Event 2025 NBA DRAFT LOTTERY, COMBINE, AND DRAFT

[THE HCP]

 

[Phatguysrule]

Sure, I agree with that sentiment and I think the NBA knew this was the future. Stern spoke about it in the mid-2000s at the height of the Run n' Gun Suns and Pritchard was going on and on about it when he was GM, too. But ratings (even before all these streaming issues) might suggest, otherwise.

I feel that when we hear "people like to watch games for offense", we need to understand it as a variety of offense and not just 3pt barrage after 3pt barrage.

I still think the early-mid 2010s was the ideal model and NBA ratings were returning around then before sinking in 2017-18. Faster paced than the 2000s, emphasized 3pt shots and movement but still utilized elements that worked in the past like posting up.

Otherwise, my thing is that limiting three point shots per quarter....wouldn't change the league average very much since the current average 3PM per team is only 12-13 shots a game (out of the 34-37 attempt averages from 2019-present day).

In that case, maybe it shouldn't even be 3PM. Maybe it'd be better if the NBA had an allocation of only 7 3PA per quarter until the 4th where it becomes unlimited (otherwise, the 3pt shot becomes a 2pt shot if the allocated number of shots gets used). Btw, that still averages out to a similar number as the current status quo (30+ 3PA) once you factor this hypothetical 4th quarter.

Imo, this would also bring back the mid-range which, I argue, is a staple of the highly marketable superstar ala MJ, Durant, Kobe, Wade, T-Mac, Larry, Iverson, Dirk, Carmelo since it involves some ball handling and footwork to juke a defender rather than just camping the three point line. Thus, it would make the NBA resemble the early-mid 2010s when teams were a mix of traditional basketball and new era basketball.

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On the topic of this thread, I think doing this would also benefit the Top 3 prospects into becoming future faces of the league since they have either smooth looking jumpers or ball handling or both. Mid-range and being able to play some iso to either attack the rim or settle from that range = recognizable superstar.

I don't think there needs to be any rule changes. The current system encourages teams to only shoot layups and threes. Therefore teams are encouraged to only defend layups and threes.

So teams which take advantage of that by also getting high percentage mid-range shots (along with layups and threes) will be more consistent and likely outperform other teams.

The mid-range is often wide wide open. If you can't get to the rim and your threes aren't falling that mid-range sure helps.

 

[blazerkor]

We really need a top 4 pick in this draft!

ugh

We're two and a half games out from third and we all know that third spot will give us an equal share of the best chance to land in the top 4. Now ducking under Washington for that first spot seems close to impossible and that would guarantee us a top 5 pick but if we end up in the top 3 for lotto odds, I'll be happy with that.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Looks like his scoring is declining every game...

 

[cheesehoff]

Looks like his scoring is declining every game...

That's what you got from HCP's post?

 

[MickZagger]

AJ Dybantsa who is NBA class of 2026 just committed to BYU. He’s the #1 college recruit in class of 2025.

Some think this kid will be better than Cooper Flagg

 

[THE HCP]

We're two and a half games out from third and we all know that third spot will give us an equal share of the best chance to land in the top 4. Now ducking under Washington for that first spot seems close to impossible and that would guarantee us a top 5 pick but if we end up in the top 3 for lotto odds, I'll be happy with that.

We just need that Top 3 FAMS!

 

[MickZagger]

I like Harper better than Bailey.

 

[MickZagger]

Dylan Harper is Brunson with more size.

 

[THE HCP]

I see some Cade Cunningham in his game…..

 

[MickZagger]

I got to watch Kasparas Jakucionas today. Kid can ball. Had good size. Sweet looking jumper. Very crafty putting the ball on the floor.

Getting touted as a top 10 pick. Some think he could maybe go top 3. I can see why.

 

[THE HCP]

I got to watch Kasparas Jakucionas today. Kid can ball. Had good size. Sweet looking jumper. Very crafty putting the ball on the floor.

Getting touted as a top 10 pick. Some think he could maybe go top 3. I can see why.

Did you happen to notice this kid?
Heard he trains with Shae in the offseason the past couple summers. Hearing he might be the real deal whatever that means. I haven’t had a chance to watch him yet.

 

[MickZagger]

Did you happen to notice this kid?
Heard he trains with Shae in the offseason the past couple summers. Hearing he might be the real deal whatever that means. I haven’t had a chance to watch him yet.

View attachment 68815

Yeah he looked pretty good. Looked lengthy, has a nice looking jumper but Tennessee was swarming him. He was having hard time getting clean looks. They were talking about how he’s the highest rated recruit they’ve had since Dee Brown in 2002.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

They were talking about how he’s the highest rated recruit they’ve had since Dee Brown in 2002.

Now there's a name I haven't thought about in a minute

 

[JDC]

Already getting top 5 buzz. Like Flagg, he re-classed...just turned 18.

He's my guy in this draft.

 

[MickZagger]

Already getting top 5 buzz. Like Flagg, he re-classed...just turned 18.

He's my guy in this draft.

I watched him tonight. Reminds me of Devin Booker.

 

[JDC]

I watched him tonight. Reminds me of Devin Booker.

Like all these young players, he's a mix of a lot of guys. But there's just a unique star quality about him. Some of his movement patterns remind me of Curry. His handle and use of his body to get to his mid-range game remind me of Shai.

There's not a great one-to-one comp, but you can tell he watches a lot of film of the top guys and steals stuff.

I also like that he started out as a small guard and had to learn a lot of tricks and tough touch finishes growing up. He's a guy with a big bag of basketball solutions.

It's the exact opposite growth curve to Scoot who was a physically imposing player for his age for as long as he's played basketball, and we are seeing the issues with that playing out right now

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[KingSpeed]

Yeah he looked pretty good. Looked lengthy, has a nice looking jumper but Tennessee was swarming him. He was having hard time getting clean looks. They were talking about how he’s the highest rated recruit they’ve had since Dee Brown in 2002.

Dee Brown was drafted in 1990.

 

[JDC]

Dee Brown was drafted in 1990.

Wrong Dee Brown

 

[MickZagger]

Dee Brown was drafted in 1990.

off the top of my head I think that Dee Brown went to Jacksonville State.

I could be wrong. But remember where NBA players went to college is my forte.

 

[JDC]

Best cut ups on youtube for those without the time to watch full games.

 

[THE HCP]

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[MrDraftGuy]

I keep saying I get deja vu about Flagg vs. Harper being like Oden vs. Durant.

Reminds me of this:

 

[inconceivable]

I keep saying I get deja vu about Flagg vs. Harper being like Oden vs. Durant.

Reminds me of this:

Are you insinuating Flagg is Oden and Harper is Durant? Are you suggesting we draft Harper with the #1 pick should we win the lottery?

 

[MrDraftGuy]

Are you insinuating Flagg is Oden and Harper is Durant? Are you suggesting we draft Harper with the #1 pick should we win the lottery?

Nah, don't worry. Flagg isn't a 7 foot big

 

[THE HCP]

Wish Greg had made that dunk though! Great picture and n spite of the miss.

 

[ant]

Even if we miss out on Flagg, I’d be so excited to pair Harper and Shaedon, with Deni at the 3. There are so many riches in the upcoming draft, just keep losing!

 

[inconceivable]

Even if we miss out on Flagg, I’d be so excited to pair Harper and Shaedon, with Deni at the 3. There are so many riches in the upcoming draft, just keep losing!

Where does this leave Scooter?