Good morning, my beautiful people.
The NBA draft, the most hectic night in the entire NBA season, is upon us. The night that makes and breaks careers, the night where absolute gems of players are found deep in the late rounds, and the night where some poor souls get sent to their doom. I’m going to be writing this journal all through out the draft, telling y’all my takes and predictions, and just whatever random thoughts flow through my head.
No. 1 Overall: Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards, Guard, Georgia
Yes! There is nothing more exciting for me then calling things right. In this case Anthony Edwards going number one. I love that pick for the wolves, he just fits better than Wiseman and Ball. He is the last piece of what could be a nasty big three with De-Lo Russell and KAT. His strength, and pure athleticism is just what they need to compliment Russell in the backcourt, and his shooting is just something that every team wants. Amazing pick by the wolves.
No. 2 Overall: Warriors
James Wiseman, Center, Memphis
That makes me two for two, and y’all heard it here first, Wiseman’s going to win a ring in his first season. The Warriors are almost at full strength, and he is almost the perfect complement to Stephen Curry. He’s going to be so dangerous in Pick and Rolls, and his rim running is going to spread the floor by giving the Warriors so room to operate outside the arc. I love this pick for Dub-City.
**So… I wrote the above piece about the Warriors before I heard about Klay, who tore his Achilles and is out for another season. My prediction remains, but it’s much less sure now.**
No. 3 Overall: Hornets
LaMelo Ball, Guard
Three for three. Yessir. LaMelo is the great player all around, his playmaking and basketball IQ rival his brother’s, If they’re not even better. Add to that his shooting and floaters, and he might, might, have the highest ceiling in this draft. Sadly, he went to Charlotte, but happily for them, they seem to have an Identity for the first time in many many years.
No. 4 Overall: Bulls
Patrick Williams, Forward, Florida State
So... um… this one caught me off guard. Ruined my streak too. (I’m pouting as I type this) Williams is a pure athlete. He’s 6’8”, 225 lbs., and he’s just fast. He’s a raw offensive talent, but is also the second youngest in the draft, with a lot of upside. This early though, the Bulls are either playing chess and I’m playing checkers, or they’re just dumb. Williams game doesn’t really have much range, which will make it difficult to play alongside Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.
No. 5 Overall: Cavaliers
Isaac Okoro, Forward, Auburn
This is just smart. Okoro is the best defender in this draft, and the Cavs need defense. He’s a young, pure athlete that compliments and adds to the young core of Sexton, Kevin Porter Jr., and Darius Garland. I like the pick, but I don’t expect to see much production from him, at least not in PPG. But defensively, I predict he averages around 2.3 steals per game, similar to a Matisse Thybulle type role in his first year.
No. 6 Overall: Hawks
Onyeka Okongwu, Center, USC
This is another just smart pick. The Hawks, who’s best player is a small, fast, shooting guard, just picked a big, strong, defending big. These two are going to be a really nice 1-2 punch if they can build the chemistry and consistency. Plain and simple selection, if they can find a way to put Okongwu alongside Clint Capela and John Collins in the paint.
No. 7 Overall: Pistons
Killian Hayes, Guard, France
Hayes is my personal favorite of this draft class. I just his style, the way he reads the game, and his pure scoring. The word I’ve heard people use to describe Hayes is polarizing. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor ranked him as the best player in the draft, over Edwards and Ball, but many big boards had him in the 10-20 range. I had him at 7, so I’m proud of myself.