Applaud or Fraud….part three! I haven’t been wrong yet, and I don’t plan on starting now. This time we take a look at the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Settle in for some takes, my friends.
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Rebuild Grades:
Philadephia 76ers: A
This is the first team in the series that I’ve given an, “A” for not making a move. You see, I’m a Ben Simmons fanboy. I believe, if he continued his career, and never made a three-point jumper going forward, he’d be a Hall of Famer. He’d have multiple All-NBA selections and a couple of DPOYs. I think he’s a generational talent. Just because he can handle the ball like a point guard, doesn’t mean that he needs to shoot threes. He’s a seven-footer. It’s fine if he adds it to his game, as a treat. Lay off of the man, people!
Notable Draft Picks’ Summer League Stats:
I just wanted to give my Ben Simmons take. You understand. Draft Ben Simmons at his deflated ADP. Regardless of what team he’s on by the start of the season.
Brooklyn Nets: A
The Nets aren’t rebuilding. In fact, they’re probably the favorites to win the East next year. So they went and….got….better? Not only have they added Australian National Team dynamo Patty Mills, but they went and got the second-best pure scorer in the draft (behind Jalen Green) in Cam Thomas.
Notable Draft Picks’ Summer League Stats:
Cam Thomas – Would you like to know who leads the league in scoring through this point in summer league? Wow! You’re so smart! You got it! It is Cameron Thomas. Look at you! 27ppg and pretty much nothing else. They gave away Caris LeVert, so why not replace the scoring he provides with a rookie. Further, let’s say that he doesn’t live up to what he’s shown in summer league. James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant don’t need much help in the scoring department. I like what the Nets have going on. There’s no complacency.
New York Knicks: F
I hate everything the Knicks have done this offseason. They reached the playoffs for the first time in this millennium (fact check me, I dare you), and proceeded to add pieces that don’t represent how they got there (defense and Julius Randle). If you want defense, you don’t pay Evan Fournier 70 gazillion dollars. If you want defense you don’t rely on Kemba Walker. If you want RJ Barrett to continue progressing, you don’t add Kemba Walker to take away his point guard usage. You don’t add Kemba and Fournier if you want Randle to improve either. I HATE IT! It’s like they made all of these choices without asking Thibs.
Notable Draft Picks’ Summer League Stats:
Quinton Grimes – 13.2ppg. Eh. He’s a solid player on a developmental team. Not one that’s fighting to stay in the playoffs, and won’t give him adequate minutes to grow. Very disappointed in a NYK team that achieved so much, so quickly. These moves don’t make sense to my very large brain.
Toronto Raptors: B
Lose Kyle Lowry, and don’t get Jalen Suggs? Well, in Masai Ujiri, I trust. I suppose I can see the vision. Why get two point guards, just because you made it work over the past few years. Let Fred VanVleet run point, keep Siakam, add Scottie Barnes, who’s showed out in Summer League. I don’t have many negative things to say. You get a “B!”
Notable Draft Picks’ Summer League Stats:
Scottie Barnes – 15.5ppg, 7rebs. The 6’8″ forward with a 7’2″ wingspan. We know what Masai likes. He likes the FREAKS! Barnes fits the mold. I don’t have anything else to say. I trust Masai. He knows what he’s doing.
Boston Celtics: C
The Celtics had a late second-round pick and went with a draft and stash player, in the guard from France, Juhann Begarin. Drafting someone who won’t impact the team this year wouldn’t get a C grade for me, it’s the growth from players like Payton Pritchard that has shocked me. I always liked him coming out of Oregon, but I didn’t expect this. Pritchard dropped 92 points in a Pro-Am the other day and is currently averaging 20 ppg, 5 threes a game on 58% from three, and 9 rebs. It’s incredible. If this development carries over to the regular season, we’re talking about a most improved player of the year.
Notable Draft Picks’ Summer League Stats:
Not really applicable to this year’s draft picks. Don’t be afraid to reach for Payton Pritchard in the middle rounds of drafts, and early in dynasty/keepers. He’s taken a jump.
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