ESPN(Draft express) first NBA mock

[It'saDoneDeal]

If that’s all we lose from this year then UK will be a serious title contender that could potentially beat the 14-15 and 11-12 teams.

Based on what? Both those teams had absolute superstars. Unless we're getting ready to sign up Anthony Davis or Karl Anthony Towns, we aren't touching either of those teams. IMO pretty disrespectful to both those prior teams to act like Quade Green, PJ Washington, and the Wenyon Gabriel experience are even in the same ballpark.

 

[brianpoe]

You make some good points.

Perhaps we should analyze it from a different vantage point.


UK has never had so many freshmen on one team, save the 2014 team (which had 8). This group also has eight, but unlike the 2014, which had four freshmen who trended towards mock drafts at this point in the 2014 season (twins, Randle, Young); the 2018 group has SGA, Richard, Vanderbilt, Washington, Diallo, and Knox.

Unlike the Randle group, this group doesn’t even have a lottery lock. Outside of Knox, every one of the rest of those guys I mentioned is a fringe first round pick. So, historically, you can claim that Cal’s never lost a freshman to the second round, but your implication is based on Cal’s freshmen being wise enough to listen to him and stay out of the draft if they’re not ready. We’ve seen that a handful of them (including the ones I already mentioned) have ignored that advice and made the jump anyway. Even some sophomores, like Briscoe and Aaron Harrison, have made the jump with the weakest of assurances from NBA personnel.

Thus, I’m not sure what else you could be implying to make a case that we shouldn’t at least be skeptical (a far cry from the “frightened emotion” and "panic" you superimposed on my posts) because of the historical trend. Are you claiming that these guys will make the wise choice? If we lump sophomores and freshmen together (which is reasonable, considering your premise is based on kids making a wise choice and returning if they don’t have guarantees) can we claim that was the case for guys like Briscoe, Teague, Goodwin, Humphries, etc.? Cal has publically claimed that at least four players ignored his advice.


So, while you’re right to point to the historical trend, I’m not sure that we can rest comfortably upon that trend either (hence the discussion). Each one of these kids is here because they want to make the NBA. That’s what has been sold to them, and that is what they and their families have bought into. Remaining skeptical, which I am, is perfectly reasonable, considering every one of these kids has been eyeing the NBA for years now, that fact only amplified the moment Kentucky comes calling. We’re discussing possibilities, and you make some great points with possibilities, because this is a message board.

Essentially, we haven’t seen a group of freshmen like this since Cal has been here, one with so many fringe NBA guys who are in obvious need of development. How will that play out? History is absent of an answer there, hence the speculation. My major point here is merely based on the fact that kids aren’t coming here for the scenery. They want to make the NBA as fast as possible.

Can we follow their desire for the NBA as a reasonable way to project what will happen this summer? Absolutely. Sitting around remaining mum at this point would be ridiculous for a message board. There’s more shifting narrative available right now than at any point of the Calipari administration (save the spring/summer of 2009 when he first arrived and the summer of 2014 when most of the team returned).


Lastly, if and when guys like Vanderbilt and Richards leave this summer, what would your response be in such a case? For months now, some of our fans have been telling other fans to stay calm, because we haven’t seen Barrett make a decision (after Reddish), and then when Barrett decided, to stay calm because we haven’t seen Zion make a decision. Now the narrative has shifted again. Stay calm, because we’ll likely get all these pieces back.


So what happens if there’s a mass exodus? What becomes of the narrative? Do we simply fall back on “Well, at least we’ve won all these games?” I mean, I’m seeking to discuss ways to improve the program. I’m not falling on any sword here. There is a balance.


There’s no one out there I would swap out for Calipari, but I’m also not keen on “well, we should just sit on our hands because UK has been so good under him.” If there’s ways to improve the program (even in our limited perspective), discussion should be welcomed. That’s not “panic.” That’s discourse.

I think it is fine to be skeptical, my quote “frightened emotion” and "panic" I superimposed was followed by "that has overcome the board lately" not directed at you personally.

I totally agree with your points regarding fringe guys, I guess I am a little more pessimistic at this juncture.

Mock drafts mean nothing at this point and as of today I only see Diallo as being a fringe first rounder with Knox being the only solid 1st Rounder.

If kids leave that are not 1st Rounders then they leave but i would guess that a SGA would be smarter not to risk a non-guaranteed contract.

I would hope that Richards doesnt see the G league as an easy route to he NBA.

Vanderbilt isnt going first round without being able to shoot and those saying he would go because of his injury is also a major red flag as to why some teams wont consider him...


We can speculate all we want, my issue is with people claiming that these freshman are leaving as if it is a foregone conclusion and theses poster have no idea and cannot base their fearful opinions on any fact whatsoever.

 

[brianpoe]

Based on what? Both those teams had absolute superstars. Unless we're getting ready to sign up Anthony Davis or Karl Anthony Towns, we aren't touching either of those teams. IMO pretty disrespectful to both those prior teams to act like Quade Green, PJ Washington, and the Wenyon Gabriel experience are even in the same ballpark.

Based upon he is a troll, save your typing breath...

 

[FrankUnderwood]

If I am guessing I bet Shai goes 6-10 , KNox 8-14 , diallo 20-30 and Gabriel goes undrafted. If JV also leaves who knows. If he plays like himself by March he is a top 15 pick . If he doesn't he is a later first , early 2nd round pick.

Shai top 10 pick??? Potentially top 6....?

 

[FrankUnderwood]

It’s depressing...

Talking about losing a bunch of guys from a team that may be in the NIT

The bigger question is, WHICH former banned member are ya?

 

[catfanlou]

60 players are drafted. I can’t believe that 7 of those are on our team.

My thought is if u can go in the first round and ur family needs the money u have to go.but why would any of these kids be well advised to go in the second round with no guarantee .
I can’t believe that any if these kids are in the top thirty .

And I do agree with poster above about Richards. He only been playing basketball four years now. IF he realizes the potential payday and works his butt off between now and next season he should be a lottery pick next year or the year after. He has good hands. Good feet. The body. But a very low basketball IQ. I personally believe he and Vanderbilt have the highest potential on the team .

 

[Jakarii]

I’m guessing you’re new to this draft things, it’s not about being ready it’s about having potential and teams bringing out that potential. No one is drafted to lead a team to a title or even the playoffs right away

It’s a joke, none of those 3 are ready! They should all come back.

 

[TigerMoving]

I think this could be the season where Cal advises almost all of these guys to come back for a second year. None are lottery locks, and the "desperation" around our program will hopefully bring some of these guys back, one way or the other. Fingers crossed

 

[brianpoe]

I think this could be the season where Cal advises almost all of these guys to come back for a second year. None are lottery locks, and the "desperation" around our program will hopefully bring some of these guys back, one way or the other. Fingers crossed

Any with 1st Round guarantees he will tell them to go, unless it is very late in the round, IMO.