Garuba seems like a baby Draymond in some ways. I really think the Warriors could shape him into a badass. His passing ability and ferocious D would enable small ball lineups that could help cover up his garbage shot (which could improve in years - he’s still a child).
Johnson is interesting too and reminds me of Kyle Anderson, and I really want wings for the team… but I’m kind of feeling Garuba a bit too much. I vote Garuba
Johnson at 7 & Garuba at 14? Johnson sounds like a poor man’s LaMelo. They actually seem like they might make a good 4/5 combo. I’ll take Johnson with this pick I suppose if we have to choose.
"It was clear last season that the player-development staff, nearly all under age 35, encountered a few bumps. Though all were considered capable, there were, according to sources, a few spasms of immaturity."
"It was enough that Kerr decided to make experience a premium."
==============
Determined to get back to the playoffs, the Warriors opened the wallet and spent big on assistant coaches (via @MontePooleNBCS)
I get it that we’re supposed to be picking at 7, but hard to imagine picking either of these guys there. If forced I would take Garuba. I don’t like the off court questions about Johnson- quitting on teams is not good. At 7 for real Bouknight is really growing on me…
I'm voting Garuba. Johnson has some tantalizing skills, but it sounds like they add up to something like Scottie Barnes Lite, with character concerns. If I'm drafting someone without demonstrated consistent shooting ability, I'd like the other talents to be NBA-level without any qualifications (he's a great passer BUT commits a ton of turnovers, he can score BUT he can't shoot, etc.). If I'm drafting a great passer and Barnes is gone, give me Giddey or even Cooper at 14 (another trade-down guy I like).
Between the two, of course I'd rather take Garuba at 14, but even at 7 I'll bank on the guy who has demonstrated elite defense at age 18 against professionals, and also shown some passing ability and high BBIQ.
Gotta go with Johnson here. Hope he can get his offensive game to grow, and his low FT% is of concern. I've always been amazed that many players, from high school to college to the pros, can't shoot a higher percentage from the line. It's the same shot, every time, and really important to potential game outcomes. I remember George Johnson on the old Warriors working with Rick Barry and shooting his FTs underhand - he went from the low 60's to a couple of years of >80% at the line. Are there any talented FT coaches out there? Seems to be big need in the hoops world.
This is clearly Jalen Johnson for me. On defense, he already displays an incredibly instinct when it comes to blocks/steals with his size/quickness giving him excellent versatility. On offense, his dribbling/fantastic passing/finishing will be more effective in NBA spacing.
I think Johnson already has a pretty high floor by virtue of his current skillset, but his upside is fantastic. His biggest negative is his shooting, but he was actually relatively effective in catch/shoot though his FT% was pretty low. If he can just improve that, we quite literally could have a 6'9 forward who can dribble like a guard, is an excellent passer, can guard all 5 positions, and can hit shots . . . thats. star
Imagine needing a final stop in a game and being able put out a defensive lineup of of GP2, JTA, Wiggins, Draymond and Garuda….hoo boy!
I’m not crazy about either at #7and don’t think either will advance far in our little tourney, but being a self-professed “character/intangibles/BBIQ guy”, I’d take him at 14. His powerful defense could pair nicely with the offensive finesse of Wiseman and/or Wagner.
Hey Apricot, any chance you can include where the guys show up on sites’ boards, maybe starting with the 2nd round?
Garuba for me. The way he sticks onto guards and wings at his size is ridiculous, he has high BBIQ on both sides of the court, and I really like his energy. He's also banging bodies with grown men in the Euroleague (and legit 7'-7'4" guys) as a teenager.
Johnson's handles gives him a higher ceiling as he could potentially be a creator. He's 4 months older than Garuba but Garuba seems miles ahead in terms of physicality and athleticism.
Johnson, only for greater offensive upside and versatility. I like Garuba a lot though. He’s going to be fun to watch in the league.
Garuba seems like a baby Draymond in some ways. I really think the Warriors could shape him into a badass. His passing ability and ferocious D would enable small ball lineups that could help cover up his garbage shot (which could improve in years - he’s still a child).
Johnson is interesting too and reminds me of Kyle Anderson, and I really want wings for the team… but I’m kind of feeling Garuba a bit too much. I vote Garuba
Johnson, then trade him.
I'll take Johnson by a hair for the star upside. Would be less close if it weren't for the character questions.
Johnson at 7 & Garuba at 14? Johnson sounds like a poor man’s LaMelo. They actually seem like they might make a good 4/5 combo. I’ll take Johnson with this pick I suppose if we have to choose.
r/ Warriors@ GSWReddit :
"It was clear last season that the player-development staff, nearly all under age 35, encountered a few bumps. Though all were considered capable, there were, according to sources, a few spasms of immaturity."
"It was enough that Kerr decided to make experience a premium."
==============
Determined to get back to the playoffs, the Warriors opened the wallet and spent big on assistant coaches (via @MontePooleNBCS)
I get it that we’re supposed to be picking at 7, but hard to imagine picking either of these guys there. If forced I would take Garuba. I don’t like the off court questions about Johnson- quitting on teams is not good. At 7 for real Bouknight is really growing on me…
Garuba
Garuba
I'm voting Garuba. Johnson has some tantalizing skills, but it sounds like they add up to something like Scottie Barnes Lite, with character concerns. If I'm drafting someone without demonstrated consistent shooting ability, I'd like the other talents to be NBA-level without any qualifications (he's a great passer BUT commits a ton of turnovers, he can score BUT he can't shoot, etc.). If I'm drafting a great passer and Barnes is gone, give me Giddey or even Cooper at 14 (another trade-down guy I like).
Between the two, of course I'd rather take Garuba at 14, but even at 7 I'll bank on the guy who has demonstrated elite defense at age 18 against professionals, and also shown some passing ability and high BBIQ.
Cast your vote in this thought experiment: (More likely) True or False?
“If Kelly Oubre had simply duplicated Andrew Wiggins this season (games/minutes, stats and style), the Warriors would be in the finals right now.”
garuba by a narrow margin....love his on ball D. JJ has good D instincts and handle, but doesn't seem as NBA ready at #7
Gotta go with Johnson here. Hope he can get his offensive game to grow, and his low FT% is of concern. I've always been amazed that many players, from high school to college to the pros, can't shoot a higher percentage from the line. It's the same shot, every time, and really important to potential game outcomes. I remember George Johnson on the old Warriors working with Rick Barry and shooting his FTs underhand - he went from the low 60's to a couple of years of >80% at the line. Are there any talented FT coaches out there? Seems to be big need in the hoops world.
This is clearly Jalen Johnson for me. On defense, he already displays an incredibly instinct when it comes to blocks/steals with his size/quickness giving him excellent versatility. On offense, his dribbling/fantastic passing/finishing will be more effective in NBA spacing.
I think Johnson already has a pretty high floor by virtue of his current skillset, but his upside is fantastic. His biggest negative is his shooting, but he was actually relatively effective in catch/shoot though his FT% was pretty low. If he can just improve that, we quite literally could have a 6'9 forward who can dribble like a guard, is an excellent passer, can guard all 5 positions, and can hit shots . . . thats. star
Imagine needing a final stop in a game and being able put out a defensive lineup of of GP2, JTA, Wiggins, Draymond and Garuda….hoo boy!
I’m not crazy about either at #7and don’t think either will advance far in our little tourney, but being a self-professed “character/intangibles/BBIQ guy”, I’d take him at 14. His powerful defense could pair nicely with the offensive finesse of Wiseman and/or Wagner.
Hey Apricot, any chance you can include where the guys show up on sites’ boards, maybe starting with the 2nd round?
Garuba for me. The way he sticks onto guards and wings at his size is ridiculous, he has high BBIQ on both sides of the court, and I really like his energy. He's also banging bodies with grown men in the Euroleague (and legit 7'-7'4" guys) as a teenager.
Johnson's handles gives him a higher ceiling as he could potentially be a creator. He's 4 months older than Garuba but Garuba seems miles ahead in terms of physicality and athleticism.