Cavaliers Considering Otto Porter With First Pick

[D_GoLow]

Porter isn't even better than Alonzo Gee. I'd draft Noel or McLemore.

That's BS. Alonzo Gee isn't a starter caliber player.

Cleveland shouldn't overthink this. Draft Noel, he's the consensus #1 pick just like Kyrie a few years ago.

Kyrie wasn't even the consensus pick. You're showing to be against Porter without much reason.

Porter may be more effective than Noel for the first 3 years of their career and he's a seamless fit with his defensive ability and playmaking/intangible, Noel isn't a sure thing whatsoever and Cavs want to contend soon

O but Kyrie was & he barely played any games his freshman year. There were many Cav fans stomping their feet for drafting Derrick Williams & then take Brandon Knight with the 2nd 1st round pick. Noel fits a position they'll need once healthy & he has high upside athletically. IMO Porter is the 3rd best player in this draft behind Noel & McLemore. If they're unsure about Noel, McLemore is the better pick over Porter.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

McLemore isn't better than Waiters, McLemore has zero assertiveness and can't really create his own shot. At least Waiters can serve as a secondary ballhandler.

Otto Porter is probably the best fit on this team, Noel really doesn't fit that well if you consider our biggest need is a big who can find his own shot..which Noel can't do. Porter does everything well and can possibly be an anchor of our defense on the wing, much like Paul George is for the Pacers. He can be the middle-man of our offense, a guy you can give the ball to at the top of the key and he's able to find someone else in a good position to get points.

Noel has a higher upside but as much as we need defense, we need offense too and Porter is probably the best 2 way player right now at the top of the draft. Len has the highest 2 way potential.

[Niko23]

Porter also does not get the proper respect for his D

[gflem]

McLemore isn't better than Waiters, McLemore has zero assertiveness and can't really create his own shot. At least Waiters can serve as a secondary ballhandler.

Otto Porter is probably the best fit on this team, Noel really doesn't fit that well if you consider our biggest need is a big who can find his own shot..which Noel can't do. Porter does everything well and can possibly be an anchor of our defense on the wing, much like Paul George is for the Pacers. He can be the middle-man of our offense, a guy you can give the ball to at the top of the key and he's able to find someone else in a good position to get points.

Noel has a higher upside but as much as we need defense, we need offense too and Porter is probably the best 2 way player right now at the top of the draft. Len has the highest 2 way potential.

Agree, which is why I am hoping for Len (somehow) and Porter. I totally get why Noel is so enticing, but there are so many "ifs" with Noel. I actually was for Noel towards the end of the season if we somehow got the first pick but I have kind of talked myself out of that since we actually did get the #1. I just don't see us moving down a spot or two, and Porter will certainly be gone at 4 imo, so taking him first wouldn't bother me one bit since he makes the most sense to fit a need, and be productive right away, and barring injury (something Noel already hasn't avoided) for a long time.

[TheOUTLAW]

When I see Porter I think of Deng. Who's a good but not great player. I seriously doubt he'll bust, but I don't see the upside that I'd want in a top 5 player much less the top pick.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

You have to realize how much this draft lacks compared to other drafts, in most drafts Oladipo is a late lottery guy but in this one he is a Top 5 pick.

No one in this draft really has star potential, and that's why it makes sense to pick for need and not BPA in my opinion. I don't see Luol Deng in Otto Porter, I see a smoother game and a better feel for the game. I see Nicolas Batum with less of a motor but a lot more IQ.

[TheOUTLAW]

Actually, I'd say the lack of depth is exactly why you take the best player available, not the other way around.

[KuruptedCav]

When I look at Porter, I don't see Deng. I see a mash up of Marion and Prince. Wonky shooting intelligent players who have length and an above average game knowledge. Good all around games, ignored until they are on good teams, but are easily overlooked on bad teams or in bad situations.

Deng is more athletic with a nicer shot, looks like a second/third option anywhere.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

Actually, I'd say the lack of depth is exactly why you take the best player available, not the other way around.

I know people say this, I just don't agree.

A team in our situation that wants to win now should take the player best suited to be an instant fit, not another guy whose value is solely based on potential.

[tidho]

The only think holding Porter back is his ahtletisism. Fortunately for him, he's healthy enough to actually work out so they are going to be able to bring him in and get a crystal clear picture of the extent of those limitations.

Watching game film, like many I have to conlcude the guy isn't going to be an NBA star. That doesn't mean he isn't the best player for us though. This draft is all about balanceing risk with potential. If we were still at #4 I'd be praying we'd come out of the draft with Porter.....I can't be too disappointed if we still do.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

No one in this draft is a star.

[D_GoLow]

Would Cleveland take Len with the #1 pick?

[gflem]

It wouldn't totally shock me if they did. I would think they would try to trade down if he is their target though.

[tidho]

Would Cleveland take Len with the #1 pick?

He's reportedly on their short list (Noel, Porter, Len).
You can't assume they won't because the draft geeks say they won't.
He does fill a need as a scoring big, and fits the (post Andy) roster.
They also just hired Ukrainian Vitaly Potapenko to coach their bigs.

....I wouldn't rule it out.

[tidho]

Nice Porter write up...

http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=1022

[gflem]

Good read, thanks for the link.
OT, I know the Cavs are into advanced stats, and I find it interesting and all, but man all that data, I just don't know how someone can just cram numbers, numbers, and more numbers. I could almost feel my eyes starting to glaze over just reading the article.

[gordito]

healthy Cavs are closer to PO than Wizards are.

Yeah, no they aren't. Come on, man.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Actually, I'd say the lack of depth is exactly why you take the best player available, not the other way around.

I know people say this, I just don't agree.

A team in our situation that wants to win now should take the player best suited to be an instant fit, not another guy whose value is solely based on potential.

I don't think we're near win now mode. We are just coming out of blatantly tank mode.

[A-Zero]

I think the Cavs should take Noel but if they decided not to then Porter is the guy