Chandler wrote:First things first, full disclaimer: I am not a college basketball expert. Are people convinced on Zion?

I am wary of college phenoms because sometimes a player's dominance is a result of the college competition. There have been many "man-childs" in the past who did not pan out in pros; also many players from Duke do not pan out. Their current team supposedly has several first round talents. It's not like the other team could easily load up on Zion and leave the others alone. D. Williams was listed taller and could dunk the crap out of the ball: he's now playing in Germany

I looked at the highlights from the game last night. A few things stuck out on a scale of 1 to 10...

1. Zion Enthusiasm and team spirit - 10/10. There was a play where Barrett stole the ball with score 9-0, both raced past the competition, Barrett could have set him up for a rim shattering dunk but instead dunked it himself. But as he jumped up to do so, Zion jumped up behind him as well, with his arms to his side and after the dunk, had a loud roar for Barrett.

2. Barrett is herky jerky like Lance Stephenson at times, but if there's one guy constantly moving in the game with boundless energy...that would be Zion. Not sure if that automatically translates to 35 mins per game as a starter in his rookie NBA season, since even on his current team he averages < 27 mins per night. I would say someone would ask him to shed 20 lbs this summer. Barrett skills - 9/10 at least last night. He got what he wanted almost all the time.

3. Zion boxes out well on D, kinda Kanter like in the paint for offensive rebounding, and does well for weak side blocks and off the ball defense looking at his man and the ball. On the ball D was not on display in the highlights except for one play where he jumped up, got driven by, and yet recovered for a block. - 8/10

4. Zion looks like someone we know when powering to the rim, obviously does not get blocked as much because of his hops and ability to create space with his wide body, but does fall down just as much as someone on our team. What's up with that? I didn't like that. That just means a 5 on 4 break for the other team in today's NBA if you are falling down that much. - 5/10

5. Best guard on the floor was Syracuse's Battle, cool as a cucumber, smooth on his shots and also got anything he wanted with a super fast first step - 10/10.

6. Discount Double check award of the night, Duke's O'Connell, dude can shoot from 3 - 8/10. If he could dribble like Klay, he'd be ranked really high.

7. Some bad/overrated things about Zion - his 3 making...average at best on the form and slow release allowing for easy blocks in the NBA. I dont see him taking and making contested 3s. Understanding plays...Where to be on the court in a half court set. Loves contact but some of those will result in blocks in the NBA.

8. Some underrated things about Zion - cuts well to get to open spots, and moves well without the ball, is always the one throwing in the ball from side out or backcourt, can shoot the 10-15 footer and quite willing to do other dirty work like setting picks that will not show up on stat sheet.

Overall, I don't think Zion is the guy for us when guys like Barrett and Battle are available. Weight concerns and those same double teams he's able to overpower in college...I doubt if he'll be able to do that in the NBA. I didn't see him pass out of a double team once in the highlights...not once.

Allanfan20 wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

TripleThreat wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:I am nervous about this new lotto system. I just want the Knicks to get the top pick finally.

I suspect Atlanta will get the top pick.

The attendance problems there are a real problem for the franchise and the league. Their front office has done a really good job given the situation and the attrition ( losing Millsap and Horford) Collins is completely legit and what he's doing as a young player is pretty impressive. Surrendering Doncic might haunt them forever though.

Ballmer paid his 2 billion for the Clippers. At some point the league is going to gift him the top pick.

One way or another, AD is leaving the Pelicans, the league will need to create a market correction there too.

Two schools of thought. The draft is rigged, or it's not. If you believe the draft is not rigged, a record selling price franchise or a team needing a PR reboot for losing an elite guy will get the top pick. If you believe the draft is rigged, a record selling price franchise or a team needing a PR reboot for losing an elite guy will get the top pick.

The changing of the "odds" is merely a PR tool to better rationalize some rigging. ( i.e. Derrick Rose to the Bulls, despite their league worst odds that year to get the top pick) Increasing the rig range from the top 3 picks to the top 4 allows the league to give out more market correction each year.

Go to tankathon and run some simulations. You'll see some weird stuff happen s. Does that mean tankathon are in on the conspiracy?

All I know is we will get screwed. MSG is sold out every night the league has no reason to allow us to become compeitive. We are a draw everywhere the only way we will get a top pick is if we stop going to games.

1. Hawks
2. Cavs
3. Pelicans
4. Wolves
5. Suns
6. Bulls
7. Knicks

My prediction as of now

I just did a few lotto simulations on tankathon. The Knicks were picked 5-7 most of the times.

Yep that's what seems to happen every time! We're forever destined to pick 7th or 8th

Nalod wrote:Today Tankathon gave us the 2nd pick, RJ Barrett.

I would be OK with that.

Uptown wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:I see Draft Express talking about Ja Morant being skinny but holy **** 40 pts 10 assists...maybe he is our guy this draft.

If we miss out on Zion, Ja is my 2nd choice...Kid has unbelievable vision and handle.

I want to see how Ja plays in the Conference and NCAA tourney. He's mostly playing against pretty crappy competition so those will be interesting. But yeah, right now I think I'd take Ja #2 after Zion.

Allanfan20 wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:I see Draft Express talking about Ja Morant being skinny but holy **** 40 pts 10 assists...maybe he is our guy this draft.

If we miss out on Zion, Ja is my 2nd choice...Kid has unbelievable vision and handle.

I want to see how Ja plays in the Conference and NCAA tourney. He's mostly playing against pretty crappy competition so those will be interesting. But yeah, right now I think I'd take Ja #2 after Zion.

I like his passing and competitiveness but that shot form bothers the hell out of me even though the numbers don’t really back me up.

I agree on his shot as well, esp with the three being the main event In the nba these days. Having a pg who shoots 30% on 3s is a issue. I’m also not sold till I see him vs real competition.

fitzfarm wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:I see Draft Express talking about Ja Morant being skinny but holy **** 40 pts 10 assists...maybe he is our guy this draft.

If we miss out on Zion, Ja is my 2nd choice...Kid has unbelievable vision and handle.

I want to see how Ja plays in the Conference and NCAA tourney. He's mostly playing against pretty crappy competition so those will be interesting. But yeah, right now I think I'd take Ja #2 after Zion.

I like his passing and competitiveness but that shot form bothers the hell out of me even though the numbers don’t really back me up.

I agree on his shot as well, esp with the three being the main event In the nba these days. Having a pg who shoots 30% on 3s is a issue. I’m also not sold till I see him vs real competition.

He is shooting 34% for the year at a rate of double the previous, and he increased it about 40 percentage points. I think that's pretty good and shows promise.

And his 2PT FG% is an insane 65%.

Still worried?

At the moment, I would pass on Zion.

martin wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:Zion relies on his athleticism a bit too much in games. On one hand, glad to see he likes mixing it up in the paint, but on the other hand...when are we ever going to play him at PF at that height. He needs to be able to really shoot it from the outside. We need sharp shooters more than anything else. Dude has an infectious personality, but there's a few red flags. That weight worries me whats going to happen 5 years from now...is he going to turn into mike sweetney?

At the moment, I would pass on Zion.

Said no one ever, except you

lol ok we'll see...