Pacers Draft Board. #7 on board.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Pacers Draft Board:

1. Derrick Rose
2. Michael Beasley
3. O.J. Mayo
4. Jerryd Bayless
5. Brook Lopez
6. Eric Gordon

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I feel like I am forgetting something, if I am, someone let me know.

Anyway, my vote is going to Randolph, but I think Jordan is a close second.

[PR07]

I'd say Anthony Randolph, best player available IMO.

[cdash]

I agree. I did have to pause a second to give Kevin Love some thought though.

[FreeRon]

Love irritates me because of his size. Too short to be a dominant shot blocker, too slow to fit this offense. He was a great college player, I just don't think he'll do much in the pros...especially not with a running team.

[PacerGuy]

6'11" SF's w/ no size/ strength/ or a true shot scared the crap out of me!!!
Go K.Love here - esp. if the word on the street is true about his weight loss & added quickness & muscle gain is a result!!!I also want to see what he measures out (6'8" or 6'9"+?).
Can I ask too why we would gamble on a kid projected as a SF? I know his heigth say's PF too, but so does S.Williams & so did J.Bender, but both were & always will/ would be. I think I would rather go D.Jordon if we pass on Love & still go big.
I'm also not sure you don't give Westbrook a bit of a look here. I want to know if he can handle the rock & make good decisions w/ it. I would prefer to go big though, but I am not sold on any 1 talent remaining at the top.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I'm very surprised Kevin Love is getting some votes. From what I understand he is pretty slow and takes forever to get going(running), he wouldn't be a very good fit for our offense.

[mizzoupacers]

I think that Love is potentially a very good fit for a running offense. His skill set is well-suited to the fast break: he is a very good rebounder (someone has to get the ball before you can run with it), he is a SUPERB outlet passer, and as a trailer on the break he is a very good shooter for a big guy. All of those things are more important contributions by a big guy to running a fast-break offense than would be simply running fast down the floor.

Anyway, the logic of this thread as I understand it is to vote for the still-available guy you think would most help the Pacers, and since I thought that guy at #6 was Love, I am voting for him again at #7.

Second choice: Westbrook. I'm a bit leery about Randolph; from what I know about him, I wonder if he fits the mold of "sort of big guy who can jump really high" that tends to get overdrafted...see Swift, Stromile, or Chicago's dumb decision to take Ty Thomas over LaMarcus Aldridge.

Westbrook, like Randolph, impresses primarily because of his superb athleticism. But Westbrook has a bit more college seasoning, has therefore shown more skill/produced more tangible results to date, and also plays a position(s) of greater need for the Pacers. So I'd take Westbrook over Randolph.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Oh no man, I'm not telling you which way to vote. I was just trying to understand what I don't see about Love that others do, thats all man.

[count55]

I think Love and Augustin have a higher floor (downside) than others because of their skills and understanding of basketball. Their ceilings are limited by their physical shortcomings, but I don't think either will be complete busts.

I think both will be in the league for a long time.

With the athletes in the draft (particularly the bigs), there's always the fear that they will come to absolutely nothing...think guys like POB or Marcus Haislip.

I'd be OK with Westbrook over those guys, but just as OK with those guys over Westbrook. For me, it's indicative of the fact that the Pacers need to get someone who not only will contribute, but contribute immediately with this pick. Therefore, I tend to gravitate towards the picks I consider "safer" (yet admittedly limited) in Love and Augustin, over the Randolph, Jordans, & McGees of this draft.

[cdash]

I really, really dont think Randolph is a 3. I think he is a 4 who needs to put on some weight.

[cdash]

Take Nicolas Batum off these polls. He isnt getting picked until the 20s.

[mizzoupacers]

Oh no man, I'm not telling you which way to vote. I was just trying to understand what I don't see about Love that others do, thats all man.

I didn't take it as you telling people how to vote, I know you've said you want to hear everyone's opinion, and you deserve a lot of credit for starting these threads, which are what I'm enjoying most about the Pacers' board at the moment.

I just wanted to give my opinion about Love and a fast-paced offense. My ideal for a fast-break team is a pg who can handle/distribute at top speed, two wings who can run the floor and finish, and two bigs who can get the ball to the fast guys and also make shots as trailers if need be. I think Love has a chance to fit into that ideal.

[PR07]

Anthony Randolph will be more Chris Bosh than Tyrus Thomas, I'd like to think. Stats look that way.

Anthony Randolph (freshman) 6'11 220 Lb.
15.6 ppg 8.5 rpg 2.3 bpg

Tyrus Thomas (redshirted freshman) 6'9 215 LB.
12.3 ppg 9.2 rebounds 3.1 bpg

Chris Bosh (freshman) 6'10 210 Lb.
15.7 ppg 9.0 rpg 2.1 bpg

He's a SF now, but once he hits the weight room, he could easily transform himself into a Chris Bosh or even a Jermaine O'Neal. Does anyone remember how skinny those guys were coming into the league?

[massey1992]

Augustin. We need a point guard I say augustin at 1 to.

[cdash]

It looks like Randolph. Care to take us to #8? I am having fun with these threads.