2024 1st overall pick

[baldur]

I am a Matas Buzelis believer. So, I will go with him.

[Hal14]

I've been a little torn between Buzelis and Mara. But I've got Buzelis ranked barely ahead in the #1 spot at the moment. Just think Buzelis is more dynamic in terms of his perimeter game - on both ends of the floor, too since he can defend out on the perimeter as well as score there - and obviously quicker/more mobile than Mara, which I think lends itself better to where the NBA is headed.

[clyde21]

Man this class is loaded. Could be any of 10-12 guys. It's going to be awhile until we get some separation though. Early guess is Mara. Sleeper pick is Flowers.

Point Guards

Collier
Wagner
Foster
McCain
Castle
Cadeaux
Williams
Proctor
Jackson
Starling

Shooting Guards

Darlan
Johnson
Walter
Sane
Flowers
Stojakovic
Sheppard
James
Kugel
Sharavjamts
Djurisic

Small Forwards

Buzelis
Holland
Mgbako
Edwards
Adams
Anjica
Risacher
Williams
Evans
Biliew
Mitchell
Stewart
Power
Scheierman
Momcilovic

Power Forwards

Almansa
Perrin
Filipowski
Klintman

Centers

Mara
Sarr
Bradshaw
Bona
Clingan
Cook
Ware

why are you randomly just listing a bunch of names? what does Scheierman or Momcilovic have to do with this thread?

[BostonCouchGM]

Man this class is loaded. Could be any of 10-12 guys. It's going to be awhile until we get some separation though. Early guess is Mara. Sleeper pick is Flowers.

Point Guards

Collier
Wagner
Foster
McCain
Castle
Cadeaux
Williams
Proctor
Jackson
Starling

Shooting Guards

Darlan
Johnson
Walter
Sane
Flowers
Stojakovic
Sheppard
James
Kugel
Sharavjamts
Djurisic

Small Forwards

Buzelis
Holland
Mgbako
Edwards
Adams
Anjica
Risacher
Williams
Evans
Biliew
Mitchell
Stewart
Power
Scheierman
Momcilovic

Power Forwards

Almansa
Perrin
Filipowski
Klintman

Centers

Mara
Sarr
Bradshaw
Bona
Clingan
Cook
Ware

why are you randomly just listing a bunch of names? what does Scheierman or Momcilovic have to do with this thread?

why are you triggered? I listed the likely to be drafted players at every position for posterity sake. In case anyone wants to see the almost complete list of candidates since apparently it's such a weak draft class literally anyone can come out of nowhere to be #1. And I answered the question besides that.

[clyde21]

im not triggered, im just wondering what you listing every single name in the class has to do with this thread

[azcatz11]

So who is DJ Wagners comp? Poor man’s Kyrie?

[clyde21]

So who is DJ Wagners comp? Poor man’s Kyrie?

i like Wagner, but he's just another one of those score-first CGs we see every yr until proven otherwise

[BostonCouchGM]

im not triggered, im just wondering what you listing every single name in the class has to do with this thread

and I answered you

[BostonCouchGM]

So who is DJ Wagners comp? Poor man’s Kyrie?

he's kinda unique. He's not an above the rim type athlete like a Ja or Scoot. He's not blessed with great size (only 6'3") like Ball and SGA. If I had to pin him down I'd say he's a similar prospect to Garland. He's a much better scorer and defender than Garland but Garland is the better shooter.

[kobyz]

I think Danny Wolf could be the next Jokic

Watch on YouTube

[Norm2953]

If Portland ends up with the #1 pick, they'll take someone with length for they already have
more guards than they need

Buzelis would be so nice for them if his skillset translates to the gleague.

Scoot
Sharpe
Buzelis

Two supreme athletes + lots of skill and length at the 2/3.

If Mara gets into UCLA, he'll likely be the #1 pick if Portland has the #1 pick. Portland might be the
worst rebounding team in the NBA in 2023/4, especially if they dump Nurkic.

Portland has had a desperate need for a big ever since Aldridge left in 2015. Nurkic until he broke
his leg might have been the answer but like lots of Euros, hasn't been the same player since he's
gotten hurt.

[mr570]

Was just looking at Rivals basketball rankings... Why is Bradshaw the #2 overall player? It's like they haven't grown out of 2012 basketball yet.

[BostonCouchGM]

Was just looking at Rivals basketball rankings... Why is Bradshaw the #2 overall player? It's like they haven't grown out of 2012 basketball yet.

these ranking sites (especially this year) are all over the place above and beyond their usual fraudulence. He's a legit 7 footer who can handle well enough to take it coast to coast. He can shoot from three or in the pick and pop. He has a high motor and he blocks shots. I think he's a slightly better prospect than guys like Lively, Duren and Bona but I'm not sure about #1 or even in the top #5 until he proves he can shoot. We all thought Lively could shoot (maybe he can?) and we saw what happened there. He's got the frame to add significant muscle which will be necessary if he's going to reach his potential and play center. I think he'd get bodied pretty badly right now but conversely he'd bring those guys out of the paint with his ability to shoot and he has the handle to blow by them on closeouts so it cancels each other out.

[mr570]

Was just looking at Rivals basketball rankings... Why is Bradshaw the #2 overall player? It's like they haven't grown out of 2012 basketball yet.

these ranking sites (especially this year) are all over the place above and beyond their usual fraudulence. He's a legit 7 footer who can handle well enough to take it coast to coast. He can shoot from three or in the pick and pop. He has a high motor and he blocks shots. I think he's a slightly better prospect than guys like Lively, Duren and Bona but I'm not sure about #1 or even in the top #5 until he proves he can shoot. We all thought Lively could shoot (maybe he can?) and we saw what happened there. He's got the frame to add significant muscle which will be necessary if he's going to reach his potential and play center. I think he'd get bodied pretty badly right now but conversely he'd bring those guys out of the paint with his ability to shoot and he has the handle to blow by them on closeouts so it cancels each other out.

Interesting. So is he a 7 footer in the vein of like Chet Holmgren?

[clyde21]

Interesting. So is he a 7 footer in the vein of like Chet Holmgren?

not close to the prospect Chet is, esp defensively nowhere the rim protector/shot blocker.

[Hal14]

Here's a good Buzelis game:

Watch on YouTube

Obviously, it's not a full game. I think there's only 1 shot in here that he misses. But this gives you an idea of what he can do on a basketball floor.

He flashes some defense, some passing. And scoring on all 3 levels. Good handle for an 18 yr old HS player at that size.

And this game was early in the season - 6 months ago, so he's obviously even better now.

#2 on my board at the moment - just barely behind Mara.