2024 NBA Draft Thread

[Mr. Body]

This draft may lacks talent but I'm really not sure many teams would risk a top 3 pick on Topic... The probem with Topic is the same as with any euro white, skinny small PG in history... Will his game translate to the pace and physicality of the NBA? Will what works for him in Europe do it in the US? I'm' thinking guys like Navarro or Calderon here wo were dominant already as tennagers in Europe but never really made in the NBA.... Navarro was TP's biggest rival in the youth national teams compe ions, and considered then as the best player, but TP ended up a HOFer thanks his incredible speed (notably).

Rubio made it but his court vision and passing skills were elite and I believe he's taller than Topic (I could be wrong). Micic was considered the best PG in Europe and he hasn't be more than a 3rd string, garbage time dude in the NBA so far, and that's in his prime. Floor might be pretty low with Topic and I'm passing if I'm the spurs who need more guarantees.

Topic is 6'6".

[JPB]

Topic is 6'6".

I'll personnally wait the combine measurements, because the numbers I'm reading about him (height, wingspan...) sure don't pass the eye test. I have hard time believing he's as tall as Michael Jordan. Some sites have Topic at 6'5 and the 6'6 mark you can mostly find is supposed to be without shoes, meaning he would be 1 or 2 inches taller at let's say 6'7 or 8? He really doesn't look that big to me in front of the bigs he plays in Europe. More like 6'4, 6'5 max, same for the 7 foot wingspan. And that's kinda the same for every prospects these days, every guard is 6'8 with a 7 foot wingspan nowadays.

But then again, I could be wrong and camera can be deceptive.

[mo7888]

The argument coz “Reed was the only college basketball player who had recorded 90+ assists, made 50+ 3-pointers, created 50+ plus steals and committed less than 40 turnovers on the season”. Those were tangible stats. Show other stats otherwise if you are not amenable. Or what is the an hesis of this argument?

It's an hetical to think that he's going top 2 in a draft with Sarr, Risacher, Williams, JaKobe, Matas, and Topic.

[mo7888]

This draft may lacks talent but I'm really not sure many teams would risk a top 3 pick on Topic... The probem with Topic is the same as with any euro white, skinny small PG in history... Will his game translate to the pace and physicality of the NBA? Will what works for him in Europe do it in the US? I'm' thinking guys like Navarro or Calderon here wo were dominant already as tennagers in Europe but never really made in the NBA.... Navarro was TP's biggest rival in the youth national teams compe ions, and considered then as the best player, but TP ended up a HOFer thanks his incredible speed (notably).

Rubio made it but his court vision and passing skills were elite and I believe he's taller than Topic (I could be wrong). Micic was considered the best PG in Europe and he hasn't be more than a 3rd string, garbage time dude in the NBA so far, and that's in his prime. Floor might be pretty low with Topic and I'm passing if I'm the spurs who need more guarantees.

You think Topic is small for a PG?

[exstatic]

wonder why dilly not starting or getting less min.Gotta be his d pretty bad

UK recruits 3-4 absolute blue chip guards every year, and someone has to come off the bench. Devin Booker started ZERO games at UK, and averaged 10.0 points. Let that sink in.

[Kurgan]

I'll personnally wait the combine measurements, because the numbers I'm reading about him (height, wingspan...) sure don't pass the eye test. I have hard time believing he's as tall as Michael Jordan. Some sites have Topic at 6'5 and the 6'6 mark you can mostly find is supposed to be without shoes, meaning he would be 1 or 2 inches taller at let's say 6'9? He really doesn't look that big to me in front of the bigs he plays in Europe. More like 6'4, 6'5 max, same for the 7 foot wingspan. And that's kinda the same for every prospects these days, every guard is 6'8 with a 7 foot wingspan nowadays.

But then again, I could be wrong and camera can be deceptive.

He's got that giraffe neck so his functional height might be closer to 6'4''

[Russ]

Topic is 6'6".

Also according to Tankathon he's only 18.5 years old (only one 1st Round pick is younger, the 30th pick).

He might still grow a bit.

[exstatic]

I'll personnally wait the combine measurements, because the numbers I'm reading about him (height, wingspan...) sure don't pass the eye test. I have hard time believing he's as tall as Michael Jordan. Some sites have Topic at 6'5 and the 6'6 mark you can mostly find is supposed to be without shoes, meaning he would be 1 or 2 inches taller at let's say 6'9? He really doesn't look that big to me in front of the bigs he plays in Europe. More like 6'4, 6'5 max, same for the 7 foot wingspan. And that's kinda the same for every prospects these days, every guard is 6'8 with a 7 foot wingspan nowadays.

But then again, I could be wrong and camera can be deceptive.

Every other team in Europe has a 7’+ center. Giants still roam the paint. They haven’t been rendered obsolete over there. You’re used to seeing smaller centers in the NBA these days.

[R. DeMurre]

The exact numbers can be questioned (reported wingspan and standing reach don't seem to line up) along with any other possible issues (long neck, low shoulders, wide back), but in no assessment can Topic be called a small PG.

[The Truth #6]

Speaking of wingspans, Knecht looks to have a long wingspan, possibly 7' from uninformed eye balling. For a pick around 11-15, I'm still intrigued by him, in part because I have low confidence in the FO getting a SF in the offseason, and because this guy has worked his way up from small college early on, had a late growth spurt which help explains his more humble early basketball experience. Anyway. In the low chance the Toronto pick is late lottery, that's where I'm at, unless Dillingham fell to us with the theoretical TOR pick.

Background tidbits: was 5'8 as a sop re in HS, then grew to 6'3 his senior year, then grew another three inches in college. More interestingly, he played point guard growing up before college. I can't speak to his playmaking now, but it's an extra wrinkle.

[baseline bum]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbs...-top-four/amp/

For entertainment purposes- This mock has us taking Reed Shephard at #2 overall

I like Sheppard, but he's either a worst case pick if the Spurs fall to #6 or #7 or a (nearly) best case pick with the Raptors' selection if it conveys.

[JPB]

Not saying Topic is small for a guard, guys. Just questioning his "official" measurements.... Looks more 6'5 max. to me, I don't know, you tell me:

[TheChillFactor]

We’re talking about a difference of one inch that we are assessing from video clips. One inch.

[Kevin]

Matas is shooting 38.4% from 3 over his last 10 games. Perfect fit next to Trae Vessel and Wemby. Big wing with developing outside shot.

[rascal]

Looking ahead to the 2025 draft top prospects it doesn't have many pgs and has many wings so better to get the best pg in this year's draft.

[spurraider21]

if Topic is 6'6 its because he has a very long neck/head. more curious to know what his standing reach and wingspan are

[JPB]

We’re talking about a difference of one inch that we are assessing from video clips. One inch.

2 inches actually since he's supposed to be 6'7 with sneakers. And I said 6'5 max, could be 6'4 without skneakers...And that's not just his height, I have my doubts about his supposedly 7 foot wingspan.

[JPB]

if Topic is 6'6 its because he has a very long neck/head. more curious to know what his standing reach and wingspan are

He could indeed be 6'6 but with the body, reach and wingspan of a 6'4 guard. Doesn't seem to have big lift, nor big reach actually. A 7 foot wingspan player is much more disruptive on defense too (blocks and steals), not to mention rebounds.

Reason why I'll wait the combine for NBA measurements.;. We'll see. But I don't want the kid anyway...

[exstatic]

He could indeed be 6'6 but with the body, reach and wingspan of a 6'4 guard. Doesn't seem to have big lift, nor big reach actually. A 7 foot wingspan player is much more disruptive on defense too (blocks and steals), not to mention rebounds.

Reason why I'll wait the combine for NBA measurements.;. We'll see. But I don't want the kid anyway...

The BEST thing about the new CBA is that all players must be measured at the combine. No more opting out, hiding one’s true dimensions.

I think a lot of the measurements criticisms boil down to what is bolded in the quoted post.

[Ariel]

Matas is shooting 38.4% from 3 over his last 10 games. Perfect fit next to Trae Vessel and Wemby. Big wing with developing outside shot.

He's probably my upside pick. The kid is really talented, but his shooting slump put into question what his real shooting ability is. If he can convince the FO that he's better than the season averages show, there's definitely a lot to like there. He also seems like a Washington target.

[The Truth #6]

Not likely we would draft this kid, but Kyshawn George has a profile that screams "Brian Wright type player"

Freshman at Miami. 19 years old, the age we have been prioritizing, so to speak. High bbiq from playing professionally in France. Several unexpected growth spurts, so now is 6'8 though his teammates think 6'9. Played point guard until recently. Great handle and vision. Very solid shooting splits. Multi positional. Very mature for his age as a person and player. If they're looking for another tall PG experiment, this seem like it.

If we don't get the Toronto pick, and being a "weak draft", I'd consider trading up with second round picks to get into the 20s to consider this guy. Just a thought.

Also, average athleticism and smiles very well, more catnip for Wright.

Having said all that, if we somehow ended up with him, I'll prepare for him to be a serial killer or whatever.

[Ariel]

He could indeed be 6'6 but with the body, reach and wingspan of a 6'4 guard. Doesn't seem to have big lift, nor big reach actually. A 7 foot wingspan player is much more disruptive on defense too (blocks and steals), not to mention rebounds.

Reason why I'll wait the combine for NBA measurements.;. We'll see. But I don't want the kid anyway...

His legs look kind of short, he's got a weird body type. I agree he doesn't look 6'6" to me, but we'll see.

[LeBowen]

Who cares, he's got plenty of size for a point guard.
It's about if he's good enough and worth the pick and that's about his ability/potential, not size.

[Ariel]

Looking ahead to the 2025 draft top prospects it doesn't have many pgs and has many wings so better to get the best pg in this year's draft.

Spurs aren't set at any position and should draft whomever they think is best available, unless they're really picking between same tier. Passing on a better talent because of some guys on your current roster that may not be there next year doesn't sound like the best use of the pick. You can always sign a PG in free agency or trade for one.

[Mr. Body]

Not likely we would draft this kid, but Kyshawn George has a profile that screams "Brian Wright type player"

Freshman at Miami. 19 years old, the age we have been prioritizing, so to speak. High bbiq from playing professionally in France. Several unexpected growth spurts, so now is 6'8 though his teammates think 6'9. Played point guard until recently. Great handle and vision. Very solid shooting splits. Multi positional. Very mature for his age as a person's player. If they're looking for another tall PG experiment, this seem like it.

If we don't get the Toronto pick, and being a "weak draft", I'd consider trading up with second round picks to get into the 20s to consider this guy. Just a thought.

Also, average athleticism and smiles very well, more catnip for Wright.

Having said all that, if we somehow ended up with him, I'll prepare for him to be a serial killer or whatever.

No Ceilings has their newest mock out and has George at #10. As a note, they have Johnny Furphy at #8. They have an article on George with an embedded video from his Miami coach who says he was tipped off about George by Jonathan Givony, who saw him in Switzerland. That's a bit wild.

I think we're going to see more volatility now that we're well into conference play and toward the Tournament and certain players are starting to show out or gurus are paying more attention.