Cade to Black: 2021 NBA Draft Thread

Kliq

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With college basketball kicking off, it's time to get this thread going.

1. Cade Cunningham - Guard - 6'8" - Oklahoma State

Cunningham seems to be the consensus number one and for good reason, Cunningham has tremendous size and playmaking ability, in addition to being an explosive athlete and an improving shooter. He has been described as "Ben Simmons with a jump shot" which should make him the perfect player for the modern NBA; a big creator that can score at all three levels and defend multiple positions. Obviously, it will be interesting to see how he handles CBB competition, but to me he is easily the most exciting player in the draft.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KT5AWJM_Xc


2. Jalen Green - Wing - 6'5" - G League Ignite

Green opted to play for the G League Ignite, joining fellow likely lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Daishen Nix in what should be an interesting experiment, especially during a pandemic. Green is similar to Anthony Edwards; he's strong and athletic and can score the basketball, and has the potential to be a good defender at the NBA level. His jumper probably isn't all the way there, and like so many athletic wings, he has bulldozed high school students in his mixtapes but obviously he'll be facing professional length, strength and athleticism in the G League. I'm not very bullish on the success of the G League kids, it is going to be a big adjustment for them playing against older competition. He's really athletic though.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT7TWYxu1vU


3. BJ Boston - Wing - 6'7" - Kentucky

Boston has prototypical size for a wing, 6'7" with a 7" wingspan, and has very good ball skills for a wing at this stage in his career. Very good dribbler, someone that could potentially create for themselves and others at the NBA level, which is great to see in a player of his size. Could potentially be a good shooter although he didn't rely on his jumper that much in high school due to the aforementioned length and ball skills. Will be interesting to see how well he plays defense under Cal, as he has incredible potential on that end but we shall see how good he is. Could end up being the best player in the draft if he plays really well at UK because he could be a Tatum-like player.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdlYd1MBpuI


4. Evan Mobley - Big - 7" - USC

Mobley was the consensus #1 player in this class for a number of years before being passed by Cunningham, and arguably Green and Boston. That has more to do with the devaluation of big men and the rise of his contemporaries as opposed to anything Mobley did. He reminds me a lot of Wiseman, very tall, runs like a deer, very athletic and comfortable with the ball in his hands. He's skinny right now, and it takes big men time to blossom defensively; but he could dominate and claim the #1 spot once again.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54vTjcA3fcI
 

DannyDarwinism

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This is a seriously talented class. It’s gonna be fun to watch how it plays out. Cade looked great tonight, as did Boston, as did his teammate- the one actually from Boston- Terrance Clarke, who could definitely end up in the lottery. A lot more potential alphas in this draft class than the one we just had.
 

Kliq

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This is a seriously talented class. It’s gonna be fun to watch how it plays out. Cade looked great tonight, as did Boston, as did his teammate- the one actually from Boston- Terrance Clarke, who could definitely end up in the lottery. A lot more potential alphas in this draft class than the one we just had.
Yeah, obviously haven't seen a ton of this class yet but it feels like a potentially great draft. I'm really high on Cunningham, there is so much potential there, he reminds me a bit of Luka with his size/creativity. I think all four of the guys I listed (which were just the top four prospects on ESPN) would have gone #1 if they had been in this year's draft. Wish the Celtics had a pick...
 

DannyDarwinism

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Yeah, obviously haven't seen a ton of this class yet but it feels like a potentially great draft. I'm really high on Cunningham, there is so much potential there, he reminds me a bit of Luka with his size/creativity. I think all four of the guys I listed (which were just the top four prospects on ESPN) would have gone #1 if they had been in this year's draft. Wish the Celtics had a pick...
And I wouldn’t be surprised if 3-4 more guys emerge in the “would’ve gone #1” category. Ziaire Williams, first and foremost with his combo of silky shooting, length and ball-handling.

Wasserman just put out his Way Too Early mock for 2021:

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2919469-way-too-soon-2021-nba-mock-draft.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true
 

DJnVa

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Wish the Celtics had a pick...
They do!

26. Boston Celtics: DJ Steward (Duke, SG, Freshman)

Despite an underwhelming 6'2" frame, Steward could build a case with his shot-making versatility and secondary playmaking. He'll have to find ways to consistently produce in a crowded backcourt and rotation.
 

DannyDarwinism

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In terms of fun to watch, Jared Butler of Baylor has can light it up quick with his sick handles and craftiness. I’m glad he stayed in school. If he shows better vision and game management, and shoots like he did last year, think he’s worth a shot as a starting lead guard. His ball handling is NBA ready.
 

TripleOT

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Very impressive all around performance from the freshman Suggs. He’s enough of an athlete to become a Westbrook type in the NBA, with a better feel for passing and a better outside shot.
 

nighthob

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It’s too bad that the covid and the schedule conspired against Boston last year. It would have been fun dreaming about adding Cade Cunningham to the Jay-Crew. That would have a nuclear combo.
 

Kliq

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Watched OSU's full game tonight against Texas Southern. Not the best time to tune in since Cunningham got in foul trouble early, but a nice game from him nonetheless. One thing I loved was how he exploited mismatches by posting up smaller guards and demanding the ball. Real good stuff.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVSYYIBqtrs
 

chilidawg

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The posting up was impressive, but I didn't see a guy who looked explosive or who had a quick first step. Color me skeptical based on that very small sample size. Suggs OTOH very impressive in all phases.
 

DannyDarwinism

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Evan Mobley is looking great so far for USC. Incredibly mobile and coordinated for a guy his size, and has been quick to read/react on defense.
 

JCizzle

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The posting up was impressive, but I didn't see a guy who looked explosive or who had a quick first step. Color me skeptical based on that very small sample size. Suggs OTOH very impressive in all phases.
Looks like Suggs may have just blown his achillies. Such a bummer.
 

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nighthob

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If Boston keeps playing like this I may need to take a much longer look at the late lottery prospects.
 

nighthob

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I've seen BJ Boston a few times this season. Not impressed at all. Kentucky also stinks
Yeah, I couldn't understand how he made the first tier of prospects over the rest of the Jalenauts (Suggs and Johnson for the rest of you) and Jonathan Kuminga. You can see the upside in his high school game tape, but he's a lot like Romeo, you're squinting to see his 1% projection as a top 25 guy.

The guy I have been really impressed by is the Arkansas Shootist, Moses Moody. I would have been fine with Memphis getting the first pick this year if it got Boston a shot at someone like Moses Moody next. Moody is like Romeo if you gifted him Nesmith's jumper. Not as good a drive game, but it's absolutely good enough to be death on closeouts. And with that jumper you need to close hard.

He looks to be roughly the same size as Langford, 6'4"-6'5" with a +6/+7 wingspan, and they appear to be a wash athletically. Romeo might be a little springier, but Moody's twitchier. He'd look really good as the other guard on the floor if they insist on starting Marcus. His length makes him ultra switchy and his quickness should allow him to cover even the smaller/quicker 1s.
 

DannyDarwinism

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Yeah, I couldn't understand how he made the first tier of prospects over the rest of the Jalenauts (Suggs and Johnson for the rest of you) and Jonathan Kuminga. You can see the upside in his high school game tape, but he's a lot like Romeo, you're squinting to see his 1% projection as a top 25 guy.

The guy I have been really impressed by is the Arkansas Shootist, Moses Moody. I would have been fine with Memphis getting the first pick this year if it got Boston a shot at someone like Moses Moody next. Moody is like Romeo if you gifted him Nesmith's jumper. Not as good a drive game, but it's absolutely good enough to be death on closeouts. And with that jumper you need to close hard.

He looks to be roughly the same size as Langford, 6'4"-6'5" with a +6/+7 wingspan, and they appear to be a wash athletically. Romeo might be a little springier, but Moody's twitchier. He'd look really good as the other guard on the floor if they insist on starting Marcus. His length makes him ultra switchy and his quickness should allow him to cover even the smaller/quicker 1s.
Yeah, Moody was I guy I had my eye on coming in because he stood out at Montverde during the couple of games I watched for Cade, and he hasn’t disappointed so far. The Razorbacks have had a nice little run of shooting wings. I was surprised Mason Jones didn’t get drafted.
 

benhogan

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Yeah, Moody was I guy I had my eye on coming in because he stood out at Montverde during the couple of games I watched for Cade, and he hasn’t disappointed so far. The Razorbacks have had a nice little run of shooting wings. I was surprised Mason Jones didn’t get drafted.
Mason Jones is on a two way with Houston.

I'd hand over Tre or Carsen for him in a heartbeat
 

HomeRunBaker

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I have not looked at a single mock draft but I will say this......David Duke is making THE leap at Providence after a baby leap into his sophomore year. Physically he is NBA-ready, athletically he is there, size/length is there. Someone in the mid-first is going to have a kid who has developed his game and his body during the shutdown.
 

Cellar-Door

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My takeaway from watching BJ Boston is that he should definitely be 1 and done, because if he's lucky he'll stay in the 1st round. His basketball IQ makes Ricky Davis and Javale McGee look like Stockton and Bird. Nothing like a dumb gunner who can't score. Love a good 22 seconds on the clock off-balance contested midrange that if he's luck will touch rim.
 

nighthob

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I'll be interested in Cooper's real measurements as he's avoided them so far. So I suspect his six foot listing is optimistic. I loooove his game, though.
 

benhogan

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I'll be interested in Cooper's real measurements as he's avoided them so far. So I suspect his six foot listing is optimistic. I loooove his game, though.
that world-class Fro makes him an easy 6'

that clip was insane, if he plays any kind of defense I want him on the C's to join our other half dozen tiny PGs
 

DannyDarwinism

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Looking forward to Danny drafting Payton's running mate last season

http://www.tankathon.com/players/chris-duarte
Wow. He really stood out when I watched some of Pritchard's games from last year as a tough defender with a great motor, but I had no idea he was shooting like this (45% from 3 on 6.2 attempts/game and 87% from the line). If he keeps it up, that looks like a solid 3&D prospect to me. 3 steals per 40, and his BPM right now is 14.0. He's having a great season.

Of course, he's a year older than Jayson Tatum, and by far the oldest guy in Tankathon's top 60, but as his former teammate is showing, production is production.
 

BigSoxFan

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Wow. He really stood out when I watched some of Pritchard's games from last year as a tough defender with a great motor, but I had no idea he was shooting like this (45% from 3 on 6.2 attempts/game and 87% from the line). If he keeps it up, that looks like a solid 3&D prospect to me. 3 steals per 40, and his BPM right now is 14.0. He's having a great season.

Of course, he's a year older than Jayson Tatum, and by far the oldest guy in Tankathon's top 60, but as his former teammate is showing, production is production.
Seems like a perfect 2nd round pick if he's there. Tankathon currently has him at #51in their mock.
 

Kliq

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Cade had a good counting stats game against Kansas, but he made one of the more impressive general basketball plays you will see this year on defense. With the game tied and 40 seconds to go, Cunningham rotated over as the help defender, blocked the shot, ran to chase down the ball before it went out of bounds, and in the same motion saved the ball and also turned around and threw a perfect pass to a teammate to launch a fast break that led to the decisive and-1 layup. Really impressive stuff.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trrKJBokGgY
 

nighthob

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It’s too bad that the covid and the schedule conspired against Boston last year. It would have been fun dreaming about adding Cade Cunningham to the Jay-Crew. That would have a nuclear combo.
On the bright side we can now dream of adding Cunningham to the JayCrew! I went to Tankathon and ran the sim and Boston leaped from #11 to #2. I’ll take it.
 

HomeRunBaker

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On the bright side we can now dream of adding Cunningham to the JayCrew! I went to Tankathon and ran the sim and Boston leaped from #11 to #2. I’ll take it.
I can plug in Suggs with the JayCrew to make it the JayThree and have zero problems with it.
 

nighthob

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Now that’s the shit we like to see (it would definitely be balm on a shitty season).
 

Cesar Crespo

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With the new odds, any lottery pick is really worth having. The C's are only a game up from having a 20% of a top 4 pick. 2 games from 30%. 3 from 40-45%.