From what I'm hearing, no guard (or player) is moving up faster on the draft board than Donovan Mitchell. In a matter of weeks, he went from being projected in the 20's to a lottery pick in most mock draft boards. He has impressed in individual workouts showing his elite defensive guard skills to go along with a a 6'10" wingspan, which can wreak havoc on the next level. Knicks are reportedly going to give him a private workout this week. Rick Pitino has said that he's a point guard but he played him at the 2 last year. At best, he is a defensive stopper combo guard with offensive upside.
Question: With his stock going up, how likely are we to draft Mitchell at #8 ahead of French kid, Smith and or Monk if they are all still on the board for some reason. Last week, I would have said it's impossible, but I'm starting to think that the Knicks have targeted this kid and there's definitely a shot they like him more than all aforementioned guards. And if so, how would you feel about it?
I don't believe Pitino about his pg abilities and think Mitchell is a Rozier/Shump type at best.
I like Mitchell and honestly Shump WISHES he could score like DM!!! He's no more a PG than Derek Fisher, Shaw or Ron Harper. Phil has had lots of Guards that weren't really Floor Generals but that's not everything when it comes to winning.
nixluva wrote:I like Mitchell and honestly Shump WISHES he could score like DM!!! He's no more a PG than Derek Fisher, Shaw or Ron Harper. Phil has had lots of Guards that weren't really Floor Generals but that's not everything when it comes to winning.
If we are really being honest Mitchell wishes he shot as well as you think he does. The dude shot 40% and on top of that he didn't rebound or pass that much. The one thing I will give him credit for is picking up his play during conference play. His overall game was much better.
I don't see why one would take him over Nti or Monk if they are available at 8.
The interest in Mitchell might be a backup plan if Frank gets taken as well as a potential draftee if they get a second first rounder
yellowboy90 wrote:nixluva wrote:I like Mitchell and honestly Shump WISHES he could score like DM!!! He's no more a PG than Derek Fisher, Shaw or Ron Harper. Phil has had lots of Guards that weren't really Floor Generals but that's not everything when it comes to winning.
If we are really being honest Mitchell wishes he shot as well as you think he does. The dude shot 40% and on top of that he didn't rebound or pass that much. The one thing I will give him credit for is picking up his play during conference play. His overall game was much better.
he was a fantastic defender and his physical stats tested among NBA upper tier, although not elite. Essentially he's got Rondo's frame with Shumpert's athleticism. Is he smart? Does he posses skills he didnt show under Pitino? I think if Mitchell is drafted ahead of guys like Ntilikina or Monk what it really says is he showed something we probably havent seen.
By comparison he tested 2 inches longer (wingspan) and jumped higher than Bradley Beal
yellowboy90 wrote:nixluva wrote:I like Mitchell and honestly Shump WISHES he could score like DM!!! He's no more a PG than Derek Fisher, Shaw or Ron Harper. Phil has had lots of Guards that weren't really Floor Generals but that's not everything when it comes to winning.
If we are really being honest Mitchell wishes he shot as well as you think he does. The dude shot 40% and on top of that he didn't rebound or pass that much. The one thing I will give him credit for is picking up his play during conference play. His overall game was much better.
5 rebs, just under 3 assist and over 2 steals isnt bad. He was asked to guard the best player every night as well. Also his 3 point shot trended up from freshman year. I dont see the PG much either is that a limitation or simply his role under Pitino?
fishmike wrote:yellowboy90 wrote:nixluva wrote:I like Mitchell and honestly Shump WISHES he could score like DM!!! He's no more a PG than Derek Fisher, Shaw or Ron Harper. Phil has had lots of Guards that weren't really Floor Generals but that's not everything when it comes to winning.
If we are really being honest Mitchell wishes he shot as well as you think he does. The dude shot 40% and on top of that he didn't rebound or pass that much. The one thing I will give him credit for is picking up his play during conference play. His overall game was much better.
5 rebs, just under 3 assist and over 2 steals isnt bad. He was asked to guard the best player every night as well. Also his 3 point shot trended up from freshman year. I dont see the PG much either is that a limitation or simply his role under Pitino?
3ball% is okay but what most people overlook is a players 2pt FG%. So where is that athleticism being used on offense? Why is he not getting to his spots? Why didn't he get to the line more? What is really scary is that overall he had a TS% around 53% for the year even though he raised his efficiency to around %58 in conference play. Now glasses halve full would see he finally came into his own while others might think he just went on a good run.
I do not deny his defensive potential but his offense is too weak to take at #8.
I want the Knicks to draft the BPA, hopefully its a PG. Even though Holiday hasn't been in the league long, he's a two way player, isn't afraid of taking the big shot, and he's Triangle ready. Bringing Justin back puts the team hopefully one step closer to fielding a team that gets this system.
Baker looks like he will be at least a reliable backup. Maybe he has a higher ceiling. I'd be more comfortable however if the Knicks drafted another PG just to be safe.
Drafting Mitchell at #8 is not as far fetched as some may think. As others have said, he has elite defensive skills on the wing and is an impressive athlete with a long wingspan. He played at a top notch school with a top notch coach who chose to play him off the ball because he had a point guard (but he insists he is a point guard). His shot is not broken and has improved. He's moved up 15 slots in mock draft boards the last two weeks. He's impressed in all individual workouts. He has good pedigree--a 2 sport player also excelled at baseball.
Does the Frenchman have more defensive upside than Donovan?!? I have no idea because I haven't seen him play and don't know how he'll translate on the NBA level. That's pure speculation. Mitchell at #8 may not be a stretch at all. And I may be okay with it if he develops into a lockdown perimeter defender.
BTW...best case scenario for me is if we acquire say Portland's #15 pick and are able to draft Isaac at #8 and Mitchell at #15. That would sure up our entire defense both front and back court. But I do not see Mitchell dropping to #15.
SocraticBallin22 wrote:Drafting Mitchell at #8 is not as far fetched as some may think. As others have said, he has elite defensive skills on the wing and is an impressive athlete with a long wingspan. He played at a top notch school with a top notch coach who chose to play him off the ball because he had a point guard (but he insists he is a point guard). His shot is not broken and has improved. He's moved up 15 slots in mock draft boards the last two weeks. He's impressed in all individual workouts. He has good pedigree--a 2 sport player also excelled at baseball. Does the Frenchman have more defensive upside than Donovan?!? I have no idea because I haven't seen him play and don't know how he'll translate on the NBA level. That's pure speculation. Mitchell at #8 may not be a stretch at all. And I may be okay with it if he develops into a lockdown perimeter defender.
BTW...best case scenario for me is if we acquire say Portland's #15 pick and are able to draft Isaac at #8 and Mitchell at #15. That would sure up our entire defense both front and back court. But I do not see Mitchell dropping to #15.
That's something I've been hoping for as well, but it's really hard to pull off unless everything broke right. Still there are similar combos they can get like Monk or Nitty and Justin Jackson.
There is nobody on Louisville that is going to be drafted in this coming draft except Mitchell. There was no super talented player on his squad to make the game any easier for him. He was the teams best offensive player and defensive player. Was hands down the go to player on the team. And as that, lead the team to 2nd place in the toughest division in the NCAA.
I love Mitchell and would be happy with him at 8. He's got a nice looking stroke, loves to take the big shot, has a sweet handle and a great feel for the game. Very high basketball IQ. And defensively he's a stud with long arms and great instincts. The guy is also a great athlete. Maybe not on the level of Smith or Josh Jackson but very athletic. He's also a good kid and a team leader type. I love his intangibles. I think he, KP and Willy are three guys to build around.
Though I really like Smith, Isaac, Monk, Frenchy and even Kennard, so I'll be happy at #8 no matter what. This really is such a loaded draft.
we all know I love Donovan Mitchell. I think he gets drafted by us if the draft goes according to the mocks. That's the only way I see us passing on him.
look at the guards Phil Jackson uses. Smush Parker was 6'4" scrub who thrived for Phil. Smush was big but Mitchell might be bigger. To me, Donovan Mitchell is the type of point guard he loved to roll with, but with elite athleticism.
The other guy to watch out for is Justin Jackson - seems like a fit.
The good news is that either Smith, Frenchy, Monk or Mitchell will be there at that pick. I would be okay with any of them.
