Ultimate Steal of 2016 NBA Draft

[SWISH-banned]

Right now with names such as Thon Maker and Skal Labissiere being mentioned in the teens-to-20s range, will it be a modern stretch big man that ends up as the best steal, or will it simply be something like Brandon Ingram at #2 or a Kris Dunn late in the top 10? This draft could end up being solid, or quite weak depending on the play of a few mid rounders.

 

[cavsfan817]

Thon Maker without question. The man can do everything with a basketball and is being unheralded by teams right now because he didn't play in college. He'll be the star of the draft without question, let alone the steal.

 

[SWISH-banned]

Thon Maker without question. The man can do everything with a basketball and is being unheralded by teams right now because he didn't play in college. He'll be the star of the draft without question, let alone the steal.

I see a lot of Giannis in him.

 

[cavsfan817]

I see a lot of Giannis in him.

He's better. Taller, better on the defensive end (blocking/post defense), and although Giannis has been a good ball handler, I believe that Thon is better in that area as well.

 

[SWISH-banned]

He's better. Taller, better on the defensive end (blocking/post defense), and although Giannis has been a good ball handler, I believe that Thon is better in that area as well.

idk about that. Giannis has really become quite proficient everywhere except shooting, and that's where I see Thon as having an advantage early. Defensively Thon might end up being the better shot blocker but keep in mind Giannis is probably going to be a 20-7-7-1.5-1.5 type player next season if he plays PG all season.

 

[cavsfan817]

idk about that. Giannis has really become quite proficient everywhere except shooting, and that's where I see Thon as having an advantage early. Defensively Thon might end up being the better shot blocker but keep in mind Giannis is probably going to be a 20-7-7-1.5-1.5 type player next season if he plays PG all season.

While that is true, Thon is taller and if he is also given the ability to act as a guard-forward type of player we could very well see similar numbers. Obviously not in hise rookie year, but I picture Thon as Giannis with better scoring, better rebounding, better defensive presence, and worse (albeit not extremely worse) passing.

 

[SWISH-banned]

While that is true, Thon is taller and if he is also given the ability to act as a guard-forward type of player we could very well see similar numbers. Obviously not in hise rookie year, but I picture Thon as Giannis with better scoring, better rebounding, better defensive presence, and worse (albeit not extremely worse) passing.

either way we're talking about a guy that may ultimately give ben simmons a run for his money in terms of most skilled big man in the draft, although neither really play like a big man

 

[cavsfan817]

either way we're talking about a guy that may ultimately give ben simmons a run for his money in terms of most skilled big man in the draft, although neither really play like a big man

That's the difference between the two that I'm seeing. Simmons will strictly play like a guard. More of a Magic Johnson type of impact (I'm in no way saying he will be nearly as good or even sniff Magic, just comparing play style), while Thon will be more like a Blake Griffin/Giannis that can be an impact ball handler while still playing big.

 

[SWISH-banned]

That's the difference between the two that I'm seeing. Simmons will strictly play like a guard. More of a Magic Johnson type of impact (I'm in no way saying he will be nearly as good or even sniff Magic, just comparing play style), while Thon will be more like a Blake Griffin/Giannis that can be an impact ball handler while still playing big.

Ben is an intriguing guy too because without a jump shot, he also projects similarly to Giannis I'd say. Not as disruptive defensively or freakish but a better rebounder. Thon could play a role similar to a Paul George where you put him out on the wing but let him also play as a 4.

The way the league is changing I think all of these guys we're talking about will have a big impact eventually. If Ben ends up as a Draymond minus the shot, that's still a very solid player. If he can develop it up to 38% or something like that from deep, he'll be a star. Thon has the potential to have pretty much the same stats as those guys minus the assists, but for him to do it the style between them will be noticeably different.

 

[Stray32]

A little late on this but Thon is nowhere near the athlete that Giannis is, and that's why he's being overlooked by teams it has nothing to do with him not playing in college. He also doesn't see the game as well as the other guys you're mentioning alongside him so in terms of being a slasher or creator I think he's been well over-hyped by the internet

 

[bosoxlover12]

I'm sorry -- but did you just liken Ben Simmons and Thon Maker to Magic and Blake??
 
 
 
I see it more like worse shooting more athletic Lamar Odom, and Ryan Hollins

 

[SWISH-banned]

I'm sorry -- but did you just liken Ben Simmons and Thon Maker to Magic and Blake??
 
 
 
I see it more like worse shooting more athletic Lamar Odom, and Ryan Hollins

I agree on the Ben Simmons/Lamar thing. Thon is not the next Hollins though. I'll stand by a poor man's bigger Giannis. He needs to put on weight though.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Furkan Korkmaz is a guy that I really like. He will be a draft and stash but he's got the size and all the necessary skills to be a complete two guard in this league. Paul Zipser and Chris Levert are two other guys who are under the radar that I like.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Oh and if I was an NBA GM I would turn around and run away from Thon Maker as fast as possible.

 

[SWISH-banned]

Caris LaVert could be a great early second rounder.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Back to Thon though, what makes y'all so intrigued by him? I wouldn't even take him with a late first, I think that little or him.

He's big, real cool. He's a good athlete for his size, but he's not some amazing athlete. He's not Anthony Davis getting up and down the court. He's really not that fluid and he's kind of clumsy to be honest. He could be a good hedger in the league? When I hear "inconsistent shooter" I really hear unreliable shooter. And I look back at his feel for the game, his instincts, his awareness. All of those things are well below average.

The best thing I could say about him is his motor, he's a high hustle player. But there are a lot of guys like that. If it wasn't for that mix tape a few years back I'm not sure there would be any hype for him. I would say that whoever takes him is taking a guy that is just too much of a project to amount to anything.

 

[Paulius]

Steal of the draft will be domantas sabonis. Mark my words

 

[CameronCrazy06]

He's probably a lottery pick

 

[Stray32]

Idk there are too many bigs with huge upside in this draft. As one of the DraftExpress guys said on twitter last night (not about Sabonis but it works here too) this test will be a real test of upside vs skillset, even though Sabonis has a lower ceiling than the rest of the first-round guys he's got a high floor, a proven skillset that will at least earn him bench minutes and if he can expand his shooting range he'll have a valuable role for a team
 
Fwiw I don't think he drops any lower than the Pistons at 18 unless somebody else drops. Ulis-Sabonis are two guys who could be there and that'd be a tough debate for them

 

[cavsfan817]

I can't see Sabonis dropping out of the lotto