Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LIV "Lottery/Draft"Edition)

[Optimus_Steel]

Some of you guys underrate Mclemore's shooting ability...saying shooters are a dime a dozen. That's bull. If you can get a deadeye shooter on a rookie contract, do it. Or would you rather pay 6-7 mil a year for a Crawford or Smith who come with their own baggage. Our team needs someone with elite shooting ability. We are really lacking it.

I've heard people make arguments that you can find great shooters rather easily and cheaply in the FA market....delusional much.

[rcklsscognition]

The glorified JJ redick comparison takes the cake. McLemore is getting so much hate from his final four appearance. It all turned personal at that moment, and now he's not a winner, he's passive, can't create his own shot, etc. Well, luckily, he has the core skills needed to do everything an all-star does. That's called potential. If he reaches it, he'll be an all-star. If not, he'll be a skilled shooter and 3rd option on a team that can score 18ppg and gets paid 4 mil a year.

[OrlChamps2030]

Glorified JJ.. Danny Green.. Too many tattoos.. Looks like a gangster.. Speaks like a gangster.. Illiterate and low IQ.. Questionable work ethic and character.. From a bad neighborhood.. Too passive..

B-Mac gonna prove y'all wrong!!!

[Truth24]

I still prefer Ledo and Hardaway jr over McLemore.

[j-ragg]

I still prefer Ledo and Hardaway jr over McLemore.

Two late first round talents? Really?

[KillMonger]

The glorified JJ redick comparison takes the cake. McLemore is getting so much hate from his final four appearance. It all turned personal at that moment, and now he's not a winner, he's passive, can't create his own shot, etc. Well, luckily, he has the core skills needed to do everything an all-star does. That's called potential. If he reaches it, he'll be an all-star. If not, he'll be a skilled shooter and 3rd option on a team that can score 18ppg and gets paid 4 mil a year.

so you're saying that at worst he's could be an 18ppg scorer? i guess it's possible but if you're not the focus in offense which i think he won't be since he can't create then it won't be easy. People want to compare him to Ray Allen but from what my older brother tells me Ray was much more talented than Mclemore at more or less the same age. I guess if you have the talent any of these top prospects can be All-stars but for me with Mclemore my question is how much does he want it? He just doesn't possess that Killer Instinct or "Swagger" of a alpha dog/Number 1 guy. IDK there are such things as late bloomers so we will see but for me i like Oladipo quite a bit better

[Truth24]

I still prefer Ledo and Hardaway jr over McLemore.

Two late first round talents? Really?

Hardaway will be a late lotto pick and if Ledo played in college we would be discussing him at number two instead of McLemore or Dipo.

[rcklsscognition]

The glorified JJ redick comparison takes the cake. McLemore is getting so much hate from his final four appearance. It all turned personal at that moment, and now he's not a winner, he's passive, can't create his own shot, etc. Well, luckily, he has the core skills needed to do everything an all-star does. That's called potential. If he reaches it, he'll be an all-star. If not, he'll be a skilled shooter and 3rd option on a team that can score 18ppg and gets paid 4 mil a year.

so you're saying that at worst he's could be an 18ppg scorer? i guess it's possible but if you're not the focus in offense which i think he won't be since he can't create then it won't be easy. People want to compare him to Ray Allen but from what my older brother tells me Ray was much more talented than Mclemore at more or less the same age. I guess if you have the talent any of these top prospects can be All-stars but for me with Mclemore my question is how much does he want it? He just doesn't possess that Killer Instinct or "Swagger" of a alpha dog/Number 1 guy. IDK there are such things as late bloomers so we will see but for me i like Oladipo quite a bit better

I'd say Ben comes in, and if starting, could give us 14PPG 1st season.

I respect your opinion on Ben. I think drive is one of those things that can develop. Jordan developed drive when he was in college. I am NOT comparing Ben to Jordan, just using Jordan as an example of a player who developed drive and killer instinct well after starting organized basketball. I was just reading through excerpts of Jordan's book, and in it, they said his first year at college he was apprehensive, afraid he couldn't play with the other guys, and had no self-confidence. Then something clicked.

I watched Ray in college and when he came into the pros. Obviously, I don't have the comparison of Ben in the pros to Ray in the pros those first couple years, but they are very, very similar players. You ask any GM who Ben reminds them of and they will say Ray Allen. Ben's shot is a tick slower than Ray's, but he's got a good release point and gets off clean shots without worrying about getting blocked. The thing is, Ben has a great shot and is more athletic than Ray was back in the day, and he was very athletic back then. You can tell he was a physical specimen because of how well he has held up over the last 14 years.

I don't remember following draft day like this 14 years ago, so I don't remember if anyone ever questioned Ray's drive or leadership. Did people ask if he was the #1 guy back then when he was drafted 5th, I think? I don't think so, I think that's just something people like to throw out there. Ben has swagger, watch his clips, dude likes dunking on people and scoring the ball. Watch him in the locker room, reports are he is a leader and a gel guy.

Not saying Burke or Oladipo aren't those types either, but I personally thing Ben brings us the best potential.

[eyriq]

I do think Ben can fill the mold of other great shooter's games like a Rip Hamilton, Redick, Allen..... And I'm sure there are others. Throw in his athleticism and defensive potential and you have a terrific prospect.

[Def Swami]

I really like Trey Burke, but with an opportunity to fix our PG problems in next year's draft, drafting McLemore, Oladipo, or Noel presents a lot of different potential lineups that I might like more down the road.

Kasey Hill
Ben McLemore
Moe Harkless
Tobias Harris
Nikola Vucevic

Andrew Harrison
Victor Oladipo
Moe Harkless
Tobias Harris
Nikola Vucevic

Kasey Hill
Moe Harkless
Tobias Harris
Nerlens Noel
Nikola Vucevic

[Nyce_1]

would you rather absorb TRob's contract from Houston or absorb Marion & #13 from Dallas? Shoot, i think the TPE is big enough to take on both deals.

[rcklsscognition]

I like the idea of a veteran presence, but not sure how happy Marion would be here. Maybe he puts on a show the first half and then gets moved to a contender? I'd prefer that over a multi-year commitment of similar total dollars to Robinson.

[meatwad4343]

would you rather absorb TRob's contract from Houston or absorb Marion & #13 from Dallas? Shoot, i think the TPE is big enough to take on both deals.

i'd rather take on marion and get the pick and take ben at #2 and a long term pg project with a lot of potential like schroeder at 13. he should be there.

[j-ragg]

I still prefer Ledo and Hardaway jr over McLemore.

Two late first round talents? Really?

Hardaway will be a late lotto pick and if Ledo played in college we would be discussing him at number two instead of McLemore or Dipo.

I always wondered what crystal meth was like. Think you showed me.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Some of you guys underrate Mclemore's shooting ability...saying shooters are a dime a dozen. That's bull. If you can get a deadeye shooter on a rookie contract, do it. Or would you rather pay 6-7 mil a year for a Crawford or Smith who come with their own baggage. Our team needs someone with elite shooting ability. We are really lacking it.

Whoa whoa whoa. jamal crawford and jr smith? Ben has not shown he has the ability to create shots off the dribble at the least. so to compare him to JR or Jamal is absurd.

Funny that you mention Smith because he needed to work on ball Handling and creating off the dribble when he was drafted. matter if fact It was widely known that Westbrook was also a guy with limited ball handling and his ability to create off the dribble was also considered a weakness.

Imo people are focusing to much on something that can be improved.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Two late first round talents? Really?

Hardaway will be a late lotto pick and if Ledo played in college we would be discussing him at number two instead of McLemore or Dipo.

I always wondered what crystal meth was like. Think you showed me.

[MagicTownBaller]

I think we should draft Ben McLemore this year and if we get the third or fourth pick next season, then we draft Marcus Smart.

The 2014-15 season lineup
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Maurice Harkless
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Nikola Vucevic

I love that team!

[Def Swami]

Chris Mannix ‏@ChrisMannixSI 7h
Mavericks continuing to shop the No. 13 pick to preserve cap space for this summer. Several execs say they are not asking for much, either

[meatwad4343]

Chris Mannix ‏@ChrisMannixSI 7h
Mavericks continuing to shop the No. 13 pick to preserve cap space for this summer. Several execs say they are not asking for much, either

wonder why we haven't jumped on it yet. maybe the mavs want to wait until draft day? or maybe we really don't want marion at all?

[Def Swami]

Tobias Harris working out with MCW.

Jay Hernandez ‏@ProHoops 3h
@tobias31 @MCW1 @ReggieBullock35 and CJ sharpening each others skills. #earlywork pic.twitter.com/im4jHwvHP6

Michael Carter-Willi ‏@MCW1 6h
Just got done with a great workout #draftdreams #5henergy