Questions about Davis as our hope for the future.

[JohnnyTimmons]

Alright, so the kid has chops. I can tell from his numbers, and the way everyone talks about him. If I am not completely mistaken, he is a shot blocker and plus rebounder and defender, with a developing offensive game that is not yet elite. Is that correct.

Obviously, any team would like to have Davis. I don't so much have criticisms as hypotheticals.

1.If the Bobcats pick up Davis in the draft, is he the best possible chance we have for a team-defining go to guy that will change the team. A Gerald Wallace, Danny Granger, Iguodala, Lamarcus Aldridge player that comes to mind when you think of the team. Will he be our star and hopes for Allstar games, sell T-shirts etc.
---I worry about this for completely non-academic reasons in that he is a defense-first lanky dude with weird eyebrows and a general awkwardness going on. Two of our other big men are already like that, and their main things are also shot-blocking. Is anyone else worried we are going for the consensus best choice in the draft, when maybe we should be going for the best fit for us, a plus-sized athletic scoring wing?

2.If for whatever reason we decide Davis is not who we want, (not saying he is) is there a possibility we could flip #1 pick for two lower ones and really start firming up our future. How low would those picks have to be you think?

3.Same question as #2 but, is there any chance we could do that, but with our #1 pick and Thomas going somewhere to get a slightly lower pick and also losing that shit contract. How low would we have to go then, are we talking undoable, second half of first round, or like 7th?

4. What is best possible scenario for Davis? And if he shows up as ROY quality player, or at least standout next year, what (given the team we have now -Maggette and Diop + Davis) is our primary concern going into next years draft?

EDIT: Just realized there is a very similar post in the draft section. Oops, still maybe people that dont look there will contribute on this one's specific questions.

[Plowright]

Well people keep saying we need to draft a superstar as we will will struggle to attract them through FA. So when it comes to trading down that would rid us of our "franchise player". Yes I am sure we could send our 1 pick somewhere with Thomas quite easily. One rule of drafting is always draft Best Player available as your roster can change overnight, you might be loaded with bigmen so you go draft a guard, but then you make a trade and you have no bigmen. so ALWAYS draft BPA. Best scenario is Davis gets ROY, becomes and Allstar within 3 years and is one throughout his career. In regards from next years draft, again we draft BPA which I imagine will be Shabazz Muhammed

[JohnnyTimmons]

This makes sense to me. And I don't particularly have any problems with Davis, I just get such a damn Tyrus Thomas vibe from him with his goofy looks, just doesn't have that Lebron/Kobe star look. Though neither does Durant, but he is a scorer first and foremost. Completely shallow, though watching him play in tournament more than I usually see him has been eye-opening.

You gotta go with best player possible, it is true, I have been a baseball fan primarily all my life and this is always the rule there. I don't know why basketball would be any different. Also maybe I am skewed because, while being super supportive of Thomas the last couple years, the amount he will make down the road compared to his production gets me so worried.

[Let's Go Cats 218]

If he declares for the draft, we will pick him. (Unless we get screwed by the lottery.) Not because he is a perfect fit for us, or that his skill-set is exactly what we need... but because he is the #1 pick... the best player available.

[dav7z]

You have to pick Davis it's no one close . Yes its a chance he could be a K Brown but everthing points to him being a star . Stars don't come out ever year . See i don't see Ivering ever being a allstar with D Rose around but he was the best pick ? Supose to be any way. As far as TT goes Animisty could come any year we need the $ . So its no way i screw up a draft pick to packege him .We don't have cap space problems now..
After Davis a wing player i would consider , Say we got the 2nd pick i would try and packege NO two first . Because after Davis star power is much more of a guess.

[superb1]

drafting Davis is a no brainer unless some wrinkle comes up between now and draft night. BPA is what we are in the game for. Plus if he doesn't turn out to be a superstar, he is a piece, a cornerstone to rebuilding this team. If all else fail, he becomes an asset.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Alright, so the kid has chops. I can tell from his numbers, and the way everyone talks about him. If I am not completely mistaken, he is a shot blocker and plus rebounder and defender, with a developing offensive game that is not yet elite. Is that correct.

Obviously, any team would like to have Davis. I don't so much have criticisms as hypotheticals.

1.If the Bobcats pick up Davis in the draft, is he the best possible chance we have for a team-defining go to guy that will change the team. A Gerald Wallace, Danny Granger, Iguodala, Lamarcus Aldridge player that comes to mind when you think of the team. Will he be our star and hopes for Allstar games, sell T-shirts etc.
---I worry about this for completely non-academic reasons in that he is a defense-first lanky dude with weird eyebrows and a general awkwardness going on. Two of our other big men are already like that, and their main things are also shot-blocking. Is anyone else worried we are going for the consensus best choice in the draft, when maybe we should be going for the best fit for us, a plus-sized athletic scoring wing?

2.If for whatever reason we decide Davis is not who we want, (not saying he is) is there a possibility we could flip #1 pick for two lower ones and really start firming up our future. How low would those picks have to be you think?

3.Same question as #2 but, is there any chance we could do that, but with our #1 pick and Thomas going somewhere to get a slightly lower pick and also losing that shit contract. How low would we have to go then, are we talking undoable, second half of first round, or like 7th?

4. What is best possible scenario for Davis? And if he shows up as ROY quality player, or at least standout next year, what (given the team we have now -Maggette and Diop + Davis) is our primary concern going into next years draft?

EDIT: Just realized there is a very similar post in the draft section. Oops, still maybe people that dont look there will contribute on this one's specific questions.

Great questions, man!! Thanks so much for posting.

My two cents:

1. If there was ever a team that needed to ignore its lousy roster and simply draft best player available, it is these Charlotte Bobcats. We don't need to be concerned with how Davis fits in with us. We need to be more concerned with how our current group can fit with Davis.

You can never have too much defensive ablility on your roster. Offensive skill can be taught to some degree through the years.

Davis is clearly head-and-shoulders more valuable than any of the Wings in the draft.

Yes, he is the best bet to be a team-defining guy, sell t-shirts, etc. I won't be able to contain my excitement if we get him. He might need a few years to truly develop, just like any other 1-and-done rookie....

2. Personally, I have serious question marks about every prospect other than Davis. I don't see this as the draft for doing such a thing. We have a lot of young guys who could belong as part of the 8-man rotation on a good team some day. We just need that home run pick, that potential superstar(or two) to add to them.

But you never know. Two guys could emerge that we REALLY like...

3. Can't really speak to that one.

4. Davis= maybe a blend of Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby someday? He won't quite have the tremendous offensive abilities of Garnett, but if you add the fact he could be one of the greatest shotblockers of all time, that'll be okay.....It's within the realm of possibility that he could be an MVP candidate someday. Barring injury, he should be knocking on the door of All-Star status, at the very least.

Thanks for reading!!

[skratch]

I dont think hes the right fit but if we got the #1 pick, we would look stupid not to draft him

[JohnnyTimmons]

So you guys are saying definitely don't draft him? Haha, this thread was half about me knowing NOTHING about college basketball really, besides a few names I hear in draft talk as they pertain to NBA, and wanting to kind of play devils advocate. I hear nothing but consensus #1 chanting about this guy, and kind wanted to see how disapointed/how much a dropoff it would be if we got 2nd pick by (un)luck of the draw.

Plus, is Davis a shot blocker like Biyombo is a shot blocker, i.e. jumps arounda lot, gets a good amount of blocks, but is unable to content/defend post consistently? Or is he more of a blocks shots and good basic defense in post as well?

[JR4P]

This team lacks defense. We have all seen the impact Biz's defensive abilities present and how terribly our defense is when he is out of the game. The adding of Davis, if it happens, would make for a scary duo in the paint defensively. Makes me giddy to think about it. haha

[Veteran_Picksetter]

So you guys are saying definitely don't draft him? Haha, this thread was half about me knowing NOTHING about college basketball really, besides a few names I hear in draft talk as they pertain to NBA, and wanting to kind of play devils advocate. I hear nothing but consensus #1 chanting about this guy, and kind wanted to see how disapointed/how much a dropoff it would be if we got 2nd pick by (un)luck of the draw.

Plus, is Davis a shot blocker like Biyombo is a shot blocker, i.e. jumps arounda lot, gets a good amount of blocks, but is unable to content/defend post consistently? Or is he more of a blocks shots and good basic defense in post as well?

Initially, he will have some difficulty with one-on-one post defense, as he is slight of build. That should change with normal physical maturity and continued work. He has broad shoulders, so he should be able to add muscle.

From what I've seen:

1. He has tremendous length, probably even more than Tyrus.

2. He is amazing at rotating on defense. The guy can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. So he will be a great guy to cover the backs of other players who get beat defensively. He blocks shots all over the court, not just in the paint.

[SWedd523]

Do I think Davis will be a franchise changing, elite superstar, top 10 NBA player (Garnett/Dwight)? No

Do I think Davis willl be a multiyear all-star selection, top 25 NBA player (Aldridge/Love)? Ehh, maybe


I do think, though, that of any player in this draft, he has the best shot of getting there. And that's all that matters to me

[Talent]

The following is just a viewpoint of mine not to be considered fact in anyway.

When someone like Anthony Davis comes around you draft him no questions asked. He has solid fundamentals due to him being a guard until his senior year of high school. Another player in the league had a growth spurt like Davis and was a guard most of his teenage life. Dirk. I am in no way saying Davis is Dirk they don't play the same way, but they both bring something unique to the NBA court and that often is the X-Factor in winning basketball games. Honestly who can guard Dirk? Not many people because his skill set is so unique. I can see Davis having the same sort of offensive ability due to his unique growth spurt in high school.

The one issue many people fear is his knee's may not be able to take the growth spurt and may be an issue for his career. I say the closest frame to his I can think of in the NBA is Tayshaun Prince who was a pivotal member of the Pistons during their championship years. Price had some minor injury issue but has developed into one of the better players in the league. I believe Davis could become a X-Factor match up issue for many teams.

Recently I have watched many Kentucky games and have noticed Davis developing a top of the arch mid range jumper much like KG has. If he can do something like this on a more regular basis I think it would be just what the Bobcats need. KG was never considered a prolific scorer like Kobe or Durant, but he was a consistent player who could be counted on when he was needed to score and spread the floor. How could you not be excited about that possibility?

[JohnnyTimmons]

I'm starting to be really excited about getting this guy! Great to have so many comments on him and how he would fit in!

So he's gone first, what if we get second or third? We still go with best available? I would assume so, but is it not as clear cut after this first pick? Do we now go with best for us since players past #1 are more even?

I have seen draft order predictions, seems like obvious choices for our first pick if we go past #1 would be Lamb, Barnes, Drummond, Sullinger, MKG, Beal, Robinson? Again, I don't follow college as much as most, but those names stick out as ones I hear about a lot.

Also, anyone think Tyler Zeller goes in second round where we could pick him up. I'm a UNC fan, and think Bobcat fans would really dig this kid here, plus he's a servicable 7 footer that can go off from the free throw line and offensive rebounds.

[MadBOBCATfanUK]

I'm starting to be really excited about getting this guy! Great to have so many comments on him and how he would fit in!

So he's gone first, what if we get second or third? We still go with best available? I would assume so, but is it not as clear cut after this first pick? Do we now go with best for us since players past #1 are more even?

I have seen draft order predictions, seems like obvious choices for our first pick if we go past #1 would be Lamb, Barnes, Drummond, Sullinger, MKG, Beal, Robinson? Again, I don't follow college as much as most, but those names stick out as ones I hear about a lot.

Also, anyone think Tyler Zeller goes in second round where we could pick him up. I'm a UNC fan, and think Bobcat fans would really dig this kid here, plus he's a servicable 7 footer that can go off from the free throw line and offensive rebounds.

No way in hell does Zeller slip that far

[JohnnyTimmons]

I didn't think so, but I thought I might have been overvaluing a player on a team I like.

[Mustachio]

So you guys are saying definitely don't draft him? Haha, this thread was half about me knowing NOTHING about college basketball really, besides a few names I hear in draft talk as they pertain to NBA, and wanting to kind of play devils advocate. I hear nothing but consensus #1 chanting about this guy, and kind wanted to see how disapointed/how much a dropoff it would be if we got 2nd pick by (un)luck of the draw.

Plus, is Davis a shot blocker like Biyombo is a shot blocker, i.e. jumps arounda lot, gets a good amount of blocks, but is unable to content/defend post consistently? Or is he more of a blocks shots and good basic defense in post as well?

I kind of disagree with the general slant of the thread so far. That Davis isn't both the absolute best player available AND a good fit. I think Bismack is clearly a center and Davis is clearly a power forward. I think they are a perfect fit. And honestly I love the idea of a 4 big man rotation with Biyombo/Davis Mullens/White. Its business in the front, scoring in the back. Not to mention all under 25 years old.

Finally I leave you with this http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1006953/davis2_medium.gif

[superb1]

I kind of disagree with the general slant of the thread so far. That Davis isn't both the absolute best player available AND a good fit. I think Bismack is clearly a center and Davis is clearly a power forward. I think they are a perfect fit. And honestly I love the idea of a 4 big man rotation with Biyombo/Davis Mullens/White. Its business in the front, scoring in the back. Not to mention all under 25 years old.

Finally I leave you with this http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1006953/davis2_medium.gif

nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[adam187]

definitely agree with what mustachio said and a lot of what other people said as well.

one thing about davis (and biyombo as well), these are dudes are often going up against other people quite older than them. you gotta be thinking, if they're holding their own at the moment, what are they gonna be like 5-6-7 years down the road when they hit their real prime? hopefully just beasting it.

finally, one thing i noticed in the original post is the idea about wanting a wing scorer. i think the image is that a great wing (or point guard) is what you want because it's exciting, but if you look at the actual championship teams of the past 10 years, they all had elite PFs (Dirk, Gasol, Garnett, Duncan). you need a guy like that if you actually want to win. davis has a chance to be that, and hopefully that will be with us.

[SWedd523]

4 big man rotation with Biyombo/Davis Mullens/White. Its business in the front, scoring in the back.

Sounds like a mullet. They would all have to grow one for effect, of course.


I bet BJ would totally rock a mullet