Pre-Training Camp Distraction: 5-on-5

[IamQuailman]

Good morning, everyone, and Happy Training Camp Day!

With everyone on pins and needles waiting to see what the sim gawds have in store for the future of his franchise, I decided to get a panel of GMs together for a good old-fashioned 5-on-5 Q&A session (with me giving my humble thoughts at the end of each question). We know how all of these go, so I will just cut straight to the chase! I introduce to you our panel...

...GM of the Orlando Magic, False9!
...GM of the Brooklyn Nets, rpf!
...GM of the Utah Jazz, digiskunk!
...on-again, off-again GM of the Houston Rockets, 78#!
...GM of the 2016-17 SLOE Champion San Antonio Spurs, Eazy P!

Thank you for your participation gentleman... let's begin!

1. This draft saw many teams within the top 15 with multiple picks (Boston with #1 and #4; Utah with #2, #5 & #11; Raptors with #10 and #13). Based solely on these picks alone, what was the best value pick for each team?

False9: Can the number one pick be the best value pick? I really like Pak/Towns- he was the number one player on my board by far. His potentials are high in all the right places, and with some training in quickness, he’ll be an elite power forward by the time his rookie contract ends. For the Jazz, I really like Joseph Kight with the 11th pick. This is the first draft I remember with multiple decently sized small forwards, and Gary’s got two of them. Right now, he’s an average defender, but training can fix that. I thinking if Gary can max out minutes for Hawkins, Kight, and Neeley, he’ll have a bright future (if he can be patient). Besides his name, I’m not super enthused on Roscoe Diggs. I do like Brett Lopez- he’s listed as a power forward but should be moved to center. He’ll need some block training, but he can be a solid starting center in time.

rpf: It's really hard for me to say because with the college players, you cant really tell yet. If i had to guess it would have to be the Celtics because of KAT.

digiskunk: Wow, that's a loaded question! I think the response depends on the direction of the team. Boston made the safest selection by choosing Elmer Pak, who's undoubtedly going to develop into one of the finest big men in the league. With the #2 overall pick, I attempted to rebuild my roster by adding DaShawn Hawkins, a small forward who seemingly has the high ceiling. Matter of fact, I was split between him and Ronald Small, the point guard; I couldn't decide between the two, so I opted for the forward and then later picked Robert Neeley with the 5th pick. This draft was seemingly pretty loaded, though. There were great prospects available at the later picks in the first round. The Raptors selected Brett Lopez, who was honestly high on my draft board (after John Hagerman, of course). I think that was a really safe selection for them. I would wish them luck in the future, but Frye anybody who isn't the Utah Jazz. Can I get a hell yeah?

78#: For Boston, I have to say that somehow ending up with Karl-Anthony Towns after drafting a no name like Wilmer Pak is a huge deal. How does this even happen? Did Conroy somehow discover a boom tube and transport KAT from another time or dimension? Unbelievable! For the Jazz, the biggest value was their GM being sober enough not just to make one pick, but two picks!! That's amazing in itself. I like both picks, but I think DeSean Hawkins will give them more value long-term if he sticks to scoring in the paint and shooting 3's. Stay away from long perimeter jumpers! I like what the Raptors did at #13 getting Roscoe Diggs. This kid can score and defend. I'm not sold with Brent Lopez who comes from a line of soft centers like his brothers Brook and Robin.

Eazy P: Well Boston's best value pick has to be the 1st overall pick. Picking up the Best Player in the Draft KAT. He has great potential everywhere except 3 point shooting but dude is going to be a force for years to come once he reach his potential. Jazz's best value pick was a hard one between Joseph Kight and Robert Neeley but I am going to go with the 5th pick Neeley. He should get a lot of playing time this season being the only PG (not Paul George) on the team. I think he will put up some nice numbers this season. Picking the Raptors Best Value is hard because his picks may not see the floor this season unless they have an epic TC. It's hard to gauge his best value pick on paper at the moment. I will go with Roscoe Diggs. I think his best value pick may come next season......#1 overall

Quailman: Great answers, guys! KAT is was obviously the best value of Conroy's picks for the Celtics. If the Jazz had taken a guard with #2 overall, I think Kight could have been the steal of the lotto. And Roscoe Diggs looks like he could be a poor man's pre-TC-nerfed Jimmy Butler. Let's get to the next question!

2. Trade activity was at some of the highest we've seen in seasons during this off-season. What trade shocked you the most? Which trade was your favorite move? Which trade hurt the team's outlook more than helped (thus far through UFA Round 2)?

False9: I was surprised by the Chris Paul trade- long overdue for LHamilton. The price wasn’t bad for Nick and makes sense in terms of maximizing his window. Just don’t make me look at that tax bill in a few years. My favorite trade was Rudy Gay- good wing player are scarce, and being able to land him at the cost of Bazemore, a 2020 first, and dumping off the Henson contract is a steal. The Knicks look like the team to beat out East. Let’s make this ALL ABOUT THE WARRIORS, LIKE REAL LIFE. Their trades hurt from a winning perspective, but they made sense. No one likes the tax man, and it’s time to extract value before it’s too late.

rpf: I was really surprised to see Chris Paul go for so cheap especially to the Pelicans, who have 4 players and are over the cap by $34 million. I will answer this the same way, the Chris Paul trade. Nick has a great starting 4 but they are old and absolutely ZERO DEPTH.

digiskunk: I'm sorry for doing this, but I think I'll nominate myself. Paul George was on the last year of his contract, and I would have had to battle to re-sign him to an incredibly large contract. If I wasn't able to win a title before (with him on a cheap contract), chances are, I wouldn't have been able to do it after signing him to a larger contract — so I decided to rebuild the entire time. In all honesty, I was really, really, really satisfied with how this went. Much credit to the people who made this happen.

78#: Seeing the Spurs trade for DeAndre Jordan was a huge shock especially with him being in my division. So it's not my favorite move for sure. I really like the Magic going for it and trading for Paul George and James Harden. Give him credit for wanting to win now. I'm not sure why the Pelicans traded for Chris Paul when they have Lillard. Paul will already take a TC hit at his age and he's signed for two seasons. The Pelicans actually could have filled that cap space somewhere else.

Eazy P: The trade that shocked me the most was mine cause as everyone knows I don't make deals like the one I made for DeAndre. I am more of a conservative person when trading but this isn't about me tho. The trade that also shocked me was The Jazz trading away PG 13. Time will tell if this benefited both teams only cause draft picks take a little longer to develop than usual we won't until 5-7 seasons from now if it helped or hurt both teams.

Quailman: Nice takes, gents. I'm surprised no one mentioned it, but I thought the biggest shock was Wig trading Harden for Ellinger. I didn't see that one coming at all. My favorite move was the Spurs getting Deandre Jordan. 2 past DPOYs playing at a high level on the same team. That is SCARY. I'm not really sold on the Chris Paul trade, especially with TC looming and having zero-depth behind their starting 4. But we know Nick isn't scared to make a move if things aren't working. So Paul will probably be gone before the deadline. Next question!

3. Last season's NBA Finals featured two teams no one had expected to be there at the beginning of last year. Both of these teams made huge moves to gear up for another run, including purging the Warriors of their 2 purple potential players. Which PP will make the bigger impact on their respective team? With all their moves taken into account thus far, who do you think has the best chance of a return to the Finals?

False9: I think Gay has the bigger impact*- that Knicks lineup is loaded across the board. Oh , what’s that asterisk? That’s the “assuming Chandler stays relevant after training camp” asterisk. He’s already up there in age, so it’s always a gamble with the TC gods. If things don’t work out, they could be a big man short. That’s actually why I like the Jordan move better- it weakens a conference rival, and DJ/Josh Smith/Weakbrook is a tough trio.

rpf: I would say DeAndre Jordan to the Spurs. He brings a huge defensive presence to them along with elite rebounding. And with the Spurs roster, whatever scoring he brings is pretty much lagniappe. All things considered Eazy is a bitch tho. I think the Knicks have a great chance to repeat as Eastern Conference Champion. Depth is the word you keep hearing out of New York.

digiskunk: I'll be honest, the Warriors have always been a great ballclub — at least during my tenure. They seem to make very sound, logical moves, so with that in mind, I would bet on them making a return.

78#: I think Jordan will make a bigger impact because he will control the paint defensively and rebounding allowing Josh Smith to roam free. Plus Gay will take a decrease in TC due to being 31. However, I think the Knicks are deeper and more balanced and they have a reliable go-to-guy and I can see them having a better chance of getting to the Finals.

Eazy P: I would say Rudy Gay. If the Knicks had him during last season's finals the would have probably won in 5. Reason being the Spurs SF spot was a major weak spot last season and with Gay there he would have dominated. I think with Gay there now they are even more balanced. I like the Rudy Gay pickup a lot. Who has the best chance of returning barring any injuries and TC casualties I would have to go with my Spurs. Knicks may have a tough time getting pass the Bucks who's team is looking good on paper at the moment and the Magic who has a pretty good looking team. Knicks still make it to the eastern conference finals tho.

Quailman: Seems majority seem to be on board with Deandre Jordan... and then we have Gary talking about the Warriors for some reason. BUTTTTT I think I'm going to say agree with Eazy here that the Gay trade will have the bigger impact. It gives the Knicks that dominant scorer that they have been looking for since Wes Matthews trade last season.

4. As mentioned before, there was a lot of player movement in the last week, with plenty of teams reshuffled and the power shifting within divisions and conferences alike. Which big move maker will make the biggest leap this year? What playoff team will have the biggest fall?

False9: Again, I’m going to make this Warriors centric- they’ll have the biggest dropoff for the obvious reasons above. As far as the biggest leap, I‘m hesitant to say myself (ugh, Tyreke. I’ll address that in a future column), so I’ll say look for the Bobcats to make the playoffs. Out West, I kinda like Nuggets to give Ryan his smile back. They’ll have better balance, and some valuable trade chips to go in either direction.

rpf: I would have said the Magic if they brought back Tyreke Evans but thats another story for another article. I want to say the Bucks. None of the moves are flashy but they all are quality moves that together make a formidable roster from top to bottom. Eazy answer is the once mighty Warriors, they pretty much sold everything getting ready for the long rebuild.

digiskunk: I'm a huge fan of the Bucks — always have been, always will. Their GM understands what it takes to win, and he makes deals based on the future. And that, in my opinion, is a winning strategy. To be honest, I often take a look at their roster and wonder why they haven't won the NBA Finals yet. They're simply that good. I think they've just had some bad luck. Bucks didn't really make many huge moves this offseason, but they didn't need to. They just made the "right" deals.

78#: I really like what the Bobcats are doing. It started last year with trading for Wall and now they've added to it with Kanter and Adrien. Look for them to make a nice jump. I think the Magic will improve as well. I look for the Warriors to take a fall after trading two big pieces. They're looking to get younger and plus there's a question of who's running the team.

Eazy P: I think the Bobcats will make the biggest leap and make it into the post season. The playoff team to make the biggest fall are the Cavs.

Quailman: In order to shy away from self-fellating, I'm going to agree with both 78 and false9 here. This is going to be a fun one to watch. It's a toss-up between the Bobcats and Magic. Both of these guys made huge moves to be players in the same division, which has historically been pathetic since the re-alignment. I think I have to give the edge to the Magic, as I think they have the star power to unseat the Hawks. Biggest fall is easy - Warriors have gutted their team setting up for a long rebuild. Last question...

5. Let's loop back to the draft. Potential colors are always a old and reliable way to judge talent; however, it's not always indicative of performance on court. Pick one green and one yellow potential player that you think will outperform his color potential. Next, which green potential player is a "false green" (green potential but will probably be total poo)?

False9: One of my favorite greens was Granville Mick. He’ll need a speed boost, but has potentials in all the right spots for a 2. A green I didn't like was Roscoe Diggs. Great name, bad handles and passing. He's got B inside potential and decent jump, but how the hell are you getting to the basket with a 4 dribble? As far as a yellow sleeper, how about Jose Jumper? “A” potential for a big man is always nice. Also, another great name from the college draft classes.

rpf: Isaias Stumpf came from nowhere and made a name for himself last season. Be on the lookout for the y/g Tristan Bosworth from the Lakers. The y/y to look out for is Wilbert Paschall from the Nets.

digiskunk: This player isn't part of the question, but one of my favorite players in this draft was John Hagerman. He's an orange with green potential (I think). He has great inside-scoring and offensive rebounding abilities, and I feel as if he was overlooked by early estimates. I'm glad he landed where he did. With that said, there were sooo many good players in the green. I feel as if my own Robert Neeley will outperform his potential; I'm gonna play him for so many minutes this upcoming season. I'm unsure about the yellows, though. I wasn't selecting during that period so I really have no opinion. But I would say that this "Mack" prospect will be a bust. He just lacks the quickness that this league requires to be an efficient everyday player!

78#: I think Robert Neely will outplay his color. He's really athletic and as he gets stronger, look for him to be a scoring dynamo. I think Brent Lopez will be poo. Another soft Lopez center with slow foot, can't jump, no defense, and an overrated inside game. This guy will be a joke for many years to come.

Eazy P: Green potential that will out perform his potential is Boyd Session. Yellow potential that will out perform his potential is Edwin Tidwell. False green is Lawrence Arbogast.

Quailman: I love Granville Mick; he's going to be a stud... but I am going to have to agree with digiskunk here. Hagerman will be the next Dirk Hardpeck. Maybe not this year, but he will leave his mark on the league and become one of the best PFs not named Anthony Davis, Kevin Love, and Buddy Pedraza. I picked (and unfortunately had to trade) Jose Jumper for a reason. Don't let that o/y coloring fool you. A INS, A ORB, B PSD and 99 STR all point to scoring dominance. Fakest Green of them all.. I'm surprised only one person jumped on this one... Lawrence Arbogast. He just looks GROSS.

Anyway that's a wrap! Thank you again everyone for your cooperation and contributions! This was fun and even if just briefly took our minds off our looming TC demises. Good luck to all!

[TheSyndicate]

digiskunk:...To be honest, I often take a look at their roster and wonder why they haven't won the NBA Finals yet...

Gary with the unintentional shade.

[TheSyndicate]

seriously, though, good job guyzzz

[Inner_GI]

You 6 can claim 5 points.

[Inner_GI]

This was one of the better 5 on 5s. I enjoyed it a lot.

[ballsohard]

But I would say that this "Mack" prospect will be a bust. He just lacks the quickness that this league requires to be an efficient everyday player!

Glol

[Conroy]

Great job by all here.

[NOLa.]

digiskunk: I'm a huge fan of the Bucks — always have been, always will... To be honest, I often take a look at their roster and wonder why they haven't won the NBA Finals yet.

Hahahahahahahahhahahahahaha

[Darth Vegito]

digiskunk: I'm a huge fan of the Bucks — always have been, always will... To be honest, I often take a look at their roster and wonder why they haven't won the NBA Finals yet.

Hahahahahahahahhahahahahaha

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