Theis - I like a lot. He's an upgrade over Jerebko (another one of your favorites) and can provide some rim running/energy this season.
I just don't get the Jerebko comparison. Theis is a big with length, Jerebko is not. There's more to say about them, but that's a yawning chasm.
Yabu - He has a good motor, but he's raw. And when I say "raw" I'm being kind to not say he flat out sucks. He has potential, but I'm very concerned about his lack of lift. Especially when going up against length.
There's some justice in your lift concern, I think. But he did recently have surgery on both feet and an enforced layoff for rehabbing them. Whether he can recover the impressive hops he's had is critical for his career - there's an opening for him to step into as a big.
Nader - Again, he's sort of a black hole. When he gets the ball he's usually going to shoot it... He won't be in the rotation and his minutes will be sporadic.
I bet that you're right about sporadic minutes, but as for being a "black hole", his D-League record says otherwise - assist % of 21.2 shows that he's mixing it up and looking to make a play. Was turnover-prone, too, though; and I thought that was the case in SL, too.
He's got some really enticing skills: moves super-quick with the ball, he's decisive, and he's got a repertoire of flips and floaters with a really supple wrist. Those are great skills for a ball-handler, since he's still a threat if he doesn't get all the way to the rim. Add reliable range shooting and you've got an NBA player.
Will he make the rotation this year? That's a steep climb, and I'd bet against it. You mention weaknesses in his defense - you've got a point, too, but I think that he'll be average or better; he's got a good body, good joints, and those quick feet. Broad shoulders (like Tatum and Brown) are good for D, good for driving into the paint. Quick reaction. He needs lower body work; risk of hamstring cramps and such, I'd guess.
Ojeleye - Perhaps the NBA's Mike Mamula. A combine king who's numbers don't reflect on the court. Lacks motor. Limited ball-handling skills. If you want to think he's the next Crowder, then so be it.
I think that you're mistaken to be so dismissive.
"Combine king" - you have wit, my friend.
About the motor - suffice it to say, that's not what I see.
He got significant minutes - what were they looking at? It's worth considering.
On defense, they had him guard up (Kaminsky) and down, and they had him with the group of backups that faced the Charlotte starters in the 3rd, guarding Marvin Williams. That group, by the way, had Yabusele at center (guarding Zeller).
On offense they had him spotting up, doing basic moves. Bottom line - they haven't worked him into the offense. He's probably learning a lot of new stuff right now.
Interestinger and interestinger. Marcus Smart came in for Kyrie. Last year he was virtually always on the floor with either Thomas or Rozier...
