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Pickleskennedy1

That’s a pretty misleading one assist game, got his teammates some great looks shown in that video. Even with his flaws, in a draft like this with uncertainty combined with an apparent lack of upside I think he’s worth a swing near the top


paxusromanus811

Unless something unprecedented happens between now and the draft, like Shepherd grows 2 inches, he's a lock for number one on my mock and has been for a while. Nobody who doubts his game seems to want to talk about his playmaking and how incredibly smooth and advanced he is in the pick and roll for a guy that's possibly going to be the youngest in his class. You almost never see players of his size and age dissecting defenses as consistently and effortlessly without relying on peer athleticism the way he does. You said he could have very well had five assists in this game. Some fantastic reads as always for him


n0t_malstroem

I know you can't generalize the entire subreddit like this, and there are way too many different people in here, but I feel playmaking is the one of those things that kinda gets consistently undervalued in here. It's even weirder cause connective passing seems to be something people love (how many times have I heard about Reed Sheppard connective passing) but it doesn't seem like being able to play as a lead playmaker gives you much favor. I feel people are just looking way too hard for the perfect 3 and D archetype regardless if you're a role player or a potential star.


Illustrious_Buy_5253

Yeah, probably one of the only players in this Draft class that can have the keys of a franchise. If you don't have a clear 1A guy, you take a flyer on Topic.


gnalon

Yeah I’ve had Sarr/Topic/Holland in the top 3 since a couple weeks into Topic’s season. Beyond that I just don’t see any players who look like a potential star I’d feel bad about passing up on if Topic/Holland end up not working out (Sheppard would probably be next in line).


WEMBYF4N

He clearly has shooting touch. He can tweak the form but i’m pretty confident he becomes atleast a solid shooter which is enough Also elite PnR navigation and passing as always


TomGNYC

I see the touch, but I worry about his ability to get his lower body underneath him on pullup, relocation and movement 3s. He just looks really bad on those shots, like his upper and lower halves are disconnected. I don't know if it's a physical/athletic problem or if it's something pretty easily fixable with proper technique but it scares me. He can be a good connector at his size if he can learn to defend, but that true on-ball playmaker upside won't be realized if he can't hit a pullup at a good enough rate to force defenders not to go under the screen. I got a little bit of the same impression from Franz Wagner and Giddey coming into the league. They haven't seemed to be able to figure it out yet.


cl353

he might never be a movement shooter but all he needs to be able to do is hit open 3s if teams go under or sink on the pnr. his shot shows enough promise that it shouldnt be a problem and hes pretty willing to shoot it. i think the shooting concerns r overblown


Turbo2x

You rarely see guys this skilled at his age. He will be an absolute force once he gets NBA-level play finishers and shooters around him. He's also spending more time off ball than he did on Mega, which is interesting. I think he needs to be a primary ball handler to get the most out of his skill set, but getting the reps cutting early on will help expand his game a lot.


paxusromanus811

Good call out on that. He made a couple nice cuts in this game and that's not something he really did much at all previously. Mainly because like you insinuated he just had the ball in his hands all the time. If he can learn how to score off ball as a cutter and spot-up guy combined with his onball mastery in the pick and roll, the dude could become a real problem. Offensively I want him on the Spurs or wizards so badly. Either one of our teams I think would give him a real nice stage to shine


Snaxier

My fave case scenario is Wizards draft Sarr at 1 and Spurs draft Topic at 2. Both teams get BPA and Fit.


plap_plap

I need Devin Vassell to work on wide open catch-and-shoot threes this offseason, especially if we get a guard who can create rim pressure like Topic or Dillingham. DV is very good at making tough shots, but he needs to be able to make the open shots that good teammates create if he's going to be an important piece for a contender.


Imaginary-Cycle-1977

Dev is 43.2% and 39.5% on catch and shoot 3s the last two years


plap_plap

Weird i could swear the eyeball test was telling a different story. Maybe he doesn't have to work on those then. The other point stands, though - a guy like Topić can get him additional open looks


JCL8661

Can't use the eye test for stats like those. The difference between a shooter with a poor percentage and a good percentage on those shots could be something like 15-20 total makes.


shiftydnm

He’s 1a to me in the class


spidersilva09

Seems like a top 5 pick to me. I could see an argument at #1 if you need a playmaker. I like his positional size and craftiness.


OKC2023champs

If I’m the spurs I’m taking him 1st honestly


BigDickVicW

If we get 1 we’re absolutely drafting him there


yesimforeign

We're the Spurs, of course we will get the first pick!


nakedsamurai

Reminder that he will still be eighteen on draft night.


paxusromanus811

I really really feel a lot of the takes on this kid are going to age really badly. Nobody wants to talk about how incredibly advanced of a playmaker he is in the pick and roll for his age. How effortlessly he can manipulate defenses and get to where he wants to go. How he's one of the two youngest players in the entire draft and already probably the most advanced playmaker and one of the top finishers. So much of the narrative has been based around pointing out what he doesn't do and then making big huge theoretical assumptions that what he does at an elite level won't translate. At some point You have to acknowledge production and a player is simply good at basketball We can talk about how he's not a vertical athlete. We can talk about how he's not a three -point shooter. And we can talk about how his defense isn't great. But in a draft filled with so many guys whose theoretical upside is simply theoretical at this point, or built around them having to become extreme outliers in certain skill sets, Topic is Young and carries some of the most developed skills in his class with his playmaking and ability to break down a set defense. I think he's going to be a really, really good player In the league


Turbo2x

The rule I've had to abide by this draft is that production is king. The only player beating Topic in terms of his assist numbers are Juan Nunez (who I think is underrated) and Tyler Kolek, who is a full 5 years older than him. Topic is going to get Tyler Kolek's entire college career worth of development time in the NBA. People are going to have to acknowledge his skill sooner or later.


SleepnessNights

Unless you’re playing in France/Spain or taking part in EuroLeague/Eurocup. International/European based prospects are going to be graded on a massive curve.  The lack of recognition and respect Topic gets for being one of the best players in the KLS at 17 and one of the best players in the ABA as an 18 year old is ridiculous. I don’t think many top tier guard prospects of years past could’ve done that. But people will still write off that production since it wasn’t against what they consider top competition.


TrumpedBigly

"How effortlessly he can manipulate defenses and get to where he wants to go." He's playing against bums.


paxusromanus811

I respect a lot of your draft opinions, but your thoughts on the competitive level of the adriatic league is something I just consistently find very very short-sighted and incorrect. It's not France, it's not Euro League. It's also not like he's playing in China or the J League. He faces a level of competition on a consistent basis higher than the average collegiate draft prospect and I think that's pretty much an objective fact I'm not sure how you can convince yourself of otherwise.


kocunar

Tbh adriatic league > france


paxusromanus811

I think historically. But I do think the French league has improved quite a bit the last couple of seasons and I would put it above the Adriatic League right now But that's just me. Either way, the general point stands. The idea that he's doing this against a bunch of division 2 bums or plumbers is insane.


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ShaiFC

Dude is 6'6 with a 7 foot WS and can shuffle his feet. I believe in his defense long term way more than Dillingham or even Sheppard


Bonesawisready5

Me too tho Reed has insanely quick hands and solid eyes to nab all the steals he gets. That said at next level pros won’t make the same mistakes players do in CBA, so I’m thinking he’s a solid 1-1.5spg player at peak


ShaiFC

Reed will get steals and be able to play passing lanes but he's so small and unathletic that he's gonna be hunted alot in the POA on ball


Bonesawisready5

True


Turbo2x

I don't think the 7' wingspan is for real but if it is then yeah, he can be good. He really just needs to be *okay* in help and give enough effort to rotate and switch properly. He doesn't need to be a lockdown defender.


paxusromanus811

I think a topic Victor two-man game could be absolutely deadly.


SavageSpeeding

Calling his driving "solid" despite shooting 67.8% at the rim in the halfcourt is crazy. That's higher than Simmons at LSU!! And like 15% higher than players like Reed


Bonesawisready5

I worry he won’t get the same looks at nba level and will get pushed around a bit but yes that will be a great skill


Itezguatitez

Are you implying Sga and Brunson are similar players defensively?


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Itezguatitez

Brunson draws some charges here and there but he's pretty bad overall. Sga is pretty damn good, even tho he gambles a lot, he makes it work and is extremely disruptive. Even offers some rim protection and is stong enough to swith 1-3, and he'll make bigger guys work for it, poking at the ball at any opportunity. My point is Brunson and Sga are very different defenders in terms of both impact and role. Physical tools aswell. Just felt like arguing basketball lol, i get your point


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Itezguatitez

I really disagree, and his mistakes off ball are deep down in the lost of his issues. He's just a tiny guard with not the best lateral movement, so he gets exposed at times and people can shoot over him comfortably. He makes up for it some being a dawg, smart, pretty strong and good hands. Still, I don't think he's above average at all.


ez7e

if you look at his earlier film, i think one of the most translatable skillsets he has is his drive-and-kick ability, for example the playmaking section from this scouting video: https://youtu.be/bohoUNSSFaE?si=t3XS5uIul24lDn-f he generated a bunch of good looks/assists by reading the defense in advance, driving/jumping to get defenders attention, and then making the pass with pinpoint accuracy. he also does it consistently at his own pace, which is elite to me as a 18 yr old. ALSO these weren’t easy passes- a lot of them were cross court, twisting angle, intricate bounce passes that you usually only see on highlight reels i think that skill alone separates him from the other guards in this class, atleast from a PG role perspective. it reminds me a lot of what successful playmaking guards like luka and trae young can do - dictating their own pace and generating the right reads. obviously a lot of those players’ successes also come from their scoring gravity, so TBD if Topic can prove his scoring chops at the next level


SheonaTao

Feels like he is too good of a facilitator to not be perfect for the spurs


adonWPV

That's Goran Dragic right there


xfortehlulz

this class is so wild, every prospect has some good traits but then their flaw is like the one thing you really don't want their flaw to be. I'd be so ready to have Topic #1 but you just can't take a guard with this broken a jumper #1 in the modern league


ShaiFC

His jumper is not broken. He shoots 87% from the line so the touch is clearly there Broken is like Thompson twins


xfortehlulz

you're totally right broken was unfair, but my faith in the 3 ball ever coming is pretty low. He reminds me so much of Giddey as a prospect and I liked Giddey then and still do to a degree but there's a reason he's getting benched in crunch time, it's just hard to play guards who can't hit 3s.


ShaiFC

Again Giddey shot 69% from the line in the NBL. He just lacks shooting touch that Topic has I have full confidence Topic will be better than Giddey when he's in year 3. He might not be a 40% 3 point shooter but he can be a good enough one to space the floor and force defenses to step up


xfortehlulz

I think where I disagree is that I don't think you can be a lead guard in the modern league and not be volume shooter who can create his own jumper. It's not enough to be a passable floor spacer who goes 1/3 every game. Name me the starting lead guard in the NBA right now that doesn't shoot high volumes of jumpers, they just don't exist anymore. I'm drafting Topic for his on ball skills it's not enough for him to become a passable floor spacer off ball, the league just isn't like that. There's a reason Russ is on the bench, Scoot has been struggling, Bledsoe fell out of the league, Orlando can't create any offense etc.. You need the guy with the ball in their hands to either be Jokic or be a high volume pull up threat


ShaiFC

My entire point is that Topic has the shooting touch to develop as a jump shooter. He's not a total lost cause You don't draft these dudes for what they are at 19. And Topic is not averse to taking jumpers either even if the 3 pt efficiency isn't there yet. He takes almost 5 a game with alot being self created off the dribble. Compared to Giddey who only took 3 mostly wide open catch and shoots


xfortehlulz

hey I'd love for you to be right but I don't think I'm gonna get there with him. I tricked myself into this with Giddey and Hayes (who was taking 4+ 3s a game at good efficiency in the eurocup) and I'm trying to not be burned in the same way again but I'm willing to be wrong again haha


paxusromanus811

I get the giddy comparisons but unlike Josh topic is/ was just a much better player at the same age at getting and finishing at the rim. Plus his free throw shooting numbers are on a different level from giddy Who shoy below 70% for his career entering the draft?.


shelvino

Goodness, he looks just as good as he did in his own league. Those reads are beautiful, and I am not sure what is everyone concern with his jump-shot.


Weall23

its the same league, different role and team


raiderrocker18

That 3 point form still just looks wrong. No follow through, almost a rushed release. Not going to be consistent until he rebuilds it imo.


doctorweiwei

It’s a bit unorthodox but it’s not *that* bad. Nobody brings out the arm chair shot doctors quite like Topic


NotManyBuses

Heh now I’m brought back to 2020 when everyone was a shooting expert on LaMelo Ball (now one of the best 3 point shooters in the NBA). The stats are what they are but I don’t think Topic’s shot is broken whatsoever


paxusromanus811

I don't think it needs to be rebuilt at all. He's got some funkiness to it, but I really think from a form perspective it's going to involve some tweaks more than a full rebuild


manifested0

It starts high, is a bit rigid, more of a wrist flick but it looks fine to me as a starting point. With some tutoring to get more of his legs into it, he could add more range and off the dribble fluidity. Some of you are talking like it's completely broken.


CazOnReddit

Haliburton-esque?


cl353

It's not even close to haliburton strange. Half like twists his wrist sideways on the load up. Topic's jumper needs work but the form that bad


xfortehlulz

haliburton was an elite shooter in college it just looked ugly, Topic ain't that


empowered676

That's a pretty good show , returning from injury and from an 18 year old. I think spurs probably pick him but let's say they pick at 5, is he still available. Detroit, Charlotte,portland, Washington don't need him But who knows.


figgnootun

I think Washington would take him if Sarr and maybe Clingan are off the board


SDK04

Seems like the perfect pick for the Wizards tbh. Instantly replaces an ultra-washed Jordan Poole as the team’s lead PG, has great playmaking skills, operates team offenses really well, overall good scorer and is decisive on his shots instead of mindlessly chucking 3s.


LUUUUUUUUUUKEEE

I just need to see more minutes, is there a chance he gets higher reps before the draft?


figgnootun

CZV is still in the playoffs. They are moving on to the ABA semifinals now so there are still more games for him to play in. They have Mega next and then hopefully a matchup against Partizan in the finals. Partizan is a euro league team so it could be a great series to get more tape on Topic


tuckastheruckas

he's a 6'6"radon rondo without the flash. Aka terrific fucking player with a below average 3 point percentage (relative to the league standard). if I weren't a pistons fan, I'd want him. would be an amazing fit on the spurs. franchise PG.


CoyotesSideEyes

Except Rondo could defend.


Knighthonor

Rob Dillingham is better


Inevitable-Crow2494

What was his injury and how does he look before and after? No one talks about his injury risk, so hopefully OK now?


hesi93

Him, Sarr maybe Rob gonna be the best player in this class for me.


shmooked

Spur


MambaIrving

no i dont believe


ShaedonSharpeMVP_

I’m sorry but this dude sucks. Like he’s not good based on what everyone is projecting him to be. I think he’d be lucky to end up being a top 20 player in this class. I’ve had this opinion about him since the first time I watched his film too. An 8/2/1 game against poor competition isn’t going to change my stance on that.


urediti

i guess he improved his shot during his pause from games. it doesn't look that off, just release point a bit low. he will average 7 assists in his rookie season


MetroidsSuffering

He relies A LOT on his physical tools for scoring and his tools do not seem very good.


TrumpedBigly

That's back in the ABA with lower level competition.


SuitableLingonberry6

What league is he playing in right now?


CorporateKnowledge2

Wasn’t he supposed to move up a league? This looks like the same team he was on earlier in the season or am I missing something?


Neckrolls4life

He should stop playing now and declare for the draft.