If people can take Miller as high as 2 I dunno why they have issues with TH at 4. I think TH is very comparable with Miller he is very athletic, snipes from 3 like Miller and is even a really good defender unlike Miller.
I mean, it's obviously just my opinion from watching them both play. These things are hard to objectively measure. It's kind of similar to the difference between KJ Martin and Jalen Green. They can both get up and dunk it, both are fast off the line, but Jalen's athleticism is much more versatile and he's much more capable of creating something out of nothing as a result. The guys you mentioned also have the kind of well-rounded athletic abilities I'm talking about btw, they just also have strength/power.
I think Hendricks played fine against some very good programs. He's 6'9 and a top level defender who hits about 40% of his 3's. He doesnt command the ball with a face to the basket game and makes his impression from hustle and gritty play. Im thrilled to see guys finally realizing that shooting should be at the top of the priority list. Crazy to listen to people say that playmaking and "pg play" were the biggest issues when the team last season couldnt finish most of the plays the offense created as-is.
Because Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr both project to become good to great shooters, KPJ already is an above average perimeter shooter, and Eason/Sengun at least have the potential to be average to above average. Our shooting was bad last season, but I don't think it projects to be bad long-term, and a lot of our bad shooting was also because we didn't have a real point guard with real gravity setting people up with clean looks. Shooting is also relatively easy to buy on the free agent market these days, since everyone has been drafting for it so heavily the last 10 years. I don't think we should spend a top 4 pick on a guy like Hendricks when we can just run out and pay Cam Johnson or another 3-and-D guy to be that player for us. Lastly, Hendricks is a power forward in the NBA. We already have Bari, Tari, KJ Martin, and Garuba who all profile best as 4s (although they can play the 3 or the 5 in a pinch). He is highly redundant with the skillset Jabari should already bring us.
Even though I started the thread….not fully convinced on Cam at 4, just know he’s better than Thompson. Somebody on another site posted Amen playing in a tournament against higher level talent and all of a sudden his burst didn’t look so great. He really struggled with turnovers and couldn’t make close range layups. Not even remotely close to a top five pick and due to his age will be tough to all of a sudden teach how to shoot. Hard hard hard pass on the guy. Cam is only 18 and can be taught to pass better and to be fair only played a half season but was a top 5 star high school player in the nation. Gradey won’t go 4, but have to admit you guys have convinced me he’d be worth a trade down as a potential other option.
KPJ stans are so funny sometimes. KPJ for the first time in his career had decent scoring efficiency into his 4th year in the league. Yet a rookie and sophmore cannot become consistent shooters with more development time, 2 guys with good ft percentage and solid fluid forms also. Nothing tells me they won't be at least competent shooters soon.
I agree with you Apache on all points apart from your analysis about Scoot Henderson. His shot isn't broken, and I expect him to become a league average 3 point shooter at the least within a couple of years. He can score in other ways, and he's a good enough passer/ defender for now. He's already working with Stephen Curry. I think he's competitive and wants to become a really good NBA player. His physique is great too.
If it comes to the moment Stone has to pick, and still he's picking at 4 and 20, I hope he'll pick UH's Jarace Walker and Jamal Shead. Both are undersized but strong (and Walker's long) and bound to get the friction on on D, and have decent three point shooting. I watched every game they played last year. They will be dependable, high character, high effort NBA team players. Of course, if we acquire Harden and/or keep KPJ, those are traits the organization does not value.
I see a bit more upside in Hendricks vs Jarace. It's not enough to impress me though. If Whitmore was a capable passer, he would be my choice at 4. I do prefer him over Amen Thompson. His level of competition is obviously much higher as compared to the Overtime Elite.
Amen, Miller, or Walker are the only ones I’d draft at 4, I’d trade down if they think Cam is their guy
I’ve been doing my homework on the draft, and there are several interesting players, including Whitmore; not much separation after Wembayama. Big question marks about all of them, however, including Wemby. One thing that struck me: Henderson is way, way, WAY overhyped! Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s available at #4, and in fact not sure I’d go for him even if he is.
Playmaker was the issue. Our guys didn't get any easy shots. Too often we ended up taking difficult shots. Having a playmaker who can get us corner 3s (we were last in the league in attempts and makes), get us some easy baskets in transition ( with our youth and athleticism, we should be running teams into the ground) and getting easy baskets for guys cutting to the hoop or open near the rim. We didn't get a lot of assists going toward the rim. We settled for throwing the ball out above the break for a three far too often. Getting some better percentage shots would help greatly. When we do create corner 3s or passes to the basket, those passes typically coome from the paint. We produce very few of those shots from other spots on the floor ( especially from up top). The really good pgs like Harden and Haliburton are creating those type of shots from all over the court. We badly need someone with the court vision to create efficient shots from multiple spots on the floor. I think Udoka will make changes to put our shooters in better position to succeed. Kelly Iko published a good interview with Udoka yesterday and he touched on similar topics. Here's a quote from Udoka : "our numbers weren’t great from 3 last year, but it was due to shot selection more than actual shooters. Cleaning those areas up, making it easier on everybody taking better shots as a group will help us." Not sure if it will be via the draft, free agency or trades but I believe that we will bring in a pg that can put our shooters in a better position to be successful.
Shead is maintaining his college eligibility last I read. If he stays in the draft we can probably get him as an undrafted free agent.
Yes I'm big on saying don't draft the player on what he is today but what he will be 5-years from now (exam: Jalen Green): but I'm in win now mode. Yes he is working with Steph and using strobe lights....but Dell Curry had his sons probably doing that at a young and yes it shows a desire to improve where a guy like Westbrook or Ben Simmons does not.....but a player like Scoot needs to get his drive going in order to feel good about his shot falling. You take away the drive on a quote unquote scorer.....usually the outside shot falters. I'm taking away the drive and begging Scoot to shoot. Just like teams did to Jalen Green and JPj this season. Only difference is KPj and Green some semblance of a shot in their game at all 3 tiers. Not saying Scoot won't get it eventually.....but I'm not moving up to get Scoot. Nor drafting him at #4.....just me personally. Because I know I got better in KPj right now.....just add shooters around him. I'm addressing other positions. Like wings that can shoot in free agency.
The Houston Rockets were worst in the league percentage wise in wide open shots both 2's and 3's. Granted they're also bottom 3rd in generating those looks to begin with. The team as a whole stunk in making layups and shots near the rim. Silas was a bad coach, but his 'system' did generate looks. Far too often we just missed wide open shots. KPJ was sandwiched among "point guards" like Giddey, Brunson, Fox, Curry, and Marcus Smart in potential assists. Sure KPJ is not a natural, instinctual lead guard and his best days may come off the ball, but to say it was all his fault is wildly inaccurate when the shooting splits speak for themselves. Apply a little context and nuance and I think everyone could probably live with a little bit of both led to the lack of assists. Udoka also said that KPJ is one of the better shooters on the team and he needs to be getting more of those looks so I would anticipate some shared ball duties next season which is good. Teams need multiple playmakers and the league has shown you can win it all with hybrids and combo guards if you have the relevant shooting around them.
My hope for him is he'll lead UH to the 'chip this coming season, and turn himself into a lottery pick. One can dream.
Not true about Westbrook (and his dad, too). Workaholic from young age, had his middy working very well (the "cotton") and respectful 3pt. Something broke very badly mid-career. Sometimes you don’t know what’s happening: hand-eye coordination, hand dexterity, neurological make-up. Shooting is a delicate art, work and reps usually work, but there are other factors.
Hendricks big issue is his finishing at the rim when not dunking. It's ugly. But that can be improved. I was thinking pick 6 but why not. At least he can 3 and D
