Feign Disappointment

Example:

Wizard mock GM: "Hey, I'll give you Bilal Coulibaly as long as you give me Patty Mills and a couple second round picks

Heat GM: "That's a disappointing offer. Why would I do that? Have to lower the amount of second round picks.

Wizards GM: Fine, only one second round pick.

Heat GM; Alright, that's a fair dealing benefitting both sides.

Reason this works: When users see other GMs happy to make a deal and asserting themselves, wanting to get that deal done as quickly as possible, they start believing this deal really doesn't benefit them. Example:

Wizards GM: "Bilal Coulibaly for Patty Mills and a couple of second round picks."

Heat GM: "Sure!"

Wizards GM: "Wait a minute, you're scamming me. I need multiple unprotected FRPs now!"

Heat GM; "Dang it!"

Here is an instance where you should just take the first offer and run with it, but don't act too excited.

Wizards GM: "Bilal Coulibaly for Patty Mills and a couple second round picks."

Heat GM: "Hmm…

When we're talking about elite level scorers, we usually want them to be very versatile, as the more options you have, the more ways you can consistently punish a defense. When discussing these kinds of versatile scorers that can kill from just about anywhere on the floor, a term three-level scoring has been used, referring to those who shoot threes, those who shoot mid rangers, and those who get to the rim. It's true that if you do all three of these things, you're likely to be a pretty dang good player. But when evaluating NBA draft prospects, I don't think we should be labeling guys three-level scorers, because the three areas we've just mentioned are not actually the only way to score points.

Credit to HoopStudy (which is a basketball training Youtube channel) for enlightening me on this. In modern basketball, there are about six levels of scoring.

The first is straight at the rim scoring (think Ja Morant or Zion Williamson penetrating and dunking).

The second is outside of the …

I figured this was a good time to do a breakdown of the Heat since my morale is way up. We're 8-2 over our last 10 games, 2-0 since the All Star Break.

** The New Guys **

Our acquisitions over the trade deadline and buyout period have led to us making a deep roster. No matter what the injuries or suspensions are, we can always say we have enough. Part of that is having one of the best coaches in the NBA. Part of that is also having these players who buy into the culture. And another reason is having one of the best front offices in the league. During the buyout and trade period, we essentially turned Kyle Lowry and a 2027 protected first round pick into Terry Rozier and Delon Wright, meaning we have two skilled point guards who complement each other, can run offense, and fit within the defensive scheme.

My thoughts on Delon's first game were very positive. Last night he had 13 points, knocked down multiple threes, distributed the ball, and yes, was extremely active defensively. Delo…

Task for Fanspo Users:

Submit nominations to create a first team (5 players) of NBA athletes who choose not to pass the ball every time they touch it. You can choose to do this positionally or not positionally, depending on your preference. Nominations will be compiled and if we have enough votes we can create a second or third team….

Love love this move, delon flies around on defense, great distributor, knows how to play the game, unselfish, can knock down a three when needed. Going to be a great depth add especially with our injuries….

2/9/24

C, Baylor

7-0 height

235 pounds

5/14/04

Games scouted:

Against UCF

Against Auburn

Against TCU

Against Seton Hall

Against Duke

Stats: soon

Yves is one of the draft's best big men, and for pretty good reason. To start he's pretty good with all the basic big stuff. In more sophisticated terms, he's adept at what is expected from a typical NBA big man. On defense, Yves is a prolific shot blocker. He's not the most elastic jumper, fluid mover, or vertically amazing athlete but Yves knows how to block shots. He times his jumps well, is able to track the ball and mid air, and takes pride in swatting away shots. I just mentioned he's not a generational kind of athlete with crazy movement skills like a Wemby or a John Butler Jr But Yves' ability to cover ground is clearly underrated, especially considering his size. In help side defense, he's able to react quickly and take a few strides and get to the paint and block a shot. And in post defense, he certainly has the frame an…

2/6/24

G, Baylor

6-5 height

195 pounds

9/4/2004 birth date

Games scouted:

Against UCF

Against Auburn

Against TCU

Against Seton Hall

Against Duke

Stats: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/nba_draft/p/pJL6hO2g_BdHyQ/jakobe-walter-stats-by-quad

Jakobe's main skill on offense is shooting. He projects as one of the best pure shooters in the draft. The form is nice and smooth with one fluid motion, and he consistently generate arc, power, and accuracy in almost any situation. Any time he's open, has his feet set, and has time and space, you might as well add 3 points to his stats sheet before he even attempts the shot. Jakobe is that kind of shooter. His shooting versatility makes me believe he can be more than just a spot up guy. Walter can come off of a variety of off ball screen actions and is super active in the flow of the offense, cutting and frequently setting screens for other guys. he has the fluidity and speed to effectively create separation running off of screens. Overall, Jak…

Added the percentages for you guys this time

Did forget to add the Iowa State game, that's a Quad 1 as well

Quad 1 Stats

Games Netural vs. Auburn, Florida, Michigan St. Duke

Home vs. BYU and TCU

Away vs. Texas and UCF

Shooting

32-79 FG (40.5%), 17-41 3P (41.5%), 15-38 2PA (39.5%), 43-50 (86%)

Volume

9.9 FGAs, 5.1 3PA, 4.8 2PA, 6.3 FTA

Main stats:

15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks, 1.4 TOs, 2.8 fouls

Quad 2 stats

Games against Cincinnati, TCU, Kansas State

Shooting:

10-34 FG (31.3%), 6-14 2PA (42.9%)3-20 3PA (15%) 16-18 FTA (88.8%)

Volume

11.3 FGAs, 6.7 3PAs, 4.7 2PAs, 6.0 FTAs

Main stats: 12.3 points, 2.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 2.0 TOs, 3.0 fouls

Quad 3 stats

Games against Cornell, Oklahoma State, oREGON State

Shooting:

18-43 (41.9%) FGs, 9-22 3s (40.9%), 10-21 2s (47.6%), 9-10 FTs (90%)

Volume:

14.3 FG attempts, 7.3 3s, 7.0 2s, 3.3 FTs

Main stats: 18.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 block…

While those two are the main draws to watch Baylor, once you really watch a few really intriguing prospects in Jalen Bridges, Langston Love, Jayden Nunn, RayJ Dennis, and the two extra big men in the big room. Not to mention I really love the way Caleb Lohner plays basketball lol….

For draft scouts watching as many games as possible is great to recoup information about a prospect, but watching the right games - games that are challenging for the player and truly highlight their strengths and weaknesses is even more important. With that, I decided to try to gain some statistical information from prospects using their stats in Quad 1, Quad 2, Quad 3, and Quad 4 level games, to see if the leap in competition from each quad could stifle a player's production. First case study is a lot of people's top ranked college prospect, Cody Williams out of Colorado. He missed some games through the month of December, but we have enough games to list in every Quad. I'll try to do profiles for as many college players I can from here on out.

Note: I did this off of sheer math so if there are any mistakes that's on me.

** Quad 1 stats **

++Games: at Washington, at Washington State, at Colorado State++

Percentages:

15-26 shooting, 11-22 Twos, 3-4 3s, 13-15 FTs

*Volume: *

8.7 …

Just was wrapping up some Baylor film (I promise this is the week I will complete my writeup, if I don't live up to it you guys can throw me to fire), watched one half of the Baylor TCU game and was really impressed with the Hornfrogs. Super fun roster.

Micah Peavy may be my favorite out of Duncanville HS. Flies around the court, great anticipatory abilities in the passing lanes, comfortable attacking closeouts, shows some craft as a wing. Shooting seems to be a concern but love the baseline.

Emmanuel Miller is a paint hub, strong, athletic, gets good elevation, and has a bag as a post centric player.

Jameer Nelson Jr. (Jameer Nelson's son) seems like a really fundamentally sound player, fights on defense, has command of an offense, not sure if he's exactly a prospect but pedigree could lead him in the future to a backup point guard spot.

Trevian Tennyson is a really good shooter, versatile in the way he gets shots, also fights defensively, maybe a role player bet in the long run….

*Thoughts on the Rozier trade *

Before I dive into the dynamic Scary Terry can bring to our roster … Man, I have to clap it up for Kyle Terrell Lowry, in spite of the criticism he faced from Heat fans during his tenure. Yes, he came to Miami just a few years late. Yes, his hefty contract became a burden. Yes, he was far from the most explosive scoring point guard. But if you want to talk about a winning player, look no further than this man. The way he took charges, communicated on defense, guarded several positions fearlessly, made timely shots, and controlled the tempo was so valuable towards our championship pursuits. He took whatever role asked of him, mentored Gabe Vincent, and was another savvy, tough, gritty, Heat culture role player. I hope he goes back to Toronto. Even though we got a Kyle past his prime, I can now see why he's the greatest Raptor in the franchise's history (Kawhi, Vince, McGrady were better, but Lowry was greatest). W for the Hornets they got an expiring c…

Scouting Baylor right now (writeup coming soon). Have mixed feelings on Jakobe's upside offensively. Where are you guys at with him?…

Do you do any at all. Is it during the game? After the game? Curious to see some answers….

Since the Bucks don't have any tradeable first round picks decided to include a good prospect in MarJon, a filler in Pat, and a 2024 POR second, which I think is a pretty generous offer for delon considering he's 31 and on an expiring. *Ideas to make the value better are much appreciated. *

The main idea is for the Bucks to add a legit perimeter defender. To survive a league rampant of guard/wing scorers, you're going to need guards getting over screens and forcing mayhem. Wright is one of the best at the league at that and the most affordable one (I thought about maybe trading for Caruso but a first would surely be needed in that scenario).

Wizards get more good value and try to get good momentum for a rebuild going. A good asset in the draft, a flippable shooter in Pat, and another funky wing is a good way to do that….

Shoot I forgot Kansas if they're better than the schools listed here comment that

Kansas notable players: Ochai, Udoka, Braun, Gradey Dick, Joel, Devonte Graham, Grimes, Morris brothers, Oubre, Wiggins, Jalen Wilson

Kentucky notable players: AD, Booker, Herro, Quickley, Jamal, Maxey, Lyles, Bam, Keldon, Monk, Randle, SGA, Shaedon, KAT, Cason, Vando

Duke notable players: Grayson, Paolo, RJ Barett, WCJ, Seth, AJ Griffin, BI, Kyrie, Jones brothers, Kennard, Lively, Zion, Trent, Tatum, Plumlee, Mark Williams

UNC notable players: Cole Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Reggie Bullock, Cam Johnson, Kessler (transfer), Nassir, Coby White

UCLA notable players: Kyle Anderson, Lonzo, Jrue, Jaime, Zach LaVine, Looney, K Love, Norman Powell, Russ, Peyton Watson

Villanova notable players: Saddiq Bey, Arcidiacono, Mikal, Brunson, Donte, Gillespie, Hart, Lowry, JRE, Whitmore

UConn notable players: Bouknight, Drummond, Hawkins, Andre Jackson (Kemba and Rudy Gay as well, but they're not on teams)…