[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Who’s the better prospect?
Nolan Traore dominated his own age group last summer including a 45-point game before having his struggles shooting against grown men. He’s known for play making and has a great craftiness with his creation for others. His lack of shooting has limited him, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance. But with the competition it’s been a roller coaster ride. But that’s the biggest key, competition is real… He has a lot of Ricky Rubio to his game.

Labaron Philon was debatably the best player on a tough Alabama team in the toughest conference in college basketball. He too struggles a bit shooting long range but also has the craftiness and creation on offense. His defense is scrappy. While he didn’t play in a pro league, his competition wasn’t a push over either. And when he faced his draft peers, Philon outperformed them more often than not such as Fears and Kasparas that will likely be ahead of him.

Give me Labaron Philon. Imo Labaron is the guy here. My comparison for him is Rajon Rondo and imo he does everything slightly better. It’s like Traore to me is about 90% of Philon… and Philon I felt had the keys less often with Sears taking that role too. Labaron can play off ball if needed or a secondary ball handler, but is better running the show…
Anyways, what are your thoughts?

[HitsterParticipant]

I’d probably have Traore higher in my mocksbut Philon as maybe a lesser creative Rondo type guy would be a rock solid pick for a team wanting another ball handler and a good defender.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I see Traore mocked ahead of Philon all the time, but tbh I’m scratching my head on why. I think they bring similar traits to the table and imo Labaron is slightly better at it than Traore.

[Andrew1984Participant]

At the 2024 Hoop Summit, Nolan Traore was even more impressive than VJ, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Ian Jackson, Tre Johnson, and Boogie Fland. He looked better than everyone except Coop. Either that was an outlier and a fluke, or he is being way undervalued right now in this draft process. Because he looked an awful lot like Damian Lillard in that game. Even if it was a bit anomalous, I could not fathom him falling out of the lottery or even the top 7-8 picks.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

interesting take, I think most scouts fall back on that off season as well… it’s a fair point and case, but since then he hasn’t been quite that guy… he had a hot run for sure though.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I dont know. To me Rajon Rondo is one of the most underrated players alltime. I understand the comparison especially defensively just by being the most competitive player on the floor that part of his game defenitely reminds me of Rondo and I’m very high on Philon but Rondo is one of the true great playmakers ever. Other than Magic Johnson nobody has had more assists in a single posteason. That includes Stockton, CP3, Kidd, Lebron, Nash, Isaiah Thomas. And hes had two postseasons with more assists than any other player other than Magic. You look at all the assist records he’s usually up there. He really should be a 1st ballot hall of famer when he becomes eligible in 2026.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

yeah, it’s not apples to apples but the handles and the way he gets to his spots are like Rondo to me… he is also a good passer, just not quite Rondo in that department… but he will look to score more than Rondo did. It’s closer to post Celtics Rondo but there’s only one Rondo.

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