NBA Thread

[OGIUAndy]

4 minutes ago, Demo said:

Really? That is a tiny dude. 

Yeah, he's definitely short. My guess 5'5" or so. 

[OGIUAndy]

1 minute ago, Hovadipo said:

Getting told to leave IU and ending up a WNBA head coach is a pretty decent outcome. 

That was a weird situation that has never been explained, at least, not that I am aware of. 

[OliviaPope40]

27 minutes ago, Demo said:

Fever win the WNBA draft lottery. So, get your minds around rooting for Caitlin Clark. The high point, without doubt, was seeing Aliyah Boston at 6’5” standing next to the LA Sparks owner at closer to 5’6”. Dude looked like a muppet. 

Oh god

[OliviaPope40]

16 minutes ago, OGIUAndy said:

That was a weird situation that has never been explained, at least, not that I am aware of. 

It's like the situation with Butler and Brandon Miller leaving all of a sudden.

[BtownStrength]

1 hour ago, Brass Cannon said:

Any shred of faith I had in NBA officiating died with Dwayne Wade. The concept that big market teams with superstars getting help isn’t exactly new it’s been happening since the 80s

Why with D Wade? Did he get an exorbitant amount of benefit-of-the-doubt calls? Not being argumentative, just genuinely curious as I can't remember this being talked about at the time. 

[Scotty R]

38 minutes ago, OGIUAndy said:

That was a weird situation that has never been explained, at least, not that I am aware of. 

I saw on ESPN a story about him and I know he came out as *** I wouldn't think that would be a reason to fire a coach because that would be illegal 

[OGIUAndy]

1 hour ago, Scotty R said:

I saw on ESPN a story about him and I know he came out as *** I wouldn't think that would be a reason to fire a coach because that would be illegal 

He's been out as *** for a long time, even before he came to IU. 

[HoosierHoopster]

Espn plus piece, behind a paywall, analyzing Edey's possible NBA future as a carve-out specialty role playing big on a team that wants to play that style of ball: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/39087340/nba-draft-notebook-edey-nba-future-bronny-debut-sleepers

I don't have espn plus (like, why would I?) but as much as I don't see Edey as an NBA player in today's League, I guess I can see someone taking a flyer on him as a role playing big to throw at teams off the bench. But as a second round, not first-round pick. Will be interesting to see if some team takes a flyer on him in the 2nd (would be absolutely shocked to see him go in the first, hello, just look at TJD, who fits today's NBA much better). Seems more likely he goes undrafted and maybe gets picked up over the summer (a la Troy Williams, Yogi). Will be interesting to see.

[Hovadipo]

18 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Espn plus piece, behind a paywall, analyzing Edey's possible NBA future as a carve-out specialty role playing big on a team that wants to play that style of ball: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/39087340/nba-draft-notebook-edey-nba-future-bronny-debut-sleepers

I don't have espn plus (like, why would I?) but as much as I don't see Edey as an NBA player in today's League, I guess I can see someone taking a flyer on him as a role playing big to throw at teams off the bench. But as a second round, not first-round pick. Will be interesting to see if some team takes a flyer on him in the 2nd (would be absolutely shocked to see him go in the first, hello, just look at TJD, who fits today's NBA much better). Seems more likely he goes undrafted and maybe gets picked up over the summer (a la Troy Williams, Yogi). Will be interesting to see.

Not a single bit of intel in here that anyone that's watched Purdue for 20 minutes couldn't provide. (ESPN+ is awesome, depending on your tastes) I think Edey can stick in the perfect situation, but no one is going to go mold their bench unit around him, I wouldn't think. Seems like for most teams he'll present more problems than solutions to their roster.

 

One positive about being a specialized prospect is that having a shorter list of suitors can often mean you land somewhere you're wanted. At this stage in NBA history, most teams won't just default into drafting massive post-up-centric centers because they're broadly useful -- to take a player in that mold, a team has to play a certain style and have a vision for how to make them fit. That principle likely bodes well for Edey, who's having a great senior season at Purdue and will be a fascinating case study to monitor as the 2024 draft nears. There are plenty of teams that have little to no desire to invest in more traditional centers, but Edey has broken convention to the point that more open-minded front offices have to strongly consider him -- potentially toward the end of the first round and most likely as a Boban Marjanovic-style situational reserve.

I watched a good Edey performance in person last week as Purdue beat Iowa 87-68 in West Lafayette. His 25 points and 12 rebounds were the difference in the game as he largely had his way with an undersized and relatively unathletic Hawkeyes frontline. He followed that up with a 35-point showing against a faster, more physical Alabama team over the weekend. We've come to expect these type of stat lines from the 7-4 Edey, who has evolved into college basketball's most reliable star over the past few years. His talent level isn't the question here -- his future success is simply a matter of what type of role it would take for a player that large and singular to become a consistent net positive in an NBA that relies so often on uptempo play.

At this point, Edey isn't going to be a great fit for teams that want to get up and down and play fast. He has worked himself into excellent shape and has good base athleticism for his size; however, his foot speed is unlikely to improve -- he can run the floor and play for long stretches, but he's not especially fast. He's more likely a situational reserve for that reason -- someone a team can use during stretches to try to change the style of play, but not the type of big a team would necessarily feature in a starting five. Edey has gotten better at punishing teams on the dive and as a massive screening presence. He occupies a lot of space as an offensive rebounder, though he doesn't always pursue the ball well out of his area.

Alabama tried to make life difficult for Edey, working to prevent clean, deep post catches most of the game, but he was still effective and mostly got what he wanted in the 92-86 win. It's worth noting that Edey will likely never see this level of schematic attention from defenses -- in the NBA, surrounding him with shooters enables easier one-on-one touches for him around the rim, where he has excellent touch and has become a reliable finisher. He has gotten much better at feeling pressure and accurately kicking the ball back out to shooters. But, as with most post-up-centric players, the question becomes: To what end?

Defensively, Edey will have to play in drop coverage and try to keep the ball in front of him -- he's not going to be switchable, and there will be matchups in which he gets played off the floor. While not a prolific shot-blocker in terms of covering outside his area, he does have a physical presence on the floor and serves as a deterrent for drivers in the paint. If a team surrounds him with big, athletic defenders, it's possible he can hold up for stretches and his team can win those minutes.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

I’ve been saying it for a year and a half. Edey is something different. Someone has to take him and make others prove they can guard him. His FT shooting. His ability to draw fouls. Ability to avoid injuries. He actually gets up and down the court pretty well. People look for reasons he’s not great instead of acknowledging he is the MVP of every game he plays.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners

 

[HoosierHoopster]

4 hours ago, Hovadipo said:

Not a single bit of intel in here that anyone that's watched Purdue for 20 minutes couldn't provide. (ESPN+ is awesome, depending on your tastes) I think Edey can stick in the perfect situation, but no one is going to go mold their bench unit around him, I wouldn't think. Seems like for most teams he'll present more problems than solutions to their roster.

 

One positive about being a specialized prospect is that having a shorter list of suitors can often mean you land somewhere you're wanted. At this stage in NBA history, most teams won't just default into drafting massive post-up-centric centers because they're broadly useful -- to take a player in that mold, a team has to play a certain style and have a vision for how to make them fit. That principle likely bodes well for Edey, who's having a great senior season at Purdue and will be a fascinating case study to monitor as the 2024 draft nears. There are plenty of teams that have little to no desire to invest in more traditional centers, but Edey has broken convention to the point that more open-minded front offices have to strongly consider him -- potentially toward the end of the first round and most likely as a Boban Marjanovic-style situational reserve.

I watched a good Edey performance in person last week as Purdue beat Iowa 87-68 in West Lafayette. His 25 points and 12 rebounds were the difference in the game as he largely had his way with an undersized and relatively unathletic Hawkeyes frontline. He followed that up with a 35-point showing against a faster, more physical Alabama team over the weekend. We've come to expect these type of stat lines from the 7-4 Edey, who has evolved into college basketball's most reliable star over the past few years. His talent level isn't the question here -- his future success is simply a matter of what type of role it would take for a player that large and singular to become a consistent net positive in an NBA that relies so often on uptempo play.

At this point, Edey isn't going to be a great fit for teams that want to get up and down and play fast. He has worked himself into excellent shape and has good base athleticism for his size; however, his foot speed is unlikely to improve -- he can run the floor and play for long stretches, but he's not especially fast. He's more likely a situational reserve for that reason -- someone a team can use during stretches to try to change the style of play, but not the type of big a team would necessarily feature in a starting five. Edey has gotten better at punishing teams on the dive and as a massive screening presence. He occupies a lot of space as an offensive rebounder, though he doesn't always pursue the ball well out of his area.

Alabama tried to make life difficult for Edey, working to prevent clean, deep post catches most of the game, but he was still effective and mostly got what he wanted in the 92-86 win. It's worth noting that Edey will likely never see this level of schematic attention from defenses -- in the NBA, surrounding him with shooters enables easier one-on-one touches for him around the rim, where he has excellent touch and has become a reliable finisher. He has gotten much better at feeling pressure and accurately kicking the ball back out to shooters. But, as with most post-up-centric players, the question becomes: To what end?

Defensively, Edey will have to play in drop coverage and try to keep the ball in front of him -- he's not going to be switchable, and there will be matchups in which he gets played off the floor. While not a prolific shot-blocker in terms of covering outside his area, he does have a physical presence on the floor and serves as a deterrent for drivers in the paint. If a team surrounds him with big, athletic defenders, it's possible he can hold up for stretches and his team can win those minutes.

Yeah that’s a pretty easy “analysis” that pretty much anyone here could write up. He could try to be a Yao type (Yao was better), and yup an off bench role on a team that wants to throw that out to slow teams at rim or match against another big in the paint is possible, but it requires a team that feels it has that need and doesn’t see better prospects at the draft spot they’re looking at.

[HoosierHoopster]

2 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I’ve been saying it for a year and a half. Edey is something different. Someone has to take him and make others prove they can guard him. His FT shooting. His ability to draw fouls. Ability to avoid injuries. He actually gets up and down the court pretty well. People look for reasons he’s not great instead of acknowledging he is the MVP of every game he plays.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners

 

It’s not that he’s not good, it’s that he doesn’t fit today’s NBA (and today’s NBA bigs would / will run circles around him). Dominating as a slow big in college is a far cry from being able to play in today’s NBA

[HoosierTrav]

19 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

It’s not that he’s not good, it’s that he doesn’t fit today’s NBA (and today’s NBA bigs would / will run circles around him). Dominating as a slow big in college is a far cry from being able to play in today’s NBA

I’m not sure I agree. They have Clingan as a potential lotto pick. I can’t think of 1 thing he does better than Edey. I’ve heard people say he has quicker feet but I’ve went back and looked at the tape and it’s marginal, at best. 
 

The nba is starting to cycle back to having bigger rim protecting bigs that don’t shoot the 3 as well. I can see Edey filling a role and potentially thriving in one if the game returns to more traditional bigs who rebound, defend and get to the line. 

[KingPG21]

2 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I’ve been saying it for a year and a half. Edey is something different. Someone has to take him and make others prove they can guard him. His FT shooting. His ability to draw fouls. Ability to avoid injuries. He actually gets up and down the court pretty well. People look for reasons he’s not great instead of acknowledging he is the MVP of every game he plays.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners

 

The pace of play between college and the NBA are night and day. Getting up and down the court in college pretty well in college equates to being a liability in the NBA. 

 

Nobody is ignoring what he does in college. But the difference in styles of play is drastic. Slow, unathletic bigs don't work in the NBA

[KingPG21]

4 minutes ago, HoosierTrav said:

I’m not sure I agree. They have Clingan as a potential lotto pick. I can’t think of 1 thing he does better than Edey. I’ve heard people say he has quicker feet but I’ve went back and looked at the tape and it’s marginal, at best. 
 

The nba is starting to cycle back to having bigger rim protecting bigs that don’t shoot the 3 as well. I can see Edey filling a role and potentially thriving in one if the game returns to more traditional bigs who rebound, defend and get to the line. 

What bigs are you talking about? The best two bigs, Jokic and Embiid, both shoot 3s. And if your referencing someone like AD there is no comp to Edey, AD is a freak athletically who can face up his man. I have no idea what bigs this post is referencing when the #1 pick in the last draft was a big who was the #1 pick because of his ability to face dudes up and shoot. But yah, sure the NBA is cycling back to  bigs with little to no on ball skills who can't shoot.

 

[HinnyHoosier]

Jokic did NOT receive superstar treatment tonight. That official will hate the sound of his phone in a short amount of time. 

[HoosierHoopster]

1 hour ago, HoosierTrav said:

I’m not sure I agree. They have Clingan as a potential lotto pick. I can’t think of 1 thing he does better than Edey. I’ve heard people say he has quicker feet but I’ve went back and looked at the tape and it’s marginal, at best. 
 

The nba is starting to cycle back to having bigger rim protecting bigs that don’t shoot the 3 as well. I can see Edey filling a role and potentially thriving in one if the game returns to more traditional bigs who rebound, defend and get to the line. 

Do you watch the NBA? It’s not returning to traditional bigs and it’s not going to. He might find a role off the bench on a team that wants a big body to throw at teams, but his size is not in any way the advantage it is in college 

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

2 hours ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Do you watch the NBA? It’s not returning to traditional bigs and it’s not going to. He might find a role off the bench on a team that wants a big body to throw at teams, but his size is not in any way the advantage it is in college 

It's still an advantage at the rim. Teams won't be feeding him in the post obviously but looking at room protectors that aren't exactly Speedy Gonzalez like Gobert, Kessler or even big bodies like Zubac, Nurkic and Valanciunas. Edey surprisingly had some decent agility scores at the combine last season. Will he find a spot in the NBA? No clue. But it's a pretty ridiculous time in the sport when really good basketball players can't find a spot, considering how some mediocre and worse players can find a spot.

[HoosierHoopster]

7 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

It's still an advantage at the rim. Teams won't be feeding him in the post obviously but looking at room protectors that aren't exactly Speedy Gonzalez like Gobert, Kessler or even big bodies like Zubac, Nurkic and Valanciunas. Edey surprisingly had some decent agility scores at the combine last season. Will he find a spot in the NBA? No clue. But it's a pretty ridiculous time in the sport when really good basketball players can't find a spot, considering how some mediocre and worse players can find a spot.

Fair points until you say mediocre and worse players? The NBA is loaded with the best players in the world. It’s just a fact that many many very good college players are just not good enough, athletic enough, etc (eg Hulls) to make it in the NBA, and guys like Zubac are not Edey. Zubac would own Edey, don’t think you’ve watched him play. 
Edey couldn’t sniff a draft spot last year. Why is that? Can he get drafted this year? He might, in the second round, but it will need to he a team that wants him off the bench for a big body

[HoosierTrav]

11 hours ago, KingPG21 said:

What bigs are you talking about? The best two bigs, Jokic and Embiid, both shoot 3s. And if your referencing someone like AD there is no comp to Edey, AD is a freak athletically who can face up his man. I have no idea what bigs this post is referencing when the #1 pick in the last draft was a big who was the #1 pick because of his ability to face dudes up and shoot. But yah, sure the NBA is cycling back to  bigs with little to no on ball skills who can't shoot.

 

I clearly struck a nerve! Haha. I see your point though and I perhaps misspoke when I said the league is moving away from this type of player. I should have said that you are starting to see the nba be more accepting of the older archetype. There are plenty of guys outside of AD, Jokic (who operates in bulk out of the post) and Wemby that fit the more traditional style. Are you asking me to list them all or provide a few small examples?
 

maybe I’m wrong but during Golden State’s run, it seemed like every team was shifting to smaller ball and playing on the perimeter exclusively. 
 

Also, I’m not sure you can use Wemby to refute the point. He's as much of an exclusion to any rule as you will have when it comes to player types. He wasn’t the #1 pick bc of his ability to face up and shoot. If that’s the case, then take the kids from Yale or ISU with the #1 pick. He was drafted #1 overall bc there has never been a player, with his size and length, possess the overall skill and athleticism he has. 

Either way…. Wasn’t trying to be combative. Just stating an opinion.