bro, this is one of the best posts I’ve read this year. Thank you. Confirms a lot. 1). Love that Amen, Cam, Bari, Sengun and Tari are untouchables. 2). Confirms that Jalen is the only part of the core they are unsure about and that they recognize his shooting woes have really hurt the team. 3). Doesn’t sound like they will be going after a rim protecting center and if Adams stays healthy could be in line for an extension. 4). I think we can rule out Topic being a rockets target with Amen being the future. Clingan as well. 5). Sounds like shot creation is less important than switchy, long shooters. 6). Re reconfirmed the rockets are star hunting. 7). Sounds like rockets only value the pick for trades (either for a star or to move back and pick up more assets). 8). Waiting for DD to say he’s vindicated on his KPJ discipleship. I think Risacher will be gone by #3 so it will be interesting to see who we take if we keep the pick. Kenecht has to be in the conversation given the priority on long versatile shooters. Unfortunately I can see them liking Matas in that mold too. In fact, if I’m betting on the rockets pick, I’m betting Risacher is gone and they take Matas. Not what I want, but just feels like the player archetype they want. I hope they pick Reed Sheppard. great post! Thank u
I see no reason he cannot play point guard. He played well, and Kentucky actually played better when Sheppard ran the offense. So I wouldn't say that he wasn't as good as Dillingham at running the point.
Risacher is a little over-rated on this board IMO. He is very young, and fairly long and can shoot-- but I don't really see any creation in him, or any ability to put the ball on the floor and create. Defensively he will likely be fine inside, but he isn't a quick athlete and may struggle on the perimeter.
I dunno about Risacher, he just looks like a discount Jabari Smith to me. The dismal FT% also casts a lot of doubt on the legitimacy of his 3pt shot. Are there any elite 3pt shooters in the league that are bad free throw shooters? It doesn't really make much sense. I voted to trade the pick but if I had to keep 3 I'd pick Buzelis, who I've barely seen discussed on the board. He was consensus #1 for years leading up to the draft and fell after a disappointing season on the garbage fire Ignite. 6'10 with handles, passing, shooting and defense. He was originally believed to have point guard upside but that's kind of faded away. If you look at the MVP votes this year it's all guys who are doing things people their size don't normally do. Jokic has amazing passing and fluidity for his size. Giannis is quick and athletic and has an amazing handle for a 7 footer. SGA and Luka are huge point guards who can bully ball into the paint. Buzelis has warts for sure but in this draft, he's the only one who fits this kind of profile. If everyone is flawed anyway, I'll just take the biggest swing.
All I've ever seen from him on any of his "highlights" was a "get in the corner and catch and shoot." I don't watch a lot of the league he plays in so that could be entirely unfair...but also, those are his highlights! He can catch and shoot is all I know. No idea if he can do much of anything else, but I'm absolutely listening (I say, as if my opinion is ultimately important)
I don't think a .71 FT% is "dismal." And it's funny how you bring up Buzelis, who has a worse FT% and a way, way worse 3 pt percentage.
That's true if their plan is to build on the current roster. They could just as easily dismantle the current team and start over with the BPA.
That's pretty dismal for a shooter. I'd expect that kind of number from a big man. I don't want Buzelis cause he can shoot. I want him cause he can dribble and pass at 6'10. And like I said I don't want anybody at all. I'd rather trade #3 for a top 5 protected next year. But if I had to keep the pick I'd swing for Buzelis cause he has the most upside.
I don't agree that Shepard is the better PnR player from what I've seen. Topic is a special natural passer and is poised as hell in PnR. Even uses his height to his advantage there. He has a good enough handle to get to the line frequently without a strength advantage. I think Shepard is at least a couple of years behind in this department. At the end of the day Sheppard is somewhat small and that does matter defensively. Topic is 6'6 and willing to play defense. I doubt that in the NBA there will be a big difference between them defensively. Especially since Sheppard can't fully be your PG right now so unless he's paired with Amen he's going to have to guard 6'5+ guys. Sheppard will be better but I wouldn't worry about it. Both very good picks but Topic has a very special natural talent and I rate those traits very highly. Especially when paired with a good motor.
he can cut and make an open layup in transition...and he can catch and shoot. i see that very clearly. that that's all i see from his highlights is why I'm concerned using a top 3 pick on him, cause a lot of guys taken way below 3 can do that.
Meh. We have plenty of guys who can "dribble and pass." I'm done with guards and wings who can't shoot, regardless of size.
Risacher the concept is very different from Risacher the actual prospect. I’d be very disappointed if the Rockets pick him ngl. My biggest fear is that this might be likely because Stone was in France scouting some “very talented” player.
Lol, there was basically no way to spin that amazing athletic play into a negative.... but you tried your best anyway.
SGA, Doncic, Brunson, Tatum, and Edwards were 2-3 and 5-7 on the MVP ladder, respectively, and they're doing the things expected of their size. It's better to find guys that are good at basketball period rather than chase unicorns, IMO. Skills are vastly more important than profile. Buzelis may have been touted coming out of high school, but many prospects fall off. Emoni Bates was ranked #1 in 2022 and where is he now? You recognize Buzelis' warts, but what are his strengths? He's being sold on his versatility, but the NBA is a collection of stars and specialists. As a scorer, shooter, and playmaker he disappointed on the G League level. He would need to improve massively to have a role on the next level, let alone be a star. If he were at least above average in any of those aspects I'd feel a lot better about him realizing potential.
