Official 2016 Draft Thread

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I think it's a little short-sighted to think guys can't play other positions in the NBA. With such a premium placed on three point shooting, I think Zach or any other SG we draft should be able to handle the point.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Part of me likes Grayson Allen more than Kris Dunn... That ability to slash/shoot/facilitate/defend at a high level vs. elite competition... I think he could be a scoring PG in today's NBA, though other sites may strictly say he's a SG. He handles the rock for Duke a ton. I keep watching him and most impressive is his feel for the game.

Cam, Good stuff. I am suprised him and Sabaonis don't get more love. Do you think Saboaonis is a Scola type player at the NBA level?

Hmm. I wouldn't say Scola's my comparison for Sabonis at the next level, but the footwork in the low post is impressive. I think right away you can tell Sab is going to be a much better defender than Scola ever was. Better athlete, better lateral ability, squares guys up better, better motor for sure, IMO. I think he could have the same type of career Scola had, though, with more rebounds.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think it's a little short-sighted to think guys can't play other positions in the NBA. With such a premium placed on three point shooting, I think Zach or any other SG we draft should be able to handle the point.

It depends on their play style and mentality. Zach, for instance, is better suited for SG and it's not because his physical tools won't allow him to be PG. It's because he doesn't have natural point guard instincts nor does he have the ability to consistently get to the rim in attack mode. He relies on his jumper and transition, which is fine don't get me wrong, but as a point guard, you have to be able to penetrate whether it's to create for yourself or for teammates. As for his instincts, he's just too slow at reading plays and making the right point guard decisions. You can have him handle the rock as a SG as long as he's not responsible for getting the offense into rhythm the whole game. Other than that, you're misusing him, IMO.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Cool video of teammates and his coach talking about Sabonis' attitude on the court and how hard he works. Emotional leader of the Zags. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYCXe9LaphY

[bleedspeed]

Hmm. I wouldn't say Scola's my comparison for Sabonis at the next level, but the footwork in the low post is impressive. I think right away you can tell Sab is going to be a much better defender than Scola ever was. Better athlete, better lateral ability, squares guys up better, better motor for sure, IMO. I think he could have the same type of career Scola had, though, with more rebounds.

My thoughts is he is a guy that will do the dirty work and not get pushed around. More grit than pure athlete. WWe lack that quality on this team. If he has that and yet better skills that is awesome and would work well next to Towns and Wiggins. Video supports it.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Buddy Hield please, can he play PG?

No, he cannot play point guard.

I think he could.

He doesn't even play PG for his own team. Let alone possibly be an NBA caliber PG. He's a great spot up and clutch shooter. That's his calling at the next level.

Are you saying that because he lacks quickness and ball handling skills or because he shoots a lot of 3s?

I'm saying that because he's not the primary ball handler on his own college team where he's the best player. I don't believe you can go from a roaming shooter who occasionally gets to the rim to primary ball handler and distributor at the next level and actually be good at the next level.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Not sure why there isn't any discussion of Jamal Murray in this thread. He's a PG and many here feel we need someone with shooting ability who can eventually take the reins from Ricky. Murray is a PG and he's putting up shooting/scoring stats comparable to Dunn and others mentioned in this thread. Yet, he's doing it as a freshman compared to the others who are either juniors or seniors.

The games I've seen of Murray have raised some flags for me regarding whether or not he's a PG. His hot shooting almost everytime I've watched him has involved mostly catch and shoot with a little off the dribble sprinkled in. He's also got questionable shot selection when he makes a couple shots. I think he's best as an off-ball catch and shoot guy who's your secondary ball handler which is how he's playing at Kentucky. I just don't know if he can make enough plays for others to be an NBA PG and I don't know if he can be as hot a shooter shooting more off the dribble in the PnR than the easy catch and shoot stuff he's had this year with Tyler as his PG. He plays next to a real PG who just has size limitations and their games don't look very similar which worries me about his status as a PG at the next level.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Hmm. I wouldn't say Scola's my comparison for Sabonis at the next level, but the footwork in the low post is impressive. I think right away you can tell Sab is going to be a much better defender than Scola ever was. Better athlete, better lateral ability, squares guys up better, better motor for sure, IMO. I think he could have the same type of career Scola had, though, with more rebounds.

My thoughts is he is a guy that will do the dirty work and not get pushed around. More grit than pure athlete. WWe lack that quality on this team. If he has that and yet better skills that is awesome and would work well next to Towns and Wiggins. Video supports it.

Agreed on all points. I think he'd be terrific here.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think it's a little short-sighted to think guys can't play other positions in the NBA. With such a premium placed on three point shooting, I think Zach or any other SG we draft should be able to handle the point.

There's a difference between shooting off the dribble and off the catch. Your PG has to be able to shoot off the dribble as a major part of his arsenal so it's hard to say plug in any of these catch and shoot guys like Hield and Murray and they'd do fine at PG. Zach is better at the 2 because he is a much better catch and shoot guy who can be a secondary ball handler, but the main action of the play should not be throw him in a PnR and have him make a play. The same goes for Hield and Murray. If you aren't that guy in college as the primary ball handler making the proper play in the PnR and you're mostly getting your points off catch and shoot then it's hard to say you can be a good PG at the NBA level. Zach isn't a good PG at this level because of his skill set and it looks a lot like the skill set of Hield and Murray and some of the other spot up shooters of this draft.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Found these scouting videos for Sabonis when I was looking for some game video. DraftExpress usually does a pretty good job with these. So, here's the links for those that aren't too familiar with his game.

2014-15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er69CSpUd34

2015-16: Strengths https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyIU4_tyDo0
2015-16: Weaknesses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DB-5uGrXy8