Bold = considered bad draft classes 2023 Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite – Portland Trailblazers 2022 Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn – Houston Rockets 2021 Evan Mobley, USC – Cleveland Cavaliers 2020 LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks (NBL) – Charlotte Hornets 2019 RJ Barrett, Duke – New York Knicks 2018 Luka Doncic, Slovenia – Dallas Mavericks 2017 Jayson Tatum, Duke – Boston Celtics 2016 Jaylen Brown, California – Boston Celtics 2015 Jahlil Okafor, Duke – Philadelphia 76ers 2014 Joel Embiid, Kansas – Philadelphia 76ers 2013 Otto Porter, Georgetown – Washington Wizards 2012 Bradley Beal, Florida – Washington Wizards 2011 Enes Kanter, Kentucky – Utah Jazz 2010 Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech – New Jersey Nets 2009 James Harden, Arizona State – Oklahoma City Thunder 2008 O.J. Mayo, USC – Minnesota Timberwolves 2007 Al Horford, Florida – Atlanta Hawks 2006 Adam Morrison, Gonzaga – Charlotte Bobcats 2005 Deron Williams, Illinois – Utah Jazz 2004 Ben Gordon, Connecticut – Chicago Bulls 2003 Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse – Denver Nuggets 2002 Mike Dunleavy, Duke – Golden State Warriors 2001 Pau Gasol, Spain – Atlanta Hawks 2000 Darius Miles, East St. Louis HS (Mo.) – L.A. Clippers 1999 Baron Davis, UCLA – Charlotte Hornets 1998 Raef LaFrentz, Kansas – Denver Nuggets 1997 Chauncey Billups, Colorado – Boston Celtics 1996 Shareef Abdur-Rahim, California – Vancouver Grizzlies 1995 Jerry Stackhouse, North Carolina – Philadelphia 76ers 1994 Grant Hill, Duke – Detroit Pistons 1993 Anfernee Hardaway, Memphis – Golden State Warriors 1992 Christian Laettner, Duke – Minnesota Timberwolves 1991 Billy Owens, Syracuse – Sacramento Kings 1990 Chris Jackson, Louisiana State – Denver Nuggets 1989 Sean Elliott, Arizona – San Antonio Spurs 1988 Charles Smith, Pittsburgh – Philadelphia 76ers 1987 Dennis Hopson, Ohio State – New Jersey Nets 1986 Chris Washburn, North Carolina State – Golden State Warriors 1985 Benoit Benjamin, Creighton – L.A. Clippers 1984 Michael Jordan, North Carolina – Chicago Bulls 1983 Rodney McCray, Louisville – Houston Rockets 1982 Dominique Wilkins, Georgia – Utah Jazz 1981 Buck Williams, Maryland – New Jersey Nets 1980 Kevin McHale, Minnesota – Boston Celtics 1979 Bill Cartwright, San Francisco – New York Knicks 1978 Rick Robey, Kentucky – Indiana Pacers 1977 Marques Johnson, UCLA – Milwaukee Bucks 1976 Richard Washington, UCLA – Kansas City Kings 1975 Marvin Webster, Morgan State – Atlanta Hawks 1974 Tom Burleson, North Carolina State – Seattle Supersonics 1973 Ernie DiGregorio, Providence – Buffalo Braves 1972 Dwight Davis, Houston – Cleveland Cavaliers 1971 Elmore Smith, Kentucky State – Buffalo Braves 1970 Pete Maravich, Louisiana State – Atlanta Hawks 1969 Lucius Allen, UCLA – Seattle Supersonics 1968 Bob Kauffman, Guilford – Seattle Supersonics 1967 Bill Hosket, Ohio State – New York Knicks 1966 Clyde Lee, Vanderbilt – San Francisco Warriors 1965 Dave Stallworth, Wichita State – New York Knicks 1964 Gary Bradds, Ohio State – Baltimore Bullets 1963 Nate Thurmond, Bowling Green – San Francisco Warriors 1962 Zelmo Beaty, Prairie View – St. Louis Hawks 1961 Larry Siegfried, Ohio State – Cincinnati Royals 1960 Darrall Imhoff, California – New York Knicks 1959 Tom Hawkins, Notre Dame – Minneapolis Lakers 1958 Mike Farmer, San Francisco – New York Knicks 1957 Jim Krebs, Southern Methodist – Minneapolis Lakers 1956 Jim Paxson, University of Dayton – Minneapolis Lakers 1955 Jim Loscutoff, University of Oregon – Boston Celtics 1954 Gene Shue, University of Maryland – Philadelphia Warriors 1953 Jack Molinas, Columbia University – Fort Wayne Pistons 1952 Dick Groat, Duke University – Fort Wayne Pistons 1951 Marcus Freiberger, University of Oklahoma – Indianapolis Olympians 1950 Bob Cousy, College of the Holy Cross – Tri-Cites Hawks
Imagine the unicorn coming in for a workout and Ime looks at him like “Alright, try to score Amen” Good lord…
No. But 1982 had James Worthy, Terry Cummings, and Dominique Wilkens in the top 3. They were all Juniors in college. The two guys in Jordan's class picked ahead of him (Olajuwon and Bowie) hadn't been very impressive when they were freshmen.
Has never been one of Sheppard's comps, if it was he'd be a guaranteed #1 pick. Kirk is who you're getting, good 3pt shooter, 100% roleplayer.
Glad people are starting to watch full games and more film of these guys than just go by word of mouth, highlights, or advanced stats. I'm watching more film of Topic, I have questions on his competition level, but he could be a bust or develop into one of the best player in this draft with star potential. Very high risk/reward. Full Games of Nikola Topic The first is likely his best game with Mega and the second is one of his worst. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/boxscores/2023-10-07-mega.html https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/boxscores/2023-10-28-buducnost.html
If Risacher keeps playing like this, he will surely be gone at #2 to the Wizards as BPA, despite them already having young wings/Fs on the roster. This is going to be a interesting draft. I think most teams are going to keep their picks close to the vest this year or put out a lot of fake info.. Oh well whomever we end up with I hope he helps the squad win some games. This is a luxury #3 pick we lucked in to.
I hope we see Sarr, then Risacher, then Sheppard, and we keep Sheppard. Yes, he is kind of small and doesn't look muscular at all, but neither did Curry at 19. The shooting, quick hands on defense and solid passing should translate, from day one. Perfect fit. Don't get cute, pick and keep.
I worry that Tilman will be shortsighted and mortgage our future to get a 3rd tier star and turn us into a perennially good but not great team.
100% this, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with comparing him to Curry coming into the draft. They do share many similar strengths and weaknesses. Obviously this doesn’t mean Sheppard will be Curry 2.0, but it does mean he has the tools to be a great player. And let’s be real, You'd have been laughed out of town for saying Curry would become Curry, all the talk about the next great at the time was about Brandon Jennings, Ricky Rubio and Tyreke Evans. And who knows, maybe things will pan out. We got a HOFer out of a former 6th man after all. I hope front office doesn’t get cute like you said - and if we do trade for the pick I hope it’s actually for a legit star, and not another Rudy Gay for Battier kind of trade.
If Sheppard could produce close to 50/40/90 at initially low volume (increasing later) and 3-4 assists initially, growing to more later as he takes on more PG minutes and 1 steal and 0.5 blocks, growing to more later as his minutes increase, I would totally take it. Even if he were to eventually plateau at 15 pts/7 assists/2.5 threes made per game and 1.5 steals at something close to 50/40/90, I would love to see that on the Rockets.
He really didn't report anything that hasn't already been said by Stone, Ime and just about everybody else. IIRC, this report has been made for every lottery pick we've had under Stone as well. "We're always looking to improve the team, if we can find a trade that accomplishes that - it's my job to make it, but we are really happy with our current group of guys and the picks we have right now though, and don't feel any pressure to make a move" - Stone every year whenever asked if he's open to trading a pick or player.
50/40/90 is special man. You guys are throwing a lot on this kid. That’s all time stuff there. You guys are comparing him to Nash, Curry & 50-40-90? Wow. Only nine guys have gone 50/40/90
