Poll: Who do you want with #3? (VOTE AGAIN)

[agiaco]

I'd be happy to roll with either guard. I think Mudiay has a bigger risk/reward than Russell but I like Russell's shooting ability. I'm in the minority but prefer Mudiay slightly.

[Cokeleaf]

Russel is the smarter player it seems from what I've watched and read. He should be able to adjust his game to overcome his weaknesses and become a star in the NBA

[mksp]

I think Hinkie goes with Mudiay.

You just can't teach the size/skill combination that Mudiay has. The only thing that Russell is significantly better at than Mudiay is shooting. And I don't think Mudiay's shot is "broken" the way Rondo or Elfrid Payton's is. His timing is just off, with that weird hitch.

Go with the best *pure* PG in the draft with Mudiay versus trying to convert Russell to one.

I just don't trust Russell's athleticism. Sorry guys. I don't see the next Steph Curry at all. I see a good, potentially great player. But he doesn't have the upside that Mudiay has. Mudiay with a jump shot is eventually a top-5 PG in the league. Russell will never be more athletic.

Mudiay-Noel-Embiid is a fantastic core.

[Mik317]

again both will require specific backcourt mates longterm.

Russell will need a combo guard creator type next to him to allow him to play off the ball at times.

And Mudiay will need a knockdown shooter next to him.

Ironically they both would be awesome together.

[LloydFree]

I don't have strong feelings one way or the other on Russell vs Mudiay. I prefer Russell right now, because of his ability to play SG, but at the beginning of the season I would have killed for the chance to get Mudiay. I'll be happy with either, but I think I'd like them to select Russell and sign a veteran PG to feed Embiid the ball this 1st year.

[mksp]

again both will require specific backcourt mates longterm.

Russell will need a combo guard creator type next to him to allow him to play off the ball at times.

And Mudiay will need a knockdown shooter next to him.

Ironically they both would be awesome together.

But what if Mudiay develops a jump shot? My point is that this is more likely than Russell developing athleticism. We should still be drafting for the highest upside when players are this similarly rated. Not fit, or even potential fit.

If Mudiay learns to shoot, he's a top-5 PG. Russell doesn't have that ceiling.

[Unbreakable99]

I posted this in the March Madness thread but I'll post it here.

I go back and forth on Mudiay and Russell. When I watch playoff basketball it really magnifies when a player like Wall can't shoot. Wall is always left open to shoot and he can't make them pay. I feel like while Mudiay could be an all star and do good things, when he's in the playoffs his lack of shooting will be a detriment to the team. Teams won't leave Russell open. I really don't know. Guards and wing players who can't shoot irritate the hell out of me. It messes up spacing.

[Mr Sixer]

What if we land the LA pick this year and manage to come out of the draft with Mudiay and Russell by moving up.

This board would explode.

[SparksFly87]

again both will require specific backcourt mates longterm.

Russell will need a combo guard creator type next to him to allow him to play off the ball at times.

And Mudiay will need a knockdown shooter next to him.

Ironically they both would be awesome together.

But what if Mudiay develops a jump shot? My point is that this is more likely than Russell developing athleticism. We should still be drafting for the highest upside when players are this similarly rated. Not fit, or even potential fit.

If Mudiay learns to shoot, he's a top-5 PG. Russell doesn't have that ceiling.

Top 5 point guard? He compared to John Wall but not nearly as athletically explosive . John Walls isn't even a top 5 point guard to me. Mudiay more so like Jrue Holiday without the jump shot. I don't see that as a top 5 point guard. Top 5 point guards rarely will championships in the nba anyway.

[Ericb5]

I think Hinkie goes with Mudiay.

You just can't teach the size/skill combination that Mudiay has. The only thing that Russell is significantly better at than Mudiay is shooting. And I don't think Mudiay's shot is "broken" the way Rondo or Elfrid Payton's is. His timing is just off, with that weird hitch.

Go with the best *pure* PG in the draft with Mudiay versus trying to convert Russell to one.

I just don't trust Russell's athleticism. Sorry guys. I don't see the next Steph Curry at all. I see a good, potentially great player. But he doesn't have the upside that Mudiay has. Mudiay with a jump shot is eventually a top-5 PG in the league. Russell will never be more athletic.

Mudiay-Noel-Embiid is a fantastic core.

I agree. I would be thrilled with either one, but I take Mudiay over Russell for the reasons you mentioned.


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[Ericb5]

again both will require specific backcourt mates longterm.

Russell will need a combo guard creator type next to him to allow him to play off the ball at times.

And Mudiay will need a knockdown shooter next to him.

Ironically they both would be awesome together.

But what if Mudiay develops a jump shot? My point is that this is more likely than Russell developing athleticism. We should still be drafting for the highest upside when players are this similarly rated. Not fit, or even potential fit.

If Mudiay learns to shoot, he's a top-5 PG. Russell doesn't have that ceiling.

Top 5 point guard? He compared to John Wall but not nearly as athletically explosive . John Walls isn't even a top 5 point guard to me. Mudiay more so like Jrue Holiday without the jump shot. I don't see that as a top 5 point guard. Top 5 point guards rarely will championships in the nba anyway.

I think he is a better athlete than Holliday. Maybe he isn't quite the athlete that Wall is, but I still think he has superstar potential.




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[76ciology]

Anyone thinks Mudiay would be a much better athletic if he goes "brett brown's best shape of your career fitness?"

From what i saw from Canaan and Ish, size at PG has improved and it matters. Most PG do post them up and they have trouble guarding bigger PGs.

Mudiay doesn't have wall/Westbrook quickness but is there with them in terms of air control and verticality. Mudiay is more like Deron/LBJ in terms of style of penetration with combination of size/strength/athleticism.

Drafting Russell is more like betting he'd be a phenom like Steph Curry when it's the rare circumstance in modern age basketball where skillset triumphs average at best athleticism (quickness+verticality).

Honestly, I see that you could go either way with them. But I'm leaning more on Mudiay because of I think he's got higher upside than Russell with the hope of him becoming a good shooter and eventually be one of those freak players at their position that can make other players at their position look obsolete.

And if we flop on this pick, atleast we might consider getting Simmons in 2016 draft. So might as well take that risk and go for home run.

[SparksFly87]

Anyone thinks Mudiay would be a much better athletic if he goes "brett brown's best shape of your career fitness?"

From what i saw from Canaan and Ish, size at PG has improved and it matters. Most PG do post them up and they have trouble guarding bigger PGs.

Mudiay doesn't have wall/Westbrook quickness but is there with them in terms of air control and verticality. Mudiay is more like Deron/LBJ in terms of style of penetration with combination of size/strength/athleticism.

Drafting Russell is more like betting he'd be a phenom like Steph Curry when it's the rare circumstance in modern age basketball where skillset triumphs average at best athleticism (quickness+verticality).

Honestly, I see that you could go either way with them. But I'm leaning more on Mudiay because of I think he's got higher upside than Russell with the hope of him becoming a good shooter and eventually be one of those freak players at their position that can make other players at their position look obsolete.

And if we flop on this pick, atleast we might consider getting Simmons in 2016 draft. So might as well take that risk and go for home run.

The heck with physical tools . If it was all about tools we should just draft bunch of Greek Freaks and play them 1-5 positions.

I want a high IQ shooter who can facilitate running this team over a poor mans- baby Lebron or a point guard version of Tyreke Evans . Skillset is everything in terms of elite guards . Point guards that win championships can Shoot . Good examples of athletes who aren't elite but have elite skill Harden, Irving and Curry. Russell is 6'5 and will have no problem if opposing guards try to post him up with his length .

I expect you to be able to shoot already if I draft you in the top 5 if your not a high upside big man who is 7ft and can dunk over people 10'ft from the basket. . Mudiay will not be a top 5 point guard . Point guard is very strong in the NBA and athletic point guards aren't winning squat.

[76ciology]

Anyone thinks Mudiay would be a much better athletic if he goes "brett brown's best shape of your career fitness?"

From what i saw from Canaan and Ish, size at PG has improved and it matters. Most PG do post them up and they have trouble guarding bigger PGs.

Mudiay doesn't have wall/Westbrook quickness but is there with them in terms of air control and verticality. Mudiay is more like Deron/LBJ in terms of style of penetration with combination of size/strength/athleticism.

Drafting Russell is more like betting he'd be a phenom like Steph Curry when it's the rare circumstance in modern age basketball where skillset triumphs average at best athleticism (quickness+verticality).

Honestly, I see that you could go either way with them. But I'm leaning more on Mudiay because of I think he's got higher upside than Russell with the hope of him becoming a good shooter and eventually be one of those freak players at their position that can make other players at their position look obsolete.

And if we flop on this pick, atleast we might consider getting Simmons in 2016 draft. So might as well take that risk and go for home run.

The heck with physical tools . If it was all about tools we should just draft bunch of Greek Freaks and play them 1-5 positions.

I want a high IQ shooter who can facilitate running this team over a poor mans- baby Lebron or a point guard version of Tyreke Evans . Skillset is everything in terms of elite guards . Point guards that win championships can Shoot . Good examples of athletes who aren't elite but have elite skill Harden, Irving and Curry. Russell is 6'5 and will have no problem if opposing guards try to post him up with his length .

But then Mudiay is not some raw freakish player. He's also got good skillset, probably at par or better except for shooting than Russel in terms of PG skillset being more of a pure PG than a SG trying to play PG.

I don't mind drafting either one of them. But again for a top 3 pick, I think you need to take risk and value upside than finding that PG that suits your needs, and force yourself to believe that Mudiay can further improve his shooting and he'd be PG version of Tyreke/Wade/LBJ at the PG position.

[Kirk Van Houten]

I think at this stage we have made the decision to build around Joel & Noel. We have already seen the how much Noel improved once we got a bit of floor spacing once MCW got traded. Lets keep rolling with that.. Russell would fit in nicely escepcially as we are adding in Joel.

[SMH]

I posted this in the March Madness thread but I'll post it here.

I go back and forth on Mudiay and Russell. When I watch playoff basketball it really magnifies when a player like Wall can't shoot. Wall is always left open to shoot and he can't make them pay. I feel like while Mudiay could be an all star and do good things, when he's in the playoffs his lack of shooting will be a detriment to the team. Teams won't leave Russell open. I really don't know. Guards and wing players who can't shoot irritate the hell out of me. It messes up spacing.

Lol its kinda weird how I was randomly basically thinking about the same thing you were when I was watching the playoffs. With all that said, I really want Russell man.

[eagereyez]

The need for a PG who can spread the floor in today's NBA cannot be understated. If the plan is to move forward with Noel/Embiid, then there is going to be some serious need for spacing if these two are to operate in the paint. Having Mudiay would just compound that problem. We've already seen what PG's with tremendous skill and moderate athleticism can do (Nash, Curry, Irving). You don't need the next Gary Payton defensively if you have a front court consisting of Noel/Embiid.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

It's Russell all day over Mudiay in my opinion....I am so sick and tired of players that simply can't shoot the basketball...YET THEY ARE IN THE NBA! I just don't see how that makes sense. I realize that some guys learn to shoot (like Demarre Carroll), but i'd much rather have a guy come right out the gates and be able to knock down shots and play smart basketball like Russell. That's just me.

[SparksFly87]

I think at this stage we have made the decision to build around Joel & Noel. We have already seen the how much Noel improved once we got a bit of floor spacing once MCW got traded. Lets keep rolling with that.. Russell would fit in nicely escepcially as we are adding in Joel.

This .

[mksp]

The problem is if all D'Angelo Russell can do is shoot, because he's not athletic enough to get into the lane, you basically have Isiah Canaan with better court vision. Which may not be the worst thing in the world, but we can certainly do better.

Too many of you guys are downplaying Mudiay's skill set. He's a legitimate PG with elite size. He has good court vision and a crafty handle. He knows how to use his size to finish at the rim. He just needs to improve his jumper.

I'd be happy with either, but Mudiay feels much more like a "core" piece to me than Russell does.