I'm gonna have to go with Haliburton because I think his shooting/defense will translate to the next level and that Okongwu will mirror the production we get from Chriss. We need a big who can shoot, not another undersized mobile big man who rim runs.
Haliburton since i think Okongwu duplicates what we have with undersized centers in Chris, Dray, and Looney. If they were going to draft a center I'd rather they take Wiseman to give us more size.
I gotta go with Haliburton. Seems like he could hit the ground running with this team due to his high BB IQ and quality team defense. I really like the description of his attitude and his willingness to take advice and improve his game. With guys like Steph, Klay, and Dray around (not to mention Kerr), he could learn enough from them to take Warrior BB into the next decade as the current group of stars begin to fade.
I like Okongwu but I'm not sure of the value of a big who can't shoot the 3 in today's NBA.
Ideally, they'd trade the #1 pick down and still be able to get both of these guys :)
Seems to me like Haliburton has a slightly lower floor -- if nothing were to change I think it's unlikely Okongwu would be anything less than a rotation player with his athleticism and current skill level, while Tyrese at his current weight could end up being a bit of a liability on both ends (worst case scenario of course).
Ceiling-wise I think they're both pretty high -- Okongwu would need to add an outside shot and/or some play making and/or some shot creation to his game, while Haliburton would need his shot to translate and to add 20-30 pounds. I think that's what it comes down to for me, can Haliburton put on the weight? Some of those really skinny guys have a lot of trouble bulking up, but if Haliburton could get his body looking a little more like Iguodala's and a little less like Livingston I think he could be a star.
Can he do it? I dunno... you don't see that a lot. I think I'll play it safe and go with Okongwu.
It's stupid that I have a vote, because I don't watch college basketball. I could make a stab based on the write-ups. But I abstain - Dubs should trade down and get two for the price of one.
Just noticed in a micro-SI-Cover-Curse, the last 5 cover pictures in the series have been for the losing player. On track for 6 in a row now, as Haliburton trails both here and on Twitter.
Both of these guys seem like they'd be amazing on the Dubs, and the choice between them is really hard because they're such different types of player but each contributes a whole lot in their area of specialty.
After much back-and-forth, Haliburton has to be my pick, because he provides more of something the Dubs are going to need more of: 3-point, shooting, accuracy. Love his passing, too.
I see Okongwu's shot-blocking as his most appealing skill (and I *love* the vision of the team getting PUMPED over some big rejections), but in terms of guys who are already on the team, I think there's a limit to how much more that adds if you have Draymond, Chriss, and Looney all playing in good health. Meanwhile, there really isn't a point of over-saturation for guys who can knock down an open shot.
Both these youngsters seem like they have the potential for a pretty great NBA career on Dubs, and Vassell, too. So yeah, sure, maybe there's nobody in this draft class who's as obviously NBA-ready as Doncic or Zion, even Ja Morant, but it sure feels nice to be looking at candidates in the single digit category on multiple draft boards and thinking, yeah, we could pick that guy.
Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton. Okongwu is a great choice no doubt, but Haliburton is the better fit alongside steph, klay, and draymond.
Haliburton!
I vote Halliburton
Current results of the weighted voting: Okongwu leads by 1/2 a LGW comment vote. Really close.
Halliburton based on best fit.
Ty Hal
I'm gonna have to go with Haliburton because I think his shooting/defense will translate to the next level and that Okongwu will mirror the production we get from Chriss. We need a big who can shoot, not another undersized mobile big man who rim runs.
Soooo . . . quick question . . . was Isiah Stewart part of this tournament? Because I'm starting to really like him as an option as well.
Haliburton since i think Okongwu duplicates what we have with undersized centers in Chris, Dray, and Looney. If they were going to draft a center I'd rather they take Wiseman to give us more size.
I gotta go with Haliburton. Seems like he could hit the ground running with this team due to his high BB IQ and quality team defense. I really like the description of his attitude and his willingness to take advice and improve his game. With guys like Steph, Klay, and Dray around (not to mention Kerr), he could learn enough from them to take Warrior BB into the next decade as the current group of stars begin to fade.
I like Okongwu but I'm not sure of the value of a big who can't shoot the 3 in today's NBA.
Ideally, they'd trade the #1 pick down and still be able to get both of these guys :)
Seems to me like Haliburton has a slightly lower floor -- if nothing were to change I think it's unlikely Okongwu would be anything less than a rotation player with his athleticism and current skill level, while Tyrese at his current weight could end up being a bit of a liability on both ends (worst case scenario of course).
Ceiling-wise I think they're both pretty high -- Okongwu would need to add an outside shot and/or some play making and/or some shot creation to his game, while Haliburton would need his shot to translate and to add 20-30 pounds. I think that's what it comes down to for me, can Haliburton put on the weight? Some of those really skinny guys have a lot of trouble bulking up, but if Haliburton could get his body looking a little more like Iguodala's and a little less like Livingston I think he could be a star.
Can he do it? I dunno... you don't see that a lot. I think I'll play it safe and go with Okongwu.
It's stupid that I have a vote, because I don't watch college basketball. I could make a stab based on the write-ups. But I abstain - Dubs should trade down and get two for the price of one.
Just noticed in a micro-SI-Cover-Curse, the last 5 cover pictures in the series have been for the losing player. On track for 6 in a row now, as Haliburton trails both here and on Twitter.
Both of these guys seem like they'd be amazing on the Dubs, and the choice between them is really hard because they're such different types of player but each contributes a whole lot in their area of specialty.
After much back-and-forth, Haliburton has to be my pick, because he provides more of something the Dubs are going to need more of: 3-point, shooting, accuracy. Love his passing, too.
I see Okongwu's shot-blocking as his most appealing skill (and I *love* the vision of the team getting PUMPED over some big rejections), but in terms of guys who are already on the team, I think there's a limit to how much more that adds if you have Draymond, Chriss, and Looney all playing in good health. Meanwhile, there really isn't a point of over-saturation for guys who can knock down an open shot.
Both these youngsters seem like they have the potential for a pretty great NBA career on Dubs, and Vassell, too. So yeah, sure, maybe there's nobody in this draft class who's as obviously NBA-ready as Doncic or Zion, even Ja Morant, but it sure feels nice to be looking at candidates in the single digit category on multiple draft boards and thinking, yeah, we could pick that guy.
would easily 'settle' for Haliburton, but my vote goes to Onkongwu.