The Vertical Mock Draft (Givony)

[Evantime34]

I really can't help feeling Bender is Jan Vesely 2.0.  Best case scenario he's Danilo.

Givony in the past stated that Bender was further along than Porzingis was at the same age. So I wouldn't say best case was that he's Danillo. Maybe best case is he's Danillo with the ability to guard 3-4 positions and protect the rim.

To be fair, worst case could easily be Bargnani but a worse 3 point shooter. We just don't know at this point.

[Eddie20]

Bender screams bust to me. I want Hield or Murray.

Bender has one of the highest upsides in the draft. He's 7-1, just turned 18, and when you combine that with his mobility and skillset it's a no-brainer pick over Murray and Hield. I worry about Murray's lack of quickness on the next level. Is he going to be able to penetrate against quickness and length (he's just 6-4) or will he be relegated to being a player that plays off of teammates? Hield is pretty old, so you worry if he is a finished product taking advantage of inferior/younger competition at the college level.

"Hield is pretty old, so you worry if he is a finished product taking advantage of inferior/younger competition at the college level."

How the hell is a 22 year old?  He's a senior in college an a polished player.  Hield is one of maybe 3 to 4 players that could be an instant starter and make an impact on a team.  Plus with the way the NBA is going needing to be a scorer and pure shooter he's probably the #1 prospect.

Because it's old when comparing him to much younger prospects. 19-22 is a huge difference in terms of basketball development. That fact can't be understated. Thinking he's the #1 prospect is baffling.

[PhoSita]

I really can't help feeling Bender is Jan Vesely 2.0.  Best case scenario he's Danilo.

Givony in the past stated that Bender was further along than Porzingis was at the same age. So I wouldn't say best case was that he's Danillo. Maybe best case is he's Danillo with the ability to guard 3-4 positions and protect the rim.

To be fair, worst case could easily be Bargnani but a worse 3 point shooter. We just don't know at this point.

To me, it's just too much mystery for a top 10 pick, let alone a top 5 pick.

[hwangjini_1]

Would Damion Jones ever end up playing for the Celts?  Seems like he'd be right there with Mickey hanging out on the bench / D-League.

if that is what he earned, that is what CBS would give him.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Bender is certainly capable of busting, but he does have NBA size, a decent BBIQ and good shooting fundamentals.  I feel like Brad can make something out of him, but I would obviously prefer Jaylen Brown.

Also, I don't know much about this kid Isaia, but he looks ok.  Here is a profile that the author of this mock did on him last month: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/european-dispatch--getting-to-know-isaia-cordinier-215148370.html

Key take aways:

1.) He's the son of a very good handball coach

2.) He plays in the D2 pro league in France, where he is one of the best players

3.) He was born in '96

4.) While the D2 league is not as good as the D1 league for France (which is one of the best in the world), the spacing is bad and his offensive numbers are doubly impressive in that atmosphere

5.) Good first step and a 53% 3 pt shooter

6.) A tad undersized and below average handles for his position

Also a note: while "good first step" and "below average handles" seem to be contradictory, I believe they mean that he is good at straight, direct drives to the basket only and the rest of his handles could use a lot of work.  So he can't really bring the ball up or do any super fancy dribbling moves, but he can still score off the drive since he is quick and his 3 pt shooting is so good.

[PhoSita]

Would Damion Jones ever end up playing for the Celts?  Seems like he'd be right there with Mickey hanging out on the bench / D-League.

if that is what he earned, that is what CBS would give him.

I think you have to ask, is this guy likely to "earn" playing time within his first few years in the league, barring a catastrophic run of injuries to other guys on the team?

If the answer is "probably not," use the pick on a draft and stash, or trade it.

[ThePoeticWolf]

Bender screams bust to me. I want Hield or Murray.

Bender has one of the highest upsides in the draft. He's 7-1, just turned 18, and when you combine that with his mobility and skillset it's a no-brainer pick over Murray and Hield. I worry about Murray's lack of quickness on the next level. Is he going to be able to penetrate against quickness and length (he's just 6-4) or will he be relegated to being a player that plays off of teammates? Hield is pretty old, so you worry if he is a finished product taking advantage of inferior/younger competition at the college level.

"Hield is pretty old, so you worry if he is a finished product taking advantage of inferior/younger competition at the college level."

How the hell is a 22 year old?  He's a senior in college an a polished player.  Hield is one of maybe 3 to 4 players that could be an instant starter and make an impact on a team.  Plus with the way the NBA is going needing to be a scorer and pure shooter he's probably the #1 prospect.

Because it's old when comparing him to much younger prospects. 19-22 is a huge difference in terms of basketball development. That fact can't be understated. Thinking he's the #1 prospect is baffling.

You're right 19-22 is a huge development.  You don't have to develop him, he's already the best pure scorer in the draft.  So why would you chance on having to develop someone who's 19 who's played one year of college ball, when you can take a 22 year old who's improved every year.  You didn't read what I said if it baffles you.  I said "Plus with the way the NBA is going needing to be a scorer and pure shooter he's probably the #1 prospect."  He's probably the #1 prospect if you go by scoring and a pure shooter.  That's not baffling, it's the truth he's the best pure scorer going into the draft. 

[tankcity!]

Bender screams bust to me. I want Hield or Murray.

Bender has one of the highest upsides in the draft. He's 7-1, just turned 18, and when you combine that with his mobility and skillset it's a no-brainer pick over Murray and Hield. I worry about Murray's lack of quickness on the next level. Is he going to be able to penetrate against quickness and length (he's just 6-4) or will he be relegated to being a player that plays off of teammates? Hield is pretty old, so you worry if he is a finished product taking advantage of inferior/younger competition at the college level.

Bender is hard for me to put my name on because he is not showing me anything that a bunch of guys in 2017 already have shown. bc he is younger than Ingram and not in America, so its harder to watch his games etc, but as a top pick he does not physically posses anything elite to me...yet.

Ya he's 7 ft but not as long as KP, which a few ppl compare him to.

I think people label him bust too easily. It's harder to see him play so it's easy to brush him off. He's long been identified as a guy with a bright future at all levels. In terms of elite abilities I don't think he has shown strong scoring or rebounding or the like yet. But he has shown a great versatility on defence and he runs the floor very well.

The comparisons to KP are valid but it's kind if like comparing a rookie Durant with Ingram. Sure there are similarities, but there are big differences in their game as well. Bender likes to get out and run whereas KP is a half court player just to list an example

Are you sure he can shoot? Is there stats to back it up?

[The One]

I just wrote a nice little essay on how much I like the Bender pick but lost it....

Long and shot of it, he is a unique talent who most scouts/draft prognosticators have liked for a while. If the Cs are going to strike out on a potential unknown it should be a 7'1 18year old with a perimeter skill set who has shown very well in international tournaments. 

Damian Jones pick, I really do not like this one. Given who is on the board at this point I take Valentine with out any doubt. If the goal is a big man I take Stone or Unuaku before Jones. Stone has more skill and I think Unuaku has the better motor.

With the Mavs pick I admittedly know nothing about Cordinier but to continue to beat my drum about my favorite late 1st player I would take Nigel Hayes. I really think he is going to be a valuable bench player in the NBA given his ability to defend multiple positions and score on miss matches. Looking at the Cs right now with Crowder hurt I would have to think that Nigel Hayes could contribute alot.

Yeah I like Bender too.