Groupthink 2023 Mock Draft: Pick #2

[Ed O]

I just noticed we're about 22 days away from the draft. Let's do a daily series of threads involving how the draft should go, assuming (a) what we know now, and (b) no trades.

This should end with the Blazers' pick at #23 just on draft day.

Let's start with pick #2, assuming SA takes Wenbanyama.

Who do you think Charlotte should take? Try to be a fan or the GM for the team, rather than who you want to have them take based on your Blazers fandom.

Tomorrow at about noon I'll set up another poll with the results factored in.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

A week ago I'd have said Scoot for sure.

Now betting sites have Miller with higher odds. I feel like that's normally the most accurate information as it's based off real money people put on the line.

Miller has all the tools and the most in demand position, the tough thing to know is the shooting details which I think he'll address with a couple teams privately but we won't be privy to any of those details.

Then of course there's always the trade markets and misdirection.

I guess I'll vote Scoot as he's been the leading #2 prospect for so long and apparently had such a high ceiling. But it's basically a coin flip to me and I know the teams will all have more information than me to make the correct decision.

 

[Ed O]

A week ago I'd have said Scoot for sure.

Now betting sites have Miller with higher odds. I feel like that's normally the most accurate information as it's based off real money people put on the line.

Miller has all the tools and the most in demand position, the tough thing to know is the shooting details which I think he'll address with a couple teams privately but we won't be privy to any of those details.

Then of course there's always the trade markets and misdirection.

I guess I'll vote Scoot as he's been the leading #2 prospect for so long and apparently had such a high ceiling. But it's basically a coin flip to me and I know the teams will all have more information than me to make the correct decision.

Yeah... it's ok that the question/poll is a bit squishy, but in my mind I was thinking, "As a Charlotte fan, I think the team should take this guy to make our team better" rather than, "As a Charlotte fan, I think this is who they will pick".

"Should" can be ambiguous sometimes

 

[e_blazer]

I’ll go with Miller. Ball needs a front court scorer to work with.

 

[blazerfan11]

I will go with Miller. Starting with fit, Charlotte had nobody besides LaMelo Ball who shot over 35% on 3-pointers. That's crazy.
For upside, LaMelo is a fantastic passer and his passing and ball-handling ability will allow Miller to excel at what he does best, which is to score.
Miller also is a better defender than Scoot, at least right now. Scoot has the tools to be a good defender, but didn't put the effort in on that end of the floor.

 

[Ed O]

I voted Henderson because I think his ceiling is super-high. I like Miller, too, but as a hypothetical Charlotte fan, I look at our team and what Ball has done and don't think it would be smart to assume we can build around the guy.

I meant to make the votes public, and will do so tomorrow and moving forward, but don't think I can change it now.

 

[Natebishop3]

I voted Henderson because I think his ceiling is super-high. I like Miller, too, but as a hypothetical Charlotte fan, I look at our team and what Ball has done and don't think it would be smart to assume we can build around the guy.

I meant to make the votes public, and will do so tomorrow and moving forward, but don't think I can change it now.

If some of the scouts are to believed, Scoot has a higher ceiling than Ball.

 

[Whyachi]

Hornets are like He-Man

I have the power !!

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Scoot best player available

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Yeah... it's ok that the question/poll is a bit squishy, but in my mind I was thinking, "As a Charlotte fan, I think the team should take this guy to make our team better" rather than, "As a Charlotte fan, I think this is who they will pick".

"Should" can be ambiguous sometimes

Yeah, the only thing with a specific team is then you can get into a fit vs talent argument. I look at it as more general of who is the 2nd best prospect in the draft, especially at pick #2 teams should draft BPA. If Charlotte eventually needs to make a trade so their depth chart has a better fit then they can do that separately.

 

[Ed O]

Yeah, the only thing with a specific team is then you can get into a fit vs talent argument. I look at it as more general of who is the 2nd best prospect in the draft, especially at pick #2 teams should draft BPA. If Charlotte eventually needs to make a trade so their depth chart has a better fit then they can do that separately.

I hear you. I'm almost always a BPA guy, and I think Scoot is the best available player, so I think Charlotte should take him.

I would actually be surprised if they didn't take Miller, though, and I think that would be a mistake.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

No vote for #1 pick?

Actually saw you can bet odds 200-1 of Wemba; maybe I should take out a $200k mortgage on the house to win an easy grand? It seems like Wemba is such a lock that it might actually be a good bet to take. But then I guess you never know if there is some freak injury or accident he could get in the next few weeks. Also I'm not sure if Charlotte could have some sort of trade with the Spurs where the Spurs take a different player and get assets from Charlotte but let Wemba drop so Charlotte picks him? I feel like Vince Carter and Jamison or some other players at the top of the draft might have had that happen.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think it is too close to call. And when that happens one usually goes with the position of need. Miller

 

[illmatic99]

I think Scoot is a tier above Miller talent wise.

 

[Predator]

Miller.

He's BPA and plays a premium position.

Also fits a need.

I happen to agree with Givony that Miller is clearly the second most talented player in this draft.

The more I watch him the less Jabari Smith I see and the more PG/Jayson Tatum.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Miller.

He's BPA and plays a premium position.

Also fits a need.

I happen to agree with Givony that Miller is clearly the second most talented player in this draft.

The more I watch him the less Jabari Smith I see and the more PG/Jayson Tatum.

Yeah I voted Scoot but I'm not certain he is or isn't BPA, Miller has a legit argument for it.

I clearly believe whoever isn't picked should go at #3 though.

 

[theprunetang]

I picked Scoot, because while he isn't my favorite prospect, I do believe that he is the best prospect. If I squint hard enough I kind of see young Chris Paul with Westbrook athleticism. At least the framework for it. I'm honestly not that worried about his shot long-term, as his form looks ok. It will probably take him a couple of years to get there, shooting-wise. Combining him with Ball isn't as clunky as I first suspected either, as Ball has amazing catch and shoot numbers and theoretically has the size to play 2. If they can find a great 3 and D small forward who can cover the opposing team's best guard every night, it would go a long way. It also never hurts to have 2 amazing ball-handlers and passers on the court at the same time. If they do draft Scoot, I expect to see a ton of dive and dish scenarios with Ball either stroking the 3 or keeping the play alive with a dribble and score/pass if defended well. Scoot will also bring some much needed excitement to probably the most forgettable team of the past decade. I like the fit.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Scoot is the pick, probably to Houston

 

[illmatic99]

I think Charlotte's comfort level with the gun story cannot be understated.

 

[Natebishop3]

Scoot is the pick, probably to Houston

You think Charlotte will trade the pick?

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Charlotte is about to take back Bridges who beat up on his wife. Do they want the heat that comes with taking Brandon Miller as well?

Regardless, I would go for Scoot out of the two. He has the higher ceiling and I'm not sure LaMelo has done enough to warrant being the face of the franchise for the long haul.

 

[Shaboid]

Charlotte is about to take back Bridges who beat up on his wife. Do they want the heat that comes with taking Brandon Miller as well?

Regardless, I would go for Scoot out of the two. He has the higher ceiling and I'm not sure LaMelo has done enough to warrant being the face of the franchise for the long haul.

Or maybe them taking back Bridges shows that they really don't give a shit about the heat they are getting. They could have cut him, couldn't they?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Or maybe them taking back Bridges shows that they really don't give a shit about the heat they are getting. They could have cut him, couldn't they?

With future ownership change it gives prior and future owners the opportunity to both escape blame.

 

[Predator]

Vecenie has Scoot behind Amen AND Miller now

 

[Natebishop3]

Vecenie has Scoot behind Amen AND Miller now

That just seems silly to me.

 

[Predator]

Would be such a Charlotte move to draft Scoot over either of those guys

 

[Predator]

That just seems silly to me.

Why?

 

[Mediocre Man]

You think Charlotte will trade the pick?

Yes

 

[theprunetang]

Yes

So, conspiracy time:

Charlotte likes Brandon Miller, but would also be ok with Amen if their plab fails. They trade with Houston and pick up an asset or two, put out bad stories about Miller, hoping it causes us to pass on him so they can take him 4th.