2013 Draft Thread

[Black]

Shabazz with our pick, Plumlee with the Portland pick.

[CampNightmare8]

Yeah hopefully POR makes it. The more picks the better, we might draft another sleeper (Jeffrey Taylor) in this draft too.

[SWedd523]

Fair enough. But we are talking about an inside/outside scorer with the physical build to improve as a post player on both ends of the floor.

Draftexpress picks apart even the best of prospects. One thing I love about them.

Any true Anthony Bennett experts out there?? Swedd, do you have an opinion on him??

I know he's supposed to be long and all that, but I don't ever want to trot out a 6'7 PF unless he's supremely gifted.

I'd call him more of an outside/inside scorer as well. I've seen a few games (most recently against UNC) and he's just not a post player. He'd much rather float out around mid range and shoot jumpers or try and drive/dunk on people. His game is more reminiscent of a wing than a big but I think he'd be better suited with a coach forcing him to learn how to stay in the post.

He's really productive, but in the NBA where he won't have the size/girth advantage, I could see him struggling. Thomas Robinson was another small, yet long big with a similar game who is having a ton of issues right now.

[DashGlobal]

I am torn between who I'd rather have in this draft.

McLemore came out of no where while Shabaz has been a known commodity for some time now.

McLemore is more athletic and has a better jumper while Shabaz is a better pure scorer imo.

Who would yall rather have and why?

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I know he's supposed to be long and all that, but I don't ever want to trot out a 6'7 PF unless he's supremely gifted.

I'd call him more of an outside/inside scorer as well. I've seen a few games (most recently against UNC) and he's just not a post player. He'd much rather float out around mid range and shoot jumpers or try and drive/dunk on people. His game is more reminiscent of a wing than a big but I think he'd be better suited with a coach forcing him to learn how to stay in the post.

He's really productive, but in the NBA where he won't have the size/girth advantage, I could see him struggling. Thomas Robinson was another small, yet long big with a similar game who is having a ton of issues right now.

Thanks, Swedd!

I completely understand the cautious approach with a 'tweener.

We'll have to see if he has that "it" factor like successful tweeners Charles Barkley or pre-injury Larry Johnson.

[BrotherDave]

I am torn between who I'd rather have in this draft.

McLemore came out of no where while Shabaz has been a known commodity for some time now.

McLemore is more athletic and has a better jumper while Shabaz is a better pure scorer imo.

Who would yall rather have and why?

Honestly, I need to watch Ben Mac more, I've only seen like 2 Kansas games and wasn't really paying attention to him. But I like Shabazz more. Bigger guy, decent rebounder and just looks like he can score in a gazillion ways. I'm kind of wary of 6'4"-6'5" SGs unless they're painfully, obviously talented.

cause I checked the standings and right now blazers are the 8th seed which means we would get their pick.

I'll take it I guess but this is a weak draft to have multiple picks in. Last years was the draft for that. If we end up with the Blazers pick this year I'd rather use it to trade up I think to make sure we get a Shabazz/Noel/McLemore.

[kitch0202]

Shabazz with our pick, Plumlee with the Portland pick.

As things currently stand this is where I'm at too.

Shabazz has shown better range on his shot than he was universally thought to have. If he can be an NBA 40%+ 3 point shooter from the get-go then he's worth a very early 1-3 pick. As the rest of his game is strong across the board.

I really like Plumlee too. He looks like a borderline NBA starter, no more, but he has such a well rounded game for the 4 that I'd really like to have him on our roster. He's the sort of player I can see starting for us for a year or two, then becoming a significant contributor against the opposition's bench in the longterm (assuming we get a 'star' at the 4) ... rebounding, scoring & generally stuffing the stat sheet.

[kitch0202]

Fair enough. But we are talking about an inside/outside scorer with the physical build to improve as a post player on both ends of the floor.

Draftexpress picks apart even the best of prospects. One thing I love about them.

Any true Anthony Bennett experts out there?? Swedd, do you have an opinion on him??

You are right in that he clearly has his strengths. If he showed the same sort of power, determination and interest level on Defence that he does on Offence (going purely off highlight clips etc.) then I'd be much more of a fan. And with his build he HAS to have a back-to-the-basket game to be productive in the NBA.

MKG has shown that simply wanting it more than the opposition allows you to produce in the NBA. For me prospect evaluation begins with their overall effort level and desire to win. We beat the Bulls because we wanted it more than them ... simple as that.

(*Off topic but it's one of the principal things that makes me nervous of any Cousins trade.)

[Veteran_Picksetter]

And with his build he HAS to have a back-to-the-basket game to be productive in the NBA.

Liked your post, but I have a different philosophy on this one point.

Developing a low post game would make sense for him, BUT I still think he could score on opposing bigs simply as a face up 4-man.

I'm not worried about his offense so much. My concern: At 6'7", will be he be a serious defensive liability?...Especially considering the points you made about his effort.

I think it's easier to add a post up game if you've already demonstrated that you can dribble/drive like Bennett. The footwork should come easily if he wants it.

A guy who drives past bigs and posts up normal-sized wings.....That's how I see Bennett.

[Plowright]

He just seems like a slightly more athletic Paul Millsap to me? Never watched him play, but from that DX vid