Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part I

[TGW]

Porter reminds me a little of Tayshaun Prince...he has a nice all-around game, although he's not the ballhandler Prince is. I wouldn't mind that kid being in a Wizards uniform....he seems like an ideal "3 and D" player that could develop into more. I especially like his attitude and the fact that he drastically improved on his jumpshot.

[Dat2U]

Bennett's bust potential is very high IMO. An NBA coach may have trouble giving him serious minutes because of the defensive concerns. I also question does he really have a legitimate skillset as a SF?

[nate33]

Bennett really looks like he would be a perfect fit in our offense as a highly skilled stretch 4.

[TGW]

Dat--Bennett is definitely not a small forward. He's a high-energy, undersized power forward. But like you said, he's a very bad defender, so the problem would be on defense...not offense.

[tontoz]

The combine will be big for Bennett. I remember back in 2006 when Shelden's standing reach of 8'8" came out. That number screamed "don't draft in lottery" but sure enough the Hawks did anyway.

I wonder if Bennett's defensive issues are lack of ability or lack of effort. I definitely think he is a stretch 4 and not a 3. Defense will probably be an issue but it isn't like Ryan Anderson is a defensive stopper either. Ditto Ersan.

[Dat2U]

The combine will be big for Bennett. I remember back in 2006 when Shelden's standing reach of 8'8" came out. That number screamed "don't draft in lottery" but sure enough the Hawks did anyway.

I wonder if Bennett's defensive issues are lack of ability or lack of effort. I definitely think he is a stretch 4 and not a 3. Defense will probably be an issue but it isn't like Ryan Anderson is a defensive stopper either. Ditto Ersan.

Ryan Anderson is 6-11 and Ersan is 6-10. Bennett is 6-7. That's a big difference.

In a best case scenario, you would still have to pair Bennett with an elite defensive center that could cover up his weaknesses otherwise your post defense becomes a turnstile.

Bennett also doesn't appear to be freakishly long like other successful undersized PFs. And I question whether Bennett will rebound like a PF versus other NBA bigs.

IMO, if he doesn't have skillset to play the 3 he's going to struggle plain & simple. I wouldn't draft him.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Oladipo's YODA score is consistent with being the number one pick in most drafts. About average usage, but insane efficiency -- 68% from 2pt range; 52% from 3pt range. His efg is .697. Plus he rebounds, generates assists, and gets loads of steals.

Now some cautions.

1. High turnovers. 1 in 5 of his possessions results in a turnover.

2. Has he truly learned to shoot, or is he having a fluke-good season? FT% is actually down this season, suggesting that his insanely good shooting from the field may be a fluke.

He's having a phenomenal season. I'd be cautious with him, though.

Oladipo's athleticism reminds me of Clyde Drexler. His dunks and his foot speed are on par with John Wall's.

Remember when Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace both went in the top 5 or 6 players drafted? Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo could do the same. Both look like the real deal to me.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The combine will be big for Bennett. I remember back in 2006 when Shelden's standing reach of 8'8" came out. That number screamed "don't draft in lottery" but sure enough the Hawks did anyway.

I wonder if Bennett's defensive issues are lack of ability or lack of effort. I definitely think he is a stretch 4 and not a 3. Defense will probably be an issue but it isn't like Ryan Anderson is a defensive stopper either. Ditto Ersan.

Ryan Anderson is 6-11 and Ersan is 6-10. Bennett is 6-7. That's a big difference.

In a best case scenario, you would still have to pair Bennett with an elite defensive center that could cover up his weaknesses otherwise your post defense becomes a turnstile.

Bennett also doesn't appear to be freakishly long like other successful undersized PFs. And I question whether Bennett will rebound like a PF versus other NBA bigs.

IMO, if he doesn't have skillset to play the 3 he's going to struggle plain & simple. I wouldn't draft him.

I'm not so sure he doesn't have a Mark Aguirre-type skill set. Ruzious mentioned nate's observation, that tweeners usually have to play the bigger position in the pros. Anthony Bennett, as this is a day for me to make voluminous comparisons, also reminds me of Anthony Mason. Mason could play both the 3 and the 4, as well as some 2 in a pinch.

I don't like the uncertainty with Bennett, either, Dat. I would draft Doug McDermott before Anthony Bennett, because I know McDermott will be a role player who excels in the post and facing up.

[Knighthonor]

got darn it, more lakers talk in the headlines. I want some Wizards trade news!!!

[JAR69]

Oladipo's YODA score is consistent with being the number one pick in most drafts. About average usage, but insane efficiency -- 68% from 2pt range; 52% from 3pt range. His efg is .697. Plus he rebounds, generates assists, and gets loads of steals.

Now some cautions.

1. High turnovers. 1 in 5 of his possessions results in a turnover.

2. Has he truly learned to shoot, or is he having a fluke-good season? FT% is actually down this season, suggesting that his insanely good shooting from the field may be a fluke.

He's having a phenomenal season. I'd be cautious with him, though.

I don't watch enough college ball to comment on most of the players, but as I am married to a Hoosier fanatic, I've seen Oladipo play many times.

I'm not concerned about the turnovers - I see that as part of his high-energy, aggressive style. But his incredible efficiency this year, much higher than his first two seasons, I think is due in part to the large number of open looks he gets from the outside combined with excellent driving skills. IU has a host of very good three point shooters to go with Zeller (and sometimes Watford) on the blocks, which forces teams to leave perimeter players open. With Oladipo's ability to drive, defenders often have to play off him. To his credit, he is hitting the open shots. But he struggles a lot more with contested shots (as do all players, of course). In the NBA, he won't get nearly as many open looks.

Oladipo also has decent, though not great, basketball intelligence. He sometimes over-dribbles, and can be over-aggressive. In past years, that would sometimes result in unnecessary fouls.

All that said, I'm a big fan, and think he will fill up a box score in the NBA. He is an elite defender with very active hands, a good rebounder, and has explosive jumping ability. And if he can continue improving his outside shooting, he has the ability to be a borderline all-star.

[pcbothwel]

The combine will be big for Bennett. I remember back in 2006 when Shelden's standing reach of 8'8" came out. That number screamed "don't draft in lottery" but sure enough the Hawks did anyway.

I wonder if Bennett's defensive issues are lack of ability or lack of effort. I definitely think he is a stretch 4 and not a 3. Defense will probably be an issue but it isn't like Ryan Anderson is a defensive stopper either. Ditto Ersan.

Ryan Anderson is 6-11 and Ersan is 6-10. Bennett is 6-7. That's a big difference.

In a best case scenario, you would still have to pair Bennett with an elite defensive center that could cover up his weaknesses otherwise your post defense becomes a turnstile.

Bennett also doesn't appear to be freakishly long like other successful undersized PFs. And I question whether Bennett will rebound like a PF versus other NBA bigs.

IMO, if he doesn't have skillset to play the 3 he's going to struggle plain & simple. I wouldn't draft him.

Just to clarify, Ersan is an inch taller than Bennett and about 25-30lbs lighter. Not anywhere near 7ft. Anderson is closer to 6'9-6'10, not 6'11, and he is neither as quick, explosive, big or long as Bennett.

To be a good defender you need to have the demeanor and tools. Bennett has both. It is quite common that the best and most used player (especially bigs who tire quicker) do not defend as well in college as that would wear them out and get them into fould trouble. As a 3rd option Bennett would thrive.
My only concern would be his lack of post moves, but I believe that can be both improved and masked in the right offense.

[Dat2U]

I like Oladipo, but I can't get out of mind the context of him as a role player.

I'm sure he's an NBA contributor... but I never thought of him as a 1st or 2nd option offensively. More like Pietrus or Sefolosha, a vital piece but a role player nonetheless.

[Dat2U]

Just to clarify, Ersan is an inch taller than Bennett and about 25-30lbs lighter. Not anywhere near 7ft. Anderson is closer to 6'9-6'10, not 6'11, and he is neither as quick, explosive, big or long as Bennett.

To be a good defender you need to have the demeanor and tools. Bennett has both. It is quite common that the best and most used player (especially bigs who tire quicker) do not defend as well in college as that would wear them out and get them into fould trouble. As a 3rd option Bennett would thrive.
My only concern would be his lack of post moves, but I believe that can be both improved and masked in the right offense.

I question how tall and long Bennett really is. Is his standing reach really comparable with other PFs? We won't know until his measurements come out so everything else is hearsay.

And I really doubt your assessment that Bennett has the "demeanor" to defend successfully. Everything seen and read about Bennett indicates that unwillingness to really put forth an effort on that end of the court.

IMO he's someone that has to go the perfect situation and really be masked defensively. Even then, I question if he has the actual tools to be successful in the NBA.

To me he's a perfect modern example of a tweener in today's NBA.

[AFM]

Oladipo looks crazy good. Could he play the 3?

[AFM]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn3esIT5R5I[/youtube]

OLA ODIPO!!!!

[TGW]

Oladipo's problem is that he has the size of a shooting guard, but his game would probably work best at small forward. He's kind of like...a bigger Kyle Lowry. He's very aggressive attacking the hoop, and has no problem taking it at big guys. He's definitely someone I would draft between 15 and 25.

[stevemcqueen1]

I gotta disagree on the physical side. Physically, I think he's developing into almost the perfect 3. He's clearly a lot stronger than last year and developing faster than I thought he would. I see him on a path similar to Paul George - except he's even longer than George. George - at 22 - is I think on a gradual path to stardom, and I think Porter is actually a little bit ahead of where George was.

Paul George is a freak athlete though, wheras Porter is going to be below average for his position. George is pretty fast and he is an explosive leaper. In general, he's a much, much better athlete than Porter in terms of agility, speed, strength, and leaping ability.

I think Porter can be a very good starting SF, someone you get and don't feel the need to upgrade for a while. But he's a future role player, not a potential star like George. If you look at almost every "star" player in the NBA, they've got something that sets them apart physically. There are very few exceptions. Porter doesn't have any physical that really sets him apart from the average NBA SF.

[stevemcqueen1]

I like Oladipo, but I can't get out of mind the context of him as a role player.

I'm sure he's an NBA contributor... but I never thought of him as a 1st or 2nd option offensively. More like Pietrus or Sefolosha, a vital piece but a role player nonetheless.

Agreed. Oladipo's efficiency numbers and his natural athleticism are driving his interest right now, but people should keep in mind those efficiency numbers are largely the result of him getting to play a secondary role to the most dominant two way big in the country.

I don't think you can overstate the impact Zeller has on the floor. There are whole games where he sees at least a double team every single possession and he draws a surprising number of triple teams too. He's the straw that stirs the drink for the #1 team in the country and he makes everyone that takes the floor with him look good, not so much vice--versa.

Oladipo is a definite first rounder. But I think his value comes mostly from his defense. It's good that he can hit open shots and finish on assisted buckets at the rim and finish in transition. That means he won't really take anything off the table on that end of the court. But he's a very ordinary offensive player IMO. What you really want him for is his potential as a top notch perimeter stopper just like you mentioned in Sefolosha. Although I think he can be a little better than Sefolosha.

[stevemcqueen1]

Hugely entertaining game from OK St. and Baylor coinciding with the Wiz tonight. Pretty good performances from Smart and Austin although Smart struggled a bit down the stretch in crunch time. His team played well. Austin couldn't get anything to fall but did a good job playing D and rebounding. All in all, not really a showcase performance for either of them as their teammates really took the starring roles tonight.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

As of right now, I think Austin is a better prospect than Alex Len.

Alex Len has scored only a total of 24 points his last three games. He also grabbed 24 rebounds and had 5 blocks total. Len is a sophomore. Meanwhile, Isaiah Austin over the last three games has 35 points, 42 rebounds, with also 5 blocks. Austin is a freshman.

It will be very interesting the rest of the season. Right now, I think Austin is rising and Len is playing his way down the lottery.