The #2 Pick

[john248]

I don't see a point in getting excited over Porzingis even if I think he'll be a nice starter in the league someday. All we have to go by are some scouting reports, provided stats, and some highlights on YouTube. Due to that, it's tough for anyone to say what he'll be. He may end up being Anthony Davis lite, Dirk lite, or Amare lite; he could also be like Bargs or Speights. Who knows...

What we do know: Porzingis is rail thin and would need to bulk up. My guess is he'll be a stretch 4 type who can shoot from the outside up to the 3 point line, play the pick n pop, and play some in the high post down the line. He already has an advanced off-ball game and can finish with both hands. Defense is unknown, and at least at this time, it's hard to project him banging down low for rebounds even if he were to add 20 lbs, but at least he can defend the PnR. He's a terrible rebounder and doesn't like contact. What separates a good scorer and a good offensive player is the offensive player can both score and pass, and it looks like Porzingis isn't much of a passer with ultra low assist totals and zero reports about his court vision/feel for the game.

Is this a player that I'd spend the #2 pick on? For this year's draft, no for the simple reasoning that D'Angello Russell provides the same shooting (if not better) while also being a legit ball-handler who has excellent court vision. Russell already does the things that Porzingis does and does them better, and it's not a given that Porzingis would ever be able to utilize his height advantage (poor rebounder, doesn't like contact). With that said, I think there is a chance that Porzigis could be a solid defender where you can hide is weaknesses if you pair him with a cheap defensive big who can rebound which would make for a nice big pairing. That and hoping he'll be more than just a stretch 4 is the upside that a team is looking for. I think he'd be a nice pick later on in the lottery, maybe as soon as the 5th pick once KAT, Okafor, Russell, and Mudiay are all off the board.

I do think his upside looks better than even Okafor's if we're talking about how high a ceiling can be, and it'll really come down to how consistently good Porzingis can be as a shooter. Running off-ball, especially a big who can do that, is very disruptive. He'll get some easy baskets in pick-n-pop situations too. He's already ahead as a defender. Okafor's advantage is his passing ability and that leading to him being an additional hub on the offense.

[john248]

Porzingis weighs 229 which is 9lbs fewer than bargnani as far as predraft workout weights. But at the same time Anthony Davis only weighed 222 at his draft combine. This is a new age nba fellas and Davis is the definition of the new nba center. Porzingis is drawing comparisons to a lot of players. With that sweet a stroke I think la must do their due diligence in finding out if porzingis is the next Dirk, ibaka, Davis, jianlian, or bargnani.

You bring up some nice points though I disagree with how you brought up Davis. Sure their weights are similar. Heck, I can even throw in Hakeem as someone who had strength issues as he couldn't even bench press just the bar when he started working out in the summer of 1993. The difference though is that Davis and Hakeem do not shy away from contact, are superior athletes, and they have better basketball instincts. They're able to get in position faster (offensively and defensively) to better use their athleticism instead of being like Porzingis who is out of position (rebounds, low post) and has to use strength to then get in position (which he fails). So these are all things that tie in together where even though we can compare and note that Davis and Porzingis have similar weight, how they use their bodies is different.

I don't know much about besides his offensive gifts, but reading the scouting report on DraftExpress regarding his defense:

Maybe Okafor has been more scrutinized since he's a more known commodity, but outside his gifted post game he has glaring weaknesses defensively. I want the best player picked with the most potential and if the front office believes it's most likely will be Porzingis they should take him and not go with the safest pick.

While I do think that Porzingis has a higher ceiling than Okafor, there's a far greater chance that he never gets there. Defensively Porzingis is ahead of Okafor since Porzingis can at least defend the PnR a bit; both are terrible defensive rebounders. It'd be easier to pair Porzingis with a good defensive big than it would be Okafor since Okafor plays closer to the basket. The problem with Porzingis is he looks like a black hole on offense which is not the case with Okafor. So basically with Porzingis, you're just asking him to space the floor and run off some screens which are things that a perimeter player can do just as well, if not better since that perimeter player can also handle the ball and pass. You'd then have to at least consider guard options for the draft.

[Optms]

I didn't just sit through one of the worst seasons in Laker history to see us use the pick on thin big man from Latvia with a well known soft streak.

Its not going to happen but damn, these are the type of discussions that make me double check Draft night date. Can't come soon enough.

[oneseven]

^ actually.. THE WORST season in Laker history. And you're right!

[EArl]

I really don't think the Lakers are stupid enough to draft Porzingis. I think his people are just leaking rumors to raise his value.

[Laker_Kid]

im done with soft big men on the Lakers. pls just no to this porzingis guy.

if i were to play a pickup game, i wouldnt want to play with him.

[Draginho]

dude strikes me as second coming of darko milicic. nothx

[hazy_01]

I'm shivering the thought of a Porg/Randle frontcourt

[dipstick]

Apparently Embiid is a little slow healing from hus injury so don't think the sixers will hesitate to pick up another big if available.

[cashflo]

http://youtu.be/Fjzdm1pSqjk

Link from Draft work out
This dude is impressive..
I'm starting to thing we should take him at 2 seriously!
Length/Height
Handles
Post
Mid range
3point range
Athletic

Needs to bulk up a bit but only 19yrs of age!

[PKABOOICU]

safety first!

although porzingis looks like he has the tools to be a great player, he is simply a risk to be drafted in the top 3. If our pick was was in the 7-10 range, I'd seriously consider him....but no matter how good he could be, I wouldnt take the risk on drafting him so high.

He already has a few weaknesses, although they could be easily fixed

1. too thin
2. actually looks injury prone....one twist away from being out for the season
3. hasn't seen elite competition
4. don't know much about defense
5. pretty much any nba player/prospect can show that type of greatness when nobody is guarding him.

jahlil okafor, on the other hand, averaged 19/9 in his lone season. thats his baseline...he will only get better, plus he feels a need a center.
dangelo russell averaged 18/5/5 or something along those lines. he would also be an option to fill the big shoes of kobe.

kristaps is a PF...we have randle...i want to see how he does for 2-3 seasons before replacing him.

[Mirjalovic]

How can people forget about Skita ?

Towns is far better than Porzingis, they have same skillset, and Okafor is not that far from Towns.

I'll still take Myles Turner before Porzingis.


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[LAL8KB24]

safety first!

although porzingis looks like he has the tools to be a great player, he is simply a risk to be drafted in the top 3. If our pick was was in the 7-10 range, I'd seriously consider him....but no matter how good he could be, I wouldnt take the risk on drafting him so high.

He already has a few weaknesses, although they could be easily fixed

1. too thin
2. actually looks injury prone....one twist away from being out for the season
3. hasn't seen elite competition
4. don't know much about defense
5. pretty much any nba player/prospect can show that type of greatness when nobody is guarding him.

jahlil okafor, on the other hand, averaged 19/9 in his lone season. thats his baseline...he will only get better, plus he feels a need a center.
dangelo russell averaged 18/5/5 or something along those lines. he would also be an option to fill the big shoes of kobe.

kristaps is a PF...we have randle...i want to see how he does for 2-3 seasons before replacing him.

I'm sorry but spanish league is much much much stronger than NCAA.

[Michael Lucky]

No thanks. He would have to be a tier above anyone else at number 2 to even take him considering we're already planning on developing a lottery pick at PF.

[Rosque]

If you're gonna take Euro prospect than take Hezonja.

[Michael Lucky]

I didn't just sit through one of the worst seasons in Laker history to see us use the pick on thin big man from Latvia with a well known soft streak.

Its not going to happen but damn, these are the type of discussions that make me double check Draft night date. Can't come soon enough.

One of the downsides of loving the Lakers. Half the NBA rumors always revolve around the team. Everyday we're apparently planning to draft a different player or trade the pick for an All Star.

[cashflo]

No thanks. He would have to be a tier above anyone else at number 2 to even take him considering we're already planning on developing a lottery pick at PF.

An above than normal skill set ,talent or physique is what makes elite players in the NBA. He looks to have all... The question would be if he has what takes to take him over the top which is heart.

Not saying I would take him but he deserves a closer look.

[Michael Lucky]

hmm nbadraftnet and Chad Ford both have the Lakers picking Russell at 2 now even though they had Okafor there just a few days ago. Not sure why their draft board changed though. Whatever happens with Embiid is irrelevant or they are putting a lot of stock on Russell having delayed his workout with the Sixers.

[Lakeristic]

Somethings are just meant to be...

[Jody Smokz]

They aren't even remotely the same. The only thing they share is that they are both 19 year old Euro's at draft time.

dude strikes me as second coming of darko milicic. nothx