*Ranked in terms of having the most successful careers

First of all, this is a really good draft. Teams should be trying to trade for multiple lottery picks, though I doubt any would be willing to give one up easily.

Tier I: Potential HOF

1 Luka Doncic: Barring being drafted by and playing on one of those teams with poisonous cultures, this guy is the real deal.

2 DeAndre Ayton: Does he have the drive to be a legitimate star?

 

Tier II: Top Picks in Most Other Drafts

3. Jaren Jackson Jr.: Almost total package to be a modern day big. Needs a go-to-move to punish smalls on switches.

4.  Mo Bamba: The jump shot is legit. But is he one of those guys who is too smart for his own good?

5. Marvin Bagley: Modern day Amare. The jumpshot will come.

6. Wendell Carter Jr.: Al Horford lite. Highest floor, most likely to have a long career that casual fans will forget about.

7. Kevin Knox: Won’t have to carry the offense in the NBA. Reps on the wings will serve him well. Calipari keeps churning these blue-chippers out.

 

Tier III: Solid Pros

8. Jerome Robinson: It’s going to take time, but highest floor of the wings in this draft.

9. Mikal Bridges: Most ready to contribute on a winning team (Side note: should watch Ray Allen and emulate how he hops into dribble pullups)

10. Collin Sexton: If he keeps his intensity after getting that first big check, he will stick in the league

11. Miles Bridges: Had no space to attack in college

12. Aaron Holiday: Royal blood line

13. Grayson Allen: I believe he is a good kid

14. Trae Young: 2018 Aaron Brooks

15. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Needs to play with a true shooting point.

16. Elie Okobo: Shooters going to shoot

17. Lonnie Walker: Ben McLemore?

 

Went a little bit deeper than I would’ve liked with this ranking. There are definitely guys that I missed.

 

1. Markelle Fultz
2. Lonzo Ball
3. Josh Jackson
4. De’Arron Fox
5. Jayson Tatum

 

Ranked in terms of having the most successful careers

*Dennis Smith Jr. will be a steal for the team that trades for him in 2-3 years. Kyle Lowry

*Johnathan Issac: can he guard 4s? can he finish against the bigger, stronger players of the NBA?

 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are too long, too fast, too athletic for the Warriors. The Warriors might win Game 5 at home, but they have almost no chance of winning the series. But for Steve Kerr and the rest of the staff, that is thinking too far ahead. To have a chance tonight they have to address the Thunder’s own Death Lineup. The Warriors cannot rely on their small lineup. Instead one of Bogut, Ezeli, or Speights needs to be on the court at all times. This means that Livingston will be unplayable. Barbosa and Igoudala need to soak up all the back-up point minutes. Defensive rebounding will be key.