Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part VI

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Why do you refer to how skilled, coordinated & NBA ready Zeller is but don't note how Olynyk is even more skilled, even more coordinated & just as NBA ready as Zeller is?

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

I think a lot of people are missing the boat on Olynyk. He's got an incredible amount of skill for a big and you rarely see ultra skilled guys in the draft that are 7-0 tall. IMO, there's little to no chance that's he's going to be a bust, especially in today's NBA. His skill will be in very high demand. See Ryan Anderson as a perfect example.

I'm on the Olynyk bandwagon with you, Dat.

I would rather have Olynyk in a great trade down (where the Wizards get another pick and shed an unwanted contract or two) than Zeller or Porter. Olynyk scored much more proficiently than any other big in this draft.

One thing he does is score well in a variety of ways, inside and out.

Olynyk is not a rebounder or a defender, but Olynyk will score well even through contact. I think he will have to play a lot of PF, similar to Pachulia and Vucevic.

[gambitx777]

^ I have always been on the Olynyk band wagon lol. I would love to dump ves, move back pick up two picks and take olynyk. Love that kid, Has he worked out for the Wiz yet?

Regarding Alex Len, I'm going to take another extended look at him but for those really up-to-date on him, what do you think of his on-court awareness? How quickly does he read & react, specifically on D? That's essential for a guy touted as having a lot of defensive potential. Size, strength & athleticism are negated if your a step or two slow on everything. That was Thabeet's problem. The game was simply too fast for him mentally.

He seems to have an ok processing speed , he should be fine on defense in the NBA. Watching him play he seems like a bright kid you thinks well on his feet.

AJ Price was a 52nd pick himself. He's lasted years and plays steady basketball. The plan should be to give a rookie time.

I don't think Peyton Siva would miss a beat. Neither would Pierre Jackson. Wolters may have problems on defense and adjusting to the speed and athleticism of NBA PGs as a scorer. I expect Wolters will be a better playmaker day one than Price.

yeah I agree Siva or jackson might be there for our second second round pick and if we really like them we take them with the first second and hope Carmichael or Osby is still there at 56.

[stevemcqueen1]

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

Zeller was a good defender. Defense won't be a concern for him in the NBA. It will be for Olynyk.

[Nivek]

YODA doesn't agree on Siva or Jackson really. Wolters, Ray McCallum and Russ Smith rate solidly ahead of those two. I'd consider Siva or Jackson with the 2nd of the 2nd round picks, but not at 38. I'd rather bring one of them as an undrafted free agent.

[Dat2U]

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

Zeller was a good defender. Defense won't be a concern for him in the NBA. It will be for Olynyk.

That's one helluva assumption your making there. Zeller is not this perfect prospect you've made him out to be. He struggled mightly not only with the big brawny types on the low block but he also had trouble in space as well. I remember watching him on a couple of occasions as he couldn't keep up with mobile players on the perimeter and gave up open looks. He's also going to get abused on the low block unless he adds some serious strength.

I think there are legitimate questions regarding both players defense. Olynyk will certaintly have some issues and will likely need to be paired with a solid defender.

[stevemcqueen1]

Wow, Len looks like a beast in that DX video

Yeah he does. I found myself watching that and thinking, "all of these weaknesses are things he can work on given time."

But knowing he's DX's #1 guy, I'm not sure I totally trust their analysis. They're looking at him with rose colored glasses IMO. When I watched Len for myself, I don't remember feeling like his weaknesses were all things that could be fixed in time. I don't remember concluding that he was a better player and prospect than Zeller, Porter, and Noel, etc. In fact, I remember firmly concluding that, whatever potential you could envision Len having, the fact was that Zeller was simply a much better player in the here and now. And it's not like Zeller doesn't have some pretty big upside too.

I find that every few weeks I talk myself into Len because of all of the potential I give him in my mind. But during the season, inevitably I'd watch him at some point and be like, eh, nevermind.

Maybe I was wrong and I don't have the right perspective on Len. But for me Zeller was palpably better. I don't know, maybe they're just an apples and oranges since they'll probably play different positions in the NBA. I think I'm just going to settle into a place where I'll be fine with any of these four picks: Porter, Zeller, Bennett, Len. I think I'd still pick Zeller over Len though.

[tontoz]

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

Zeller was a good defender. Defense won't be a concern for him in the NBA. It will be for Olynyk.

Zeller will be at a reach/weight disadvantage consistently at the 4. I think defense is a question mark for him.

[Ruzious]

Why do you refer to how skilled, coordinated & NBA ready Zeller is but don't note how Olynyk is even more skilled, even more coordinated & just as NBA ready as Zeller is?

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

I think a lot of people are missing the boat on Olynyk. He's got an incredible amount of skill for a big and you rarely see ultra skilled guys in the draft that are 7-0 tall. IMO, there's little to no chance that's he's going to be a bust, especially in today's NBA. His skill will be in very high demand. See Ryan Anderson as a perfect example.

I'm on the Olynyk bandwagon with you, Dat.

I would rather have Olynyk in a great trade down (where the Wizards get another pick and shed an unwanted contract or two) than Zeller or Porter. Olynyk scored much more proficiently than any other big in this draft.

One thing he does is score well in a variety of ways, inside and out.

Olynyk is not a rebounder or a defender, but Olynyk will score well even through contact. I think he will have to play a lot of PF, similar to Pachulia and Vucevic.

Zhazha and Vucevic are both way too slow to play PF. They're also both much stronger than Olynyk.

[Ruzious]

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

Zeller was a good defender. Defense won't be a concern for him in the NBA. It will be for Olynyk.

That's one helluva assumption your making there. Zeller is not this perfect prospect you've made him out to be. He struggled mightly not only with the big brawny types on the low block but he also had trouble in space as well. I remember watching him on a couple of occasions as he couldn't keep up with mobile players on the perimeter and gave up open looks. He's also going to get abused on the low block unless he adds some serious strength.

I think there are legitimate questions regarding both players defense. Olynyk will certaintly have some issues and will likely need to be paired with a solid defender.

Olynyk has far more issues. His lateral quickness and overall athleticism is poor, and at 2 years older than Zeller, he's much less likely to add muscle to his frame.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Why do you refer to how skilled, coordinated & NBA ready Zeller is but don't note how Olynyk is even more skilled, even more coordinated & just as NBA ready as Zeller is?

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

I think a lot of people are missing the boat on Olynyk. He's got an incredible amount of skill for a big and you rarely see ultra skilled guys in the draft that are 7-0 tall. IMO, there's little to no chance that's he's going to be a bust, especially in today's NBA. His skill will be in very high demand. See Ryan Anderson as a perfect example.

I'm on the Olynyk bandwagon with you, Dat.

I would rather have Olynyk in a great trade down (where the Wizards get another pick and shed an unwanted contract or two) than Zeller or Porter. Olynyk scored much more proficiently than any other big in this draft.

One thing he does is score well in a variety of ways, inside and out.

Olynyk is not a rebounder or a defender, but Olynyk will score well even through contact. I think he will have to play a lot of PF, similar to Pachulia and Vucevic.

Zhazha and Vucevic are both way too slow to play PF. They're also both much stronger than Olynyk.

Neither is as quick and I think Olynyk will score better than currently projected. The guy will get stronger.

[Ruzious]

YODA doesn't agree on Siva or Jackson really. Wolters, Ray McCallum and Russ Smith rate solidly ahead of those two. I'd consider Siva or Jackson with the 2nd of the 2nd round picks, but not at 38. I'd rather bring one of them as an undrafted free agent.

Smith is staying in school, but I agree - he's a better prospect than former teammate Siva - even though Smith is lacking in PG skills. Hopefully, Smith hones those skill and is Louisville's PG next season.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Zeller is a player I like less, but who I think is a better prospect because he is mobile and a very fluid athlete.

I just don't think he scores through contact easily. He scores through moving off the ball and in transition. With a jump shot Cody will score a ton of points in today's NBA.

[Ruzious]

I'm on the Olynyk bandwagon with you, Dat.

I would rather have Olynyk in a great trade down (where the Wizards get another pick and shed an unwanted contract or two) than Zeller or Porter. Olynyk scored much more proficiently than any other big in this draft.

One thing he does is score well in a variety of ways, inside and out.

Olynyk is not a rebounder or a defender, but Olynyk will score well even through contact. I think he will have to play a lot of PF, similar to Pachulia and Vucevic.

Zhazha and Vucevic are both way too slow to play PF. They're also both much stronger than Olynyk.

Neither is as quick and I think Olynyk will score better than currently projected. The guy will get stronger.

Uggg. They're strictly centers, and he's probably going to have to be a PF, because he can't defend. And he will be one of the slowest PFs in the NBA.

[Ruzious]

Zeller is a player I like less, but who I think is a better prospect because he is mobile and a very fluid athlete.

I just don't think he scores through contact easily. He scores through moving off the ball and in transition. With a jump shot Cody will score a ton of points in today's NBA.

He averaged about 10 FT's per 40. That is scoring through contact. Will he excell at that rate in the NBA? No, but no big does.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Why do you refer to how skilled, coordinated & NBA ready Zeller is but don't note how Olynyk is even more skilled, even more coordinated & just as NBA ready as Zeller is?

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

I think a lot of people are missing the boat on Olynyk. He's got an incredible amount of skill for a big and you rarely see ultra skilled guys in the draft that are 7-0 tall. IMO, there's little to no chance that's he's going to be a bust, especially in today's NBA. His skill will be in very high demand. See Ryan Anderson as a perfect example.

I'm on the Olynyk bandwagon with you, Dat.

I would rather have Olynyk in a great trade down (where the Wizards get another pick and shed an unwanted contract or two) than Zeller or Porter. Olynyk scored much more proficiently than any other big in this draft.

One thing he does is score well in a variety of ways, inside and out.

Olynyk is not a rebounder or a defender, but Olynyk will score well even through contact. I think he will have to play a lot of PF, similar to Pachulia and Vucevic.

Zhazha and Vucevic are both way too slow to play PF. They're also both much stronger than Olynyk.

I am wrong this time. Those two are centers. My mistake owned.

[Dat2U]

Olynyk has far more issues. His lateral quickness and overall athleticism is poor, and at 2 years older than Zeller, he's much less likely to add muscle to his frame.

I never understood why 7-0 footers need to be gazelles. I heard the same case about Monroe, he wasn't a good athlete. And folks are making Olynyk sound like a complete stiff. There's a thread on the draft board basically calling him the worst athlete ever and basically undraftable. I think it's ridiculous.

No, Olynyk isn't a great athlete but the man moves very well. He's mobile and agile. His moves are slithery and smooth. He reminds me of Andray Blatche in this regard. Andray had led feet and couldn't jump over a phone book but in his good moments, he utilitized a high level of skill to attack angles and create space to get decent looks.

[Zonkerbl]

Zeller wasn't a great defender in college either but you made no mention of those concerns either.

Zeller was a good defender. Defense won't be a concern for him in the NBA. It will be for Olynyk.

Except where his lack of strength allows players to overpower him.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Zhazha and Vucevic are both way too slow to play PF. They're also both much stronger than Olynyk.

Neither is as quick and I think Olynyk will score better than currently projected. The guy will get stronger.

Uggg. They're strictly centers, and he's probably going to have to be a PF, because he can't defend. And he will be one of the slowest PFs in the NBA.

I think a bigger concern will be poor rebounding.

Olynyk is like a less-mobile Donatas Motiejunas. He will be an offensive star in time.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Olynyk has far more issues. His lateral quickness and overall athleticism is poor, and at 2 years older than Zeller, he's much less likely to add muscle to his frame.

I never understood why 7-0 footers need to be gazelles. I heard the same case about Monroe, he wasn't a good athlete. And folks are making Olynyk sound like a complete stiff. There's a thread on the draft board basically calling him the worst athlete ever and basically undraftable. I think it's ridiculous.

No, Olynyk isn't a great athlete but the man moves very well. He's mobile and agile. His moves are slithery and smooth. He reminds me of Andray Blatche in this regard. Andray had led feet and couldn't jump over a phone book but in his good moments, he utilitized a high level of skill to attack angles and create space to get decent looks.

The thing people don't seem to realize is right now, this team can use a guy with Blatche-like skills. Yeah, I went there. A big man who is a triple threat can help the second unit.

Olynyk makes plays and he finishes well.

[Ruzious]

Olynyk has far more issues. His lateral quickness and overall athleticism is poor, and at 2 years older than Zeller, he's much less likely to add muscle to his frame.

I never understood why 7-0 footers need to be gazelles. I heard the same case about Monroe, he wasn't a good athlete. And folks are making Olynyk sound like a complete stiff. There's a thread on the draft board basically calling him the worst athlete ever and basically undraftable. I think it's ridiculous.

No, Olynyk isn't a great athlete but the man moves very well. He's mobile and agile. His moves are slithery and smooth. He reminds me of Andray Blatche in this regard. Andray had led feet and couldn't jump over a phone book but in his good moments, he utilitized a high level of skill to attack angles and create space to get decent looks.

Blatche is probably a good guage. If Blatche didn't have very long arms, he'd likely be out of the NBA.