Likely my Final Big Board update, but here's where I'm at 15 days before the NBA Draft. Here's an explanation of my overall process: Philosophy-wise, the four pillars to my scouting framework this cycle have been: 1. Playoff Versatility: Can this player hold their own when intensity and physicality ramp up? 2. Scheme Versatility: Can the player fit into a multitude of offensive/defensive schemes not built around them? Can they adapt? 3. Standout Skill(s): Does the player have a core skill(s) that they perform at an NBA level, which can earn them real minutes? 4. Developmental runway: What is the ROI on the prospect? How much growth is left, and what's their timeline? How do I know if a player satisfies the pillar? Truth be told, each pillar is a spectrum rather than a checkbox. Basically, I examine how deep on each pillar's spectrum a player sits. The film tells me how a player acts in game-time situations. Their poise, athletic/physical functionality, and how they react in pressured moments. Analytics serve more as a litmus test and tell me if what they do is repeatable. Tier-wise, my ranking follows: 1. Franchise Cornerstones: Players a team can build around long-term 2. Core Building Blocks: Maybe not who you want to build your franchise around, but a piece that can be a significant, upper option moving forward. 3. High End Contributor: Can have a defined role on a contending team and hold their own when the game tightens, but pose questions regarding one or more pillars. 4. Rotation Value/High ROI w Q's: Self explanatory, but split between older players possibly ready to play now and players with high reward if invested and developed properly. 5. Specialists: Know exactly what kind of player they are and how they function best. Usually, one skill that may get them on an NBA floor. Lower ceiling 6. Developmental projects: Fringe prospects with high variance in potential Let me know any questions, comments, or concerns you have below! Open to any conversations. #NBADraft

Pat Ngongba

As I revisit prospects from last cycle who returned to school, I told myself I’d prioritize identifying defined skills that translate to postseason settings. Billy Richmond certainly has that with his on-ball defense: -Real horizontal and vertical fluidity on screen navigation (0.747 PPP guarding PnR BH) -Comfortable guarding in space against BH, especially in full court (0.750 PPP Iso, PnR, Hand-offs combined) -Able to size up and maintain positioning against forwards -Consistently disruptive contests (Opponent eFG 44.1%) Of course, Billy has multiple swing skills that limit his overall developmental runway: - Overall Shooting (Career 23.0% shooter on 16.2% 3Pr) - Diversity Attacking Closeouts (only 46/67 were rim attacks, only 7 total dribble pull-ups) - Live Dribble Decision Making (13.5% TOVr on all drives) Nonetheless, Billy had a SUPERB combine last year! Really, really excited to see Billy's growth over the course of the season. @NoCeilingsNBA #NBADraft

Stop the 🧢

Non basketball tweet, but LOVING this album from Paak and Cordae. Obviously they’ve always had chemistry but man they fire on all cylinders here. Production and rapping are both top tier.

Awesome article by Stephen. I was high on Dash entering last cycle. Now I’m even more pumped to revisit his tape!

Anything better than overreacting to early NBA games? Nope!