Lottery watch 2019 - quest for Zion

[shopson67]

He is a lot more dynamic than Blake.

I added Dray because I think he will be an elite defender and a good playmaker. Although Blake can make plays too.

I see very little chance he is not better than Blake Griffin, although offensively they might be very similar.

Depends on what position he ends up playing. The both have a lot of spring, but Blake's got the height to go along with it and isn't overloaded with mass. The idea of 285 lbs on a jumper's knees already at 18 is a bit scary for future injuries.

 

[shopson67]

And saying shorter and stouter sounds like a dig.

He is shorter, but also stronger and significantly more explosive. And Blake was one of the most explosive players in the NBA early in his career.

It isn't a dig, it's a description. He's shorter and wider, stouter, thicker, more built, however you prefer to say it. It's too much load on a jumper's knees IMO, and could be an injury concern for the future.

 

[The Q]

The lottery will be interesting for sure. Probably the most coveted #1 pick since LeBron.

Ja Morant softens the blow for the team that gets 2, but a pretty big jump down to 3 and below. And I think Barrett will be a good player.

Zion and Morant though?

Superstar potential for sure.

Purely on the court it’s since brow.

With marketing and now social media revolution, yeah...since bron

 

[shopson67]

And one of the most marketable.

If these shoe companies don’t market that the other shoes explode under Zion, but not theirs, they are total morons.

I was a skeptic before he stepped on campus, but it’s clear he’s a super elite talent.

I’m not sure where I’d want him to end up. Maybe Phoenix would finally get their crap together

I think Phoenix needs a PG more than anything, but a VETERAN PG might be the ideal situation to lead these kids, someone to help lead the team and distribute the ball. If not for his lack of defense, Rondo would make some sense. Maybe Elfrid or Rubio?

 

[The Q]

I think Phoenix needs a PG more than anything, but a VETERAN PG might be the ideal situation to lead these kids, someone to help lead the team and distribute the ball. If not for his lack of defense, Rondo would make some sense. Maybe Elfrid or Rubio?

I mean Phoenix just needs to stay in the top 2 of the draft. Either player fills a huge void.

They have other pieces to deal for a pg.

This is a terrible pg draft behind Morant, imo

 

[shopson67]

I mean Phoenix just needs to stay in the top 2 of the draft. Either player fills a huge void.

They have other pieces to deal for a pg.

This is a terrible pg draft behind Morant, imo

I wouldn't say terrible, but it certainly isn't deep.

 

[tlance]

Depends on what position he ends up playing. The both have a lot of spring, but Blake's got the height to go along with it and isn't overloaded with mass. The idea of 285 lbs on a jumper's knees already at 18 is a bit scary for future injuries.

I don't think he is going to weigh 285 though.

My bet is 265 - 270 will be his normal NBA playing weight. And he is an athletic freak in terms of mobility and body control. Freaks of nature tend to also be better able to avoid injury than their less athletic peers because of their body control.

I am not saying he is inpervious to injury, but I wouldn't label him an injury risk just because of his size. He is different than any other athlete I have seen.

 

[shopson67]

draft lottery standings 4/1

1. Knicks (14-62)
2. Suns (17-60) -2.5
3. Cavs (19-58) -4.5
4. Bulls (21-56) -6.5
5. Hawks (28-49) -13.5
6. Mavs (30-46) -16 (top 5 protected or to Hawks)
7. Grizz (31-46) -16.5 (top 8 protected or to Celtics)
8. Wizards (32-46) -17
9. Pelicans (32-46) -17
10. Wolves (34-42) -20
11. Lakers (35-42) -20.5
12. Hornets (35-41) -21
13. Magic (38-39) -23.5
14. Kings (38-39) -23.5 (to Celtics)
15. Heat (38-38) -24
16. Nets (39-38) -24.5
17. Pistons (39-37) -25
18. Thunder (44-33) -29.5
19. Spurs (44-33) -29.5
20. Celtics (45-32) -30.5
21. Pacers (45-32) -30.5
22. Clippers (47-31) -32 (to Celtics)
23. Jazz (46-30) -32
24. Blazers (48-28) -34
25. Rockets (49-28) -34.5 (to Cavs)
26. Sixers (49-27) -35
27. Nuggets (51-25) -37 (to Nets)
28. Warriors (52-24) -38
29. Raptors (54-23) -39.5 (to Spurs)
30. Bucks (57-20) -42.5

 

[shopson67]

I don't think he is going to weigh 285 though.

My bet is 265 - 270 will be his normal NBA playing weight. And he is an athletic freak in terms of mobility and body control. Freaks of nature tend to also be better able to avoid injury than their less athletic peers because of their body control.

I am not saying he is inpervious to injury, but I wouldn't label him an injury risk just because of his size. He is different than any other athlete I have seen.

If he can get that weight down, all the better. However, it's not like he's shedding baby fat; that's muscle he'll need to shed.

 

[tlance]

If he can get that weight down, all the better. However, it's not like he's shedding baby fat; that's muscle he'll need to shed.

Not shed. Streamline.

I could be wrong, but with the right trainer, he can keep his functional strength and shed 10-15 pounds. If he is able to do that, it could make him MORE explosive. Scary thought.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Not shed. Streamline.

I could be wrong, but with the right trainer, he can keep his functional strength and shed 10-15 pounds. If he is able to do that, it could make him MORE explosive. Scary thought.

Yeah it's pretty crazy he is this athletic at 285. I mean Griffin is at what 255 at 6'10". If Zion could get to 270 with his athleticism it would help his conditioning and everything else. Crazy most of that is muscle but he doesn't need to weigh that much. His conditioning could definitely use some work though.

 

[fordman84]

And I guarantee they wouldnt have the last 2 championships without him. Houston took them to game 7. Without him Houston beats them pretty easily.

Point is they cant trade him anyway and they have the best offense of all-time with KD. Your point makes zero sense

Yes, everyone realizes KD is a free agent. The point of the discussion is what players are good enough to be safe from a trade for Zion.

And GS would have done much better without KD. He's a top player in the league but his style is different than what GS is so good with.

 

[fordman84]

The instant Zion gets drafted he will be the most valuable asset in the NBA hands down.

There are some players that are core pieces to contenders or burgeoning stars like Doncic who wouldn't be traded for him, but his combination of talent + rookie contract and team control make him immensely valuable.

There isn't a direct comp for him, but I am thinking a more athletic, better version combing the best attributes of Blake Griffin and Draymond Green.

That is a special player.

Griffin is probably the best compliment, IMO.

 

[msgkings322]

Yes, everyone realizes KD is a free agent. The point of the discussion is what players are good enough to be safe from a trade for Zion.

And GS would have done much better without KD. He's a top player in the league but his style is different than what GS is so good with.

No way the Warriors win their last 2 ships without him. Use your brain.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yes, everyone realizes KD is a free agent. The point of the discussion is what players are good enough to be safe from a trade for Zion.

And GS would have done much better without KD. He's a top player in the league but his style is different than what GS is so good with.

No it isn't. He has gladly taken a backseat at times and is team-oriented. I hate the guy but have you seen the last two Finals?? Apparently you haven't...GS wouldn't have won the last two Finals. Period.

 

[tlance]

No it isn't. He has gladly taken a backseat at times and is team-oriented. I hate the guy but have you seen the last two Finals?? Apparently you haven't...GS wouldn't have won the last two Finals. Period.

Eh.

They defintely would have won last year's finals. Just not sure they would have gotten there.

2017?

Depends on what moves they made instead of KD. They would have been able to get quite a lot.

As for the KD claims, he did fit pretty well for awhile. Lately though? Not so much. He hasn't been engaged defensively and the ball seems to move better when he is out.

Time will tell, but my guess is they figure it out for the playoffs.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Eh.

They defintely would have won last year's finals. Just not sure they would have gotten there.

2017?

Depends on what moves they made instead of KD. They would have been able to get quite a lot.

As for the KD claims, he did fit pretty well for awhile. Lately though? Not so much. He hasn't been engaged defensively and the ball seems to move better when he is out.

Time will tell, but my guess is they figure it out for the playoffs.

They wouldn't have MADE last years Finals at all without KD lol. They wouldn't have beat Houston

 

[tlance]

They wouldn't have MADE last years Finals at all without KD lol. They wouldn't have beat Houston

If you just subtract KD from the lineup?

You are correct.

But they would have signed other pieces in KD's place that might have fit the Warrior system better and still made them the team to beat.

A lot of variables out there and no way to know what the extra pieces would have been and how well they would have done.

 

[Shanemansj13]

If you just subtract KD from the lineup?

You are correct.

But they would have signed other pieces in KD's place that might have fit the Warrior system better and still made them the team to beat.

A lot of variables out there and no way to know what the extra pieces would have been and how well they would have done.

They were still right there at the cap limit without KD. Not one or two pieces comes close to KD at that price. Either way it’s dumb thinking Zion is a better fit than KD. (You didnt say this some other idiot did lol) KD is an elite shooter, that can create his own shot and we havent seen Zion in the NBA. I’m sure Zion will be great but either way without KD the Warrriors MOST LIKELY arent going for a 3 peat.

 

[fordman84]

No way the Warriors win their last 2 ships without him. Use your brain.

See how they play without KD on the floor vs when he is.