1st Pick: Cooper Flagg – I mean what’s not to like? The kid plays with a fire that you want to see in your star player. Looks like me on the tennis court. Not afraid of the moment and keeps improving at a rapid rate. Will be good enough in his prime to be the best player on a championship level team. I’m thinking averages along the lines of 27, 8 and 6. The new American great white hope. Rating for him is 96.
2nd Pick: Dylan Harper – Who are the 5 best dribblers alive? Dylan, Dylan Dylan… eh you get the joke. Has the best in & out dribble move I’ve seen, which is crazy at his age. Not at all a surprise to find out his dad was an NBA player when you see his preternatural feel for the game. Love the way he changes speeds, like Cliff Lee. The low shot release is a concern, but Halli has made it work so far so let’s see. The size he has increases his floor and he looks like a future All-star with some 3rd team All-NBA potential. Rating 92
3rd Pick: VJ Edgecombe – Bit of a poor man’s Westbrook is what I see here. A high flyer who’s a bit undersized for the 2 guard position. If he can keep improving his spot up 3, that will open up so much space for his to use that athleticism. Lots of upside here, but also a lot of room for growth, like Bobby’s hairline and Josh’s weiner. I think we won’t be able to tell what his ceiling is until his second contract. Looks like a potential all star on the high end. Rating 86
4th Pick: Kon Kneuppel – Kuh-nipple is the stereotypical white. Great shooter, fundamentals, makes the hustle plays and does all the little things that add up to wins that don’t show up in the box score. And of course, he has defensive limitations and is an under the rim player. Reminds me a lot of JJ Redick and will probably have a similar career. Feels high to take a guy with such limited upside at 4, especially for Charlotte, but maybe they could use some guys in there that don’t add to the fuckery. They’re already way over the maximum headcases allowed. Rating 78
5th Pick: Ace Bailey – That is one nice piece of Ace (in a straight way). Long athlete who can make some difficult shots. High and quick release makes him hard to defend on the perimeter. The problem is he’s a low IQ player, and maybe person? Bob can relate. Knowing now that Utah drafted him, a city with absolutely no distractions, might be the best thing for him to unlock his game. Not the kind of guy I’d expect to see at the ápres ski in Park City. Shades of Julius Randle, with that big offensive game, but a total bonehead. Not as good a passer though. Actually, one of the worst passers I’ve seen, which is problematic. I don’t think he has the right mind to put it all together. Could have a career reminiscent of Kuminga, but if he does break through the ding dong-ness, he could be Rashard Lewis. Really tough call, but I think in this draft, you have a hard time not taking him at 5. Rating 83
6th Pick: Tre Johnson – This kid already has a bag of moves off the dribble and some crazy shot making, and that’s most of the appeal. You might even call me the Tre Johnson of mini golf. Drafting someone who you know can shoot from 3 and get their own shot is worth a top 10 pick. My concern is that everything else is sub-par. He’s not small, but isn’t long. The scoring at the rim is already bad, and the defense is worrisome. Could have a Malik Beasley like career, but hopefully he doesn’t take the “bet on yourself” line too literally. Rating 78
7th Pick: Jeremiah Fears – One of the younger boyyyys in the draft, I have to say I really like the kid. The handle is crazy and the guy can knife through defenses. This, to me, is the most “if he gets a 3 pointer, the upside is crazy” guy in the draft. There is some low-end all star potench here. Too bad he landed in New Orleans. Rating 81
8th Pick: Egor Demin – Let’s see, can’t shoot, can’t defend. The guy’s a great passer and he’s tall. But he’s not good enough anywhere else to be able to take advantage of that in the NBA. They say he’s high waisted? He’s top tall bro? Send him back to Europe. BUST
9th Pick: Collin Murray-Boyles – I see a little Draymond here. A high IQ player on both ends of the floor. Someone who will do more in terms of impact rather than statistics. Like Bob cheating at the Holiday Bowl. Shooting is the concern, but I still see him as a reliable 25 mpg guy that will be a good rotation piece. Rating 77
10th Pick: Khaman Maluach – Well he is big, no doubt about it. Which, I get. These guys who learn the game late are always a bit difficult to project. He does have a good feel for the game, but not a crazy athlete. This is not the next DeAndre Jordan or Dwight in any realm of possibilities. I think his upside is Clint Capela, but I wouldn’t expect more. I doubt he reaches that high, more of a rotation big I think. Rating 74.
