If smith had the handle of either, he would be hands down the #1 prospect and would be getting more Durant comparisons.
LMA is a much bigger loss than many might think, as they have no interior O/D. It sounds like he's going to miss a lot more than two games.
Shooting never goes out of style. Advanced metrics would also paint a picture that Smith is the most rounded prospect. With Chet you're banking on his progression as a ball handler and Paolo's defense is just hard to excuse - even for a devout Paolo guy like myself who's been watching him for well over a year. His lack of effort is hard to quantify. No reason he shouldnt be more impactful on defense with his size and athleticism, but for me his offensive prowess and ability to be a #1 makes the risk worthwhile. If a guy cant develop an ability to dribble can a guy suddenly give you more effort on defense when he's never really wanted to before?
Chet has a much better handle than Smith he does not need progression and yes shooting never goes out of style but what current top 10 NBA player does not have an advanced dribble? I have watched Banchero a lot, and he gives plenty of effort on defense and giving effort is much easier than developing dribble skills this late in your development, It's not even a question. Effort is a lot easier to turn on than developing a high level skill, would you take Klay over Harden just because of effort level of defense?
Chet is absurdly slow with his handle plus he holds the ball high. I anticipate he will deal with a bunch of turnovers early while he develops and tries to refine his game - while his handle may be better than Smith it is not an NBA ready handle that will find success from the get go. Im with you on Banchero trust me. Im trying to stay moderate and dissect each guys game and what they can offer and all 3 offer something Houston could use. Banchero wouldnt need to be the lead dog here which could be a blessing or a curse. I just have an annoyance for players who arent going to bust it all times. Of course you wouldnt go Klay over Harden in a vaccum, but what about the assortment of pieces around them? I may feel that Jalen Green is the alpha here and can play the Steph role while Jabari is a bigger Klay. Or I can see Chet doing what Mobley does - excel on the defensive end and play his role on offense by hitting open shots and learning how to play the post. I really dont think there is a wrong answer with the bigs. I'd just rather stay away from the revolving door of adding more wings due to perceived BPA. Roster construct and fit has to start becoming apparent and resolved in order to build some kind of continuity.
Very fair. I too also wonder how Chet's handle will translate once people are being paid to scout his weaknesses but there is no doubt he has a bag. IMO the guy who has it all is Ivey and I hope he is available if we can get in that 5 -10 range. I just want as much talent as possible and let the cream rise to the top.
Chet's body frame is more than a major concern (read skinny across the shoulders with a frame that can only add so much) - for me I'd avoid at all costs. If he is consensus #1 I'd be trading back - but that's because it isn't just his frame, he is kind of slow... There is nobody in the draft I'm looking at and thinking "sure fire hit". Banchero could be a 6'10 Jabari Parker, super skilled offensively, but not a good enough shooter, and with no defence, might bounce out of the league... Chet could be a flop due to size and athleticism, Smith has the highest floor, but if he can't get past his man, what is his future beyond an outstanding 3nD guy (excellent - but a #1 pick??) I would take Smith, and get him in the gym dribbling a basketball non-stop. But as you've said earlier, if he hasn't got that yet, then why now?
We're in search of star talent. We can't count on Green being an alpha just because he's played well lately. We still need to swing for the fences, IMO. Smith's lack of ballhandling and passing really limits his ceiling. His game is so perimeter oriented and his dribble drive so lacking that I'm actually concerned about his role on the next level. Kristaps Porzingis' struggle to shine in the Mavs offense shows us that being a good shooter playing off of an alpha is not enough. Smith rarely gets to the rim in the halfcourt even on the college level. Also, he doesn't move like Klay. Maybe he's more of a Rashard Lewis? I'm probably putting my foot in my mouth since everyone loves his game, but I don't see the highest ceiling. Honestly, this whole draft seems a lot weaker than last year's prospects.
Exactly I don't see any of these guys busting, I reject Banchero being Parker because Paolo is more skilled as a passer and a playmaker and dribbler and he is a very good rebounder, he also has a higher BBIQ. He is also taller and is not a tweener.
I agree with most of this but I see more high end talent in this draft than last years, I think would be at the bottom of the top ten if not out of it and I think banchero and Cades games are comparable. Holmgren and Smith just take it over the top because Smith would have been the best shooter come out of that draft and Holmgren is kinda like Mobley. And then you throw in Ivey who I think is better than Barnes and the other guy at duke is comparable to Green, I just think this draft is about 12 players deep with great potentisl. This last draft has maybe 2 all NBA type guys at best.
One can only draft players that are available. I have no qualms with a team taking an outstanding 3nD guy No.1 if that player is the best in the draft.
But is he best in the draft? Is he a better 3nD guy than Smith who also plays very good defense? Ivey seems to be the guy who has it all but nobody talks about him and for some reason now people care about defense (Banchero) when everybody loved Green last year.
I thought I was in the wrong thread for a second. Chet all the way...but would be happy with any of the top 5 guys. Jabari or Chet are home runs though. But back to that Nets pick. I think this is a pivotal game for them. They mess around and lose this one and things could really really spiral for them. Need the Hornets to have an out of body experience tonight.
People can have better opinions on who the best player is. Some types of players have a harder time being number 1, but never should a player be disqualified from consideration from No. 1 based on how they provide expected value (provided that value is expected to be a lot).
Maybe he was talking about Smith? But either way, there are a LOT of ups and downs between now and the draft in terms of who goes 1st. Last year Mobley's stock rose to the point he was briefly considered #1 overall during March Madness. Cunningham got the nod - but I'll wager if Cunningham was measured up at 6'5-6'6 then potentially he may not have been such a consensus decision... (although personally I would take him #1). Green's stock rose post March Madness, as did Scottie Barnes - whose stock rose late. Ivey or Griffin might break into that top 3 before all is said and done. And Keegan Murray just keeps pushing back towards that top 5... I'm not really sure what his weakness is except to say that his ceiling isn't a superstar - but he can be that 'next level support star' (no good for our team needs) - but a huge March for him and someone might reach I've enjoyed watching more college hoops the last 2 years! But hopefully I don't have a need to watch for much longer... haha
This draft has high end talent, but far more risk than last year's class. If either Cade or Mobley were in this year's draft they would both probably go #1. Banchero isn't comparable to Cade. Cade's was comparable to Luka whereas Banchero is probably a Julius Randle/Blake Griffin type. Mobley was way more of a sure bet than Chet, although I think Chet has more top end potential. Ivey is comparable to Green in that he's the flashy type. I like him too. How many all NBA players is one draft supposed to have? Two is a lot!
Yeah, I had given up on college basketball and could not understand why players were all of a sudden going to college and then I found out about the NIL's. I have watched about 10 entire games when I had not watched one in about 3 years.
