1st rd pick general discussion #2 overall (Poll Added)

[_tijo_]

That's revisionist history... Orlando had actually decided to pick Okafor and told Charlotte that they were going to do that, and that Howard would be ours. Then they changed their mind, relayed that to Charlotte, and Bickerstaff was elated that we could get Okafor. It was so back and forth, there's no way Howard was #1 on every mock. I was here from the beginning... ask Slam or anyone else.

Look, I didn't say Drummond was definitely going to be Dwight, I just see an opportunity here. He has a higher ceiling, and we have the time and patience to develop him and let him grow. TRob has a lower ceiling (I think almost everyone would agree), and he would make us better quicker. Which I argue may not be the best thing for us at this point. I want better draft picks in the next two drafts after this one. Take the guy, develop him, and hopefully he breaks out in 3 years.

The Shabazz argument is kinda silly. OK, what if we finish just out of the playoffs and then we get the #1 pick anyway? It's about maximizing our chances of getting really good players in the draft for the next couple of years to build. I think almost everyone can reasonably see that next year, TRob will be better, but Drummond has a bigger upside down the line. We don't need the benefits of the immediate return, but can hit the jackpot if it works out.

[captaincrunk]

could this be the result of guys tanking the standing reach in order to get a better max vertical. lots of talk about that this week at the combine.

Interesting angle. But taller guys (6'8" and above) want good standing reaches because that's what people want from them. Shorter guys, people look to vert.

That's not really all that impressive at the nba level. Josh McRoberts can do that.

So? That's the best aspect of McRobert's game aside from maybe range. It's still better than good for a big.

[countryboi]

It makes sense. Man, that trade would work out great for the Cavs. They can draft Drummond and another quality lottery player. Drummond will do great along side kryie Irving.

Guess we can kiss that trade secnario goodbye.

Why? If they would do that for four. They probably jump at 2.

chase budinger has a 40 inch vert. some people use that athleticism better than others....barnes is not one of those people

I can't wait to see you people when Barnes turns out to be one the best players in the draft. The athletisim he displayed in the combine over turns the only critisim of his game.

what happened to drummond's 38 inch vert?...draftexpress has it listed as 33 i have seen the kid go between his legs and dunk the ball.

That's not really all that impressive at the nba level. Josh McRoberts can do that.

The more I consider it, I like Drummond with our pick.
1. We will still suck next year. With Drummond, that's ok, he will probably take a few years to develop anyway.
2. With a high draft pick next year, and key free agents either this off-season or next, we are targeting probably around year 3 to start being better. Three years ago, Durant and Westbrook were on a terrible terrible team, but once they added pieces like Harden, Ibaka, Perk, they picked it up. Drummond can be an early piece.
3. With Sloan (assuming we hire him) he is a teacher, and I have more confidence in him teaching and molding someone like Drummond rather than Silas or even LB or Sam Vincent.
4. I want someone who can be in the top three at his position. Someone who can have the potential to make all star teams. Drummond can do it. I don't think T-Rob ever will. Or MKG.
5. Could he bust? Sure he could. But I'd rather try and go big rather than be safe. More and more, mediocre is the worst place to be in the NBA. T-Rob's ceiling is David West. Drummond's is Dwight.
6. I don't WANT to be good next year. I don't want a guy with good production next year to get us to mediocreness and a mid 1st roudn pick. I want someone young, raw, and with big upside so that when he develops, he's a star. I also want someone who will take 3 years, because I want a top 3 pick for the next two years. That's the definition of Drummond.
7. Center is the hardest position to get. Let's get ours.

Dude there is no chance at all of us being good next year. This team won seven games last year. If we got the number one pick we still would have been lucky to win 30 games. Sloan will benefit our rookies no matter who they are. And David West is not T-Rob's ceiling. I don't know where that nonsense came from. T-Rob's ceiling is a taller Larry Johnson. The only resemblence between T-Rob and DWest is their heights. T-Rob is quicker, a better rebounder, and a better driver than West right now. When he gets his shots to fall more consistently he will be better than West by default.

One reason not to pick Drummond is this. If we get shafted and get the number two pick again next year, and someone else gets Shabazz who do we pick? The next two best players are both centers. You guys are so excited because someone said that Drummond has Dwight Howard potential. Guess what? There is very little chance that Drummond will reach that potential when every time he has a chance to show his potential he disappoints. Dwight was blowing people's minds coming out of highschool, by deed as well as potential.

you idea of not that impressive is different from mine. I am not worried about his max vert because its clear he is a freak but that bench is troubling

[Liver_Pooty]

Next years draft is the last thing I'm worried about right now to be quiet honest :-/

[Eoghan]

They said during the combine that a lot of the guys that hold out of drills don't do as well during the athletic tests b/c they aren't as warmed up. That might explain why guys like Drummond and MKG were less impressive and Barnes more impressive.

[TheKingofSting]

im now on the harrison barnes bandwagon

1A)t-rob
1B)Harrison Barnes

Barnes combine numbers that hes still very raw despite his past production, to me he is now easily the 2nd best prospect in this draft

[captaincrunk]

im now on the harrison barnes bandwagon

1A)t-rob
1B)Harrison Barnes

Barnes combine numbers that hes still very raw despite his past production, to me he is now easily the 2nd best prospect in this draft

yeah I don't understand how T-Rob is 1A is Barnes is the second best prospect (after Davis, of course).

[TheKingofSting]

yeah I don't understand how T-Rob is 1A is Barnes is the second best prospect (after Davis, of course).

Sometimes you have to consider the source.

[penquin11]

Harrison Barnes had great numbers- his sprint wasn't bad- his no step vert was fantastic, his agility was good, all his measurables are great

[doc.end]

Just giving a piece of food for thought - there is a freak of nature big man talent from France in next year or 2014 draft (1992). DX said his wingspan was measured as longer than anyone they have in their database. In additions he is legit seven footer without shoes! and has standing reach near ten feet. They have him top 5 next year in their mock. Check their eurocamps articles.

Oh, some of us would ask - he has gigantic hands as well.

[SWedd523]

My first thought was, "I bet he's softer than a pillow"

Rudy Gobert put his 7'9 wingspan to good use today. He shut down the paint against the U20 Russian team, finishing with 15 points on 7-8 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 4 steals while providing an incredible defensive presence in 30 minutes of action.

7 feet tall
7'9 wingspan

.... 3 rebounds

[HornetJail]

How does one with a 10 foot standing reach only grab three rebounds? Must model his game after Andrea Bargnani or something.

[Bobcatsbball]

How does one with a 10 foot standing reach only grab three rebounds? Must model his game after Andrea Bargnani or something.

I hope the other team only missed 4 shots.

[oldfishermen]

Portland fan here.

I only read 20 of the 77 pages in this thread. Sorry if I missed something or repeating an idea.

A Charlotte/Portland trade makes the most sense from this side. The Cleveland rumors better be false. I have zero interest in their trade idea.

No bad blood with Cho on Portland’s side. I really liked him as our GM and thought he was doing a great job, and he was. It was more of a personality conflict with our hands on owner. I am sure our new GM will work with Cho, if Cho will work with him? BTW, Cho’s ideas were correct, and our owner’s ideas were wrong.

I doubt Portland’s new GM will trade both #6 & #11 for your #2. This trade does not fit his agenda.

Here is one trade idea being floated between Portland fans. #2 and Tyrus Thomas (unloading a horrible contract saving $26+ million) traded for starting SG Wesley Mathews and #11. There is a good chance one or more of these bigs will be available @ #11: Zeller, Leonard, Sullinger, Henson, and Moultrie.

You improve at SG, pick up big, and dump a bad contract for #2.

[Badd_Intentions]

I'd love to unload TT but I don't want us to fall out of the top 10 all together. I like Matthews, but he doesn't have enough upside to warrant dropping all the way down to 11. None of those bigs interest me much, except Leonard and I think 11 would be too high for him.

[Liver_Pooty]

My first thought was, "I bet he's softer than a pillow"

Rudy Gobert put his 7'9 wingspan to good use today. He shut down the paint against the U20 Russian team, finishing with 15 points on 7-8 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 4 steals while providing an incredible defensive presence in 30 minutes of action.

7 feet tall
7'9 wingspan

.... 3 rebounds

Sounds like a lot of Biyombos game.

Except Biyombo is 6'9

[James Gatz]

Portland fan here.

I only read 20 of the 77 pages in this thread. Sorry if I missed something or repeating an idea.

A Charlotte/Portland trade makes the most sense from this side. The Cleveland rumors better be false. I have zero interest in their trade idea.

No bad blood with Cho on Portland’s side. I really liked him as our GM and thought he was doing a great job, and he was. It was more of a personality conflict with our hands on owner. I am sure our new GM will work with Cho, if Cho will work with him? BTW, Cho’s ideas were correct, and our owner’s ideas were wrong.

I doubt Portland’s new GM will trade both #6 & #11 for your #2. This trade does not fit his agenda.

Here is one trade idea being floated between Portland fans. #2 and Tyrus Thomas (unloading a horrible contract saving $26+ million) traded for starting SG Wesley Mathews and #11. There is a good chance one or more of these bigs will be available @ #11: Zeller, Leonard, Sullinger, Henson, and Moultrie.

You improve at SG, pick up big, and dump a bad contract for #2.

I'd love to dump TT but that isn't enough for me to give up the 2nd pick.

2, TT, Portland 2013 for 6, 11 future 2nd?

[oldfishermen]

I'd love to dump TT but that isn't enough for me to give up the 2nd pick.

2, TT, Portland 2013 for 6, 11 future 2nd?

I do not believe there is any trade we can make with Charlotte that would include both #6 & #11.

If you guys are serious about making a trade with Portland, you will need to give up asking for both picks. It is not going to happen.

As far as including second round picks, no problem. We also have this years #40 & #41 picks, in play to sweeten a deal. Cho probably could also ask for $3 million in cash. Not sure he would get it, but if I was him, I would ask.

[captaincrunk]

Then you can't have the #2 pick. Tyrus for 11 straight up.

[Marino]

If you gave up the 6 instead of the 11 for your original trade, I think I would be okay with it.