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I agree. Think he’ll come in at 6’4.5” with a +0 wingspan. Not the end of the world given the talent, but folks shouldn’t expect a SF.
Answer to this might actually be Knueppel's strength - I don't know that you necessarily need high level athleticism, but I agree with you that you do need some sort of physical advantage. Sheppard needs time still before we can call him a bust, but he didn't have any physical advantage over other players - short, short arms, not especially strong, not especially athletic. Someone like McCain, for example, was similarly small and with short arms but his strength allowed him to control defenders with his dribble and an easier avenue to success. Depending on how Kon's frame is, he may have a similar physical advantage over his defenders - that's what I'm looking for this tournament, whether he's able to consistently bump defenders off with his drives and control them on the perimeter. If you try comparing him to Bane, Bane is more athletic but if Kon is similarly strong with a bigger frame, he may have similar outs to success.
I agree. Think he’ll come in at 6’4.5” with a +0 wingspan. Not the end of the world given the talent, but folks shouldn’t expect a SF.
I'm not saying Sheppard can't be a good player, it's just that some projections saying he'll be an all time great shooter in no time were way too optimistic.
From my limited knowledge (just some highlights) he does look like the safest SF pick. It would be nice to draft another star, but what we need more of is just what you described.Kon is no worse than a lot of NBA players with his athleticism, it’s just being magnified right now because it doesn’t pop off the screen like other prospects do. Once he’s in the NBA for a couple years and displays how well he is on defense, a lot of this talk about how he’s unathletic will go away. Like I said, people shat on White here for a while about his athleticism and you don’t hear a peep now.
Lastly, the difference between Kon and Reed is that Kon is actually eye poppingly (and praised for) good at defense. He’s covering guys with his excellent footwork and smarts that you only see from guys like Dort, White, and Caruso… in other words, like the best defenders in the NBA.
If Spurs think he's a must pick, he should be fairly easy to obtain. I don't think he's what Nets and Raptors are looking for, I'd only be worried about the Sixers.
He’ll be a SF alright. Left guy is listed at 6’6”. Middle guy is 6’4”. Clearly taller than both. Even if he turns out to be 6’6”, the Spurs have played Keldon and Vassell (even Castle for a short period) there. Keldon with his wingspan is a bad defender. Why? Because his footwork and IQ is a mess. People underrate IQ, tbh.
People underrate lateral movement and strength, tbh.
If we're talking perimeter defense, it's not about contesting shots in an attempt to actually get blocks, it's about getting offensive players off the balance and stopping drives from the perimeter.
Obviously it's better to have more length, but it's not any good if the defender isn't strong enough.
Yes, correct.
Things like ghost screens were one thing UConn was really good at -- and Castle excelled among them at recognizing when the defense overplayed and he should dive to the basket.
For me, one, Knueppel is certainly much bigger, more like an Austin Reaves size. He also is more fluid an athlete and has much better handles than Sheppard. Sheppard's ball handling was rudimentary and he wasn't much of a playmaker. He was also really strictly a spot-up shooter from deep (less so in mid-range), while I think Kon can hit on the move.
I think Reed was insanely efficient on catch-and-shoots and his hands are amazing. He also knows how to get in the right places for caroms and so on. But I feel like Knueppel is much more all-around. Tbh I never was a huge fan of Sheppard, thought he was very limited, but very good in his few silos.
Time to look at everyone's needs, tbh.
Top4 picks look to be set in stone, those players will get selected regardless of the fit.
After that, some teams will start looking at their needs instead of drafting the BPA at any cost, unless they really like someone.
This is strictly for #5 and lower picks, doesn't apply for top4.
Jazz: BPA.
Wizards: BPA, I guess no bigs for them.
Hornets: They strangely seem well-rounded, but can never get healthy. No point guards for them.
NOLA: I guess getting a PG will be a priority for them, who knows if DJ will get back to his level after the injury. This is assuming Zion stays. They got plenty of wings and Missi seems to be a good big in the making.
Sixers: I doubt they go for guards with Maxey and McCain on the roster. They need wings or even a big since Embiid looks done.
Nets: Noone left other than Claxton since Cam Johnson will probably get traded. BPA for them.
Raptors: No way they go for a wing with their roster.
Blazers: They kind of have solid players across the board, but noone with real star upside. I guess it's BPA that's not a SG.
Heat: I think getting a future PG will be their priority.
Bulls: Wings and bigs, probably looking for a future C as a priority.
If Spurs keep their #8 position and we want Knueppel, I guess it would be in our interest Sixers and Hornets aren't in #5 to #7 range, I don't think others will be interested in him.
Not the star ceiling prospect Nets would hope for to turn the franchise around.
Someone posted this play by Knueppel where he grabbed a teammate's leg to prevent him from falling out of bounds. I've never seen this before and guess it's entirely legal.
https://www.si.com/college-basketbal...stay-in-bounds
Derik Queen to the Spurs would be the lottery for us, outside of Cooper Flagg. Perfect fit next to Wemby at PF.
How is Queen a fit when he’ll have to guard on the perimeter if he plays next to Wemby? This is his worst skill by far. Also he’d clog the lane for Wemby reducing him to a Myles Turner on offense.
I could hardly find a worse fit next to Wemby not only from this draft but from the whole NBA as well.
First off, I have put no time in studying college players this season, just highlights and mock draft reports.
After watching some NCAA tourney games, I'm 100% on board with Kon. His IQ and feel for the game are off the charts. I was just watching his defensive position on every play and was in shock. Coaches can just use film of him on the angles and positioning in guarding off-ball players. Wow! His intangibles are amazing. He'd be a tremendous fit with Wemby, Castle, Fox and whoever. His 1-on1 D will likely be a work in progress. Like Flagg, he just makes the right play/read nearly every moment on the court. He's the perfect example of a connector on offense and a director on defense. He was directing Flagg at times.
Also, I know Dejounte puts in the time on this and has been a great judge of potential Spurs fit. I think I see what he sees with Kon. If we are in the 6-10 range, I'd be pretty thrilled with him as our pick.
As for Derik Queen, great offensive feel and power. Doesn't run back on D. Strike 1 for a college player. Has his hands down on both sides of the ball. Strike 2. He might be a guy that magically blooms, but, I think that getting torched by NBA bigs on the regular would be hard on the psyche. If the Spurs passed on Sengun, I don't see them grabbing Queen.
Lastly, Cooper Flagg is a freak. He will make Franz Wagner be called Cooper Flagg-Lite. His fundamentals, like Kon, are so solid and he's been well-coached. Where he lands will be so interesting to see. Losing a bunch with the Wiz, Hornets, or Nets would be tough for a guy like him. It will be an adventure to see how the lottery and draft day shake out. He will make any team better, obviously. If the miracle of miracles happens and he ends up on the Spurs, we are just adding role players for the next decade + and OKC's window just got smaller.
nipple definitely has better size for a SG than Reed does as a PG. but i think the same general concerns carry over. and sheppard was a better college defender than Kon.
then again, sheppard has only played 1 season on a team where he wasnt gifted minutes so we rarely actually saw him. im not out on Sheppard at all, but some of the "can this translate at a higher level against better athletes" questions are still around
kon's lateral movement is still poor though. he'll get blown by but then get a little physical and bump a guy on his drive. NBA foul baiters will have field days with him doing that imo
Last edited by spurraider21; 03-28-2025 at 11:11 AM.
Sochan is our perimeter defender. Queens offensive skill set is to good to pass up. He won’t clog up the lane because he has great footwork and speed for his size. He can move in and out.
so you want Wemby, Queen, AND Sochan on the floor at the same time? good grief
We rarely saw Sheppard? What do you mean? He and Dillingham didn't start for whatever reason Cal had, probably because he promised starting minutes elsewhere, but they both played a ton. What are you talking about? He won National Freshman of the Year and played 29 mpg.
Eye test: Knueppel = stubby Dan Majerle
I can't imagine Sixers not just thinking BPA with Embiid and PG both looking done. Though if that pick is #7 or below gotta consider OKC's needs instead.
People don’t realize that the Spurs might be spoiled from what they’ve found with Castle— a guy who picked things up quickly and was ready to play. I think whoever they draft will be a guy they can plug in right away. For this reason, Carter Bryant might not be in play.
i meant we rarely saw sheppard at the NBA level to gauge how well his game can translate
No knucklehead, not all the time. But If the situation calls for it. Bottom line, Queen would work for the Spurs IMHO. Of course you have your own.
Who is that ST member that said he lives in the same building as Cooper Flagg? If you read this post, and you ever talk to Cooper, would you ask him what team/s he wants to get drafted by?
Understood
Vecenie just had a pod where they discussed what each team would do if they got the #3 overall pick (assuming Flagg/Harper are gone)
when they got to the spurs (begins at 25:25), they quickly kinda assumed the spurs would take Bailey over VJ because of the presence of Fox, Castle, and Vassell, but spent most of the time speculating whether the spurs would trade the pick. the main deal vecenie discussed was the spurs dealing #3, Vassell, and HB for Lauri. they acknowledged Lauri hasnt had the best year, and his contract isnt as nice as it looked a year ago, but nevertheless thought he'd basically be the best 3rd option in the league and would flourish alongisde Wembanyama and Fox as a 5-out team. last time this forum was discussing a potential Lauri trade, we didnt have Fox, and we didnt know how good Castle would be. Vecenie also opined that for the spurs, Lauri on his deal would be better than hoping to get Naz for 30 mil, and that he's realizing the spurs might want to get value for Vassell while they can. said in a vacuum he'd rather get Naz but you never know what his actual availability will be
Last edited by spurraider21; 03-28-2025 at 05:03 PM.
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