Post by Herby New Year! on Nov 5, 2021 7:49:05 GMT -5
Good morning GMs and thank you for taking time from your busy Friday to read another installment of Simon Says. We are pleased to feature the top of the 3015 TMBSL draft by way of reviewing each of the top prospects selected so far in the draft.
We will also be discussing Mason Plumlee.
Without further ado, enjoy our review!
1. Indiana Pacers - Giannis Antetokounmpo SF 6'9'' 200 19 B- C- B+ A- B- A, Greece
We have it on good authority that the Pacers organization had to be convinced to make this selection. There was a fair amount of waffling between Giannis, Oladipo, McCollum, and even Gobert. One player we know the Pacers didn't even consider was Mason Plumlee. Shit, the Pacers didn't even bring Plumlee in for a workout, opting to scout Ryan Kelly instead.
Giannis is the ultimate lotto ticket. He's got the potential to be a fixture in the TMBSL all-league teams if he can develop an offensive game to compliment his world class athleticism. Heebs could either look like a fool for passing on Oladipo, or a savant for passing on the Hoosier hero in favor of the allure of potential.
2. Portland Trail Blazers (from Vancouver Grizzlies) - Victor Oladipo SG 6'5'' 215 21 B- C, C, B, C+ B, Indiana
The obvious choice here at number 2, Oladipo will be a tremendous rookie and likely perennial all-star. His rebounding is elite for a SG, but without much room to grow. His athleticism is great, but not top flight. His inside game and jumper will likely be maxed after upgrades, leaving TC to handle the three point shot, which is non existant. Oladipo will need to thrive in an inside or balanced offense and we anticipate he will do just that.
3. Charlotte Hornets - Mason Plumlee C 7'0'' 240 23 B+ C- C- C, B- C, Duke
The only explanation we have for this pick is that Mazunga loves Marcus Mariotta so much that he wanted to plunder a 1.3 for the Hornets as much as the Titans did with Mariotta. Or maybe he felt like he should have been skipped for inactivity, so just picked a third round player out of equity and fairness.
All jokes aside, Plumlee is a solid starter. We've not seen his scout so can't say what his potential is, but suspect it is 44, which is not great Bob. We anticipate he will ball out with upgrades and then quickly drop off a cliff after he is signed to that Moet sponsorship.
4. Portland Trail Blazers - Trey Burke PG 6'1'' 187 21 C, B- B- C, C- B, Michigan
The Blazers go with need over BPA selecting Burke, the best looking PG in the class. Burke looks like an above average rebounder but just an average scorer and ball handler. If he has the potential to really grow we can see this being a solid pick at 1.4, but for now we're skeptical that this will pan out. Similar to Oladipo, we expect he'll get upgrades to his inside and jumper, leaving some potential upgrades to either fix his turnovers or maybe improve as a defender. In either case Burke will be a solid starter and likely nothing more.
5. Washington Bullets - Steven Adams C 7'0'' 255 20 B- C- D, C+ B+ B, Pitt
Yawn's Bullets get their man in the former Pitt big. Yawn has made no bones about his desire to bring in the Kiwi big man. I'm not sure Yawn scouted him and I'm not sure he cares. With some inside upgrades and a nice TC, Adams could be the Stilton to Kaba's Pinot Noir on the fancy ass h'orderves platter the Bullets are preparing for the 3016 eastern conference.
6. San Antonio Spurs (from Cleveland Cavaliers ) - CJ McCollum SG 6'3'' 190 22 B- B+ C- C+ C- B, Lehigh
Calling my shot now - McCollum, if upgraded, will be the GM-voted ROY. He needs a little inside upgrade and then likely pump up his strength and skill camp his jumping. With moderate 3-point growth he'll be an A outside player with B (or higher inside) and no turnover issues. He doesn't like to play defense, but that doesn't concern us - and that should tell you something about how high we are on this pick.
7. Indiana Pacers (from Jazz) - Rudy Gobert C 7'2'' 238 21 B- D, D+ B- C+ A, France
Solid pick and nothing more. Gobert has warts but he blocks shots. And that's sort of all that matters when it comes to what kind of player the Pacers want Gobert to be. Not a sexy pick, but not a stinker. Meh. With some upgrades and TC luck he COULD be a two-way player, or he could be an offensive liability while being a solid defender. The fates will decide.
8. San Antonio Spurs - Nerlens Noel C 6'11'' 215 19 C, D, C, C+ B- B, Kentucky
BK favorite Nerlens Noel. Basically the D/R lite of no-shot players. He does a better than average job of blocking shots and stealing at the center position. He doesn't shoot much, which is good because he's not a good shooter. We're not sure how pointy will go with Nerlens, but suspect it'll be to boost his shot blocking to the cap and then make him an elite rebounder. That's not a half bad idea given he's going to want to funnel all his shots to McCollum for the next decade.
9. Carolina Cougars - Ricky Ledo SG 6'6'' 180 21 B- C+ C, B- C, A, Providence
Solid pick here from the Coug. above average at just above everything with A potential. Nothing super sexy about Ledo yet, but we suspect the scout looks good and with upgrades and TC we've got a player similar to McCollum in Ledo (without the elite 3 pt shot as a rookie I guess). Not a bad pick at 1.9. Not bad at all.
10. Houston Rockets - Livio Jean-Charles SF 6'9'' 217 20 B- C, D+ B- B- B, France
We like this pick as a BPA type player. B potential for a SF starting out with B- inside and B- rebounding and defense. He'll need upgrades at inside scoring, but might turn out to be a Giannis-lite with that upgrade. The turnovers are a little concern given how little he tries to pass the ball - but with some inside upgrades maybe he won't pass it at all and it'll work itself out. Either way, nice pick here as well. Honestly, I would have blindly picked either of the last two picks over Mason Bumlee.
11. San Antonio Spurs (from Seattle SuperSonics) - Cody Zeller C 7'0'' 240 21 C+ C, C+ C- C, A, Indiana
Finally we hit our next stinker of a pick. Not QUITE as bad as Plumlee, but definitely a head scratcher. So, yes. He has A potential. But he ALSO has C- defense and C rebounding as a big man. Given his OK blocks, OK steals, and not TERRIBLE rebounding, that can mean only one thing - Dumptime is a better athlete than Cody. So while he CAN improve as a shot blocker, a post defender, a rebounder, etc, he won't naturally grow much as an athlete and will therefore have a very low ceiling as a player. This is an LLE player max. Prove me wrong, Cody. Bulletin board material.
12. Chicago Bulls - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG 6'5'' 190 20 C+ B- C, C+ C+ B, Georgia
Ok. We can work with KCP at 1.12 for the Bulls. Another above-average SG with B potential. He rebounds well at the 2. Similar to Oladipo, I fear there isn't room to grow. He has a nice stroke from 3, which will be good in an outside offense. He doesn't have a TON of volume, but hopefully that comes with some inside upgrades and maybe a quickness/strength skill camp. Overall, KCP is a nice little starter who hopefully grows into a fringe all-star type player. Nice pick for a Bulls organization that is less than engaged.
13. Texas Chaparrals - Glen Rice Jr. SG 6'6'' 215 23 C+ B+ C, C+ C- B, Georgia Tech
We're excited to see what Glen Rice Jr., aka Junior, aka Baby Rice, aka Ricey Baby looks like this upcoming season. The Chaps could use some additional firepower to bolster their aging line up and Ricey Baby could be a microwave scorer for their second unit as a rookie. We don't expect him to take over immediately for Granger, but could be groomed as the heir apparent at the wing as the Chaps transition from an inside team to an outside team, which they'll likely have to do to maximize Ricey Baby's best asset - this three point shot.
We will also be discussing Mason Plumlee.
Without further ado, enjoy our review!
1. Indiana Pacers - Giannis Antetokounmpo SF 6'9'' 200 19 B- C- B+ A- B- A, Greece
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SF 82 2876 12.7 8.9 4.5 1.6 0.2 1.7 411 966 195 295 0 0 .425 .661 .000 .928 15.7We have it on good authority that the Pacers organization had to be convinced to make this selection. There was a fair amount of waffling between Giannis, Oladipo, McCollum, and even Gobert. One player we know the Pacers didn't even consider was Mason Plumlee. Shit, the Pacers didn't even bring Plumlee in for a workout, opting to scout Ryan Kelly instead.
Giannis is the ultimate lotto ticket. He's got the potential to be a fixture in the TMBSL all-league teams if he can develop an offensive game to compliment his world class athleticism. Heebs could either look like a fool for passing on Oladipo, or a savant for passing on the Hoosier hero in favor of the allure of potential.
2. Portland Trail Blazers (from Vancouver Grizzlies) - Victor Oladipo SG 6'5'' 215 21 B- C, C, B, C+ B, Indiana
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SG 82 2851 15.2 7.7 2.3 1.5 0.4 2.4 509 1019 186 244 1 3 .500 .762 .333 1.070 15.7The obvious choice here at number 2, Oladipo will be a tremendous rookie and likely perennial all-star. His rebounding is elite for a SG, but without much room to grow. His athleticism is great, but not top flight. His inside game and jumper will likely be maxed after upgrades, leaving TC to handle the three point shot, which is non existant. Oladipo will need to thrive in an inside or balanced offense and we anticipate he will do just that.
3. Charlotte Hornets - Mason Plumlee C 7'0'' 240 23 B+ C- C- C, B- C, Duke
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
C 82 2689 24.5 11.1 2.2 1.7 0.4 2.2 757 1506 319 490 0 0 .503 .651 .000 1.065 24.3The only explanation we have for this pick is that Mazunga loves Marcus Mariotta so much that he wanted to plunder a 1.3 for the Hornets as much as the Titans did with Mariotta. Or maybe he felt like he should have been skipped for inactivity, so just picked a third round player out of equity and fairness.
All jokes aside, Plumlee is a solid starter. We've not seen his scout so can't say what his potential is, but suspect it is 44, which is not great Bob. We anticipate he will ball out with upgrades and then quickly drop off a cliff after he is signed to that Moet sponsorship.
4. Portland Trail Blazers - Trey Burke PG 6'1'' 187 21 C, B- B- C, C- B, Michigan
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
PG 82 2223 13.2 4.7 8.1 1.2 0.3 2.7 347 767 71 88 51 138 .452 .807 .370 1.013 16.0The Blazers go with need over BPA selecting Burke, the best looking PG in the class. Burke looks like an above average rebounder but just an average scorer and ball handler. If he has the potential to really grow we can see this being a solid pick at 1.4, but for now we're skeptical that this will pan out. Similar to Oladipo, we expect he'll get upgrades to his inside and jumper, leaving some potential upgrades to either fix his turnovers or maybe improve as a defender. In either case Burke will be a solid starter and likely nothing more.
5. Washington Bullets - Steven Adams C 7'0'' 255 20 B- C- D, C+ B+ B, Pitt
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
C 82 2729 18.9 11.7 2.3 1.5 0.9 2.6 524 1161 382 541 1 7 .451 .706 .143 1.023 19.8Yawn's Bullets get their man in the former Pitt big. Yawn has made no bones about his desire to bring in the Kiwi big man. I'm not sure Yawn scouted him and I'm not sure he cares. With some inside upgrades and a nice TC, Adams could be the Stilton to Kaba's Pinot Noir on the fancy ass h'orderves platter the Bullets are preparing for the 3016 eastern conference.
6. San Antonio Spurs (from Cleveland Cavaliers ) - CJ McCollum SG 6'3'' 190 22 B- B+ C- C+ C- B, Lehigh
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SG 82 2879 15.3 4.9 2.4 1.8 0.2 1.2 461 1036 233 275 68 205 .445 .847 .332 1.057 15.7Calling my shot now - McCollum, if upgraded, will be the GM-voted ROY. He needs a little inside upgrade and then likely pump up his strength and skill camp his jumping. With moderate 3-point growth he'll be an A outside player with B (or higher inside) and no turnover issues. He doesn't like to play defense, but that doesn't concern us - and that should tell you something about how high we are on this pick.
7. Indiana Pacers (from Jazz) - Rudy Gobert C 7'2'' 238 21 B- D, D+ B- C+ A, France
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
C 82 2118 16.7 10.6 2.8 1.4 2.1 2.9 406 908 170 295 0 0 .447 .576 .000 .946 17.5Solid pick and nothing more. Gobert has warts but he blocks shots. And that's sort of all that matters when it comes to what kind of player the Pacers want Gobert to be. Not a sexy pick, but not a stinker. Meh. With some upgrades and TC luck he COULD be a two-way player, or he could be an offensive liability while being a solid defender. The fates will decide.
8. San Antonio Spurs - Nerlens Noel C 6'11'' 215 19 C, D, C, C+ B- B, Kentucky
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
C 82 2168 6.5 10.6 1.8 1.1 1.8 1.5 164 338 62 105 0 0 .485 .590 .000 1.015 12.3BK favorite Nerlens Noel. Basically the D/R lite of no-shot players. He does a better than average job of blocking shots and stealing at the center position. He doesn't shoot much, which is good because he's not a good shooter. We're not sure how pointy will go with Nerlens, but suspect it'll be to boost his shot blocking to the cap and then make him an elite rebounder. That's not a half bad idea given he's going to want to funnel all his shots to McCollum for the next decade.
9. Carolina Cougars - Ricky Ledo SG 6'6'' 180 21 B- C+ C, B- C, A, Providence
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SG 82 2885 11.1 6.8 2.9 1.4 0.3 1.4 380 819 117 145 13 59 .464 .807 .220 1.008 13.4Solid pick here from the Coug. above average at just above everything with A potential. Nothing super sexy about Ledo yet, but we suspect the scout looks good and with upgrades and TC we've got a player similar to McCollum in Ledo (without the elite 3 pt shot as a rookie I guess). Not a bad pick at 1.9. Not bad at all.
10. Houston Rockets - Livio Jean-Charles SF 6'9'' 217 20 B- C, D+ B- B- B, France
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SF 82 2824 11.8 8.5 1.8 1.3 0.2 2.2 375 837 165 215 8 38 .448 .767 .211 .991 12.5We like this pick as a BPA type player. B potential for a SF starting out with B- inside and B- rebounding and defense. He'll need upgrades at inside scoring, but might turn out to be a Giannis-lite with that upgrade. The turnovers are a little concern given how little he tries to pass the ball - but with some inside upgrades maybe he won't pass it at all and it'll work itself out. Either way, nice pick here as well. Honestly, I would have blindly picked either of the last two picks over Mason Bumlee.
11. San Antonio Spurs (from Seattle SuperSonics) - Cody Zeller C 7'0'' 240 21 C+ C, C+ C- C, A, Indiana
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
C 82 2652 11.8 8.6 2.9 1.3 0.4 1.4 341 828 184 233 2 11 .412 .790 .182 .933 13.9Finally we hit our next stinker of a pick. Not QUITE as bad as Plumlee, but definitely a head scratcher. So, yes. He has A potential. But he ALSO has C- defense and C rebounding as a big man. Given his OK blocks, OK steals, and not TERRIBLE rebounding, that can mean only one thing - Dumptime is a better athlete than Cody. So while he CAN improve as a shot blocker, a post defender, a rebounder, etc, he won't naturally grow much as an athlete and will therefore have a very low ceiling as a player. This is an LLE player max. Prove me wrong, Cody. Bulletin board material.
12. Chicago Bulls - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG 6'5'' 190 20 C+ B- C, C+ C+ B, Georgia
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SG 82 2956 11.6 7.6 2.6 0.9 0.2 1.7 365 809 163 206 59 150 .451 .791 .393 1.058 13.1Ok. We can work with KCP at 1.12 for the Bulls. Another above-average SG with B potential. He rebounds well at the 2. Similar to Oladipo, I fear there isn't room to grow. He has a nice stroke from 3, which will be good in an outside offense. He doesn't have a TON of volume, but hopefully that comes with some inside upgrades and maybe a quickness/strength skill camp. Overall, KCP is a nice little starter who hopefully grows into a fringe all-star type player. Nice pick for a Bulls organization that is less than engaged.
13. Texas Chaparrals - Glen Rice Jr. SG 6'6'' 215 23 C+ B+ C, C+ C- B, Georgia Tech
Pos G M P R A S B T FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA FG% FT% 3P% P/TSA PER
SG 82 2907 12.0 6.0 2.6 1.2 0.1 1.7 378 788 138 173 79 177 .480 .798 .446 1.126 13.3We're excited to see what Glen Rice Jr., aka Junior, aka Baby Rice, aka Ricey Baby looks like this upcoming season. The Chaps could use some additional firepower to bolster their aging line up and Ricey Baby could be a microwave scorer for their second unit as a rookie. We don't expect him to take over immediately for Granger, but could be groomed as the heir apparent at the wing as the Chaps transition from an inside team to an outside team, which they'll likely have to do to maximize Ricey Baby's best asset - this three point shot.
