OFFICIAL 2023 NBA Draft MEGA THREAD with BRAND NEW Gonzo/Moneyball Draft Lotto Update. Put your big boards/mocks/draft stuff HERE!

[ALT GRIND 0]

This can be the OFFICIAL 2023 draft mega thread.  Last year someone started a draft thread in late July.  A bit early... but this year with preseason well underway and Vic/Scoot Round 1 in the books (I think Round 2 is on right now but I haven't tuned in or checked the box scores)....

Gonna go with a MONEYBALL (off-the-wall?) version of the big board.  Yeah, Vic/Scoot SHOULD be good, BUT teams will have to tank their ENTIRE season for a shot at either.  Might even have to pawn off some assets (SGA in OKC? by the REBUILD ends in OKC SGA might be on his 3rd contract).

Vic looks like VIDEO GAME Shawn Bradley.  The BEST OF Manute Bol highlights.  BUT, is that it?  Looked to have a sluggish motor and didn't do a ton on defense besides block shots (and there is MORE to defense than blocking shots).  Also got into foul trouble and only grabbed 4 rebounds.  He's basically what Jaren's mom thinks Jaren is.

Scoot looks good.  Ja LITE?  His team won and he looked like he picked his spots.  Looks more like an undersized 2 than a pure point guard.  Good athlete with explosiveness. Tried to dunk on Vic... but it didn't work.  Shades of Andrew Toney?  Although I never watched Andrew Toney play.  Deluxe Doc Rivers?

For MY money, what about going after a MONEYBALL version of Vic/Scoot?  Since i think that a team WINS the draft by getting BOTH Vic/Scoot, although that would be HARD.  A team like OKC would essentially have to land the number one overall pick AND trade SGA/Chet/Poku/future picks for a scratch-off lotto ticket (that lands at 2).

There are some other really, really good players in this class, too.  

Can't wait to do some more deep dives AND I am looking forward to college basketball season!

 

Gonzo/Moneyball Draft Lotto 1.0

 

1. Kendrick Davis (Memphis) -- good vibes with this guy.  IS he the guy we want Scoot Henderson to be?  Scoot is getting CP3 comps.  IF Kendrick Davis can be a MONEYBALL version of CP3 then that should be worth something.

2.  Jarace Walker -- tough, looks like a good all-around player.  Larry Johnson vibes.

3.  Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (Memphis) -- SUPER bouncy.  looks fluid.  Walks good.  Has a solid frame and good wingspan (around 7'4?).  He might be the guy I wanted Kostas Freak to be.  Possibly 150 spots too high, but oh well, in MONEYBALL terms he gives you those nice dunk/block shots archetypal vibes.  

4.  Victor Wembanyama -- getting lots of Ralph Sampson comps.  That's good.  BUT, Ralph didn't hold up all that well.  Might go with ANOTHER comp here, one of the dudes I compared to Kevin Durant coming out, and ironically, Vic is getting KD comps: Bob McAdoo -- can shoot and shoot and shoot, can score, and block shots... BUT can he put it all together?  Does the WIN TEST match the FANTASY STATS TEST?

5. Scoot Henderson -- I used to comp Ja Morant as the next Doc Gooden (thinking that Ja/Jaren are the best young sports duo since Doc/Darryl Strawberry for the Mets).  THIS might be a better comp for Scoot -- THE Doc Gooden of basketball.  Ironically, Glen Rivers' nickname is ALSO Doc so Doc Henderson should be a good nickname.  Didn't Doc Henderson play football at the University of Memphis???

6.  Keyonte George -- King George can get his.  

7.  Nick Smith, Jr. -- MONEYBALL D'Angelo Russell.  Good, crafty baller.  Might be a Moneyball version of Cade Cunningham.

8.  Amen Thompson -- bouncy 2 guard.  Is he related to David?  MIGHT be a little low for SKY JUNIOR but the draft is looking interesting.

9.  Dereck Lively -- Willie Cauley-Stein with a jumper and brain.  IF he can play smart and not take bad shots he MIGHT be AS effective as Vic.  ALSO getting BROKE TIM DUNCAN vibes from THE LIVELY ONE.

10.  Anthony Black -- another Cade-esque prospect.  CAN he play off-ball?  Arkansas should be fun to watch this year.  

11.  Drew Peterson -- shades of Franz meets Klay Thompson with hints of Craig Ehlo.  One of the older prospects.... just gets it done.  fairly low usage but looks like he can make some plays.  The Grizzlies worked him out I think... hopefully he is still on our radar.

12.  Kyle Filipowski -- I don't know THAT much about him but he looks like a good prospect.  Could show out more OR less playing next to Lively.  Although I wouldn't be shocked if Filipowski is BETTER.

13.  Cam Whitmore -- I think Jarace Walker is the guy we want Cam Whitmore to be, but, still a solid prospect.  I am seeing DeMar DeRozan comps -- I don't see that AT ALL.  Looks like Rodney Rodgers.  Shades of Ron Artest?  Ok, a Rodney Rodgers/Ron Artest mash-up sounds pretty good.  lol

14. Drew Pember -- another sleeper pick.  UNC-Asheville product used to be a UT Vol.  Seems to have a fairly high motor and given his bounce/tools I think he should be on draftniks' radar.

 

 

P.S.  I will probably post my SECOND draft lotto aka version 2.0 around Thanksgiving.  Thanks!

P.P.S.  Maybe I will be thoroughly discredited by Thanksgiving (or at least Lotto 1.0 will be), BUT it appears that Vic/Scoot are INFINITELY EXPENSIVE in terms of time/draft capital/player personnel. And, if EITHER get Kareem/LeBron (or even Shaq) hype I doubt it will be 100% deserved.

[ThaGhostOfThaBeet 0]

Last night, I was totally thinking “Why hasn’t Alt Grind posted his ‘23 Big Draft Board yet?”

[ALT GRIND 0]

1 hour ago, ThaGhostOfThaBeet said:

Last night, I was totally thinking “Why hasn’t Alt Grind posted his ‘23 Big Draft Board yet?”

What a coincidence! I was thinking the same thing!

Well guess it’s time; Vic sightings, preseason NBA and teams are already thinking of tanking.  lol

Victor Wembanyama looks really good but can he guard in space and switch?  Shot blocking is there.  He can shoot but supposedly he falls in love with his jumper a little too much.  
 

for the GriZZLIES:  focus on some under the radar types.  
 

So far in internal boards I have mostly had Vic at 1. Or Scoot.  Jarace Walker and Amen Thompson have been there.  Got a solid feeling about Kendrick Davis though. Probably won’t stay at 1 on my board all year but could end up fairly high (or even at 1).  Last year I had Jabari Smith Jr at the top spot from preseason basically wire to wire until the end.  Don’t see that happening this season since I like the top of this year’s board a bit better — although I do like the Jabari Smith Jr archetype and I don’t see that in the ‘23 draft.  

[smit-tay griz 0]

@ALT GRIND  you sure you're not related to Kevin B. Moses?

[ALT GRIND 0]

20 minutes ago, smit-tay griz said:

@ALT GRIND  you sure you're not related to Kevin B. Moses?

Pretty sure.

 

[smit-tay griz 0]

Just now, ALT GRIND said:

Pretty sure.

 

Okay, the thread title had me wondering.

[ALT GRIND 0]

34 minutes ago, smit-tay griz said:

Okay, the thread title had me wondering.

That might be the longest title I’ve done.  Maybe an actual board record 

[fanboyslim 0]

12 hours ago, ThaGhostOfThaBeet said:

Last night, I was totally thinking “Why hasn’t Alt Grind posted his ‘23 Big Draft Board yet?”

There are probably 4-5 threads already open from last season.

[ALT GRIND 0]

4 hours ago, fanboyslim said:

There are probably 4-5 threads already open from last season.

For the last draft, some complained of their being too many draft-related threads.

This year, I wanted to start the thread.  Ok, maybe a bit early but NOW is the time to start focusing on different prospect, and thinking of college games to go to or watch on TV.

Locally, the Memphis/Houston game should be intriguing.  ... Arkansas should have a loaded team.  Kentucky is probably a wild card.  The Wildcats could be REALLY good ... BUT Coach Cal has struggled even with LOADED teams.  Looks like Duke got a bunch of top guys (how long is Dariq Whitehead out for?), and it seems as if the new coach has the team ramping up really well for the immediate future.

Outside of Vic, I can't think of any super-hyped prospects or ones that will crash the party (lottery), BUT you never know.

[ACGrizz 0]

I'm a bit disappointed you haven't put together a 2027 and 2029 draft big board given the rumblings that we could've been involved in a trade for one of those Lakers picks. I'm disappointed in you, Alt...

[ALT GRIND 0]

4 minutes ago, ACGrizz said:

I'm a bit disappointed you haven't put together a 2027 and 2029 draft big board given the rumblings that we could've been involved in a trade for one of those Lakers picks. I'm disappointed in you, Alt...

I’ve got Bronny James as the best non-2023 prospect. Or, at least he’s up there. Nope wait, Matas Buzelis is first then Bronny.  Supposed to be a freakish big man coming up the ranks.... after that, who knows?  I have been trying to figure out since 2003 what a Post-LeBron NBA would look like... still can’t think of it.  Luka/Ja need to do work!!!! And we need something out of Zion and players of his caliber too.  
 

a few years ago I joked that the Golden Age of the ABA is truly upon us.  And, that the NBA gave off some last days of WCW/disco vibes.  Maybe so. Let’s see what happens.  
 

LeBron is tied to the league’s historical past having played with Shaq/Kobe.  And Tim Duncan when Duncan was in his PRIME (as well as Kobe’s later prime).  Didn’t play with Jordan but only missed MJ by one season.  So... not far removed from the Dream Team Era.  And, coexisted with Curry Ball.  

are Greek Freak/Jokic/Embiid tied to the past in the same way?  Closer to really good ABA guys than Dream Teamers.

I also joked that Ja, Luka, Zion, etc remind me of The Breakfast Club/Brat Pack. Well, that might be as good as it gets for awhile!

NBA closer to NHL and MLS than NFL in terms of cultural phenomena. NFL pretty much can’t screw it up.  But maybe Tua Whatevertaloga changes the perception of the NFL into Disco With Helmets.  College football attendance is tailing off...

20ish years ago the Onion had an online article where the headline said Florida Marlins generic speed demon (actually one of my favorite players but I forget his name) breaks DiMaggio’s hitting streak — the implication being... nobody was keeping up and breaking THE great MLB record was just kinda random.  Not tons of fanfare.  Well, Aaron Judge just broke the AL record for HR’s (actually the NON steroids) record and it feels like it’s not that big of a deal.  And this is the Yankees we are talking about with Judge looking like the ideal Lab Grown Baseball Superstar.

Things change, especially in sports.  The “Dream Team Era” is definitely over.  The LeBron/Steph/Durant Era is over or quickly running out of time. 

NBA/NHL/MLB/MLS/WNBA/AEW/college basketball: pick 2?

[ThaGhostOfThaBeet 0]

1 minute ago, ALT GRIND said:

I’ve got Bronny James as the best non-2023 prospect. Or, at least he’s up there. Nope wait, Matas Buzelis is first then Bronny.  Supposed to be a freakish big man coming up the ranks.... after that, who knows?  I have been trying to figure out since 2003 what a Post-LeBron NBA would look like... still can’t think of it.  Luka/Ja need to do work!!!! And we need something out of Zion and players of his caliber too.  
 

a few years ago I joked that the Golden Age of the ABA is truly upon us.  And, that the NBA gave off some last days of WCW/disco vibes.  Maybe so. Let’s see what happens.  
 

LeBron is tied to the league’s historical past having played with Shaq/Kobe.  And Tim Duncan when Duncan was in his PRIME (as well as Kobe’s later prime).  Didn’t play with Jordan but only missed MJ by one season.  So... not far removed from the Dream Team Era.  And, coexisted with Curry Ball.  

are Greek Freak/Jokic/Embiid tied to the past in the same way?  Closer to really good ABA guys than Dream Teamers.

I also joked that Ja, Luka, Zion, etc remind me of The Breakfast Club/Brat Pack. Well, that might be as good as it gets for awhile!

NBA closer to NHL and MLS than NFL in terms of cultural phenomena. NFL pretty much can’t screw it up.  But maybe Tua Whatevertaloga changes the perception of the NFL into Disco With Helmets.  College football attendance is tailing off...

20ish years ago the Onion had an online article where the headline said Florida Marlins generic speed demon (actually one of my favorite players but I forget his name) breaks DiMaggio’s hitting streak — the implication being... nobody was keeping up and breaking THE great MLB record was just kinda random.  Not tons of fanfare.  Well, Aaron Judge just broke the AL record for HR’s (actually the NON steroids) record and it feels like it’s not that big of a deal.  And this is the Yankees we are talking about with Judge looking like the ideal Lab Grown Baseball Superstar.

Things change, especially in sports.  The “Dream Team Era” is definitely over.  The LeBron/Steph/Durant Era is over or quickly running out of time. 

NBA/NHL/MLB/MLS/WNBA/AEW/college basketball: pick 2?

So you think Bronny is better than DJ Wagner?  Looks like Penny is recruiting both of them.  

[ALT GRIND 0]

3 minutes ago, ThaGhostOfThaBeet said:

So you think Bronny is better than DJ Wagner?  Looks like Penny is recruiting both of them.  

Bronny looks like a point guard.  Reminds me of Maurice Cheeks for some reason.  I always like comparing guys to those players.  I must have been a HUGE ‘83 Sixers fan as a 2 year old!  lol

Bronny appears to be a point guard.  I have thought for at least a year or so that Penny should recruit him.  Lots of people think that his recruiting process is gonna be toxic/high maintenance.  So far, the complete opposite.  
 

Getting Bronny to Memphis would be HUGE!  And, Daddy Bron could sign on cheap with the Grizzlies... or fund the entire city’s operating budget out of his piggy bank.

The DJ Wagner recruiting drama seems toxic/high maintenance.  
 

Maybe I wouldn’t build a team around DJ — although Bronny AND DJ might be IDEAL.  At least as a college basketball back court for one season.  Always thought D Rose/CDR was the most devastating college back court I have seen in my lifetime.  With legit more length than most NBA back courts.  Bronny/DJ could be a college version of Monroe/Frazier aka the Pearl and Clyde.  
 

back to other sports, Tua basically seizing up: bad look.  Probably wouldn’t buy NFL stock at these prices.  
 

college football needs my 10 game playoff idea:  top 6 conference champs (teams that win their conference title games) with 4 wild card teams.  6 conference champs get byes.  This is actually the new NBA (conference) playoff format.  Wild card games on Christmas.  Elite 8 utilizing the major, historical bowl games on New Years.  Then a “Final Four” at one location a week or two after that.  The title game might be a Monday Night football game 3 weeks after the Elite 8.  

Otani/Judge: 2 all time MLB greats.  Trout is down but not out.  Has MLB had 3 stars line up like this before? And they are STILL an after-thought, regional, nice league? Sad!

NHL: stays in its own lane. Unlike the NBA it understands its closer to MLS than NFL. Although I keep thinking that they (or another hockey league) could use a 2 point line.

Memphis could probably use a WNBA team if they ever reopen the Coliseum.  That league probably offers solid Moneyball value. Especially as a summer league. Especially in a town infamous for basketball (among other things).  
 

We should probably see if we could build a dome downtown (ElvisDome?) and try to get the Titans to relocate.

#MemphisTitans

#NFL901

[ALT GRIND 0]

I want to see Victor Wembanyama guard in space, switch and defend pick and rolls/pick and pops. The rebounding is less concerning. Probably needs a hook shot.  With him, I think you try to pair him with ANOTHER top '23 draft stud but that might be hard to pull off logistically.  Then you just auto-sign these guys for their SECOND contract.  Getting TWO awesome rookies (or, THREE) probably makes it a LOT easier to rebuild/reload the team, since your main guys are on the EXACT SAME TIMELINE.  Protracted, Process-esque "rebuilds" are probably SEVERELY OVERRATED.

 

 

P.P.S.  Finding Vic LITE and Scoot LITE will probably be the way to WIN the 2023 draft -- or at least place.  Getting two-way "throwback type" swingmen (who are ideally low usage or mid-major usage) would help, too.

[ALT GRIND 0]

Better Vic Wemby nickname?

LE FREAK?

Trade Machine Kareem?

Report.

Decide!

[ALT GRIND 0]

Like Kaodirichi, Damion Collins (Kentucky) looks bouncy.  Tested very well at Kentucky’s combine (but can you trust ANYTHING having to do with Coach Cal?).

Also around 6’9 with a 7’3 wingspan he played well several weeks ago in an exhibition tournament.  His purported 46 inch Max Vert is eye popping — but it seems like Kao is more vertically athletic/explosive and even more agile on defense. 

Vic is good but he looks MEH when moving laterally.  He can block shots but if you get up under him you can get your shot off — or get fouled.  
 

Kao/Collins might offer solid Moneyball value.  Kao has more UPSIDE than Vic although Kao’s floor is super low (compared to the hyped prospects like Wembanyama) and he might not even get enough minutes at Memphis. 
 

Dereck Lively is someone I am continuing to deep dive on, but he looks like a good compromise to all-world hype/pedigree AND potential tools/projectable skill set.

Vic is good, really good but if he can’t move laterally, or switch quick, or lock down/blitz the pick and roll then maybe he’s just a glorified Battle Ship with a streaky 3 point shot.

[kevofrommempho 0]

I think it is cool that there are two twins slated to be drafted high.  I'm always fascinated by sports playing identical twins and how one is usually much better than the other.  

[KyleB 0]

On 10/6/2022 at 9:20 PM, ALT GRIND said:

Pretty sure.

 

Is your first name Matt and last initial H?

You remind me of this kooky dude I grew up with who always wanted to be a sports writer and even interned at Sport56 for while years and years ago. He walked to the beat of his own drummer and was super ADD.

[ALT GRIND 0]

7 hours ago, KyleB said:

Is your first name Matt and last initial H?

You remind me of this kooky dude I grew up with who always wanted to be a sports writer and even interned at Sport56 for while years and years ago. He walked to the beat of his own drummer and was super ADD.

He didn’t even MARCH?  Just walked... wow... yeah... cool.  No that’s not me.  Although he probably posts here too.  
 

dang now I am gonna try to figure out who it is.

Lol

[ALT GRIND 0]

On 10/12/2022 at 9:08 AM, kevofrommempho said:

I think it is cool that there are two twins slated to be drafted high.  I'm always fascinated by sports playing identical twins and how one is usually much better than the other.  

Yeah... that should be fun!  Amen Thompson is supposed to be the freaky athlete while Ausar is supposed to be the 3 and D type although neither are great shooters.  
 

Amen is electric. Good bounce. Slasher.  I have had him at 1 in a couple of my internal big boards — he might be in that Scoot/Vic tier (or half a tier better or slightly worse).  
 

I actually still really like my top 3 (Kendric Davis/Jarace Walker/Kao Freak).  Although Kendric aka Special K? looks pretty small.  Jarace Walker looks like a Moneyball Larry Johnson or Broke Zion.  
 

Vic aka LeFreak is legit and the hyped big man of the future but maybe Kaodirichi is a guy you can plug into more defensive schemes/packages.  Blitzing pick and rolls with your center (who can also recover for chase down blocks) might be the new new thing.  
 

I wanna say the top several guys are Tier 1.75 to Tier 2.25/Tier 2.5.  
 

This is probably the time where scouts should start looking at games to go to.  Houston versus Memphis should be a good one for Moneyball types.... if Dereck Lively/Kyle Filopowski plays Kentucky (Daimion Collins) then that could be interesting.  

[tangogriz 0]

13 hours ago, KyleB said:

Is your first name Matt and last initial H?

You remind me of this kooky dude I grew up with who always wanted to be a sports writer and even interned at Sport56 for while years and years ago. He walked to the beat of his own drummer and was super ADD.

[ALT GRIND 0]

8 minutes ago, tangogriz said:

 

Whatever pads the stats on my draft thread....

Hopefully the draft stuff stays in as few a number of threads as possible, hopefully just mine.

[KyleB 0]

On 10/13/2022 at 11:22 PM, tangogriz said:

You know Matt? Last time I talked to him I think he was installing satellite dishes in north Mississippi, but that was a long long time ago.

[tangogriz 0]

By season's end, a third of the league could be tankers.

 

[King Dork 0]

How long until Brooklyn starts tanking and we get KD??