Q's 2nd Round Steals

[The Q]

He's that high now? Geez. Last I looked (like a week ago literally), he was still in the 40s.

I’ve seen him as high as the Brooklyn double dip

 

[The Q]

The Ten Commandments of NBA Draft Scouting

Resharing an old piece as a reminder for how and where to look through the draft process

theboxandone.substack.com

Keeping this here for future reference and a good point for evaluating guys

 

[The Q]

Finding Balance: The Path To A Meaningful NBA Rotational Role | The Morning Dunk

With the NBA's massive shift towards offensive production, our own Nathan Grubel does a dive this week into how that's impacting prospect scouting and why finding balance is still key in evaluation.

www.noceilingsnba.com

Another reference piece for going forward.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

"Max Christie, G, Michigan St - there's not much of a reason to go with Christie except for this: 1) good bloodlines, 2) it feels like he was misused at Mich St and that is pulling down his draft stock (Miles Bridges anyone?) His FT% shows there's real touch there, and his minimal turnovers shows he's not careless with the ball. He also didnt' foul alot, which isnt' all that common for freshmen. He's also age appropriate and not a 20 year old freshman like many of the top frosh are. Liekly a first round pick if he went back to school due to all that Mich St lost and Izzo woudl've been forced to give him the keys to the kingdom."


I'm a bitter Buckeye fan and would kill to have Izzo over the retard we have now but I've always thought him a bit overrated. His teams tend to do well in the tournament when fouls cool down and his teams hack and slap to the Elite 8. But the year he had Bridges jackson Tillman was by far his worst coaching effort. I will never forget him benching JJJ for most of the Syracuse game for 2 crackers and having the team hoist 3s instead of using their tremendous size advantage. JJJ played 15!@$$#@ minutes that game.

 

[The Q]

"Max Christie, G, Michigan St - there's not much of a reason to go with Christie except for this: 1) good bloodlines, 2) it feels like he was misused at Mich St and that is pulling down his draft stock (Miles Bridges anyone?) His FT% shows there's real touch there, and his minimal turnovers shows he's not careless with the ball. He also didnt' foul alot, which isnt' all that common for freshmen. He's also age appropriate and not a 20 year old freshman like many of the top frosh are. Liekly a first round pick if he went back to school due to all that Mich St lost and Izzo woudl've been forced to give him the keys to the kingdom."


I'm a bitter Buckeye fan and would kill to have Izzo over the retard we have now but I've always thought him a bit overrated. His teams tend to do well in the tournament when fouls cool down and his teams hack and slap to the Elite 8. But the year he had Bridges jackson Tillman was by far his worst coaching effort. I will never forget him benching JJJ for most of the Syracuse game for 2 crackers and having the team hoist 3s instead of using their tremendous size advantage. JJJ played 15!@$$#@ minutes that game.

I agree

Virginia fans would agree more than anyone

It’s annoying af


And yes the guy he played against cuse treated the ball like it was a live grenade

 

[The Q]

2024, "this draft sucks" edition

The Big dudes:

I look at nba centers like NFL running backs. Unless you got elite guys, use lesser draft capital to find dudes and cycle them out (unless you can steal them for the mle like harstein). There are few Jokics or Embiids out there, so finding guys cheaply and investing in big wings is a good strategy.

N'faly Dante, C, Oregon

I love this dude. He's huge4 even for NBA levels. Without injuries he's probably already in the NBA. Classic drop coverage big man but he has some mobility. So I think he has a chance to play a bit. He's unstoppable at the rim and killer on the offensive boards. He's got good block and steal numbers. This is the kind of guy you snag late in round 2 as a backup big man.

Adem Bona, C, UCLA

A guy who ended up a bad fit at UCLA. He was forced into a bigger post up heavy offensive role than he'll ever see in the nba. But he's an animal. A ferocious defender and a guy who can score in the simple ways that you like in the modern NBA. But not enough offensive upside to justify a round 1 pick, even with his condor like 7-3.75 wingspan.

Ulrich Chomche, NBA Academy Africa

Imossibly huge, 6'11 with a 7-4 wingpsan. While he didnt dominate, he held his own at the combine against guys 4-5 years older than him. Youngest player in the entire draft. He's a guy you want to take and then stash and let him develop somewhere else. But taking him late in the draft, or buying a pick later in the draft to land him to secure his rights is a solid move. If he goes to college for a year he could be Missi like.


Tall Spacers

Enrique Freeman, F, Akron

Another long dude (seeing a trend here? lol) and efficient. A beast on the boards with good agility and shuttle testing. But not a crazy good athlete either. But good enough. Solid shooter right now. Biggest issue is the asst to TO ratio, but was also playing center in college. I think he's more of a stretch 4 finny-smith type.

Jalen Bridges, F, Baylor

The prototypcial NBA wing with size and a decent wing span. He can shoot it. Doesn't turn the ball over. Doesn't get to the line alot which limits his effectiveness. His defense is a litlte up and down but the tools are there. Supposedly Golden State is particularly high on him.

Isaiah Crawford, F, La Tech

I really like this kid. He's another long guy with an over 7ft wingspan. He gets to the rim. Can shoot the 3. Had a solid usage rate. Covers a lot of ground and is a plus defender. Not the best athlete. And his ceiling is limited. But a guy who can do a litlte bit of everythign and not get played off the floor defensively. His team already did some serious switching style on D. Will have to adjust to being less of a point forward in the nba but those dribble, pass, shoot skills tend to play up.

Shooooooter

Cam Chrisite, G, Minnesota

You may recall I had Christie's brother on here a few years ago. Cam might be better. And he's also one of the youngest players in this draft. He's a little raw, but a plus athlete, with good size and an about average wingspan. Played for an absolute dumpster fire of a program. Didn't' turn the ball over. He's a guy who will need some time in the g league, so getting him in round 2 isnt' a big deal. The lack of stocks and low usage could be concerns. But he's got enough size, quickness and shooting, and playmaking to carve out a run as a role player.

Trey Alexander, G, Creighton

Alexander did not win back to back national championships in 2023 and 2024 like some of this 2024 draft classmates. But he did lead Creighton to two of their best seasons of all time. He's got good size for a combo guard. And is really long with a 6-10.5 wingspan. He shows a good stroke but had a bit of a down year this year with it. Could just be statistical noise. He's a decent playmaker. Slightly less than 2:1 asst to TO ratio. His shuttle but his lane and vertical were below avg. It's a weird package. But he can get a size advantage and the quickness to guard 1s that he has a chance to stick.


Two years away
AJ Johnson, Australia,

A guy who went bro too early and played over his head, and it showed. Like the situational comp i read to basically being G.G. Jackson in that regard. Great tools but a body that needs 2 years of NBA strength and conditioning to have a chance to get on the floor. Otherwise he gets bodied. The athleticism is high level NBA, but he needs more time to polish. Would've looked a lot better in college and not facing 25 year olds. But a high ceiling due to his size (6-4) and length (6-8) for a pg

The old man
Kevin McCullar, SG, Kansas

The rare 2x QSS board member. Was getting lottery talk before a knee injury. His shooting was not good post injury. Did have legit growth or just a hot streak? One of the best defenders in the draft with an avg wingspan. Can move the ball well for a wing. Good free throw shooter. But he is old. And has had some injuries. But he seems like a fun 2 way guy who can step on the floor fairly early on.

 

[Mebert]

2024, "this draft sucks" edition

The Big dudes:

I look at nba centers like NFL running backs. Unless you got elite guys, use lesser draft capital to find dudes and cycle them out (unless you can steal them for the mle like harstein). There are few Jokics or Embiids out there, so finding guys cheaply and investing in big wings is a good strategy.

N'faly Dante, C, Oregon

I love this dude. He's huge4 even for NBA levels. Without injuries he's probably already in the NBA. Classic drop coverage big man but he has some mobility. So I think he has a chance to play a bit. He's unstoppable at the rim and killer on the offensive boards. He's got good block and steal numbers. This is the kind of guy you snag late in round 2 as a backup big man.

Adem Bona, C, UCLA

A guy who ended up a bad fit at UCLA. He was forced into a bigger post up heavy offensive role than he'll ever see in the nba. But he's an animal. A ferocious defender and a guy who can score in the simple ways that you like in the modern NBA. But not enough offensive upside to justify a round 1 pick, even with his condor like 7-3.75 wingspan.

Ulrich Chomche, NBA Academy Africa

Imossibly huge, 6'11 with a 7-4 wingpsan. While he didnt dominate, he held his own at the combine against guys 4-5 years older than him. Youngest player in the entire draft. He's a guy you want to take and then stash and let him develop somewhere else. But taking him late in the draft, or buying a pick later in the draft to land him to secure his rights is a solid move. If he goes to college for a year he could be Missi like.


Tall Spacers

Enrique Freeman, F, Akron

Another long dude (seeing a trend here? lol) and efficient. A beast on the boards with good agility and shuttle testing. But not a crazy good athlete either. But good enough. Solid shooter right now. Biggest issue is the asst to TO ratio, but was also playing center in college. I think he's more of a stretch 4 finny-smith type.

Jalen Bridges, F, Baylor

The prototypcial NBA wing with size and a decent wing span. He can shoot it. Doesn't turn the ball over. Doesn't get to the line alot which limits his effectiveness. His defense is a litlte up and down but the tools are there. Supposedly Golden State is particularly high on him.

Isaiah Crawford, F, La Tech

I really like this kid. He's another long guy with an over 7ft wingspan. He gets to the rim. Can shoot the 3. Had a solid usage rate. Covers a lot of ground and is a plus defender. Not the best athlete. And his ceiling is limited. But a guy who can do a litlte bit of everythign and not get played off the floor defensively. His team already did some serious switching style on D. Will have to adjust to being less of a point forward in the nba but those dribble, pass, shoot skills tend to play up.

Shooooooter

Cam Chrisite, G, Minnesota

You may recall I had Christie's brother on here a few years ago. Cam might be better. And he's also one of the youngest players in this draft. He's a little raw, but a plus athlete, with good size and an about average wingspan. Played for an absolute dumpster fire of a program. Didn't' turn the ball over. He's a guy who will need some time in the g league, so getting him in round 2 isnt' a big deal. The lack of stocks and low usage could be concerns. But he's got enough size, quickness and shooting, and playmaking to carve out a run as a role player.

Trey Alexander, G, Creighton

Alexander did not win back to back national championships in 2023 and 2024 like some of this 2024 draft classmates. But he did lead Creighton to two of their best seasons of all time. He's got good size for a combo guard. And is really long with a 6-10.5 wingspan. He shows a good stroke but had a bit of a down year this year with it. Could just be statistical noise. He's a decent playmaker. Slightly less than 2:1 asst to TO ratio. His shuttle but his lane and vertical were below avg. It's a weird package. But he can get a size advantage and the quickness to guard 1s that he has a chance to stick.


Two years away
AJ Johnson, Australia,

A guy who went bro too early and played over his head, and it showed. Like the situational comp i read to basically being G.G. Jackson in that regard. Great tools but a body that needs 2 years of NBA strength and conditioning to have a chance to get on the floor. Otherwise he gets bodied. The athleticism is high level NBA, but he needs more time to polish. Would've looked a lot better in college and not facing 25 year olds. But a high ceiling due to his size (6-4) and length (6-8) for a pg

The old man
Kevin McCullar, SG, Kansas

The rare 2x QSS board member. Was getting lottery talk before a knee injury. His shooting was not good post injury. Did have legit growth or just a hot streak? One of the best defenders in the draft with an avg wingspan. Can move the ball well for a wing. Good free throw shooter. But he is old. And has had some injuries. But he seems like a fun 2 way guy who can step on the floor fairly early on.

Bona has Clint Capela vibes. We never really got to see him purely as a rim runner at UCLA, he is a way better pro than college player because of how he was used.

 

[The Q]

Bona has Clint Capela vibes. We never really got to see him purely as a rim runner at UCLA, he is a way better pro than college player because of how he was used.

His switchability is what will keep him in the league

He can play in space on that end

 

[SpringStein]

I really like KJ Simpson from Colorado. He’s barely over 6’ tall, but super athletic. Was his 43+% from three last year a mirage or sustainable? If the nuggets didn’t already have a couple undersized guard I’d be stoked if they drafted him in round 2.

 

[The Q]

I really like KJ Simpson from Colorado. He’s barely over 6’ tall, but super athletic. Was his 43+% from three last year a mirage or sustainable? If the nuggets didn’t already have a couple undersized guard I’d be stoked if they drafted him in round 2.

Yeah I like him but size is just terrifying

It’s just really hard to be a successful nba player at that size

 

[SpringStein]

Yeah I like him but size is just terrifying

It’s just really hard to be a successful nba player at that size

I don’t disagree, but with his vertical and athletic ability, he plays bigger. I think he will be an excellent back up point in the NBA, and in the second round that’s value.

 

[LogicMan]

Will Bronny be their at 55?

 

[DJ Fieri]

Some pretty good players still available.

Guys that can contribute right away.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Will Bronny be their at 55?

He should be.

 

[LogicMan]

He should be.

We could mess that up if we or others made that pick

 

[DJ Fieri]

We could mess that up if we or others made that pick

Don't be an asshole today. It's my day off. Trying to be nice.

LOL.

 

[LogicMan]

Don't be an asshole today. It's my day off. Trying to be nice.

LOL.

Damn ok then.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Damn ok then.

Just kidding.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Seriously, I don't think any team is going to take Bronny before the Lakers have a chance to.

And even if they do, I doubt Bron leaves the Lakers. Not with Redick being hired and drafting Knecht. I was unaware Bron had complimented Knecht a few months back. I think the recent additions (plus whatever we do in FA) keeps him happy to stay.

 

[eaglesnut]

Will Bronny be their at 55?

He will be theirs if he is there