This is a really tough one. For everyone referencing Avdija's competition level, he's played actual decent minutes in the Euroleague, which is the highest level of club competition outside the NBA. He's not Doncic, but that's like saying a draft prospect isn't Lebron. No-one dominated like Doncic as a teenager in Europe ever. As for Hollinger's comment, if you put almost anyone in this draft in the Euroleague they wouldn't do that well. Ball played big minutes in the NBL, which is nowhere near the Euroleague standards, and his stats are pretty mediocre. Yet he's in the mix for the top pick. Let's just say if he'd been in the Euroleague I don't think he'd be in that conversation. Hayes, ESS' favourite, played in the Eurocup, a lower level of competition.
Avdija's style of play is basically the stuff Steve Kerr's dreams are made of - smart, intelligent on both ends, creative playmaker with size, tested at a high level. He's got a real swagger to him and he's not going to be overawed by the moment. The shot is the question mark, but the competition level isn't. That said his shot improved over the season and he was making a decent clip from 3 by the time the season got suspended.
I've gone back and forth on both these guys but all that said I think at the moment I just have Haliburton a shade ahead because he can shoot really well with range (50/42/82 last season). You can see him sliding in really nicely alongside Steph and Klay in a three-guard alignment, or backing one up. The Livingston comp looks pretty good to me, except he can shoot 3s and he'll be able to play big minutes, whereas Livingston was ultimately limited by his previous injuries.
In this draft, a high-end complementary piece who can help right away and can grow into a 30mpg+ piece at a position of need, and possible borderline All-Star, is a pretty good outcome. I'd say both fit that mold. So if the Warriors come out with either, they'll have done well.
I'd prefer to see an inch or two on Halliburton, or short that, a few more pounds. That said, sounds like a smart young man who would fit well with the Dubs......He's the pick over a guy who can't shoot free throws.
Haliburton. Can play defense (in my view the #1 priority of W's, I'm really worried about our slide in D over last 3 seasons). RE Deni, it's one thing to not have a 3pt shot (e.g. Ball). Another entirely to have a FT% that low, and give up so much on D...
You'd expect a tough decision on the 8v9. Seriously torn between these guys. Wrote a comment for one, and then had to switch. The hardest part is gauging the competition Deni is playing against. But one thing that always seems to translate is FT%. 52? As much as he brings to the table, that's a serious red flag. We're also very thin at the guard position, and Haliburton looks like he can grow a lot playing behind Curry. I think it's easier to find a guard with the trade/mid-level exemption but also think that you have to get the better player in the draft. Vote for Haliburton.
We need some shooters and additional playmakers in the lineup. I like Deni, but I'd prefer Haliburton for the pure fact that he can actually shoot (among other considerations though that is paramount).
These are two guys I've gone back and forth on a lot and right now am pretty positive on both. I think I'll take Halliburton. FWIW - reading the reports from Letourneau, Halliburton's name has come up a lot. I think he's who I'd bet the Warriors end up with.
The thing with Halliburton that doesn't get enough credit is he has DEEP range. Funky mechanics, yes. But he'll just pop from 28-30' sometimes, and makes it look easy. That's rare. Overall, he's seen as a relatively low upside guy. Everyone agrees he's a great passer, efficient shooter, and good team defender, but don't see the upside. But I don't think it's all that crazy to think he can adjust his mechanics to make it a shot he can take off the dribble. Or improve his handle so that he can use his size and quicks to be a better penetrator. Or that he can add 15-20 lbs in an NBA weight program. None of those things are "easy" to add on, but he's got such a great reputation and he's already so good at other parts of basketball.
The worst case scenario is that he doesn't get that much better. He'd just be a super high IQ passer, great shooter, solid defender. Could play with Steph and Klay opening up the floor and moving the ball while guarding 1-3. And he can be the 2nd unit PG fitting in perfectly as an unselfish facilitator for guys like Paschall and Wiggins. So that mix of being an easy day 1, great fit, plus upside makes him someone I've really started to like.
Avdija - actually like him too. Plays really hard. Big wing who can handle the ball, play and is a really good passer...all at 6'9. I think his athleticism is underrated too. He seems a tad stiff in his movements, but still seems to have really good speed and solid bounce.
It's just the shooting. If he can't shoot there's a big limit. The FT% is ugly. Lots of the draft guys say he's a hard worker, and has already improved his mechanics. So maybe that's true. But the shot would be the differentiator for me between he and Halliburton. If he had a full season with good mechanics and better percentages then I'd actually take the 6'9 guy who fits the offense.
Probably the hardest selection yet; I absolutely love both these guys's games, but once again the question "who can help us now" arises. Personally, I tend to be more of a fan of Avdija, as he has the potential to be great, but Haliburton is the more concrete player and therefore the better selection.
As if right now, my dream situation is either for the Dubs to trade down and pick up both Haliburton and Okongwu, or for Meyers to call down upon Basketball Jesus once again and find a way to flip the trade exception for Myles Turner, then pick up a wing on the draft (Vassell or Haliburton).
Pretty easy choice here. Haliburton has a lot of skills that could help the Warriors. Avdija has too many holes in his game, and doesn't seem like he has the athleticism or shooting skills to make much of an impact short- or long-term.
Haliburton just needs to add strength to reach his full potential. His positional versatility is enticing. Enough so that he could excel as a rookie while still improving. He shoots the ball well statistically, but his form needs major tweaking.
Halliburton. Avdjia may well be the better player, but honestly the risk that it is a mirage based on playing against inferior competition is huge, and Haliburton looks like he could fill the vacuum left by Shaun Livingston's retirement with the added bonus of being able to hit a 3pt shot.
Deni. Has the handle to be Luka Light. Gotta be a better FT than 56
Haliburton. I feel like he his personality fits the team chemistry very well
This Iowa guy has to go with the Iowa State guy.
This is a really tough one. For everyone referencing Avdija's competition level, he's played actual decent minutes in the Euroleague, which is the highest level of club competition outside the NBA. He's not Doncic, but that's like saying a draft prospect isn't Lebron. No-one dominated like Doncic as a teenager in Europe ever. As for Hollinger's comment, if you put almost anyone in this draft in the Euroleague they wouldn't do that well. Ball played big minutes in the NBL, which is nowhere near the Euroleague standards, and his stats are pretty mediocre. Yet he's in the mix for the top pick. Let's just say if he'd been in the Euroleague I don't think he'd be in that conversation. Hayes, ESS' favourite, played in the Eurocup, a lower level of competition.
Avdija's style of play is basically the stuff Steve Kerr's dreams are made of - smart, intelligent on both ends, creative playmaker with size, tested at a high level. He's got a real swagger to him and he's not going to be overawed by the moment. The shot is the question mark, but the competition level isn't. That said his shot improved over the season and he was making a decent clip from 3 by the time the season got suspended.
I've gone back and forth on both these guys but all that said I think at the moment I just have Haliburton a shade ahead because he can shoot really well with range (50/42/82 last season). You can see him sliding in really nicely alongside Steph and Klay in a three-guard alignment, or backing one up. The Livingston comp looks pretty good to me, except he can shoot 3s and he'll be able to play big minutes, whereas Livingston was ultimately limited by his previous injuries.
In this draft, a high-end complementary piece who can help right away and can grow into a 30mpg+ piece at a position of need, and possible borderline All-Star, is a pretty good outcome. I'd say both fit that mold. So if the Warriors come out with either, they'll have done well.
I'd prefer to see an inch or two on Halliburton, or short that, a few more pounds. That said, sounds like a smart young man who would fit well with the Dubs......He's the pick over a guy who can't shoot free throws.
Haliburton. Can play defense (in my view the #1 priority of W's, I'm really worried about our slide in D over last 3 seasons). RE Deni, it's one thing to not have a 3pt shot (e.g. Ball). Another entirely to have a FT% that low, and give up so much on D...
You'd expect a tough decision on the 8v9. Seriously torn between these guys. Wrote a comment for one, and then had to switch. The hardest part is gauging the competition Deni is playing against. But one thing that always seems to translate is FT%. 52? As much as he brings to the table, that's a serious red flag. We're also very thin at the guard position, and Haliburton looks like he can grow a lot playing behind Curry. I think it's easier to find a guard with the trade/mid-level exemption but also think that you have to get the better player in the draft. Vote for Haliburton.
We need some shooters and additional playmakers in the lineup. I like Deni, but I'd prefer Haliburton for the pure fact that he can actually shoot (among other considerations though that is paramount).
Deni
Haliburton. Close, but a FT% in the 60’s for someone other than a Defensive stopper is a second rounder in my book.
These are two guys I've gone back and forth on a lot and right now am pretty positive on both. I think I'll take Halliburton. FWIW - reading the reports from Letourneau, Halliburton's name has come up a lot. I think he's who I'd bet the Warriors end up with.
The thing with Halliburton that doesn't get enough credit is he has DEEP range. Funky mechanics, yes. But he'll just pop from 28-30' sometimes, and makes it look easy. That's rare. Overall, he's seen as a relatively low upside guy. Everyone agrees he's a great passer, efficient shooter, and good team defender, but don't see the upside. But I don't think it's all that crazy to think he can adjust his mechanics to make it a shot he can take off the dribble. Or improve his handle so that he can use his size and quicks to be a better penetrator. Or that he can add 15-20 lbs in an NBA weight program. None of those things are "easy" to add on, but he's got such a great reputation and he's already so good at other parts of basketball.
The worst case scenario is that he doesn't get that much better. He'd just be a super high IQ passer, great shooter, solid defender. Could play with Steph and Klay opening up the floor and moving the ball while guarding 1-3. And he can be the 2nd unit PG fitting in perfectly as an unselfish facilitator for guys like Paschall and Wiggins. So that mix of being an easy day 1, great fit, plus upside makes him someone I've really started to like.
Avdija - actually like him too. Plays really hard. Big wing who can handle the ball, play and is a really good passer...all at 6'9. I think his athleticism is underrated too. He seems a tad stiff in his movements, but still seems to have really good speed and solid bounce.
It's just the shooting. If he can't shoot there's a big limit. The FT% is ugly. Lots of the draft guys say he's a hard worker, and has already improved his mechanics. So maybe that's true. But the shot would be the differentiator for me between he and Halliburton. If he had a full season with good mechanics and better percentages then I'd actually take the 6'9 guy who fits the offense.
Haliburton all day every day
Probably the hardest selection yet; I absolutely love both these guys's games, but once again the question "who can help us now" arises. Personally, I tend to be more of a fan of Avdija, as he has the potential to be great, but Haliburton is the more concrete player and therefore the better selection.
As if right now, my dream situation is either for the Dubs to trade down and pick up both Haliburton and Okongwu, or for Meyers to call down upon Basketball Jesus once again and find a way to flip the trade exception for Myles Turner, then pick up a wing on the draft (Vassell or Haliburton).
Neither appears to be ale to shoot well enough to be the W's sixth man. Pass on both at top of the draft.
Pretty easy choice here. Haliburton has a lot of skills that could help the Warriors. Avdija has too many holes in his game, and doesn't seem like he has the athleticism or shooting skills to make much of an impact short- or long-term.
Haliburton just needs to add strength to reach his full potential. His positional versatility is enticing. Enough so that he could excel as a rookie while still improving. He shoots the ball well statistically, but his form needs major tweaking.
Halliburton. Avdjia may well be the better player, but honestly the risk that it is a mirage based on playing against inferior competition is huge, and Haliburton looks like he could fill the vacuum left by Shaun Livingston's retirement with the added bonus of being able to hit a 3pt shot.