2013 NBA draft prospects chatter

[BeesWax]

McLemore is a better scorer than Steph was at this point

Look at the numbers.

Steph was a shooter. As a freshman over half his points came from shooting threes. He was very good at it and in a weaker conference put up huge numbers doing it. McLemore scores in more ways. I am not doubting Steph was good just that McLemore at the same point in age is better all round scorer that Steph. He also does this in a much harder conference.

Steph: 3P = 50.1% 2P = 32.8% FT = 16.9% Good shooter but not much of an all round game as a freshman.

McLemore: 3P = 34.8% 2P = 43.6% FT = 21.5% Scores with more variety.

[catch20two]

We really can't afford anymore project players. We need players that can contribute.

[MasterIchiro]

We're not getting a project player in MCW we're getting an NBA ready backup which is pretty much best case scenario for the POR pick unless you feel there is a starter somewhere mid-round. I don't think there is a starter there who is at least worthy of a starting role here during our rebuild... so best bet is a killer backup. MCW is the best backup out there and he backs up a position where you need to be deep. And once again, I'd rather sign or trade for an established big man than draft a project big man backup in the middle of the first round.

[BeesWax]

We do need players that can contribute right away, but at that second pick I am not sure there are any players like that. MCW is a bit of a project but he is better that most of the other options that might be there.

[penquin11]

Why would we pick up a player who plays the position of our greatest strength? I would much rather try to grab a big with our 2nd pick...

[MasterIchiro]

Why would we pick up a player who plays the position of our greatest strength? I would much rather try to grab a big with our 2nd pick...

I really think assists are an issue with this core and we don't have enough team play to execute an optimally successful rebuild.

So to answer your question, in no particular order...

*Because bigs take time to develop in the NBA, longer than back court players. We don't need another project as we can be rebuilt before that big project pans out.

*Because Al Jefferson is superior to any big in this draft. We need an established big right now.

*Because Sessions final year with the Bobcats is next year. He'll get starter money and we won't commit to him with Kemba. Picture the Bobcats without Sessions and suddenly we are not so deep there. It's real.

*MCW can guard larger 2 guards for Kemba

*MCW is the best play maker in the draft and our team's strength is individual drives. We are last in assists. I repeat, we are dead last in assists.

[catch20two]

I really think assists are an issue with this core and we don't have enough team play to execute an optimally successful rebuild.

You make a good point here to a fault. I don't necessarily think we need a player that can get assist but more so we need players that can create their own shot whether from the post or perimeter. If that or those said players have any basketball IQ that should lead to more open opportunities for teammates, thus leading to assist. To make an example, MCW can pass all day to open teammates but if they don't know how to shoot than he won't be getting any assist. We need scorers, defenders, and rebounders. That's rule of thumb if you want to consistently win in the NBA.

[catch20two]

List of notable draft prospects that play tonight:

Ben McLemore vs TCU @9pm EST, ESPNU

Anthony Bennett vs Fresno State @9pm EST

Marcus Smart vs Baylor @7pm EST, ESPN

[Liver_Pooty]

McLemore is a better scorer than Steph was at this point

Look at the numbers.

Steph was a shooter. As a freshman over half his points came from shooting threes. He was very good at it and in a weaker conference put up huge numbers doing it. McLemore scores in more ways. I am not doubting Steph was good just that McLemore at the same point in age is better all round scorer that Steph. He also does this in a much harder conference.

Steph: 3P = 50.1% 2P = 32.8% FT = 16.9% Good shooter but not much of an all round game as a freshman.

McLemore: 3P = 34.8% 2P = 43.6% FT = 21.5% Scores with more variety.

Probably doesn't even matter, but McLemore is a red shirt freshman.

[MasterIchiro]

I think if we add the best shooter (McLemore) and the best playmaker (MCW) and a top low post threat who can both rebound and score (Al Jefferson) we address all of our most glaring weaknesses and we do so resoundingly.

[Eoghan]

I really think assists are an issue with this core and we don't have enough team play to execute an optimally successful rebuild.

You make a good point here to a fault. I don't necessarily think we need a player that can get assist but more so we need players that can create their own shot whether from the post or perimeter. If that or those said players have any basketball IQ that should lead to more open opportunities for teammates, thus leading to assist. To make an example, MCW can pass all day to open teammates but if they don't know how to shoot than he won't be getting any assist. We need scorers, defenders, and rebounders. That's rule of thumb if you want to consistently win in the NBA.

Good post. I'm a MCW fan b/c I get a boner for tall, facilitating point guards but he's hovering in plan B or C territory for our 2nd pick (if we have one). He's a poor shooter and his athleticism is a question mark in the NBA, meaning he's just as much a project than practically big slated to be taken in the lottery, IMO.

I'm not that worried about Sessions wanting big money when his contract runs out. He came here for a reasonable contract to be close to home and I doubt he'll want to hamstring us with a bloated contract when we're on the verge of an upswing.

And it's looking like Al Jefferson is about to take his talents to SA if today's rumors are any indication.

[Kembastockton]

I think if we add the best shooter (McLemore) and the best playmaker (MCW) and a top low post threat who can both rebound and score (Al Jefferson) we address all of our most glaring weakness and we do so resoundingly.

You guys can pretty much hang up getting MCW. He will be a top ten pick, and we don't even get the Portland pick inside the top 12.

[MasterIchiro]

I think if we add the best shooter (McLemore) and the best playmaker (MCW) and a top low post threat who can both rebound and score (Al Jefferson) we address all of our most glaring weakness and we do so resoundingly.

You guys can pretty much hang up getting MCW. He will be a top ten pick, and we don't even get the Portland pick inside the top 12.

Well hopefully we can package the 14th-15th pick with a player and draft up to take MCW around 10.

[MasterIchiro]

I'm not that worried about Sessions wanting big money when his contract runs out. He came here for a reasonable contract to be close to home and I doubt he'll want to hamstring us with a bloated contract when we're on the verge of an upswing.

I like Sessions but I'm not interested in paying a backup 8 million/year and I would think ownership feels the same way. A big market team can afford such a luxury but it's unrealistic to think the Bobcats can/will commit to Sessions beyond next year.

[catch20two]

If we can get in the top 10 of the draft with packaging the Portland pick I pray to God that Cho isn't dumb enough to draft a guard not named Shabazz Muhammad or Ben McLemore. It's pretty simple...WE NEED FRONTCOURT HELP.

[MasterIchiro]

And if Cho doesn't like the frontcourt help available at 10 in this draft?

[catch20two]

And if Cho doesn't like the frontcourt help available at 10 in this draft?

The frontcourt is the strength of this draft class. It would be foolish not to take advantage of it in some form or fashion.

[Kembastockton]

I think if we add the best shooter (McLemore) and the best playmaker (MCW) and a top low post threat who can both rebound and score (Al Jefferson) we address all of our most glaring weakness and we do so resoundingly.

You guys can pretty much hang up getting MCW. He will be a top ten pick, and we don't even get the Portland pick inside the top 12.

Well hopefully we can package the 14th-15th pick with a player and draft up to take MCW around 10.

I pretty much guaruntee you that Cho is not going to trade the Portland pick and a player to move into the draft for a third pointguard who is a lousy shooter even by college standards. If the Cats trade up it will be for a big hands down. I can see the Cats drafting Shabazz or McLemore and then trading Biz or Hendo to move up for Nerlens, Zeller, or Bennett. Maybe even one of the seven footers that we don't talk about much, but the Cats are not going to trade up for another pointguard in a weak draft.

[MasterIchiro]

I'm talking about drafting up to 10 so Zeller, Noel, Bennett and other bigs are irrelevant at that point. And if I'm a GM and I'm offered Biz + 15 for one of them I'm going to hang up the phone in a hurry.

[Kembastockton]

I'm talking about drafting up to 10 so Zeller, Noel, Bennett and other bigs are irrelevant at that point. And if I'm a GM and I'm offered Biz + 15 for one of them I'm going to hang up the phone in a hurry.

Maybe so. But the bobcats are not trading up for a poor shooting pointguard when point guard is their deepest position. The Cats are more likely to trade this pick for a vet than to move up for MCW. If this pick materializes into a pointguard it will be because the cats selected McCollom or Burke with the pick as they got it from Portland.