Our Draft Targets

[SWedd523]

Okay guys, as most of you know, I'm a college basketball nut. I follow teams from Centenary to North Carolina and all of them between. This thread will be for us to discuss the guys in our target range.


Looking at our depth Chart, we have good young talent at the PG, SG, and PF slots. That makes our targets in the draft at the SF and C positions. Fortunately, there are a ton of likable wings available in the draft who can provide some of what we miss in Crash. There are, however, very few big men targets.

We'll use this thread to talk about them. As it gets closer to the draft, we'll break them out into individual threads to get a more specific look at each player. So, as you watch college ball (and you definitely should if you enjoy REAL basketball), then do your best to check these guys out so you have a better understanding of the players we'll be looking at.



Targets in the 8-12 (Bobcats pick) range in no order:

SF

• Terrence Jones--6'8" 245, Freshman from Kentucky
• Harrison Barnes--6'8" 210, Freshman from North Carolina
• Jan Vesely--6'11" 240, 20 years old from Czech Republic
• Jordan Hamilton--6'7" 220, Sophomore from Texas
• Kawhi Leonard--6'7" 225, Sophomore from San Diego St.

C

• Jonas Valanciunas--6'11" 240, 18 years old from Lithuania
• Enes Kanter--6'10" 250, 18 years old from Switzerland/Kentucky
• Donatas Motiejunas--7'0" 215, 20 years old from Lithuania

Targets for the Hornets pick vary widely because they can be in the 13-14 range, or 18-22. If the pick falls into the lottery, we'll be targeting two of the players listed above. Otherwise, the following "next tier" players will be the target.


SF

• Tyler Honeycutt--6'8" 190, Sophomore from UCLA
• Marcus Morris--6'9" 235, Junior from Kansas
• Chris Singleton--6'9" 225, Junior from Florida St.

C

• JaJuan Johnson--6'10" 225, Senior from Purdue
• Lucas Nogueira--7'0" 225, 18 years old from Brazil
• Keith Benson--6'11" 230, Senior from Oakland

[teej]

SF

• Terrence Jones--6'8" 245, Freshman from Kentucky
• Harrison Barnes--6'8" 210, Freshman from North Carolina
• Jan Vesely--6'11" 240, 20 years old from Czech Republic
• Jordan Hamilton--6'7" 220, Sophomore from Texas
• Kawhi Leonard--6'7" 225, Sophomore from San Diego St.
• Tyler Honeycutt--6'8" 190, Sophomore from UCLA
• Marcus Morris--6'9" 235, Junior from Kansas
• Chris Singleton--6'9" 225, Junior from Florida St.

C

• Jonas Valanciunas--6'11" 240, 18 years old from Lithuania
• Enes Kanter--6'10" 250, 18 years old from Switzerland/Kentucky
• Donatas Motiejunas--7'0" 215, 20 years old from Lithuania
• JaJuan Johnson--6'10" 225, Senior from Purdue
• Lucas Nogueira--7'0" 225, 18 years old from Brazil
• Keith Benson--6'11" 230, Senior from Oakland

Terrence and Harrison haven't really been that impressive, but if they fall out of the 8-10 range and are still around at the second pick, you have to take them. I like Hamilton, and while they're more of a 3/4 than a swingman, Marcus Morris and Vesely are good too. I like what I've seen in college from Singleton but I'm not convinced he'll be that great in the pros. I dunno why, though. And I don't know much about Honeycutt or Leonard, other than I don't like their names

I love Donatas, but he wouldn't fit with Tyrus. That frontcourt would be TINY. I like Jonas and Enes, although Enes not playing at UK concerns me just for lack of tape. Not a fan of JaJuan, but Benson might fit. Don't know anything about the Brazilian.

[Marvel]

and you definitely should if you enjoy REAL basketball

What do you mean "REAL" basketball. I hear that a lot. Some guys say "real defense" is played in college....lolwut.

Anyway, I don't think Barnes is ready for the NBA. The only Euro prospect i would take in the top 10 would be Enes Kanter. I think he can develop into the Chris Kaman mould. He intrigues me, NBA body(WIDE, excellent hands, tough, rugged player, strong rebounder(really gets after it), finishes well in and around the basket. In saying that, i'd take a long hard look at him in workouts.

Other targets in the 8-12 range:

Honeycutt, Hamilton, Leonard, Jones, Marcus Morris, Kanter, Derrick Williams



Hornets pick:

Benson, JaJuan.

[Pepperz]

If we get these two players in this draft, I will be satisfied with our picks completely.

Harrison Barnes - I have a feeling that this guy is going to be a star in the NBA one day. He's a smart and talented kid that will get better and better with each passing day.

Lucas Nogueira - This kid has alot of upside to his game. He will need to bulk up a bit but with the right training (Oak Tree) he can turn into something special as well.

[frontpager]

Harrison isnt impressive? He hits clutch shots continuously and ever since he has gained confidence he has become one of best players in nation. Anyway we can save that for later when draft gets closer after the tourney. Terrence Jones has a game similar to wallace, even in his form in the way he shoots haha.
Jordan Hamilton is a player who can definetly light up the offensive end of the court, but needs to improve defensively. Enes Kanter would be a good look but I would like to wait until workouts because I haven't seen highlights since his HS years.
Jajuan Johnson is a good college player but I am not sure if it will transfer over because of how light he is.
Kyle Singler could help fill a void if somehow the pick ends up being in 20-25 range. He is defense first who plays the 3 and can defend well.
Alec Burks.. I really like this dudes game. His game is made for the NBA. He is 6'6, will take you in post if your small, will drain a three and next time down blow by you with his quickness. He might go in 15-20 but definetly is capable of becoming a star.

[G Wuh Wuh Wuh Wallace]

If we get these two players in this draft, I will be satisfied with our picks completely.

Harrison Barnes - I have a feeling that this guy is going to be a star in the NBA one day. He's a smart and talented kid that will get better and better with each passing day.

Lucas Nogueira - This kid has alot of upside to his game. He will need to bulk up a bit but with the right training (Oak Tree) he can turn into something special as well.

Agree Completely.

[The Prodigy]

Im going to list the guys I like in the upcoming draft:


Bobcats 1st rounder: (6-12)
1. Perry Jones
2. Harrison Barnes
3. Terrence Jones
4. Alec Burks
5. Kawhi Leonard (Gerald Wallce v2)

Hornets 1st rounder: (16-24)
1. JaJuan Johnson
2. Jordan Hamilton
3. Trey Thompkins

Bobcats 2nd Rounder: (36-42)
1. Jordan Williams
2. LaceDarius Dunn
3. Jeremy Tyler


The ranges I put dont really matter, this is more of just a list of players I like in the draft. Also, there is plenty of time left for stock to raise or drop. I wish there were more big men in this draft, but there really arent any I like too much. I am really not a fan of foreign players at all, mainly because I think they are so hit or miss, and they are usually much less athletic than players that play in the NCAA. Especially when it comes to big men. Off the top of my head I cant think of too many good centers in the NBA who played overseas. Then again, maybe im wrong. It might just be that I dont know much about guys like Kanter and Matejunias, but I am just not a fan of guys that remind me of Ajinca.

LaceDarius is a guy I really like, I just dont know if he fits on the team. I think he is a prototypical 6th man type who will come off the bench and score in bunches and really help a team out as a last-piece type of player. I dont know that he can be the main guy, which is what we would need.

I also dont know about the position flexibility of guys like Perry Jones and Terrence Jones. Can they play SF for us? Because one of the last things we need is another SF/PF tweener. We need someone that can play a pure SF. From what I understand, Barnes and Leonard are those guys.

Speaking of Leonard, I have read some articles and reports on him and it appears that he is the exact same type of player that Gerald was. Again, im not sure that is a player that we would want, only because im not sure that he will ever develop into an absolute superstar like Barnes appears to be able too. However, if we dont get Barnes, that sure isnt a bad consolation prize.

Just have a few questions to ask some of the more knowledgeable NCAA fans out there:
1. Are any of those players that I listed able to play Center? Not as a short term fill in, but as a bonafide starting center?
2. Also, are any of the foreign big men able to play as a tough/physical Center?

Thanks

[Chef]

What do you mean "REAL" basketball. I hear that a lot. Some guys say "real defense" is played in college....lolwut.

.

most of the players in college basketball are self-check on jumpers. low scoring because of terrible offense and undercutting half charges do not equal defense.

[polarcat]

I like Alec Burks a lot, but I don't think he nor Hendo can play the 3. With a pick as high as we're going to have, I hope we can get a true athletic shooting SF. I think Barnes is the real deal and I CAN'T stand UNC. He is a little raw, but the tools are there and I think his ceiling is a potential All-Star highlight player. Tyler Honeycutt and Jordan Hamilton are also the other two that I like a lot and think they would fit here nicely. I don't know enough of the Euros, but I know this draft is very Euro-heavy over the past few years. Jan Vessley intrigues me a little from what I've read, but not enough video and I hate to go on what a couple of draft sites say as if it's the truth. I think we are going to be one of the "it" teams in this year's draft with 2 first round picks, and with Diaw & Jackson as potential trade bait. Good thing about this draft is that a player you get at 12 could be as good of a player (talent-wise) at 6 since this is a deep draft of very good players, but not an elite draft.

[adam187]

Jordan Hamilton, I want some scoring on this team.