Whoa there, Why are you being so rude and vulgar, making personal attacks on folks? People are attempting to have an intelliigent conversation here. C'mon, you're better than this.
Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, and honestly, nobody in here knows how good these players will really be in 2 or 3 years, regardless of whether they think they are talent scouts, basketball experts, fortune tellers, or whatever reason they use to predict the unknown. I like Sheppard personally, just because the kid is good at steals, passing, blocks, can shoot really really well, and is a smart player with quick hands and great court vision. He has the potential to be the best SG on our team, or at least a great 6th man. We really need more proficient shooters. That being said, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but it's best to keep it civil.
… Here are some quick hitters about draft history before you dive into the specifics. From 2000 to 2020… EVERY single NBA Draft class has presented at least three All-Stars. It’s a fact that seems pretty ridiculous to believe. I went back and looked at every draft class going back to 2000. To save your mind some sanity, I’m only going to break down classes that had four or fewer All-Stars. The point here isn’t to only focus on the fact that All-Stars ended up being produced. It’s to look at the type of talent that was also present in some of the notable “weaker” classes. All-Stars in Draft Classes Since 2000 2000: 3 (Kenyon Martin, Jamaal Magloire, Michael Redd) 2001: 8 (Gilbert Arenas, Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, Mehmet Okur, Tony Parker, Zach Randolph, Gerald Wallace) 2002: 4 (Carlos Boozer, Caron Butler, Yao Ming, Amar’e Stoudemire) 2003: 9 (Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Josh Howard, LeBron James, Chris Kaman, Kyle Korver, Dwyane Wade, David West, Mo Williams) 2004: 5 (Luol Deng, Devin Harris, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Jameer Nelson) 2005: 5 (Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger, David Lee, Chris Paul, Deron Williams) 2006: 5 (LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyle Lowry, Paul Millsap, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Roy) 2007: 5 (Mike Conley, Kevin Durant, Marc Gasol, Al Horford, Joakim Noah) 2008: 7 (Goran Dragic, Roy Hibbert, Deandre Jordan, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook) 2009: 6 (Steph Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague) 2010: 4 (Demarcus Cousins, Paul George, Gordon Hayward, John Wall) 2011: 7 (Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Isaiah Thomas, Klay Thompson, Nikola Vucevic, Kemba Walker) 2012: 6 (Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Draymond Green, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton) 2013: 3 (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Victor Oladipo) 2014: 5 (Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Zach LaVine, Julius Randle, Andrew Wiggins) 2015: 4 (Devin Booker, Kristaps Porzingis, D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns) 2016: 6 (Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray, Domantas Sabonis, Pascal Siakam, Ben Simmons) 2017: 6 (Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, De’Aaron Fox, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum) 2018: 5 (Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young) 2019: 3 (Darius Garland, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson) 2020: 4 (LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey) … BRINGING IT TOGETHER WITH 2024 Optimism is needed for this year. We’ve all pointed at this class as being weaker when comparing it to the history of the NBA Draft. But the truth is that there’s talent in every class. Since 2000, we’ve found multiple All-Stars in every draft. Could this be the first year in which we don’t find one? Perhaps. But recent history would show not to bet against it. Despite being “weaker” there’s plenty of talent that has tremendous upside in this class. If not for star potential, the depth of the 2024 class is what continues to intrigue evaluators and scouts moving forward. Recent history has shown that depth can become a crucial part of each draft class. There might not be a number of “max” players in each class. But you can find individuals who can play at the NBA level for a lengthy tenure. That’s the hammer to bring home when it comes to the 2024 class. Don’t obsess with the idea of landing a superstar. Instead, focus on finding that connecting piece that becomes so crucial to your team’s success. If you can find a player who will carve out a role at the NBA level for 10+ years, would you consider that a success? If that answer is yes, then it might be time to officially get excited about this year’s crop of talent.
i hear ya and yea everybody can have their opinions. not really the issue that i have. like i said, the majority of the posts aren't that bad. it's just a select few that seem so close-minded that they are talking in absolutes as if they know exactly how things will turn out for a 19 yr old and then question why so many fans here even like Sheppard in the first place... as if anybody who prefers Sheppard is some dumb sheep following the hype train.
eh not really a personal attack. just stating facts. have the receipts of posters who talked so much trash to the minority here who didn't want to do a harden for ben simmons swap... only to turn around and then act as if they never preferred ben simmons all along. i know you're not one of those posters who tries to back track and cover up your tracks so don't get too offended.
Ok makes sense. Don't want Sheppard at 3rd, we'll I'll spazz out for Harden. @Dobbizzle explain this personality disorder.
That’s a great post, but it is only half the story. The other half that this list tells us is that it is simply stupid to evaluate a draft instantaneously. If we could, then all these All-Stars would have gone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… yet you see a bunch of late picks and second rounders. you show that saying "this draft is weak, there are no All-Stars in it" is very likely wrong. But also, one cannot say about ANY draft how many All-Stars it will produce, at the time of the draft.
Maybe that will help keep stone from making the mistake of wasting the pick on a 3rd string (at best) center.
From a Spurs perspective but still… https://www.poundingtherock.com/2024/5/29/24162170/what-nba-draft-experts-think-the-san-antonio-spurs-should-do-in-the-nba-draft-rob-dillingham Ben Pfeifer, YouTuber and writer for Sportskeeda; Tyler Rucker, Co-founder and writer for No Ceilings; Bryce Simon, former D1 basketball player and co-host of the Game Theory Podcast; Evan Townsend, Spurs draft expert and co-host of the Silver and Black Coffee Hour Which point guard in the draft do you see as the best player long-term? Bryce Simon: I’m a little bit lower on Stephon Castle as a true point guard, especially as your lead guard. Maybe he’s your second-unit point guard. I think Sheppard is the same. I don’t see him playing as much on the ball as your primary initiator. If you are looking for a lead guard, Topic is a primary initiator. He has good eye manipulation and can run pick and roll. I think Dillingham can pass, but he’s less of a primary on-ball guy. Evan Townsend: Topic is the only true lead guard out of the top-four guards. He’s a jumbo initiator who plays at a great place and has a well-defined game. He’s a walking paint touch. Sheppard is a connector and defensive stopper type of combo-guard that would thrive more as an off-ball shooter and secondary playmaker. Dillingham is an interesting case. He’s a Tyrese Maxey/Allen Iverson/Jamal Murray build. Dillingham is a hybrid guard who’s more of a true scoring guard who can create for himself better than others. Castle isn’t a true point guard, either. He’s not a shooter or scoring guard. He’s more of a defensive-minded secondary playmaker. He’s 6’6 and can guard 1-3. I’m not sure how the Spurs would utilize him but I believe he’d thrive in their system in no time. Ben Pfeifer: I think Topic makes sense as a guy who has incredible burst, assuming he’s healthy. His playmaking is solid as well. I love Isaiah Collier. I view him as a top-three guy in this class. His upside combined with an incredible burst, strength, advantage creation and playmaking combo will be hard to pass on. I would be okay taking Sheppard and Castle around 8. They are lower-ceiling players. Sheppard especially doesn’t have the size, defensive ability, athletic tools and creation ability to reach a high level. Castle doesn’t have the creation upside and shooting. Tyler Rucker: …If we’re talking about upside with the draft’s guards, I’m still a full believer in Castle. He’s got the tools to have one of the highest upsides in the class. Castle was a bucket going back to his high school days, and took on the challenge of taking on a different role at UCONN due to his desire to be a “winner.” Castle came into the year as a dynamic offensive-minded guard with multi-level scoring upside and transformed into one of the top defensive guards in the class. If the shot comes around, which I believe it will, then we are talking about a dynamic guard with size who can impact the game on both sides of the floor. There are a lot of interesting wings in the top 10. Are there any in particular that stand out as fits with the Spurs? Townsend: Not many of these wings scream they should be a Spur. Buzelis is my favorite out of the bunch. He needs to get stronger. He’s a good team defender but isn’t a true lockdown guy. He has great size, a solid frame, can play multiple positions and is sneaky athletic. His shooting form could use some work, but I can see him becoming a three-level scorer. Risacher needs to learn how to create for himself. Without being a threat off the dribble, he would need to be a true three-and-D sniper who can defend the opposing team’s best player. I don’t see that happening. Pfeifer: My favorite wing for the Spurs is Ron Holland. It’s not just because he’s the best wing in the draft, but also because of his incredible defensive fit with Wembanyama and Devin Vassell. They could supercharge the Spurs defensively. I think he would work well in San Antonio’s transition attack. He can slash off of Wembanyama, whose offensive gravity could create easier shots for Holland. He’s a nice passer as well. Holland is probably the best passer of the wings in this draft. Risacher would work as an off-ball spacing wing, too. Rucker: A sleeper that I believe makes sense in a lot of places is Knecht. He’s going to have plenty thinking he’s just a shooter, but Knecht is a problem offensively. Knecht is dangerous with the ball in his hands and running around for catch-and-shoot opportunities. Tennessee asked Knecht to do anything and everything offensively. Despite being older, Knecht won’t have to be the guy at the next level. Think about how he would do off the ball with the amount of attention Wembanyama draws. Risacher has been the hot name. If you’re looking for a potential bucket-getting machine as a wing, Risacher won’t be your cup of tea. But, if you’re looking for a lengthy wing with potential, floor spacing upside and serious defensive awareness, Risacher could be a tremendous fit. Buzelis and Holland will surely be in the conversation as well at some point. I’d keep an eye on Colorado freshman Cody Williams. He was a tremendous talent before dealing with some injuries. He’d be the “swing” I’d take if I was willing to be patient while the tools come together. Simon: Risacher is the best three-and-D wing in the class. He can defend and has great length. I realize the shooting hasn’t been as good over the last month but he’s still just under 40%. His percentage over 50+ games on the season is a positive indicator that he can knock down shots, especially as an 18-year-old playing in that league. Then there is someone like Knecht. He’s an older prospect. Maybe you think he will shoot it better than the other wings, but there are defensive concerns. We don’t know if Buzelis can shoot it or not. He didn’t have a good season shooting with the Ignite. Same thing with Holland. If you are looking for a three-and-D wing, Risacher is the best option
Bring me Ron Holland. 18 year old DAWG… Legitimate 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan. The form on his shot is solid. Add another DAWG to our forward bunch. Amen/Tari/Bari/Cam/DB AND RON.
Still kinda hoping we somehow come away with Carter Some names that come to mind when I think about him: Patrick Beverley, Bruce Brown, Josh Hart, Alex Caruso, Avery Bradley, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kyle Lowry While that's not an earth-shatteringly exciting list, I think this archetype has been very successful in the NBA. This sort of bulldog guard who can kinda shoot it and is an insanely pesky defender despite being a bit undersized. Every contender needs one or more of these guys.
I've heard this over and over with Castle. I just find it.... interesting. Was it his desire to be a "winner" that led him to shoot 27% on basically mostly wide open 3s, while simultaneously being very hesitant to shoot them - since he knew he sucked at them? Look don't get me wrong... if he can now or in the near future shoot respectably (or better), he's who I'm taking NO DOUBT. But HE CAN'T (yet). and it has ABSOLUTELY ZERO to do with what happened at UConn. It's also doubly interesting, because Reed suffers from the same thing but exact opposite. He was too passive and too selfless and because of that he's viewed as not a PG. Versus Castle who is apparently viewed kinda as a PG, just one that had to play out of position cause he "wanted to win!" Lol This draft is ass...
