Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part VI

[jivelikenice]

I think the Bennett talk is legit, but I'm guess he's a clear #2 on their board. They're probably leaking that its Bennett v. Porter to give Cleveland the impression that they don't care which way they go, and to let teams not think they have to jump to #2 for Otto.

[The Consiglieri]

To illustrate the difference between Bennett and LJ's bodies, LJ led the league in minutes played his second season. An astounding 40 minutes per game. And with his high energy, run the court full speed and dunk on everyone every chance you get style.

Whatever Bennett accomplishes in his career, I am certain he will never do that.

LJ was built like a super hero. Very tapered and svelte considering how much muscle bulk he had. Bennett is a lot sloppier, doesn't have LJ's muscle tone. He certainly isn't as well conditioned and with his asthma, will never be close.

I doubt Bennett will ever be a match for LJ physically speaking, LJ reminded of Bo Jackson (if Bo had preferred hoops) in terms of physique. All this being said, whose to say with a couple of healthy seasons at UNLV, Bennett might have had a more sculpted body? One legit knock on him is his injury history, and injuries usually have a negative impact on fitness, especially if asthma's concerned (i certainly noticed, growing up with the same issues).

[pancakes3]

Grandmama was a 20/10 guy in college. So was Anthony.

Porter and Bennet are 16/8 guys (shabbazz 18/5).

It should be pretty clear that we're not dealing with all-nba-ers here.

[mohammed10]

I think the Bennett talk is legit, but I'm guess he's a clear #2 on their board. They're probably leaking that its Bennett v. Porter to give Cleveland the impression that they don't care which way they go, and to let teams not think they have to jump to #2 for Otto.

+1

[The Consiglieri]

It's possible. Paul George was remeasured last year at 6 foot 10, 2 inches taller than his original measurement.

By the way, why is everyone quoting Bennett at 6 foot 7? Some sites (wikipedia, ESPN, the UNLV official site) list him at 6'8".
It appears his original measurements were 6'7", 230lbs. His latest stats indicate he is 6'8", 240 lbs.

When arguing against a particular player, its not surprising his measurements would be low balled, and while everyone preaches reach and how heights irrelevant, height suddenly becomes far more important than the fact (at least quoted by one scout) that Bennett has crazy long arms, which may mitigate the height issues to some extent (after all, its not like he's playing soccer, and trying to redirect corner kicks on frame with his head, he'll be using his arms) to his detractors.

I honestly have no idea who we should take, and remain a bit surprised that so many no longer mention Len, who while not in the picture for any of us, could easily be the #2 or #3 guy on our board after Noel and the mystery player (who knows if its Noel?). I like Porter, I just have seen far far far too many examples of Porter type picks being trumped by the higher upside pick down the road, and I've never seen a teams fans ever console themselves in the knowledge that they chose a player that was a good fit, when they passed on a potential star, whether it's Philly and the Bradley mistake, Golden State and the Joe Smith blunder, Golden State overreacting to Webber by going after a stiff instead of Kobe the following year too, I could go on and on as it's happened innumerable times. That's why, at the end of the day, if Bennett really is the better prospect long term, but slightly riskier prospect, I think he should be the pick. Unless I can be convinced that Porter has tremendous upside, and the chance to be great, I just don't see the point in picking him when another player may actually have that. I see the attraction, and I would love to add a player like him, but I'd rather take a chance on a Noel or a Bennett, if they are still available.

I guess in terms of the Porter posters, what I will need to feel more comfortable is the knowledge that he's going to be something better than "good" or above average". I like that Pelton clearly rates him above Bennett, and reading Pelton, I tend to like his analysis a great deal.

[AFM]

Grandmama was a 20/10 guy in college. So was Anthony.

Porter and Bennet are 16/8 guys (shabbazz 18/5).

It should be pretty clear that we're not dealing with all-nba-ers here.

terrible stats. Anthony shot 17 times a game in college and played 36.4 minutes a game.
Bennett shot 11 times a game and played 27 minutes per game.

per 36:
Anthony averaged 22/10.
Bennett averaged 21/10.

Bennett: 53% FG, 37% 3P%
Anthony: 45% FG, 33% 3P%

So who was better statistically?

[The Consiglieri]

More bothersome than not having a current height on Bennett is that there was never a standing reach measurement for him - at least not public. If it was because his arm was sore - why not just measure with the other arm? There are just too many questions about him, imo. Maybe the Wiz have been able to get some answers. Who knows? My guess? Bennett does not go in the top 10.

I guess I may be a bit off on this, but Im shocked that he wouldn't try to find some way to measure it, if possible, particularly if it would be a positive #. If the number was terrific, he'd lock himself in the top 2-5, no problem. My expectation right now is that he goes to us at #3, or drops somewhere between 4-6. If he made it past 6, it might go a bit weird for him as the picks in the 7-14 zone are all associated either with point guards, centers, or shooters that play the 2 or 3, none of these tags really fits with Bennett. Really interesting.

I think in the end, Bennet will go somewhere between 2 and 6. In a draft bereft of players with tremendous upside, Bennett represents just that. I cannot see 10 teams passing on that, particularly teams that need virtually everything like Charlotte, Orlando, Phoenix and New Orleans.

[Jay81]

if bennett somehow measures at 6-9 6-10, i may consider him

[truwizfan4evr]

if bennett somehow measures at 6-9 6-10, i may consider him

Same if he is 6-9 i would have a change of heart about him.

[jivelikenice]

How does Bennett compare to Hot plate Williams? (The pre-weight issue version)

[theboomking]

LJ's career only seems unremarkable now because he ruined his back in his third year and was never the same again. He was totally dominant by his second season and was on his way to a brilliant career. He, Zo, Shaq, and Kemp were the best bigs of their generation and the core of that excellent '94 USA team. He and that Charlotte team with Zo and Muggsy and Kendall Gill and Dell Curry are one of the great "what might have beens" from that era. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.

If Bennett is the next LJ then he's going to be a superstar. I don't think he's got the kind of body LJ did though.

Yes.

The differences that I see between them are the bodies with LJ being slimmer and better conditioned. Thus he ran the floor harder and played with more energy inside the lane IMO. And he was probably more comfortable operating from the low post than Bennett. On the flip side, Bennett is ahead of LJ as a shooter. He's going to come into the league younger than LJ and with a reliable 3 point shot already developed. LJ didn't develop his 3 ball until his fourth year after he hurt his back and couldn't go up over top of people in the paint any more.

So as always, you can pick out differences that keep it from being a clean comparison. But there is definitely some meat to it IMO.

I think the real difference is that Bennett isn't in the same league as LJ athletically. LJ was a quick twitch athlete with great leaping ability and power to spare. I think that LJ was much more like Blake Griffin with more perimeter skill.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/392/larry-johnson
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/i ... ke-griffin

[The Consiglieri]

Grandmama was a 20/10 guy in college. So was Anthony.

Porter and Bennet are 16/8 guys (shabbazz 18/5).

It should be pretty clear that we're not dealing with all-nba-ers here.

Well, Bennett was also a freshman, Porter a sophmore. Johnson put those numbers up as a junior and senior after transferring. What might Bennett and Porter have been with another year or three respectively. The one thing LJ has in this argument is that the college game was much tougher back then and far less diluted.

[theboomking]

I honestly have no idea who we should take, and remain a bit surprised that so many no longer mention Len, who while not in the picture for any of us, could easily be the #2 or #3 guy on our board after Noel and the mystery player (who knows if its Noel?). I like Porter, I just have seen far far far too many examples of Porter type picks being trumped by the higher upside pick down the road, and I've never seen a teams fans ever console themselves in the knowledge that they chose a player that was a good fit, when they passed on a potential star, whether it's Philly and the Bradley mistake, Golden State and the Joe Smith blunder, Golden State overreacting to Webber by going after a stiff instead of Kobe the following year too, I could go on and on as it's happened innumerable times. That's why, at the end of the day, if Bennett really is the better prospect long term, but slightly riskier prospect, I think he should be the pick. Unless I can be convinced that Porter has tremendous upside, and the chance to be great, I just don't see the point in picking him when another player may actually have that. I see the attraction, and I would love to add a player like him, but I'd rather take a chance on a Noel or a Bennett, if they are still available.

IMHO, Len is the dark horse for our 3rd pick, not Bennett. I think if we are going for the safer pick who will fit in immediately and not dissappoint, we will take Porter. If we swing for the fences, it will be with a 7-1 center who has the potential to be the impact big that would complement Wall and Beal.

[truwizfan4evr]

Grandmama was a 20/10 guy in college. So was Anthony.

Porter and Bennet are 16/8 guys (shabbazz 18/5).

It should be pretty clear that we're not dealing with all-nba-ers here.

Well, Bennett was also a freshman, Porter a sophmore. Johnson put those numbers up as a junior and senior after transferring. What might Bennett and Porter have been with another year or three respectively. The one thing LJ has in this argument is that the college game was much tougher back then and far less diluted.

!6/8 for either player is a bonus if you ask me.

[The Consiglieri]

LJ's career only seems unremarkable now because he ruined his back in his third year and was never the same again. He was totally dominant by his second season and was on his way to a brilliant career. He, Zo, Shaq, and Kemp were the best bigs of their generation and the core of that excellent '94 USA team. He and that Charlotte team with Zo and Muggsy and Kendall Gill and Dell Curry are one of the great "what might have beens" from that era. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.

If Bennett is the next LJ then he's going to be a superstar. I don't think he's got the kind of body LJ did though.

Yes.

The differences that I see between them are the bodies with LJ being slimmer and better conditioned. Thus he ran the floor harder and played with more energy inside the lane IMO. And he was probably more comfortable operating from the low post than Bennett. On the flip side, Bennett is ahead of LJ as a shooter. He's going to come into the league younger than LJ and with a reliable 3 point shot already developed. LJ didn't develop his 3 ball until his fourth year after he hurt his back and couldn't go up over top of people in the paint any more.

So as always, you can pick out differences that keep it from being a clean comparison. But there is definitely some meat to it IMO.

I think the real difference is that Bennett isn't in the same league as LJ athletically. LJ was a quick twitch athlete with great leaping ability and power to spare. I think that LJ was much more like Blake Griffin with more perimeter skill.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/392/larry-johnson
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/i ... ke-griffin

I don't know about that. I would definitely agree that LJ based on what we saw of him at UNLV when he was a junior and a senior, as opposed to what we saw of Bennett as a freshman, was more impressive, but Bennett is no slouch athleticially. Despite the puffy appearance he's a beast physically. It's one of the main reasons in addition to his crisp shooting, and overall offensive game, that he's so highly thought of now. Athleticism isn't really a concern.

[truwizfan4evr]

Grandmama was a 20/10 guy in college. So was Anthony.

Porter and Bennet are 16/8 guys (shabbazz 18/5).

It should be pretty clear that we're not dealing with all-nba-ers here.

Well, Bennett was also a freshman, Porter a sophmore. Johnson put those numbers up as a junior and senior after transferring. What might Bennett and Porter have been with another year or three respectively. The one thing LJ has in this argument is that the college game was much tougher back then and far less diluted.

!6/8 for either player is a bonus if you ask me.

They can get 16 points and 8 rebounds a game that be huge for wizards we have 2 studs already with Wall and Beal and don't forget Nene.

[The Consiglieri]

I honestly have no idea who we should take, and remain a bit surprised that so many no longer mention Len, who while not in the picture for any of us, could easily be the #2 or #3 guy on our board after Noel and the mystery player (who knows if its Noel?). I like Porter, I just have seen far far far too many examples of Porter type picks being trumped by the higher upside pick down the road, and I've never seen a teams fans ever console themselves in the knowledge that they chose a player that was a good fit, when they passed on a potential star, whether it's Philly and the Bradley mistake, Golden State and the Joe Smith blunder, Golden State overreacting to Webber by going after a stiff instead of Kobe the following year too, I could go on and on as it's happened innumerable times. That's why, at the end of the day, if Bennett really is the better prospect long term, but slightly riskier prospect, I think he should be the pick. Unless I can be convinced that Porter has tremendous upside, and the chance to be great, I just don't see the point in picking him when another player may actually have that. I see the attraction, and I would love to add a player like him, but I'd rather take a chance on a Noel or a Bennett, if they are still available.

IMHO, Len is the dark horse for our 3rd pick, not Bennett. I think if we are going for the safer pick who will fit in immediately and not dissappoint, we will take Porter. If we swing for the fences, it will be with a 7-1 center who has the potential to be the impact big that would complement Wall and Beal.

It wouldn't shock me at all either, I just happen to think that with all the Bennett smoke going on in addition to Porter, that all 3 must be involved. This F.O. has managed to leak its interests before every single draft for more than half a decade running, and the leaks writers have consistently picked up on have been related to Porter, Bennett and Len. I think those 3 guys are in who we're looking at unless Noel falls.

[theboomking]

I don't know about that. I would definitely agree that LJ based on what we saw of him at UNLV when he was a junior and a senior, as opposed to what we saw of Bennett as a freshman, was more impressive, but Bennett is no slouch athleticially. Despite the puffy appearance he's a beast physically. It's one of the main reasons in addition to his crisp shooting, and overall offensive game, that he's so highly thought of now. Athleticism isn't really a concern.

Consiglieri, I agree with you that Bennett is a very good athlete. I also am surprised that so few on the board reference Bennett's handle, which is also excellent. I just don't think Bennett is the same kind of athlete as LJ. Go watch LJ's dunk contest.

[gambitx777]

Question guys, Lets say porter is gone at 3,
Its at least a slight possibility that noel might fall to us, but do we take him with his current injury and hope that he stays healthy?
word on the street it that Orlando is shopping Aalflalo, so they might go with Maclemore at 2. So, if Cleveland takes Porter.
Do we take Noel, Or should we Take Oladipo or Bennett instead ? No doubt that Noel will be the most talented player on the board with the most potential, But would we be wise to avoid an Oden situation? Thoughts?

[truwizfan4evr]

Question guys, Lets say porter is gone at 3,
Its at least a slight possibility that noel might fall to us, but do we take him with his current injury and hope that he stays healthy?
word on the street it that Orlando is shopping Aalflalo, so they might go with Maclemore at 2. So, if Cleveland takes Porter.
Do we take Noel, Or should we Take Oladipo or Bennett instead ? No doubt that Noel will be the most talented player on the board with the most potential, But would we be wise to avoid an Oden situation? Thoughts?

Noel