What about all those turnovers he kept getting :)
Jk I know the dude is nasty.
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This does not look like a normal ACL. This is one of the worst looking injuries I have seen. If he can come back and be like he was I am going to be really surprised.
http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/201...C8.AuSt.79.JPG
Muhammed would be a good fit and he would be perfectly complimented by MKG - obviously no Jordan/Pippen talent comparisons are warranted, but the idea of having a high-scoring 2guard, paired with a do-everything 3 that doesn't demand the ball can make for a very effective, well-balanced backcourt. The really interesting thing to watch when the Cats finally select a volume scorer for the backcourt (whether it's Muhammed, McLemore or someone in 2014) is how that backcourt works with Kemba. Right now, it's ok for Walker to take the number of shots he's taking and not necessarily look to pass first. But that becomes much less appealing when you have a better shooter/scorer playing next to him.
Noel's body type is the perfect type to recover from an injury like this. He's not some lumbering center carrying around a lot of bulk. Jason Smith, Nene, Jeff Pendergraph, and David West are all bigs that don't appear to be slowed down at all and they suffered arguably worse injuries. Noel only tore his ACL, no other ligament damage or broken bones from what I've heard/read. Nothing is worse than a spinal (back) injury. Nothing. Blair doesn't even have ACLs and he can still play effectively, you can't play with a back injury at all. Look at how mediocre Dwight Howard is after his back surgery, Steve Nash in his prime had to lay on his back every time I he was subbed out b/c of his bad back. Shaun Livington's injury was much worse than Noel's and he wasn't quite the athlete Noel is.
Is McLemore with our first pick and Alex Len with the Portland pick is that even anywhere close to realistic? Could you imagine if we rolled out to our opening game next year with a lineup of:
PG-Kemba
SG-McLemore
SF-MKG
PF-Bizz
C-Len
Man I drool thinking about that. I like Len because he'd be perfect to match next to Bizz. Bizz is more of our strong defender while Len's strength is his scoring. To be so young he's already a solid shooter from 15+ plus and has great post moves plus is getting better from the foul stripe. I don't think Len will ever be a "dominant" big man, but I'm predicting he'll average 16-11 in his prime which would easily make him one of the 5-10 best centers in the game. I know if we were gonna get both we'd probably have to trade up for Len, because he could easily be a top-5 pick, but I'd almost consider giving the Detroit pick up and maybe a future second if he slips to the 7-8 range. He's a name I haven't heard on here much, but I think could be a perfect fit for us next to Bizz. He's a true center and would allow Bizz to move to PF where he'd be better due to size issues, and their skill-sets would mesh very well. Hell if we get screwed by the lottery and get like the 4th pick I'd consider Len there. That's how high I am on him.
I think Mclemore paired with any big would be great especially Len but he'll definitely be gone. I like Bennet too though. He reminds me of Paul Millsap and Larry Johnson. Undersized for the 4 but has great length, strength, and athleticism to boot. But Mclemore is better overall player than Bazz. Bazz has great length yes but has below average quickness which is not good being that he has to guard one of the most agile positions in the game. Mclemore has that athleticism that you just can't teach and he has a 6'7 wingspan which is good but not great but given his quickness and leaping ability it really doesn't matter. I'd get Len with the 4th pick too if we get screwed or Noel if he is stays up there that long.
Len will be gone by 14. Olynyk is better anyway.
On offense he's miles ahead of Len thus far but Olynyk has to be paired with a good interior defender and rebounder because he is pretty mediocre at both. Takes away flexibility with your line up but I do see a lot of Dirk in Olynyk in his ability to drive and post although his 3 pt shot is merely just decent right now. But if he becomes a good rebounder and serviceable interior defender he will be a force.
Olynyk would primarily be used as a scorer. You would def need to pair him with a good defender and rebounder.