Welcome Hugo Gonzalez

[flybono]

You all have to admit Walsh was and is a bust! Garbage pick at the time especially after he got exposed in NCAA tournament

Far as this kid? See Mader see Begarin

You cannot justify these young foreign players especially if they decide not to play in NBA
McNeely was available, could be a huge miss!

[Kuberski33]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

Playing at BYU would have been great exposure for him. Why would he choose to stay overseas to play 10 minutes a game, potentially costing himself millions? I think he knew he wasn?t ready to step into a position at BYU where he would likely be relied on to play 25-30 minutes a game.

Also, I think Im justified in questioning his ?great defense.? I do see him block a lot of shots in highlights - but usually after he is blown by. Doesn?t look to have the hip flexibility to stay in front of guys even in that league - what happens in the NBA?

Dont really feel like Im usually ?needlessly negative? - Ill be the first to praise Stevens when I feel he does something good. But also going to call out his blunders when needed. And imo this is a big blunder, especially with NBA ready players still on the board.

Not only do I think guys like Raynaud and Fleming are better prospects, I think they are more NBA ready and could probably step in and contribute right away. Gonzalez looks years away from being years away, if hes even that.

If they didn't think he was NBA ready, he wouldn't be coming over now. He could, of course, start the season in Maine, but it sounds like they're hopeful that he'll be in the rotation sooner vs later.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

Playing at BYU would have been great exposure for him. Why would he choose to stay overseas to play 10 minutes a game, potentially costing himself millions? I think he knew he wasn?t ready to step into a position at BYU where he would likely be relied on to play 25-30 minutes a game.

Also, I think Im justified in questioning his ?great defense.? I do see him block a lot of shots in highlights - but usually after he is blown by. Doesn?t look to have the hip flexibility to stay in front of guys even in that league - what happens in the NBA?

Dont really feel like Im usually ?needlessly negative? - Ill be the first to praise Stevens when I feel he does something good. But also going to call out his blunders when needed. And imo this is a big blunder, especially with NBA ready players still on the board.

Not only do I think guys like Raynaud and Fleming are better prospects, I think they are more NBA ready and could probably step in and contribute right away. Gonzalez looks years away from being years away, if hes even that.

I'm guessing it may have been a dream for a spaniard to play for Real Madrid? Just a thought.

Not to mention the fact that Real Madrid would have been better competition and a better opportunity to be challenged as a player.

Plus, maybe he didn't want to go to BYU?

There's lots of reasons, but its not like he stayed back and played in his local YMCA league.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

You all have to admit Walsh was and is a bust! Garbage pick at the time especially after he got exposed in NCAA tournament

Far as this kid? See Mader see Begarin

You cannot justify these young foreign players especially if they decide not to play in NBA
McNeely was available, could be a huge miss!

We've definitely had some busts, but I'm not ready to put Walsh there yet. He's got the opportunity to earn playing time this year. We will see if he can.

[perks-a-beast]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

Playing at BYU would have been great exposure for him. Why would he choose to stay overseas to play 10 minutes a game, potentially costing himself millions? I think he knew he wasn?t ready to step into a position at BYU where he would likely be relied on to play 25-30 minutes a game.

Also, I think Im justified in questioning his ?great defense.? I do see him block a lot of shots in highlights - but usually after he is blown by. Doesn?t look to have the hip flexibility to stay in front of guys even in that league - what happens in the NBA?

Dont really feel like Im usually ?needlessly negative? - Ill be the first to praise Stevens when I feel he does something good. But also going to call out his blunders when needed. And imo this is a big blunder, especially with NBA ready players still on the board.

Not only do I think guys like Raynaud and Fleming are better prospects, I think they are more NBA ready and could probably step in and contribute right away. Gonzalez looks years away from being years away, if hes even that.

I'm guessing it may have been a dream for a spaniard to play for Real Madrid? Just a thought.

Not to mention the fact that Real Madrid would have been better competition and a better opportunity to be challenged as a player.

Plus, maybe he didn't want to go to BYU?

There's lots of reasons, but its not like he stayed back and played in his local YMCA league.

Playing with Bruno Fernando and 40 year old Serge Ibaka: A real dream come true.

[perks-a-beast]

You all have to admit Walsh was and is a bust! Garbage pick at the time especially after he got exposed in NCAA tournament

Far as this kid? See Mader see Begarin

You cannot justify these young foreign players especially if they decide not to play in NBA
McNeely was available, could be a huge miss!

There would be a bit of redundancy with both Scheierman and McNeeley on the roster, but it still would have been a better pick.

[blink]

Hugo is bigger then I expected.  Not height wise but thickness.  He was never on my radar because every mock draft I saw had him going 5-7 picks before the C's.  If you look at his highlights he has decent form.  Jordan Walsh wasn't a shooter either but he has a very awkward shot.  Hugo doesn't.  The C's need more energy and length.  Teams like Orlando and Indy really give them trouble because the C's are more of a finesse team and those teams have high energy and effort players.  Nesmith is a great example.  Hopefully Hugo can make the same type of impact on the boards, defensively and finishing at the rim.  His outside shot puts him in starter territory.  Even if he can become a 36% 3pt shooter it will open up things for him.

Ok, maybe I can come around a little to this pick.  The stats I read had him a little smaller as well.  If he really is 6'7' - 6'8" in shoes and 220lbs with huge hands that is a start.  Hugo's shot form looks good to me, good fundamentals, he squares his body well, had a nice release, looks smooth shooting 3s. 

I liked your comment about us needing high energy players, and that is true.  Against teams like Orlando, Indiana, OKC we need guys the play with energy and force.  It still feels like because he didn't get playing time for Real we don't know enough about him.   It also feels that his development timeline isn't what we need right now.   We need guys to be contributing in 2 years from now.   I know that is a crapshoot with any draft pick, so I dunno.   

Please Brad pick a big with the pick at #32 

[blink]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

Playing at BYU would have been great exposure for him. Why would he choose to stay overseas to play 10 minutes a game, potentially costing himself millions? I think he knew he wasn?t ready to step into a position at BYU where he would likely be relied on to play 25-30 minutes a game.

Also, I think Im justified in questioning his ?great defense.? I do see him block a lot of shots in highlights - but usually after he is blown by. Doesn?t look to have the hip flexibility to stay in front of guys even in that league - what happens in the NBA?

Dont really feel like Im usually ?needlessly negative? - Ill be the first to praise Stevens when I feel he does something good. But also going to call out his blunders when needed. And imo this is a big blunder, especially with NBA ready players still on the board.

Not only do I think guys like Raynaud and Fleming are better prospects, I think they are more NBA ready and could probably step in and contribute right away. Gonzalez looks years away from being years away, if hes even that.

I'm guessing it may have been a dream for a spaniard to play for Real Madrid? Just a thought.

Not to mention the fact that Real Madrid would have been better competition and a better opportunity to be challenged as a player.

Plus, maybe he didn't want to go to BYU?

There's lots of reasons, but its not like he stayed back and played in his local YMCA league.

Not wanting to go to BYU is def a possibility.  But the competition last year in the Big12 was crazy.  It may be a step below his Euro League, but is it really that much of a drop from euro pro leagues?   I dunno.

If he would have showed up last year for BYU, they played dozens of games in their season (B12 and NCAA) against top quality teams.  If he was playing 20-30 min for BYU last year it feels like he would have either been a) exposed as not as good as the hype, or b) he was worth the attention, and that probably would have pushed him higher in the draft.

[Vermont Green]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

I think if Real Madrid played BYU, it wouldn't even be close.  Real Madrid would be way better.  I think Hugo chose Real Madrid because he is from Madrid, Spain.  He would probably be more of a household name if he had played at BYU, but that isn't exactly Duke or Kentucky in terms of basketball.  The question is if more regular playing time would have improved his 3-point shooting.

It will be interesting to see him in the summer league.  Based on the very limited highlights that I have viewed, I think he will look OK vs. summer league competition.  But that is still way below the NBA.

[Kuberski33]

Hugo is bigger then I expected.  Not height wise but thickness.  He was never on my radar because every mock draft I saw had him going 5-7 picks before the C's.  If you look at his highlights he has decent form.  Jordan Walsh wasn't a shooter either but he has a very awkward shot.  Hugo doesn't.  The C's need more energy and length.  Teams like Orlando and Indy really give them trouble because the C's are more of a finesse team and those teams have high energy and effort players.  Nesmith is a great example.  Hopefully Hugo can make the same type of impact on the boards, defensively and finishing at the rim.  His outside shot puts him in starter territory.  Even if he can become a 36% 3pt shooter it will open up things for him.

Ok, maybe I can come around a little to this pick.  The stats I read had him a little smaller as well.  If he really is 6'7' - 6'8" in shoes and 220lbs with huge hands that is a start.  Hugo's shot form looks good to me, good fundamentals, he squares his body well, had a nice release, looks smooth shooting 3s. 

I liked your comment about us needing high energy players, and that is true.  Against teams like Orlando, Indiana, OKC we need guys the play with energy and force.  It still feels like because he didn't get playing time for Real we don't know enough about him.   It also feels that his development timeline isn't what we need right now.   We need guys to be contributing in 2 years from now.   I know that is a crapshoot with any draft pick, so I dunno.   

Please Brad pick a big with the pick at #32

The problem with drafting bigs most of them come in too raw to play immediately. Then you develop them and right around the time they're ready to get regular minutes they hit free agency. For a team planning to win next year any big you draft tonight most likely won't be ready to contribute when Tatum returns. They're better signing a veteran free agent or better yet, trading for someone.

And that said, Brad kind of tipped his hand last night that Plan A is to re-sign Kornet and Horford - if they can.

[blink]

Hugo is bigger then I expected.  Not height wise but thickness.  He was never on my radar because every mock draft I saw had him going 5-7 picks before the C's.  If you look at his highlights he has decent form.  Jordan Walsh wasn't a shooter either but he has a very awkward shot.  Hugo doesn't.  The C's need more energy and length.  Teams like Orlando and Indy really give them trouble because the C's are more of a finesse team and those teams have high energy and effort players.  Nesmith is a great example.  Hopefully Hugo can make the same type of impact on the boards, defensively and finishing at the rim.  His outside shot puts him in starter territory.  Even if he can become a 36% 3pt shooter it will open up things for him.

Ok, maybe I can come around a little to this pick.  The stats I read had him a little smaller as well.  If he really is 6'7' - 6'8" in shoes and 220lbs with huge hands that is a start.  Hugo's shot form looks good to me, good fundamentals, he squares his body well, had a nice release, looks smooth shooting 3s. 

I liked your comment about us needing high energy players, and that is true.  Against teams like Orlando, Indiana, OKC we need guys the play with energy and force.  It still feels like because he didn't get playing time for Real we don't know enough about him.   It also feels that his development timeline isn't what we need right now.   We need guys to be contributing in 2 years from now.   I know that is a crapshoot with any draft pick, so I dunno.   

Please Brad pick a big with the pick at #32

The problem with drafting bigs most of them come in too raw to play immediately. Then you develop them and right around the time they're ready to get regular minutes they hit free agency. For a team planning to win next year any big you draft tonight most likely won't be ready to contribute when Tatum returns. They're better signing a veteran free agent or better yet, trading for someone.

And that said, Brad kind of tipped his hand last night that Plan A is to re-sign Kornet and Horford - if they can.

Ok, you can just stop it with all of this logical / reasonable explanations.  I want to be mad we didn't get a big that can get minutes next year!  lol

of course you are right.

[Donoghus]

Can't imagine many Spanish kids grow up dreaming of playing in the Big XII. 

[Ilikesports17]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level.

Gonzalez had an offer to play on a way worse team against way worse competition and turned it down because he was afraid?

I get why people don't like the pick. He's a euro that you're drafting on potential because he hasn't proven anything.

But let's face it all these picks at 28 are throwing darts. Most rankers have him ranked roughly around where we picked him (generally it was higher). Don't understand the meltdowns.

Actually I do understand the meltdowns. It happens after every single draft.

[blink]

Can't imagine many Spanish kids grow up dreaming of playing in the Big XII.

and maybe even less likely BYU...but

Kansas, Houston, Baylor, Iowa State, BYU, Texas Tech, are all high level college basketball teams, with the NIL money kids aren't playing for free if they are a top player.

[Kuberski33]

Can't imagine many Spanish kids grow up dreaming of playing in the Big XII.

Mom and Dad are both ex pro players in Europe too. Guessing college ball in the US was never really on their radar.