NBA Draft
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yeah all those national games that Wemby had this year. I'm sure they didn't draw viewers.
I'm indifferent to Overtime Elite and G League Ignite. If the players aren't going to college just to be a one and done, I have no problem with them testing themselves against players in their 20s looking to try to catch on an NBA roster.
No coach in their right mind would put him on the floor against those guys. He'll either be a Boban-type bench guy or helping sell tickets in the G League
Grizzlies aren't drafting him in the top 10 to see him play in the G League.
I would place the blame more on AAU and the developmental system than the NCAA.
The NCAA isnt the greatest product but it's also the first place that a lot of these kids are getting skill development instead of just being put into showcases for their AAU coaches to try to make money off of.
European kids get signed by pro clubs and put into their system from young ages so they're getting years of skill development and the best players get to play up against older competition.
It is still a bit rare even for European kids but guys like Wemby and Luka were playing with adults when they were 15-16.
Okay, let's say you're right. In fact, I kinda think you are. But that's an overall league problem.
Are you suggesting that everyone pass on Wembanyama? Just force him to back to Europe? Or just let him fall to 15th and take a well known college player #1? So the top teams in the draft pass on top talent?
You draft players to win. And yes, perhaps getting a home town guy creates a mini buzz for awhile, but nothing like what you get with winning.
blackdog
- Champaign
The deal is that there are high level basketball players in France. France and Paris in particular have a street culture that is very similar to the US in a lot of ways. Basketball has exploded in popularity and they have the resources/culture of youth academies to capitalize on young talent.
Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
As cool as it would have been for TSJ to go to the Bulls, Buzelis fits the teams' needs more. With the Giddey trade, it seems Bulls' brass is finally trying to get some much-needed size to the team. Where would TSJ fit alongside Lonzo Ball (if healthy), Colby White, Ayo, and DeRozan?
Maybe the Bulls are trying to trade down? pick up Shannon but get a bit more with that?
blackdog
- Champaign
And of course he's still a Chicago kid.
With the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite. Buzelis played at Hinsdale Central his freshman and sophomore year of high school before transferring to prep schools.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I'd have gone with Topic, but I like the pick. Very glad it wasn't Knecht.
Won't every player picked so far get exposed by someone they have to try to guard?
Topic won't play this season. Bulls weren't gonna draft a guy they would have to essentially redshirt this season.
The Spurs had the 7th most watched game this past season. Back in October against the Mavericks, they drew $3M viewers on ESPN. All 6 games ahead of them were also shown on ABC.
NBA's viewership steady in regular season compared to recent years
The NBA's regular season viewership in 2023-24 was in line with recent years, averaging 1.6 million viewers per game.
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com
With the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Nikola Topic, G, Serbia.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Lonzo will not be a Bull next season.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The Bulls are trying to lose, that would have been perfect.
But Buzelis has major offensive potential too, and the position is a nice fit, I'm happy.
Sam Presti must be stopped
OKC has plenty of picks the next several years. He can afford to take a chance on a player like this.
With the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Devin Carter, G, Providence.
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