I think Ivey is coming into the draft with more playmaking ability than Jalen did. But Jalen has improved A LOT in that area this season. I thought he had potential in that area, but he is starting to read the court much better than when he was drafted, I didn't think he would pick it up so quickly. I think they would be fine together. Especially with Sengun in the lineup. I think there would be enough playmaking between the 3 of them (Granted that is expecting a lot from Al P) I don't disagree that a big is a priority. Chet would still be my 1st choice. But if they think Ivey is the best player available at the spot they pick, I am fine with taking him. There are a lot of guards on the team, but other than Jalen, none of them would PREVENT me from taking a high end guard. Jalen is the only one I am penciling into the future backcourt. I still don't trust KPJ. He probably has the talent to fill that role, but he could also have a blow up that puts him out of the league at any time. As long as they end up with any one of Ivey, Banchero, Chet, or Jabari, I am fine. And that seems likely at this point.
Agreed... I personally would like Chet based on need for height but it's not the only determining factor... He's skinny as a sideways quarter but does have some offensive skillset and should help defensively immediately... He's shown the knack for impacting play without being anywhere close to top option... and we'll need that if these goofballs in the front office don't trade Wood or at the least move KPJ to SF or 6th man... Otherwise I don't have a preference on who we draft ... Won't matter if there's no legitimate direction from the coaching or FO..
DD you're right about the redundancy of "short" guys. I'm just saying we may or may not have the right combination of short guys. We need taller good players for sure, but what if Chet, Jabari, and Paolo are gone? Who is that next big forward or center that fills the needs we have in this draft that should be drafted ahead of Ivey at 4? You pick Ivey and at least you know that you have the backcourt set, you have another pick with the BKN selection, free agency, and the draft next year to keep filling holes. I'm not sure I want to put all my eggs in the KPJ basket. As talented as he has shown himself to be, I have no idea what kind of player he wants to become nor do I know if I trust him to not get himself fired. We've all worked with a guy at some point in time in life that was an ok person overall and a decent worker but was lacking in the necessary interpersonal skills to be successful over the long term. I think you can build around Jalen Green and Jaden Ivey and it isn't as hard as you might think. You would want guys that are defensively versatile and can knock down three-pointers at both forward positions. They both have shown a willingness to play off the ball and be unselfish so they can share playmaking duties. They are both capable of playing off of a shot creator at the center position like Sengun and would also thrive with a rim running big in the pick and roll like Mark Williams that offers vertical spacing.
Vator - that is kicking the can down the road.......and it runs out the careers of players that are good enough while you search for perfection. I am not even talking about KPJ here, Christopher should be playing a lot more, Nix should be playing a lot more - but we don't have time for them.....so now, we want to add in IVEY? Won't work - I would rather we start finding out about other positions too.....maybe Banchero and Green, maybe Holmgren and Green, etc..etc....etc... DD
If we draft Ivy I have no doubt the team will trade a combination of 2 players between KPJ, Christopher and Nix. If I was a betting man the two players losing out would be KPJ and Nix. KPJ and Nix could haul us a solid stating caliber veteran big man. Maybe someone of the mold of Cappella. Wood could have been that guy but unfortunately he thinks of himself as a franchise player and just doesn't fit with a team that's going to have actual franchise cornerstones in guys like Green, Sengun and hypothetically Ivy.
Kicking the can? Gordon and Schroder need to both be gone next year. Not a single doubt in my mind They are the reason these young guys aren't getting the minutes or touches they need. You take those 2 out of the equation off the top. Gary Mathews is taking SIGNIFICANT playing time away from better players. That is another issue. Right there I just removed 3 rotation players that none of us want to see. Ivey and Green both just turned 20 in February. Sengun is still 19 for a few more months. Going into next year that is the core. Hopefully, we hit on the BKN pick. We have plenty of time to build this the right way. All these other guys outside of Josh are dispensable and easily replaceable to me. You might be able to talk me into KJ Martin and obviously a reformed Kevin Porter Jr because he's a talent. We have three tradeable assets in Wood, Tate, and Gordon that may fetch us another piece. I do like think I like Nix though. My problem with Nix is that I haven't had a chance to evaluate him properly against NBA talent because of Silas. Hopefully, he gets to play a lot in the last 5 games. If he really flashes what I think he can be and he's in the future plans, you're right, maybe adding another guard is too redundant. Right now though in my opinion, we only have 2 reliable guards that I know that I trust for various reasons and I can see them here 5 years from now and those are Christopher and Green.
I would prefer that my premier players be at different spots on the floor from each other to give some differentiation in how we play. So if Green is our guy at SG, then I want a PG that is steady and pass first but can hit the 3....and guard......and I want our 2nd all start to be a big, PF or Center that can also shoot the long ball. DD
Oh, and I'm not suggesting picking Ivey over Chet, Jabari, or Paolo although I think I could make a decent case for it. None of these guys are sure things to me. This draft is kind of scary. I don't remember questioning guys floors and ceilings as much last year as I am with this class. We cannot afford to blow this pick. We have one more draft after this one before our obligations to OKC rear their ugly heads again.
We need smarts. You can't teach high basketball IQ. We need leadership and a hard worker. There's only one logical choice and that choice is Chet. DD
Exactly. It’s funny how so many people talk about Jabara, Paolo, and Chet like it’s a definite when it’s almost just as likely that we will pick somewhere 4-6. I’m all for positive thinking, positive vibes and all, but realistically speaking, y’all need to figure out what your top 6 is, not just your top 3.
That should depend on the grades they have on the players. The Rockets are on their way to being the worst team in the league for a second straight year. They are far from drafting for fit unless the talent is comparable. If Ivey has the highest grade easily when it's your pick you take him. I could see passing if his skillset was identical to Green's but it isn't. You can help fill the playmaking role with other players as well. Kobe won with Fisher and Odom. Jordan won with Harper and Pippen. The great SGs haven't needed pure PGs to succeed in the past. Even the Warriors relied heavily on Green because Steph was more of a combo guard.
Ivey and Green would be at least as fun to watch as Cat and The Franchise were No disappointment if we land Ivey in the draft
Ivey Jalen Tate Garuba Sengun what if garuba and Tate can shoot better ? plus we have plenty of other guys and more picks too . yes he can fit . Especially if Ivey focuses on D , transition , and quick decisions facilitating. Kpj could start at the “3” or more ideally , come off the bench . JC a candidate to start too
