Yeah... Effort. That is kind of the whole thing. Almost every NBA player could be a good defender with effort.
I feel better that we have a top 3 pick with some potential to get any of Chet, Jabari, or Paolo, but with the greatest potential to get Paolo followed by Jabari. I'm hoping we could create a package using #17 and players to move up into 7-13 range.
I love this mock draft... https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba...thunder-biggest-jump/pdqrif8dfxppczvxwi4v4hfg #3: Chet #17: Eason
I would prefer Jabari or Chet, but honestly, I'm okay with Paolo at this point. You can potentially sell me on Ivey or Sharpe if you truly believe in them. It's a curious position to be in and I'm super curious on who Stone is going to select.
What about Paolo and Kessler? We would have a top shot blocker(Kessler is 245lbs and the DPOY for SEC and Naismith for this year not Chet) and Paolo is a #1 scorer.
I could live with Chet and Eason But...... Orlando Guards: Cole A, Suggs, Fultz, RJ Hampton so don't really have room for Ivey. Wings: Franz Wagner / T Ross (so I can see Jabari, but they have spot shooters here) PF: Okeke / Jonathan Isaac (I can see Jabari here, but Chet is a better option since they need shot creators and Isaac can't be trusted to stay healthy. Centers: Wendell Carter (just got a big contract) / Mo Bamba (restricted free agent) My opinion: I feel Magic either pick Chet or Banchero..... Every mock draft says Magic will go with shot creator and Banchero offers that as a PF or Center. Magic trust Banchero body more than Chet body. Banchero gets the nod. Jabari is not BPA as a so-called spot up shooter. ------------- Thunderi Guards: Gilgeous-Alexander / Ty Jerome Tre Mann / Dort / 3 other rookies at guard.....don't need Ivey Wings: Giddey / Kenrich Williams (I can see Jabari....but Giddey? Dort? can log minutes here PF: Bazley / Robinson-Earl / Pokusevski (Chet could fit here) Center: Roby / Muscala / Favors.....they have the big bruisers. Chet or Banchero would fit good as PF slash Small Ball Center. BPA is probably Chet or Banchero.....they don't need Ivey. Since Magic take Banchero, I see the Thunder going Chet here. Chet gets the nod as the big lugs help preserve his skinny body. Rockets: on the clock
Odom was a 6'10 pg. He had a growth spurt before his senior season like AD did. Odom was a supremely talented wing ball handler who could do everything when his mind was right. Banchero moves like a bigger Carmelo Anthony to me.
I don’t care who it is as long as we avoided Chet and AJ Griffin which thankfully we did. If Chet were to fall to 3, then I’d go with Murray.
I just don’t see it in Banchero. He’s not fleet of foot and feasted off defenses that buy the fake. I don’t see his offensive success transitioning at a level on par with college. More of a playground Scola. I’d give hard looks to Sharpe and Ivey. I could care less about KPJ or any of the other backcourt mates that clutch fans has deemed the second coming. it’s about adding talent around Green - don’t get cute with the position when you have only one lock.
Can we at least agree that Paolo hasn’t played a game in the nba, so we really don’t know how good of a defender he can be? He played on a Duke team with a defensive anchor behind him; he wasn’t asked to be that guy. why are we assuming he will completely suck on D? He doesn’t have any athletic limitations. I’m not ready to assume he can’t be a 2-way player.
Have you watched highlights of Ivey? He's a slasher, for sure. He has Morant moves in the making and is still developing. If he went back to college, he would be the best player in the NCAA, hands down.