NYRaider Posted October 1, 2020 Author Share Posted October 1, 2020 LaMelo did the media session today but won't participate in any of the drills at the NBA Combine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BStanRamFan Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Is Lamelo a lock for number #1? The lines were taken down off draftkings after a rumor leaked he's going #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beekay414 Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, BStanRamFan said: Is Lamelo a lock for number #1? The lines were taken down off draftkings after a rumor leaked he's going #1. There's a chance the Wolves will wise up but it's Minnesota so they don't get the benefit of the doubt. Also, LaMelo isn't working out at the combine so my guess is the rumor is legit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 1, 2020 Author Share Posted October 1, 2020 4 hours ago, BStanRamFan said: Is Lamelo a lock for number #1? The lines were taken down off draftkings after a rumor leaked he's going #1. I wouldn't say he's a lock. Minnesota is reportedly looking to trade the pick but if they can't then they're probably going to take LaMelo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 If I'm New York I'm targeting Devin Vassell at #8 and Grant Riller at #27. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 Big Board 3.0 1. Onyeka Okongwu | C | USC 2. Anthony Edwards | CG | Georgia 3. Killian Hayes | PG | France 4. Deni Avdija | F | Israel 5. Aleksej Pokusevski | FC | Greece 6. James Wiseman | C | Memphis 7. Isaac Okoro | GF | Auburn 8. Devin Vassell | GF | Florida State 9. Tyrese Haliburton | PG | Iowa State 10. Patrick Williams | F | Florida State 11. Kira Lewis | CG | Alabama 12. Cole Anthony | CG | North Carolina 13. Aaron Nesmith | GF | Vanderbilt 14. Obi Toppin | F | Dayton 15. Grant Riller | CG | Charleston 16. Tyrell Terry | PG | Stanford 17. Precious Achiuwa | F | Memphis 18. Tyrese Maxey | CG | Kentucky 19. Jaden McDaniels | F | Washington 20.Theo Maledon | CG | France 21. Saddiq Bey | F | Villanova 22. RJ Hampton | CG | USA 23. LaMelo Ball | CG | USA 24. Leandro Bolmaro | GF | Spain 25. Josh Green | GF | Arizona 26. Desmond Bane | SG | TCU 27. Daniel Oturu | C | Minnesota 28. Tyler Bey | F | Colorado 29. Nico Mannion | PG | Arizona 30. Isaiah Joe | CG | Arkansas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mox Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 This is easily the most uninformed I've been coming into the draft when it comes to prospects. That said, I really only like Wiseman, Okungwu and Haliburton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 Grant Riller | CG | Charleston Measurable's: 6'3" 190 2019 statistics: 21.9 ppg | 5.1 rpg | 3.9 apg | 1.6 spg | 3.1 topg on .499 FG | .362 3FG | .827 FT Strengths: + Ability to score at all 3 levels + Shot making off-the-dribble + Plus-level ball handler + Finishing ability around the rim + High basketball IQ + Scorers mentality + Athleticism / Quickness Weaknesses: - More of an undersized two than a combo guard - Average passer - Hasn't shown much as an off ball scorer - Lazy defensive player - One of the oldest players in the class - Not much experience against top competition Comparisons: • Ceiling: CJ McCollum • Realistic: Kendrick Nunn • Floor: Marcus Thornton Analysis: Riller was largely an unknown prospect throughout the season playing at College of Charleston but may be the most underrated prospect in the class. He's the best scoring guard in the class with an advanced offensive game and the ability to score at all three levels. He uses an excellent combination of quickness, an excellent first step, and advanced ball handling to regularly get into the lane and has the explosiveness and touch with either hand to finish around the rim as well as any guard in the class. Riller has also displayed an impressive mid-range game using a variety of moves including an advanced floater and step back to score off the dribble. He is also a legitimate three point shooter with NBA range and has shown the ability to hit 3's off the dibble as well as in limited catch and shoot opportunities. Overall he has the most advanced scoring package of any guard in the class combined with the athleticism, quickness, and ability to hit shots off the bounce that indicate his scoring ability will translate to the next level. With that being said he is not without his faults as he was a pretty poor defensive player in college and didn't give a ton of effort on that end of the floor. That can partially be attributed to having to carry such a big offensive load but he will have to be better there to be in an NBA rotation. He's also more of an undersized two guard at this stage then a true combo guard because he hasn't shown much as a passer or creator for teammates. And there are definitely some questions about how well his game will translate after playing at a lower level of competition and how much upside he has due to being one of the older players in the class. Riller isn't without his faults but should be an excellent value pick in the late first round for a team looking to add additional scoring to their rotation. He has a high floor as a guy that should be a good scorer off the bench with the potential to become a starting guard if he can improve as a passer and defender. Team fits: New York, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Utah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 If I’m Minnesota I’d try for one of these two packages. Trade 1 Minnesota receives: DeAndre Hunter, #6 pick Atlanta receives: #1 pick, #17 pick, #33 pick Trade 2 Minnesota receives: Julius Randle, #8 pick, #27 pick New York receives: James Johnson, #1 pick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mox Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 Julius Randle is the last player Minnesota needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 36 minutes ago, Bullet Club said: Julius Randle is the last player Minnesota needs. I like the Atlanta trade a lot better. If they make that move it’d give them flexibility at #6 as well. If they think Hunter can be a 4 they can go Isaac Okoro at #6 who projects as a plus level defender and good secondary playmaker on the wing. Russell - Culver - Okoro - Hunter - KAT If they think Hunter is more of a 3 they can go with Onyeka Okongwu at #6 who projects as a plus level defender at the 5 with the movement skills to switch everything and could potentially be more depending on how his offense develops. Russell - Culver - Hunter - KAT - Okongwu In either scenario they’d have 3 young players with plus-level defensive potential around DLo and KAT. Russell/KAT will be able to score but if they’re going to build around them they need to add as much defense around them as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 Apparently the 76ers are interested in trading Ben Simmons to Minnesota for the #1 pick so they can select LaMelo Ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 LaMelo Ball | PG | USA Measurable's: 6'8" 190 | 6'10" wingspan 2019 statistics: 17.0 ppg | 7.6 rpg | 6.8 apg | 1.6 spg | 2.5 topg on .375 FG | .250 3FG | .723 FT Strengths: + Great size for a PG + Plus-level ball handler + Plus-level passer + Above average finisher around the rim + Potential as a pick-n-roll playmaker + Experienced playing under the spotlight from a young age Weaknesses: - Shooting mechanics look broken - Inefficient scorer with questionable shot selection - Just an average athlete at best - Needs to get stronger - Lacks explosiveness when looking to attack the rim - Below average defender with questionable effort - Often looks to make the flashy play instead of the smart play Comparisons: • Ceiling: Jason Kidd • Realistic: Michael Carter-Williams • Floor: Kyle Anderson Analysis: Ball is without a doubt the most polarizing prospect in the 2020 class as some think he's destined to be the NBA's next super star while others view him as a high risk prospect with high bust potential. He's such an intriguing prospect for a variety of reasons, some on the court, and some off the court. At 6'8" with a 6'10" wingspan he's the biggest PG prospect to enter the draft since Ben Simmons in 2016 and like Simmons his size allows him to see over the defense and deliver passes that other guards aren't capable of. Ball is one of the most advanced and craftiest passers/playmakers to enter the draft in the last few cycles and is at his best when he's looking to push the ball in transition and is able to get into the open floor. He's also an effective passer in the pick-n-roll and does an excellent job of making the correct read and making precise passes on the move. Off the court Ball has been under a tremendous spotlight since he was a high school freshman and is notorious for having a signature shoe as a HS athlete, playing in his dad's semi-pro league, and playing in two different professional leagues in Australia and Lithuania. These experiences along with the fame and attention he has gotten leading up to his NBA career should make the transition to NBA life a seamless one for Ball. But while it's easy to fall in love with Ball's size and playmaking ability he is not without his flaws and there are serious concerns about how his game translates to the next level. The biggest concern right now is his perimeter shooting as he has struggled to shoot the ball at every level and has very funky and unorthodox mechanics. His older brother Lonzo was a 40% shooter from deep at UCLA with similar mechanics and has really struggled to shoot the ball in the NBA. Ball is also just an average athlete with average explosiveness and hasn't shown the ability to consistently beat guys off the bounce, raising concerns about how efficiently he'll be able to score at the next level. He has also become notorious for his poor shot selection, tendency to make the flashy play over the safe one, and his lack of interest and effort on the defensive end. Overall Ball is an intriguing prospect that will be over drafted due to his name recognition and fan fare he can bring to a struggling franchise. His success in the NBA will be dependent on how his shooting strokes develops and how his decision making progresses. Analysis: Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YogiBiz Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 11 hours ago, NYRaider said: Apparently the 76ers are interested in trading Ben Simmons to Minnesota for the #1 pick so they can select LaMelo Ball. Trading a PG who doesn't shoot for one that shoots too much. Can the 76ers find a middle ground lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYRaider Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 10 hours ago, YogiBiz said: Trading a PG who doesn't shoot for one that shoots too much. Can the 76ers find a middle ground lol If I'm Minnesota I'd take that deal immediately and not even think twice about it. I get a 24 year old, two time All-Star that actually fits with my young core and their timeline instead of Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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