Liberty Links: Preparing For The 2017 NBA Draft

Now that the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery has come to pass, the focus has quickly shifted to the draft on June 22nd. The time for prospect debate is now, especially in Sixer land, where there are no guarantees with the third pick.

Here’s what the experts are saying:

Who should the Sixers select with No. 3 overall pick? - Liberty Ballers staff

After the conclusion of Tuesday’s lottery, members of the LB staff discussed their thoughts and feelings on what direction they could go in. Kansas’s Josh Jackson was agreed upon as the guy with very little opposition.

Joel Embiid expects the Sixers to draft Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson - Liberty Ballers

Embiid was asked at the conclusion of the lottery his thoughts on the pick, and he singled out Tatum and Jackson as the two most likely options. He’s probably not wrong there.

De’Aaron Fox’s advanced handle should cover for his questionable jumper - Cole Zwicker, Fansided

Like Jackson, the one thing holding back Fox from being in the conversation as a legitimate top-three talent is his suspect jumper. Zwicker does a good job of discussing how Fox’s speed and dribble moves can help make up for whatever he lacks in outside shooting. There’s certainly a chance Philadelphia could consider selecting him at three, though it seems unlikely. He’s a great player, but if Ben Simmons is your ball handler, there’s no chance you can play Fox next to him. He should go on to have a solid career wherever he lands, but that jumper will be key in taking his game to the next level.

Potential NBA draft steals - Paul Sabin, ESPN Analytics

Sabin lists five players using ESPN Analytics’ NBA Draft model, and it’s no real surprise that Jonathan Isaac pops up at No. 1 on this list. He padded the stats at Florida State, and ESPN’s model is giving him a 64 percent chance to play at the level of a bona fide NBA starter or better. Taking him at three may be considered a reach to some, but if they’re not locked into Josh Jackson at three, Isaac certainly needs to at least be in the conversation. He can defend multiple positions and has a really nice looking jumper. He’d fit perfectly into this young core.

The 76ers are set up to be the next Celtics - Tom Ziller, SB Nation

There are no guarantees in this league, just opportunities. The Celtics have an opportunity to build something really special. The Sixers have the opportunity to have that opportunity.

It speaks to the power of having a plan — a blueprint for getting from the bottom back to the top. Philadelphia may or may not have derailed its plan by pushing Sam Hinkie aside. But the fruits of his labor have continued and will continue to pay off if the new Sixers power structure plays it right.

LeBron James, Cavaliers open East finals by shutting down Celtics - ESPN’s Brian Windhorst

LeBron dropped 38 points on 24 shots to go with nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He was on cruise control the whole night, and at one point was just toying with new Celtics legend Kelly Olynyk.

LeBron is not fair, and neither is this series. Let’s wrap this one up and get to the good stuff already.