The 2023 NBA Draft One Year Later...

Everyone's talking about Wemby's INSANE rookie season, but what's wild is how many people have completely overlooked what actually went down in this draft class. While Wemby was doing his thing, you had dudes coming out of NOWHERE to change playoff races, rookies starting in the Finals, and second-round picks dropping 40-pieces like it was nothing.
And the craziest part? Most of these guys weren't even the ones we were hyped about on draft night. I dove deep into the film and stories of these rookies' first season, and honestly? This draft class turned out way different than what we all thought on draft night - in some pretty unexpected ways. Let me show you what really happened.
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Written & Produced By: Lockdown K, Ben Simons
Video Engineer: Dionisius Andre
Audio Engineer: Meta House Originals
Thumbnail: Edinator

[@coop7008]

Cam Whitmore having the highest ceiling in a draft class that features Wembanyama is certainly a take of all time.

[@arvidbjoerk5307]

yeah, its like when he said ausar thompson might be the best defensive player in the draft. like wemby didnt come in to the nba at basically a DPOY level. (the spurs were truly awful when he wasnt playing)

[@Beem530]

He has to be excluding Wemby 😂

[@juiceshady736]

i think it’s only fair to exclude wemby- i haven’t been this excited about basketball since kobe died RIP but i thank god basketball has a face again… love to see the whole world fall apart over true talent

[@kang1983]

probably excluding him since he'd win all the awards here lol

[@ripito-eo6rh]

i mean hes obviously excluding wemby no?

[@user-gd5zf2rj8j]

ngl brandon miler is hella underrated

[@LockdownK]

He's a bucket fr

[@Fred-nl8hk]

Definitely Brandon miller is super underrated and he’s been doing super good this season

[@user-gd5zf2rj8j]

@@LockdownK Wow I didn’t expect you to reply

[@colindime7138]

He gave bro the gun

[@334ben10]

It’s because how fans and media handled pre draft. They made it like it was Wemby then Scoot and no one else

[@ryan82scott]

Didn’t know all of that about Lively; pulling like hell for him. That level of composure after all that tragedy and loss… miles beyond his years.

[@LockdownK]

^^^^

[@Kohbruh]

I really appreciate your grind. These got me through. ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@LockdownK]

You really the goat g, I'm glad you rock with the videos

[@Angolemodo]

50 is crazy, respects bro

[@_Itsuki1]

W Mans

[@charloschalvan141]

I like your style as an analyst. This is the kind of coverage that I’m looking for. No clowns woofing back and forth about outrageous claims trying to be controversial.

[@heyjavin]

great video!! super well researched and put together. as a jazz fan, i’m praying for hendricks to come back next season as the growing elite defender with a shot, the way he was drafted to be. i love his game and am seriously hoping he can come back from such a gruesome injury

[@LockdownK]

I feel that man, hoping for the best for him! I've been following him closely before the injury and he was looking like he could be a solid piece in the NBA

[@DimesDCP]

Brother, I wish I could be half as positive as you. In a sports commentary age where it’s all hot takes, you’re always stating ways each of these kids can develop.

[@LockdownK]

The amount of work it takes to get to the MBA is literally insane, so realistically with the right chance a lot of these players have a chance at making it

[@roslolian11]

Hey just want to say appreciate your content so much. Its long form but still very well edited instead of draft heads just talking on their podcast. Keep it up man you got a new sub.

[@LockdownK]

I appreciate you G

[@BAR901]

This is a top notch video. Tons of great information that is hard to get as an Aussie basketball fan who isn't full immersed in the US media ecosystem. Big fan of the positive yet realistic spin on everything too - there's way too much negativity in sports reporting. You earned a new subscriber 👌

[@LockdownK]

Thanks mate! Appreciate the support. 🙏🏽

[@Clout_chasing_boy]

Dereck lively has impressed me a lot. Dude has come back from a lot. Lost his mom to cancer. Always rooting for him

[@LockdownK]

Always

[@JimboCruntz]

He’s a rare player because he’s willing to just do what he needs to do. He’s not crying about not getting post ups, waiting by the 3pt line to shoot or hiding from defence. He does everything a 5 needs to well. One of my favourite players at the moment.

[@lzzz8357]

yo bro your the best at what you do...your insight on basketball is GRADE A..keep it up bro....I watch a lotta sports folk and you're the best at breaking down drafts there updates no BS

[@LockdownK]

You already know, appreciate you g 💯

[@landonskinner2428]

Found this channel a few months ago and absolutely love watching his videos

[@LockdownK]

Goat

[@KelmanKollectables]

My favourite basketball you tuber. I'm here before you hit a million subscribers. Keep up the good work mate.

[@LockdownK]

I appreciate you G

[@imbloodbath9908]

You got a new fan carry on with this content

[@LockdownK]

W comment

[@WDManns]

I can appreciate you covering a sport that’s going through what some would call a recession due to the amount of 3s shot and FT discrepancies that come about. Regarding Bilal thought, he’s really a mini Giannis in the sense that he can defend one through five and is actively getting better at every part of his game offensively from playmaking to inside/outside shooting. The one thing about Bilal is that his game relies on his confidence so I hope he can gain a ton of confidence this season and not be a streaky player like Poole or Kuz.

[@LockdownK]

Agreed

[@conwayGAMES]

this content is great. this channel gonna shoot to 100k+ so quick.

[@LockdownK]

Appreciate that g, got big plans for the future 💯

[@kevinmacdonald9269]

2:55 wemby with the 5 deals in a game, amazing

[@jamesallen3404]

Brother loved this video Amazing quality keep up the hard work work and hoping for continued growth and improvement

[@LockdownK]

You the goat, I appreciate it

[@victorhengpl]

🎉 Awesome analysis ! You are a legit content creator. You gave a fair assessment of their progress after months in NBA seasons. That's much better than other thrash creators who jumped to player conclusions and pushing out videos after the payers had 1 fantastic or nasty game.

[@LockdownK]

Appreciate it! 💯

[@therandomkingofanything4654]

Personally, I’d go so far as to say amen’s handle is actually his biggest weakness currently. Mid range game has been very good this season to pair with his killer inside game, and even hitting the occasional corner three at a decent enough clip

[@grafail1946_]

Fire video as always🔥

[@LockdownK]

Appreciate it

[@Ironbeargrizz187]

I love these vids , mad fun

[@LockdownK]

glad you like them!

[@Liam-rv3dj]

You made a great point about OKC in this video about how they gave a rookie (technically 2) 82 games and roles fitting of their development. It shows why they are so good at developing talent, they give them the chance.

[@LockdownK]

they have been doing it for decades now, it's very impressive what their front office does!

[@indythrifts2569]

Jarace Walker is showing a lot of potential lately, his last few games he's shined well in scoring, and there have been plenty of times where he showed a glimpse of raw defense with great potential. He's developing a lot and I feel comfortable with him now as a backup 3. Give him another year or two with time for his confidence for pace he's going to be a great player.

[@wedabestradi096]

Love this class they have alot of potential

[@LockdownK]

I think so too!

[@LaurenWilson-cm8ic]

Great analysis!! Broke down some under-the-radar players that ought to be known. Thanks. :)

[@LockdownK]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@MitchellWakefield-ln2wp]

fire vid, great work

[@LockdownK]

Big up

[@erich3784]

17:09 « He might just be the best defender in this class ». Did you already forget about Wemby? 🤔

[@LockdownK]

outside of the anomaly of wamba wamba

[@jwilly5296]

The defensive talent in this class is absolutely insane

[@kjst14]

yep i just found my new favorite basketball creator

[@LockdownK]

W comment

[@jayyurr9284]

Most underrated yt of all time

[@Kohbruh]

Factoids

[@Slowbbq]

This was a great class, so many players with unique skillsets and also the most prototypical SF in Brandon Miller

[@datjewellboy]

Nice vid. Time stamps would be great for list vids like this.

[@ilhamhazaqo7494]

Great video man, i Can't wait to see get his first mvp and championship i Will be there

[@nomorepartiezz]

As a Mavs fan I can’t emphasize enough how much tanking two games to draft Lively has arguably saved the Luka era. We started that season off thinking maybe he could spend a year in the G league and develop into a solid center next to Luka within a couple seasons to him arguably being the third or fourth most important player on a finals team at age 19/20. Especially considering that he was raised by a single mom and she passed like a week before the playoffs started.

[@LockdownK]

yupppp, and also idk why its not mentioned often but the mavs originally drafted cason wallace and traded for lively later on. The lively luka fit is exactly what dallas needed though, and cason has proved to be a great role player for the thunder

[@CD-tk2oc]

Amen is close to if not a top 5 defender in the league already, I don't think people realize how good he is defensively. Also his 3 pt shooting went from 14% to 25% on increased attempts so I'm not super worried about that.

[@bustacarl247]

I remember when Charlotte fans were disappointed when they picked Brandon instead of Scoot

[@LockdownK]

They should be happy now so far lolll

[@Go00och45]

That guy in the Hornets jersey is a troll. Real hornets fans knew B. Mill was the guy or else Melo would opt out to play elsewhere if they chose to move on with Scoot.

[@JoshNichols36]

Using 33 on Embiid as one of the first things you mention in the game he had a 70 piece hung on him is nasty work lol

[@raiden2782]

Only 16 points on wemby rest a Collins

[@Jr_Fort-uiop]

i love this segment

[@LockdownK]

Yesssirr

[@PattyTheBaddy]

Jokic, Giannis, Luka, Shai, Tatum & Wemby

[@sakiiwata5586]

Wemby changed everything 😂

[@LockdownK]

Literally bro

[@poaloguano5388]

Everybody rooting for lively. I’m a Celtics fan, but how can you not root for a guy who persevere through all that loss? I couldn’t imagine losing both parents before the age of 19. Just seems like a good kid with a good heart that wants to make his parents proud

[@kennethxu1789]

38:35 he was so lucky to get the red raptors hat that day, fits like a glove

[@kennethxu1789]

39:42 gary temple a real one

[@kennethxu1789]

42:53 pels should give up on everybody and build with hawkins, guy has the 3gene

[@LockdownK]

Ok maybe, not this one, but he's def a scorer

[@LockdownK]

GT Goat

[@desrever1138]

I'm 4 picks in on this video and I find it odd that so far you have only focused on these players rookie season but we are already a third of the way through their second season.

[@francowillis6133]

I think it’s more or less the drafts are loaded with unfinished canvases of prospects. The AAU /Prep School factories are producing them at an all time rate.

[@eddieplego]

ngl you shouldn't have mentioned embiid as if embiid didn't have 70 in under 30 minutes 😭

[@justinford4075]

Miller won rookie of the month multiple times. How is that not a stand out rookie?

[@senorbit2868]

Let’s remember Coulibaly was initially intended to go in this year’s draft class . So that has to be factored

[@markneil6892]

The most Stacked Defensive Players Draft. Just the 2 season and most of them are already elite defender.

[@LockdownK]

I wonder what this draft is going to look like in 5 years

[@babycakessr.8704]

That’s a wild take considering the 84 draft had probably the best big man defender of all time in Hakeem who is first all time in blocks and 10th all time in steals (which is a crazy stat). Also there was an all time great defender at SG in Michael Jordan. Plus John Stockton who is the all time steals leader in NBA history. Alvin Robertson was a DPOY and lead the league in steals for 3 seasons. So yeah let’s not crown the 23 class just yet 😂

[@LockdownK]

Yeah they got some big shoes to fill haha

[@Flexorcist3030]

I guess the highest ceiling excludes Wemby? The man’s ceiling is GOAT fr. The same for defensive player? Wemby can be the defensive GOAT also Lively?

[@LockdownK]

Correct Wemby is the one off in this draft

[@jway2fye]

Honestly I didn’t even know bout Wet Bananas till like the beginning of 2023

[@LockdownK]

I heard about him a little bit before, But like you I didn't know about wamba wamba until the media really started pushing him

[@siphillis]

I think I might be higher on Amen than Miller. He can't throw the ball in the ocean, but he's also a Westbrook-level athlete with great touch around the rim and superb passing instincts. With just a serviceable jump shot, he's an All Star in the making

[@LockdownK]

Idk I think B Miller overall could be better, IMO adding defense is easier than adding offense to your resume

[@Idiguedu]

Asaur Thompson best defender ina class when a guy gets 4 bpg is insane

[@cheeto8960]

Amen is probably better at that too

[@r.2178]

As a hornets fan miller is so underrated

[@LockdownK]

agreed

[@Kohbruh]

We back✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@LockdownK]

I was waiting for you to comment haha 😂

[@Kohbruh]

😂😂😂​@@LockdownK

[@RobCortez0416]

Amen's shot is already improved. If he figures out how to be an average shooter he'll be far and away the best player in the draft behind wembanyama.

[@mortiz-22]

i’ve loved lively and been following him since he got to the mavs, being the same age as him knowing he lost both of his parents just hurts, i wouldn’t be able to handle that

[@LockdownK]

I was saying the exact same thing to one of my friends the other day. I'm forever a Lively fan. I was there when the whole arena and his mom wished him a happy birthday and, when he made his first career three

[@ChristopherBowenSuperbus]

I love the Anthony Black story. I used to work minor league hockey as an on-ice official, and pro sports are just different. They make decisions so much faster, and the precision on their passes and shots are just better. And that was the low-minors. Someone at the top league in the world? Where you have to have psychotic levels of competitiveness, talent, work ethic and luck *just to suck*? They’re barely even human at that level.

[@LockdownK]

Literallyyyyyyyyyyyy

[@jesusplayz]

Keyonte averaged how much? 153?

[@chrilpy]

Most of them are still in the league believe it or not

[@LockdownK]

So far!

[@NoStoppin2_Tv]

Crazy they got Bronny James jumping in n out of the G-league and NBA when they got a dude averaging 22ppg and 5 ast stuck in the G-league, hope it works out for Jalen Hood-Schifino

[@koriia]

Listing most turnovers as accomplishment is crazy 😂

[@LockdownK]

lollll

[@jway2fye]

16:05 nah imagine being pressed by the Thomson twins, just give them the ball at that point

[@LockdownK]

Just except the turnover at that point 😂😂😂😂😂

[@xzvnz]

i always loved brandon miller never understood the hate never said scoot was better then him

[@LockdownK]

In hindsight it's crazy to see scoot being drafted higher over miller

[@hobowithagun24]

AMEN Thompson is very special and the only thing that will hold him back from superstardom is a jump shot and handle. If he improves those things to above average he will be a two way superstar

[@LockdownK]

Potentially!

[@karelovesD]

My thing with late season scoot even tho he was better it really didn’t feel like it blazers where out of a lot of games so scoot got to play a lot garbage time minutes even tho I think that help him I think people overstate his improvement

[@LockdownK]

If scoot is going to make it, he needs to keep his killer mindset, and just keep improving. I mean he's only 20 so he has time, just not a lottt of time

[@juliencdj8976]

Bilal is next up guys

[@LockdownK]

I'm tellllliinnnn yooouu bro

[@shadow1381]

Do regarading the 2014 draft please 🙏

[@LockdownK]

already done! think it was one of my first 10 videos!

[@spursamn]

But Bilal, the DC Metro is great! Also how funny is it that I am a Spurs fan who lives in the DC metro area, and so both Mets92 players went to my 2 teams

[@LockdownK]

the french connection!

[@datjewellboy]

That Pistons take isn't aging so well. Ivey and Cade are shooting better than Harris and idkiyk but Ausar had blood clots and is just now coming back on minutes restriction. They usually play him with Beasley anyway. But if you don't watch the Pistons you won't know everything. It was impossible to project Ausar as the starter. They also got more shooters and his playmaking kind of masks his shooting now that he has a competent coach and roster.

[@davidolujobi7892]

58:30 the noah clowney and nic claxton duo should be called NC^2

[@LockdownK]

NC Squared is hard, you need to copyright that bro bro 🔥🔥

[@spursamn]

I am convinced the Magic only picked Jett Howard so they didn't have Suggs, Black, and Dick.

[@LockdownK]

that's actually hilarious lolll

[@CJ_8911]

The best thing about the Thompson twins is their middle name

[@LockdownK]

XLNC

[@N1K0MAC15]

saying he dropped 33 on embiid is crazy. embiid put up 71 on him

[@BackyardDanny]

As a pistons fan I was hoping to get b miller

[@LockdownK]

B Miller on the Pistons would of been fire

[@Brazy_JP]

Podz rookie year is unfortunately far better than his second year as of rn

[@LockdownK]

I wouldn't count him out just yet...

[@evanmcbob]

he forgot wemby was there whenn. he said "best defender in this class 17:17

[@LockdownK]

Wamba wamba could dang there make a case to be the best or top 3 in every category lollll, he's in his own lane so let's keep there haha

[@tonydavis9472]

Nba 2k needs to put more respect on Brandon Miller's name. Last 10 games he 2nd in the league in points for SG's

[@Barney_Googles]

As a warriors fan I can say Podz feel off this season

[@juiceshady736]

man michael jordan was a late bloomer and they use to tell that to all of us as kids to encourage us to chase r dreams no matter what age we is nowadays if you a 18 year old rookie in the NBA making almost 10 points a game in a leadership position on the team- your a bust 🤣🙏 people need to start comparing they favorite stars to themselves before they throw criticism so fast. we all human. not everyone can be an alien

[@LockdownK]

exactly, and everyone has there own path/lane. also just going to put this out there but the blazers team makes no sense rn. I need to watch more of their games but I feel like the lineup does not gel right

[@DwayneWadesstatue]

If you described Wemby to someone that don’t watch basketball it would sound like you made him up

[@LockdownK]

he's a 2k character in real life

[@aloha6953]

prosper reminds me of collin sexton when he was in the cavs, just target lock on the ring when driving recklessly and just a fck all mindset

[@LockdownK]

thats an interesting comparison, I can lowkey see that

[@Scrubnub9000]

wemby is a freak but i dont think you can brag about dropping 30 on embid if he drops 70 on you

[@blueredlover1060]

Gradey Dick is a meme of a name; who's a good player.

[@victorhengpl]

Yeah. You have to give Gradey credit for trying his best at every game.

[@knawtnine]

amen shooting 40+ from corner 3s

[@masonknowsball]

Cason Wallace might be a top 5 player out of this draft in the future. So glad to see him in OKC

[@zachmena1700]

2021 draft class was more stacked

[@brooklynstacker]

You said first time brothers were drafted top 5, what about the Ball brothers

[@LockdownK]

Twins*

[@stusis]

thks

[@luisjuarez1533]

Only 2 positives. Wemby and Brandon Miller

[@itay6262]

Love Brandon Miller, really hope he and Lamelo wont waste their careers in Charlotte

[@krazy958]

Sending radiation your way rn

[@digby-qe3bs]

How about your hating ass just hopes for a small market team gets better?

[@334ben10]

Nah they not wasting it Hornets are actually starting to build something good. Have their franchise player, have their “1b” “Robin” or whatever you want to call the #2, they have other decent players, have good trade assets, has money they can spend in FA, on top of majority of their team/core are young.

[@itay6262]

@@334ben10 I have nothing against the Hornets.. but their track record is not great lol

[@334ben10]

@@itay6262 hence why I said starting to build. New executive, new coach, finally hitting on draft picks, making good signings, progressing some players.

[@YNWA77]

Wembenyama became an unknown, sad man. Is he still in basketball?

[@LockdownK]

I'm wwweeaaakkk

[@zinaar9956]

Draymond and Kuminga? Non-shooters? They're both at almost 4 attempts a game this year... I'm pissed as hell, I watched all the way to the end only to find out you have no clue what you're talking about.

[@LockdownK]

Congrats one for making it that far in the video. On the other hand just because you can make a wide open three doesn't make you a "shooter", in modern day NBA a larger amount of players are shooting threes that would not of been shooting them in previous eras. To add on top of it, the warriors whole offensive system is around shooting threes, so if you are on that team and you are not Jordan Bell, Kevon Looney, Willie Caulie Stein (however you spell his name) or TJD you better be able to make a wide open three.

[@biyah22]

WEMBY >>>>>>> all of them

[@LockdownK]

agreed

[@petesmart1983]

Not high on ausur he can't shoot, he shooting 42% on free throws this season and is a massive liability , but rarely played or had any minutes this season.

[@datjewellboy]

He is coming back from blood clots and couldn't develop this off-season. He is on minutes restriction. His shot mechanics look a lot better. He is far from a liability. He is in most of the Pistons' most effective lineups. I don't care about his shooting because he functions as a playmaker, slasher and screener in the offense and is great in transition. The Pistons don't get calls, so free throw shooting kind of doesn't matter either. You're the kind of guy that would trade Ben Wallace for Vucevic and wonder why you can't win. His job was never to be an offensive number one option so judging him that way tells you nothing. Everyone is useless in the wrong role. Ausar is imperative to this team in his role and I am very high on him actually.

[@WDManns]

Not covering Tristan Vukcevic, the player with potentially the highest ceiling in the draft behind Wemby in the video is disgusting. You talked about Emoni Bates who hasn’t done ANYTHING AT ALL but not Tristan Vukcevic who averaged 10 a game as a 2nd round rookie. That just shows your knowledge of the game and how much media plays a part in this popularity contest, we call a top 25. Go do some research man. Tristan Vukcevic. Make a video about him. Definition of the golden ticket for you to be the first to make a video on him.

[@LockdownK]

You're looking too deep into this. When I made the video he just wasn't on my list, but as of now he has popped off

[@WDManns]

@ that’s fair. Will you make an upcoming video about Tristan Vukcevic in the near future?

[@WDManns]

@@LockdownK sorry if I was a bit harsh when I said that. He just hasn’t gotten PT because he’s been hurt so I was pressed to see him play

[@LockdownK]

Fair enough haha, he'll probably fit into another video we make closer to the summer 🙏🏽🔥

[@petesmart1983]

He's played 10 games, can't shoot and can't rebound no offence but he isn't anything interesting. Also 8.5pts isn't 10 points a game only getting play time cause the wizards are so bad

[@frogeggsyeah5138]

Oh hell yeah, time to relax with a redbull and this vid.

[@LockdownK]

Yesssirrr

[@terrancejohnson8017]

Spurs trade for cam

[@Vasco224]

Cam who ☠️

[@babycakessr.8704]

I think there’s a good chance that Amen Thompson can be a more athletic Kawhi Leonard. If he can eventually improve his jumper then he could be an elite 2 way player. People forget that Kawhi wasn’t a good shooter when he came into the league but developed one after working with the Spurs shooting coach his first few seasons. Amen is already a good passer and has a nice handlle plus he’s already a defensive beast.

[@Andrewjs2187]

I think the hesitance is that Kawhi wasn't a terrible shooter coming out of college. He shot 37% from 3 his first two seasons. Amen is shooting 20% so far in his first two seasons. He is virtually a completely non shooter.

[@LockdownK]

If he can work on the shot form, he could become a problem. He already gets decent looks just needs to make them now

[@DomoMervyn]

Wheres Brandon Miller on here wasn't he a top 5 pick

[@LockdownK]

Second person in the video