Recent content by MrDraftGuy

Judging by the guys who will be playing the bulk of the minutes - Toumani, Deni, Sharpe, Jrue, Clingan, Grant, I think it's clear the defensive identity wasn't a fluke for those who still harbored doubts. If everyone commits to defense and Sharpe shows the passable defensive effort he currently...

Provided they are healthy & recovered, 30ppg players should be relevant into their mid-late 30s. Kareem, Karl Malone, Jordan, Lebron, Durant, Wade, Harden, Steph are examples. No guarantees of All-Star level play but they can reach something like current Fred Van Vleet or prime Dennis...

Well, "Draft Experts", including very respectable ones like Givony (Mike's former partner), often get it wrong. Look at their big boards and they always miss out b/c, imo, they're evaluating talent in a vacuum, especially as it relates to a weaker league. Therefore, they may over emphasize...

Not a good selection imo. You could've acquired him later. In fact, that Pelicans deal where you get the #23 and an unprotected 2026 pick would've sufficed here. Otherwise, my assessment is Hansen's wingspan is slightly too short for my liking and his shoulders/hips are too small. His...

I'll still stick with my hope that the pick isn't traded for a mid tier "win now" player, Portland can get one of Essengue/Jaku/Demin (in that order) at #11 and trade for Fleming. Also, for while, I wasn't sure how to pinpoint VJ Edgecombe and now, I want to say he reminds me of Derek Anderson...

I'll be surprised if Essengue slips out of the Top 10. His transition scoring is quite elite and very similar to Amen Thompson (though, he's not as freakishly athletic). Versatile player and defender, as well. I want to say he could be what a modern day James Worthy looks like. Versatile...

Blazers main focus is finding one more guy to match up with the "under 24 year old" core. In 4-5 years, they'll all break out and be in their primes together. Otherwise, 22 year olds are expected to dominate and outscore younger competition. However, if they're 22 and still not showing...

There's plenty of room for optimism. For reference, let's take a look at various previous drafts, starting from 17 years ago: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_draft Go ahead and click every year. You'll find there is practically always an All-Star AND a borderline All-Star found from...

He reminds me of Ike Diogu but more mobile. Good for garbage buckets and under the modern game, cutting to the rim. JJ Hickson was listed above as a comp and that might be another apt comparison. Not seeing anything else beyond that. There are complaints about motor, tweener size, lack of...

Though it would've been nice that Portland got Flagg so that a 15 year dynasty was secured, I'm of the opinion the team already has "Kobe-Odom". It even has "Bynum" and "Ariza". As such, I simply think the key for Portland is to find a Ron Artest. Someone along the Kukoc/Cliff/Kersey tier...

Potentially add Yaxel Lendeborg to that list, too, as he is supposed to have a 7'3" wingspan. Some of the complaints of Flemming, Yaxel also doesn't have. For example, he can handle the ball, he can pass, and he showed up against tougher competition. Older player, though, and hasn't declared...

I think the #10 with a large contract could net a 'flawed' star like Lauri or Domantas. Going after Tobias Harris, for example, is why the Pistons are hanging in there with the Knicks. Although, my preference is to acquire more picks in this draft and continue pushing for a specific archetype...

In games without Simons, Sharpe is 29/5/3 across seven games. Small sample size but having the ball clearly matters. In the same way that Z-Bo simply limited LaMarcus despite being a good player himself, I think Simons might be doing the same and would probably even thrive elsewhere. Maybe...

Both players can probably have 20+/5/4 type stats together. Or at the least, Sharpe becomes a 25+/5/4 player at his peak and Deni remains 19/8/5 (per 36). I'm of the belief that the all around SG-SF combo wins championships. Wade-Lebron, Kobe-Odom, Brown-Tatum, MJ-Pippen. It's going to...

I think Deni can be an All-Star but like with anyone else on the team, the scoring currently seems rather empty and dependent on good nights rather than a pattern of consistency. With stars, you sort of have a few go-to moves that are dominant enough to lead to consistency. For example...