2024 NBA Draft Thread

[JPB]

Being that you have the chance to see this league way more than we do, are you sold on Risacher? I know the Spurs desperately need a PG but I think SF might be even worse given Keldon's not enough of a shooter to fit with the starting lineup and Champagnie is a ninth man or tenth man on the roster level talent.

Risacher is an high BBIQ, all around player (in the Batum/Boris tradition) but probably not the slasher/self creator some would hope for. He's actually very spursy in that regard, not your go to guy but an elite, and I mean ELITE, do everything swingman who can shoot, drive, pass, rebound... with a natural feel and instinct for the game who's not an athletic freak but can play above the rim.

smart kid who can play off the ball too, with a lot of his father finesse and touch (minus the dread locks)... yeah, Bobo and Nico def comes to mind (fit Bobo anyway ) And when you know he's also elite at defending whatever best perimeter player is on front, you understand why from all those prospects, he's the one who offers the most guarantees yet and why he's projected as potential #1 as a do it all swingman.

I can understand why scouts like him, as a modern NBA wing with little bust probabiltiy... He's not just good this season in France and Europe, but truly and historically impressive and dominant as only 18. He had another great game in Eurocup a few days ago in Greece in front of a bunch of NBA scouts (doing everything and anything, dropping 20 or so)...

He's my pick tbh. If spurs can get a second banana to Wemby, Risacher would be the perfect 3rd element of a big 3 (or second depending, like Manu was).

[mo7888]

Risacher is an high BBIQ, all around player (in the Batum/Boris tradition) but probably not the slasher/self creator some would hope for. He's actually very spursy in that regard, not your go to guy but an elite, and I mean ELITE, do everything swingman who can shoot, drive, pass, rebound... with a natural feel and instinct for the game who's not an athletic freak but can play above the rim.

smart kid who can play off the ball too, with a lot of his father finesse and touch (minus the dread locks)... yeah, Bobo and Nico def comes to mind (fit Bobo anyway ) And when you know he's also elite at defending whatever best perimeter player is on front, you understand why from all those prospects, he's the one who offers the most guarantees yet and why he's projected as potential #1 as a do it all swingman.

I can understand why scouts like him, as a modern NBA wing with little bust probabiltiy... He's not just good this season in France and Europe, but truly and historically impressive and dominant as only 18. He had another great game in Eurocup a few days ago in Greece in front of a bunch of NBA scouts (doing everything and anything, dropping 20 or so)...

He's my pick tbh. If spurs can get a second banana to Wemby, Risacher would be the perfect 3rd element of a big 3 (or second depending, like Manu was).

I agree with almost all of that. I have him #1 on my board as well, I think he's more of a 4 than a 3, but thats fine paired with Sochan's versatility.

[onechance87]

Risacher is an high BBIQ, all around player (in the Batum/Boris tradition) but probably not the slasher/self creator some would hope for. He's actually very spursy in that regard, not your go to guy but an elite, and I mean ELITE, do everything swingman who can shoot, drive, pass, rebound... with a natural feel and instinct for the game who's not an athletic freak but can play above the rim.

smart kid who can play off the ball too, with a lot of his father finesse and touch (minus the dread locks)... yeah, Bobo and Nico def comes to mind (fit Bobo anyway ) And when you know he's also elite at defending whatever best perimeter player is on front, you understand why from all those prospects, he's the one who offers the most guarantees yet and why he's projected as potential #1 as a do it all swingman.

I can understand why scouts like him, as a modern NBA wing with little bust probabiltiy... He's not just good this season in France and Europe, but truly and historically impressive and dominant as only 18. He had another great game in Eurocup a few days ago in Greece in front of a bunch of NBA scouts (doing everything and anything, dropping 20 or so)...

He's my pick tbh. If spurs can get a second banana to Wemby, Risacher would be the perfect 3rd element of a big 3 (or second depending, like Manu was).

sounds like cody williams

[Pauleta14]

Question for all the "connaisseurs"...

Has there been in the past a draft that was supposed to be weak like this one but ended up being full of talents/surprises?

[BackHome]

Yeah, I think it was 2013 that a real bad class but the Bucks got lucky and picked Giannis with the 15th pick..

[Pauleta14]

The optimistic part in me wants to thinks it's a better draft than it is maybe ...

[TrainOfThought5]

The optimistic part in me wants to thinks it's a better draft than it is maybe ...

someone with unforeseen work ethic always maximizes their talent to the utmost maximum. Dunn could Turn into Scottie Pippen. Kawhi almost turned into Jordan if it wasn’t for his leg issues.

[spurraider21]

I think Dilly is universally liked on this site, but the his defensive liability is very real. And we’re already a terrible defensive team. You still take him if he’s BPA obviously, but at some point you need to start filling this roster with guys with size and who can defend. Cause right now we’re horrible in that regard.

he will have physical limitations on D, but team defense matters more than individual defense, so it will come down to his motor and bbiq on that end to make up for it.

[SpursBills]

I wanted to push back a little bit on the fact that this is a super weak draft. It has no Wemby, or even Paolo/Chet, but I think there are probably some high upside guys here.

Sarr - I'm personally low on Sarr as I think his 3 is not going to translate so he becomes primarily a pick and roll big on offense as well as versatile defensive weapon. Regardless, he's a way better prospect than Derek Lively who at 10 is looking like a steal and probably should have gone higher

Risacher - He's a better prospect than Brandon Miller imo who was a reasonable #2 pick. He'll be a year younger than Miller when he gets drafted, profiles as a similar tall wing shooter, plays better POA defense, and is producing in a harder league.

Topic - a lot depends on how he looks in Euroleague. I don't put too much stock in raw counting stats, but if he has a reasonable 2 point FG% in Euroleagueand shows an ability to get to the rim and finish, his combination of rim pressure and passing vision makes him a better prospect to me than Scoot who I was down on last year. Neither can shoot well, or defend well, but at least Topic has a high shooting signal with his FT%.

Cody Williams - to date I have not yet seen an instance where a brother who was better at a young age ended up developing into a worse player in the NBA. Cody williams is taller and just as long Jalen Williams and is better at the same age as his brother. History suggests that he's going to be better than Jalen. If that reasoning sounds dumb as , I want some counterexamples of the worse brother in college turning out better in the NBA, especially the younger brother. Jalen probably goes top 5 in a re-draft btw.

Rob Dillingham - statistically, he comps similarly to similar sized Kentucky guys like Fox, Monk, Maxey. I think he'll fill out more honestly and he seems to try harder on defense than all the aforementioned. Maxey goes top 5 in a re-draft, Fox went 5th. Dilly doesn't have any one elite skill he has to hang his hat on like Fox's insane speed, but I think he would probably go pretty high in any draft.

Stephon Castle - 6'6", can't shoot, good passing instincts, good to great perimeter defender, gets played at the wing in college but everybody wants him to be a point guard at the next level. Sounds like Anthony Black. A lot of this board was so hot after Black last year, but this year only rascal is really pushing for Castle. Black went 6th in a reasonable draft, why is Castle so much lower?

Reed Sheppard - crazy advanced stats. Might be a stretch to compare him to Cason Wallace, but he's as good at shooting as wallace is at defense, and probably as good a defender as wallace was a shooter in college. Sheppard's mocked top 10

Ja'Kobe Walter - better as a freshman than KCP as a sop re; more athletic, better shooter; KCP ended up going 8th in 2013

I know nothing about the G league ignite guys but a lot of people seem to be high on Buzelis. Point being, while this is a below average draft with no sure-fire potential all NBA talent at the top, I think the lottery's actually not too bad if you compare it to prior years.

[Mr. Body]

There were a number of examples upthread of younger brothers who aren't as good as older brothers. Thousands upon thousands. It's a totally ludicrous assertion.

[SpursBills]

There were a number of examples upthread of younger brothers who aren't as good as older brothers. Thousands upon thousands. It's a totally ludicrous assertion.

Again, you misunderstand me.

Yes, there are numerous younger brothers who aren't as good as older brothers. That's not my point.

My question is this: How many of those brothers who were better at the same age developed worse?

Steph curry was better than seth in college and turned out better in the NBA. Lamelo was better in high school than Lonzo and turned out better in the NBA. Jrue holiday was better than Aaron or Justin in college and turned out better in the NBA. Blake griffin was better than his older brother in college and turned out better in the NBA. The Lopez twins, Morris twins, the McDaniels brothers, the list goes on and on. The brother who was better in college always or almost always ends up better in the NBA.

Cody Williams is better than Jalen in college. What's your counter-example? I'm willing to listen.

[Mr. Body]

Again, you misunderstand me.

Yes, there are numerous younger brothers who aren't as good as older brothers. That's not my point.

My question is this: How many of those brothers who were better at the same age developed worse?

Steph curry was better than seth in college and turned out better in the NBA. Lamelo was better in high school than Lonzo and turned out better in the NBA. Jrue holiday was better than Aaron or Justin in college and turned out better in the NBA. Blake griffin was better than his older brother in college and turned out better in the NBA. The Lopez twins, Morris twins, the McDaniels brothers, the list goes on and on. The brother who was better in college always or almost always ends up better in the NBA.

Cody Williams is better than Jalen in college. What's your counter-example? I'm willing to listen.

Go look above. Tre Jones is not better than Tyus Jones. This isn't hard. Your take seems to be that all the players in the NBA are younger siblings. It's manifestly absurd. Yes, there does seem to be a tendency for younger siblings to be better than older siblings. Fine. Drafting somebody because they have a brother is illogical and bordering on insane.

[SpursBills]

Go look above. Tre Jones is not better than Tyus Jones. This isn't hard. Your take seems to be that all the players in the NBA are younger siblings. It's manifestly absurd. Yes, there does seem to be a tendency for younger siblings to be better than older siblings. Fine. Drafting somebody because they have a brother is illogical and bordering on insane.

Hm, maybe I'm not communicating my point effectively because we seem to be talking about two different things. My point is not about younger brothers. My point is about the better brother at an early age being the better brother in the NBA. Tre Jones is not better than Tyus Jones right now, nor was he in college. But Cody Williams is better as a freshman than Jalen Williams as a freshman.

[rascal]

Go look above. Tre Jones is not better than Tyus Jones. This isn't hard. Your take seems to be that all the players in the NBA are younger siblings. It's manifestly absurd. Yes, there does seem to be a tendency for younger siblings to be better than older siblings. Fine. Drafting somebody because they have a brother is illogical and bordering on insane.

This is the point you are missing, I have not yet seen an instance where a brother who was better at a young age ended up developing into a worse player in the NBA.

[Mr. Body]

This is the point you are missing, I have not yet seen an instance where a brother who was better at a young age ended up developing into a worse player in the NBA.

I'm sure if we combed through NCAA history we'll find dozens of examples.

This is just silly. Go explain to an NBA team that they should draft a guy because he has a brother. Go do it. Listen to the laughter. Just complete effing nonsense. Let Cody Williams show if he's a good prospect on his own terms. Christ with this Miss Cleo pseudo-astrology crap.

[SpursBills]

damn dude, shut down that line of discourse pretty quick

[MR-Clutch]

I'm sure if we combed through NCAA history we'll find dozens of examples.

This is just silly. Go explain to an NBA team that they should draft a guy because he has a brother. Go do it. Listen to the laughter. Just complete effing nonsense. Let Cody Williams show if he's a good prospect on his own terms. Christ with this Miss Cleo pseudo-astrology crap.

You are still missing his point. He is saying that when a brother out performs his brother in college at a younger age, regardless if he is the younger or older brother he is generally the better nba player. He then goes on to say at his current age Cody is out performing Jalen at the same age.

[baseline bum]

I'm sure if we combed through NCAA history we'll find dozens of examples.

This is just silly. Go explain to an NBA team that they should draft a guy because he has a brother. Go do it. Listen to the laughter. Just complete effing nonsense. Let Cody Williams show if he's a good prospect on his own terms. Christ with this Miss Cleo pseudo-astrology crap.

He's only asking for one. You're strawmanning his argument.

[SpursBills]

Ultimately, the point is, Cody is a good prospect. Now, obviously you don't draft him high exclusively because Jalen's been awesome, but the fact that Jalen was a late bloomer and was able to put on weight and build strength is highly relevant to this discussion. To me, Cody shows flashes of being an excellent POA defender as well as secondary creation potential. His FT shooting signal is low and his 3 PA is low even compared to freshman year Jalen, but he also has a better frame and is more productive at a similar age.

I tend to evaluate draft prospects based on prior comps whether statistical or otherwise, and the fact that neither I or you can come up with a counterexample to my aforementioned argument is interesting. Brothers share genetics, probably grew up in a similar environment, and most likely played against each other growing up. I can compare Dilly to fox or maxey because of their build and position and they went to the same school to get a feel for his pro potential and it's accepted, I'd argue that it's even more robust to compare a guy playing a similar position with a similar frame to his brother to try and predict their pro outcomes. I don't think it's 'pseudo-Miss Cleo' or whatever anymore than using numbers to compare other players to try and predict their pro potential.

There's definitely more nuance there, like the fact that Jalen was a late bloomer and it's uncertain whether Cody will be as well, but I think that the fact that Jalen is doing well in the league certainly adds significant appeal to him as a draft prospect.

[scott]

Hm, maybe I'm not communicating my point effectively because we seem to be talking about two different things. My point is not about younger brothers. My point is about the better brother at an early age being the better brother in the NBA. Tre Jones is not better than Tyus Jones right now, nor was he in college. But Cody Williams is better as a freshman than Jalen Williams as a freshman.

You are communicating your point perfectly, Mr. Body just has the reading comprehension of a bag of rocks.

[MarCowMar]

He's only asking for one. You're strawmanning his argument.

It's an appeal to ridicule.

"Appeal to Ridicule is an informal fallacy which claims an argument to be ridiculous or absurd. The fallacy uses this claim in an attempt to invalidate the argument since it is not worth entertaining."

https://www.logicalfallacies.org/app...-ridicule.html

[Mr. Body]

You are communicating your point perfectly, Mr. Body just has the reading comprehension of a bag of rocks.

Lol, I get what people are saying, chump. I agree that he's a decent prospect. I draw the line at some horoscope bull crap about his brother. He's not his brother

Might as well scout players with November birthdays, because he has a November birthday.

I think my position is kindergarten clear. It's you with garbage in your ears.

[Mr. Body]

Yall:

1. Made up a rule you claim is universal: younger players who were better at the same age will be better later on.

2. You claim I have to disprove this rule instead of, you know, you proving the rule.

3. Because this rule is, to you, ironclad, therefore player is going to be better than brother.

It's absolutely absurd. You'd flunk out of freshman logic. The assumptions are outlandish, the insistence of the interlocutor to disprove your wild assertion is academically laughable, and your demand that because your rule 'exists' then obviously player will be great. It's logical fallacy built on wild assumption mixed with a version of gamblers fallacy.

I'm done. Any time someone tries to say Cody Williams should be drafted high not because of actually watching him, actually evaluating him, but instead just comparing two statlines, I'm just going to roll my eyes and move on. This is just a poor, poor argument on all sides.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Yall:

1. Made up a rule you claim is universal: younger players who were better at the same age will be better later on.

2. You claim I have to disprove this rule instead of, you know, you proving the rule.

3. Because this rule is, to you, ironclad, therefore player is going to be better than brother.

It's absolutely absurd. You'd flunk out of freshman logic. The assumptions are outlandish, the insistence of the interlocutor to disprove your wild assertion is academically laughable, and your demand that because your rule 'exists' then obviously player will be great. It's logical fallacy built on wild assumption mixed with a version of gamblers fallacy.

I'm done. Any time someone tries to say Cody Williams should be drafted high not because of actually watching him, actually evaluating him, but instead just comparing two statlines, I'm just going to roll my eyes and move on. This is just a poor, poor argument on all sides.

Freshman logic boils down to if A then B and if B then C then if A then C. So where A is a younger brother plays better basketball than his older brother at the same age in college. B is the younger plays better than the older brother in the pros. C is the younger brother deserves to be drafted at least as high as the older brother. Maybe that can help you Mr Body so that you can stop making an ass out of yourself. He’s asking you to show examples where B is wrong. What is insane is to say something is illogical when he is clearly laying out his logic especially when he is asking you to refute by giving counter examples of his linking premise. You can argue by by either showing B to be wrong or arguing that the sample size is too small to be relevant (which I think you are trying to do in your usual oafish manner), but then show relatable examples where a similar premise fell apart as the sample size grew. Obviously freshman logic brought your GPA down.

[DrSteffo]

My top nine for the Spurs would be Topic, Risacher, Williams, Sheppard, Dillingham, Salaun, Holland, Buzelis, Sarr. Sarr is obviously better than this but not a great fit as I see it.