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I believe the Cavs are smoke-screening right now. I believe they'll look to increase the value of other players to see if they can move down to #7 as the teams between #5-8 are set at the SG positions.

I know there is talk of getting a third lottery pick but I don't think that's something you can count on when you consider the Pistons need as much help as we do.

Moving back to Burks... I just think an Irving + Burks backcourt is too hard to pass up even for my man Valanciunas. Burks ball handling and penetrating ability serves Irving and the Cavs Princeton offense very well. Irving is far more of a scoring guard than many realize.

If you go back and watch Irving coming up, he played quite a bit off the ball. With Burks and Irving on the court the Cavs could attack from multiple spots on the court (similar to the Heat). Irving can catch and shoot with the best of them and Burks has the length and dexterity to capitalize off the space he enjoy from Irving's outside shot.

Also either can initiate or finish on the break.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfxRkrUF ... ata_player

Thoughts?

Imagine if Mark Price were two steps quicker and had elite finishing ability at the rim.

How would that player perform next to a prime Ron Harper??

That's what I envision with an Irving + Burks tandem. And when you consider Burks has better ball handling ability than Harper, how could you not salivate at the thought of them playing together?

When you are 6'6, have a 6'10 wingspan plus 8'75 standing reach in addition to the type of driving ability Burks has, I don't think you pass it up. He's a +80% guy from the free throw line. Those measurables speak for themselves and pave the way for the Cavs to have one of the best backcourts in the league for many years to come.

Irving: 19 years old

Burks: 20 years old (by the start of next season)

So wait, I thought you were a huge fan of drafting Jonas. Change your mind?

Baseline Runner wrote:So wait, I thought you were a huge fan of drafting Jonas. Change your mind?

I have Burks slightly ahead of Jonas. I'm a big Jonas guy and believe you go big over small when you're in the top 10 but Burks ability to create at with his height + length is too hard to pass up. Additionally, I don't see a Burks like player in next year's draft. I see many combo guards but none are a true 6'6 with his passing ability.

I think its imperative to add that second creator long term to this offense.

Burks' wingspan is on par with Wade while having a slightly longer standing reach than the Heat guard. Combine that with the fact he's an inch and a half taller, you have to seriously consider Burks over Jonas/Enes. I know it sounds crazy considering we've anointed them as clearly higher ranked prospects. But not so fast...

More will be determined when we determined Burks agility but on film he shows an excellent first step and explosion at the rim.

Further more... if you look at the average measurables for the SG position on DX, you see Burks is plus in every category. Averages for shooting guard:

Height - 6'3.9 (w/o shoes)
Wingspan - 6'7.9
Reach - 8'4.6

Burks:

Height - 6'5 (6'6 in shoes)
Wingspan - 6'10
Reach - 8'7

I don't know about this one. I hear championship caliber teams need to have an athletic big to anchor their defense.

If we dont take a big at 4 I would want us to take Burks.

Honestly I don't know much about Burks, but I heard he can't shoot. This may not be a huge deal if he can impact the game in other ways, and we'll have Irving who is a good shooter, but still, it's never a good thing to draft a guard that can't shoot in the lottery.

Baseline Runner wrote:Honestly I don't know much about Burks, but I heard he can't shoot. This may not be a huge deal if he can impact the game in other ways, and we'll have Irving who is a good shooter, but still, it's never a good thing to draft a guard that can't shoot in the lottery.

I have heard that his midrange game is fine, but he does not have the ability to knock down the three at this point. I think a good comparison would be Sessions, but 3-4" taller.

Steely Reserve wrote: you have to seriously consider Burks over Jonas/Enes. I know it sounds crazy considering we've anointed them as clearly higher ranked prospects. But not so fast...

wtf Steely? You've been telling everyone Valacuanas is clearly the best player in the draft ever sinse P. Jones went back to Baylor. Its you who annointed him. Now you're saying you'd draft TWO other guys before him? What happened to all that independent evaluation you put in to formulate your opinions?

I happen to like Burks and think (if he wants it) he's capable of a Ron Harper type trajectory, and this isn't the first time I've said it. It would be a bit of a reach at #4 though, so hopefully they'd be able to grab something with him.

Jonas is right up there with Burks, not Enes. I know Jonas will defend, same for Burks.

The reason Burks vaulted up my board is because you can't ignore the Kobe-like measurables he possess on addition to seeing how well he would fit next to Irving.

There are no reaches in this or any draft, particularly if you have a gaping hole in your lineup at that given position. Besides, I think Burks is at least a 18 ppg 6 rpg 4 apg 1.5 spg 45% (Ginobili numbers) on a contender. Additionally, with his wingspan and ball handling ability he can play any of the PG SG SF spots when he's in his prime.

I actually 100% agree with you here, Steely. ONLY if Kanter is off the board at 4 though, I still think he has a chance to be something really special...but Burks and Irving would give us an AMAZING backcourt to build on for years to come. One thing I suggested in another forum was trading our #4 to Charlotte for their 9 and 19, and take Burks at 9 and a developing center like Lucas Noigera or Keith Benson at 19

to add, I think Burks is his perfect compliment because they can both handle the rock very well, both can take the ball off the dribble very well, and Irving's shooting masks Burks' inefficient 3 point shooting. But Burks' release on his 3 point shot gives you hope, he has a nice form, and a nice high quick release, and he is also projected to "fill out" and put on about 30 pounds as he matures at the next level. Also, the #19 pick would give us a nice young center we could try developing.

Kaner wrote:I actually 100% agree with you here, Steely. ONLY if Kanter is off the board at 4 though, I still think he has a chance to be something really special...but Burks and Irving would give us an AMAZING backcourt to build on for years to come. One thing I suggested in another forum was trading our #4 to Charlotte for their 9 and 19, and take Burks at 9 and a developing center like Lucas Noigera or Keith Benson at 19

to add, I think Burks is his perfect compliment because they can both handle the rock very well, both can take the ball off the dribble very well, and Irving's shooting masks Burks' inefficient 3 point shooting. But Burks' release on his 3 point shot gives you hope, he has a nice form, and a nice high quick release, and he is also projected to "fill out" and put on about 30 pounds as he matures at the next level. Also, the #19 pick would give us a nice young center we could try developing.

Two things:

*The allure of drafting Kanter would be the only reason the Bobcats trade their #19 pick to move up five spots. The may like Jonas but with the hype Kanter is receiving, him being there @ four probably would get the deal done.

*Even if the Cavs/Bobcats hypothetically make this deal, I don't think Burks falls to #9 anyway. I see the Pistons taking him at #8 (which is ironic given we were THIS close to pulling the greatest trade coup of all time) and I wouldn't be totally shocked if the Wizards take him at #6. Not saying Washington would do that, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I agree I had put it into thought for some time about a irving/burks back court. I see Kanter and Williams going 2 and 3. In the 2nd round they should grab robin benzing the 6-10 german small forward to spread the floor and add size. The following year if you end up in the lottery you can grab Sullinger or Barnes. Overall this franchise is headed in the right direction.

Steely Reserve wrote:

Kaner wrote:I actually 100% agree with you here, Steely. ONLY if Kanter is off the board at 4 though, I still think he has a chance to be something really special...but Burks and Irving would give us an AMAZING backcourt to build on for years to come. One thing I suggested in another forum was trading our #4 to Charlotte for their 9 and 19, and take Burks at 9 and a developing center like Lucas Noigera or Keith Benson at 19

to add, I think Burks is his perfect compliment because they can both handle the rock very well, both can take the ball off the dribble very well, and Irving's shooting masks Burks' inefficient 3 point shooting. But Burks' release on his 3 point shot gives you hope, he has a nice form, and a nice high quick release, and he is also projected to "fill out" and put on about 30 pounds as he matures at the next level. Also, the #19 pick would give us a nice young center we could try developing.

Two things:

*The allure of drafting Kanter would be the only reason the Bobcats trade their #19 pick to move up five spots. The may like Jonas but with the hype Kanter is receiving, him being there @ four probably would get the deal done.

*Even if the Cavs/Bobcats hypothetically make this deal, I don't think Burks falls to #9 anyway. I see the Pistons taking him at #8 (which is ironic given we were THIS close to pulling the greatest trade coup of all time) and I wouldn't be totally shocked if the Wizards take him at #6. Not saying Washington would do that, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Well i also heard that Jordan/Charlotte are very high on Kemba Walker, not sure that would be enough of a reason to want to trade 9 and 19 though, but we'll see... As for Washington, I just don't see them taking Burks for some reason, I doubt they would like Jonas, seeing as they have McGee already whose also a nice young C prospect...but they definitely need to replace Blatche and Young, those two guys don't seem to fit a team thats being built around Wall. In either case I just hope our front office is as high on Burks as I am, because as of right now I would be really disappointed if I see a different team take him, cause I see him as a guy that can not only contribute immediately, but a guy that has the ability to improve in all areas of his game

I see Washington taking Leonard. Wall/Young/Leonard is a pretty well balanced 1-2-3. If they can get more out of Blatche, or move him for another young PF, they would have a nice starting 5 going forward.

I think you all are unnecessarily ranking Kanter as a lock for the top 3. I sorta agree wit DX mock at the moment:

1. Cle - Irving
2. Min - Williams
3. Uth - Knight
4. Cle - Val
5. Tor - Walker
6. Was - Kanter

Evey year there's a player that's talked up at the beginning of workouts but ends up falling because it was smokescreen to begin with.

What better guy to fit this label other than the guy who hasn't played in 2 years?

I want to add Burks averaged 6.5 rpg and got to the line a sensational 8 times a game hitting nearly 83% of his free throws.

This guy gets the job done. He averaged nearly 3 apg from the SG position. Not bad. This guy is an all around gem.