What is Your Unpopular NBA Hot Take?

[Moranis]

Jokic is a top 6 Center of all time. Prime Arvydas Sabonis was even better. Too bad his prime was cut short. If it weren't for the injuries, Sabas would have been a GOAT candidate.

Who is Jokic better than of Kareem, Wilt, Bill, Shaq, Hakeem, Moses?  Let alone guys like the Admiral, Ewing, and Walton

[Jvalin]

Jokic is a top 6 Center of all time. Prime Arvydas Sabonis was even better. Too bad his prime was cut short. If it weren't for the injuries, Sabas would have been a GOAT candidate.

Who is Jokic better than of Kareem, Wilt, Bill, Shaq, Hakeem, Moses?  Let alone guys like the Admiral, Ewing, and Walton

Moses. We had a similar conversation during the 2021 Historical Draft.

With the 8th pick of the 1st round, the Milwaukee Bucks select Nikola Jokić.

Imo, the best Center in the draft. Obviously, he ain't got the accolades of Moses, but he's only 25 years old. The guy led a mediocre Nuggets team to the WCF last season. When all is said and done, I firmly believe he'll be considered a better player than Moses. According to the advanced stats, he's already better than prime Moses.

Seems a bit early for Jokic.  Certainly could end up in the pantheon one day, but seems a bit early for me for a guy that isn't an elite scorer nor a very good defender.  Certainly an excellent all around offensive player and the best passing big man available, I just think it was a touch early for him.

Not many multiple MVP's available, though I do worry about Nash's defense.  Pair him with some strong wing defenders and I think he could be all right, they just have to fit with him offensively which is far more difficult in this given the dearth of excellent 2-way players. 

But these last two picks are why I think this draft will be like no other.  Even the 1st round picks have real flaws, which makes this so exciting and interesting.

I would argue he's a better defender than Moses. He ain't quick enough to defend the perimeter, but he's a massively underrated PnR defender.

https://fadeawayworld.net/2020/02/27/nba-expert-nikola-jokic-is-the-best-pick-and-roll-defender-in-the-league/

He's also a big presence in the paint thanks to his length/strength. He allowed 0.71 PPP when posted up last season, which ranks in the 83.9th percentile. Moses had short hands, which held him back on the defensive side of the ball.

[18isGREATERthan72]

My Hot Take is that Ben Simmons on the Celtics, but playing as a Center would be an amazing lineup.

The guys weakness has been shooting, so put him in a position where he doesn't need to be a shooter.  He's had the unfortunate luck of being on the same team as one of the top 3 Centers in the league since he came in, and to maximize Embiid's game, you need some floor spacing.  This has made Ben look like a very lackluster basketball player.

Ben's strengths are perfect for this team though.  Imagine having your Center running the offense, and having your 1-4 be lengthy defenders that can switch most possessions.  I feel like a Lonzo / Simmons type of passer is exactly what this team needs, and I think Ben playing at Center would be so hard for a lot of teams to deal with.

[celticsclay]

I think wiggins could make all star team this year (or pool).

[keevsnick]

My Hot Take is that Ben Simmons on the Celtics, but playing as a Center would be an amazing lineup.

The guys weakness has been shooting, so put him in a position where he doesn't need to be a shooter.  He's had the unfortunate luck of being on the same team as one of the top 3 Centers in the league since he came in, and to maximize Embiid's game, you need some floor spacing.  This has made Ben look like a very lackluster basketball player.

Ben's strengths are perfect for this team though.  Imagine having your Center running the offense, and having your 1-4 be lengthy defenders that can switch most possessions.  I feel like a Lonzo / Simmons type of passer is exactly what this team needs, and I think Ben playing at Center would be so hard for a lot of teams to deal with.

The problem with all this is he's actually a terrible fit on a team that already has no shooting like the Celtics.

[18isGREATERthan72]

Is it possible the low shooting on this team is a byproduct of not having a true facilitator?

Tatum and Brown have both been pretty good shooters for their career, but I agree Tatum has had an extremely bad shooting slump this season so far.  Smart and Tatum are taking around 35% of the threes for the team, and are both shooting around 30%.  I'd consider Tatum more of someone who is in a slump and should bring his numbers up, and Marcus might benefit from receiving the pass and taking corner threes as opposed to being the facilitator of the offense.

[Jvalin]

My Hot Take is that Ben Simmons on the Celtics, but playing as a Center would be an amazing lineup.

The guys weakness has been shooting, so put him in a position where he doesn't need to be a shooter.  He's had the unfortunate luck of being on the same team as one of the top 3 Centers in the league since he came in, and to maximize Embiid's game, you need some floor spacing.  This has made Ben look like a very lackluster basketball player.

Ben's strengths are perfect for this team though.  Imagine having your Center running the offense, and having your 1-4 be lengthy defenders that can switch most possessions.  I feel like a Lonzo / Simmons type of passer is exactly what this team needs, and I think Ben playing at Center would be so hard for a lot of teams to deal with.

Couldn't agree more. TP!

The problem with all this is he's actually a terrible fit on a team that already has no shooting like the Celtics.

Both Brown and Tatum are very good shooters (unless you think Tatum has suddenly forgotten how to shoot the 3). Assuming we'd probably use Smart's contract for salary matching purposes, we could be starting Pritchard at PG. He's a terrific shooter with deep range. The remaining starter would most likely be Horford, hence Simmons would realisticaly start at PF. When Simmons plays at C (imo, his best position), we could be using G-Will at PF. Both Horford and G-Will can stretch the floor all the way to the 3pt line. We also have Nesmith who's a shooting specialist. Simmons could help him revitalize his career.

Worst case scenario, we'd fix the supporting cast during the offseason. What's important is that Simmons is a perfect fit next to the Jays.

[SHAQATTACK]

My Hot Take is that Ben Simmons on the Celtics, but playing as a Center would be an amazing lineup.

The guys weakness has been shooting, so put him in a position where he doesn't need to be a shooter.  He's had the unfortunate luck of being on the same team as one of the top 3 Centers in the league since he came in, and to maximize Embiid's game, you need some floor spacing.  This has made Ben look like a very lackluster basketball player.

Ben's strengths are perfect for this team though.  Imagine having your Center running the offense, and having your 1-4 be lengthy defenders that can switch most possessions.  I feel like a Lonzo / Simmons type of passer is exactly what this team needs, and I think Ben playing at Center would be so hard for a lot of teams to deal with.

The problem with all this is he's actually a terrible fit on a team that already has no shooting like the Celtics.

Agree…, we need another knock down gun slinger. With Simmons bad shooting added to Celtics that team could set some new historic BAD shooting records . …LOL

[Roy H.]

Jokic is a top 6 Center of all time. Prime Arvydas Sabonis was even better. Too bad his prime was cut short. If it weren't for the injuries, Sabas would have been a GOAT candidate.

Who is Jokic better than of Kareem, Wilt, Bill, Shaq, Hakeem, Moses?  Let alone guys like the Admiral, Ewing, and Walton

And, if it suits you, Duncan.

[celticsclay]

My Hot Take is that Ben Simmons on the Celtics, but playing as a Center would be an amazing lineup.

The guys weakness has been shooting, so put him in a position where he doesn't need to be a shooter.  He's had the unfortunate luck of being on the same team as one of the top 3 Centers in the league since he came in, and to maximize Embiid's game, you need some floor spacing.  This has made Ben look like a very lackluster basketball player.

Ben's strengths are perfect for this team though.  Imagine having your Center running the offense, and having your 1-4 be lengthy defenders that can switch most possessions.  I feel like a Lonzo / Simmons type of passer is exactly what this team needs, and I think Ben playing at Center would be so hard for a lot of teams to deal with.

The problem with all this is he's actually a terrible fit on a team that already has no shooting like the Celtics.

Agree…, we need another knock down gun slinger. With Simmons bad shooting added to Celtics that team could set some new historic BAD shooting records . …LOL

Beal would be nice. Or Katt. These both seem even more like pipe dreams given how good those two teams are playing.

[Ed Monix]

Jokic is a top 6 Center of all time. Prime Arvydas Sabonis was even better. Too bad his prime was cut short. If it weren't for the injuries, Sabas would have been a GOAT candidate.

Who is Jokic better than of Kareem, Wilt, Bill, Shaq, Hakeem, Moses?  Let alone guys like the Admiral, Ewing, and Walton

IMO, Jokic is a power forward with a playing style similar to Larry Bird, just with less athleticism and a bigger frame.

[Walker Wiggle]

We are currently living through the equivalent of the 1990s baseball steroid era for basketball, where much of the individual and team outcomes in the league is determined by who’s got the right doctors and is on the right substances.

[Moranis]

Jokic is a top 6 Center of all time. Prime Arvydas Sabonis was even better. Too bad his prime was cut short. If it weren't for the injuries, Sabas would have been a GOAT candidate.

Who is Jokic better than of Kareem, Wilt, Bill, Shaq, Hakeem, Moses?  Let alone guys like the Admiral, Ewing, and Walton

Moses. We had a similar conversation during the 2021 Historical Draft.

With the 8th pick of the 1st round, the Milwaukee Bucks select Nikola Jokić.

Imo, the best Center in the draft. Obviously, he ain't got the accolades of Moses, but he's only 25 years old. The guy led a mediocre Nuggets team to the WCF last season. When all is said and done, I firmly believe he'll be considered a better player than Moses. According to the advanced stats, he's already better than prime Moses.

Seems a bit early for Jokic.  Certainly could end up in the pantheon one day, but seems a bit early for me for a guy that isn't an elite scorer nor a very good defender.  Certainly an excellent all around offensive player and the best passing big man available, I just think it was a touch early for him.

Not many multiple MVP's available, though I do worry about Nash's defense.  Pair him with some strong wing defenders and I think he could be all right, they just have to fit with him offensively which is far more difficult in this given the dearth of excellent 2-way players. 

But these last two picks are why I think this draft will be like no other.  Even the 1st round picks have real flaws, which makes this so exciting and interesting.

I would argue he's a better defender than Moses. He ain't quick enough to defend the perimeter, but he's a massively underrated PnR defender.

https://fadeawayworld.net/2020/02/27/nba-expert-nikola-jokic-is-the-best-pick-and-roll-defender-in-the-league/

He's also a big presence in the paint thanks to his length/strength. He allowed 0.71 PPP when posted up last season, which ranks in the 83.9th percentile. Moses had short hands, which held him back on the defensive side of the ball.

You said "when all is said and done, I firmly believe he will be considered a better player than Moses". All isn't said and done.  He has done no where near enough to be anywhere near Moses on the all time list.  He isn't anywhere near the top 10 at this time. 


Honestly there are only a handful of players that are currently playing that are in the top 10 all time of their positions right now.  Lebron, Durant, Paul, and Curry are obvious.  I think Giannis already has a pretty strong case as a top 10 PF.  And then it starts being preference on guys like Carmelo, Harden, and a couple of others.

[dannyboy35]

  I’d move massively overpay and give Indy all picks and swaps and whatever combo of players except the jays for Sabonis and get a coach that preaches movement  without the ball and try acquiring players with more shooting even if they’re not as good defenders. As long as they compete hard.

[GreenlyGreeny]

We are currently living through the equivalent of the 1990s baseball steroid era for basketball, where much of the individual and team outcomes in the league is determined by who’s got the right doctors and is on the right substances.

Clearly the two best teams in the league are led by Steph Curry and Chris Paul, so I’m not sure substances are a driving factor here by any means…