I listened to this a bit earlier. I like some of the stuff Cooper says, but he has some *really* contrarian views (and this goes back multiple drafts). He was right to push Tari so hard along with some others, but his big board in general is very different than most folks: https://upsideswings.com/coopers-board He probably is right that scouts shouldn't bother looking at what everyone else says, and they should just make their own independent evaluations. Still...not sure I really agree with a lot of his takes (about Amen or others). I think this game should 100% be factored into evaluations, especially since it was against older competition. There are things happening here that will be more similar to what Amen/Ausar will see in the NBA. That said, I also think there was a lot of weirdness going on (especially with the OTE roster and overall gameplan). This was also an older game from nearly a year ago. You can easily watch their latest games where they're playing more the roles/styles I'd expect them to play in the NBA: Edit: sorry wrong link: https://www.youtube.com/live/Vayu0zhVfWQ?feature=share Yeah, the competition might not be as good, though at least in this case, this is the 2nd best OTE team. A couple of the guys on that team are projected to be 1st rd picks in 2024 (but I think projections this early should be taken with a grain of salt, so judge it however you will). For Amen vs Ausar stuff, @zeeshan2 already shared this (thanks again!), but this video does a good job comparing them IMO:
I wish we could draft Amen, but I really believe Portland is going to draft him. We are going to be left with Cam, Ausar or Brandon?! Brandon has not worked out for Houston but Cam and Ausar has. I think the previous murder case is going to hurt him in this draft.
Pretty much every college prospect who's a first round pick deals mostly with dudes who will never sniff the NBA or even G League after college ball. Whitmore is ranked at 5 and he couldn't even get Villanova in the tournament or complete a....checks notes....pass.
Villanova was a BAD TEAM and he was not the best player on the team. He is a undersized SF who try to bully ball people….again, bully ball does not work in the NBA….he is not a top 5
I know it's fashionable to hate on Westbrook, but I think few players, coaches, basketball people in general would say Iggy is above Russ on the all-time list. Iggy did win multiple rings and was absolutely crucial during one Finals, but during that overall playoff run, and all the others, he was undeniably a roleplayer on his team. I'd say Russ co-leading his team to a Finals was more impressive. Anyway, I did say "6'7" Westbrook", which might look something like Iggy's defense mixed with Westbrook's scoring/playmaking. In any case, I do think I'd have Ausar #5 on my board just behind Amen and ahead of Cam.
Cam is a 6’6 undersized prospect with no position. He is too slow for SG and too short for SF. He will have a problem driving to the basket. I hope we get Amen: Cam is just a starter Ausar can be a elite defender, has elite athleticism, and vision, playmaking and feel for the game but he must learn to shoot Brandon is 6’9, elite shooter, and a competitive defender but he needs to have a offensive’s bag in the half court Ausar or Brandon if Amen is gone but no Cam
My issue with these clips is you've got dumb defenders picking him up at almost half court. I think most nba defenders are going to dare him to shoot and if he does still try to get into the paint he'll be met by real nba big men so he wont just be able to dunk everything inside. Ive seen ja morant and Fox comparisons but those guys have very good interior finishing. Ja has done great dunks but he has a total interior finishing package. Same with Fox. I haven't that type of finishing versatility with Amen. If we take him, his career and the Rockets future is basically in the shooting coaches hands. If he doesnt learn to shoot at a respectable rate pretty quickly hes going to be unplayable in todays nba.
He's shown flashes of having good touch and an ability to find good angles to the basket. I agree he needs to get better as a shooter though
Russ "co-leading" is only because of KD and Harden's greatness, when they left his efficiency plummeted. It isn't always about stats and accolades it about being a winning player. At the end of the day the goal is to win a ring and not to have an mvp. Iggy guarded the best player including Lebron in his prime so I dunno how that can be called simply a role player, that's like a defensive star already. Iggy was also a multi time all star and former franchise player of Philly before he came to GSW, it's not like he was Trevor Ariza. He had low figures in GSW but if you look at his efficiency the only reason he didn't get the ball more is cuz Splash bros were insane offensively. When he got the ball he was very efficient and scored a pretty decent 57% TS.
If you have the chance to get the best athlete in the league at 4 you have to make that pick. I’m thinking the Blazers trade out and someone takes him at 3.
I wonder if Orlando is in love Whitmore, we could trade down for 6 and 11 and still wind up with Amen, since Detroit already has a PG.
