Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part VI

[jivelikenice]

DraftExpress has Alex Len as the #1 prospect in the draft and I tend to agree. I don't understand the Porter love, as his upside is not nearly as high as Len's and Len would give us a serviceable backup center from day 1 (trade seraphin). I doubt Ernie will be crafty enough to find a partner to trade down for Len so we should just take him where we are at 3.

I think Porter's upside is bigger than you do but essentially I agree with your post.

I think Len (assuming he's there) would be the best possible pick for the short and long term.

I don't want to argue about long-term as people's opinions differ, but how do you figure in the short term?

[Wizardspride]

DraftExpress has Alex Len as the #1 prospect in the draft and I tend to agree. I don't understand the Porter love, as his upside is not nearly as high as Len's and Len would give us a serviceable backup center from day 1 (trade seraphin). I doubt Ernie will be crafty enough to find a partner to trade down for Len so we should just take him where we are at 3.

I think Porter's upside is bigger than you do but essentially I agree with your post.

I think Len (assuming he's there) would be the best possible pick for the short and long term.

I don't want to argue about long-term as people's opinions differ, but how do you figure in the short term?

Yeah. You're right I meant to say long-term...though I think he'd contribute this season to an extent.

Heck, Len could at least give us what Seraphin does imo.

[Dat2U]

FWIW, Tony Massenburg was on Doc Walker's show on 980 and said he preferred Bennett over Porter, because Bennett can play inside, while Porter being a SF would bring skills similar to what they already have in Beal and Wall.

He said something about good teams usually have a good interior player, with 1 or 2 perimeter oriented guys to compliment each other, and he used San Antonio as an example.

Two thumbs up for Tony Massenburg.

Great analysis. Too bad it isn't true. Otto Porter's bread in butter is operating out of the high post. Bennett doesn't even have a post game to speak of. Where Bennett is well rounded is from the perimeter. He's exclusively a face up big. He's solid in ISO's, pick & rolls and cuts and a good finisher when he gets to the rim but he generally doesn't start there.

[sfam]

FWIW, Tony Massenburg was on Doc Walker's show on 980 and said he preferred Bennett over Porter, because Bennett can play inside, while Porter being a SF would bring skills similar to what they already have in Beal and Wall.

He said something about good teams usually have a good interior player, with 1 or 2 perimeter oriented guys to compliment each other, and he used San Antonio as an example.

Two thumbs up for Tony Massenburg.

Great analysis. Too bad it isn't true. Otto Porter's bread in butter is operating out of the high post. Bennett doesn't even have a post game to speak of. Where Bennett is well rounded is from the perimeter. He's exclusively a face up big. He's solid in ISO's, pick & rolls and cuts and a good finisher when he gets to the rim but he generally doesn't start there.

Bennett has already shown flashes of a post game - granted its power-based right now. I would be surprised if he doesn't develop this within a few years. But as you said, he also drives and finishes wonderfully around the rim. That counts as points in the paint, and is different from what Porter brings.

[Dat2U]

Rudy Gobert reminds me of a lot of what I liked about Mohammed Sene a few years back. Hopefully Gobert actually loves the game unlike Sene who pretty much faked it until he got drafted. I'd be hesitant to draft Gobert too high. His weak base will be a detriment. He's not going to bring much offensively, doesn't really have any skills or post game and is unlikely to develop one. The real big flag for me is the rebounding. Doesn't have the strength or the mobility to make up for the lack of strength. Unlike Alex Len, Gobert is not going rebound outside his area and in fact gets a lot of rebounds stolen.

He's got intriguing defensive potential but he looks like a specialist. Maybe an effective one, but I don't see him playing more than 20 minutes a night in a best case scenario. He simply won't rebound well enough to be a starter.

I'd say Gobert is worth a shot somewhere b/w 15-25. I don't think he's a total flameout like Sene, Thabeet or Fab Melo, and he could find a role in the league if he really works hard on his game.

[truwizfan4evr]

Sova would be a 15 and 10 guy for wizards? Is that worth a third pick?

[nuposse04]

Sova would be a 15 and 10 guy for wizards? Is that worth a third pick?

In a word...No.

[truwizfan4evr]

Wizards could make the playoff without making a huge trade just adding a good player in draft should be enough for us.Buck's want to get rid of Sova really bad could we just give up Ariza and a second round pick for him? It works on trade checker.

[nuposse04]

Wizards could make the playoff without making a huge trade just adding a good player in draft should be enough for us.Buck's want to get rid of Sova really bad could we just give up Ariza and a second round pick for him? It works on trade checker.

If Ernie ever pulled off **** like that I'd consider eating a teaspoon iocane powder for the absurdity of it all.

[stevemcqueen1]

What about Grant Hill as a comparison for Porter?

[verbal8]

What about Grant Hill as a comparison for Porter?

"Detroit" Grant Hill or "Orlando" Grant Hill? I could see the lower usage less athletic "Orlando" version as being a decent comp. That also seems like the type of player who could be retained on a relative bargain contract.

Looking at Grant Hill's stats it is really interesting he didn't shoot 3 pointers for most of his career. I think for Porter to reach even the level of Grant Hill post injury, he will have to develop an NBA 3 point shot. He also will probably have to improve his ball handling.

[doclinkin]

What about Grant Hill as a comparison for Porter?

An off-brand Grant HIll yes.

Before injuries, coming out of Duke, Grant was not only smooth with a mature game (as is Otto Porter) but had above-the-rim athleticism. No way Otto would average ~20ppg as a rookie no matter what team drafted him.

If Grant wasn't kneecapped with injuries then he'd have been a HOF player. Even if he came out as a soph not senior. I don't see Ottomatic as putting up 20/8rb/6ast his first 5 years in the league.

But same mentality and cool demeanor and court awareness and team focus, yes.

[hands11]

DraftExpress has Alex Len as the #1 prospect in the draft and I tend to agree. I don't understand the Porter love, as his upside is not nearly as high as Len's and Len would give us a serviceable backup center from day 1 (trade seraphin). I doubt Ernie will be crafty enough to find a partner to trade down for Len so we should just take him where we are at 3.

Where ?

Draft Xpress has

Noel
McLemore
Otto
Len
VO
Bennett
Burke
CJM
Shabbazz
Adams
Zeller

Thats right. They have CJM over Shabazz, Adams over Zeller, and VO over Bennett

[hands11]

DraftExpress has Alex Len as the #1 prospect in the draft and I tend to agree. I don't understand the Porter love, as his upside is not nearly as high as Len's and Len would give us a serviceable backup center from day 1 (trade seraphin). I doubt Ernie will be crafty enough to find a partner to trade down for Len so we should just take him where we are at 3.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2013/

Where ?

Draft Xpress has

Noel
McLemore
Otto
Len
VO
Bennett
Burke
CJM
Shabbazz
Adams
Zeller

Thats right. They have CJM over Shabazz, Adams over Zeller, and VO over Bennett

[AFM]

No...
http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/

Len is #1.

Bennett is #6. Porter is 7.

[tontoz]

No...
http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/

Len is #1.

Bennett is #6. Porter is 7.

Wow. So a 7 footer who converts 38% of his post ups and 36% of his jumpers, as well as showing a lack of effort/focus on both ends (not to mention having a foot injury) is the top prospect?

Not exactly an endorsement of this draft.

[AFM]

I'm assuming it's a "potential" thing.

[Nivek]

I enjoy listening to Tony Massenburg on 980, although he's like a lot of ex players. He's at his best when he's telling stories about stuff he experienced and talking about "the life" but gets weaker when talking about Xs and Os and why on-the-court stuff happens.

As for the DX top 100 rankings -- I'm baffled about how Len has become the top prospect. Maybe it's how well he's been playing the couple weeks.

[tontoz]

I'm assuming it's a "potential" thing.

I think it is a "stupidity" thing.

[LyricalRico]

I enjoy listening to Tony Massenburg on 980, although he's like a lot of ex players. He's at his best when he's telling stories about stuff he experienced and talking about "the life" but gets weaker when talking about Xs and Os and why on-the-court stuff happens.

Agreed. He's not a "must-hear" like LaRon Profit was, but he's passable.