Official 2022 NBA Draft thread

[exstatic]

You are right on target. If I recall correctly he didn't workout for anyone drafting below 15. He really expected to go in the lottery and he hindsight he should have.

Coach Cal said that 5 teams passed on him because he didn't work out for them. Lucky us, or maybe stupid them.

[SAGirl]

Coach Cal said that 5 teams passed on him because he didn't work out for them. Lucky us, or maybe stupid them.

In hindsight…. I criticized the Sammich pick a ton at the time… but I think he was the guy the Spurs had scouted, worked out, met with and were prepared to pick at the spot. Keldon not working out for them and not having that relationship established probably meant the Spurs went with the devil they knew… So its a little bit of context now that I didn’t understand back then… which is, why take the risk to lose out on Keldon who was the better prospect for Sammich? They almost left that draft with nothing at all if not for that luck. Keldon hurt his stock by not working out for any team a little bit later than he expected he should go.

Maybe the Suns did screw up and drafted the wrong guy, can you imagine? They almost also traded for the wrong Brooks, do you remember that snafu?

[Mr. Body]

I know a lot of people here regret missing out on Brandon Clarke out of Gonzaga, who is playing well for the Grizzlies. I've mentioned him before, but Trayce Jackson-Davis is similar out of Indiana. If he ever develops a jumpshot, he's a complete steal if he lingers in the second round. Even if not, he has the same hustle, around-the-rim game Clarke does. I think a mocks are missing on him right now.

[PhantomDashCam]

I really do hope the Spurs give him a hard look. Should be at the combine which will be a plus.
Like him a lot more overall than some of the more hyped ‘4’s appearing on draft boards.

[Degoat]

I know a lot of people here regret missing out on Brandon Clarke out of Gonzaga, who is playing well for the Grizzlies. I've mentioned him before, but Trayce Jackson-Davis is similar out of Indiana. If he ever develops a jumpshot, he's a complete steal if he lingers in the second round. Even if not, he has the same hustle, around-the-rim game Clarke does. I think a mocks are missing on him right now.

Im a fan as well! Would be a great get with either our 2nd rounder or even the Bos pick

[PhantomDashCam]

If the Spurs keep their three first rounders, this is my ideal outcome:

Pick #1 - If climb into top 2, take Chet or Banchero. If hold at 9, unlikely drop to 10 - Draft Dyson Daniels.

Any of those three will be able to play on the Spurs from day dot, (with a tailor made opening at the 4 for Chet or Banchero to contribute and Dyson able to fill a CG role after already fulfilling the requisite G-League internship).

Pick #2 - If Daniels is taken in the first round, Justin Lewis. If it’s Chet or Banchero, take Blake Wesley.

Either would spend a significant time in the G-League and would fill holes in the Spurs development pipeline.

Pick #3 - International D&S. Ibou Badji or Ismael Kamegate.

Both big-men have shown promise in their respective leagues yet are unlikely to come over right away.

[rascal]

Chet has the highest bust potential out of the top picks.

[PhantomDashCam]

Chet has the highest bust potential out of the top picks.

Maybe, but if you’re losing your mind over Shaedon Sharpe’s HS footage, go watch Chets…

[rascal]

Maybe, but if you’re losing your mind over Shaedon Sharpe’s HS footage, go watch Chets…

I've watched Chet and I don't like him.

[PhantomDashCam]

I've watched Chet and I don't like him.

OK, fair enough. I understand some of the concerns. I have no problems with you sticking to your guns.

[CGD]

Chet has those Will Purdue shoulders:

https://customcardboard.ecrater.com/...-trail-blazers

[rascal]

Chet struggles to get off the ground. Look at his dunks, his arm are all out stretched to the max, struggling to reach high enough for the dunk, no elevation. His height and long reach makes him a good college shot blocker. Those numbers will not be as good against quicker more explosive NBA players. His game is awkward.


He just won't be as good in the NBA and his skinny frame doesn't look strong enough to hold up for a longer NBA season than what he had in college and not strong enough to play against bigger players under the basket, will get muscled out often.
Cannot blow a top four pick if the Spurs are lucky enough to get it.

[Mr. Body]

Holmgren has a 7'6" wingspan and is certainly not earthbound. He's a good athlete for his size, even laterally. He covers a lot of ground just by his size and wingspan but can also move and recover. He's going to get to a lot of shots both inside and on the perimeter. Even without dunks, he converts at a really high percentage inside. He's right handed but has a great left hand. He has good handles and can start breaks by himself, hit pull-up threes on the break, and finish on the break at what I believe is nearly a historically high rate.

He can play both 4 and 5, depending on sets. Sure, he'll struggle against Embiid and other beefy bigs. He's weak, but he's actually tough -- he fights and doesn't back down from contact. Sure, there are questions about frailty, but I'm not concerned.

What people fail to realize is that he's highly skilled at nearly 20 years of age. This is a kid who would be very talented at 6'8". Instead he's a mobile seven footer. He's a good ball-handler, sees the floor well, has both hands, is a great shooter. Most important, he has a great feel for the game.

There's no doubt in my mind Holmgren is the #1 pick. He isn't the volume 3-pt shooter Jabari Smith is, but does everything else better. Banchero is very good, but IMO has a lower ceiling, and I don't really rate Ivey as a team need and I'm uncertain whether he's a top player anyway.

[JPB]

Chet struggles to get off the ground. Look at his dunks, his arm are all out stretched to the max, struggling to reach high enough for the dunk, no elevation. His height and long reach makes him a good college shot blocker. Those numbers will not be as good against quicker more explosive NBA players. His game is awkward.


He just won't be as good in the NBA and his skinny frame doesn't look strong enough to hold up for a longer NBA season than what he had in college and not strong enough to play against bigger players under the basket, will get muscled out often.
Cannot blow a top four pick if the Spurs are lucky enough to get it.

I stay away if I'm the Spurs. Maybe he'll flourish but concerns are too high and risk too important for a team who really need to have a productive draft this year. Not even mad if he becomes a top player, I just don't blow my pick on him.

[ZeusWillJudge]

In hindsight…. I criticized the Sammich pick a ton at the time… but I think he was the guy the Spurs had scouted, worked out, met with and were prepared to pick at the spot. Keldon not working out for them and not having that relationship established probably meant the Spurs went with the devil they knew… So its a little bit of context now that I didn’t understand back then… which is, why take the risk to lose out on Keldon who was the better prospect for Sammich? They almost left that draft with nothing at all if not for that luck. Keldon hurt his stock by not working out for any team a little bit later than he expected he should go.

Maybe the Suns did screw up and drafted the wrong guy, can you imagine? They almost also traded for the wrong Brooks, do you remember that snafu?

Do you remember what the majority of the negatives about Sammich were? Low motor and motivation. The exact opposite of Keldon.

Keldon had talent that was impossible to miss. But the thing I said before and after the draft was that he is tough. Toughness may be hard to quantify, but you know it when you see it. I never saw it from any of the video of Sammich. At the very best, you have to admit that PATFO was too optimistic that they could motivate him, or that everybody deep down wants to excel. Sort of like Jackie Butler.

[BatManu20]

Agree that Chet will go #1. Balonchero, who played much better in the tournament than he did the regular season and probably has the safest floor of the top-3, will likely go 2. And Jabari will end up going #3. That’s my guess. #4 will be a toss up between Ivey & Sharpe imo.

[Degoat]

I’m thinking 9th pick Johnny Davis and 20th Leonard Miller, make it happen Wright!

[Biggems]

no one replied to my question about Mark Williams. What are your thoughts and do you think he would be a good pick for the Spurs?

[rjv]

Do you remember what the majority of the negatives about Sammich were? Low motor and motivation. The exact opposite of Keldon.

Keldon had talent that was impossible to miss. But the thing I said before and after the draft was that he is tough. Toughness may be hard to quantify, but you know it when you see it. I never saw it from any of the video of Sammich. At the very best, you have to admit that PATFO was too optimistic that they could motivate him, or that everybody deep down wants to excel. Sort of like Jackie Butler.

[Mr. Body]

no one replied to my question about Mark Williams. What are your thoughts and do you think he would be a good pick for the Spurs?

I would be interested in Williams at the twenty pick or even moving up a bit. Watching AJ Griffin shooting reports reminded how many mistakes the guy had to clean up. He's better value to me in that range than Duren in the top ten. But I think Charlotte likely grabs him at 13 or 15.

[wildbill2u]

Re: Chet Holmgren. Most of us understand that any 20 year old is going to pick up muscle and weight as he matures, so the "skinny weak"criticism is a little "weak" , :-) Injuries are also a potential concern on Big Men like Holmgren. Bill Walton comes to mind as a well-coordinated big man who lost some value because of persistent foot injuries.

There have been 7 footers before who were "skinny, weak" players but who had some serviceable years like Shawn Bradley and minor All-Stars like Ralph Sampson. Top 25 Tallest NBA Players Who Ever Played The Game (belloblog.com). Interesting list which invites comparison to Holmgren and his potential future.

You have to recognize that most are freaks of nature without the normal range of athleticism. As far as I can tell, the crucial factor in whether they are worth the ballyhoo seems to be how well coordinated they are and how well they move. If they move like the Frankenstein monster, then they can still play, but have limited utility.

I don't know if you chase him with a trade up. More importantly, what team is going to pass on him since his upside is pretty damn high in a lot of skillset areas according to all reports? You can bet he won't drop to our pick unless we get a miracle lottery ball.

[objective]

Somewhat interesting video relevant to the discussion

[exstatic]

Do you remember what the majority of the negatives about Sammich were? Low motor and motivation. The exact opposite of Keldon.

Keldon had talent that was impossible to miss. But the thing I said before and after the draft was that he is tough. Toughness may be hard to quantify, but you know it when you see it. I never saw it from any of the video of Sammich. At the very best, you have to admit that PATFO was too optimistic that they could motivate him, or that everybody deep down wants to excel. Sort of like Jackie Butler.

The Spurs did exactly what ST is constantly crying for: squint really hard, and draft someone 6'10" with skills. It's also OK to miss at #19.

[TD 21]

Short of jumping into the top 4 (yeah right), if Mathurin is the one they're highest on in the second tier (I'd be fine with Murray or Sharpe too, though the latter isn't happening per timvp), in the highly unlikely event he makes it to 9/10, just trade up instead of settling. Within' reason, I don't even care so much about the cost.

With 4 picks in the top 38, a lack of a defined core and depth of youth already on the roster, it's about quality more than quan y.

[Degoat]

no one replied to my question about Mark Williams. What are your thoughts and do you think he would be a good pick for the Spurs?

I like him, think he’ll be a good rim running big. Just think 9 is to early for him and he won’t make it to our 20 pick