Official 2015 NBA Draft Discussion Thread [ft. TyCobb]

[TyCobb]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/150220_mitchkupchak?cid=FB

Q: On how he changes his approached based on where the first-round draft pick falls:
Kupchak:I’m going out to see games this weekend, but we have a feel of who we think will be top five. … It’s a big difference if you have No. 1 or No. 5. You really have to find out: Are we going to have a pick in the top five — and we’re not going to know that until the lottery. And then No. 2, you have to know what pick you have. If you have No. 1 pick, that may change how you approach free agency. If you draft a big, then maybe now you say you need a guard in the offseason. … Right now, we have a feel of who are going to be the top five guys.

But there’s big guys and there’s guard, and until you know where you’re gonna draft, you’re not gonna know what player you’re going to get unless you get No. 1. You argue for college fans that there may be two guys that everybody feels comfortable at one and two. So if you’re one or two, then you pretty much know what you might do in the offseason. But if you’re not one or two, really you have to wait until you find out where you’re drafting. And then you can kind of shape the offseason. … It’s just too fluid to sit down and say what you’re going to do today in the middle of February, but those are the factors involved.

Mitch better be at this UCLA @ Arizona game. Can't wait. 6 more hours.

[LApwnd]

was thinking right now bout Russells #'s, again I'm not college guy never watch much of any but is he similar to Evan Turner? Turner put up #'s across the boards to at OSU but his game didn't seem to translate to the pros well, probably due to his avg shooting and athleticism. Now I know Russell probably is better shooter but his weakness seems to be lack of elite speed or athleticism. Kinda need one or the other to be an elite lvl type guard in this league.

Turner can't shoot. Russell is an elite shooter. Completely different. Also how in the world can you compare a freshmen that averaged 8.6 points 4.4 rebounds 2.6 assists to one averaging 19/5/6 with a 43% FG from 3.

i only remember Turner #'s when he got drafted they were good across the boards but I see your point with the freshman comparison but still a combo guard without elite speed or athleticism could have problems in the league.

[TyCobb]

Looney showin' out!

[dockingsched]

Looney's stroke looking smooth this half

[Fresh360Waves]

Haha came on here to post about Looney too. That dude is nice. Would he be able to play the 3 in the NBA or is he a stretch 4?

[TyCobb]

Oh, wow... Looney fouls out some bogus calls.

[TyCobb]

These refs been pretty horrible, not letting the players decide the game. Three Bruins foul out and just some ridiculous calls altogether.

[moonpie]

Catch D'angelo Russell and the Buckeyes against Michigan tomorrow on CBS at 1:00 EST

[TyCobb]

UCLA at Arizona notes:

- Looney was very impressive defensively. He was constantly altering shots, very good closeouts, couple blocked shots (I saw one against Ashley that he didn't get credit for in the boxscore), and plenty of shutting down driving lanes. He was pulled away from the paint most of the game, probably by design on Arizona's part, partly because he is top middle of the 3-2 zone on UCLA, so he didn't dominate the glass like he normally does. Because of this Arizona got tons of second chances points from offensive boards and got the other UCLA bigs in foul trouble. Offensively, he made one poor pass in the second half where we was clearly exhausted which led to a breakup layup. Other than that mistake, he was pretty solid. Two of his drives to the basket were misses but he was fouled on both, ironically the refs didn't blow the whistle on those plays considering all the fouls against UCLA that were called. Another 2-3 from the 3 point line, both very clutch shots that helped the Bruins come back from a double-digit deficit at the start of the second half. After that they went away from him and Alford started chucking away. Ended up fouling out of the game with like 5 minutes to play on back to back possessions. One was an offensive foul using his off hand to keep the defender off him. The defender flopped but was enough to draw a foul and then defensively guarding the point guard their legs got tangled. Another weak whistle.

- Johnson struggled mightily with his shot. Got to the line, rebounded well, but had a poor showing overall.

[Slava]

I've watched two games of Looney and both times he's fouled out!

Love his vision for a big man even if he has to play PF in the NBA.

[ALL HAIL]

I caught the game as well. I've seen him play a handful of times now and like his game, but, because I'm a draft for need kinda dude, I wouldn't draft him because I don't like his fit next to Randle.

He looks like a PF to me, like playing him at SF would be "forced" in my opinion.

[TyCobb]

Just curious, why can Parsons get away as a SF but Looney can't?

[moonpie]

Updated top 14:

1-Russell
2-Towns
3-Okafor
4-Hezonja
5-Johnson
6-Mudiay
7-Winslow
8-Cauley-Stein
9-Looney
10-Porzingis
11-Harrell
12-Kaminsky
13-Grant
14-Oubre

[miggs]

that's what i'm most curious about looney's game, in the nba could he be a sf without being forced, i don't know enough about these two to know if they'd fit well next together. from what i saw of him in the last ucla game compared to the youtube vids i've seen, looney looks quite versatile, as if he's still expanding areas of his game. I think our board must be something Okafor/Russell/Towns/Looney/Cauley-Stein/Johnson

[Slava]

I really can't see anyone picking Johnson over Winslow as a SF.

[jPHENOM5]

Would you guys be willing to trade Randle for a top 5 pick in this years draft? Assuming we keep ours?
For example, we could draft different combinations and build off of that.
Draft 2/5 of the top picks
Any combo of Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, Russell, Hezonja?

[ROballer]

Don't know if Randle would fetch a top 5 pick,coming after his injury


And all this Looney talk is basically pointless...we're getting a top 4 pick ,or we drop down and Philly gets our pick,simple as that

Looney would be a reach at our pick ,he ain't worth our time if Russell/Okafor/Towns are still on the board,and there are 2-3 guys who arguably should be taken in front of him as well


I'm still torn between Russell and Towns,but with each game I'm leaning more towards Russell...I love that kid's game ,but obv would also love Towns if Russell is taken when it's our time to pick

I'd settle with Okafor as well,anyone outside of these 3 guys would be a dissapointment for me personally

[TyCobb]

I have Looney third on my board.

[ROballer]

Which of the 3 you wouldn't pick before Looney , Ty?

And by "the 3" I mean Russell/Okafor/Towns



I won't even entertain the idea of Looney being drafted in front of these 3 ,sorry....yeah,maybe he can play SF in the NBA,or maybe he can't...I don't even want to think of this as our problem to have ,since there were a great number of tweeners who were busts or didn't live up to their hype and draft position


And besides,others have said it as well...can't see a lineup with Randle/Looney in it ,just can't...there's no meshing there

[miggs]

I really can't see anyone picking Johnson over Winslow as a SF.

good to know, haven't seen any footage of Johnson just a lot espn good to know.

I saw Winslow play during the NC/Duke game, impressive for sure but mock draft says he struggles with his 2pt fg%