The What Should We Do With the 5th Pick II: IBJ Edition

[doclinkin]

All I know is for someone who doesn't know anything, I've guessed a lot of stuff right over the years - lol. It's nice to see so many people paying Curry his props. Who knows if we will draft him or make a package deal but at least most the people here are on the same page with what he offers and what this team needs. I said from the beginning our weakest link is a back up passing PG who can nail a 3 ball on a catch and pop and Curry can do that. I'd be happy if we got one in FA or in a pick trade but our options are somewhat limited because of how many people we have signed. But the kid seems mature and has a winning attitude.

You never really know who is worth a top 5 pick. It's a crap shoot. Hell, look where GA was drafted.

I wouldn't be totally shocked if we traded a young player but I would be surprised. I think we would trade DS and James if we could but I doubt we can. Maybe James but no one is going to take DS off a back injury.

I remember the first time I posted about Curry. Most here were still dreaming of us getting BG and Curry was at like 18th. Now DX has us taking him. It would be a laugh to go back and see who the posters were who said I was an idiot for even mentioning him. I'm sure it was more then one of our main posters. LOL. Now read the board. Most are drinking the koolaid.

I think it's your gift with words and natural charisma, and verily your ubiquity. Why, not a day goes by that I actually think: that hands, he sure knows a ton about that Stephen Curry kid. Gosh you're smart You can accidentally convince fence-sitters-- or even dedicated doubters-- with your enthusiasm and gift of gab. It's a curse really, since it means you got to be right all the time otherwise you may get as doubted as you were touted, simply because your skill with an adjective happened to lead a mess of other lemmings off the same cliff you were dancing on.

Truly, it's a dangerous tool to have intelligence like yours. Yep, when folks thing 'hands' they're bound to think 'dangerous' and also 'tool'. -.

[doclinkin]

I don't think we can completely rule out the "agent factor" here. Of course the agent is going to want to put the kid in a big market where he can be an instant star cuz it means more cash for him in endorsements and a second contract. DC is a solid market but he'd be playing with a lot of great players. So I don't necessarily think Rubio is a jerk, just that he's a got an agent that's trying to look out for him.

Also, since he's committed to the draft they're banking on significant endorsements to cover the costs of his buyout. But to manage that he's got to have a showcase. Here it's a long stretch to think he'd be able to outshine one of the most media-savvy guards in the NBA. A sometime allstar with a dozen catchy nicknames.

But there's little doubt Ernie would take him anyway. Yes he's got the Fran Vasquez escape hatch, and it drives down his trade value if teams think he has to be traded, but you still get the strongest asset for the pick to set up a swap with a team that's agreeable.

[closg00]

CCJ. Blair is falling like a rock per Chad Ford. There are MAJOR medical issues regarding his knees. His ACL tears and weight isn't helping him at all. At least Milsapp and Boozer didn't have injury issues and were not fat.

I would put my money on Ford being wrong. This from today's DX.

We’re hearing that DeJuan Blair is in pretty good shape at the moment, and he continues to have very strong workouts that are easing the concerns teams have about his knee. Blair’s draft range looks pretty steady between 12 and 16, although he will work out for teams above and below those picks. Don’t be surprised to see a team like Oklahoma City or Portland try to make a move for him on draft night, as both organizations are reportedly very high on him.

[BigA]

Think I've had it with this Don Fegan character. No more Steely Dan records for me.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

Ricky Rubio = Adam Morrison

[gesa2]

"Ricky don't lose that number. You don't want to call nobody else"

[DCZards]

NBA Wiretap Headlines:

With concerns over his strength, shooting and buyout, Ricky Rubio has gone from the consensus number two pick to one of the many wild cards in this year's NBA Draft.

Rubio is not interested in Memphis or Washington and the Thunder appears to be leaning toward selecting James Harden or Stephen Curry. The Kings were thought to be a sure bet but sources in Sacramento tell ESPN that it's far from a lock that they'll pick him if he's still on the board.

Sounds like some of the glow around Rubio is beginning to wear off. All most people knew about Ricky were the highlights on youtube and elsewhere. Well, if "highlights" were all that mattered every "And One" player would be a high draft pick.

The last European player hyped as much as Ricky ended up going #2 to the Pistons, ahead of Wade, Bosh and 'Melo. A kid named Darko Milicic?

[DCZards]

Evans being the one who it's easier to visualize next to Gil. And I think Evans
has a GREAT upside. People who point to his high TOs generally omit mentioning
that he only just started playing PG so high TOs, given his inexperience and his
freshman status don't red flag him for me so much.

[nate33]

Any bets on Curry going top-3?

I doubt it. Doc and Dat2U love the guy (and are close to convincing me), but I don't see any general concensus that he'll go top 3. OKC won't take Curry over Harden/Evans.

And if they do, I won't be heartbroken because Harden will still be on the board. I'm at the point where I'm perfectly happy with either Curry or Harden. As long as Memphis or OKC takes Thabeet, one of them will fall to us.

[LyricalRico]

NBA Wiretap Headlines:

With concerns over his strength, shooting and buyout, Ricky Rubio has gone from the consensus number two pick to one of the many wild cards in this year's NBA Draft.

Rubio is not interested in Memphis or Washington and the Thunder appears to be leaning toward selecting James Harden or Stephen Curry. The Kings were thought to be a sure bet but sources in Sacramento tell ESPN that it's far from a lock that they'll pick him if he's still on the board.

Sounds like some of the glow around Rubio is beginning to wear off. All most people knew about Ricky were the highlights on youtube and elsewhere. Well, if "highlights" were all that mattered every "And One" player would be a high draft pick.

The last European player hyped as much as Ricky ended up going #2 to the Pistons, ahead of Wade, Bosh and 'Melo. A kid named Darko Milicic?

I still don't think he slips, though. Detroit should have learned from what happened with Skita in Denver, but they didn't. So there's no reason for me to think that teams are going to learn from the Darko situation. Ultra hyped European players will always have value. So while a team at the top of the draft may not believe the hype themselves, they can still take him and trade him to a team that does.

[nate33]

Evans being the one who it's easier to visualize next to Gil. And I think Evans
has a GREAT upside. People who point to his high TOs generally omit mentioning
that he only just started playing PG so high TOs, given his inexperience and his
freshman status don't red flag him for me so much.

Meh. Evans is not a point guard. He's a shooting guard with handles. While that's nice, it doesn't mean he should get special consideration for being a "point guard". He's not.

[Soup's Uncle]

Think I've had it with this Don Fegan character. No more Steely Dan records for me.

Aja is like my favorite album of all time.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

"Ricky don't lose that number. You don't want to call nobody else"

"Send it off in a letter to yourself"

I remember Steeley Dan. "Aja" album IIRC. WPGC back in the day used to play everything top-40.

About "Little Ricky" as I like to call him, I think he's completely overrated.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

anybody else hear that Rubio doesn't want to play in DC now? My friend sent me something from ESPN (Insider I guess) that said his "people" don't think he'd be a good fit next to Arenas. This guy is turning out to be a little rockstar, primmadonna a-hole. He won't play anywhere, he won't play with anyone. What is this dude's deal? Stay in Spain if you don't like what's going on over here you jerkoff.

LOL you loved him up until he said he doesnt want to be a wizard. Now he's a primmadonna.

I've felt all along that Rubio's passes just have extra mustard on the hot dog and that he's more showman than winning-time baller.

[DCZards]

Meh. Evans is not a point guard. He's a shooting guard with handles. While that's nice, it doesn't mean he should get special consideration for being a "point guard". He's not.

I couldn't agree more about Evans not being a PG...although that's what he was asked to play the last half of the season at Memphis. I've said all along that Evans will turn out to be an above average (maybe even a great) combo guard.

And let's not overlook what else Evans brings to the table with his size, length and strength...the ability to guard 2-3 positions. But, then again, maybe the Zards don't need a good perimeter defender.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

All I know is for someone who doesn't know anything, I've guessed a lot of stuff right over the years - lol. It's nice to see so many people paying Curry his props. Who knows if we will draft him or make a package deal but at least most the people here are on the same page with what he offers and what this team needs. I said from the beginning our weakest link is a back up passing PG who can nail a 3 ball on a catch and pop and Curry can do that. I'd be happy if we got one in FA or in a pick trade but our options are somewhat limited because of how many people we have signed. But the kid seems mature and has a winning attitude.

You never really know who is worth a top 5 pick. It's a crap shoot. Hell, look where GA was drafted.

I wouldn't be totally shocked if we traded a young player but I would be surprised. I think we would trade DS and James if we could but I doubt we can. Maybe James but no one is going to take DS off a back injury.

I remember the first time I posted about Curry. Most here were still dreaming of us getting BG and Curry was at like 18th. Now DX has us taking him. It would be a laugh to go back and see who the posters were who said I was an idiot for even mentioning him. I'm sure it was more then one of our main posters. LOL. Now read the board. Most are drinking the koolaid.

I think it's your gift with words and natural charisma, and verily your ubiquity. Why, not a day goes by that I actually think: that hands, he sure knows a ton about that Stephen Curry kid. Gosh you're smart You can accidentally convince fence-sitters-- or even dedicated doubters-- with your enthusiasm and gift of gab. It's a curse really, since it means you got to be right all the time otherwise you may get as doubted as you were touted, simply because your skill with an adjective happened to lead a mess of other lemmings off the same cliff you were dancing on.

Truly, it's a dangerous tool to have intelligence like yours. Yep, when folks thing 'hands' they're bound to think 'dangerous' and also 'tool'. -.

Okay, now I know it's him, doc.

(He is of the same occuption as Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors.)

[dobrojim]

Evans being the one who it's easier to visualize next to Gil. And I think Evans
has a GREAT upside. People who point to his high TOs generally omit mentioning
that he only just started playing PG so high TOs, given his inexperience and his
freshman status don't red flag him for me so much.

Meh. Evans is not a point guard. He's a shooting guard with handles. While that's nice, it doesn't mean he should get special consideration for being a "point guard". He's not.

FWIW, I didn't say he would BE a PG for us. I only pointed out that that was
what he played with darn little experience, only to have folks point out he
didn't have the kind of A:TO ratio one would want to see in a top shelf PG.

Dwayne Wade is[edit] NOT a 'PG' either. I'm not saying TE is the next DW, but a backcourt
of DWade and GA would be devastating even though neither is a prototypical PG.

The bigger reservation I have on TE is his shooting (assuming the questions re his
off court stuff are satisfactorily examined). I think he has the potential to be the
best defensive player of the 3 Gs I singled out as plausible to draft at the 5.
His slashing ability could well offset his possible lack of shooting as we have bigs
who would love to be spoonfed as well as helping draw fouls, get in the penalty
early. That's assuming he never becomes a quality shooter.

But shooting 3s is something we could definitely use help on and Curry is the better
choice in that regard.

Overall team passing/assists is another area of needed improvement. Rubio would
probably be the biggest help there.

So I think a solid case could be made for each. Someone mentioned Harden as 'proven'.
Please tell us exactly what he has proven.

[nate33]

FWIW, I didn't say he would BE a PG for us. I only pointed out that that was
what he played with darn little experience, only to have folks point out he
didn't have the kind of A:TO ratio one would want to see in a top shelf PG.

Dwayne Wade is a 'PG' either. I'm not saying TE is the next DW, but a backcourt
of DWade and GA would be devastating even though neither is a prototypical PG.

The bigger reservation I have on TE is his shooting (assuming the questions re his
off court stuff are satisfactorily examined). I think he has the potential to be the
best defensive player of the 3 Gs I singled out as plausible to draft at the 5.
His slashing ability could well offset his possible lack of shooting as we have bigs
who would love to be spoonfed as well as helping draw fouls, get in the penalty
early. That's assuming he never becomes a quality shooter.

But shooting 3s is something we could definitely use help on and Curry is the better
choice in that regard.

Overall team passing/assists is another area of needed improvement. Rubio would
probably be the biggest help there.

So I think a solid case could be made for each. Someone mentioned Harden as 'proven'.
Please tell us exactly what he has proven.

I don't really disagree with any of this.

Regarding Harden, he's "proven" in that he's actually a better passer than Evans despite not being a point guard. Harden averaged the same number of pace-adjusted per-minute assists with 20% fewer turnovers, with worse teammates. And despite being a sophomore, Harden is the same age as Evans. (Harden is 24 days older.)

[doclinkin]

FWIW, I didn't say he would BE a PG for us. I only pointed out that that was
what he played with darn little experience, only to have folks point out he
didn't have the kind of A:TO ratio one would want to see in a top shelf PG.

<clears throat>Ahem:

it's not quite clear why analysts (or his coaching staff for that matter) are so surprised at the success he's found at the point—it was after all the only position we've ever saw him play from watching him in high school, prep school and the AAU circuit over the last three years. Clearly he is not “learning the position from scratch” like many have suggested.

The only difference being okay, sometime in this past year someone told him he was supposed to occasionally try to pass. Not impressed.

[doclinkin]

Any bets on Curry going top-3?

I doubt it. Doc and Dat2U love the guy (and are close to convincing me), but I don't see any general concensus that he'll go top 3. OKC won't take Curry over Harden/Evans.

And if they do, I won't be heartbroken because Harden will still be on the board. I'm at the point where I'm perfectly happy with either Curry or Harden. As long as Memphis or OKC takes Thabeet, one of them will fall to us.

Don't blame me, blame handsy. Boy will I taunt him mercilessly if Curry doesn't work out.