RealGM

2013 NBA Draft Big Board

1. Ben McLemore 6'5" SG--- McLemore has played very poorly in March Madness. He's 13 combined points off .14% from the field and 0% from three have been very unimpressive. Fortunately for McLemore everyone else in the top 5 besides Oladipo have been a let down in March Madness. McLemore will go first overall because of his freakishly smooth athleticism and great potential. McLemore needs to improve his ball handling and consistency if he wants to fulfill Ray Allen comparisons.
2. Nerlen Noel 6'11" PF/C- Injured and raw. But insane athleticism and potential will get Noel drafted high by teams(like Orlando) looking to build an elite front court. No player in the draft has the defensive potential of Noel. His leaping ability and length make him an elite shot blocker and his speed gives him the tools to one day guard out to the 3. Noel projects to be a better version of Marcus Camby but a lack of good coaching could mean another Tyrus Thomas.
3. Marcus Smart, 6'4" PG- Even when his shot isn't falling you can respect a PG who can take over a game in other ways; like Smart did with his 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals to accompany 14 points against Oregon. At best Smart could progress into a player like Jason Kidd, able to dominate the game in every way possible at worst you're drafting a solid NBA floor general.
4. Otto Porter 6'8" SF- Porter is the player every little kid should aspire to be. He isn't a freak of nature like Lebron and doesn't have ice coursing through his veins like Michael. He is just a high level player in every aspect; defense, scoring, passing, ball handling, and athleticism. He projects to be a player like Tayshawn Prince or Luol Deng helping his team in every way possible.
5. Victor Oladipo 6'5" SG- Athleticism, defense, hustle, and rebounding will make Oladipo a solid NBA player from day one. But a good coach and his great work ethic(improve 3pt shot by 20% and Ft% by 14% this year) will likely make Oladipo into one of the NBA's best 2nd options and premier perimeter defender in short; a mix of Alvin Robertson and Dwayne Wade.
6. Cody Zeller 6'11" PF/C- Zeller has proven this Dance to be almost un-guardable once in the post. His ability to run the floor and his great post skill project him to a player like LaMarcus Aldridge. Zeller will need to improve his strength and fill out his frame in order to man up in the NBA post but his foot speed should be enough for now.
7. Anthony Bennet 6'7" F- Anthony Bennet has the boom or bust feel that comes with tweeners. He could be an undersized 4 or a strong 3 but a lack of a true position could be his down fall. Bennet is an offensive machine but needs to prove that the UNLV loss to Cal was nothing more than a fluke not to be repeated. Bennet projects to be a Larry Johnson type player he needs to work on his foot speed to dominate from the outside-in at the NBA level.
8. Trey Burke 6'0" PG- One of the most interesting players in the draft. He commands an offense and can score from anywhere while defending with the best of them. Over the last two years Kyrie Irving and Damion Lillard have proven that point guards with excellent feel for the game excel at the next level. And that's the type of player Burke projects to be, a floor general who can score from anywhere and defend.
9. Shabazz Muhammad 6'6" SG/SF- I still here the ringing in my ear from the hype "SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD!!". Muhammad hasn't live up to the Vince Carter and Kobe comparisons but his great athleticism and ability to finish and shoot project him to be a player similar to Rudy Gay. And just like Gay, Muhammad needs to improve his handle, passing, and decision making if he ever wants to be more than a 2nd option or 6th man.
10. Willie Cauley-Stein 7'0" C- Stein's athleticism, defense, and rebounding will make him a solid NBA player but if he truly wants to start and be a high level starter at that. Stein needs to work on his offensive skill and his strength to play a more physical style of defense. Currently Stein projects as a player like Javale McGee but with added strength could progress to a player more like Andre Drummond.
11. Mason Plumlee 6'11" PF/C- Plumlee is a freak athlete and has great size for the NBA. Plumlee like 90% of big men needs to add strength and refine his post skill to make that jump to the next level but Plumlee is a safe bet to contribute in the NBA.
12. Alex Len 7'1" C- Great size, nice athleticism, and a solid rebounder and defender. Len needs strength and to protect the ball if he wants to one day start in the NBA.
13. CJ McCollum PG/SG 6'3"- A point guard who can absolutely score at will, McCollum also adds some toughness and rebounding to his team. McCollum's biggest problem is that he is an absolute tweener who doesn't pass. At best he can pan out like a Monta Ellis but at worst he is a poor man's Austin Rivers.
14. Gorgui Dieng 6'11" PF/C- Very talented prospect. Could end up being better then Stein, Plumlee, or Len. Very athletic, and an insane 7'6" wingspan, making him an excellent shot blocker, Dieng also has very nice fundamentals on the defensive side, what will really set Dieng apart at the next level is his passing out of the high post. Dieng projects as a poor man's Joakim Noah but teams will be deterred from him because he's 23 years old.
15. Jeff Whitney 7'0" C- Just like Dieng teams won't like him being 23 years old but he instantly makes any team better because of his defense and rebounding. Whitney also has nice athleticism and offensive skill. He project as a better version of Robin Lopez and can be extremely effective off the bench.
16. Glenn Robertson III 6'6" SF- Robertson projects well into the NBA as a defensive and athletic slasher but he needs solid coaching on his out side shot and ball handling if he wants to be more than a role player.
17. Kelly Olynk 7'0" PF/C- Highly skilled PF who is lacking in strength and defense. He needs to improve in off-ball play if he wants to make an impact in he NBA.
18. Markell Brown 6'3" PG/SG- Insane athlete with an outside shot, good ball handling, defense, and rebounding. Brown has all the tools to defend at an elite level and projects to be a Avery Bradley type player.
19. James Macado 6'9" SF/PF- Long athletic SF who plays with the tenacity of a 4. Needs to develop more of an outside shot and ball handling so he can play the 3 at an NBA level.
20. Michael Carter-Williams 6'6" PG- The 6'6" point guard from Syracuse is un-athletic, lacking in strength, and is turn over prone. How ever Carter-Williams has the handle, size, and passing ability to be a high level floor general at the next level.

Any disagreements or critiques?

Well I don't agree with most of your assessments or rankings (ca post later), I just put my quick critique of a few that stand out on first look.

Missing or Should be alot higher

C.J. Mccollum - Is a rich mans version of Mo Williams and Mo was a allstar (technically two time allstar). A Ellis comparison is very insulting because C.J. has a way higher I.Q., court vision, vastly better shot selection among other intangibles. Even though he's not a natural facillitator, he's a smart and skilled player that can create oppurtunities for others and unlike Mo he is really good at going to his left and more willing to play defense. He will likely never be rondo as far as passing goes but I see him being a more willing and capable distributor on the NBA where he has better teammates and not ask to carry the load scoring. Is a top 10 talent in this particular draft.

Michael Carter-Williams - This guy is extremely similar to greivis vasquez and will be discounted because his talent doesn't pop off the screen. On the other hand he's a little less seasoned than Vasquez so their could be some worry he plays closer to pre-injury Shaun Livingston (which wasn't bad but not good enough) for a while but I wouldn't be too worried about that and would be comfortable taking him in the lottery.

Jamaal Franklin - If you shrink Kawhi Leonard a couple inches and made him more aggressive then you have Franklin. Yes he has to adjust his shot (which like leonard it shouldn't be a problem), can sometimes be a little immature (nothing like cousins) and he's a 6'5 guy that plays more like a SF but can litterally "do it all" and at a solid level, has good leadership abilities and has a Kenneth Faried like work ethic and motor. Do not overlook this guy. Has lottery talent and should go there but likely will be overlooked.

Sergey Karasev - A good shooter, has good height (need to bulk up like most euro's), solid athletism, plays hard and really is rounding out his game (well offensively anyway). A good solid young talent that should go in the lottery but likely won't.

Should be Alot lower or not in top 20

Nerlens Noel - 2 injuries to the left knee within the last 3-4 years, Huge bright Red Flag. With all that said he has alot of potential as a defensive beast so I would take a chance on him in the middle of the draft but I would be leery while doing it.

Marcus Smart - Without going into much detail, your comparing a guy who is averaging 15 ppg on 40% FG and 4.2 apg to a guy who averaged 13 ppg on 46% FG and 7.7 apg both as freshman (not to mention kidd had an extra year of seasoning where his play improved). Smart is way more Rodney Stuckey than he is Jason Kidd. He may end up being better than stuckey but the similarities are way too close for comfort. Late 1st round

Noel will be in the top-3. Smart will be in the top-6. You don't have to agree with his rankings but that is how it will likely end up.

reapaman wrote:Well I don't agree with most of your assessments or rankings (ca post later), I just put my quick critique of a few that stand out on first look.

Missing or Should be alot higher

C.J. Mccollum - Is a rich mans version of Mo Williams and Mo was a allstar (technically two time allstar). A Ellis comparison is very insulting because C.J. has a way higher I.Q., court vision, vastly better shot selection among other intangibles. Even though he's not a natural facillitator, he's a smart and skilled player that can create oppurtunities for others and unlike Mo he is really good at going to his left and more willing to play defense. He will likely never be rondo as far as passing goes but I see him being a more willing and capable distributor on the NBA where he has better teammates and not ask to carry the load scoring. Is a top 10 talent in this particular draft.

Michael Carter-Williams - This guy is extremely similar to greivis vasquez and will be discounted because his talent doesn't pop off the screen. On the other hand he's a little less seasoned than Vasquez so their could be some worry he plays closer to pre-injury Shaun Livingston (which wasn't bad but not good enough) for a while but I wouldn't be too worried about that and would be comfortable taking him in the lottery.

Should be Alot lower or not in top 20

Nerlens Noel - 2 injuries to the left knee within the last 3-4 years, Huge bright Red Flag. With all that said he has alot of potential as a defensive beast so I would take a chance on him in the middle of the draft but I would be leery while doing it.

Marcus Smart - Without going into much detail, your comparing a guy who is averaging 15 ppg on 40% FG and 4.2 apg to a guy who averaged 13 ppg on 46% FG and 7.7 apg both as freshman (not to mention kidd had an extra year of seasoning where his play improved). Smart is way more Rodney Stuckey than he is Jason Kidd. He may end up being better than stuckey but the similarities are way too close for comfort. Late 1st round

Let me get this straight you wouldn't take Smart or Noel in the top 20?
Well you're going to be pretty pissed on draft day when they both go top 5.

When I compared Smart to Kidd I in no way ment to imply that he would one day retire a top 5 point guard or average a near triple double. I ment that as a play smart doesn't rely on his scoring or shooting to win games he does it with defense, passing(better passer than 4.2 assist indicate), rebounding, and leader ship.

Noel if every GM went into a draft thinking like that them players would never get drafted. Do you or do you not think Noel will be a defensive anchor for a team? Yes, he's a top 5 pick. No, stay away. Either way someone is going to take a player with his type of potential.

Good points about McCollum I can see the Mo Williams comparison. I think with McCollum it all depends on what you value at the guard position. I personally value a guar who doesn't need the ball in his hand to help win and a guard who will make sure he is not the only one scoring. The Ellis comparison isn't an attack on his intangibles a comparison between two volume scorers. Lets no forget who Monta Ellis was 2 years ago top 5-6 in scoring in the NBA and a premier perimeter defender.

If Glenn Robinson III leaves, he will be a lottery pick. Easily more talented than anyone in this draft.

discord wrote:If Glenn Robinson III leaves, he will be a lottery pick. Easily more talented than anyone in this draft.

Most, if not all, scouts, analysts and GMs would disagree with you.

Well my bad. I was usually associate big board as a list of best avalible players and Mock draft is where they will likely end up. I know Noel and Smart will got high and would have them on my mock draft but not my big board since I think their better and/or more reliable picks.

mavs_dachamps wrote:Let me get this straight you wouldn't take Smart or Noel in the top 20?

Well smart looks too much like stuckey too me. If you remember, the things you said about Smart were said about stuckey pre-draft and any comparisons (I know you meant similar style of play and not that he will be Kidd) to kidd are forced and likely won't translate to the nba. Like I said, I seen this picture before and its bring back memories of stuckey. The only big difference between smart and stuckey is that Smart went to a better school so he got more attention. They both were very similar and have similar numbers for a reason. Stuckey isn't neccessarily a bad player but at the same time I wouldn't want him on my team and I think this draft is alot more talented then people is giving it credit for.

mavs_dachamps wrote:Noel if every GM went into a draft thinking like that them players would never get drafted. Do you or do you not think Noel will be a defensive anchor for a team? Yes, he's a top 5 pick. No, stay away. Either way someone is going to take a player with his type of potential.

If every GM did that then their wouldn't be any Greg Oden like picks. A guy with a disjointed hip that makes him put more weight on one leg then another is a red flag for future injuries same thing for a guy who damaged his knee if high school and then had another season ending injury a few years later to the same knee. The only reason this is a decision is because people think this draft is weaker than it is (said the same things about 09 draft and now its a great draft). You can take the risk in the late lottery or mid first round but most teams at the top suck and need a good player they can rely on. Drafting a "greg oden" can set them back longer than you think it might and there plenty of good talent in this draft. You just gotta really look.

mavs_dachamps wrote:Lets no forget who Monta Ellis was 2 years ago top 5-6 in scoring in the NBA and a premier perimeter defender.

Ellis a premier what? Ellis played defense? Where was I when this happened? That is a myth!! A Total Legend that he ever played an ounce of defense in the nba. Monta can score but not much else and C.J. can do alot more than just score.

The Ellis defensive statement took me by surprise as well

Gorgui Dieng in the lottery? wait... Plumlee in the lottery? Withey 15?

reapaman wrote:If every GM did that then their wouldn't be any Greg Oden like picks. A guy with a disjointed hip that makes him put more weight on one leg then another is a red flag for future injuries same thing for a guy who damaged his knee if high school and then had another season ending injury a few years later to the same knee. The only reason this is a decision is because people think this draft is weaker than it is (said the same things about 09 draft and now its a great draft). You can take the risk in the late lottery or mid first round but most teams at the top suck and need a good player they can rely on. Drafting a "greg oden" can set them back longer than you think it might and there plenty of good talent in this draft. You just gotta really look.

Oden's injury =/= Noel's injury. Oden walked around with a limp all the time, it was painfully obvious that dude was an injury waiting to happen. If Noel was this explosive and athletic on a supposedly (no one has said anything factual about his injury history, all conjecture) bum knee then obviously he wasn't injured that bad to begin with and at his age, frame, and fitness is nearly a bygone conclusion to heal back to 100%.

HeartBreakKid wrote:The Ellis defensive statement took me by surprise as well

Ellis was 2nd in steals in 09-10 and 3rd in 10-11, and he could play great isolation when he wanted to. He just had no hustle or motivation.

Fischella wrote:Gorgui Dieng in the lottery? wait... Plumlee in the lottery? Withey 15?

Plumlee is a freakish athlete with a ton of potential. What's wrong with that?

Gorgui Dieng is one of the most underrated player in the entire draft(along with Whitney). He could likely start in the NBA soon.

Whitney over his last 3 games has scored almost 17 points per game and averaged .62% along with over ten rebounds per game. Whitney is single handedly leading Kansas to the Sweet 16.

Damn no PJ Hairston tho, That Kid is a baller? I think He could Pass up JMM if the right team is there if Pj enters the draft which I doubt

discord wrote:If Glenn Robinson III leaves, he will be a lottery pick. Easily more talented than anyone in this draft.

This has got to be a joke post

discord wrote:If Glenn Robinson III leaves, he will be a lottery pick. Easily more talented than anyone in this draft.

He's talented, but he disappears most of the time, he hasn't shown he can create at all, and he's a 6'6 210 lb SF. Those ain't lotto credentials.

Fischella wrote:Gorgui Dieng in the lottery? wait... Plumlee in the lottery? Withey 15?

Great analysis there.

BrotherDave wrote:Oden's injury =/= Noel's injury. Oden walked around with a limp all the time, it was painfully obvious that dude was an injury waiting to happen. If Noel was this explosive and athletic on a supposedly (no one has said anything factual about his injury history, all conjecture) bum knee then obviously he wasn't injured that bad to begin with and at his age, frame, and fitness is nearly a bygone conclusion to heal back to 100%.

Bynum looked fine after most of his major injuries and he was young and all of that stuff but its was only a matter of time before he got injured again and again. So you can't go by that. And Noel being injured in high school to his left knee that took him out after 5 games his sophmore year is fact. Whether that injury is the cause of future injuries is up in the air. All I know is when you get a season ending injury to the same area only a couple years or so apart, then theres is something wrong and thats a huge bright red flag for me.

I admit may be overreacting because I personally seen many athletic guys (not noel level but still) get the same injury over and over until they suddenly start getting injured other places and end any hope of future athletic ability (figuratively). Some guys heal completely and are fine for along time but those guys hardly ever havd the same season ending injury only a couple years apart.

Glenn was listed at 6'6 in HS.... He's atleast 6'7 now. On top of that, he will in all reality be a lottery pick in next years draft which is actually a stacked draft. Draftexpress and NBADraft.net both see him as a lotto player whether this year or next. No way someone passes on his potential for say Shabazz or Bennett.

reapaman wrote:

BrotherDave wrote:Oden's injury =/= Noel's injury. Oden walked around with a limp all the time, it was painfully obvious that dude was an injury waiting to happen. If Noel was this explosive and athletic on a supposedly (no one has said anything factual about his injury history, all conjecture) bum knee then obviously he wasn't injured that bad to begin with and at his age, frame, and fitness is nearly a bygone conclusion to heal back to 100%.

Bynum looked fine after most of his major injuries and he was young and all of that stuff but its was only a matter of time before he got injured again and again. So you can't go by that. And Noel being injured in high school to his left knee that took him out after 5 games his sophmore year is fact. Whether that injury is the cause of future injuries is up in the air. All I know is when you get a season ending injury to the same area only a couple years or so apart, then theres is something wrong and thats a huge bright red flag for me.

I admit may be overreacting because I personally seen many athletic guys (not noel level but still) get the same injury over and over until they suddenly start getting injured other places and end any hope of future athletic ability (figuratively). Some guys heal completely and are fine for along time but those guys hardly ever havd the same season ending injury only a couple years apart.

I can see your injury concern but their is no garentee that he will or will not get injured. And I'd also like to point out that Noel =\= Bynum and Oden in terms of playing style. Bynum and Oden we're extremely physical and heavy footed playing in the 280-300 mark in term of weight meanwhile Noel at most will play around 240 maybe 250.

discord wrote:Glenn was listed at 6'6 in HS.... He's atleast 6'7 now. On top of that, he will in all reality be a lottery pick in next years draft which is actually a stacked draft. Draftexpress and NBADraft.net both see him as a lotto player whether this year or next. No way someone passes on his potential for say Shabazz or Bennett.

Shabazz and Bennet are both pure scorers who can be leaders on a team. Robertson is on a team where he isn't even the best player. Burke is the leader on that team and Robertson is fighting to be the second option with Hardaway.