If the Magic get a top draft pick, who should they take?

[G-Heel]

I hope we get Shabazz as our future SG and Nemanja Nedović as future PG/SG 6th man in 2nd round.

Noel doesn't look like Henny's pick - too many risks there: injured knee, could be new Thabeet. McLemore and Smart are nothing to write home about.

What do you see in Shabazz??? Selfish, can't go right, doesn't play defense, isn't elite athletically and is undersized and overweight. He's a 6'6" SF with zero intangibles and brings nothing to the table besides a decent midrange game and a great jumpshot when set. He's the Ben Gordon of SF's except not as good.

I see you compare Shabazz to Ben Gordon a lot. Gordon is a 6'2 SG, that's what held/holding him back. I doubt height will be an issue for Shabazz; his other deficiencies, such as the selfishness, lack of defense, and lack of playmaking are his problems. Gordon started well, but as his age increase, his production dropped dramatically. I don't know if Shabazz will be better than Gordon's best season, but I think his production will be more consistent than Gordon. Maybe he'll be more like Jamal Crawford.

[BadMofoPimp]

McLemore... getting.. tough.. to .. ignore.

Yuck> If the guy doesn't improve, he'd be another JRich.

I'd rather take Noel, who has a higher ceiling, IMO.

Jason Richardson had a stellar career in the NBA. I hope that Orlando indeed gets a player of that talent level!

..

JRich out of college was pure fire. Hope Magic draft the next JRich or Die Tryin!!!

[WillyJakkz]

If we get the #1 Pick:


Marcus Smart

#2 or later AND Marcus Smart is gone:

Victor Oladipo

Why: Every body needs a head, an extension of the coach and Smart is a tough no nonsense defensive player w/ explosive potential, just as Jacque Vaughn was w/ out the explosive potential etc but Vaughn was tough and played D. Oladipo is gonna be a stud, plays hard defense, does dirty work, and has offensive game that'll translate perfectly to the NBA. high potential player imo. We'd have to trade Afflalo but I'm good w/ that.

Wouldn't mind Nerlens though it'd be some time before he's ok after his surgery.

DEFINTELY don't want Shabazz, do not like that dude at all, couldn't care less about his "potential", can't stand his attitude.

McClemore might be ok on another team, think he may be a bit soft initially and grow into an NBA body/ mentality but I see Smart and Oladipo as having both.

[tranjSAIC]

Good post WillyJakkz, I definitely agree with you 100%. I really hope we can get Smart then trade Affalo for Minny's pick to draft Oladipo, that would be one hella good defensive backcourt with high motors to boot.

[Neon1]

What happens when/If Oladipo measures out to actually be 6'2.5" or 6'3" in shoes? Does it change anything for you guys or do you still want to spend a Top-3 pick on him (and before anybody says it, NO he has zero PG skills).

[londoncollin]

What happens when/If Oladipo measures out to actually be 6'2.5" or 6'3" in shoes? Does it change anything for you guys or do you still want to spend a Top-3 pick on him (and before anybody says it, NO he has zero PG skills).

I don't think it's as big of a deal as it was in the past, because the sg position is trending smaller with guys like Eric Gordon, Monta Ellis, Wade, Bradley, etc being successful. I'd like to know his other measurements like reach and wingspan.

It would cause me some hesitation though, just cuz you don't know if his game will be as effective. Makes him more of a question mark.

[magicman123]

I find it funny that the same people complaining about Mclemore's offense, are the ones that wanna draft olidapo top 3

[Neon1]

I find it funny that the same people complaining about Mclemore's offense, are the ones that wanna draft olidapo top 3

Bro.......lol dead ass on.

[BadMofoPimp]

I find it funny that the same people complaining about Mclemore's offense, are the ones that wanna draft olidapo top 3

Bro.......lol dead ass on.

It is all about hype. If McLemore has a few big games, everyone will want him. Every week it is someone new.

[WillyJakkz]

Good post WillyJakkz, I definitely agree with you 100%. I really hope we can get Smart then trade Affalo for Minny's pick to draft Oladipo, that would be one hella good defensive backcourt with high motors to boot.

Man I would LOVE to have that as our backcourt along w/ Harris, Harkless, and especially Vucevic....I would love the effort that young team would give us night in and night out cause you know all of those guys are gonna play hard the whole game.

What happens when/If Oladipo measures out to actually be 6'2.5" or 6'3" in shoes? Does it change anything for you guys or do you still want to spend a Top-3 pick on him (and before anybody says it, NO he has zero PG skills).

I really like his talent, explosiveness, and toughness so to answer the question yes I still would though I highly doubt he measures that short. Even so he plays well above the rim and I'd hate to get McClemore and have to wait for him to develop defensively and physically.

Worse case if we can't get Smart I'd hope we'd try our hardest to trade AA and try to move up to get a Trey Burke, we definitely need to get one of these young PG's.

Even Myck Kabongo should be available late in the draft to learn from Jameer if worse came to worse.

I'm good as long as it's not Shabazz, let him go somewhere else and poison their team. Too many "diva-ish" qualities I'm seein' in that dude.

[nicnac215]

I hope we get Shabazz as our future SG and Nemanja Nedović as future PG/SG 6th man in 2nd round.

Noel doesn't look like Henny's pick - too many risks there: injured knee, could be new Thabeet. McLemore and Smart are nothing to write home about.

I agree. Shabazz>Smart

[tiderulz]

I hope we get Shabazz as our future SG and Nemanja Nedović as future PG/SG 6th man in 2nd round.

Noel doesn't look like Henny's pick - too many risks there: injured knee, could be new Thabeet. McLemore and Smart are nothing to write home about.

I agree. Shabazz>Smart

Mac and Smart are nothing to write home about, but Shabazz is?

[LetItRain]

I think Porter is gonna be the guy

[BadMofoPimp]

The arguments on who to draft has been great on here lately. There are people arguing for up to 7 different players. That is great. At this point, all I know is I just don't want Noel if its a pick 1-3.

[magicman123]

I find it funny that the same people complaining about Mclemore's offense, are the ones that wanna draft olidapo top 3

Bro.......lol dead ass on.

foreal, hes a junior averaging 13pts with 0 offensive game besides cutting without the ball, and hes turnover prone for a guy that doesn't do much, just wait till he measures 6'2

[fendilim]

I say take Noel if he's available regardless of what pick.

[Bensational]

this may have already been posted here, but it's interesting none the less and relevant to a Noel/Smart debate.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDqdEiQm2XU[/youtube]

the crux of it is that OKC's analytical research suggested that a PG is more important to a championship team than a C. although, this is obviously keeping in mind that they were building around Durant at that point.

[p0peye]

I hope we get Shabazz as our future SG and Nemanja Nedović as future PG/SG 6th man in 2nd round.

Noel doesn't look like Henny's pick - too many risks there: injured knee, could be new Thabeet. McLemore and Smart are nothing to write home about.

I agree. Shabazz>Smart

Mac and Smart are nothing to write home about, but Shabazz is?

McLemore is great shooter and excelent in transition due to his atleticism. However, at 6'4'' he's undersized for a SG, his handle isn't reliable and he easily gets picked in traffic, can't create for himself or others, can't shoot of the dribble, has problems in isolation or p'n'r plays which is staple of NBA offense. Defensively he has problems staying in front of people at college level. He'll be exposed in NBA by December.

Smart seems like a solid option, even though he's more combo guard, but I have to agree that he seems much more like a guy Henny would pick before Shabazz. IMO, there's strong possibility we end up with 6th man in the form of Rodney Stuckey that can rebound.

[Neon1]

McLemore is great shooter and excelent in transition due to his atleticism. However, at 6'4'' he's undersized for a SG, his handle isn't reliable and he easily gets picked in traffic, can't create for himself or others, can't shoot of the dribble, has problems in isolation or p'n'r plays which is staple of NBA offense. Defensively he has problems staying in front of people at college level. He'll be exposed in NBA by December.

Replace what you wrote and write "Muhammad" and this is just as accuarate. Muhammad has the EXACT SAME problems that McLemore has. Undersized, cant guard ANYONE (nor does he even try), Has no handle, cant create off the dribble, etc, etc, etc. Only difference is Muhammad isnt even athletic to boot.

I can understand your reasonings for justifying against McLemore, but it is total contradiction to turn around in the next breath and advocate Muhammad who has ALL of the same issues.

[p0peye]

No, actual difference between those two is that Shabazz is 6'6'', which is excellent for a SG and on top of that, he is incredibly long at 6'11''.

While being deadly from long range and having very good midrange game, he is strong, takes it to the rim with authority, very physical, so he bullys opponent defenders with his size and can actually post up and make some damage down low.

Defensively, yes, they both are similar and Shabazz needs a coach to lit a fire under him to use his size and length on that side of the floor.

Shabazz has higher ceiling than McLemore.