RealGM

In before the lock, again...

Part One is here.
Part two is here.

What's your current state of mind.
What's your top 6.
Who you got at 18?
What round two prospect.

How do you envision them fitting in with the team-- where's the synergy or who do they displace?

Your thoughts below.

I disagree in this case with you and Thinker simply because - he did work hard his whole time at Maryland. You guys would know that if you saw his freshman year. He was a 282 lbs of baby fat when he came to campus. He got down to 260 LAST offseason. We're talking about a guy who wasn't considered a prospect coming out of HS and has made himself a 1st round pick through 2 years of hard work. Now, did he show that work ethic with his school work? Apparently, hell no. But I don't think that's a red flag as far as his NBA potential.

Thank you for pointing that out, Ruz. I didn't follow UMD very closely this year, and was unaware of his pre-college work.

Looking at some box scores, it also appears that the games I watched happened to be among his worst. Go figure!

Illuminaire wrote:

I disagree in this case with you and Thinker simply because - he did work hard his whole time at Maryland. You guys would know that if you saw his freshman year. He was a 282 lbs of baby fat when he came to campus. He got down to 260 LAST offseason. We're talking about a guy who wasn't considered a prospect coming out of HS and has made himself a 1st round pick through 2 years of hard work. Now, did he show that work ethic with his school work? Apparently, hell no. But I don't think that's a red flag as far as his NBA potential.

Thank you for pointing that out, Ruz. I didn't follow UMD very closely this year, and was unaware of his pre-college work.

Looking at some box scores, it also appears that the games I watched happened to be among his worst. Go figure!

No prob. To be honest, until recently - I thought he was making a big mistake coming out for this draft.

Btw, I hope Doc didn't jinx us by closing the other thread on page 98 - not that I'm supersticious.

Ruzious wrote:Btw, I hope Doc didn't jinx us by closing the other thread on page 98 - not that I'm supersticious.

I think it'll be a good precedent for going two places earlier than expected.

doclinkin wrote:

Ruzious wrote:Btw, I hope Doc didn't jinx us by closing the other thread on page 98 - not that I'm supersticious.

I think it'll be a good precedent for going two places earlier than expected.

I can see that. Sortalike Kobe picking 24.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6540086

another kanter video. apparently kanter was injured at the nike hoops game where he scored 35...
he actually shows some explosiveness towards the end of the video

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6540086

another kanter video. apparently kanter was injured at the nike hoops game where he scored 35...
he actually shows some explosiveness towards the end of the video

Just try to think he is gonna turn into age of 19 on the 20th of this month. Full of potential to be an Allstar and game changer. He is exactly my man in this draft.

He lacks lift and jumping ability, but he's pretty long armed. He should be an effective player much like Zach Randolph is.

When every team in the top ten wants you in their building, you're doing something right.

That's the case with Kawhi Leonard, who is climbing draft boards and solidifying himself as the best small forward in this class. Every top team – from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Toronto Raptors to the Washington Wizards – has expressed significant interest in Leonard.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1MHGvpO4n

Another glowing piece on Leonard, I wonder if much of this is just writers following Ford's lead and re-writing his stuff, or if they are all drinking from the same cup. One thing that's certain is that Leonard is a very hard worker and winner.

*makes prayer for top 3 pick*

i want kanter

Kawhi Leonard will have a solid NBA career as a glue guy. He'll make his squad better when he's on the court and will add positive intensity in the locker room. He's one of those players who both understands the game and loves it with joy and determination, thus is a lock to continue to improve. He'd fit any Larry Brown team and become a team captain for him, whether starting or off the bench, since he plays defense with intuitive intelligence and dedication.

Physically, he's got the profile of a player who can rebound outsized to his position. Solid torso, no neck, long arms, wide chest, low center of gravity. Whether Paul Millsapp or Ron Artest, this sort of morphotype tends to be able to continue to show the same success at the next level that they demonstrated in college, holding their position on the block, sealing their man with a cement solid wall, but still rebounding outside their area with long arms and leverage.

What's better, as a small forward he's the best kind of tweener on defense. He'll be able to hold his ground against bigger players, is skinnyish now relative to his frame, though his frame is solid already. Which is to say he'll take weight well, and since his game is not based on above the rim balletics he can add strength anyway he wants. And those arms are practically Biyombo in length. Ridiculously long. He'll be able to challenge shots, steal, and surprise players with his length. He's the tweener that plays bigger than his position on defense.

On this squad, well, there's no immediate net positive or great synergy since he has no developed outside shot. His form has improved with practice apparently, but it's still deliberate and slow, not reflexive. And in games this year his form was pretty deliberate and slow (in addition to looking awkward). A big man like Enes can get away with a catapult-slow release, since his man will be more reluctant to chase him too far from the paint, but a SF benefits from a gunslingers quickdraw since their defensive match-ups are quite often both long and quick. Needs improvement an confidence. His decent FT% though suggests he won't suffer from the 'big hand curse'. Never understood that. MJ had hands like garbage can lids and dude could shoot the ball with finesse.

Still, the fact that Kawhi may take a minute to improve and won't account for immediate instant jump in the standings only means still we get decent draft position next year, when the draft may contain that difference maker.

In short: Kawhi Leonard builds the bench, adds good chemistry, improves defense, adds BBall IQ, good passing, toughness, the useful sort of athleticism: utilitarian more than highlight reel. He's Trevor Booker as an actual small forward. He adds no great impact in the win/loss column this year, though he passes the championship eyetest: you can easily see him earning playoff minutes on a championship team during his career. If we're stocking the bench with depth of toughness and versatility on defense, then we've got a player in Kawhi. If all we get this year is more foundation players, that's as much as you can ask.

I wouldn't mind trading up from 18 to pick him. Wouldn't complain if that's the best we got from a 6th pick if the lotto balls fell wrong. Would be happy to trade back and take him if we get bids-for-value on a 4th pick. Most drafts are full of reaches and hopefuls and upside guys, most of whom never pan out. If you can get a sure thing who will play a solid career, I'm happy. I'd be more comfortable taking Kawhi over a 'defender' like Jan Vesely who can't already rebound the ball in the Euroleague.

Kawhi Leonard is a baller. He can play on my team.

By the way: Larry Brown would be a great coach for John Wall. Though Dray Blatche, McGee and possibly Nick Young would all be traded by the all-star break. And Larry would be angling to take a job as head coach of Georgetown or Maryland or the Heat or the Lakers.

Interesting article on how Rubio may shake up the draft.

If they win the lottery, the Timberwolves aren't going to draft Irving right after ending a two-year quest to sign Rubio. Williams is an intriguing player with nice versatility, but ideally what they would like to do with the pick is trade it. After winning only 32 games combined over the last two years there is a demand to start winning a lot more regularly from the fan base and ownership.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1MKi0M4r3

Doesn't affect us much, we still need a top-3 pick to have any chance at getting Kanter or Willams.

doclinkin wrote:By the way: Larry Brown would be a great coach for John Wall. Though Dray Blatche, McGee and possibly Nick Young would all be traded by the all-star break. And Larry would be angling to take a job as head coach of Georgetown or Maryland or the Heat or the Lakers.

After seeing what he did with the Bobcats I'm not interested. DJ got playing time and a lot better when Larry was out of the picture and its clear nobody else on that team developed much at all. Boris still never really lost any weight there. I'm kind of tired of old coaches who are used to winning coming in and helping out with a rebuild strategy. Get someone who's young, hungry and marketable and bring in a staff of quality vets along with a bigman coach and possibly a coach for Wall should Sam leave.

I just think its crazy when teams choose these over the hill coaches to come in with passion and go through the very tiring stages of a rebuild (especially through the draft...not a phil/kobe situation) and expect things to go well.

I would love a guy similar to a Monty Williams or Frank Vogel, or failing that a proven defensive guy who hasn't gotten a shot like Thibs in Chicago. Other than that lets stay away from the old timers who have dozens of bitter losses under their belts and probably lack the patience or any real energy to bring to this team.

As far as the Wolves situation--I think its big for us. I think we're one of the only teams desperate to get a Kanter or Williams at this point. We have some pieces to offer. Lets not forget Kahn is an idiot of a GM who we should be able to swindle. The lottery will be huge.

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6540086

another kanter video. apparently kanter was injured at the nike hoops game where he scored 35...
he actually shows some explosiveness towards the end of the video

I'll tell you why this video honestly made me chuckle -- I pictured Dray in Kanter's place: unable to keep that defensive stance during the step-slide drill, laying up what he should be dunking, just generally dragging ass. Kanter seems like a huge upgrade over what we've got.

fishercob wrote:

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6540086

another kanter video. apparently kanter was injured at the nike hoops game where he scored 35...
he actually shows some explosiveness towards the end of the video

I'll tell you why this video honestly made me chuckle -- I pictured Dray in Kanter's place: unable to keep that defensive stance during the step-slide drill, laying up what he should be dunking, just generally dragging ass. Kanter seems like a huge upgrade over what we've got.

Agree 100%. This team has GOT to lose the slacker mentality that AB has had from day 1.

closg00 wrote:Interesting article on how Rubio may shake up the draft.

If they win the lottery, the Timberwolves aren't going to draft Irving right after ending a two-year quest to sign Rubio. Williams is an intriguing player with nice versatility, but ideally what they would like to do with the pick is trade it. After winning only 32 games combined over the last two years there is a demand to start winning a lot more regularly from the fan base and ownership.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1MKi0M4r3

Doesn't affect us much, we still need a top-3 pick to have any chance at getting Kanter or Willams.

Sign and trade Nick Young for someone expiring, swap picks?

I mean, that's basically handing them a 20ppg scorer! Who defends! Can you say Minnesota championship?

Illuminaire wrote:

closg00 wrote:Interesting article on how Rubio may shake up the draft.

If they win the lottery, the Timberwolves aren't going to draft Irving right after ending a two-year quest to sign Rubio. Williams is an intriguing player with nice versatility, but ideally what they would like to do with the pick is trade it. After winning only 32 games combined over the last two years there is a demand to start winning a lot more regularly from the fan base and ownership.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1MKi0M4r3

Doesn't affect us much, we still need a top-3 pick to have any chance at getting Kanter or Willams.

Sign and trade Nick Young for someone expiring, swap picks?

I mean, that's basically handing them a 20ppg scorer! Who defends! Can you say Minnesota championship?

I don't think it makes sense for us to let NY go unless his price becomes simply exorbitant. After all of these years invested in him becoming a starter, he has finally come around. He is our best jump shooter by far.

Terpman wrote:

fishercob wrote:

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6540086

another kanter video. apparently kanter was injured at the nike hoops game where he scored 35...
he actually shows some explosiveness towards the end of the video

I'll tell you why this video honestly made me chuckle -- I pictured Dray in Kanter's place: unable to keep that defensive stance during the step-slide drill, laying up what he should be dunking, just generally dragging ass. Kanter seems like a huge upgrade over what we've got.

Agree 100%. This team has GOT to lose the slacker mentality that AB has had from day 1.

I'd love it if we made some sort of deal during the draft that shipped Dray out of town for a high20s first, or packaged him to move up from #18 to get a hard worker like Leonard.

thinker07 wrote:I don't think it makes sense for us to let NY go unless his price becomes simply exorbitant. After all of these years invested in him becoming a starter, he has finally come around. He is our best jump shooter by far.

I'm a NY fan. I don't really care about "years invested" though - I'm only concerned with what the best moves are to help us build a perennial championship contender. Generally, scorers get overpaid relative to their total production, and NY has already said he's not leaving anything on the table.

I want us to keep him if it's practical, but that could be a very big IF. He's probably the best scoring guard available in either the draft or free agency, and he's young. I'd rather get something for him than watch him sign somewhere else for too much money.