Official Draft Thread: Prospects Watch

[BaunceyChillups]

What a great sequence there by Smart. Buries a three, steals the ball on the inbounds and gets an assist.

[Cigamodnalro]

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2012/12/poll ... -pick.html

Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com surveyed 35 NBA executives, most of whom said they'd rather trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft than select from a thoroughly disappointing crop of prospects that lacks a franchise-changer like last year's No. 1, Anthony Davis (Twitter link). One GM called the field, "The worst I've ever seen."

"I'd trade the pick for sure," another GM said. "No one wants to pick first this year -- and no one can live up to the No. 1 billing."

Goodman compares the draft class to 2006, when Andrea Bargnani was taken first overall and Adam Morrison, Shelden Williams and Tyrus Thomas were also top-five picks. No prospect among this year's bunch was favored by a majority of the executives Goodman polled, though Indiana center Cody Zeller garnered 31% of the vote. Kentucky's Nerlens Noel was second, with 23%.

Zeller's defensive shortcomings worry the executives, while Noel's offense and skinny frame similarly concern them. UCLA two-guard Shabazz Muhammad, the DraftExpress.com No. 1 prospect, tied for third in Goodman's poll amid doubts about his shooting and athleticism. Maryland center Alex Len, who tallied 11% of the vote just like Muhammad, has shot up draft boards thanks to the weight he added this summer, Goodman writes.

Others garnering votes as the No. 1 pick include Alex Poythress, Rudy Gobert, Tony Mitchell, Archie Goodwin and Anthony Bennett, though many of the executives say they wouldn't be surprised if someone emerges "out of nowhere," much like Andrew Bogut did in 2005.

[BaunceyChillups]

This draft class will probably better than 2010 but it's not like execs will admit it after they all hyped John Wall as the best point guard prospect since Magic Johnson

[Def Swami]

Good games on the college circuit today. Portland vs. UK on now if you want to check Noel, Goodwin, and Poythress.

[thelead]

I love watching the media turn on Shabazz and say everything I've been saying even before he played a college game.

[thelead]

Hey look, McLemore is balling early. 3's, D, and dunks

[Noonskadoodle]

Syracuse Michael Carter-Williams is somebody to watch out for. 6'6" PG averaging 12 points 6 boards & I believe leads the country at 9.6 assists a game.

Been climbing charts.

[magicman123]

i like tall point guards, but 6'6 is too much, they rarely pan out being that tall

[MagicFan32]

Carter-Williams is very good based on the 2 games i've seen, but i agree, not an NBA PG

[Def Swami]

I've always had this superstitious beef with drafting players from Syracuse. Outside of Melo, I can't remember really good players in the modern day game that have come from Syracuse. There have certainly been a lot of busts.

With that said, I like MCW's game. If we're in the late lottery (12-14) he may be a decent option.

[Zmill]

I am an Illini fan so I am a little biased but Brandon Paul is going to skyrock in draft stock this year. Was originally projected to go in the 2nd rd/undrafted but he has a really nice offensive game and can do things other than scoring as well. Even though he is 6"4 his great wing span and athleticism make up for it and he is actually a pretty good defender. He is successfully playing a lot of PG this year which is interesting as well.. Bp3 is definitely climbing charts.

43 points vs ohio state junior yr


dropped 35 against #10 gonzaga tonight also its not on youtube yet though

[Def Swami]

Fran Fraschilla ‏@franfraschilla
Said all year, PG is deepest position in college basketball but nobody had the court vision of Cuse 's MCW. His size doesn't hurt either.

Fran Fraschilla ‏@franfraschilla
I'd don't profession to know whether Brandon Paul is 1st or 2nd rounder but, damn, he has the game/style of NBA player. Doesn't he?

[Cigamodnalro]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... chris-paul

[Bobby Ray]

Got to admit i like Brandon Paul's game, right now i believe he's a second rounder? i know we have a second round pick so depending on whether we'll keep any second round picks this season would he be a good pickup?

[Def Swami]

Got to admit i like Brandon Paul's game, right now i believe he's a second rounder? i know we have a second round pick so depending on whether we'll keep any second round picks this season would he be a good pickup?

I could have sworn our 2nd round pick goes to Cleveland this year.