Chicken Littles: Sky done fell! Draft Thread 2011

[nate33]

He is now at the top of my board too: (does not include Irving)
1 Barnes (Grant Hill)
2 Kanter (Marc Gasol/Horford)
3 Valanciunas (Noah/Omer Asik) (but can shoot much better than either)
4 Williams (Melo/David West)
5 Sullinger (Boozer/Zach Randolph)

Barnes is no Grant Hill. Grant Hill was on pace to be one of the top 10-15 greatest NBA players of all time until he got hurt. A better analogy for Barnes might be Granger or Pierce.

I think the rest of those comparisons are bit optimistic as well. Maybe if you put the "poor man's" modifier in front of them they'd be accurate.

[nate33]

I must admit, Barnes just moved up my draft board as well. The kid looks like a can't miss pro prospect. I don't know if he'll pan out to be a primary option star like Paul Pierce, or more of a role-player third option like Deng, but either way, I'm sure he'll be a quality starting-caliber SF in this league.

[The Consiglieri]

And people were convinced that Tim Thomas was going to be a star. They just have to use him right - year after year. <Perry Jones sarcasm>

Speaking of a player who's got to be used right - I don't know if there's a way to hide his obvious weaknesses, but Henson is special at what he does well. If he could just get as bulked up as Joe Smith got, that'd be enough for him to avoid getting rag-dolled in the NBA. Nobody as long as he is - is as fast and quick as he is.

One of the ESPN Chat guys, i forget which one, in the past week, mentioned Henson as a guy he views as top 10 material in the draft and not getting the love he should be getting.

[Rafael122]

I must admit, Barnes just moved up my draft board as well. The kid looks like a can't miss pro prospect. I don't know if he'll pan out to be a primary option star like Paul Pierce, or more of a role-player third option like Deng, but either way, I'm sure he'll be a quality starting-caliber SF in this league.

We need a long term option at the 3, and Barnes fits the bill. We also need an outsider shooter because outside of Young and Lewis, our options are limited, so he'll fit in there as well. All we need is to add a banger with the other two picks, a rebounder, tough guy inside. A guy like Faried would fit the bill.

I mean, 40 pts, 8 boards, on 17 shots is nothing to sneeze at. He's looking more and more like the top pick he was projected to be before the season started.

[closg00]

I must admit, Barnes just moved up my draft board as well. The kid looks like a can't miss pro prospect. I don't know if he'll pan out to be a primary option star like Paul Pierce, or more of a role-player third option like Deng, but either way, I'm sure he'll be a quality starting-caliber SF in this league.

We need a long term option at the 3, and Barnes fits the bill. We also need an outsider shooter because outside of Young and Lewis, our options are limited, so he'll fit in there as well. All we need is to add a banger with the other two picks, a rebounder, tough guy inside. A guy like Faried would fit the bill.

I mean, 40 pts, 8 boards, on 17 shots is nothing to sneeze at. He's looking more and more like the top pick he was projected to be before the season started.

+1 Back to the top, somewhere in that top-5 anyway.

[nate33]

I must admit, Barnes just moved up my draft board as well. The kid looks like a can't miss pro prospect. I don't know if he'll pan out to be a primary option star like Paul Pierce, or more of a role-player third option like Deng, but either way, I'm sure he'll be a quality starting-caliber SF in this league.

We need a long term option at the 3, and Barnes fits the bill. We also need an outsider shooter because outside of Young and Lewis, our options are limited, so he'll fit in there as well. All we need is to add a banger with the other two picks, a rebounder, tough guy inside. A guy like Faried would fit the bill.

I mean, 40 pts, 8 boards, on 17 shots is nothing to sneeze at. He's looking more and more like the top pick he was projected to be before the season started.

My dream scenario would be to draft Barnes and trade Blatche + McGee for Josh Smith. (Atlanta needs a center and they need to trim payroll.) That would leave us with four legit starters with Wall, Young, Barnes and Smith. All are young and hyper-athletic. Booker would be the backup forward who could play alongside Barnes or Smith, Crawford is the backup combo guard. We'd be hurting at the center position with only Seraphin and our #20 draft pick, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

[tontoz]

All other things being equal teams generally draft bigs ahead of wings. Obviously team needs come into play but I would guess that Kanter (assuming his knee checks out) and Sully would go ahead of Barnes. It is harder to get a quality big than a quality wing player. I think Barnes would have to show that he is a significantly better prospect than the other two to get picked ahead of them.

Sully just had another weak game from the field going 5-13 today.

[pcbothwel]

He is now at the top of my board too: (does not include Irving)
1 Barnes (Grant Hill)
2 Kanter (Marc Gasol/Horford)
3 Valanciunas (Noah/Omer Asik) (but can shoot much better than either)
4 Williams (Melo/David West)
5 Sullinger (Boozer/Zach Randolph)

Barnes is no Grant Hill. Grant Hill was on pace to be one of the top 10-15 greatest NBA players of all time until he got hurt. A better analogy for Barnes might be Granger or Pierce.

I think the rest of those comparisons are bit optimistic as well. Maybe if you put the "poor man's" modifier in front of them they'd be accurate.

Yes, those comparisons are an optimistic outlook, but for every weakness those 5 have, all of them are hard-working, high B-ball IQ players, so I think most of those players will reach their potential(even if their ceilings arent elite players).

And maybe I got a little excited about Barnes, so Pierce is a better example, but that would still be the best player in the draft most likely. Good Call. Smooth athlete, strong passer and rebounder, that will D up anyone and make game winning shots.
And for how impressive Barnes has looked, Henson has also been an animal. Dont know if he will come out but id love to get him or Vesely at our ATL pick if we took barnes with our 1st.

[nate33]

Sully just had another weak game from the field going 5-13 today.

I've watched Sullinger all season and I think he's a bit overrated. I love his intangibles (plays hard, plays smart) but he really has problems scoring in the post against players with size. Boozer has a huge wingspan; Brand has wingspan and explosive jumping ability; Sullinger has neither. The only way Sullinger pans out to be an above-average PF in the NBA is if he develops a money 18-foot jumper like Brand and Boozer did. And projecting which players will develop that shot is always difficult.

[tontoz]

Sully just had another weak game from the field going 5-13 today.

I've watched Sullinger all season and I think he's a bit overrated. I love his intangibles (plays hard, plays smart) but he really has problems scoring in the post against players with size. Boozer has a huge wingspan; Brand has wingspan and explosive jumping ability; Sullinger has neither. The only way Sullinger pans out to be an above-average PF in the NBA is if he develops a money 18-foot jumper like Brand and Boozer did. And projecting which players will develop that shot is always difficult.

I'll take your word for it. I haven't watched him much. In general I am not that confident projecting college guys into the pros. The games are so different. Sometimes guys will have talents that you don't see in college. I didn't know Patrick Ewing could make a jumper until he became a pro.

It was fun watching Barnes show out today. I like the Granger comparison. I don't see Pierce though. Pierce is very crafty off the dribble. Barnes hasn't shown a lot off the dribble although he may have a lot more game off the dribble than we have seen.

[dobrojim]

I must admit, Barnes just moved up my draft board as well. The kid looks like a can't miss pro prospect. I don't know if he'll pan out to be a primary option star like Paul Pierce, or more of a role-player third option like Deng, but either way, I'm sure he'll be a quality starting-caliber SF in this league.

We need a long term option at the 3, and Barnes fits the bill. We also need an outsider shooter because outside of Young and Lewis, our options are limited, so he'll fit in there as well. All we need is to add a banger with the other two picks, a rebounder, tough guy inside. A guy like Faried would fit the bill.

I mean, 40 pts, 8 boards, on 17 shots is nothing to sneeze at. He's looking more and more like the top pick he was projected to be before the season started.

I was thinking the exact same thing - I know it was just one great game but dang
he looked good. Take Faried (or Singleton) with the lower pick and smile.

[spaceman_E]

Glad to see you guys coming around on Barnes. Rudy Gay with heart.

[go'stags]

Just would like to say that Durant is DEFINITLEY quicker than your average NBA player, especially a 6'10 guy. And althought he does jump pretty high, more importantly he does it quick. No 20 year old will average 30 a game soley on skill. Not unless they have a skillset far more advanced than anyone, ever.

And I agree completely on Ruz with Henson. He is very skinny right now, but while his frame will never allow him to approach Dwights, it could allow him to be extremely solid so as not to get pushed around. Honestly, am I the only one who sees a lot of Marcus Camby in Henson? Including the ability to be money from mid0range, assuming he works on it. I'll have more to say about Henson later.

[tontoz]

Derrick Williams having a nice game as well, 24/11 so far.

As far as his position i don't think it matters offensively. He is going to score no matter where he is. I think he will have to be moved back and forth defensively depending on the matchups.

[no D in Hibachi]

Sully just had another weak game from the field going 5-13 today.

I've watched Sullinger all season and I think he's a bit overrated. I love his intangibles (plays hard, plays smart) but he really has problems scoring in the post against players with size. Boozer has a huge wingspan; Brand has wingspan and explosive jumping ability; Sullinger has neither. The only way Sullinger pans out to be an above-average PF in the NBA is if he develops a money 18-foot jumper like Brand and Boozer did. And projecting which players will develop that shot is always difficult.

I feel the same about Sullinger. If the Wiz end up with him in the draft I'll pretty much be disappointed. As it currently stands Booker is a reliable 18 footer away from becoming an average/above-average PF in the NBA. Honestly, with the way Booker is trending, I'd rather put my eggs in his basket as I know he's already a good defensive player as a pro, even if he's a bit undersized. I question if Sullinger ever becomes anything more than a liability defensively.

[kirubel94]

i think Barnes comparison would best fit paul pierce but more-more athletic

[Dat2U]

Harrison Barnes is impressing me more and more but i don't see the Pierce, Hill comparisons. I don't think he's got the length or athleticism of Rudy Gay either.

Danny Granger might be a better comp. Which isn't bad thing as long as he's not the #1 pick in the draft.

Sullinger is overrated. He's got the bad combo of lack of height/length AND lack of athleticism. Will be a solid rebounder and is worth a lotto pick, but a top five choice? I'm seriously wavering on that.

Williams is the classic tweener. A SFs body but a face-up PFs game. Has the most NBA ready offensive game of any draftable prospect but I have no idea who's he going to be able to guard at the next level.


Right now I like Barnes, P.Jones III & Kanter to a lesser extent. I'm not sold on Valanciunas. I'd be scared to draft Sullinger, Williams or T. Jones.

[no D in Hibachi]

Looking at the remaining schedule the Wiz have an outside chance at the worst record. It's not likely, but out of the Cav's last 18 games only 7 have winning records and two of them are against the Wiz--Cav's are 3-6 in their last nine games. If Flip decides to play those Cav's games with 5 rookies on the floor for extended periods a blow out is inevitable.

Out of the Wiz last 18 games only one win is probable and they have four potential wins, but two are on the road so a loss is expected (@TOR, vs NJN, vs DET, vs CLE, @CLE). If Blatche is out for any period of time with his shoulder their losing ways will continue as they are incapable of even being competative without him. Next four, potentially without Blatche, vs OKC, @CHI, @TOR, vs NJN.

[#1 pick]

I must admit, Barnes just moved up my draft board as well. The kid looks like a can't miss pro prospect. I don't know if he'll pan out to be a primary option star like Paul Pierce, or more of a role-player third option like Deng, but either way, I'm sure he'll be a quality starting-caliber SF in this league.

We need a long term option at the 3, and Barnes fits the bill. We also need an outsider shooter because outside of Young and Lewis, our options are limited, so he'll fit in there as well. All we need is to add a banger with the other two picks, a rebounder, tough guy inside. A guy like Faried would fit the bill.

I mean, 40 pts, 8 boards, on 17 shots is nothing to sneeze at. He's looking more and more like the top pick he was projected to be before the season started.

My dream scenario would be to draft Barnes and trade Blatche + McGee for Josh Smith. (Atlanta needs a center and they need to trim payroll.) That would leave us with four legit starters with Wall, Young, Barnes and Smith. All are young and hyper-athletic. Booker would be the backup forward who could play alongside Barnes or Smith, Crawford is the backup combo guard. We'd be hurting at the center position with only Seraphin and our #20 draft pick, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

Atlanta not doing that deal. McGee doesn't help Atlanta like that. Blatche is a negative move. The center Atlanta needs probably isn't available and no need trading Smith much lesser players. I like Williams or Vassely for Washington.

[dfreshbfresh]

Do we still get the grizzlies pick if they make the playoffs for the Juan carlos Navarro trade?