He’s going to be a turnover machine as an onball point guard with his excessive dribbling and willingness to go 1 on 3. But 71% at the rim! And the foot movement and arms in position on D make it well worth the pick.
Gotta go with Kobe if he’s there at our pick. A scoring combo guard with a good frame (albeit skinny currently, of course), improving and mechanically smooth shooting, high-end finishing around the rim, who also plays hard and fundamentally sound on defense? Sign me up.
Getting him gives you more flexibility with Poole, he projects to be playable with a lot of different lineups, and if/when he fills out, you’d have some very intriguing lineup possibilities win terms of length + shooting + finishing with Kobe, Kuminga, Moody, Baldwin, Wiggins, etc.
Even just 50% of Poole on offense combined with high effort, fundamentally sound defense sounds fantastic.
My second choice would be Nnaji. I’m a sucker for athletic bigmen who started playing late and for international prospects, and you can stash him.
#Bufkin is the easy #1. I think he might be above Leonard Miller as my favorite realistic target now that I’ve seen him more. He’s got some major star upside. Skinny now, but solid height/wingspan for a 2 and would be elite at 1. Great mix of burst, athleticism AND the crafty change of pace game. Shot looks solid. What’s special is to get basically a complete package offensive guard prospect who also plays his ass off on D w great fundamentals. He might be my one of my favorite prospects in a few years to be honest relative to draft position. He could be a SGA level lead combo guard.
Nnaji #2 - incredible frame and athleticism. He looks to me to have the mobility to move with perimeter offensive players. He seems very rudimentary on O. So probably not a star here, but could be an elite, versatile D guy who rim runs and gets offensive rebounds.
Lewis #3 - good frame. Good shot. Competes on D. He’s got a little ways to go I think, but has the upside to be a solid starting wing.
Sheppard is not far off Lewis for me. More average in size. But it’s a really interesting mix to be both a good movement shooter and be able to do a little playmaking off the bounce. That combo is what has made Desmond Bane one of the best young guards in the league. Don’t think Sheppard is nearly as proven a shooter as Bane was coming out and doesnt have that frame either. But a 75% of Desmond Bane would still be a great late first pick.
Because Poole won’t pass on time or play D so he needs to be surrounded by 4 guys who are ready to get rebounds, sprint back to cover his turnovers, and cover for him in the half court D?
You’re probably right that Bufkin would be good to pair with Poole on D. But can he offensive rebound?
Actually I think you’re right, there’s no reason they couldn’t play together if they are able to manage their turnovers
Because they both essentially play the same position and would take valuable minutes away from Steph being on the floor. That’s unnecessary. We also have Rollins who we still haven’t seen in action yet. That’s four ball handlers with two projects and one with a confidence issue. One of those roster spots is better spent on a versatile wing, either as a draft pick or a vet signing.
We won’t have space to sign a vet wing unless we trade Poole, hence if we keep him I would rather us draft the best wing available (or a big like Lively)
Poole can't really be traded until over a week after the draft, due to contract / CBA stuff. So it would be the other way around: if Kobe B falls to us and we draft him, we basically have to move JP after July 1st, but we'd have to have a deal negotiated beforehand.
#Maxwell. Just like the scouting report states, i like his shooting mechanics (over Sheppard). Sheppard has some range but mechanics and body motion remind me alot of Patrick Mccaw (ok if we were picking in 2nd round). Out of the 4, see Maxwell having decent ceiling decent floor so we getting the best of both worlds if we keep pick.
Anyone have some thoughts on some knee pain I’ve been experiencing for the last few days. Over two weeks ago I went down playing some driveway 1 on 1 and skinned my right knee but didn’t seem to bang it hard. No swelling. No pain. Now it’s pretty sore on the lateral side just moving around. Meniscus is tender to the touch. Seems odd after two weeks.
You can cycle ice and heat a few times each about 10 min at a time to try to get blood flowing through the area. Used to use a 60 min tv show changing over at commercials as a decent guide. That plus stim is my goto for ankle injuries. Wouldn’t do stim if you’re unsure what’s wrong in the knee though.
I'm 63, so the following may not be relevant for you, but:
I had some kind of non-contact knee injury back in Feb. It hurt bad enough at the knob on the inside of my knee to make it difficult sleeping and driving (keeping my leg flexed to push the gas pedal was painful).
After six weeks, I finally went to my GP. She thought it might be meniscus related and referred me for physical therapy. After a six week course of PT, it isn't causing me any problems, unless I do something stupid (crossing my legs).
The therapist said that a lot of meniscus-related injuries can be addressed by physical therapy.
I think that drafting teenagers is simply insane. Especially for teams playing in a serious way with championship aspirations. The same analysis applies to drafting players from places like Belmont. The present Warrior rotation features players from schools with serious basketball and academic programs.
Steph-Davidson
Klay- Washington State
Looney-UCLA
Dray-Michigan State
Wiggins-Kansas
Poole-Michigan
Donte-Villinova
GP2-Oregon
Drafting guys from marginal programs and basically out of AAU ball doesn't work for elite teams looking to replace X declining player or to fill Y hole in their rotation.
So many NBA teams are having to teach young players basic skills. How to set a screen, how to come off a screen, hand and feet postion when fighting over or through a screen. How to box out. How to recognize a defensive alignment. Skills that all players learn in good college programs. AAU ball is about the individual star athlete. Elite college and NBA teams build a winning culture. They teach and play a certain defensive and offensive style. Players are responsible to one another, their coaches, the historical culture of the program. 19 year old kids who don't have the basic discipline to go to class and the gym for two or three years are a huge risk. Too big a risk for a team one injury or one veteran pickup or one player developing quickly away from a return to competing for a championship. Sure a Kobe or the huge French kid pops up once in a while. Absolutely correct. But the Warriors seem to be leaning towards keeping their core for one or two more runs. Poole is the player that should or could be traded for immediate help. I hope they can pay Donte a little more money. He might complete his contract. Having won at Villanova he recognizes winning culture when he sees it. The Warrior roster was good enough to advance this year. They didn't play well enough. The reasons for that truth must be addressed. Drafting teenagers or other crazed draft speculative behavior is a step on the road to nowhere.
I doubt if we actually draft him, especially at 19 (although a trade-down seems do-able this year, especially if a player falls that teams want), but it would be hilarious if Nnaji ended up to be most of what we wanted Wiseman to eventually be, after all the trolling from other fans.
Charles Lee is finalizing a deal to join the Boston Celtics as the lead assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Lee had been the associate head coach with Milwaukee and a finalist for the Toronto and Detroit head jobs.
Sheppard appears to project to be a younger Damion Lee, which would be interesting early in the second if we had a pick. Agree with Beli below that Howard would be more desirable for us.
Buffkin's ceiling could be lead guard on a playoff team, maybe in a few years, but he could certainly slot into Poole's role much earlier than that. If he fell to us, getting him would a no-brainer IMO.
#KOBE
Nnaji as a stash if we trade down to 31 and all the other targets are gone, and not really interested in Lewis except maybe as a G-League-bound UDFA.
#Kobe
He’s going to be a turnover machine as an onball point guard with his excessive dribbling and willingness to go 1 on 3. But 71% at the rim! And the foot movement and arms in position on D make it well worth the pick.
Voting #KOBE , but shepherd and Lewis are both intriguing as well.
Gotta go with Kobe if he’s there at our pick. A scoring combo guard with a good frame (albeit skinny currently, of course), improving and mechanically smooth shooting, high-end finishing around the rim, who also plays hard and fundamentally sound on defense? Sign me up.
Getting him gives you more flexibility with Poole, he projects to be playable with a lot of different lineups, and if/when he fills out, you’d have some very intriguing lineup possibilities win terms of length + shooting + finishing with Kobe, Kuminga, Moody, Baldwin, Wiggins, etc.
Even just 50% of Poole on offense combined with high effort, fundamentally sound defense sounds fantastic.
My second choice would be Nnaji. I’m a sucker for athletic bigmen who started playing late and for international prospects, and you can stash him.
#KOBE - he's got the name pedigree, and you just take the best player available, which doesn't seem to be the other guys.
To a certain extent I like all these prospects.
#Bufkin is the easy #1. I think he might be above Leonard Miller as my favorite realistic target now that I’ve seen him more. He’s got some major star upside. Skinny now, but solid height/wingspan for a 2 and would be elite at 1. Great mix of burst, athleticism AND the crafty change of pace game. Shot looks solid. What’s special is to get basically a complete package offensive guard prospect who also plays his ass off on D w great fundamentals. He might be my one of my favorite prospects in a few years to be honest relative to draft position. He could be a SGA level lead combo guard.
Nnaji #2 - incredible frame and athleticism. He looks to me to have the mobility to move with perimeter offensive players. He seems very rudimentary on O. So probably not a star here, but could be an elite, versatile D guy who rim runs and gets offensive rebounds.
Lewis #3 - good frame. Good shot. Competes on D. He’s got a little ways to go I think, but has the upside to be a solid starting wing.
Sheppard is not far off Lewis for me. More average in size. But it’s a really interesting mix to be both a good movement shooter and be able to do a little playmaking off the bounce. That combo is what has made Desmond Bane one of the best young guards in the league. Don’t think Sheppard is nearly as proven a shooter as Bane was coming out and doesnt have that frame either. But a 75% of Desmond Bane would still be a great late first pick.
#Buffkin, “plays his ass off on D”.
#Lewis. Looks like he checks all the boxes, doesn’t bother me that he’s played in the WCC.
#Bufkin if we trade JP, but I doubt that’ll happen
why can't Poole and Bufkin play together?
Because Poole won’t pass on time or play D so he needs to be surrounded by 4 guys who are ready to get rebounds, sprint back to cover his turnovers, and cover for him in the half court D?
You’re probably right that Bufkin would be good to pair with Poole on D. But can he offensive rebound?
Actually I think you’re right, there’s no reason they couldn’t play together if they are able to manage their turnovers
Because they both essentially play the same position and would take valuable minutes away from Steph being on the floor. That’s unnecessary. We also have Rollins who we still haven’t seen in action yet. That’s four ball handlers with two projects and one with a confidence issue. One of those roster spots is better spent on a versatile wing, either as a draft pick or a vet signing.
We won’t have space to sign a vet wing unless we trade Poole, hence if we keep him I would rather us draft the best wing available (or a big like Lively)
We also could have Ty Jerome, another ball handler, if we want him. He's RFA and won't be expensive.
Poole can't really be traded until over a week after the draft, due to contract / CBA stuff. So it would be the other way around: if Kobe B falls to us and we draft him, we basically have to move JP after July 1st, but we'd have to have a deal negotiated beforehand.
I know, that’s why I doubt it would happen
#Maxwell. Just like the scouting report states, i like his shooting mechanics (over Sheppard). Sheppard has some range but mechanics and body motion remind me alot of Patrick Mccaw (ok if we were picking in 2nd round). Out of the 4, see Maxwell having decent ceiling decent floor so we getting the best of both worlds if we keep pick.
#KOBE #BUFKIN - he’s got a solid all around game and is still improving. JP plus D.
We might trade Poole, so Bufkin. Or we could stash Nnaji and not waste a roster spot. Hmmm.
...
...
...
Ok, ok ... um ... #BUFKIN oops #KOBE (but I hedged and voted for Nnaji in the poll)
#KOBE. If Poole developed ganas for D, I'd never want the Dubs to let him go. Barring that, a JP clone with D would be excellent consolation.
Anyone have some thoughts on some knee pain I’ve been experiencing for the last few days. Over two weeks ago I went down playing some driveway 1 on 1 and skinned my right knee but didn’t seem to bang it hard. No swelling. No pain. Now it’s pretty sore on the lateral side just moving around. Meniscus is tender to the touch. Seems odd after two weeks.
You can cycle ice and heat a few times each about 10 min at a time to try to get blood flowing through the area. Used to use a 60 min tv show changing over at commercials as a decent guide. That plus stim is my goto for ankle injuries. Wouldn’t do stim if you’re unsure what’s wrong in the knee though.
Agree with the PT comments. Even if structural issue (eg torn meniscus) better to try PT then visiting a surgeon (hammer meet nail).
I'm 63, so the following may not be relevant for you, but:
I had some kind of non-contact knee injury back in Feb. It hurt bad enough at the knob on the inside of my knee to make it difficult sleeping and driving (keeping my leg flexed to push the gas pedal was painful).
After six weeks, I finally went to my GP. She thought it might be meniscus related and referred me for physical therapy. After a six week course of PT, it isn't causing me any problems, unless I do something stupid (crossing my legs).
The therapist said that a lot of meniscus-related injuries can be addressed by physical therapy.
Ibuprofen is a known stomach and liver irritant. A good Physical Therapist is usually the best course.
Thanks Sab, I might if it persists.
I think that drafting teenagers is simply insane. Especially for teams playing in a serious way with championship aspirations. The same analysis applies to drafting players from places like Belmont. The present Warrior rotation features players from schools with serious basketball and academic programs.
Steph-Davidson
Klay- Washington State
Looney-UCLA
Dray-Michigan State
Wiggins-Kansas
Poole-Michigan
Donte-Villinova
GP2-Oregon
Drafting guys from marginal programs and basically out of AAU ball doesn't work for elite teams looking to replace X declining player or to fill Y hole in their rotation.
So many NBA teams are having to teach young players basic skills. How to set a screen, how to come off a screen, hand and feet postion when fighting over or through a screen. How to box out. How to recognize a defensive alignment. Skills that all players learn in good college programs. AAU ball is about the individual star athlete. Elite college and NBA teams build a winning culture. They teach and play a certain defensive and offensive style. Players are responsible to one another, their coaches, the historical culture of the program. 19 year old kids who don't have the basic discipline to go to class and the gym for two or three years are a huge risk. Too big a risk for a team one injury or one veteran pickup or one player developing quickly away from a return to competing for a championship. Sure a Kobe or the huge French kid pops up once in a while. Absolutely correct. But the Warriors seem to be leaning towards keeping their core for one or two more runs. Poole is the player that should or could be traded for immediate help. I hope they can pay Donte a little more money. He might complete his contract. Having won at Villanova he recognizes winning culture when he sees it. The Warrior roster was good enough to advance this year. They didn't play well enough. The reasons for that truth must be addressed. Drafting teenagers or other crazed draft speculative behavior is a step on the road to nowhere.
Davidson???? It has a basketball name because of Steph.
The majority of the best players in the league were drafted as teenagers.
Davidson is (was?) a serious NBA producing program?
I doubt if we actually draft him, especially at 19 (although a trade-down seems do-able this year, especially if a player falls that teams want), but it would be hilarious if Nnaji ended up to be most of what we wanted Wiseman to eventually be, after all the trolling from other fans.
Charles Lee is finalizing a deal to join the Boston Celtics as the lead assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Lee had been the associate head coach with Milwaukee and a finalist for the Toronto and Detroit head jobs.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1667920404801880066
NOOOOUUUUUU!!!
ESPN Sources: The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a deal to hire Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as the franchise’s next coach.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1667625459293511682
I wonder if his ditching the CHA job is now working against him
Nah just the flavor of the year type of situation. Sometimes you just have to strike while the iron is hot ala Mike Brown
Bucks, Suns, and now Raptors
Sheppard appears to project to be a younger Damion Lee, which would be interesting early in the second if we had a pick. Agree with Beli below that Howard would be more desirable for us.
Buffkin's ceiling could be lead guard on a playoff team, maybe in a few years, but he could certainly slot into Poole's role much earlier than that. If he fell to us, getting him would a no-brainer IMO.
#KOBE
Nnaji as a stash if we trade down to 31 and all the other targets are gone, and not really interested in Lewis except maybe as a G-League-bound UDFA.