I was able to get some feedback on the Duke players and the draft.
On Bagley
Q: What made Bagley the 2nd pick and not the first?
Scout: "You know, based on skills it was close, but in the end, Ayton's physical development separated the two. Don't get me wrong, Bagley will get stronger as a Pro, and his athleticism is impressive. I just think Phoenix was enamored by Ayton's Pro ready body (and him being a local kid). Both guys will need to learn to defend at a higher level and continue to work on their games. I wouldn't be surprised if Bagley puts up better numbers as a rookie."
On Carter
Q: What was it that the Pro programs saw that made him go so high?
Scout: "Flat out, his ability to step out and make shots and how he rebounds. He's for sure a modern day big that does more that play in the paint. Most NBA people were really impressed by his overall game. I know he (and some other Duke guys) expressed they could show more as a Pro than at Duke, and I agree. After seeing him in workouts, Carter has a chance to be a very good Pro player."
On Allen
Q: Was there a consensus he would go in round 1?
Scout: "Allen was one of the players that really helped himself out by doing workouts. He kept showing more and more. We all knew he was athletic, but no one knew that athletic, and couple that with his shooting and competitive nature and I do think most had him somewhere in the late first. He's a guy that will come off the bench and give energy and as another option to hit shots. Good to see players like that step up. That's why the process is the way it is for players like him."
On Trent
Q: What impact can he make?
Scout: "He's another one that helped himself out in workouts. He showed to be more athletic and to make more kinds of shots. He has a ways to go on his ball handling skills, using his left and being able to stay in front of other athletic wings that have a quick first few steps. He will stick as a Pro and I can see him taking some time to transition to the speed of the NBA game, but his dad, being a former Pro, can help him with the little parts of the game to get him to read things ahead of time."
On Duval
A: Was shooting his Achilles heel?
Scout: "Yes and no. Everyone knew he needed to work on his shot, so everyone was looking at the other essential parts of being a PG. He doesn't read the game yet running the offense in the half court and misses cutters or guys curling off of screens. He is more of a free flowing up and down the court player. Also, defensively he gambles and gets caught. As a Pro that is tough on the rest of the team. He's athletic as hell and I wouldn't count him out. He will just need time."
On Bagley
Q: What made Bagley the 2nd pick and not the first?
Scout: "You know, based on skills it was close, but in the end, Ayton's physical development separated the two. Don't get me wrong, Bagley will get stronger as a Pro, and his athleticism is impressive. I just think Phoenix was enamored by Ayton's Pro ready body (and him being a local kid). Both guys will need to learn to defend at a higher level and continue to work on their games. I wouldn't be surprised if Bagley puts up better numbers as a rookie."
On Carter
Q: What was it that the Pro programs saw that made him go so high?
Scout: "Flat out, his ability to step out and make shots and how he rebounds. He's for sure a modern day big that does more that play in the paint. Most NBA people were really impressed by his overall game. I know he (and some other Duke guys) expressed they could show more as a Pro than at Duke, and I agree. After seeing him in workouts, Carter has a chance to be a very good Pro player."
On Allen
Q: Was there a consensus he would go in round 1?
Scout: "Allen was one of the players that really helped himself out by doing workouts. He kept showing more and more. We all knew he was athletic, but no one knew that athletic, and couple that with his shooting and competitive nature and I do think most had him somewhere in the late first. He's a guy that will come off the bench and give energy and as another option to hit shots. Good to see players like that step up. That's why the process is the way it is for players like him."
On Trent
Q: What impact can he make?
Scout: "He's another one that helped himself out in workouts. He showed to be more athletic and to make more kinds of shots. He has a ways to go on his ball handling skills, using his left and being able to stay in front of other athletic wings that have a quick first few steps. He will stick as a Pro and I can see him taking some time to transition to the speed of the NBA game, but his dad, being a former Pro, can help him with the little parts of the game to get him to read things ahead of time."
On Duval
A: Was shooting his Achilles heel?
Scout: "Yes and no. Everyone knew he needed to work on his shot, so everyone was looking at the other essential parts of being a PG. He doesn't read the game yet running the offense in the half court and misses cutters or guys curling off of screens. He is more of a free flowing up and down the court player. Also, defensively he gambles and gets caught. As a Pro that is tough on the rest of the team. He's athletic as hell and I wouldn't count him out. He will just need time."
