Official 2015 NBA Draft Discussion Thread [ft. TyCobb]

[TyCobb]

You're trippin' if you think you can fill the Lakers needs in one draft.

It's also essential, in projecting for future production, how much growth a player shows from the beginning of the season to the end. If you take a look at Looney's growth, from a clean up guy early on to getting more confident in his shot and getting more active on the perimeter, offensively and defensively, as the season goes on then you'll feel real confident in his ability to be taught and put in the work off the court that's necessary to improve in-game. If you choose to ignore the rapid growth then you're gonna end up being the guy that says 'how did we miss out on this guy when he was in our own backyard?".

[crazyeights]

Looking forward to the UCLA game today. Odds are we don't get a legit shot at Looney in the draft anyway, but as a kid UCLA was always my team.

[ALL HAIL]

All I'm saying is that if you have five guys 21 and under who can all play effectively together, you have the foundation for a very solid and bright future.

If you add to that a bunch of veterans to teach them how to be professionals, you only accelerate their collective learning curves.

When draft picks are at a premium, it's asinine to draft guys who can't play comfortably and effectively together ... whether said player is a Bruin or not.

[crazyeights]

Anemic offense for UCLA today. Hard to watch. Nice job by Gonzaga. They needed to be launching 3's about 12 minutes ago...no urgency until too late.

Looney looked exhausted all game. IDK he's tough to evaluate. Doesn't seem quick enough to be a prime time SF in the NBA, but we'll see. Looks years away. I know his versatility and size has scouts excited, and he's probably not been until used well, but he's seems passive, unconfident on the court. Part of it could be the mask. It's gonna come down to the combine and workouts for him, but as it stands, he doesn't warrant a top 5 pick. And don't see a way we nab him otherwise.

Unless he feels he's being held back by the gameplan, I'd think he needs more time in college, but we're stuck in the one-and-done era.

Will be interesting to watch him develop.

[ArC_man]

I think Justice Winslow ends up getting picked higher than Stanley Johnson, seems more versatile offensively and just as good defensively (if not better).

[TyCobb]

Looney's #1 objective was to check Wiltjer. The Bruins were very public with what his role would be in this game. He did exceptional in that regard. Coming into the game, Wiltjer had a 132.1 ORtg, #1 for players used in at least 24% of possessions (Kaminsky is #2). In this game, he had a 90 ORtg, which was second lowest for Gonzaga today other than a player who had 10 minutes on the court (Eric McClellan). His man defense was outstanding tonight. What was really impressive to me was his ability to check Wiltjer and stay out of foul trouble. Wiltjer scored on him just once in the first half. Once in the second half, which is arguable because he was screened and Powell didn't switch with his man.

This worked in Gonzaga's favor though. Wiltjer is a perimeter player, so Looney had to consistently be outside the paint because they played man defense, and not their usual zone, allowing the Zags to get offensive rebound after offensive rebound. UCLA did a poor job not throwing the ball inside to Parker early in the game to get him going on the defensive side. The guards forced way too many shots, like they did throughout the regular season.

Offensively, Looney definitely needs to be more aggressive and, to a degree, selfish. He has a good shot and the ability to put the ball on the ground and drive past his man, but he shy's away from contact too much and/or will just pass it out and not force the issue.

They all could use more time in school, but that's not how it works anymore. I think Looney is hard to evaluate without context.

[5ertwenty]

How do you think Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky will fare in the NBA?

[dockingsched]

Newest dx mock had winslow at 6, hezonja at 7 and Stanley at 9. Looney down to 20.

[TyCobb]

He's gonna end up back in school at this rate. Somehow Turner is ranked 12th.

I'm a fan of DX as they used to be RealGM guys... but they're off on this one.

[ALL HAIL]

He's gonna end up back in school at this rate. Somehow Turner is ranked 12th.

I'm a fan of DX as they used to be RealGM guys... but they're off on this one.

Turner can play center dude. It's as simple as that. He also led the nation, I believe, in blocks per minute.

Takeoff your Looney-glasses and be a little objective.

[TyCobb]

A center with no post moves, yeah sounds like a great player. And no Turner didn't, you're wrong, once again.

The point with Turner was that they have him ranked in the lottery based on potential, when in reality he's another Looney (a player who dominated at one thing but has potential to excel at multiple aspects of the game) who has less substance shown.

Funny telling a Trojans fan to be objective when it comes to a Bruin.

[TyCobb]

No surprise seeing Towns step up when his teammates are down.

[TyCobb]

Let's go Notre Dame!

[TwoStarz]

Let's go Notre Dame!

I think they win this one

[TyCobb]

Let's go Notre Dame!

I think they win this one

Towns just picked up his 4th foul. It's certainly possible.

[Slava]

WTF Notre Dame all over the Kentucky bigs.

[TyCobb]

Calipari freaking out. Normally he just sends out his bench but not much is working for him tonight besides the guy with four fouls.

[TwoStarz]

Calipari freaking out. Normally he just sends out his bench but not much is working for him tonight besides the guy with four fouls.

overrated coach imo, he's always had loaded teams

[TwoStarz]

So much stoppage of play jeez

[Slava]

KAT is coming out well but I'm surprised by the lack of fight in Cauley-Stein.