is almost purely his defensive upside plus ability to fit in quickly and be something of an initiator. You're right, though, to tag his long-term outlook as questionable for a team that already has non-shooters they're trying to work on.

[heyheymymy]

Would be crazy if Spurs landed #3 and Risacher goes first. Only have to see one reach or fit pick and Sarr falls to SA. Never going to happen but

Was looking at teams Sarr would fit best on and SA surprisingly rises to the top. Bad fits with DET CHA POR imho. Push Wemby to the 4 when they play alongside but both get shifts at 5 and one is on the court at all times with both in crunch time. Wemby has the range to alleviate spacing issues you'd get with Duran, Mark Williams, and Ayton elsewhere.

Not my preference and I haven't really scouted Sarr since he's so top 2 and I didn't think we'd get there this draft. I like what someone else said, kinda want to save Spurs #1s for generational bigs picks plus it would be absurd to see lighting strike twice Spurs pick #1 again to the point where it would obvs be bad for the league lol and never happen. But if he falls with say WAS preferring Dillingham instead, SA could get a dream tumble and barring front office analytics on a potential Sarr/Wemby fit I could see that being an exciting acquisition. Someone comped Sarr as a JJJ type and that resonated with me a bit. Also like the fact he's French and the Admiral/TD nostalgia so warming up to the idea a bit.

[SpursBills]

Adding two things -- he is so deliberate getting to the rim, it's not really effortless due to a lack of quickness. He utilizes spins and strength. Also, his lack of stocks bothers some, although his defensive style is more walking up and denying clear looks. His stocks are pretty close to Kawhi got in his sophomore year.

The appeal to Castle to me is almost purely his defensive upside plus ability to fit in quickly and be something of an initiator. You're right, though, to tag his long-term outlook as questionable for a team that already has non-shooters they're trying to work on.

I think he’d probably be my pick with the raptors pick if it conveyed. The correct strategy may be to play him as a wing initially and see if he develops, while simultaneously evaluating your lead guard and Vassell. It’s unlikely that all 3 blow up, and even if he doesn’t you probably have a Jaime Jaquez-like utility wing which is always valuable in the postseason. Positional versatility and a diverse skillset means he’s got multiple outs to be a useful player even if he doesn’t hit his upside tail, and also that he’s probably got a long runway to develop to maximize his odds of hitting his upside.

[PhantomDashCam]

https://youtu.be/XAb4nOQgLxU?si=hQZVrOrayhsQCE29

[Dejounte]

https://youtu.be/XAb4nOQgLxU?si=hQZVrOrayhsQCE29

I watched this. He reminds me a LOT of Brandon Boston from the 2021 draft. I think he’s got that Vassell-itis where he settles for the difficult pull up jumper a little too often. He definitely looks jumbo sized, bigger than his listed 6’5” height.

[PhantomDashCam]

I watched this. He reminds me a LOT of Brandon Boston from the 2021 draft. I think he’s got that Vassell-itis where he settles for the difficult pull up jumper a little too often. He definitely looks jumbo sized, bigger than his listed 6’5” height.

I'm not sure of the Brandon Boston comparison (I think he's a better playmaker than Boston, and perceptually prefer his feel for the game too over Boston) but agree with the case of Vassell-itis.

My main concern would be on the C&S numbers which I think I read somewhere were 24% on 3s.
Is he one of these guys who is a better shooter on self created attempts and contests rather than on wide open looks?
I'm not sure but I am looking forward to seeing his pre-draft processes and measurements.

[rascal]

We are drafting Topic. I don’t think we should but that’s who we are drafting. I hope we get a legit shooting coach next year bc that dude can’t shoot.

Btw money where my mouth prediction is that we only get one pick this year. We get the 5th pick. Its Topic. And we make no other quality signings of vets on this team and roll out with the same 7 guys on our roster plus Topic. It’s gonna be brutal

Correct about everything except the Spurs get the 6th pick.

[buttsR4rebounding]

We are drafting Topic. I don’t think we should but that’s who we are drafting. I hope we get a legit shooting coach next year bc that dude can’t shoot.

Btw money where my mouth prediction is that we only get one pick this year. We get the 5th pick. Its Topic. And we make no other quality signings of vets on this team and roll out with the same 7 guys on our roster plus Topic. It’s gonna be brutal


Correct about everything except the Spurs get the 6th pick.

You can always count on Rascal to be more pessimistic than the next guy. :depressed Must be real popular at parties...

[Fireball]

I want Topic

[objective]

There's a new 3 hour video on Nunez if you want to see his awful misses like I do.

[CorrectCrusader]

I watched this. He reminds me a LOT of Brandon Boston from the 2021 draft. I think he’s got that Vassell-itis where he settles for the difficult pull up jumper a little too often. He definitely looks jumbo sized, bigger than his listed 6’5” height.

Vassell-itis is golden