2016 NBA Draft Big Board: Ben Simmons at top, Skal Labissiere No. 6

[Aike]

Jordan was amazing well before Jackson and Pippen. He was averaging 37 points a game pretty early on in his career. Team success point is fair, but he was a stud individual from the start.

Exactly. Jordan was already on the short list for best player in the league by his second season, when he dropped 63 on Boston in the playoffs.

As to the Blazers. I don't know if they thought Drexler was better than Jordan, but they occupied the same space. It isn't hard to understand why they drafted Bowie.

 

[YaySports]

For sake of the argument will someone save this thread and return to it when the time is right? Im in the same boat as STL, avid NBA fan, watch tons, own league pass etc... And i see the potential in skal but not sure he is anywhere near stepping on an nba court. For a team to take him lotto this year is ludacris IMO unless he improves greatly in nearly every facet. he has been VERY underwhelming so far this year.

 

[WitnessGreatness]

Jordan couldn't even get out of the first round until Pippen came along

 

[WitnessGreatness]

So many NBA draft idiots in the thread. Skal at 6 is a steal

Towns didn't go #1 this last year because he was supposed to be good this year, he went #1 because he was supposed to be this good in 3-4 years. The top of the draft is potential, potential, potential and Skal has a ton of potential. Arguably the most of any prospect currently despite how he looks right now

 

[Aike]

So many NBA draft idiots in the thread. Skal at 6 is a steal

Towns didn't go #1 this last year because he was supposed to be good this year, he went #1 because he was supposed to be this good in 3-4 years. The top of the draft is potential, potential, potential and Skal has a ton of potential. Arguably the most of any prospect currently despite how he looks right now

If Skal at 6 is such a no brainer, then why isn't he still listed at 2?

Because he is playing poorly, and his stock is slipping.

You can't say it's ALL potential while ignoring the fact that how he is playing is causing the perception of him to slip. You can't have it both ways.

That being said, it's too early to pass judgment. Wouldn't shock me if he still went second or third. But he's got some work to do.

 

[STL_Cat]

So many NBA draft idiots in the thread. Skal at 6 is a steal

Towns didn't go #1 this last year because he was supposed to be good this year, he went #1 because he was supposed to be this good in 3-4 years. The top of the draft is potential, potential, potential and Skal has a ton of potential. Arguably the most of any prospect currently despite how he looks right now

Oh, really? Because Towns is s stud right now. He wasn't drafted #1 purely on potential.

 

[Aike]

Oh, really? Because Towns is s stud right now. He wasn't drafted #1 purely on potential.

Right. The development of Towns as a freshman at UK had a lot to do with where he was picked.

D'Anglelo Russell is an even bettter example. Where would he have been picked without his play at OSU? Top 20, maybe?

It's always a combination of performance and potential. Skal needs to show some growth.

 

[WitnessGreatness]

Oh, really? Because Towns is s stud right now. He wasn't drafted #1 purely on potential.

He was drafted on his potential though. His NBA projection was god awful based on his college stats by Five Thirty Eight. General consensus among NBA folks was that Okafor would be a lot better this year and that Towns would take a few years to become the offensive player that he is right now. If you think Towns would be this good this early you are kidding yourself

 

[Aike]

He was drafted on his potential though. His NBA projection was god awful based on his college stats by Five Thirty Eight. General consensus among NBA folks was that Okafor would be a lot better this year and that Towns would take a few years to become the offensive player that he is right now. If you think Towns would be this good this early you are kidding yourself

Serious question: are you completely making this up?

The 538 article I read only published projections for years 2-5. Using those projections, Towns was ranked 1st.

Where did you see 538 projections for a "God-awful" anything for KAT?

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/projecting-the-top-50-players-in-the-2015-nba-draft-class/

 

[WitnessGreatness]

Serious question: are you completely making this up?

The 538 article I read only published projections for years 2-5. Using those projections, Towns was ranked 1st.

Where did you see 538 projections for a "God-awful" anything for KAT?

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/projecting-the-top-50-players-in-the-2015-nba-draft-class/

I'm not lying. Anthony Bennett was #1 http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/carmelo/karl-anthony-towns/

This is also newer

 

[Aike]

I'm not lying. Anthony Bennett was #1 http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/carmelo/karl-anthony-towns/

This is also newer

Anthony Bennett is his closest comparison. That probably has to do with draft position figuring into their model for college prospects.

Still not seeing God awful. They did project him with a negative offensive plus/minus his first year, but a positive defensive plus/minus.

I'll grant you that Towns is performing better than expected, but he wasn't expected to be awful.

 

[WitnessGreatness]

Anthony Bennett is his closest comparison. That probably has to do with draft position figuring into their model for college prospects.

Still not seeing God awful. They did project him with a negative offensive plus/minus his first year, but a positive defensive plus/minus.

I'll grant you that Towns is performing better than expected, but he wasn't expected to be awful.

Dude, Bennett will be out of the league next year. If you think he that isn't bad than I have a bride to sell you. I love Towns but to say he would arguably be the best player on his team this early back during the draft is way way wrong

 

[Aike]

Dude, Bennett will be out of the league next year. If you think he that isn't bad than I have a bride to sell you. I love Towns but to say he would arguably be the best player on his team this early back during the draft is way way wrong

I don't think you even know what you're arguing about.

You provided a link. The data within that link described Anthony Bennett as the most comparable player to KAT. I didn't say it. I'm not making any argument for or against Bennett or comparing him with anyone.

I also didn't say KAT was the best player on his team now. He's playing well. I'm happy for him.

 

[cats2010]

8th grade basketball during the 50s doesnt count. sorry. you dont see anything special because you biased. all you and people like you care about is uk...not basketball. just cracks me up how many NBA experts there are here yet the overwhelming theme is that no one watches or cares about the NBA.

many people that make basketball their profession for a living have a completely different opinion of skal than the folks in this thread. skal is going top 10, going to make millions of dollars and be a quality pro a few years down the road. all that is going to happen regardless whether he is successful at uk or not.

i wish uk fans would stop talking about any related to the NBA...they are almost always wrong.

Sorry pal, I was barely born in the 60's much less the 50's. I can evaluate talent just fine. I have watched enough NBA basketball to know what the game is about. Skal brings zero to the table at the time being and as a GM I not going to put my job on the line to hope that he does. You go right ahead, you can have him, I will take someone else that has actually showed promise against men, not boys. Skal may end up doing great things and honestly hope he does but your an idiot for touting him with your long term version crap. You don't know your ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to player evaluation and doing nothing more than spouting at the mouth.

 

[YaySports]

Towns also had an nba body and could score against anyone in the post during his time here. One thing you never saw towns do here was shoot a jump shot. And thats not because he couldnt shoot one. Any NBA centers bread and butter is banging down in the post/playing defense/rebounding and if you have a jumper its an absolute bonus. Skal does not have NBA size, does not rebound well for his position, does not fight, has shown low IQ, responds terribly to double teams or any sort of contact when posting. He does not do anything well that and NBA team values out of the center position.

If he gains weight, starts battling, gets in basketball playing rhythm and catches up to the speed of the game i think he can fix many of the issues he currently has. But this is not a quick fix. He may require a few years.

If youre an NBA team who is OK with your draft pick not producing for a few years maybe you draft skal. If youre looking for an immediate impact he is NOT the answer. Plain and simple. He can grow into a solid NBA player, but he is a project at the collegiate and NBA level to this point.

 

[WildmanWilson]

I want the best for Skal because he seems like a great guy with a great story. I just don't see him as close to NBA ready. He is horrible at this point. I can see 100 players I'd take over him at this time. I can't see any team picking him in the first round at all unless he does a 180. I don't see him having the body or mindset to do that however. He needs to be a multi year player that grows physically and mentally. Then he may deserve the high first round pick.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Bartender, I'll have what the mock draft guy is having. I have a better chance of being a top 10 pick. Like most, I truly hope I'm wrong but unless he improved vastly starting tonight he is no way in hell ready for the nba. No team is going to take him as a top ten player just to put him in the D-league to develop his game. I know Ive mentioned the 76ers drafting him, but another team I could see drafting him that high is Charlotte. Jordan has mastered drafting guys way too early. That's no slam on mkg but in all honesty he was a stretch as the number 2 pick