Official 2022 NBA Draft thread

[MultiTroll]

Anybody watching the first half still think that Holmgren is a lock for the #1 pick? He's going to need a big second half AND for Zaga to win this game so he gets another chance.

Gonzagas guards and the G/SF that gets plenty of run (and shots) Strawther are all pathetic tournament performers.
Soft as overall, additionally had numersou ops to convert passes into assisted made buckets when kicked out to.
8/30 overall, 4/15 on treys, along with a bunch of pussified turnovers and weak D at the other end.
Scouts who follow Gonzaga on the regular with have no problem what a relatively weak assed effort he and Timme had in front of them. Chet and Timme both had a hardworking good game vs Arkansas. Also with Few, who imo has reached full on Marty Shotenheimer status. Unlike Marty whom i thing really had a fire to win (other issues derailed) Few is entirely happy to be the big fish on the smaller pond (Pacific Northwest) and in his postgame interview all but said so. Fire burniong to win the Nat Champ? Not with Few. He's entirely happy to reach the Elite 8. And it shows in the soft ass starters he either fails to motivate or fails to put a willing bench guy in their place.

[Mr. Body]

This is Gonzaga every year. They get overrated and overseeded from playing in a horrible conference. St. Mary's was supposedly solid this year, but they only looked good against a completely gassed Indiana team. For the Zags, it's hard to get honed against soft, bad league compe ion.

[mystargtr34]

If the Spurs fall to 9 or 10 in the draft I think they are better off just drafting for need and picking Sochan or Eason and filling that need at the 4 spot even if its a slight reach. Then they can take some swings with the other two 1sts.

Although if Keegan Murray is still on the board at pick 6 or 7 which is not highly unlikely then the Spurs may wish to trade up. Indiana and Sacramento are projected to pick at 5-6 and I think they could both definitely pick Murray to fill a need at the 4, I could also see them taking Griffin or Sharpe in those spots. In that case Portland would likely take Murray at 7.

I also think OKC can shake up the draft a bit. They are projected to pick 3rd of 4th based on current record. If Chet and Jabari are gone at 1-2, I can't see OKC picking Ivey or Banchero due to them already having Giddy and SGA handling the ball. I don't think Banchero is a good fit next to those guys. I could see OKC reaching and taking Sharpe or even Duren. Duren would be dangerous as a alley oop threat next to Giddey and could be their anchor on D. They could also take Murray there.

So many scenarios that could play so its just all what-if scenarios at this point.

[BackHome]

Was wondering how Houston is on top of Arizona right now started to look at there players bios and damn almost all the starters are 23 years old.

[MultiTroll]

This is Gonzaga every year. They get overrated and overseeded from playing in a horrible conference. St. Mary's was supposedly solid this year, but they only looked good against a completely gassed Indiana team. For the Zags, it's hard to get honed against soft, bad league compe ion.

2021 they made it to Finals and lost to Baylor. That was a good year all in all.
2020 Covid so we'll never know, but seemed to have a solid Championship Chance roster.

2022 just took 5 steps backwards. This is the 2nd year in a row Few got the #1 overall prospect, or certainly top 5 prosepct with Jalen Suggs. In particular i find Fews guards consistently do not hit the wide open kickouts nor play strong D.

We'll see but i think Few lost some top tier prospects with this flub. Of course NIL is gonna become near King if not already King.

[ZeusWillJudge]

The Spurs are pretty savvy about other teams wants and needs, and they thought someone pretty close behind them wanted Primo. They have shown a propensity to wheel and deal and multiply assets, and if they thought he was going to drop 10 spots, they WOULD have traded back.

Meh. You could be right. And with it being Rafael Stone's first year, he's probably more likely than most to play it safe. All the basketball analysis in the world isn't worth much if you don't account for human nature.

Besides, it's looking like Few made some good adjustments at the half. Holmgren may get enough out of this half to settle the argument.

I was distracted, typing and watching the game. But no excuses, that was dumb of me limiting it to just Houston. The three worst records have the exact same chance of landing the #1 pick, and the 4th worst record has just a percent and a half less chance.

I think Houston and Detroit would probably take Holmgren as the "safe" pick for their GM's. I think Orlando might not, and I don't think Presti will take him if they get the first pick. OKC already has one 7-foot toothpick unicorn.

The Pacers might, since they just traded Sabonis. The Kings probably wouldn't, since they just got Sabonis.

So I'm still seeing him as about a coin toss for the most likely teams to land that #1 pick.

[John B]

The Spurs are pretty savvy about other teams wants and needs, and they thought someone pretty close behind them wanted Primo. They have shown a propensity to wheel and deal and multiply assets, and if they thought he was going to drop 10 spots, they WOULD have traded back.

I’d play poker against Wright anytime . Primo’s agent told them that other teams were also interested (what else would he say?), and that his client would be gone by the 41st pick. Spurs jumped the gun and used their lottery pick, where I think Spurs could’ve traded down and still got him and plus. I’m not regretting the pick, in hindsight. They wanted to swing big for a home run, they did. That much I respect. But that was faaarr from being savvy. That was plain playing safe, just get the guy before somebody else did. Someone savvy would’ve converted that lottery pick into Primo and more.

It’s also worth noting that this management (Wright) has been relying heavily on the results of the Combine lately. Primo did well showcasing his point guard skills, instead of catch-and-shoot scouts were familiar with playing limited minutes behind heavy Alabama vets. The Combine worked perfectly for Primo, as it did for Weiskamp and Luka. The latter slipped Spurs’ known meticulous scrutiny, turning out to be a bad fit. I guess what I’m saying is, we can expect the same at this years’ Draft. I suspect whoever sticks out in the Combine, the Spurs would be interested, regardless of the general consensus. So yeah, it’s nice to speculate, but I’d wait for the Combine and that could mean some player who ST might not know

[buttsR4rebounding]

I’d play poker against Wright anytime . Primo’s agent told them that other teams were also interested (what else would he say?), and that his client would be gone by the 41st pick. Spurs jumped the gun and used their lottery pick, where I think Spurs could’ve traded down and still got him and plus. I’m not regretting the pick, in hindsight. They wanted to swing big for a home run, they did. That much I respect. But that was faaarr from being savvy. That was plain playing safe, just get the guy before somebody else did. Someone savvy would’ve converted that lottery pick into Primo and more.

It’s also worth noting that this management (Wright) has been relying heavily on the results of the Combine lately. Primo did well showcasing his point guard skills, instead of catch-and-shoot scouts were familiar with playing limited minutes behind heavy Alabama vets. The Combine worked perfectly for Primo, as it did for Weiskamp and Luka. The latter slipped Spurs’ known meticulous scrutiny, turning out to be a bad fit. I guess what I’m saying is, we can expect the same at this years’ Draft. I suspect whoever sticks out in the Combine, the Spurs would be interested, regardless of the general consensus. So yeah, it’s nice to speculate, but I’d wait for the Combine and that could mean some player who ST might not know

That’s a good strategy picking out of the lottery, but so much of the top talent skips the combine that it’s really dumb picking top 10.

[John B]

That’s a good strategy picking out of the lottery, but so much of the top talent skips the combine that it’s really dumb picking top 10.

I’m not saying that’s how I would pick, but what Wright would probably do, heaven forbid

[Mr. Body]

I’d play poker against Wright anytime . Primo’s agent told them that other teams were also interested (what else would he say?), and that his client would be gone by the 41st pick. Spurs jumped the gun and used their lottery pick, where I think Spurs could’ve traded down and still got him and plus. I’m not regretting the pick, in hindsight. They wanted to swing big for a home run, they did. That much I respect. But that was faaarr from being savvy. That was plain playing safe, just get the guy before somebody else did. Someone savvy would’ve converted that lottery pick into Primo and more.

I don't know how many times people have to tell you this isn't true.

[exstatic]

I don't know how many times people have to tell you this isn't true.

Same amount of times people have to tell you that the Spurs won’t trade a top four pick for salary reasons…

[BatManu20]

Fun time at the AT&T Center last night, especially for the AZ-HOU game. Crowd was mostly pro-Houston as expected. Mathurin had a rough game, going 4-14 from the field. Pretty much everyone on AZ struggled offensively. Houston played great Defense though and deserve a ton of credit. They’re dawgs out there defensively and on the glass. AZ is huge, didn’t realize how big they are. Multiple 7-footers & 6’11 guys on that roster. And HOU still dogged them on the glass. I dig it. Other than all the drunken idiots and near-fights, it was a fun night.

[John B]

Fun time at the AT&T Center last night, especially for the AZ-HOU game. Crowd was mostly pro-Houston as expected. Mathurin had a rough game, going 4-14 from the field. Pretty much everyone on AZ struggled offensively. Houston played great Defense though and deserve a ton of credit. They’re dawgs out there defensively and on the glass. AZ is huge, didn’t realize how big they are. Multiple 7-footers & 6’11 guys on that roster. And HOU still dogged them on the glass. I dig it. Other than all the drunken idiots and near-fights, it was a fun night.

How does Mathurin impress you? I’ve read and watched films of him having that “it” factor to become a star, not shying away from big moments. The way he’s in constant motion hitting bigs reminds me of Booker, or it could be Red

[ZeusWillJudge]

Fun time at the AT&T Center last night, especially for the AZ-HOU game. Crowd was mostly pro-Houston as expected. Mathurin had a rough game, going 4-14 from the field. Pretty much everyone on AZ struggled offensively. Houston played great Defense though and deserve a ton of credit. They’re dawgs out there defensively and on the glass. AZ is huge, didn’t realize how big they are. Multiple 7-footers & 6’11 guys on that roster. And HOU still dogged them on the glass. I dig it. Other than all the drunken idiots and near-fights, it was a fun night.

Thanks for that. I didn't get to watch the game, and I was wondering how Houston managed such a convincing win over Arizona. It's especially good coming from someone who was actually at the game.

The next game will be totally different. Out of Nova's guys who get minutes, they have one 6'8", one 6'7", and the rest are shorter than that. You care to make any predictions about whether Houston can beat a 1 and a 2 team back to back?

[MultiTroll]

AZ coaches love affair with his two Europhucks.
Costly.
1-15 combined + the point guard is a sieve on defense.

[buttsR4rebounding]

How does Mathurin impress you? I’ve read and watched films of him having that “it” factor to become a star, not shying away from big moments. The way he’s in constant motion hitting bigs reminds me of Booker, or it could be Red

I was reading a link on Hoopshype that said the Knicks rank Mathurin above Ivey for what it's worth. Of course, the last Knicks draft pick that they re-signed to a 2nd contract was Charlie Ward over 20 years ago. Although it looks like Barret may break that streak. I like Mathurin a lot if he is a true 6'6". If he's closer to 6'4" as some are now saying that just seems like too much redundancy for the Spurs.

[Mr. Body]

Same amount of times people have to tell you that the Spurs won’t trade a top four pick for salary reasons…

We don't know until it happens. My point is that they would consider it. And they absolutely would. It's the mother ing Spurs, dude.

And it's peculiar to try to make this argument when I'm right about Primo. Your grasp of rhetoric and debate is very poor.

[Seventyniner]

I was reading a link on Hoopshype that said the Knicks rank Mathurin above Ivey for what it's worth. Of course, the last Knicks draft pick that they re-signed to a 2nd contract was Charlie Ward over 20 years ago. Although it looks like Barret may break that streak. I like Mathurin a lot if he is a true 6'6". If he's closer to 6'4" as some are now saying that just seems like too much redundancy for the Spurs.

That's ing insane.

[dbestpro]

These big ten players are over rated. Numbers are great against one another but when they get in the tourney they wilt just like the Zags.

[Russ]

Why is Caleb Love not on anyone's mock draft (not even late 2d round)?

[BackHome]

Yeah, I think Tankathon has him number 70 on there Big Board

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

March Madness has been another indicator that this draft appears to be very weak compared to previous drafts, both at the top and the lottery as a whole.

There might be some interesting players in the late teens and 20s but they generally fall into two categories - good players with low upside (Liddell, Braun, Agbaji, Moore, Koloko, Chandler, etc.) and pre-draft types if they don't go back to school (Houstan, Christie, Davison, Watson, Wesley, etc.). I'm starting to like the draft and stash players more and more considering the alternatives - Procida, Spagnolo, Kamagate and Jovic look good. Wouldn't be surprised if they use the Boston pick on one of these if they can't trade it.

[BackHome]

Yeah, it’s going to be interesting to see what the Spurs are going to do either way the go about it will probably have the same record in 2023 unless they fully embrace the Tank.

I have no idea who we picking with our first but I do like the following players with our other picks

1. Walter Kessler C
2. Mark Williams C
3. Mathew Cleveland SG/SF
4. Moussa Diabaate PF
5. Bryce McGowens SG/SF
6. Nikola Jovic PF

[Biggems]

One thing that frustrates me to no end is watching other teams constantly outhustle us for rebounds, especially when we are on defense. For this reason, I want us to draft a dominant rebounder, one of the best in college, who is also developing his offensive game. C Oscar Tshiebwe is the guy I want. He also fits the Spurs character and he would instantly become a fan favorite down here in SA.

[rankingtear]

One thing that frustrates me to no end is watching other teams constantly outhustle us for rebounds, especially when we are on defense. For this reason, I want us to draft a dominant rebounder, one of the best in college, who is also developing his offensive game. C Oscar Tshiebwe is the guy I want. He also fits the Spurs character and he would instantly become a fan favorite down here in SA.

Potentially the oldest player to be drafted. Character red flags and looks like a 30 year old.