The Basketball Offseason 2017 thread

[Ma'ake]

This year's NBA draft is a crap shoot to predict, the mock drafts generally deviate starting with the 2nd pick.

But I've seen a couple of seemingly credible mock drafts having Kuzma going in the 1st round. One prediction had him going to the Lakers, after De'Aaron Fox is picked #2 by them. Another had Kuz getting picked before Frank Jackson.

Kuzma could be a pretty good "filler" type player - not going to dominate a game with his athleticism, but he can score, rebound and pass well enough to find a way to contribute off the bench. If he can find consistency in his long game, he could have a nice career.

I hope it happens, it would be great to see that skinny kid from Flint make his hometown and the Utes proud.

[concerned]

This year's NBA draft is a crap shoot to predict, the mock drafts generally deviate starting with the 2nd pick.

But I've seen a couple of seemingly credible mock drafts having Kuzma going in the 1st round. One prediction had him going to the Lakers, after De'Aaron Fox is picked #2 by them. Another had Kuz getting picked before Frank Jackson.

Kuzma could be a pretty good "filler" type player - not going to dominate a game with his athleticism, but he can score, rebound and pass well enough to find a way to contribute off the bench. If he can find consistency in his long game, he could have a nice career.

I hope it happens, it would be great to see that skinny kid from Flint make his hometown and the Utes proud.

I posted a while ago, before the combine, that I would bet any amount of money that he does not go higher than 35. I would still make that bet.

[Ma'ake]

I posted a while ago, before the combine, that I would bet any amount of money that he does not go higher than 35. I would still make that bet.

I'll bet you $20. Not because I think you're wrong. I certainly don't know, the mock drafts are all over the map.

My hunch/hope is based on a general tendency to underestimate the familiar. I don't think anyone would have guessed Jon Fanene would have gone from weed-wacker to most of a decade in the NFL. We all thought Steve Smith was talented, but crazy... certainly not a Hall of Fame level player. (Tons of other examples, both ways.)

Based on watching them play up close in Berkley, I would take Kuzma over Ivan Rabb. I think he's on the rise, I think he'll sneak into the 1st round.

If I'm wrong, I owe you $20. If I'm right, we all celebrate, no money involved.

I'm in.