I Want Yuta Hear Dat BATES DIOP *dubstep sounds*: The 2018 Big Board
Posted: September 6th, 2024, 9:43 pm
I Want Yuta Hear Dat BATES DIOP *dubstep sounds:* The 2018 Big Board
WUB WUB WUB WUB WUB WUB BRAHHHHH WUB WUB WUB WUB
I don’t care what you say, I think that’s the best title yet. Extremely dank draft, and if you listened to the pod you know I’ve got no idea what I’m doing making these lists. Lemme just trade up and make that tough decision for you.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG 6'6'' 180 20 C+ B C+ B- C A
Yeah, we all remember that the last guy who had “None” listed under weaknesses was Manu, so folks are champin’ at the bit to see this dude play. I would temper expectations ever so slightly on his scoring, as he’s starting with low C+ Inside and Manu started with B-, but his ability to play PG obviously vaults him into a special value category. The fact that it stays stock potential and not steals potential is incredibly tasty – this guy could be almost as good as prime Jeff McInnis with the right TC rolls.
2. Luka Doncic SF 6'7'' 235 19 B B- B+ C B- A
Kind of a toss up between 1 and 2, as both will be incredible and unique point guards but won’t be privy to PG TCs. Luka, like we discussed on the pod, could end up looking a lot like Lebron with mediocre defense – some will say, but Lebron has A- Outside, Luka is starting with so much less than that! Lebron had flat C Outside at draft, and actually worse rebounding than Luka. The turnovers will be a thing, they just might not end up mattering because of the outsized value he provides in every other statistical category. Oh, and he’s a teenager. Would not fault the Bucks for taking the Larry Bird of Ljubljana.
3. Jalen Brunson SG 6'2''190 22 C B C+ C C- A
Not unlike Shai, Brunson appears to one of these “perfectly built for FBB” type fellas. Good strength, good offense, good handles, very low passing, the works (except for defense, which is for herbs anyway). “A good shot into developing into a good starting PG or combo guard” is a far cry from “weaknesses: none” in terms of generating excitement, but Brunson is an extremely safe pick at 3. I don’t hate that he’s got the highest scouted potential in the file either. Probably a version of him that turns into Chauncey Billups, and there’s a version of him that turns into Jason Hart. Either way, he’s not going to suck!
4. Trae Young PG 6'1'' 164 20 B- B B+ C- D+ A
This guy might suck! There’s also a chance he’s the second or third best player in this draft. Of the 4 point guards going in what is likely the top 5, Ice Trae is the only one who’s actually listed at PG, so his upside is tremendous. B Outside bordering on B+, and B- inside with limited jumping is pretty much as good as you could ask for in the way of starting scoring ratings. His turnovers could go the way of Steve Francis or Kevin Johnson, where he never makes it under 3.5 and his strength and rebounding make him a tough sell at SG, or they could go the way of Harden and make Young the second coming of Jamal Crawford. Only the realist old heads remember KJ
5. Jaren Jackson Jr. PF 6'10'' 242 19 B- B- D+ B C A
I didn’t hate the Myles Turner comparison on the pod, but Turner had good quickness for his size and JJJ is going to be more Plop than Lasagna if you know what I mean. That said? (Joey Tribbiani voice) Stocks? Good. Jumpshot? Good. Inside? Good. Range? GOOOOOOD. Annoying that he can’t play SF, but that stip makes me think that he’ll actually be a pretty competent scorer from the frontcourt with his high strength.
6. Mikal Bridges SF 6'6'' 209 22 C+ B C C+ C A
Border of B-/B scoring is a nice base, and nice handles and range make me think he might be suited to convert to SG and try to capitalize on his Outside game reaching something like B+/A scoring. The Iron Man thing appears to mean he can’t get injured, which is pretty cool. I’m assuming if he gets put on the same team as Steven Adams he becomes functionally immortal like some kind of elf.
7. Michael Porter Jr. SF 6'10'' 218 20 B- B D+ B- B- B
Honestly, D+ handles feels like it’s probably generous for a guy who’s career assist highlight video isn’t as long as the 5 second Youtube ad that precedes it. I think I’m higher on MPJ than the general public – perfect mold for the 4th or 5th starter feels like his worst case scenario with those starting ratings. Basically starting with B/B scoring, B- rebounding, stocks of both flavors, and good athletic attributes – reminds me of the best version of Josh Howard.
8. Miles Bridges SF 6'7'' 225 20 C+ B C C C+ A
Border of B-/B scoring – sound familiar? Lot of similarities to his buddy Mikal, but built more in a SF mold than a SG one. Really not a ton to say about this one other that he’s probably relatively low ceiling, high floor type of pick that could fall out of the top 10 and end up being one of the better value picks in the draft.
9. Deandre Ayton C 7'0'' 250 20 B- C C- B- B- A
Mercurial is probably generous to describe his real life production, level of effort and general vibe (salute), but that may not be the case in FBB. He’s the next guy on the scouted potential list after the top 4 players on this Big Board, which means the ball COULD bounce your way with Ayton. I think his downside is pretty much Marc Gasol (to be clear, that’s a pretty bad outcome, sorry Marc), whereas his upside could look like Lamarcus Aldridge, with his nice strength and quality jumper combination. Probability trends a hair more Gasol-y though ya never know!
10. Marvin Bagley III PF 6'10'' 235 19 C+ C+ D+ C B- A
I doubt he’s one of these diamonds in the rough (he does, after all, have a draft profile) but I can’t help thinking that his A Potential is closer to the top of this draft file than it appears. He was an absolute monster at Duke, and was good enough to fool a whole lot of NBA scouts into thinking he was the next Chris Bosh (LOL). Two-way bigs without outstanding base stats to start do tend to struggle, so this is definitely more of a homerun or strikeout type swing if you’re picking him in the top 10.
11. Wendell Carter Jr. C 6'10'' 270 19 C+ C+ C- C+ B- A
Imagine having a baby, looking down at it, and then consciously choosing to name it Wendell. Mistah Carter has been battling against that his entire life, and thankfully he’s channeled his rage into basketball. There are a concerning number of similarities between his draft notes and say, Mason Plumlee, but a teenager showing A potential (even if it is the bottom of the A list) is almost always worth a swing around this spot, especially because he can’t go to the NDL.
12. Mo Bamba C 7'0'' 231 20 C C D B+ B- B
Traditional defensive big buttedness may have lost a bit of its allure with so many stretch bigs coming into the league these days – Mo Bamba is here to remind you of the good 'ol days. Highest Defensive rating in the file, to go along with high B- rebounding. His notes look an awful lot like one Larry Sanders, and lest you forget, he went to Texas! There’s definitely a universe where someone short on some ASS reaches for Bamba inside the top 10.
13. Collin Sexton SG 6'3'' 190 20 B- B- C C C- A
There are a lot of solid-looking SGs in the NDL-range of this draft, and Sexton seems to have some of the best base ratings, particularly when you note his Outside is up near a flat B. The ability to play PG would probably boost him well up this list, so was unfortunate that that’s not the case – still, the Dahntay Jones archetype has proven pretty useful historically at the 2.
14. Josh Okogie SG 6'4'' 213 20 B C C- B C A
A close second behind Sexton in terms of the SGs I like, though Okogie might profile a bit more as a SF with his stock potential, better rebounding and significantly worse Outside game. Fouth best defender and 3rd best Inside in the file, with no specific weakness mentioned in his notes. A Potential, decent bones, and no “no NDL” stip so he could theoretically combine his already solid potential with a couple of +5s and he just might POP if he slips outside the lottery. It’s giving a little Tyrone Nesby and I’m not mad. [edit: he's not NDL eligible. Makes me want him even more]
15. Anfernee Simons SG 6'3'' 181 19 B- C+ C C C- A
I love the number of Scouted A fellas without profiles in this draft, always feels like you’re getting a steal. Mentions of his explosiveness make me think he’s harboring a good amount of jumping in the B- Inside, and his teenager potential is going to have to carry him through camps as he won’t be getting any NDL potential boost. He’s become a pretty prolific scorer in the league, even if it’s at low efficiency and for a poop Portland team, so I feel like he’s a reasonably high upside option if you’re picking in the mid-teens and don’t mind waiting around for him to ripen.
Bonus Pick: Isaac Bonga SF 6'8'' 180 19 C C C+ B C+ C
He’s a 19 year old small forward who can play PG. Third best defense rating in the file? C/C scoring but has decent inside and jumpshot in his notes? He ain’t Kris Clack but something might be goin on here. This pick has Jesse written all over it - beat him to the punch!
