2024 NBA Draft Thread

[rjv]

Topic? Giddey 2.0?

Smooth and aggressive, a nice combination. Also, good size for a guard. Could be a nice fit for the Spurs' needs.

It'll be interesting to see where he goes in the 1st round -- he's all over the map.

i haven't had a chance to see him play but I have noticed he seems to be moving up. i see him listed as a lottery pick more frequently now (late lottery). based on what i've read, giddey also seems to come to mind but i'm not basing that on anything i've actually seen.

[SpursBills]

i haven't had a chance to see him play but I have noticed he seems to be moving up. i see him listed as a lottery pick more frequently now (late lottery). based on what i've read, giddey also seems to come to mind but i'm not basing that on anything i've actually seen.

I was high on him a few weeks ago when I first saw his highlights, but the more I see the higher I am on him. I'd take him number one without a second thought at this point. Even watching his bad games, the passing vision pops. His level of self creation and rim pressure with passing vision and size is a very powerful combination and honestly he can prop up an entire offense on his own. He's making better reads than 95% of point guard prospects his age, I think on the order of guys like Giddy or Luka coming out. Drafting him would instantly create easy shots for Wemby and allow him to play to his strengths as a defender while still getting his numbers. Just have to build a defense around Topic (who's probably not going to completely die on a switch given his size) and you're all set.

[exstatic]

I was so pissed when Cason fell to OKC. also bummed that Castle is injured; it would have been nice to see him against some of the teams that UConn has played lately. what are your thoughts on Topić

No defense, so that’s just throwing gasoline on the fire.

[CGD]

Topic? Giddey 2.0?

Smooth and aggressive, a nice combination. Also, good size for a guard. Could be a nice fit for the Spurs' needs.

It'll be interesting to see where he goes in the 1st round -- he's all over the map.

Our Spurs can just make a play for Giddy in a few years?

[J_Paco]

Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier........

Then one or two defensive - minded players that can make an instant impact. The Spurs can't afford to draft more players that have 'defensive potential' (Vassell & Sochan), yet are barely average defensively in the NBA.

[Mugen]

No defense, so that’s just throwing gasoline on the fire.

He's got enough size that he wouldn't be a complete liability on defense. Dismissing him for that when he checks off a lot of other boxes is silly tbh. If they land a top 3 pick, i think he's the choice if the draft were tomorrow.

[TD 21]

Collier, Castle and Topic, all look like bad - mediocre shooters in the making and only Collier looks like the explosive, rim pressure type. Maybe Topic in a bullying type way, but none of these archetypes are generally lead creator on a contender type.

That said, I'd imagine they've got Topic in their top 3, with Proctor and Risacher, for all the obvious reasons.

[exstatic]

Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier........

Then one or two defensive - minded players that can make an instant impact. The Spurs can't afford to draft more players that have 'defensive potential' (Vassell & Sochan), yet are barely average defensively in the NBA.

Collier has looked awful this year. He might be this year’s Nick Smith Jr., the guy who fails to live up to his HS/AAU hype when he goes up a level of compe ion.

[J_Paco]

Collier has looked awful this year. He might be this year’s Nick Smith Jr., the guy who fails to live up to his HS/AAU hype when he goes up a level of compe ion.

Ok, I don't really watch college ball so my thoughts are based on pre-season impressions and draft boards.

If he isn't worth drafting in the top 4 then I understand passing on him in that range, but if he's available in the mid teens, then I would still love him on the Spurs.

D'Aaron Fox and LaMelo Ball both had questions about their shooting at the next - level, yet have developed enough in other areas to garner All-Star berths.

[objective]

He's got enough size that he wouldn't be a complete liability on defense. Dismissing him for that when he checks off a lot of other boxes is silly tbh. If they land a top 3 pick, i think he's the choice if the draft were tomorrow.

Branham is 6-5 with okay length and he gets smoked by everyone.

Anyways, I watched 2 early season game breakdowns of Topic and I didn't see what was so special about him. I think it was a Ben Pfeiffer video.

[Russ]

Collier has looked awful this year. He might be this year’s Nick Smith Jr., the guy who fails to live up to his HS/AAU hype when he goes up a level of compe ion.

Last week I watched Collier in person -- USC v. UC Irvine.

If I didn't know Collier was a high-end prospect, it might not have occurred to me.

He was the best player on the USC team but . . .

He throws really high velocity passes so his teammates must have their heads on a swivel. Sometimes they didn't, causing turnovers.

More times, however, his quick passes seemed off the mark and uncatchable, seeming to create frustration.

There are things you can notice being at a game that it's harder to see on TV. Collier often went off by himself during timeouts rather than going to the huddle -- he looked frustrated with his teammates or about something anyway. It didn't create a good feeling watching it.

Anyway, USC (then ranked about #17 I think) lost to unranked UCI at home, 70-60.

Collier didn't look that big or explosive -- you can't take much from one game, and he does look like a good player, but I didn't see that much potential greatness in that limited look.

[BackHome]

This draft is probably the first one in a long time where I think most teams will draft for need vs talent as everyone is so close in talent.

One thing it is early as far as how many games teams have played but both SF Holland from G League and Edwards from Kentucky have not looked like top 5 lottery picks right now and Tankathon has them going 1 and 5.

[duncan2150]

Branham is 6-5 with okay length and he gets smoked by everyone.

Anyways, I watched 2 early season game breakdowns of Topic and I didn't see what was so special about him. I think it was a Ben Pfeiffer video.

Topic is special imo, playing at his level with his age is not common. He has a big IQ and a really good offensive game, he's playing in a so-so compe ion but against grown men.

Not seeing something special in him is strange but i respect the take. As for the D, yes he'll get exposed if does not develop this side of the game.

[onechance87]

Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier........

Then one or two defensive - minded players that can make an instant impact. The Spurs can't afford to draft more players that have 'defensive potential' (Vassell & Sochan), yet are barely average defensively in the NBA.

collier is another scoot bro

[SpursBills]

Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier, Isaiah Collier........

Then one or two defensive - minded players that can make an instant impact. The Spurs can't afford to draft more players that have 'defensive potential' (Vassell & Sochan), yet are barely average defensively in the NBA.

I'm concerned that he's averaging 0.7 AS:TO as the primary ball handler when 3/4 of his opponents have been Brown, UC Irvine, and CSU-Bakersfield. He gets to the rim a ton but it's most likely because he's physically dominating lesser compe ion - will be curious to see if his numbers hold up against power 5 schools.

[Big Empty]

If we get a top 5 pick draft best talent not need. We’re dying for a point but dont want to waste a top 5 pick if we can get him later in the draft.

[DesignatedT]

Bub Carrington from Pittsburgh is a name to watch out for. I think the Spurs should look at drafting two guards this draft.

[exstatic]

If we get a top 5 pick draft best talent not need. We’re dying for a point but dont want to waste a top 5 pick if we can get him later in the draft.

You get talent based on when they are drafted, as a rule. If you draft in the top 5, you get a top 5 level PG, which would probably be a good thing. No one is really popping as a #1 or #2 or #3 pick, and if that continues, you absolutely draft a PG based on need.

[R. DeMurre]

If the goal is to draft a point guard, what's the point of the Sochan experiment? It would be admitting that Sochan at the point was never a long term goal.

[rjv]

If the goal is to draft a point guard, what's the point of the Sochan experiment? It would be admitting that Sochan at the point was never a long term goal.

i don't think the spurs have empathically stated that sochan is meant to be the long term project at PG. from what i recall, Pop stated that he was going with the starting five of sochan (PG), vassell (SG), keldon (SF), wemby (PF) and zollins (C) and when asked if this lineup would work he answered that it better or they'd be in trouble. what i got from that was pop saying that these were the best combination that this current roster has to put on the floor at the start of the game. tre may be the better PG than jeremy but, from the defensive side of things, he's limited. so far, even the starting five has been bad but that just points to how bad this roster is. so, yeah, the future starting PG of this team is not currently on this roster.

[Extra Stout]

i don't think the spurs have empathically stated that sochan is meant to be the long term project at PG. from what i recall, Pop stated that he was going with the starting five of sochan (PG), vassell (SG), keldon (SF), wemby (PF) and zollins (C) and when asked if this lineup would work he answered that it better or they'd be in trouble. what i got from that was pop saying that these were the best combination that this current roster has to put on the floor at the start of the game. tre may be the better PG than jeremy but, from the defensive side of things, he's limited. so far, even the starting five has been bad but that just points to how bad this roster is. so, yeah, the future starting PG of this team is not currently on this roster.

Tre lacks size, sure, but the numbers so far show that this is a much better team with him on the floor than not. If you want to make up for however much of a defensive liability he is, then get Keldon Johnson off the floor.

KJ makes more sense on a team that can hide him on defense than on a team where half the players on the roster are traffic cones.

[Russ]

Bub Carrington from Pittsburgh is a name to watch out for. I think the Spurs should look at drafting two guards this draft.

How about Ja'Kobe Walter from Baylor, good sir. He looks quite adequate, perhaps even damn good.

[BackHome]

He I think actually had the potential to be one of the best player in this draft after a few years in the league - He is legit on offense he has great touch and very good footwork was very impressed by his first game. He broke Baylor record I think for most points scored by a rookie that is a pretty good accomplishment. The issue with him right now is that he is a Black Whole on offense he is not averaging 1 assist right now but Baylor is winning so......

[J_Paco]

collier is another scoot bro

We need an explosive, playmaking, shot-creating wing or guard in the worst way. Usually, that comes from guards so obviously I'm looking at Collier as that guy in this draft class. Collier has similar athletic ability of Scoot, yet he"s a good (unless they are BS'ing) 2 or 3 inches taller.

I'm concerned that he's averaging 0.7 AS:TO as the primary ball handler when 3/4 of his opponents have been Brown, UC Irvine, and CSU-Bakersfield. He gets to the rim a ton but it's most likely because he's physically dominating lesser compe ion - will be curious to see if his numbers hold up against power 5 schools.

If his terrible assist-to-turnover ratio doesn't improve then that'll be really worrisome at the next level, but he also possesses incredible raw physical traits and an explosive first-step.

The concerns about his decision making (or lack there of) and outside shooting are valid, but it's only 4 games into the college season.

[exstatic]

How about Ja'Kobe Walter from Baylor, good sir. He looks quite adequate, perhaps even damn good.

Guys with microscopic assist totals struggle in the league. His USG is 24, he averages 0.3 assists and 1.5 TO. There are regular black holes, created by the death of a star, and then there are the supermassive black holes at the center of every galaxy. He’s a galactic class black hole