I used to check both, but haven't looked at either much for a couple of years until this draft. So one is "trash" and the other is the "recycling" dumpster? ;-)
After draft-express went down, any other good draft sites pop up? Everything seems pretty weak compared to the old draft express stuff. Clutch should start a sub-site!
Draftnet is trash (for example, they didn’t update there draft for a month until last week, and still have the Rockets slotted at 18) and Draftexpress stopped posting content in 2017 The espn mock drafts are going to be the best, they hired Givony the owner of draftexpress, if anybody with an ESPN+ sub would care to post the latest mock that would be great
For reference Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetoukompo, Garuba and Deandre Ayton all Nigerian or Nigerian parents like the great Hakeem Olajuwon
I'm afraid that both Usman and Thor are off the board between 14-20 .... Murphy is probably there for us at 23.
Wood for GSW #7 and #14 We draft Green, Alperen Sengun, and Mr Mean. Use #23 and #24 to move Wall and Gordon and get back friendly-ish contracts. We can start the proper two season "targeted rebuild". F*ck those late first round picks, we eating king crab in here. We'll be eating at the fine establishment of Joes Red Lobster Landrys in no time boyos! YOu're drunk.
I believe the Rockets may be thinking Wood at PF (slides to center in S-B lineups) Draft backup PF in BPA of: Kai Jones/Garuba/JT Thor/T Murphy/Prkacin/others @ #23 or #24. C Wood is the Unicorn already in our stable (named player above as backup or part-time center) Since the Rockets will have like 10 players on rookie contracts for the next 5 years.....maxing out Wood shouldn't be a problem.
I like guys who have already played pro ball. He's been doing great over there and it seems like the world leagues are closing the gap on the NBA in terms of talented guys. Everything hinges on that first pick. If the ROX go Mobley then I dont see how they could fit in Garuba for playing time - you could move Wood I guess, and while Im not the biggest Wood fan, I think he brings alot of value to the current team.
Can you imagine our defense with Garuba, Tate, and Murphy (off the bench at SG/SF)? Combined with the offense of Scoot, Green and Wood? HOW DOES THIS NOT HAVE 100% CONSENSUS ON THIS BOARD? IT'S SO PERFECT. Scoot (off) Green (off) / Murphy (def) Tate (def) Garuba (def) Wood (off) such a well balanced core...
After the Bucks game, I can finally see some of the promised potential that Usman Garuba has. He definitely has quick feet and good instincts--and even hit a three..? If he develops that outside shot more, I can definitely see him having a bigger role on the Rockets, his defense gave the Bucks a real headache at times and he's more athletic than he looks
What on earth does Garuba have to do to earn more minutes? He's MURDERING open 3's and always plays good to great defense. Good rebounder, shotblocker, dives for loose balls, sets great screens. There are 3 things this guy needs: - Figure out how to polish his handling of the ball a tiny bit + just be ultra safe and non-flashy with it - Learn how to anchor a defense & year 3 tends to be the time big men really start understanding this - Keep working on 3pt mechanics As the OP states, Garuba's is 6'8 with a 7'3 wingspan. Adebayo is 6'9 with a 7'1 wingspan. If Adebayo is a great defensive C, then Garuba's height is no obstacle. He's just too slow and his handle too raw to be a forward right now. At present there's great potential for him to be an excellent backup C. I believe his minutes have been fair for the most part in his first 1.5 seasons in the NBA (was just way too raw and not in good shape), but it's time to give this dude 20 minutes every night and let him practice being a defensive anchor. You can't do that in the summer and what you can do in practice is limited. You just have to throw him in there so that he's ready to give us those 20 minutes when we contend for a playoff/in spot next season. It will also really make him understand what he needs to work on this summer. Can't believe he's 21 of 38 (55%) from 3pt range this season. If I were him or his agent I'd really be wondering why he's not getting more minutes when he's exceeding expectations on defense and 3pt line this season. Perhaps his fitness issues are the reason, and I guess that's fair but with 15 games to go we may have to look past it till he (hopefully) works on it in the summer.
Comparing Garuba to Larry Smith is straight up disrespectful to Mr. Mean. Garuba couldn't have played in that era.
