Pre-Draft Thread / Workout Updates

[Howard Cosell]

After watching some highlights of Zeller workouts with a coulple of different teams and after hearing what Flip and others have said about his workouts, his skill level, and his overall athletic ability its getting to the point where I would be shocked as hell if Cody Zeller slipped past the Wizards, Bobcats and Kings. All three of those teams need a stretch 4. The Bobcats would be fools to select Bennett over Zeller IMO.


Add Zeller to the list of names of players who will definitely be picked before the 9th.

Noel
Mclemore
Oladipo
Porter
Bennett
Len
Zeller

[Dewey]

It too bad Zeller isn't very good at basketball.

wow

[cpfsf]

It too bad Zeller isn't very good at basketball.

i'd consider drafting him more because he's a relatively safe pick. not because i think he has a lot of upside.

[AQuintus]

It too bad Zeller isn't very good at basketball.

i'd consider drafting him more because he's a relatively safe pick. not because i think he has a lot of upside.

A safe pick, like D-Will, until he gets buried on the bench because he's the fifth PF on the roster, like D-Will.

[Dewey]

I think Flip has a chance for Oladipo if Noel can hold a top spot while Alex Len rises ... Right now I have to think Noel, Otto, McLemore, and Len are starting to hold down the top 4 slots with some level of confidence.

Could we swing a deal for the Suns #5? They need a lot. DW/#9/#26 ... WJ/#5. Suns basically get DW/#9 for #5, and with that, we send #26 for WJ's expiring contract.

Move Ridour/Johnson/Steimsma/Gelebale, etc for a Center upgrade. Use MLE on veteran SG

Rube, JJB
Oladipo, Shved, LR
AK, Bud, WJ
Love, DC
Pek, Johnson, Steimsma

[Mattya]

I actually really like Zeller, but would prefer trading Williams and 26 to move up and get him. Come out with Shabazz or KCP and Zeller. Move Luke and/or JJ. Decline Steamers' player option. AK opts out to sign a 3 year deal for less money annually. Resign Pek and Bud. Go after Mayo, Redick, Martin in FA.

Rubio/Ridnour/Shved
Mayo/KCP/Shved
AK47/Budinger
Love/Zeller/Cunningham
Pekovic/Zeller/Johnson

Huge boost in shooters. Still lack some shot blocking, but Zeller is a good P&R defender.

[Worm Guts]

D-

It too bad Zeller isn't very good at basketball.

i'd consider drafting him more because he's a relatively safe pick. not because i think he has a lot of upside.

A safe pick, like D-Will, until he gets buried on the bench because he's the fifth PF on the roster, like D-Will.

D-Will really wasn't buried. It's tough to be buried when everyone is hurt.

[cpfsf]

It too bad Zeller isn't very good at basketball.

i'd consider drafting him more because he's a relatively safe pick. not because i think he has a lot of upside.

A safe pick, like D-Will, until he gets buried on the bench because he's the fifth PF on the roster, like D-Will.

it's generally the better strategy to pursue the best player available with the 9th pick when you win 31 games. that may or may not be zeller (i'm not entirely sold yet myself), but you don't let guys who are on the trading block or just plain crippled restrict who you choose.

[Esohny]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UbGtjnluyY[/youtube]

[Saltine]

I think fans are overrating McLemore, he may not go top 5. His numbers really aren't great, and the word is his workouts aren't either.

[Howard Cosell]

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_234 ... source=rss


Huuummmmm..............................

Wolves

president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said having point guard skills makes McCollum potentially more effective offensively.

"I was impressed," Saunders said. "He shot the ball well. He's very receptive, as you guys know. He's extremely bright, a very mature (player). He's not going to be awed by the situation in the NBA."

Rubio-McCollum backcourt?

Shved-Barea

Once again our PG's would be bigger than our 2-Guards

McCollum is going to be a big time scorer.

Very difficult decisions coming up for Flip.

I need this to be over.

[Saltine]

I watched Mbakwe handle Zeller without much issue. The Gophers only had Mbakwe and two guards, that was their team, if Zeller was a C he shouldn't have many issues with a 6'7" PF, as is he was outplayed by a smaller dude, who is a fringe NBA player himself. He doesn't seem to be able to handle strong guys, and since he'll have to play PF in the NBA, I'm not really sure he's ever going to much more than a backup. Half the guys in the first round are busts, more when you get to bigs, I'm not sure why he won't be one of them.

I think Derrick Williams is a better player, and we don't have much use for him, and we need wings, he isn't one

[big3_8_19_21]

DX updated mock: still Shabazz and Tony Mitchell, but 2nd round is Bojan Dubljevic and some guy named Joffrey, who I can only assume is a horrifying love child. Okay, DraftExpress. I get it. But if that was our haul on draft night, it would feel like a real slap in the face.


I know nobody really puts much stock into the opinions at nbadraft.net, but I like to check out their mock just to see another opinion.

They have us taking KCP (9), Hardaway (26), Goodwin (52), Lypovyy (59). I'd LOVE if we could get Archie Goodwin at 52, stash him in Europe and see how his game looks in a couple years.

[Saltine]

Joffrey is a major injury concern, horrible in the locker room, and he's a bigger wuss than Zeller, no way Flip goes there.... Tyrion would be an awesome GM

McCollum does know a bit about the Wolves;
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/212082961.html

“They were last in the NBA three-point percentage for starters, and I’m a pretty good shooter,” McCollum said. “It all depends on team needs. Obviously, they have a really good point guard here in Ricky Rubio. The need is the 2-guard position, another guy who can knock down shots, score and help Kevin Love out down low. I feel like I’m that guy.”

[MinneOOPalis]

He really did his research. He also has a Grantland interview.

[MrTwister]

Joffrey is a major injury concern, horrible in the locker room, and he's a bigger wuss than Zeller, no way Flip goes there.... Tyrion would be an awesome GM

Tyrion would be GM mastermind and executive of the year candidate

Are you sure you have right Joffrey on your mind? Because Lauvergne from Partizan is example of psychical and hustle player which fight for every rebound,teammates really love him and on top of that he is fan favorite.He had minor back injury which left him sidelined for 2-3 games but nothing serious. Lauvergne can run the floor, rebound, block shots, finish at the rim, occasionally knock mid-to-long range J(have 3pt range in Europe), plus he's tireless engine,real energy player.Thing is, he wont be moving to NBA this year but team which draft him in 2nd round, can count that he will continue to grow and improve in Europe(same thing with Dubljevic).I already wrote about Dubljevic earlier,he is closest thing to K.Love our NT have and you will get a chance to watch him along Pek and Vucevic this September on Eurobasket in Slovenia.

[karch34]

Not sure what we can give them to move up 3 spots. Derrick Williams would be an overpay as I don't see anything comparable that they can give back despite the higher draft pick in the 1st round.

I'd have to think 9 and 26 for 6 is about right.

[Dewey]

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23488061/timberwolves-like-c-j-mccollums-shooting-touch-maturity?source=rss


Huuummmmm..............................

Wolves

president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said having point guard skills makes McCollum potentially more effective offensively.

"I was impressed," Saunders said. "He shot the ball well. He's very receptive, as you guys know. He's extremely bright, a very mature (player). He's not going to be awed by the situation in the NBA."

Rubio-McCollum backcourt?

Shved-Barea

Once again our PG's would be bigger than our 2-Guards

McCollum is going to be a big time scorer.

Very difficult decisions coming up for Flip.

I need this to be over.

WHat this really continues to point out is the fact our other SG options have limited ball handling skills ... think Wes Johnson (to a degree) ... often this is where the rubber meets the road in the NBA. McCollum excels here but lacks the size. Bottom-line, we cannot rule out other options via FA /rades.

[shrink]

Not sure what we can give them to move up 3 spots. Derrick Williams would be an overpay as I don't see anything comparable that they can give back despite the higher draft pick in the 1st round.

I'd have to think 9 and 26 for 6 is about right.

I think that if we want to move up with the 26, we'd have to do it now, when it is a gamble for either team on whether one of the better players is still going to be on the board at #6. For example, suppose the draft went like Chad Ford (ugh) mock draft:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/results/top100/_/year/2013

Noel
Olidapo
Porter
Bennett
Len
McLemore

... then that wouldn't be enough if McLemore was there.

[Biff Cooper]

I watched Mbakwe handle Zeller without much issue. The Gophers only had Mbakwe and two guards, that was their team, if Zeller was a C he shouldn't have many issues with a 6'7" PF, as is he was outplayed by a smaller dude, who is a fringe NBA player himself. He doesn't seem to be able to handle strong guys, and since he'll have to play PF in the NBA, I'm not really sure he's ever going to much more than a backup. Half the guys in the first round are busts, more when you get to bigs, I'm not sure why he won't be one of them.

I think Derrick Williams is a better player, and we don't have much use for him, and we need wings, he isn't one

I assume you don't realize it, but Mbakwe has a taller standing reach and a bigger wingspan than Zeller. Mbakwe is also a 6th year senior vs a 2nd year sophmore. Mbakwe is also very muscular. They were also playing in Williams arena this game with the crowd in a frenzy. There were reasons why this happened. Zeller has very elite athleticism along with very good basketball skills, however he is not a finished product yet. He at least has these two important things to build on. He will need to add some strength, but once he does, he could be a quite good NBA big man - maybe not a center, but 4 or 4/5.