ClutchFans 2023 NBA Draft Thread (6/22/2023) + LIVE Online Watch Party

I think Lively is a great pick for the Mavs. He's going to thrive playing in the pick-and-roll with Doncic and (if he's still there) Irving.

I also liked the Magic's decision to draft Black. He looks to be a great fit for their starting lineup in the long term.

 

How is Lively overrated? He got picked 12th which is around where most expected him to go. Mavs just shed a toxic contract, filled out their center rotation and also added Prosper who is an experienced rookie and a polished defender.

Rox are also in no position to "get worried" about the Mavs since we were one of the worst teams in the league.

 

Lively was projected in the 20s until the last month. I never saw anything that changed my mind that he deserved to go there. I don't think his defensive instincts are as amazing as his boosters think, and I have some real questions about his basketball IQ. It's not enough to just be a big, springy shotblocker in today's league--the game has changed.

As for the Mavs' future, Cuban has done an excellent job of sh*tting the bed, and I won't be surprised if Luka demands a trade inside the next 2 years.

Edit: An analogy that occurs to me about drafting Lively is buying the most expensive house in a bad neighborhood. Outside of Wemby, this is probably the worst big man class I've ever seen and I think Lively just looked good because it's such a bad group of centers. Cuban is exactly the type who would make that kind of decision, just like buying high on Chandler Parsons and Christian Wood. He always falls for the fool's gold.

 

Our very own @Clutch is on RedNationHoops podcast. Latest episode dropped today.



June 26th: https://www.rednationhoops.com/p/rockets-draft-review-free-agency#details

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Dave Hardisty (@clutchfans) discuss:

* The Rockets 4th overall selection of OTE’s Amen Thompson
* How does Amen Thompson fit on the Rockets long-term?
* Where did we each have Thompson ranked on our boards?
* How did Cam Whitmore fall to the Rockets at 20th?
* What made Whitmore a Top 10 draft prospect?
* Grading the Rockets draft-record through Phase 1 of their rebuild?
* How does Ime Udoka find minutes for everyone on the roster?
* Who gets cut or traded to open roster spots for free agents?
* What free agents are the Rockets targeting?
* Who are they likely to sign?
* Is the James Harden to Houston officially dead-on-arrival?
* Why is Houston so interested in Brook Lopez? Does it make sense?
* How will Lopez impact Alperen Sengun?
* What will it take for Sengun to prove himself?
* Is Fred VanVleet a realistic target? What’s VanVleet’s asking price?
* How will some of these contracts look?​

@Deckard @DeBeards @AroundTheWorld @DreamShook

 

Whatever y'all do dont look at the latest tankathon mock for next season.

 

?? i looked i dont know what you mean

 

I like Rox Watch, but I would prefer more contrasting opinions.

DD

 

LMAO ok... I just went there and hit sim lottery...

Rockets and Nets were 1st and 2nd 9 times in a row and on the 10th one we weren't top 1 & 2 anymore. LOL