I'm late to the party here but I think #GRAVES is the most exciting of the three, with a hint at being a real outlier at his best skills—something I think makes it possible to eke out a role early in his career while he brings his other skills up to NBA level. (I'm sure as a rookie his foul rate will be abysmal.)
Disclaimer: The general consensus seems to be Mikel Brown Jr. won't be around by the 11th pick, while Steinbach presumably will. I’d like to see Steinbach advance in the draft tourney because, imho, he warrants an extended discussion alongside the other likely candidates available in that range.
Speaking as a heavy skeptic of the "we need a big" crowd, I have to admire Steinbach had one of the best statistical rebounding seasons the NCAA has seen in the past decade (25% DRB% and 14.3% ORB%). That seems like no flash in the pan given he showed similar dominance as a teenager in Bundesliga. I think on the Warriors, there will be ample minutes for an everyday big. With those available minutes, Steinbach would have the opportunity to be productive and outperform his rookie contract (starts at ~6.2M), hopefully early on.
I wanted to vote for Brown - tall-ish PG who can shoot, extra length is seductive. But I fear wildness means a long learning curve from the bench. So I’m going #STEINBACH. Loved the interior passing, great rebounding numbers, and what looks like good BBIQ. Interior player the Warriors need. If he can develop his shooting, then we’re really in business.
My justification for this pick is that Mikel Brown, Jr. will be long gone by the time the Warriors draft, Steinbach may be the top overall rebounder on this draft, and almost all of Steinbach's draft combine measurables were superior to those of Graves. He's longer, bigger, and faster than Graves and can jump higher. But Graves is the better defender and is also the box plus/minus darling, so I am not saying that there is no argument for Graves.
I really like all 3 of these players for various reasons. Brown's upside is tantalizing, and I would be pretty happy trading back and taking Graves, but I'm voting for #Steinbach. The mix of mobility, rebounding, and touch seems really appealing, especially with the potential to eventually be a stretch 5. The defense is concerning, especially for a 5, but he still seems like he has a clear path to being a starter.
Part of me worries that kinds of mistakes that Brown would make would be the kind that would drive Steve Kerr crazy, and it might be harder for Brown to develop in the next few years behind Curry.
I still think Jimmy would've gotten his last year if Steph didn't get hurt 😢
But wasn't there follow-up that Jimmy was cool with Wiggins and the issue was mainly with KAT? And who knows, maybe he did motivate KAT to become who he's become since then...
Were it not for the back issues I'd go with Brown for better positional fit but for me somebody already having back issues in their teens is a huge red flag. Graves just seems like a smaller Steinbach.
Effective Field Goal: Steinbach 60.2%, Graves 58.2%
True shooting: Steinbach 63.6%, Graves 61.5%
Graves currently seemingly has more range, but the sample size is small, and I don't know how many of Grave's 91 three attempts were contested or came under duress compared to Steinbach's 65.
Note that Steinbach's team played better overall competition (52 vs. 82 SOS, according to Ken Pomeroy), and Steinbach was higher on other team's scouting reports.
The Warriors have such a dearth of talent at every position (outside of the grizzled OG’s) that I find myself liking the majority of prospects in their draft range and beyond. I would be excited with any of these guys.
My instinct is to say Steinbach, he’s bigger than Sabonis and looks to be much more of a quick twitch athlete. His dominance on the boards would be a huge plus in a category the Warriors have been mediocre in for years.
Ultimately, though, their number one problem is they need another potential offensive engine, as Steph just cant carry the load for 82 games anymore. Thats why I think I would go with Brown if he was available at 11.
There's also some whiplash from being focused on 2nd round picks last year...all these prospects seem so much better in comparison and my brain hasn't adjusted yet.
They should've called a timeout and taken the last shot for the win or OT. Who cares about playing a set defense, you want the worst case scenario to be OT
It's definitely #Brown. He's a pure shooter with the 84% FT who has size and can pass. That's prototypical PG these days. And he's big enough to play SG with another ball handler. He'll be a good NBA player. But he won't be there at 11.
I'm out on Steinbach for the same reason others have said - his defense is subpar and he's a center. Not touching that.
Graves is really intriguing. The things that translate well to me are rebounds, steals, FT%, wingspan, and age. Graves checks every box - a 7'0 wingspan, 19 yo, with an otherworldly steal rate, 11 reb/40 and a 75% FT.... And then you find out he was a bench player for Santa Clara. Could you really grab that at 11? I just might.
This has been such a great series. KAT continues to be the best player on the Knicks and if they win the Finals I really hope he gets his proper credit for it. All of his skillset was on display tonight.
Wembanyama is obviously extremely tall but the Knicks are big and strong. It presents a real problem for the Spurs. If Wembanyama doesn't guard KAT, KAT sets up near the paint to get a rebound or post up on a smaller player. And if Wembanyama tries to help with that and sags off Hart (presumably) too much, I'm guessing Mike Brown is aware of the Draymond strategy to become a screen setter for the ball handler to give Brunson/McBride/Alvarado an open three.
Is there a world where the Spurs play both Kornet and Wembanyama together? Kornet on Towns and Wembanyama shadowing Hart? Is that dumb? Hart could blow that strategy up by hitting threes but I kinda think they should try it.
Spurs defense isn’t really the problem though. Given up exactly 105 both games. Kornet isnt like Steven Adams where his physicality on screening and boards makes up for the lack of spacing. Kornet will clog things up on offense.
The Spurs are a year ahead. Always felt like the natural partner for Wemby was a mobile physical 4. Maybe a shooter, but not even totally necessary. They were hoping for Sochan even at the beginning of this year, and then didn’t feel the urgency to target that at the trade deadline.
They still have a shot without that player IMO. But that’s what they’ll go after in the offseason regardless.
I would like them to win game 3 but I don't know about them breaking the Knicks, who seemed to be as responsible for losing the lead as the Spurs were taking it. And MSG will be nuts
I don’t think they “broke” the Knicks. Break the spell just means the Knicks had so much more rhythm and confidence. They seemed like a buzz saw.
I think the Spurs found a plan that can compete in the key parts of the game. And just from a desperation standpoint I think they take game 3. Maybe not a blowout, but somewhat comfortably.
I'm late to the party here but I think #GRAVES is the most exciting of the three, with a hint at being a real outlier at his best skills—something I think makes it possible to eke out a role early in his career while he brings his other skills up to NBA level. (I'm sure as a rookie his foul rate will be abysmal.)
#STEINBACH
Disclaimer: The general consensus seems to be Mikel Brown Jr. won't be around by the 11th pick, while Steinbach presumably will. I’d like to see Steinbach advance in the draft tourney because, imho, he warrants an extended discussion alongside the other likely candidates available in that range.
Speaking as a heavy skeptic of the "we need a big" crowd, I have to admire Steinbach had one of the best statistical rebounding seasons the NCAA has seen in the past decade (25% DRB% and 14.3% ORB%). That seems like no flash in the pan given he showed similar dominance as a teenager in Bundesliga. I think on the Warriors, there will be ample minutes for an everyday big. With those available minutes, Steinbach would have the opportunity to be productive and outperform his rookie contract (starts at ~6.2M), hopefully early on.
(Stat source: https://craftednba.com/draft/2026)
I wanted to vote for Brown - tall-ish PG who can shoot, extra length is seductive. But I fear wildness means a long learning curve from the bench. So I’m going #STEINBACH. Loved the interior passing, great rebounding numbers, and what looks like good BBIQ. Interior player the Warriors need. If he can develop his shooting, then we’re really in business.
RIP Stacey King
.
#STEINBACH
My justification for this pick is that Mikel Brown, Jr. will be long gone by the time the Warriors draft, Steinbach may be the top overall rebounder on this draft, and almost all of Steinbach's draft combine measurables were superior to those of Graves. He's longer, bigger, and faster than Graves and can jump higher. But Graves is the better defender and is also the box plus/minus darling, so I am not saying that there is no argument for Graves.
I really like all 3 of these players for various reasons. Brown's upside is tantalizing, and I would be pretty happy trading back and taking Graves, but I'm voting for #Steinbach. The mix of mobility, rebounding, and touch seems really appealing, especially with the potential to eventually be a stretch 5. The defense is concerning, especially for a 5, but he still seems like he has a clear path to being a starter.
Part of me worries that kinds of mistakes that Brown would make would be the kind that would drive Steve Kerr crazy, and it might be harder for Brown to develop in the next few years behind Curry.
So I guess KAT and Andrew Wiggins get the last laugh if they both end up with a ring and Jimmy doesn’t?
I still think Jimmy would've gotten his last year if Steph didn't get hurt 😢
But wasn't there follow-up that Jimmy was cool with Wiggins and the issue was mainly with KAT? And who knows, maybe he did motivate KAT to become who he's become since then...
I think I'm supposed to vote for Brown but he seems kind of meh.
I'm going #GRAVES. Some sort of Otto Porter Jr. meets Al Horford (both Dubs' versions) in a younger package.
#STEINBACH
Were it not for the back issues I'd go with Brown for better positional fit but for me somebody already having back issues in their teens is a huge red flag. Graves just seems like a smaller Steinbach.
Isn’t Graves a far better shooter?
Last season's NCAA stats:
Dunks: Steinbach 29-30, Graves 21-23
Close twos: Steinbach 144-204 (70%), Graves 76-120 (63%)
Far twos: Steinbach 47-105 (45%), Graves 29-65 (45%)
Threes: Grave 37-91 (41%), Steinbach 18-53 (34%)
Free throws: Steinbach 120-158 (76%), Graves 84-112 (75%)
Effective Field Goal: Steinbach 60.2%, Graves 58.2%
True shooting: Steinbach 63.6%, Graves 61.5%
Graves currently seemingly has more range, but the sample size is small, and I don't know how many of Grave's 91 three attempts were contested or came under duress compared to Steinbach's 65.
Note that Steinbach's team played better overall competition (52 vs. 82 SOS, according to Ken Pomeroy), and Steinbach was higher on other team's scouting reports.
The Warriors have such a dearth of talent at every position (outside of the grizzled OG’s) that I find myself liking the majority of prospects in their draft range and beyond. I would be excited with any of these guys.
My instinct is to say Steinbach, he’s bigger than Sabonis and looks to be much more of a quick twitch athlete. His dominance on the boards would be a huge plus in a category the Warriors have been mediocre in for years.
Ultimately, though, their number one problem is they need another potential offensive engine, as Steph just cant carry the load for 82 games anymore. Thats why I think I would go with Brown if he was available at 11.
There's also some whiplash from being focused on 2nd round picks last year...all these prospects seem so much better in comparison and my brain hasn't adjusted yet.
Brown, but not really interested. Give me round 2.
This lowlight is going to haunt Wemby.
https://old.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1ty5zwo/lowlight_wemby_passes_to_castle_who_is_not/
Should haunt castle more imo. He made eye contact with vic and then turned away as vic passed the ball.
They should've called a timeout and taken the last shot for the win or OT. Who cares about playing a set defense, you want the worst case scenario to be OT
I hit the Graves button instead of Brown.
An inauspicious start to my front office career.
That's like the Raiders drafting Byron Young instead of Byron Young
I coulda been a contendah....
(I'm old, and Waterfront is before even my time.)
It's definitely #Brown. He's a pure shooter with the 84% FT who has size and can pass. That's prototypical PG these days. And he's big enough to play SG with another ball handler. He'll be a good NBA player. But he won't be there at 11.
I'm out on Steinbach for the same reason others have said - his defense is subpar and he's a center. Not touching that.
Graves is really intriguing. The things that translate well to me are rebounds, steals, FT%, wingspan, and age. Graves checks every box - a 7'0 wingspan, 19 yo, with an otherworldly steal rate, 11 reb/40 and a 75% FT.... And then you find out he was a bench player for Santa Clara. Could you really grab that at 11? I just might.
This has been such a great series. KAT continues to be the best player on the Knicks and if they win the Finals I really hope he gets his proper credit for it. All of his skillset was on display tonight.
Wembanyama is obviously extremely tall but the Knicks are big and strong. It presents a real problem for the Spurs. If Wembanyama doesn't guard KAT, KAT sets up near the paint to get a rebound or post up on a smaller player. And if Wembanyama tries to help with that and sags off Hart (presumably) too much, I'm guessing Mike Brown is aware of the Draymond strategy to become a screen setter for the ball handler to give Brunson/McBride/Alvarado an open three.
Is there a world where the Spurs play both Kornet and Wembanyama together? Kornet on Towns and Wembanyama shadowing Hart? Is that dumb? Hart could blow that strategy up by hitting threes but I kinda think they should try it.
IIRC they did play Wemby/Kornet lineups earlier in the regular season, so the team at the very least has experience with it
Spurs defense isn’t really the problem though. Given up exactly 105 both games. Kornet isnt like Steven Adams where his physicality on screening and boards makes up for the lack of spacing. Kornet will clog things up on offense.
The Spurs are a year ahead. Always felt like the natural partner for Wemby was a mobile physical 4. Maybe a shooter, but not even totally necessary. They were hoping for Sochan even at the beginning of this year, and then didn’t feel the urgency to target that at the trade deadline.
They still have a shot without that player IMO. But that’s what they’ll go after in the offseason regardless.
KAT’s career arc is incredible. He’s a legit big game player.
I think the Spurs broke the Knicks spell there down the stretch. A little like the Warriors finding their way late in game 3 of 2015 Finals.
Maybe not enough to win series but I think Spurs take game 3 handily, and then it’s a war in game 4.
I'm not sure about handily.
I would like them to win game 3 but I don't know about them breaking the Knicks, who seemed to be as responsible for losing the lead as the Spurs were taking it. And MSG will be nuts
I don’t think they “broke” the Knicks. Break the spell just means the Knicks had so much more rhythm and confidence. They seemed like a buzz saw.
I think the Spurs found a plan that can compete in the key parts of the game. And just from a desperation standpoint I think they take game 3. Maybe not a blowout, but somewhat comfortably.