2022 NBA Draft Thread

#2      
ESPN 2022 mock draft currently has Curbelo slotted in as the #34 pick to the Magic with Kofi unlisted. Interesting…
 
#3      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Kofi and Curbelo's NBA prospects are similar in a way. Both of them have particular skills that would be rare and effective at the NBA level, Kofi's sheer physical presence in finishing around the rim and Curbelo's creativity and spatial awareness in pick-and-roll situations.

But the question for both is whether they can be on an NBA floor at all. Both of them are nowhere close defensively and don't really project to get even to average based on their physical limitations, and neither can shoot at an adequate level for their position.

In today's NBA basketball it's in some ways more important to lack weaknesses than have strengths if that makes sense, as teams are able to ruthlessly create and exploit bad matchups if they're available (Patrick Williams on the Bulls is a good example of a player coveted more for lacking weaknesses than having strengths, and as a young prospect he may yet develop those impact strengths). I wouldn't be super rosy on either of their prospects, but they'd both be really fun to watch NBA players if they can round their game out well enough. Especially Curbelo as a sort of Fiesta Andre Miller. The world needs that.
 
#5      
Kofi and Curbelo's NBA prospects are similar in a way. Both of them have particular skills that would be rare and effective at the NBA level, Kofi's sheer physical presence in finishing around the rim and Curbelo's creativity and spatial awareness in pick-and-roll situations.

But the question for both is whether they can be on an NBA floor at all. Both of them are nowhere close defensively and don't really project to get even to average based on their physical limitations, and neither can shoot at an adequate level for their position.

In today's NBA basketball it's in some ways more important to lack weaknesses than have strengths if that makes sense, as teams are able to ruthlessly create and exploit bad matchups if they're available (Patrick Williams on the Bulls is a good example of a player coveted more for lacking weaknesses than having strengths, and as a young prospect he may yet develop those impact strengths). I wouldn't be super rosy on either of their prospects, but they'd both be really fun to watch NBA players if they can round their game out well enough. Especially Curbelo as a sort of Fiesta Andre Miller. The world needs that.

A jumper for curbelo is easier to develop than agility for kofi. You can take a chance that curbelo can get to average, but Kofi is harder to take that chance on IMO.

Brook Lopez is a solid 3 point shooter who can do enough damage around the rim. Not Kofi damage, but his 3 point shooter kinda offsets that. But once he comes in teams relentlessly attack him in pick and rolls. You basically guarantee 5 on 4 or 4 on 3 situations when you do him. He can get a little of that back from the 3 point line but Kofi can’t right now (and he might be more mobile to begin with). That’s what really concerns me about Kofi’s nba aspirations. I’d love to be wrong.
 
#6      
Kofi and Curbelo's NBA prospects are similar in a way. Both of them have particular skills that would be rare and effective at the NBA level, Kofi's sheer physical presence in finishing around the rim and Curbelo's creativity and spatial awareness in pick-and-roll situations.

But the question for both is whether they can be on an NBA floor at all. Both of them are nowhere close defensively and don't really project to get even to average based on their physical limitations, and neither can shoot at an adequate level for their position.

In today's NBA basketball it's in some ways more important to lack weaknesses than have strengths if that makes sense, as teams are able to ruthlessly create and exploit bad matchups if they're available (Patrick Williams on the Bulls is a good example of a player coveted more for lacking weaknesses than having strengths, and as a young prospect he may yet develop those impact strengths). I wouldn't be super rosy on either of their prospects, but they'd both be really fun to watch NBA players if they can round their game out well enough. Especially Curbelo as a sort of Fiesta Andre Miller. The world needs that.
Aside from ability to guard pick and roll, I think the thing Kofi could do to most improve his NBA stock is improving at finishing around the rim. It seems like Kofi gets blocked a lot when guarded by tall, athletic centers. He needs to learn how to bump them (without fouling) right before going up so they can’t elevate. If he wants to make it based on his unique physical attributes as an against-the-current-trend asset to a team, he needs to turn that physicality into a dominant skill set that offsets his limitations. I don’t think he’s done that yet. I can’t picture him bullying NBA centers for easy layups and dunks based on the last two years of evidence. But I think developing that ability is more likely to get him into the NBA than developing a midrange jumper.
 
#7      
A jumper for curbelo is easier to develop than agility for kofi. You can take a chance that curbelo can get to average, but Kofi is harder to take that chance on IMO.

Brook Lopez is a solid 3 point shooter who can do enough damage around the rim. Not Kofi damage, but his 3 point shooter kinda offsets that. But once he comes in teams relentlessly attack him in pick and rolls. You basically guarantee 5 on 4 or 4 on 3 situations when you do him. He can get a little of that back from the 3 point line but Kofi can’t right now (and he might be more mobile to begin with). That’s what really concerns me about Kofi’s nba aspirations. I’d love to be wrong.
Personally I feel AC has a higher ceiling than Kofi or even Ayo. He can get anywhere on the floor he wants. I think he will always be able to do that since his agility and ball handling are insanely "elite"! He has outstanding hand eye coordination and I certainly expect his shooting to improve. Even if it is just midrange he will be fine but I expect to see him shoot it just fine if he is left open.
 
#8      

illini80

Forgottonia
Personally I feel AC has a higher ceiling than Kofi or even Ayo. He can get anywhere on the floor he wants. I think he will always be able to do that since his agility and ball handling are insanely "elite"! He has outstanding hand eye coordination and I certainly expect his shooting to improve. Even if it is just midrange he will be fine but I expect to see him shoot it just fine if he is left open.
I’ll be interested to see how much weight he’s been able to put on. He needs to add some real strength to go to the next level imo.
 
#9      
Personally I feel AC has a higher ceiling than Kofi or even Ayo. He can get anywhere on the floor he wants. I think he will always be able to do that since his agility and ball handling are insanely "elite"! He has outstanding hand eye coordination and I certainly expect his shooting to improve. Even if it is just midrange he will be fine but I expect to see him shoot it just fine if he is left open.

Offensively I don't think it's crazy to say AC could have a higher ceiling. However, being able to guard multiple positions is a huge factor in a players draft value and Ayo is the only one of that group who can do that at the next level.
 
#10      
Offensively I don't think it's crazy to say AC could have a higher ceiling. However, being able to guard multiple positions is a huge factor in a players draft value and Ayo is the only one of that group who can do that at the next level.
Not if you excel at what you do as a 1. How many small 1 guards guard multiple positions? Nash, CP3, Trey Young even Dwill. They dont and if Curbelo excels at what he does he won't need to either. He is a pain in a rear to guard in his own wight. If I knew you I'd bet if AC will be a higher draft pick than anyone since ML. He is the best long term NBA guy esoecailly if he gets a shot because he will make everyone better. I hope Ayo does well too. I just disagree with you when it come to what he and those like him can do for a team.
 
#11      
Not if you excel at what you do as a 1. How many small 1 guards guard multiple positions? Nash, CP3, Trey Young even Dwill. They dont and if Curbelo excels at what he does he won't need to either. He is a pain in a rear to guard in his own wight. If I knew you I'd bet if AC will be a higher draft pick than anyone since ML. He is the best long term NBA guy esoecailly if he gets a shot because he will make everyone better. I hope Ayo does well too. I just disagree with you when it come to what he and those like him can do for a team.
Well we've only had one draft pick since Meyers and that was at #38 so that's not a hard bet to make from your side lol
 
#13      
But the question for both is whether they can be on an NBA floor at all. Both of them are nowhere close defensively and don't really project to get even to average based on their physical limitations, and neither can shoot at an adequate level for their position.
Curbelo's defense is really underrated on these boards. Defensive advanced stats can be a bit misleading, but insofar as they tell you something useful, the story is that Belo is a really good defender. On par with Trent. He has a really high steal rate, and if he cleans up the stupid fouls (which often happen right after a stupid turnover), then he'll really help himself -- that tends to improve with experience. I've said this before but he is a better defender than Trae Young, Lou Williams, etc. right now. If he can provide offensive contributions that make those diminutive guys still an overall plus for their teams then he should have no problem staying on the floor.
 
#14      
Well we've only had one draft pick since Meyers and that was at #38 so that's not a hard bet to make from your side lol
Yes, thus I think he will be selected before 38 not 11. What is so hard to understand about that comment? "Lol" Especailly if he plays 2 more years like Ayo did.
 
#17      
Not if you excel at what you do as a 1. How many small 1 guards guard multiple positions? Nash, CP3, Trey Young even Dwill. They dont and if Curbelo excels at what he does he won't need to either. He is a pain in a rear to guard in his own wight. If I knew you I'd bet if AC will be a higher draft pick than anyone since ML. He is the best long term NBA guy esoecailly if he gets a shot because he will make everyone better. I hope Ayo does well too. I just disagree with you when it come to what he and those like him can do for a team.
I think it is a LITTLE premature to don this kid the next Steve Nash, Trae Young, or CP3. Two hall of farmers and a guy who shot 34% from 3 and averaged 27 ppg in his only college season….
 
#18      
I think it is a LITTLE premature to don this kid the next Steve Nash, Trae Young, or CP3. Two hall of farmers and a guy who shot 34% from 3 and averaged 27 ppg in his only college season….
I didnt compare them as complete players. What I said was a quick nibble talented one doesn't need to guard multiple positions and those obviously came to mind. Not all shorter 1's are all stars. However they can cause issues themselves, penetrate, pass and make a team better.
 
#19      
I didnt compare them as complete players. What I said was a quick nibble talented one doesn't need to guard multiple positions and those obviously came to mind. Not all shorter 1's are all stars. However they can cause issues themselves, penetrate, pass and make a team better.
The argument that a shorter 1 doesn’t have to guard multiple positions to get drafted, justified by 3 elite players at the position.

You are right. If you are as good as CP3, Steve Nash, or trae young, you don’t need to guard multiple positions because you’ll be the 1 in every lineup. Now how is that relevant to whether or not curbelo needs to guard multiple positions if he wants to improve his draft stock?
 
#20      
The argument that a shorter 1 doesn’t have to guard multiple positions to get drafted, justified by 3 elite players at the position.

You are right. If you are as good as CP3, Steve Nash, or trae young, you don’t need to guard multiple positions because you’ll be the 1 in every lineup. Now how is that relevant to whether or not curbelo needs to guard multiple positions if he wants to improve his draft stock?
Are his growth plates open? Maybe he could be the next Anthony Davis....if that happens we might have to move Cohawk to the 3, lol.
 
#21      
Are his growth plates open? Maybe he could be the next Anthony Davis....if that happens we might have to move Cohawk to the 3, lol.
Most accurate comment yet. One correction though. Cohawk is already pencilled at the 3, so would this push him to the 2? Or the other way to the 5 with Kofi off the bench?