Always interesting to see what Ford has to say. Two weird things from my perspective:
-How can you take Ellenson over Poeltl? Is it because Ellenson might possibly one day develop a 3 point shot? Give me a defense-first center who also scores efficiently + prolifically in the paint any day over a maybe-stretch-4 who will be a liability on defense, and who doesn't score efficiently from anywhere.
-Guards who measure under 6'2 always get underrated, and Demetrius Jackson is the latest example. What people usually forget to mention is that he isn't just athletic, he's the most athletic player in the draft. He gets to the rim and draws fouls at will. He is also one of the best shooters in the class, he has good strength+length for his height, and his on-ball defense is excellent. How do you pass on him in the lottery?
I think 3. Murray 4. Dunn 5. Bender is reasonable, though if the C's are drafting 3 I think we need to take Bender.
Loco, good point on Ellenson/Poeltl, but Jackson is not the most athletic player in the Draft. That would be Jaylen Brown. He scores a 97 out of 100 on my unofficial/official eye test.
Athletically ID take Simmons over DJ as well, you have to factor in Big Ben's size 6'10" 240 pounds, and he's got a 40" vertical. That's amazing.
I would bet Simmons beats him in the 3/4 court sprint test coming up as well, Simmons can really move.
Brown is a freak of nature in his own right, and the comparison between guys of such different sizes is subjective. But to my eye Jackson is the most athletic guard to enter the draft since Wall. Compared with Lavine he doesn't have that effortless bounce, but he's much stronger and more powerful.
Simmons has elite quickness for his size, but Jackson is going to embarass him in a short sprint or in a leaping competition.
There's a long history of freakishly athletic PG's developing surprisingly well in the NBA. That's why Ainge took Rozier at #16 (though I didn't love the pick). I think it's pure folly to pass on Jackson in the late lotto, and honestly I can see him going much earlier after teams see him work out.