2013 lottery big men

[Veteran_Picksetter]

With Biz though we don't need him to be a big shot blocker. He still needs to get stronger and maybe his blocking will improve a little. I don't really like the idea of us drafting Noel because with Biz and Noel while we would be very good defensively down low, our offensive game in the post would be almost non-existent for at least 2-3 years. Both players might not ever develop an above-average post game. If Anthony Bennett was 2 inches taller I think he would be a must get for us and he still should be considered. I love his game but am concerned about his size. Kelly Olynyk is another interesting prospect he has a good offensive game but I'm not sure how well he will transition to the NBA. Gonzaga players haven't really been very good NBA players lately and he could definitely be the exception. At 7 ft he doesn't even average a block a game and I don't think he will be that good of a rebounder in the NBA. Unless Zeller plays phenomenal down the stretch and in the tournament I'm not really interested in him.

If I had to choose right now who I want us to get in the draft, assuming we get Portland's pick it would be McLemore and Austin, and if Austin isn't available then Olynyk.

It just worries me that Austin has the tools to swat 3+ shots a night, and he doesn't. It makes me wonder about his desire, aggression, and ability to anticipate.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Honest question, what is the big difference between Anthony Bennett and DeShaun Thomas? Bennett is slightly more athletic and 15 lbs heavier. But they're both 6'7" stretch 4s. As far as shooting goes, Bennett shoots 3 3's a game at 37.7% whereas Thomas shoots over twice as many at 41.3%. I don't think either are going to ever be great at rebounding or playing defense.

According to draftexpress, D. Thomas weighs 220-something and only has a 6'9" wingspan. If these numbers are correct, he doesn't even approach Bennett in that regard.

[gamecocksmitty4]

I have 3 problems with Bennett (which isn't all that bad considering most other prospects I have many more problems with):

1) He is extremely lazy on defense, especially transition defense. He is also not good at all on half court defense.
2) He is too trigger happy. Seems like he always hangs around the 3 point line and jacks it up whenever he gets the ball. Very similar to Mullens.
3) He has said that he wants to transfer his game to be a 2 or 3. That is not at all what I want my PF to say. Too much like Derrick Williams to me.

His height and lack of rebounding are also concerning, but not deal breakers to me.

[BrotherDave]

I don't really like Austin. He really needs to bulk up but he looks like he has Shawn Bradley's frame to me. Honestly, I think the center that will be most likely to contribute in the NBA is Willie Cauley-Stein. He has great size, good instincts and the post game is much less a foreign language for him compared to Noel. He'd take a solid year of development at least but I definitely think he'll be a borderline starting center eventually.

I'm watching this Olynyk guy and I'm a bit underwhelmed right now but his guards are doing a really terrible job of getting him the ball.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I'm watching this Olynyk guy and I'm a bit underwhelmed right now but his guards are doing a really terrible job of getting him the ball.

Apparently Olynyk did some stuff early while ESPN2 was still stuck on the previous game.

I think he finished with 15 points on 9 shots, which constitutes typical Olynyk. Kind of a yawner of a game, really. I'll give Kelly credit for showing up on D with 2 blocks.

He has a guard's feel for offense.

[CampNightmare8]

Apparently Olynyk did some stuff early while ESPN2 was still stuck on the previous game.

I think he finished with 15 points on 9 shots, which constitutes typical Olynyk. Kind of a yawner of a game, really. I'll give Kelly credit for showing up on D with 2 blocks.

He has a guard's feel for offense.

lol i'm so glad you showed me him I had no idea who he was I think he can be something really special in this league. Love that dude man.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

lol i'm so glad you showed me him I had no idea who he was I think he can be something really special in this league. Love that dude man.

My pleasure. Gonzaga is on ESPN a lot late at night, and I'm a bit of a night owl.

Meanwhile, I can never find UNLV(A.Bennett) on TV. Even when they were listed to be on NBC Sports Network--a channel I have--NBCSN showed some UFC-type crap. Hate that stuff.

Olynyk's improvement is SO dramatic. Gonna watch to see if his boards and blocks go up. Offensively he is drool-worthy. And he does it in the team framework.

[SWedd523]

If you can't find a game on TV, check some online streams

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I have 3 problems with Bennett (which isn't all that bad considering most other prospects I have many more problems with):

1) He is extremely lazy on defense, especially transition defense. He is also not good at all on half court defense.
2) He is too trigger happy. Seems like he always hangs around the 3 point line and jacks it up whenever he gets the ball. Very similar to Mullens.
3) He has said that he wants to transfer his game to be a 2 or 3. That is not at all what I want my PF to say. Too much like Derrick Williams to me.

His height and lack of rebounding are also concerning, but not deal breakers to me.

His rebounding numbers are solid for college minutes/shot clock, at least, but I can't argue with anything else you said.

Number 3: I think some of these young guys just lack a clue about their potential strengths and weaknesses. It reminds me of when Adam Morrison compared himself to Dirk Nowitzki in an interview. Sometimes I think they just talk out of their yin-yangs to get through an interview.

Just to support point number 1, I found this footage of a Hoop Summit World Team practice. Bennett appears to be number 10 in white, and that guy is completely disinterested in defense, and it leads to points for the opposition(6 or so in 3 minutes of video?). He appears to have no interest in truly closing out on shooters, and on one inbounds play doesn't even bother to get within 10 feet of his man. It's like he'd never defended a guy who could make an outside shot before....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVPiV6ZWCCQ

[BrotherDave]

Olynyk looks like somebody that could tear up the Euroleague. NBA, I have my doubts. He's painfully slow, he doesn't look like he has particularly long arms and I'm not sure he'd get away with half of his go-to moves in the NBA against faster and more athletic players.

How good of a shooter is he? He was kind of hit or miss when I watched. If he's a lights out shooter it would help his draft stock immensely.